By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Forrest City School Board members approved over $37 million in budgets for the 2002/2003 school year during their regular monthly meeting Monday.
Board members voted by a 4-0 margin to pass several budgets totalling $37,555,555.83. The largest of the budgets passed was the district's budget of expenditures which totaled $31,912,061. The expenditures budget included $11,044,509 for the teachers' salaries, $9,438,357 for the operating fund, $5,773,165 for the building fund, $810,814 for debt service, $3,326,214 for federal grants and $1,518,902 for foodservice.
According to FCSD Superintendent Lee Vent, state level budget woes have caused school districts to tighten their budgeting. Vent also said that pending decisions by the Arkansas Supreme Court could have a great effect on state finances.
"Last year was one of the most difficult budgeting years that I have seen in this business, and this year I expect it to be just as difficult if not more difficult. If the supreme court upholds the decision that the school funding formula is unconstitutional, then something will have to be done, and I'm not sure how the state will fix things," Vent said.
In other news, board members approved several change orders for work at the new Forrest City Junior High School.
Over $130,000 in change orders were approved to allow for adjustments in areas for lighting in the auditorium and the expansion of the administration wing of the building to provide a data wing for computer wiring. Work on the FCJHS is 33 percent complete, and district architect Bob Beavers told board members that an even greater percentage of the building should be completed next month as more material comes in and the larger machinery is brought in.
Work on the roof at Lincoln Middle School is also back under way after a week off to allow school to begin.
In personnel news, the board approved the hiring of Diane Cottrell to work at Caldwell Elementary, and accepted the resignations of Jaime Bradford and Melody Bradford. Board members also accepted resignations from two employees who are retiring, Brenda Sue Lewis and Vera Seawood.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Airport Commission got its first look at the tentative plans for the scaled-down airport master plan.
The new plans call for expansion of the length and width of the runway, within the existing property lines of the airport.
There had been plans to expand the airport property, but there were strong protests from area landowners, leading to the scaled-down plans.
"It's drawn on this (the existing property), and I'd like for everyone to take a good, close look at it," said Bill Hays, chairman.
On a related matter, Hays said he had talked to Entergy about the power lines at the south end of the runway.
"They're talking favorably about burying the lines at the south end of the airport," he said. "That would be a safety enhancement. We're at a point now of talking about how much it's going to cost."
He said the cost is currently being negotiated.
"It would be good for us to get those lines underground," Hays said.
Hays also said he had met with members of the Memphis Soaring Society. He said the society has offered to sell the airport a hangar and trailer for $80,000. He said the airport was also offered the hangar alone for $70,000. The group is ending a 10-year lease period and has a 10-year option. The Soaring Society is preparing to move to a new location near Cherry Valley in Cross County.
Hays said he was told that if the airport did not want to pay that amount, the Soaring Society might sublease the property to an agriculture aviation operation.
Hays claimed that would be in violation of the lease. However, he also said that the counsel of the mayor and city council should be sought.
"Before we do anything, I want the mayor and council involved," he said.
On another matter, board member Homer Jacobs suggested a new sign for the airport. Hays said it would have to have FAA approval, but he said it could be done. He suggested that Jacobs design a sign.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Madison City Council continued discussing the city's mosquito problem during their regular monthly meeting Monday at city hall.
Mayor James Brooks presented councilmen with estimates regarding the cost of sprayers and chemicals to fight the pests.
"We have looked into the cost of sprayers and chemicals since our last meeting," Brooks told council members. "There are two types of each we priced. The two types of spray are a pre-mixed kind that costs $34.50 a gallon and is sold in 30-gallon drums. The second type is a concentrate that you have to mix with mineral oil. The concentrate is $257 a gallon and comes in 55-gallon drums. The mineral oil you have to buy with it is $5 a gallon in a 15-gallon drum."
Brooks also gave figures on two sprayers, or foggers, that are used to spray the chemicals into the air. "The foggers we looked at were an eight-horsepower fogger for $6,500, and an 18-horsepower fogger for $7,650," Brooks said.
As for the funding of any purchase of equipment, Brooks suggested that the city wait for any money which it might receive from the state's mosquito abatement program.
"I feel that we should wait and use any funds we receive to buy as much of the equipment as we can. Everyone I've talked to told me that adding a dollar or two to the water bill won't cover the cost," Brooks said, referring to a debate among councilmen at last month's meeting over how the money should be raised.
In other news, Brooks told the council of the recent problems with patrol cars.
"Right now we are tight with our police vehicles," Brooks said. "The grant that we applied for from the Justice Department was turned down so I need the authority to look for and purchase a used one."
After some debate on the matter, the council unanimously voted to amend the budget up to $4,000 for the purchase of a used police vehicle.
The first full weekend of high school, college and NFL football games brought many surprises.
But not enough to keep Chris Bridges of Bald Knob from correctly picking 21 of last week's 24 Professor Pigskin games correct to win the first $50 prize of the new 2002 season.
Bridges missed one high school game, one college game and one NFL game.
This week's selections of games can be found inside today's Times-Herald.
Several area groups will mark the Sept. 11 anniversary with ceremonies throughout the day Wednesday.
The Forrest City Fire Department will begin the day at 8 a.m. with a ceremony at First National Bank of Wynne. At 8:46, city officials are asking that all citizens pause for a moment of silence.
From 9 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. firefighters will be at Stewart Elementary School for a presentation from the students at Stewart. At 10 a.m., two representatives from the FCFD will be at Baptist Memorial Hospital.
The St. Francis County Courthouse will hold "A Moment of Remembrance" on the Courthouse Lawn at the flag pole beginning at noon. Prayer will be led by Rev. Gary Chapman.
Ceremonies will conclude from 1 to 2 p.m. with fire department representatives appearing at Lincoln Middle School. Each school in the Forrest City School District are expected to host individual Sept. 11 programs.