By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Enrollment at East Arkansas Community College has unofficially increased by more than 20 percent for the fall semester.
"Certainly, we had hoped for enrollment increases, but we didn't know exactly what they would be, and we still don't know exactly what they are," said EACC President Dr. Coy Grace.
"As of this afternoon (on Thursday), our head count was 1,580. That's up 281 students over the same time last year, and that is a 21.7 percent increase."
He said numbers will still be revised, but added, "We feel really good about enrollment."
Board member Oral Edwards said that often when the economy is down, college enrollment tends to go up.
"That tends to be true," said Grace, "But where we seem to be up is in the traditional age student. Typically, the group that ties more to a change in the economy would be non-traditional students. And while we do have some more non-traditional students, our greatest increase is in our traditional students."
He said new programs and greater recruiting efforts could account for the increase.
"We don't know all the reasons, but we're happy," he said.
On another matter, the board voted to discontinue the college yearbook, because of apparent student apathy.
"In my mind, I think, it's a good time to evaluate whether or not it should be continued," said Grace. "I don't know the feelings of the board. I can tell you that every year we have boxes and boxes of the yearbooks left over. We have a hard time getting people to come in and have their pictures made to be included in the yearbook. There's only a small portion of our students who actually come in and have their pictures made."
He said to his knowledge, EACC is the only two year school in the state that has a yearbook.
"There hasn't been a voice in the wilderness crying 'Keep the yearbook.' Maybe there's one out there, but so far I haven't heard it," said Grace.
After some discussion, the board voted to discontinue the yearbook and reallocate the funds.
The board also reviewed and voted to accept the 2002-2003 college catalog.
Grace reported to the board that the college had received $208,530 as part of a five-year Child Support Services award, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program provides counseling and tutorial services for students who fit the categories of the program.
The college is applying for a Title III grant. It is a $1.8 million, five-year grant, and can go toward strengthening academic programs.
Grace also told the board that work is going well on the new construction -- a facade and walkway and parking. The bricks have arrived, and Grace said it appears to be a pretty good match to the rest of the campus.
A report was given on several new employees. These include: Robyn Klerk, as administrative secretary for the vice president for student affairs; Christine Williams, as coordinator of recruitment and student activities; Dave Hodges as a member of the business and technology faculty; Kathryn Riffle for the nursing faculty; and Glennis Brewington as Cross County literacy coordinator. Also, Donna Horton has resigned as purchasing agent.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
In Tuesday's Forrest City School Board election, incumbent Sandra Taylor will face off against Colt resident Tony Morgan. Both candidates recently sat down with the Times-Herald to answer several questions regarding the upcoming election.
Taylor, 48, is Human Resources Manager at Sanyo. She is seeking her second term on the school board. She was appointed to her position in 2000. Taylor, who is married to Hervery Taylor, has a daughter who graduated in 1995 from Forrest City High School, and two grandchildren who are students in the FCSD. She is a 1971 graduate of Forrest City High School and received an associates degree from East Arkansas Community College. She also received a BS degree in Business Administration from Memphis State University.
Morgan, 31, works as a service technician with Centerpoint/ARKLA, and was a student in the Forrest City School District until 1988 when he married and pursued his GED. He received his GED a year ahead of his graduating class. He is the husband of Susan Morgan, a teacher in the Palestine-Wheatley School District, and they have two sons, who attend school in the PWSD.
Each candidate was asked the same set of questions. Their answers are as follows:
1. If elected, what changes would you like to see made in the FC School District?
Taylor: "I think that not only the district, but the community has to make changes so that we can form a partnership of sorts. The cooperation of both would really be an asset to our community, and if both pulled together we could have a dynamite school district."
Morgan: "I would like to see a more defined discipline program. A lack of discipline is overtaking our schools and running some people off. We need to do everything that we can to make the schools more of a learning environment. When we were in school we weren't perfect, but we've got to get the criminal element out of our schools."
2. How do you think a new junior high school will improve the school district?
Morgan: "The new building will definitely make the district look better, but that's really not our problem. We have to offer parents more and newer curriculum so that parents will be interested in keeping their children here. We shouldn't have to keep trying to find legal ways of keeping kids in this school district.
Taylor: "I look at the new junior high from a recruiting standpoint. I've talked to several people while I was out recruiting who have asked me, 'Is that where you send your kids to school?' and those questions are hard to answer. The old building was a deterrent to the growth of our community, and this new building may be able to attract people into the community."
3. What do you think is the most urgent issue facing schools today?
Taylor: "I think that school funding would be our biggest issue. The issues on the state level have to be taken care of because our funding is necessary to better facilitate the needs of our students."
Morgan: "There are three primary problems facing our schools. The first is waste. I don't understand why there has to be so many administrative positions in our school district. If they weren't necessary 10 years ago, then why are they necessary now. Second, would be discipline and third curriculum. You've got to get the first two up to par before we can really address the problems with our curriculum. In other school districts students are starting on history and science in kindergarten, and here, those subjects aren't touched until the third grade, and that's giving those kids an edge that our children aren't getting.
4. What type of experience do you have with school management?
Morgan: "I don't have any experience working with school management. I'm just a taxpayer who is concerned with the state of our schools and trying to do my best to help our children and our future."
Taylor: "I'm in my second term on the board, and school administration is a business just like any other business. I've been working in all aspects of business for the past 25 years, and that allows me certain insights on what needs to be done."
5. Why are you the best candidate for the job?
Taylor: "I feel that my experience is an asset for this position, and this is something that I do not just base on business and education, but for my love of Forrest City. I feel that sometimes we as citizens need to do more for our community, and this is my way of giving back."
Morgan: "I'm outspoken and have the children's best interests at heart. At the same time, I'm willing to be a voice for the taxpayers."
6. How would your election benefit patrons in the FCSD?
Morgan: "I'll work hard to insure the best education possible for our children and make sure that our buildings are maintained. We also have to hold our administrators and teachers accountable for the jobs that they are supposed to do and I want to be able to do that."
Taylor: "I'll continue to work for our children and for our district trying to do what is best to advance our community."
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Eighty-five jobs are being eliminated at a Colt manufacturing plant.
The positions are expected to be phased out before the end of the year, according to RBX Industry General Manager Stan McMorris.
McMorris said the move is the result of a merger earlier this year with Nomaco K-Flex LLC, which is based in North Carolina and Milan, Italy. According to McMorris, employees were informed of the move in June.
"This is the result of a joint venture with Nomaco Corporation, and although we hate to do this, it was a necessary move. At this time, there are no plans to eliminate any other positions in the near future," McMorris said, adding that the introduction of new products from the venture could cause future growth at the Colt plant, but no plans for that growth are in the works.
"We are looking at bringing other processes and products in that would create new positions, but that's not something that will be happening soon," McMorris said.
RBX Industries Inc., formally Rubatex, currently employs 287 salary and bargaining positions. It has produced and marketed closed-cell foam materials under the Rubatex brand since 1934.
Nomaco Corporation is a leader in polyethylene insulation in the United States, according to McMorris. Nomaco K-Flex LLC, is a joint venture between Nomaco Corporation of North Carolina and Isolante K-Flex of Milan, Italy. Nomaco is a world leader in technical and product development in elastomeric insulation materials, McMorris added.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Several new computers have been purchased for a children's computer room at the Forrest City Public Library. The computers are being bought with money donated through memorials to the library.
"The computers have been purchased, but we are running out of money," Hill stated. "We still need to purchase games for the computers and chairs." The board decided to purchase the remaining items with funds from the general memorial fund.
Board member Brad Beavers offered an investment suggestion to board members for a Lois Nimocks Beeson memorial fund at the library.
"We have an account to benefit the library in the amount of $4,248 in a long-term endowment. For the fund to pay out, it must be at $10,000. I've spoken to the Community Foundation Board and they suggested we hold a fundraiser to make up the rest of the amount. The local affiliate will match either a dollar for dollar, or a dollar for two.
"If we get to the $10,000 amount, we will benefit from interest. As it stands now, the account is just sitting there," added Beavers. The council requested a representative from the CFB attend next month's meeting with further details.
Before adjourning, 10-year-board member Jim McInturff told the board that he has decided not seek reappointment when his term ends in December of this year.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
Wheatley City Council members on Thursday night voted to keep the city's current millage rate.
"A millage rate can be from a one to a five, and we currently have a five," Mayor Larry Nash said. "The rate is on property taxes and we receive money from the millage collected."
The council also continued its discussion from last month's meeting on a new plumbing ordinance. In August, the issue was tabled so that members could have time to look over the changes. Discussion last night centered around fees.
The fees cover inspection of new homes and renovated homes, and adding of new plumbing fixtures. The inspections cover gas, sewer and water hook ups.
After some debate on the rates, a motion was made to change the rates, but failed for the lack of a second.
A motion was then offered to keep the updated language in the new ordinance and keep the old rates. That motion was adopted.
In other news, an additional dumpster for the city will be requested for the end of November and repair gravel will be placed on Memphis Street.
The Forrest City Water Commission will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the City Water Department.