By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Gov. Mike Huckabee's proposal for school districts with fewer than 500 students to be consolidated, if adopted, would not affect any of the three school districts in St. Francis County.
The closest district that would be affected is Parkin, in Cross County, with 392 students. Cotton Plant, in Woodruff County, with 218 students, would also be affected.
Still, the superintendents of the local districts have thoughts on consolidation, and while they apparently aren't overly eager to embrace the concept, they admit that some consolidation may be unavoidable.
"My comment is, whatever it takes to address the Lake View decision," said Forrest City School District Superintendent Lee Vent, referring to the court decision which led to the state Supreme Court's ruling that the Arkansas public education system is unconstitutional.
"We're going to have to be more effective and efficient in how we use our state money, as well as local money," Vent continued. "If it calls for consolidation, then those things must be addressed, even though it is not very popular politically."
He said no particular size of school district has a monopoly on doing a good job.
"And I think that in Arkansas, by its own nature being rural, any attempt to consolidate by number will be met with great resistance," he said.
He said there are other options which consider county-wide administration units, which he said might work in some counties.
"But primarily, the aim is to improve the education delivery system. That's what we're all supposed to be about."
Dr. Randy Crowder, superintendent of the Hughes School District, admitted to mixed feelings.
"Of course, 500 (the governor's cutoff proposal) won't consolidate us, but I don't know," he said. "I do know, from what some legal folks have said to me, a number would be easier to defend in court, versus some kind of plan with standards and test scores and all kinds of things like that...So I understand why they're going with a number."
However, he said he does not believe consolidation will actually save money in the long run. He mentioned the cost of busing, and "if you move very many students to another district, you're going to have to build new facilities. You suddenly don't have enough room. I think that will come into play.
"Another thing that's going to come into play, if you take the staff from a small district, whose salaries are less than a larger district, and you move all those students and have to move the teachers, you're going to suddenly be paying an additional number of teachers a higher salary. Smaller schools usually do not pay as much. Those are some of the hidden expenses with consolidation."
He said some districts may need to be consolidated, "But I'm not sure I know the number or the districts."
In the Palestine-Wheatley School District, Superintendent John Manning said the Lake View ruling did not specifically mandate school consolidation. But he also said even school districts not facing consolidation will face challenges.
"No school in St. Francis County would be affected (by consolidation), but we've also got an equal concern with the No Child Left Behind Law," Manning said, adding that some school districts may be forced to consolidate to meet standards.
"Consolidation is not new. It's been around forever. But it was usually based on performance, not numbers," he said. "The sad part about it is, our state's just been on hold for this entire school year, waiting for a decision. But I assure you, once they confirm what we have to do, we'll get it done."
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
After hearing of another successful Rumble on the Ridge holiday basketball tournament, the Forrest City Advertising and Promotions Commission on Tuesday agreed to help fund the event again next year.
Bill Baxter, the tournament founder and director, recapped the Thanksgiving weekend event for A&P members on Tuesday.
Baxter outlined for commissioners how the $25,000 they contribute to the event was spent. "Our total income this year for the Rumble was $39,113.05," said Baxter. A report handed out at the meeting showed that in addition to funding from the commission, $14,113.05 was earned in ticket sales over the three-day event.
"We lowered the ticket prices this year from $7 to $5. We did that because if a family of four or five wants to attend each night, that is a hit," Baxter said.
"Our expenses were $39,368.72," continued Baxter. "We had a net loss of $255.67, but we have some other things that have not come in yet." The report also showed that with sponsorship income of $4,000, minus general expenses totaling $1,622.00, the net profit should be $2,378.00. "What these numbers mean to the folks in the room is that almost everything (funding that was spent) stayed in the area.
"I have another sheet that shows who some of the beneficiaries of the Rumble are. The (St. Francis County) Food Pantry received two large boxes of canned goods," Baxter said. "Admission this year to the three-point shooting and dunk contests was a can of food. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes got $1,497 from program and ticket sales. The Youth Advisory Council, through the St. Francis County Community Foundation, got $3,659 from selling program ads. If the money is placed in an endowment fund, the Walton Foundation will match the amount in the fund. The Forrest City Athletic Booster Club got $4,454.05 profit from the concession stand," he added.
Baxter then asked the commission to help support next year's event. "We pretty much know how much the Rumble will cost us each year," continued Baxter. "You have to get on these people (the schools invited to the Rumble) early. Of the top 25 junior basketball players in the country, nine of them live within 300 miles of Forrest City. We want to bring in as much talent to the Rumble as we can, and getting started early helps."
The members unanimously voted to help fund the 2004 Rumble on the Ridge with $25,000.
In other business, Shelia Lieblong, the secretary of the commission, offered updates on two recent events. The first was on the mural project. "Kathy (Martin who is painting the mural) couldn't make it, but she gave me a report to present," said Lieblong. "She said that the metal for the trim on the mural was wrong and she had to have it reordered. She estimated that it would take about a day to complete."
Lieblong then updated commissioners on the Forrest City Christmas Parade. "We had 85 participants this year. Ten of those were floats. We had a good turnout, both in the parade and people watching."
Brad Beavers updated commissioners on the St. Francis County Museum remodeling. "We took bids for the project and the lowest bid was $175,000, but does not include the sprinkler system. We are within our budget, and we are preparing the contract. The next step will be sending it to the state highway department for approval.
Lastly, the members voted unanimously to suggest to the Forrest City City Council that Mark Turner, a fellow member, be reappointed to the commission for another four-year term.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Civic Center hosted over 175 people Tuesday as the East Arkansas Enterprise Community held its annual public meeting.
According to EAEC consultant Dr. Robert Cole, with between 175 and 200 people in attendance, Tuesday's meeting was both successful and informative.
"Several people told me that yesterday's meeting was the best annual meeting that we've held. It was also probably the largest public turnout that we've had. This year we had a different approach in bringing information to the public, and it was really well accepted. Everything went really well, and it was better received than in the past," Cole said.
According to Cole, the event's featured speaker, Sybil Jordan-Hampton president of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, was also well received.
"Our speaker stayed on-point and really delivered a good message. She gave information to us that showed how the collaboration between the partnerships and the EC work to make things better for the communities in the EC," he said.
The proposed golf lodge at Village Creek State Park was also mentioned during the executive board meeting, according to Cole. Contractors with the lodge changed the proposed location of the lodge to St. Francis County due the ability of the company to seek low-interest bonds for the construction of the facility due to the county's status as a enterprise zone. According to Cole, the lodge is one of several businesses which have taken advantage of opportunities provided by the enterprise zones in Cross, St. Francis, Lee and Monroe counties.
"We discussed the lodge briefly during our board meeting, and this is just one of the many benefits that the enterprise designation gives to our communities. We're seeing more and more businesses that are taking advantage of the opportunities that the designation gives them which will only help out this area as a whole," Cole said.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
A change in two city ordinances regarding animals and a proposed budget for 2004 topped the discussion at the regular monthly meeting of the Hughes City Council Monday.
Mayor Donnie Mooney recognized J.C. Gardner to speak to councilmen about the problems he has had with what he called "dangerous and vicious dogs" that are allowed to roam the city.
"On Memorial Day, there was an alleged dog fight on the corner of my street," said Gardner. He presented pictures of his dog that he claimed was attacked in the incident. "I reported this to the police and couldn't get them. I called Forrest City (the police department) and they got in contact with a Hughes officer. He talked to my neighbors. Then they (the neighbors) had some words for me. Then I called the sheriff's department and they talked to them. Then we found our dogs dead on Friday. They were poisoned. Anyone who has a dog knows that they are like a member of the family.
"Since the dogs moved in on the corner, they have been running wild," continued Gardner. "Anyone with any sense knows when they have a vicious dog and should chain it up and not let it just run wild."
Councilman Rudolph Robinson gave an account of an incident that he said he experienced in the city. "I was outside my house one day and a kid came up to me with a big dog. He said, 'Bring out your dog.' He wanted me to bring out my dog so they could fight. We need to do something about this."
Mooney shared his thoughts on the issue. "I think it is time for us to make an ordinance (against vicious animals). These dogs could attack a child or an elderly person. We have got to do something. We need to pass an ordinance or rewrite the one we have."
City attorney Jerry Roberts advised the council to wait on changes. "I remember that we have passed an ordinance against dangerous animals in the past few years. Let me look it up and see what it says." He also advised Gardner to sign an affidavit regarding his poisoned dogs.
Taking Roberts advice, the council agreed to hold a called meeting at 8 p.m. Thursday to review city ordinances involving animals.
Mooney then presented the proposed 2004 budget for Hughes. "I did the budget based on what we have in the bank right now, but not with the December bills paid. Keep in mind these are estimates. Next month we will take a look at the 2003 budget and make amendments."
Mooney reviewed many of the items on the budget explaining the amounts and what the money is used for. After the explanation, the council voted unanimously to accept the budget.
Before adjourning, councilmen discussed bonuses for city employees. Mooney said he figured the bonuses in two ways. "I figured them by a week's pay for each employee and a flat bonus of $150 for each employee." According to Mooney, bonuses paid by a week's salary amounted to $5,649.52, but he did not give each employee the same bonus. The bonuses with the flat rate was $3,300. The council voted unanimously to give flat-rate bonuses to all employees.