By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The End-Of-Course Examinations given toward the end of last school year show that while Forrest City middle, junior and senior high students continue to lag behind state averages in Algebra I, Geometry and Literacy, the local test scores have improved in almost every area over last year.
"We were really pleased" with the improvements, said Phyllis Russell, who handles testing for the district.
In only one area did local students do worse than last year -- in Algebra I, 38 percent of Forrest City students who took the test scored below basic skills, an increase from the 37 percent who scored below basic in 2003. However, the percentage of students scoring at proficient or advanced increased to 28 percent, up from 21 percent last year.
In Geometry, 41 percent scored below basic, an improvement over 43 percent last year. A tremendous increase was shown in the kids scoring proficient or advanced -- 22 percent, up from only 5 percent a year ago.
The 11th grade Literacy exam also showed improvements. This year, 31 percent of students scored below basic, an improvement from the 41 percent of students rated below basic last year. In addition, 17 percent of students scored in the proficient or advance range, up from 13 percent last year.
Students across the state also did better on the test than last year.
The Arkansas Department of Education will now use the End Of Course Exams and the previously announced Benchmark exam results in grades four, six and eight to determine if districts are meeting the requirements for achievement.
In another education-related matter, it was announced earlier this week that 123 schools in Arkansas have been placed on probation for standards violations.
None of the schools listed are in St. Francis County or surrounding counties.
Among the state's 1,110 public schools, 786 received unconditional accreditation, 201 were accredited, though cited for problems and 123 were given probationary status.
The designations fall under a law passed last year that gave the state board new powers to enforce compliance with school standards enacted in 1983. For years, the standards remained on the books but laws provided education officials little authority to enforce them expeditiously.
Act 1467 of 2003 expanded accountability standards and restored a provision repealed in 1999 that gave the state board power to take action, from counseling or removing administrators to consolidation, against districts or individual schools other than those with the severest cases of academic or fiscal distress.
The act authorizes the state to intervene if violations aren't addressed within two years, or to act sooner in the most serious cases.
''We will enforce that with no leniency,'' Charity Smith, the Education Department's assistant director for accountability, said in an Associated Press story.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Advertising and Promotions Commission is looking at ways to make the annual Mightymite Triathlon an all-day event that could be combined with other activities to help increase tourism in the area.
Andrew Holliday, the media coordinator for Mightymite, met Tuesday with A&P Commissioners to outline ideas for expanding the event into a small festival. Holliday was asked last month to come up with some options for the commission to consider, such as a food cook-off or entertainment.
"I have been looking at a sanctioned barbecue cook-off (to be held the same weekend as the Mightymite)," began Holliday. "The cook-off could be sanctioned by the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Contest. That would give us access to all of the teams that compete in that contest. Right now, I don't know how much it would cost to have them sanction the event. I'm waiting on the information from the Memphis in May organization.
"Another event is a crawfish festival," said Holliday. "It would be easy to tie in music such as blues, bluegrass or Cajun zydeco with the crawfish event. We could have the food event and the music event together, or we could have one and not the other. I'm also looking into bands that perform at the casinos (in Mississippi) to see how much it would cost to have a notable band that was popular in the 80's to perform. It is up to you what you would want to do, and I am willing to help you. I need to hear from you on the commission ideas as to what you are interested in so we can narrow our options down. Then, I can get some cost information."
A&P Chairman Kem Merrell offered his ideas on another event. "What about a chicken cooking contest?" Merrell asked. "I have never heard of a chicken cooking contest. We could contact Tyson (Foods) and see if they would want to sponsor it. We could also tie it in with the Memphis in May event."
Commissioner Matt Townsend suggested another event. "I would like to see a large flea market held. Maybe we could hold it in the civic center and charge a small amount for booth space."
The group also discussed the possibility of a two-day event, but it was agreed that for the first year of the expanded event, the festivities should be held on just the Saturday of the race.
Holliday was also asked to look into price estimates for a chicken cook-off, blues music and getting national flea market vendors to attend next year's event. Holliday is expected to report back to the commission next month.
Commissioners then agreed to enter into a contract with Forrest City Recreation Director Kenneth Taylor to increase the amount of softball and baseball tournaments played at the Forrest City Sports Complex.
Last month, Taylor was asked to make a contract proposal that would pay him extra money for bringing more tournaments to the area. The proposal submitted to the members stated that more tournaments would bring in more revenue to city businesses. Taylor estimated that between six and 12 more tournaments could be hosted at the complex each year. Those tournaments would involve between 12 and 40 teams each. Taylor also proposed that his fees would be $250 for a one-day tournament, $500 for tournaments from two to three days and $750 for a tournament lasting four to five days.
Merrell asked what could be done as far as selling souvenirs at the tournaments. "If we put on a tournament and want to sell license plates or bats, can we do that?"
"As long as it is not food and you have rented the complex, you can do it," responded Taylor.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the proposed contract with Taylor for one year, provided that he give the commission 30 day prior notice of when the tournaments will occur and give a report to the A & P within 30 days after the event.
In other news, local artist Kathi Martin presented a proposed drawing of a 10-by-22-foot mural that will be done on the side of Vaccaro Lumber Company. According to Martin, the mural will feature an agricultural theme. Martin's request for $11,000 for the project was approved unanimously. Martin estimated the mural would be completed by December.
Before adjourning, commissioners discussed the enforcement of the policy for hearing requests for funding. Funding requests are to be submitted to Sheila Lieblong, secretary of the A & P, a minimum of 60 days before the meeting. The requests will then be considered to see if the commission can legally offer funding. If approved, the request will be heard by the commission.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
For the third time in the last four months the Forrest City Civic Center Commission failed to meet Monday due to the lack of a quorum.
Commission members Shirley Harvell, Willie Ann Ford and Lois Walker arrived at the Civic Center for the regularly scheduled meeting of the commission Monday, only to find out that fellow commission members Marcus Freeman and commission chair Delores Morelon would not be in attendance. Commission member Ted Parker has not attended any of the board's meetings this year.
In July, commission members held their first official meeting since April. In May, commissioners heard from members of several local civic clubs voicing their opinions on the Civic Center catering issue. The commission could take no action during the May meeting due to the lack of a quorum.
While Freeman's absence Monday was expected, commission members were unaware that Morelon would not be in attendance. Morelon has not attended a meeting since May, and declined comment on the matter Tuesday morning. Forrest City Mayor Larry Bryant could not be reached for comment.
The catering at the civic center will take center stage Thursday during a called meeting of the Forrest City City Council with discussion over the new contract for the facility on the agenda.
There has been some speculation that the lack of an on-site caterer at the building has hurt business during the summer months, but according to information from Bryant's office, the facility has actually increased its revenues through July of 2004.
Revenue reports from the mayor's office show gross revenues of $52,241.50 through July 30 of this year, which is $19,899.50 in additional gross revenue from July of last year. Numbers dated July 23, 2003 had gross revenues of $34,927.
According to Harvell, the increase in revenues over the past year could work to dispel rumors regarding the facility's success during the past few months.
"There is a myth that the Civic Center has been losing business during the discussions over the catering situation and that the commission has been frozen over this one issue. The increase in gross revenue shows that we are still moving forward and that the building has actually seen an increase in business. We're excited about the numbers, and we hope to see the growth continue," Harvell said this morning.
Today's edition of the Times-Herald contains the annual special section on the St. Francis County Fair.
The 2004 Fair will be held Sept. 12 through Sept. 18 at the Wiley T. Jones Fairgrounds.
The Fair section contains a full schedule of events, including days and times for exhibits and competitions. It also contains rules for exhibits, as well as entry forms for the beauty pageants and talent contest.
Meetings and testing times have been announced for parents of children who will be entering the Forrest City Schools for the first time this fall.
The ABC Preschool will have a parent meeting for the parents of toddlers (18 months to 3 years) and 3-year-olds on Thursday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m. Toddlers will have their first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 19.
ABC Preschool will also have a parent meeting for the 4-year-old program on Thursday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m.
The days of Aug. 19, 20, 23, 24 and 25 have been designated as days for all kindergarten-preschool students to take the Early Prevention to School Failure Test in the schools they have been assigned to attend.
Parents of these children should contact their child's school to set up a time and date to bring their child for testing. School officials ask that parents not send the child on the bus during the testing week. Parents are also urged to keep the appointed time and accompany their child to the assigned school. Parents of kindergarten students who have not yet enrolled are asked to enroll their children immediately so they may be included in the testing.
A Forrest City teen was treated and released Tuesday afternoon after his scooter was hit by a truck on North Division Street.
The Forrest City Police Department responded to the accident about 4:45 p.m. at the intersection of Division and Dillard streets.
Vanburen Hicks, 44, 824 N. Izard, told police he was traveling west on Dillard Street in a 1984 Chevrolet pickup and was attempting to turn onto Division Street when he struck the 2003 Honda scooter driven by Derek Buchanan, 14, 1315 Brookside Dr. Hicks told police he looked before entering Division Street, but did not see Buchanan's scooter, which was traveling north.
Buchanan told police he was enroute to his grandmother's home when the truck pulled into his path and struck him. The teen was transported by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where he was treated and released
Hicks is charged with driving on a suspended driver's license.