By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
With less than a month to go before school bells ring in the start of the new year, the leadership for Lincoln Middle School is still undecided.
Following a two-hour executive session Monday night, the Forrest City School Board did not discuss the issue in open session, but Superintendent Lee Vent said the position at LMS "will be held open until further notice."
In June, the board failed to approve the district administration's recommendation that Sandra Nicks Mills be hired as the new LMS principal. At that time, the board voted 3-3 on Mills' hiring with board members Sandra Taylor, Ronald Williams and Henry Peacock voting against the move, and board members Aubrey Jayroe, Dr. Wayne Jones and Mallory Nimocks voting to hire her.
After last night's meeting, Vent said that although he could not discuss the specifics of the executive session, he was encouraged by the "dialogue" that took place during the meeting and is hopeful a new principal will be hired within the next few days.
Vent said three applicants can be considered as "serious contenders" for the position and that Mills is one of those candidates. "We will let everyone know when we complete the process. We may call a special meeting," Vent said. "It will be ready. We will have a principal in place at the middle school, and we'll be ready to go."
Prior to discussing the agenda items at last night's meeting, the board heard from two district patrons expressing concerns over the conditions at LMS.
Claiming she was speaking on behalf of concerned parents and patrons of the Forrest City School District, Gaynell Wilburn read a letter to board members questioning their intentions regarding LMS and the staff at that campus.
Wilburn asked the board what was going to happen at LMS and why "so many experienced teachers" were being transferred from that school.
"There should be a checks and balances system for the board to make sure there is no abuse of power. There is a perception in the community that personal vendettas are being played out at the expense of our children and that some board members are more influential with the administration than others," Wilburn said.
Murry Cline admonished board members for failing to support recommendations by the district's administration.
"I'm concerned this board is not doing what a board is supposed to do. The board should leave the personnel changes to the administration," Cline said, stressing that the board had the opportunity last month to make a positive move for LMS.
"We have fine elementary schools, a fine junior high, a fine senior high, but go to the middle school and it's horrendous. Our middle school is absolutely horrible. Here it is, three weeks before the start of school. We've lost four students in the last 30 days that I know of because of the board's inability to make decisions," Cline said. "If this board worked for a multi-million dollar company, you would be fired.
"You had an opportunity to get it changed and you failed to do so because of this board's inability to make decisions. It is unfortunate to the board and this town to have someone undermining what this staff is doing," Cline said. "If you want Forrest City to be the best, then this board should get back to policy making and doing the things a board should be doing."
Cline also referred to fliers that have been placed on vehicles at various locations throughout the city regarding the leadership for LMS, and suggested the people publishing the fliers should at least identify themselves. "If I'm going to put something out, I will sign my name. What I want is a positive community. Other communities have the same problems we have. They're just a little more organized. If you don't care, then keep making the same decisions."
Board President Aubrey Jayroe thanked Wilburn and Cline for their comments, and added, "We want the support of the community."
In other business, the board accepted three new students via the school choice act. The three students, in grades second, fourth and ninth, will be transferring into the FCSD from the Palestine-Wheatley School District to begin classes this fall.
Board members approved the proposed budget of expenditures for the 2005-06 school year which includes salaries of $17,092,849, along with $1,936,468 for instructional expenses, $5,240,820 for maintenance and operation and expenses for transportation and other operations. The budget is based on the tax rate of 31.20 mills. It was also agreed to continue funding Special Olympics at a cost of $2,000 each year.
The board agreed to purchase student athletic insurance from the Dwight Jones Agency at a cost of $23,618.35 to cover sports and non-sports sanctioned activities for students in the FCSD.
Vent announced to the board he has been named chairman of the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission and president of the Arkansas Association of School Administrators.
Before adjourning, board members agreed to several personnel changes.
Those hired to work in the FCSD include: Chris Kennon, math teacher and junior high girls basketball coach at Lincoln Middle School, along with the assistant coach for the junior high girls track team and junior high football team; Wendy Kittler, second grade at Stewart Elem. School; Tracy Langdon, third grade at Caldwell Elem. School and Valerie Tuell, sixth grade language arts at Lincoln Middle School.
Those resigning from positions include: Angela Beard, second grade teacher at Stewart Elem.; Dorma Huffstuttler, science at Lincoln Middle School; Sharron Carroll, special education at Caldwell Elem., Ryan Wallace, physical education and coach at the high school and Jennifer Marland Wallace, physical education and coach at the junior high school.
The board also approved the transfer of Cathy House from third grace teacher at Caldwell Elem., to special education at Caldwell Elem., along with the list of about 300 classified positions throughout the district.
The next regular board meeting is set for Monday, Aug. 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the administration building.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Widener residents will be under more pressure to keep their property mowed and picked up, after the city council passed an ordinance Monday to give the city the power to clean up property if the owner refuses to do so.
The ordinance also includes fines and a provision to charge the property owner for the cost of cleanup.
The new law replaces an older ordinance, passed in 2001, which dealt with abandoned or inoperable motor vehicles.
The new ordinance requires property to be mowed when grass reaches a height of 12 inches. It also requires that vines and low-hanging limbs be cut, as well as addressing the old vehicle portion of the old ordinance.
A resident must be given five days' warning, in writing, to deal with the problem, or be fined a maximum of $150. In addition, after the warning, the city can perform the work and charge the owner in the form of a lien on the property.
During discussion, Police Chief Shelly Bieber voiced some concern that the new ordinance might let some people off the hook.
However, City Attorney Marshall Wright said he believed the ordinance was adequate.
"I think it covers what the city wants," said Wright.
He pointed out a part of the ordinance which refers to "any unsanitary and unsightly condition," and said that would cover just about anything not specifically mentioned already.
Wright continued to say the wording of the ordinance was adequate and at one point said, "This covers it. I'll take it to court any day."
On another matter, Mayor Dot Halford reminded the council of Widener Youth Day. The day was thought up after Widener Day was so rainy that there weren't any outdoor activities held for young people. The Youth Day will also be a back-to-school celebration, held the last Saturday before public school resumes. The date will be Saturday, Aug. 14.
Halford also said she and Bieber have been in contact with the state prison at Brickeys, about having a crew perform some major cleanup in ditches around town. She said the prison has agreed. A schedule is being worked out and it isn't known yet when the crew will be in town. The only catch is that the town will have to feed them.
"They have a regional maintenance crew," said Bieber.
On another matter, Halford said a Bill Lindsey Day is being planned for Aug. 7. Lindsey has performed a lot of volunteer work for the city.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Members of the Palestine-Wheatley School Board agreed on Monday to several changes in the district's student handbook, including one which will change the manner in which corporal punishment is handed out.
District Superintendent John Manning told board members that the change to the corporal punishment policy will now require a certified member of the district's staff to be present when paddling is used.
"We basically had to change our policy to bring it in line with state law. This change will mean that we now have to have certified personnel present when corporal punishment is used. In the past, a secretary on another non-certified member of personnel could be present," Manning told board members.
Another change in the policy will now eliminate the use of work permits for all district students.
"The state laws have changed regarding how long a student has to be on campus. With those changes, we've basically had to eliminate all work permits for students, including the seniors," Manning said.
In other business, board members voted to accept bids on several used vehicles and pieces of district equipment. The items sold included two school buses, a mower and an El Camino. According to Manning, district officials decided to reassess the condition of a Ford pickup that was advertised for bids.
Board members also voted last night to increase the amount paid for dental insurance for district personnel. According to Manning, a rate increase of $320 per month caused the need for the change.
"We didn't have a rate increase last year, but the folks from Delta Dental told us this morning that the rates were going up. This is a program that we need to keep for our employees so I recommend that we pay the increased premiums," Manning said.
The board also voted to approve a $500 stipend for district employees who will be working extra hours with the district's parental involvement program.
"We're going to have a parent facilitator on each campus who will have to remain after school to maintain contact with our parents and to be here to answer parent questions. It is only right that those people be paid for the extra time that they're going to have to put in," Manning told board members.
Questions over the number of instructors the district has lost over the past year arose after board members voted to approve the resignations of two certified employees and two non-certified employees. Board member Ronnie Crider questioned Manning over why the district has lost teachers recently.
"Mr. Manning we seem to be losing a lot of teachers. Are these people telling you why they're leaving?"
Manning responded, "For various reasons."
"Then can you tell me how many people we've lost over the last year for 'various reasons' because we seem to have had a lot of people resigning," Crider asked.
Manning was unsure of the number of instructors who had left the district. The two certified employees leaving were Denise Neal, who was recently hired but never taught in the district, and Chris Kennon who served as a teacher and coach. The non-certified employees leaving were Renee Ferebee and Ronda Turner. Board members also approved the hiring of Lori Green as a teacher and the reassignment of Pam Dover.
Manning also answered questions from Crider regarding pay raises for district personnel. Crider questioned why no requests had been submitted to the board after an increase was given to the district for each student attending class after board members were given a projected budget for the 2004/2005 school year.
"Mr. Manning, I've been reading in the paper about the increase in the amount that will be paid to the district for each student, which is around $900 per student. I've read that several school districts have taken that money and applied it to pay raises. I was just wondering why we haven't seen a proposal to increase our employees' pay?" Crider asked.
"We are going to be receiving additional funds per student, but you need to remember that the budget presented to you is not the actual budget. It is a projection based on the funds we received last year. We are still looking at everything, and while we are going to receive more per student funding, we've also lost approximately 70 students," Manning said.
Board members also met in executive session for personnel matters. According to board president Rodney Hicks, no decision was made during the closed door session.
The August meeting of the school board was moved to Aug. 9, at the request of Manning so that the meeting would not interfere with inservice and the beginning of the new school year.
A soldier home on leave will return to Baghdad with bandages on his foot after he was shot in a city park last night.
Kenyon V. Randle, 30, 312 Happy Hollow, Forrest City, was visiting with his brother about 11:30 p.m. Monday at Southside Park when the two were approached by three teenage black males.
Randle told police he and his sibling were drinking beer when the subjects asked for a beer. When they refused the request, Randle said one of the subjects pulled a pistol after which he and his brother ran. Randle was struck in the right foot and taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City where he was treated and released.
Forrest City Police Department Criminal Investigation Division Lt. Dwight Duch said Randle was scheduled to return to Baghdad today, but his flight had to be rescheduled due to his injuries. However, Duch said Randle will make the return trip.
Randle is a member of the Company C-2nd Battalion of the 39th Infantry Bridgade of the Arkansas National Guard unit based in Forrest City.
Duch asks that anyone with information regarding the shooting contact Crimestoppers at 261-1499. All calls will remain confidential.
Henry Peacock has filed for a position on the Forrest City School Board.
Peacock will be seeking the FCSB Position 4 seat which is currently held by Gordon McCoy, who has not yet filed.
Peacock was appointed as a temporary replacement for McCoy who was called to serve in Iraq with the National Guard.
Peacock is only the second candidate to file for the Tuesday, Sept. 21, election.
The first was Rev. Ronald Williams, who is seeking reelection for the Position 3 seat on the FCSB.
Those interested in filing for school board positions throughout the county must turn in petitions at the St. Francis County Clerk's office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The filing period ends on Monday, Aug. 9.
Eight St. Francis County residents had early voted as of this morning in the special election that will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 3.
The issue facing voters is whether or not to allow a portion of Forrest City's share of the county-wide solid waste sales tax to be used for industrial recruitment through the Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce.
The move would provide$125,000 a year, for four years to the FCACC to recruit new industry into the area and hire an executive director/industrial recruiter for the Chamber. There will be no increase in taxes if the measure passes.
Early voting is being held Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the St. Francis County Clerk's office in the St. Francis County Courthouse. The last day to early vote is Monday, Aug. 2.
An 11-year-old was arrested for indecent exposure and criminal trespassing after an incident which allegedly occurred Monday at a home on Beech Grove.
According to the police report, a woman in Beech Grove reported that three male juveniles tried to get into her house. The woman said the boys first asked for some water and were given a glass but poured it out.
When the woman's 13-year old daughter reached for the glass, one of the boys allegedly exposed himself. The girl slammed the door and the boys allegedly began kicking and hitting the door.
The boys allegedly left after a friend was called and arrived. One of the boys, age 11, was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and indecent exposure. He was released to a relative.
The Forrest City City Council will meet at 7 tonight at city hall. Councilmen will continue to discuss a catering contract for the Civic Center.