The Gravette School Board met this past Monday. The meeting opened with a celebration
of the district’s 16 teachers who were recently honored by the state with merit pay distinction. The district recently received $60,000 from the state to distribute to staff with high student growth scores, teachers working in a critical shortage areas and teachers who serve as a state appointed mentor teacher.
Mr. Gravette gave a reminder to the public on the district’s upcoming Meet The Teacher Night. Glenn Duffy Elementary and Gravette Upper Elementary will hold their night from 4:00-6:00 on August 6th. Gravette Middle School and Gravette High School will be on August 6th as well, with the time of 5:00-7:00. Gravette High School will include a Freshmen Parent Meeting on August 6th at 5:00.
Crossland and BiLD Architects presented an update on the completion of the classroom addition at Gravette High School. Robert Adams from Crossland reported the project will be at least $200,000 under budget, some of those savings will be used for site and utility work for the recent greenhouse grant project the district received in May. Furniture for the 6 classroom addition is being delivered this week with the rooms scheduled to be open for teachers and students for back to school. District Chief Financial Officer Dennis Kurczek presented the monthly financial report. The district received its annual audit from Arkansas Legislative Audit this month. The board thanked Mr. Kurczek and district staff on the great results from the audit and the district for being under budget for the fiscal year.
The board voted to approve the purchase and adoption of Eureka Math for Gravette Middle School. The district had introduced this curriculum at the elementary schools the prior year and had great results. Middle school staff worked with Assistant Superintendent Becky Andrews through the year to prepare for this change. Board Members Heather Finley and Jessica PIke commented on the need to support teachers during this change. Mr. Gravette agreed and detailed training and mentoring that would take place throughout the year for staff.
In other action items the board voted to approve school handbooks for the coming year, accepted a recommendation from administration to raise lunch prices by 25 cents, approved computer purchases for staff and replacing computers at the high school business lab. The board will attend training with administrators the morning of July 22nd to look at district goals and collaborate with staff.
The board will meet again on July 30th and August 17th.