Gravette School District

Courtesy of the Westside Eagle-Observer
BY SUSAN HOLLAND --

Employees of the Gravette school district were welcomed for the 2026-2027 academic year in a big way at the annual District Day on Friday, August 7, at the performing arts center. Each employee was given a tote bag filled with gifts, including merchandise, cash, and gift cards, and cash and prizes totaling several thousand dollars more were distributed in drawings throughout the morning. The event is sponsored by the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce and supported by donations from many area businesses and individuals.

Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the Gravette school district is “a gem,” an ideal place to work because of its high standards and reputation for excellence. Many students who have gone through Gravette schools have gone on to build notable reputations and successful careers. A good number display their love for the educational system at Gravette by returning to the district to teach or perform other jobs.

Jeff Gravette, superintendent of schools, served as master of ceremonies for the event and selected Gravette school administrators, board members, teachers and other staff members to help him distribute awards.

The event is designed to celebrate the many accomplishments of the Gravette district, to refresh previous employees about what a great school district they are a part of, and to acquaint new employees with key features of their new home.

The event was kicked off with a pep rally atmosphere as members of the Gravette High School band marched down the aisles and played the school fight song, and cheerleaders led cheers to rev up the school spirit.

Richard Carver and Mike Walker compete in a game of giant Connect Four

Current employees were celebrated early in the program, and there was a bit of a “roast” for Richard Carver, facilities and transportation director, who is the district’s longest-serving employee. He has worked for Gravette schools for over 46 years, starting in January, 1980, when he was a high school senior. Mike Walker, library media specialist at the middle school, has served almost as long, at 42 years.

Many major awards were celebrated during the day, including recognizing classified staff members of the year. These honorees were presented framed certificates in May but also received trophies on Friday.

Classified staff honorees were Tammy Forcum, custodian at Glenn Duffy Elementary; Carrisa Lewallen, paraprofessional at Gravette Upper Elementary; Janice Dye, food service worker; and Kay Robbins, bus driver.

State representative Hope Duke served as co-presenter for the staff member awards. She described the Gravette district as a “shining star” and encouraged staff members to protect that reputation by “staying involved and engaged.” She urged all present to reward the many businesses who sponsored the day’s activities by visiting their stores and buying from them because “they notice your support” and it enables them to continue to make their donations to the district.

District anniversaries for three employees were celebrated with gifts. Alison Shaffer and Coach Kevin Cole were recognized for 25 years, and Carol Sumter for 26 years.

Heather Finley, president of Bright Futures, gave a brief presentation about the organization and its initiatives. She said its mission is to see that all students’ needs are met. She showed a new Bright Futures promotional video that has been created and recognized the following Bright Futures awardees: Fernanda Torres, 2026 Champion for Kids; GHS ALE students, Volunteers of the Year; Audrey’s Boutique, 2026 Partner of the Year; Brad Melton and family, Champions for Kids for the Decade; and Care and Share, Partner of the Decade. She noted that the Gravette Bright Futures raises more money than any other Bright Futures in the area and thanked the many employees who support the organization through their payroll deductions.

State representative Hope Duke served as co-presenter for the staff member awards.

Members of the Athletic Booster Club and the Band Booster Club, along with their boards of directors, were recognized. The Athletic Booster Club contributed $27,500 to the school in the 2025-2026 school year. Melanie Nichols spoke for the Band Booster Club and encouraged everyone to support the club by volunteering at and patronizing the concession stand at ballgames. A video of Band Booster Club activities was shown. The club helped fund the recent purchase of new band uniforms.

Coach Will Pittman was awarded the school’s Safety Pillar Award. The award was presented by school board members Brandon Cravens and Tracy Moorman as well as Gravette Middle School Principal Taos Jones. Jones said Coach Pittman is “the most honest person I know” and praised him for his honesty and integrity and for his emphasis on helping students make smart, safe decisions.

First-year teachers were recognized and introduced on stage. First-year teachers are Hayden Shields, Ally Ribar, Lizzy Ellis, Calvin Depriest, Ally Ketechum, and Sharnetta Campbell. Last year’s first year teachers shared some pieces of sage advice with the six.

A hilarious video ad for the district brought many chuckles and outright laughs from the audience just before the morning break. The video was made in response to recent radio advertising from the Gentry School District, and highlights included a focus on the school’s excellent safety officers, sports teams, libraries, bus drivers, tech department, and administrators.

Superintendent Jeff Gravette and Glenn Duffy Elementary Principal Brandi Newsom lead new teachers in a spelling bee covering hard to spell district names

After a short intermission, the meeting was reconvened and continued with perhaps the day’s most significant award. Dr. Marion Harris, local veterinarian, and his wife Connie were recognized as the district’s Lion Pioneer Award winners. This award is presented to individuals who have had “a profound impact” on the district. Dr. Harris was a member of the Gravette School Board for many years, and his wife is a former teacher at the school. Their son Brad is currently Gravette School Board president, and their daughter, Alison Schaffer, is a biology teacher at the high school. Dr. Harris has allowed several Gravette students to intern at his clinic, and the family has made many donations to district projects. Dr. Harris said that when he and his wife contemplated moving to Gravette, one of the deciding factors in their move was the good schools in town. He said Gravette is “a wonderful place to raise and educate children.”

Alison Shaffer, biology teacher, and Daniel Wietecha, algebra teacher, were recognized as winners of the Student and Staff Achievement Pillar Award. These teachers were among the school’s merit award winners this year. Others receiving merit awards were Jennifer Archer, Alisa Corke, Gina Horton, and Brad Leach.

Other major award winners recognized were the district’s kindergarten teachers, Team of the Year award winners, and Lisa Baker, winner of the Personalization Pillar Award. Baker is the counselor at Glenn Duffy Elementary School.

Superintendent Gravette highlighted several new programs and additions at Gravette schools, including a new classroom addition at Gravette High School, districtwide PLC, the Eureka Math program at Gravette Middle School, a greenhouse and new plant sciences program, and a new scoreboard at Lion Stadium. He praised the athletic department staff and Go Lions Booster Club for raising $350,000 for the new scoreboard.

Teachers of the Year were recognized and presented trophies. Each winner had previously been recognized at the April school board meeting and received a framed certificate. Teachers of the Year are Bambi Hall, Glenn Duffy Elementary; Sharon Riggs, Gravette Upper Elementary; Brad Leach, Gravette Middle School; and Daniel Wietecha, Gravette High School.

The final major award, the Partnership Pillar Award, was presented to Tabby Crane, counselor at Gravette Middle School. One of her accomplishments that was highlighted was a very successful Career Day at the school. Tabby’s husband, Josh Crane, is Safety and Security Director for the district and supervises the School Resource Officer (SRO) program. He was called on to help present the award and spoke about her selflessness, her willingness to always put the needs of others above her own. She said she stays up late at night planning how to have a positive outcome to her school day.

Finally, to conclude the program, Superintendent Gravette introduced new Gravette High School principal Fran Howard and new district special education director Courtney Malott. He presented Howard with a birthday cake with a #1 candle on top and led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to her.

At the conclusion of the program, all district employees were treated to lunch in the high school commons, with the meal provided by Ozarks Community Hospital.

Gravette School District and the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all the generous community businesses and individuals that made this year’s event possible.

6th Annual Gravette School District Appreciation Day Sponsors

“G-MU EMU and Jeff” made a special appearance this year.