School board approves calendar, re-hires staff

Members of the Piggott School board handled a variety of matters in a meeting Monday night, including approval of the school audit for 2007-08, the rehiring of non-certified staff members at both campuses and approval of the school calendar for the coming year.

The board also opened bids on paving the parking lot in front of the new gymnasium and for purchasing new computers for the alternative school.

Vice president Neil Morgan presided in the absence of president Robert Jackson. Also on hand were Superintendent Ed Winberry, district treasurer Sheila Mayberry, principals Leean Mann and Barry DeHart, athletic director Dave Hendrix and second grade teacher Melissa Hopkins representing the personnel policy committee.

Much of the discussion at the meeting revolved around the handbooks for certified and non-certified employees and proposed changes. One adjustment was made to the handbook dealing with reduction of workforce and sets up a points system by which teachers are graded. Winberry said the change will bring the local district into alignment with the system set up by the Arkansas School Boards Association.

Board members also revisited the issue of personal, professional and sick days and discussed modifying the handbook yet again. That issue was discussed and changed last year, but apparently some problems still exist. A variety of plans were discussed, though no changes were made when the matter was finally put to a vote. Board members did indicate they want more research on the issue and will reconsider adjusting the handbook at the May meeting. Winberry said any change will have to be done before the new contracts go into effect for the district staff.

The board also approved the school calendar for the 2009-2010 school year, with the first day for teachers set at Aug. 6 and the first day for students Aug. 19. The last day for students will be May 26, 2010, and teachers will wrap up their year the following day.

The calendar calls for three days off for Thanksgiving, 10 days off for Christmas and New Years and has a five day spring break scheduled for March 22-26. Graduation for the class of 2010 will be held Friday, May 14.

During the superintendent's report the board learned that money from the President's stimulus program will find its way to the local district, but also heard that state officials are urging districts to be very careful how they spend the funds. Winberry noted that up to half a million dollars could be coming to the Piggott district and encouraged board members to begin to think of projects that would properly utilize the influx.

In other business the board:

* Approved expenditures exceeding $500 and the financial reports and expenditures for March.

* Approved the blanket certificate for substitute teachers for the coming school year.

* Accepted the low bid of $34,500 from Barker Brothers of Jonesboro for paving the new gym parking lot. The only other bid was $42,736 from Delta Asphalt.

* Accepted the bid from Isco Corporation of Batesville for the purchase of eight new Dell computers for the alternative school at a price of $735 per unit.

* Approved the 2007-08 audit, which indicated no discrepancies. In doing so Morgan applauded the efforts of Mayberry in keeping the books noting, "We sure appreciate the good job you do."

The board then went into a 30-minute executive session. After reconvening, board members voted to rehire the non-certified staff at both campuses and accepted the resignation of Betty Robinson as a bus driver effective at the end of the current school year.