Nevada school election date set

ROSSTON – Two major items for the Nevada School Board to discuss were tabled until the December meeting.

The board, in its November meeting Thursday night, was told the 2019-2020 school calendar couldn’t be voted on until the teachers had a chance to look it over, suggest changes and vote on what they preferred first. The second item was the superintendent’s annual evaluation. Superintendent Rick McAfee told the board he’d mail them written recommendations next month for them to go over, and the panel will discuss whether to extend his contract by a year, which would give him three years, or let it lapse and become a year-to-year contract.

Nevada’s school board election in 2019 will be held on May 21. The board was told it could have the election either in May or November and opted for May. There will be one seat open for this election.

Jason Arrington, principal, said the ACT Aspire interim tests have been complete and the results are in. He will be meeting with teachers about the results, which don’t necessarily show where students are educationally, but can show what students may need.

Arrington told the board there’s been a problem with absenteeism, but he’ll be meeting with parents to rectify the situation.

McAfee told the board Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has released his educational agenda for the coming term and plans on recommending giving teachers $1,000 in annual raises over the next four years. Hutchinson, reportedly, has secured funding for this project, but districts must apply individually to get the raises.

On the topic of tax collections, McAfee said the balance looks good now as the taxes are in. At this time, he added, everything is within budget and there are no major expenditures looming.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of Reggie Marsh, a custodian, who took a job with another district as an aide. It also voted to allow Allison Cox, a sixth grade teacher, to move into an empty trailer the district owns. She will be required to pay taxes on the trailer.

The December meeting was moved to Dec. 13 and will include a three-hour workshop on school finances. McAfee said the board will be meeting with representatives from Stephens, Inc. for the seminar, which will start at 5 p.m.