Service, product bids accepted

ROSSTON – Bids were accepted for products and services needed by the Nevada School District.

The bids were accepted at the July meeting of the Nevada School Board Thursday night and are done annually. Highland was the low bidder for milk and juice products, while Ben E. Kieth submitted the low bids for paper products and foodstuffs. Abernathy of Texarkana got the bid on cleaning chemicals.

Superintendent Rick McAfee said the federal government has put a lot of restrictions on what districts can do, and want them to spend 20 percent of their funds locally, something impossible for the NSD.

Principal Jason Arrington said teacher in-service has been wrapped up and there were some good discussions, especially between elementary and high school teachers concerning math. Gaps were identified and will be addressed as far as what needs to be taught and how it should be done. The district, he added, is working on ACT Aspire and will work with individual students to make sure they reach their targets.

McAfee said the essential standards replace the old AYP which allows districts to address problem areas with more clarity.

He told the board the district could have a problem and may need to hire another third grade teacher. All the students transferring in to the district are in the third grade. If all show up the district will be over the student-teacher ration allowed by the state and another teacher will be required. The same could hold true for kindergarten. The board gave McAfee permission to advertise and interview teachers to be hired if necessary.

The Alternative Learning Environment (ALE) contract with the Hope School District was renewed for the 2019-20 school year. This would allow Nevada to send problem students to Hope, with the HSD getting the federal funds for the student.

McAfee reminded the board school starts on Aug. 19 and the next meeting will be Aug. 29.