NSB honors students of month for September

By Staff, 09/27/19 9:43 AM

ROSSTON – Students of the month were honored by the Nevada School Board at its September meeting Thursday night.

Chloe Herring was tabbed the student of the month for Nevada Elementary School, while Aaliyha Grant earned the honor for Nevada High School.

Herring was described as being trustworthy, honest and responsible while giving 100 percent every day. Grant was said to be a friend to all, have a positive attitude, a team player with an excellent attitude and holds several positions of leadership at NHS.

Tonda Pennington, principal at NES, said everything is going well and the students are getting comfortable being back in school. The start of the year tests have been done and a response to intervention focus will be done focusing on literacy.

NHS Principal Jason Arrington told the board he’s been comparing statistics between this time last year and this year concerning unexcused absences, which are down this year. He also told the panel behavioral issues are down as well as no incidents have been reported.

Arrington said he’s met with teachers on doing literacy interventions for the students who need them.

Superintendent Rick McAfee told the board the administration has gotten all the reports due by Oct. 1 done and submitted, but the most important thing to keep in mind is they’re working for the good of all the student, helping them to improve and become good citizens. He pointed out a 1991 NHS graduate is on the Martin Luther King State Commission and asked for a list of needy families in the district so the commission could provide Christmas for them.

He said there were a few unexpected expenses and the electric bill has been large because of the heat, but otherwise everything’s well within budget.

When McAfee assumed the job as superintendent, the budget for the district was $3.8 million, but this year’s projected revenue will be $10,418,007, with 90 percent, or $9,292,353, budgeted for the year. The remaining funds will be held in reserve for emergencies or unexpected expenses.

He pointed out the district’s bus fleet is aging, though it passed a recent bus inspection by the state, and suggested if the finances hold up through the year, the district should use any excess funds to purchase buses. He reminded the panel the district is only allowed to carry over $600,000 with the rest to be placed in a building fund.

The board approved the federal budgets and plans, all required by the state. McAfee reminded them the federal funds are pass through money the district has to spend. He said there could be a problem with the district being able to continue providing free meals to all students because at least 40 percent of the student body must qualify for free and reduced lunches. At this point 42 percent of NES students qualified, while only 24 percent of NHS students had applied. But, by working and finding students in need, these figures were revised to 50 percent for NES and around 40 percent for NHS. McAfee said if these numbers hold the district will qualify for three more years of the federal program.

The board approved the special education budget, also pass through funds, of $159,000, along with the district’s minority recruitment plan. McAfee said with the graduation of the first group from the Stephens consolidation, the minority numbers dropped from 158 to 123 in K-12, which changes the requirements the district is required to meet. He added the district will continue to recruit minority teachers and administrators in minority and other colleges to try and equalize the staff.

Todd Brown was again named disbursing officer for the board, while Jerry Bishop agreed to be the board’s delegate to the annual school board conference in Little Rock.

All statements of assurance were passes, signifying the district is and will continue to comply with all state and federal guidelines when it comes to using funds.

The board agreed to move the October meeting to Oct 24 instead of Oct. 31, which is Halloween.