Nevada returning to pre-Covid protocols

By John Miller, 02/25/22 4:32 PM

ROSSTON – When students of the Nevada School District return from Spring Break this year, the district will return to the pre-Covid protocols where those who are ill are to remain at home.

This was decided by the Nevada School Board at its February meeting Thursday night. Earlier this month the board held a special meeting, lasting less than a minute, to discuss the change.

The school will be getting a visit from Jason Weatherly of the Arkansas Department of Education Monday who will be on hand to help the district get money for facilities. Superintendent Roy McCoy said the district is looking at building a multi-purpose facility using state aid. A resolution was approved by the panel allowing the district to apply for state matching funds. McCoy said Weatherly will be down to look over the campus and make suggestions to try and help maximize the amount of aid for such a project. McCoy told the council the district would be applying for 2023-24 funding if such a decision is made.

In other business, McCoy met with officials at the  University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana about offering more college and vocational courses for Nevada students. The idea, he said, is to be able to offer more college courses on the Nevada campus, and have the district’s teachers ready to teach them. He pointed out this won’t happen overnight.

Principal Tonda Pennington told the board 20 students earned awards in the regional FBLA contest and will be competing at state. Additionally, Nevada had the largest group of students taking the ACT prep test with 29. She added the district has named its student and seniors of the year.

McCoy talked about the current legislative session telling there are some bills to keep an eye on. One that could be of concern deals with the amount districts pay toward employee health insurance. He said it’s likely the district will have to pay more and take this into account when working on the budget. If approved, it would go into  effect Jan. 1, 2023.

Another bill would delay the implementation of when school can start. Currently, districts can’t start school more than two-weeks before Labor Day. If passed, this law would allow school to start a week earlier. He told the board if this happens, it can either keep the current calendar or make changes accordingly.

With Jeremy Casey resigning from the board last month, the panel appointed Matt Herring to replace him.

In personnel matters, the board approved hiring the administrative staff back en masse. Eddie Buie remains as HR director, tech coordinator and transportation and facilities director. Sherrie Clark is the food service director, with Heather Hudman the LEA supervisor. Kyle McAfee remains federal program director and GT coordinator. Christie McMullan stays on as district treasurer and general business manager, while Pennington remains the K-12 principal.