PSB updated on trap program

By John Miller, 04/19/24 10:05 AM

PRESCOTT – Parents and students packed the conference room at Prescott Junior High School Thursday night.

There were no problems. No student expulsion hearings were on the agenda. These parents were on hand at the April School Board meeting to talk about the school’s trap shooting program. Melanie McGuire acted as spokesman for the parents, telling the board the program has been around 16 weeks with students shooting Friday through Sunday. The program started with 20 students, she said, but is down to 15 as some of the students had conflicts.

McGuire said the students have come along way since the program started, with most currently shooting in double-digits. The students mostly shoot in Magnolia, but did shoot in Camden once. An attempt was made to practice at Grandview Prairie, but it stays busy and only has one location for trap shooting. The board was told the club raises the money itself, though it is helped with a grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AG&FC).

At this time, she said, the program only has a senior squad, made up of students in grades 9-12, though there is interest in having a junior group of students in grades 5-8. While parents coach the senior team, a coach would bee needed for a junior team.

In talking about the AG&FC grant of $2,500, McGuire said the money was used to buy uniforms and caps. Parents also got donations from individuals and small businesses. The AG&FC, she added, furnishes shells for the program. Typically, students shoot two boxes of shells for practice and two boxes during tournaments. She pointed out regionals will be next week in Jacksonville.

Students were invited to talk about the program. Those who spoke agreed it’s a good program and provides good opportunities for those involved. They said it’s a good influence on them and a lot of fun, while helping them grow and bond with one another. They pointed out the program teaches gun safety and responsibility.

McGuire said the program has to be recertified each year. She pointed out there are five students in a squad and Prescott fields three squads.

Angie Bryant followed providing a data report to the board concerning ACT testing. She said the idea is to get students ready for their post-graduate life, though not all of them will go to college. One problem with the scores, she said, is they dropped when COVID-19 hit, but are coming back. The weak area for students is math. Bryant said the ACT test is primarily for juniors and seniors, though sophomores have taken it, as have freshmen, though it’s not recommended as they haven’t taken some of the classes they need for the test.

She told the board students need more experience using calculators, which would help them on the tests.

Changing gears, she told the board about the school improvement plan, saying things are changing at the state level. Teachers must know the standards expected and are being assessed. The district uses high-quality curriculum and is working to get all students on grade level.

In other business, the board approved buying 35-acres from Bruce Guthrie for $95,000 and closing costs. This will be done with a loan from the Bank of Delight with a 5 percent interest rate for five years. It also approved purchasing IReady Math for $41,390. This is a state-approved program for students in grades K-8. This is a practice book for students as the district doesn’t want computer-based instructions.

The panel approved renewing the contract with Aramark as the district’s food service provider for 2o24-25.

Enrollment stands at 914, with 340 in Prescott Elementary School, 270 in PJHS and 304 in Prescott High School. This is a loss of six students, mostly from PES.

The board gave the district permission to accept bids for lawn and ground maintenance along with trash service.