FARMINGTON -- The school district's spring test scores ranked as some of the highest in the northwest Arkansas region.
Assistant Superintendent Terri Strope updated Farmington School Board members on results from the 2014 Arkansas Benchmark tests, End-Of-Course exams and the IOWA assessments.
Strope did not go through all the results but highlighted some for the board's benefit.
She pointed out that third graders ranked first in the region on math and literacy Benchmark tests, with 94 percent of the third graders scoring proficient or advanced in math and 88 percent scoring proficient or advanced in literacy. Fourth grade ranked second with 87 percent proficient or better in math and third in the region in literacy with 90 percent proficient or advanced.
For End-of-Course results, last year's sophomore class ranked fourth in the region with 63 percent scoring proficient or advanced on the biology test.
For the IOWA tests, second grade ranked first for language and third in the region with its reading scores. The second graders were fourth in the region for their math scores.
Superintendent Bryan Law commended teachers, staff and students for their efforts on the tests. He noted the results are not only compared against smaller districts but against Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers and Fayetteville.
"Without a doubt, this is the hardest region in the state," Law said. "In almost every group, we are at the top."
This is the last year for Benchmark and End-Of-Course exams, except biology. Next spring, students will be tested based on Common Core standards. The new tests are called Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.
"Now, we enter into a new chapter," Law said, referring to the new assessments. "It's a game changer but it will be a change for everyone."
The board voted on its annual reorganization of officers, though no one reorganized this year. Members voted to retain everyone in their current positions: Jeff Oxford as president, Travis Warren as vice president and Tony Parsley as secretary.
In other action, the board approved two change orders for the new basketball arena and performing arts center.
Chris Davis with East Harding Construction, contractors for the project, jokingly jabbed at Law about the new flag pole that will go in front of the facility. The original plans called for a 35-foot pole. Law apparently asked for a 70-foot pole, but this would have increased the cost by $7,800.
"I've come up with a compromise," Davis said, noting a 50-foot flag pole would add $2,270 to the cost, which includes renting a crane to install the pole. A 50-foot pole would be as high as the tallest point of the building, the staging area of the performing arts center.
Law admitted he wanted a flag pole that would have a "nice pop" to it. The pole and flag will be lit up at night and Law said he wants it to stand out, similar to the lighted steeple for Farmington United Methodist Church.
Board member Bleaux Barnes made the motion to go with the 50-foot flag pole "with a pop."
The board approved a second change order for an additional $3,600 to make changes in the sprinkler system in the basketball arena. Changes are needed in one section because of the new scoreboards.
Davis said the exterior should be finished in two-three weeks. He said he is confident the first game will be played in the new basketball arena Jan. 1, 2015, and that students will be able to attend band, choir and drama classes in the facility on the first day of the second semester, Jan. 5, 2015.
General News on 10/01/2014