Contract Extended On School Property Purchase

PRAIRIE GROVE -- Allen Williams, superintendent of Prairie Grove School District, said a contract to purchase 61 acres across from the high school has been extended another 30 days to allow time for more testing of the property.

The contract is contingent on the results of a feasibility study and final approval from the school board.

Williams proposes to purchase the land for $1.1 million. He said the property has appraised for the proposed purchase price. If the purchase goes through, the school would take out a five-year, $880,000 loan from Arvest Bank at a 2.74-percent interest rate.

In other business on July 18, school board members approved a request from Williams to transfer $594,000 to the district's building fund, based on year-end revenues and expenses. Williams said Prairie Grove received more in-state aid than it anticipated and schools' staff did not spend as much as budgeted.

Other action items:Accepted a low bid of $50,400 from Marty's Mow'n LLC for mowing and grounds services beginning Aug. 1. Previously, school employees mowed school grounds during the summer but Assistant Superintendent David Kellogg said he wants to use employees on maintenance items and not tie them up to mowing grass.

Kellogg said he conservatively estimates it costs the district about $30,000 in equipment costs and maintenance and fuel to provide its own mowing services each year. Contracting the work may cost a little more but Kellogg said he did not think it would be a lot more.

Williams recommended using an outside firm for one year to see how it works. Lincoln School District uses the same company and has been satisfied with the service, Williams said. Approved a $10,900 fee with Roger W. Griffin, certified public accountant, to audit the district for 2016.

Passed a resolution in favor of Williams serving as a mentor for the 2016-17 school year for a superintendent new to Arkansas.

Approved a proposal to improve employee benefits for a total cost to the district of $125,000 per year. The district would pay $47.01 per employee per month for dental, vision, long-term disability and hospital confinement benefits. Employees also would receive a $25,000 life insurance policy for no cost.

General News on 07/27/2016