FC School Board approves facilities plan for 2027-29

The Forrest City School Board last week approved of the district’s 2027-29 facilities plan which includes some major projects. One of those projects would be the construction of a new high school, which in addition to possible partnership funding, would also require approval of a millage increase by taxpayers to fund the construction. FCSD Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Hardrick told the board that currently, the only committed project is the heating and air conditioning renovation at the junior high school. "At the last board meeting, I shared the facilities plan for 2027 29,” said Hardrick. "I did not receive any feedback on the plan on those items. The committed project is the junior high school HVAC renovation that is happening with partnership.” Hardrick said the capital projects on the list the district plans to seek partnership funding for the 27-29 school year, in addition to a new high school, also includes the replacement of the roof at the junior high cafeteria. Another capital project listed is roof repairs at the administration building which would be funded with local dollars. "The first item is already committed," said Hardrick. "We have received funds for the HVAC renovation and then the items at the bottom is the old Stewart Elementary Admin Building roof, Forrest City High School space replacement and the some junior high school cafeteria roof renovation work at the junior high. Those will be the three big projects that I would, if it's the will of the board, go after partnership funds." According to Hardrick, while she would recommend supporting the resolution and the facilities plan, she is unsure if a new high school building could be built without asking for an increase in the millage. "The resolution would support this master plan," said Hardrick. "Then, we are going to go after a millage. We can do a lot of things without a millage but I don't know if we can pull off building a new high school without one. If there are no changes or any items that anyone would like to add, I would recommend that the board approves the resolution for the 2027-29 facilities master plan projects checklist." The board unanimously approved the plan. Also during the meeting, Hardrick talked with board members regarding the current situation with school resource officers and security officers through a contract with Top Tier Security. "With security, I brought a copy of the school resource officer agreement, which is the agreement the Forrest City School District has with the Forrest City Police Department," said Hardrick. "This is the district’s current agreement. This agreement was worked out between the district attorney and the city attorney. On the back page, whenever there is an SRO, their name is added to this appendix. We currently have an agreement for one school resource officer." Hardrick said the district’s current SRO, Officer Steven Callahan of the FCPD, is typically assigned to the high school campus. "If the board wanted to add a second or third, you would just add an extra page to this appendix and take a vote to add one," said Hardrick. "Our current SRO is typically assigned to the high school building, however, another SRO can always be added and assigned to another building. This agreement was updated in 2022 with the new Chief and it continues until anybody gives a 30-day notice to the city council." "While we are on the SRO, we do need to get one further," said board member Sadie Blackwell. "Put that one at the junior high and roaming," said board member Tamara Johnson. According to Hardrick, from a budget standpoint, the district would need to reduce the number of security officers at the FCJHS by one to take on an additional SRO. "So make the main base for the additional SRO the junior high but they will also roam?” asked Hardrick. "From a budgetary standpoint, I would say that if we do that, then we just reduce by one for now, we may have to look at it, but for now, we may have to reduce one security officer and add an SRO officer to make sure budgets are aligned. I understand that we want to add a second SRO to the junior high base." Hardrick said that taking on a new SRO and dropping security officers in the district could cause issues with the SRO agreement by making the district have to pay overtime for its SROs. "I would be comfortable with working to put a plan of action together for April to be effective in August," said Hardrick. "I think we add the second SRO now. I think by reducing one security guard at the junior high would not be a breach of contract. We can do an evaluation in January or February and be able to give notice to Top Tier the proper notice. There are pros and cons to what we are asking for. One of the reasons we have talked about is that when an officer works security, they are able to work an extra day without the city incurring the cost of overtime. "They are still able to work and make money under the agreement of security," continued Hardrick. "When you do all city SROs or officers, then the city will have to make a determination if they are going to pay overtime or if the district has to pay overtime, which I wouldn't agree to. That is the benefit to officers who work for the city and then come and work security. They can still get an extra day, extra pay, without anyone having to assume the cost of overtime. The one benefit of an SRO is arrest power." The board unanimously approved bringing in a second SRO immediately to be primarily attached to the junior high campus. Prior to the meeting, board members heard concerns from Sharon Johnson, a parent and Forrest City resident who voiced questions and concerns. According to Johnson, there have been reports of a heated argument between two district employees in front of students at the FCJHS. "I have quite a few so I am going to run fast," said Johnson. "My first concern, is that as a concerned citizen and parent, it was very upsetting to be among some of our members and our children expressed to us that two district employees had a very heated altercation in front of the children at the junior high. “Why do the ninth graders have to leave their clear backpacks on the floor in the hallway where it is not secure or sanitary?" she continued. Johnson shared that without dates of events being published publicly, it causes issues for families to plan for upcoming events. "We have sent students and parents to the school pantry and they are never open," said Johnson. "Why is that? Why does our school page and calendar not have events listed like the surrounding schools? We have the same events every year, prom, graduation, class night, etc. Families can't plan because we don't have a definite date and at last minute, it always clashes with games or something else." According to Johnson, band students are currently required to pay for their own meals while on school trips while other athletic programs have been fed multiple times while attending singular events. "Why do certain students receive harsher punishments than other students when they have all committed the same offense?” asked Johnson. "Every year, the athlete students take pictures with their class letterman jacket and they are told that after three years of playing the sport, that they will get one but they never receive it. Why is that? My last one is why do band students have to purchase their food when they are going to represent our school and some of the other sports get to eat twice at one event? Some of that needs to be looked at."

FC School Board approves facilities plan for 2027-29

New high school would require millage, partnership funds

SFC Health Unit hosting annual flu shot clinic in effort to make community safer

SFC Election Commission working to ensure internet access, security ready before Nov. 3 vote

New Homecoming Festival is Saturday at Hicky Field in FC

Hilary Trickey

Related Posts

SFC Health Unit hosting annual flu shot clinic in effort to make community safer

SFC Election Commission working to ensure internet access, security ready before Nov. 3 vote

New Homecoming Festival is Saturday at Hicky Field in FC

FC Mayoral candidates share goals to lead city

QCourt approves resolution on FCMC non-profit status

Mayoral candidates take center stage at tonight’s political forum

Funds raised through raffle

28th annual Rumble on the Ridge slated for Thanksgiving weekend

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Recent Posts

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password

FC School Board approves facilities plan for 2027-29

New high school would require millage, partnership funds

RELATED POSTS

Membership Required

Related Posts

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Recent Posts

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password