FCSB gets update on HVAC issues throughout district

The Forrest City School Board last week heard updates on the district’s heating and air issues from Kevin Vandiver, owner of Store Services, Inc. The board also heard a facilities update from Reginald Murdock, the district’s project manager. Miles Kimble also addressed the board prior to the meeting during the newly-instituted portion of the meeting that allows residents to address the board for a maximum of three minutes. According to Vandiver, while working on units on various campuses, he has been able to save money for the district by salvaging parts from non working units to install on other units to get them back into working order. "The school started going around and looking at the facilities back in July and started working on a list," said Vandiver. "We are there everyday and every month all the time. They started identifying issues they wanted addressed – problems with rooms and so much to go through. Over at ABC, you had room units and we had three down. We were able to rob parts off of one, get two running and replace the last one to get all three back up and going. Things like that." Vandiver explained that the primary issue on the junior high campus is that the control systems are out of date and the same could be said for the high school campus. "Dr. (Zrano) Bowles and Mr. (Tim) Astin are working together and making what I call common sense choices," said Vandiver. "Over at the junior high, we were holding temps in the mid to low 70s but we lowered the temps because they felt they needed to be cooler. We had men on site on Sunday working on those units there. As soon as I leave here I am going over to the cafeteria here. The kitchen area where the kitchen staff is at is hot. I don't think there are any systemic issues that you aren't aware of. You have a three-legged dog over at the junior high and you all are addressing that. You have state matching funds. It is up and going right now, but we are manually controlling it. The control systems are out of date. The same thing is going on here at the high school." According to Murdock, the plans for the new HVAC system at the junior high have been sent by the architects to the state for approval and once those are approved, the budget can be examined to determine the amount of funding that will be required of the district. He said after that, a start date for the Vivian Ryan complex at the ABC School can be determined. “The junior high architects sent all of the plans to the state for approval this week," said Murdock. "They are expecting those to be approved within the next 30 days. That is where the HVAC plans are currently for the junior high. We are waiting on this also before moving forward with the Vivian Ryan complex because we need to see where it is before dealing with our budget. Then we will come back and bring that to you." "Should we wait until we finish the Ryan Complex or should we go ahead and have something to be respectful to her now and not wait?” asked board member Annie Norman. "I think we have talked about getting the marquee," responded FC School District Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Hardrick. "If you wanted to go ahead and do something with the marquee we could do that." "Are you wanting to do something prior to construction?” asked Murdock. "Yes sir," said Norman. "You would like to do a ribbon cutting or something similar to signify we are starting this project?” asked Murdock. "Yes, that would be good," said Norman. Prior to the start of the actual meeting, the board heard from Miles Kimble regarding the negative messages that are spread about the school district on social media. "I come before you tonight, not only as a parent, but as a business owner and lifelong resident of St. Francis County," said Kimble. "I am a proud Mustang and I am proud of the tremendous progress of our school district. With pride also comes concerns. Too often I see our school being tore down on social media by fake pages, false narratives and voices that do not reflect the true nature of our community." According to Kimble, it is time for the community to move forward as Forrest City will never reach full potential as long as it is divided. "This constant negativity does not help our children," said Kimble. "It does not help our schools and it certainly does not help our future. It is time for us, as a community, to move forward. Forrest City will never reach its full potential if it remains divided and caught up in anger, finger pointing and embarrassment. Let the truth be spoken here. At this board table. Where real accountability and real progress belong." Kimble said the children deserve stability, progress and "Forrest City has come too far to let division steal away the progress we have already made," said Kimble. "Tonight, I stand as the example of adults who can work together for the greater good. "I want to commend our superintendent and our board of directors for the decisions made up to this point," said Kimble. "Leadership is never easy, but I recognize the effort and dedication that has been shown to move our district in the right direction. Our children deserve stability, progress and the example of adults who can work together for the greater good." Kimble said his comments were not about politics or personalities, but rather the children in the school district, the schools and the future. a proud Mustang. Not behind a fake page, asking that we put aside personal agendas, work together and continue moving forward. At the end of the day, this is not about politics or personalities. This is about our children, our schools and our future." In other business, the board approved the district’s policy regarding cell phones on campus due to the state’s Bell-to-Bell No Cell requirement. The board also reviewed new terms for board members. Four members will be elected during the March primary, with filing for those seats beginning Nov. 3. The four seats are currently held by Norman, Larry Devasier, Sadie Blackwell and Tarzan Lee.

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