Summer program receives approval for Six Flags trip

Students in the Forrest City School District's summer program will soon be traveling to Six Flags in St. Louis to celebrate the work their work in this year’s program, following a decision by the school board to support the trip. Also during the meeting, the board voted to restructure the pay scale for nurses in the district, allowing registered nurses to be paid a starting salary of $50,000, rather than the original salary of around $32,000. Board members also heard from FCSD Maintenance Director Richard Rice regarding facilities in the district. According to FCSD Athletic Director and Summer Program Director Donesha Boyd, the district has over 300 students currently enrolled in the summer program, which is held each year. "We started our annual summer enrichment programs on June 8 and we are currently averaging around 200 students at the high school and 175 students at Central Elementary," said Boyd. "That gives us an average of 375 students for the summer. The program continues to provide students with work on skills like mathematics and other activities." Boyd shared that the program has been focusing on mathematics centered around geometry due to the district’s lower skills in that curriculum. "In the morning, the students participate in mathematics curriculum," said Boyd. "Right now, one of the areas that we tend to be low in is geometry. So, we have been focusing on geometry from kindergarten all the way up. The kindergarten students are learning shapes, angles, lines, attributes and properties. The older ages are talking about translation, rotation, transformation and other skills." According to Boyd, the summer program will need to charge just over $15,000 to the district’s credit card to book the trip. "We are pleased with the strong attendance and student engagement in a positive learning environment," said Boyd. "At the end of our summer school enrichment, we want to go and take them to Six Flags. The single meal deal package of $50.99. If you multiply that by approximately 300, the district has to charge that, however, we then require parents to make a payment on their child’s cost to attend the trip. This covers their child’s ticket to the amusement park. This would also support the program. "Everybody does not go on the trip due to disciplinary issues and things like that," continued Boyd. "Why go all the way to St. Louis? Why not go somewhere closer like Magic Springs with gas the way it is?” asked board member Tamara Johnson. Boyd said that following a scare at the Magic Springs water park a few years ago, she doesn't allow for students to visit water parks and the Six Flags water park is separate from the rest of the park. "The issue is that one year, we had a little scare with the water," said Boyd. "I'm sure you all remember. With that being said, the park is better set up there in St. Louis because you actually have to have a ticket instead of walking directly into the water park. I want to keep the kids out of the water. Secondly, when we go to St. Louis, all of their educational things are free. The students will also go to the science museum as well. The science museum costs nothing for us to go. Normally, we go to the science museum in Hot Springs, but that costs, but it is free over there. "One of the major things that we wanted to make sure not to allow this year, as we did not allow last year, was for the kids to do the water park," said Boyd. "So you are asking us to allow you to charge $15,297 to the school for this trip, which will be reimbursed?” asked board member Annie Norman. "Yes. and student’s parents will be paying for their tickets," said Boyd. "We will be including some fundraising options for those who cannot afford one of these packages. The board unanimously agreed to allow the program to use a district credit card to make the purchase for the trip. According to Boyd, the district has been paying registered nurses around $32,000 per year in salary, which she said is far below what other area school districts pay. "We have added a nurse practitioner, but if we look at the salary schedule and look at CNA, this is what an RN makes in our district," said Boyd. "Previously, an RN that worked in our district would start out at $32,000. Looking at our surrounding areas and districts to see how they operate, we looked at Marion and their RN salary starts at $50,000. We changed ours to start at $50,000 so that we are competitive. They have LPN listed as hourly, but we converted that into a salary. This is a recommendation to change the personnel policy to take this salary schedule. The board unanimously agreed to change the pay schedule to accommodate the change. Boyd also mentioned that a new policy needs to be put into place regarding pay changes for employees who are involuntarily moved to other positions within the district. "This new policy says that employees who are involuntarily transferred to a position with a lower salary range, may retain their current base," said Boyd. "This is subject to whether the employee was performing satisfactory in their previous position, the transfer is not the result of disciplinary action or performance deficiencies. Salary retention is approved by the superintendent and it includes the board of directors." In other business, the board heard updates from Rice regarding buildings damaged during recent flooding. "A meeting was held by Delta Restoration on June 10 to review projects in the restoration project," said Rice. "Removal of the damaged flooring and wall materials have been concluded and the facility is now prepared for a reinstallation phase. An industrial hygienist is scheduled to conduct an inspection." According to Rice, following a meeting with Greg Mizell, with Mizell Heating and Air in Little Rock, HVAC split systems have been installed and duct work is nearing completion at the junior high campus. "Following approval from the project hygienist, the project will move into the building phase," said Rice. "Repairs to the walls and floors can begin. The installation of HVAC split systems have been completed in almost all areas. Duct work in these areas is approximately 90% complete. Insulation crews are currently working on the two remaining areas to complete the duct work and finalize the project." Rice told the board that he and the maintenance department have been working to address remaining work orders and improve the overall appearance and safety of campuses. "Maintenance staff has been completing walk-throughs across campuses to access the facility’s needs and we have completed several outstanding work orders from the previous school year," said Rice. "Efforts are ongoing to address remaining items and improving the overall appearance and safety of school facilities, which will continue to be a top priority." Rice explained that his objective is to make every campus in the district look the best that it possibly can for the students attending classes. "Maintenance staff remains committed to enhance the appearance and upkeep of all schools, while responding promptly to maintenance requests," said Rice. "I read that twice because I have been to a lot of calls from different schools and my objective is to make every school look the best that it can. Not just one campus, all of them. I am here for the kids to better what Forrest City Schools look like. Plans include power washers to clean walkways and buildings to maintain a clean and professional appearance across the district." The board is scheduled to meet in special session at 5:30 p.m., Monday, June 29, at Stewart Elementary.

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