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Schools ready for bond vote

By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer

The Arkansas City Board of Education tonight may set the date of March 4 to hold a bond referendum. At its meeting the board will consider adopting an updated resolution authorizing a bond election for a $36 million facilities improvement project. The board will meet at 7 p.m. at the USD 470 Central Office, 2445 Greenway.

The resolution was updated and adjusted for election date and method, according to agenda notes for tonight's regular school board meeting.

A bond election on the project originally had been scheduled for Nov. 5, but was postponed because citizens leading the campaign in favor of the bond issue said they needed more time to inform the public of all the issues involving the massive project.

Also on tonight's agenda:

* A Fiscal Year 2007 audit letter and report on all school district funds will be presented to the board by representatives of the accounting firm of Parman, Tanner, Soule and Jackson. The board will consider accepting the report.

* A presentation by Assistant Superintendent J.K. Campbell on copier specifications for the purchase of two multi-purpose copiers -- one to be located in the Arkansas City Middle School office and the other in the Ark City High School office. The board will consider approving the specifications and giving the business office permission to solicit bids.

* The board will consider directing board member Daren Reese to be the school district's delegate in the KASB assembly, and will review proposed KASB resolutions and policy amendments.

* Hear an annual review of energy savings to the district since contracting with Energy Education, Inc. (This is the third year the district has had the energy program.) The presentation will be by Paula Nelson, the school district's energy manager.

* Hear a presentation by Associate Superintendent Jan Voss of student assessment results. A handout detailing the presentation is included -- along with a Power Point Presentation -- with test results of the American College Testing (ACT) achievement test and state assessments.

* Discuss teacher retention and recruitment.

* Hear a presentation on the Head Start program by Caroline Bruce, program director.

* Have an executive session on personnel matters of non-elected personnel. The session is closed to protect the privacy of individuals, the agenda notes say. Any action to be taken will be announced after the session in an open session.