CHERRY VALLEY — The Cross County School District is exploring the use of modular buildings for Pre-K to handle growth in the elementary school.
“We are currently working with a local entity to purchase a portable building, a modular building to go alongside the one that we currently have on our campus that we are potentially looking at having to move our Pre-K to for the next year,” said Cross County Superintendent Dr. Nathan Morris. “The reason for that is growth of the elementary school. If we had to start school for the next year tomorrow, we have to add an additional second-grade class and would not have space.
“That’s a good thing. Growth is a good thing,” Dr. Morris added. “With that comes growing pains, and the look to potentially have to move temporarily for a couple years our Pre-K to portables until we can get more classroom buildings built at the elementary school.”
Dr. Morris said the district is seeking funding from the State Department of Education for a more permanent structure for the younger students.
“We’ll find out in August if our project is approved, then later on in the year you’ll find out if you’ve got funding for it,” he said. “The problem with funding right now is that whatever your split is with funding from the state is based on around $225 a square foot, but you don’t build anything for $225 a square foot. Not even close.
“The 65/35 split that we would hope for in partnership funding is only on $225 a square foot, not the actual cost,” Dr. Morris added. “There could be more cost incurred. But that’s what we’ve got to do to serve students because of the growth.”
Monday’s meeting was the first for new school board member Tyler Pulley, who was elected to fill out the term of the late Craig Walker.
Derek Wood was re-elected as board president while Shane Bell was re-elected vice president. Ashley Armstrong was re-elected as board secretary. Bell will serve as the district’s disbursing officer with Wood serving as his alternate.
Emily Johnson, Kara Hanley, Paula Huey, and Nikki Williams were recognized as the Jordan’s Staff Members of the Month. Melody Burgess, Dalton Smith, Lauren Armstrong, and Lexi Jarrett were recognized as the Sonic Students of the Month.
Dr. Morris also updated the board on the purchase of a 2019 Chevy Silverado from the Crowley’s Ridge Co-op in Harrisburg. The district had the winning bid on the vehicle, which will be used to haul equipment for football, band, and more.
Dr. Morris discussed NEA Draft Day this Thursday at Nettleton High School. The event will function like Cross County’s own Networking Night, and allow students to connect with industry representatives. He also talked about a school board retreat planned for July, which will include NIET, Stephens, Inc., and the Arkansas School Boards Association.
In other news, the Cross County School Board:
- Approved new elementary math curriculum enVision Mathematics. The curriculum will be used for the next five years.
- Approved the rollover of $1.5 million in a current CD to another 13-month CD with Cross Bank.
- Approved the Apple purchase.
- Approved a bid from Roof Raiders of Jonesboro for roof repairs at Cross County Elementary School. The metal roof has begun to leak as it ages. The work will be done this summer when students are gone.
- Approved a bid for new flooring at the fieldhouse. The Mondo flooring is the same type of flooring used by the New Orleans Saints, the University of Arkansas, and high schools including Bryant and Fayetteville.
- Hired Lisa Paschal as a second-grade teacher starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Paschal is the wife of new football coach Van Paschal.
- Approved the consent agenda (Minutes of the Feb. 19 meeting, February financials, and March check register).
