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The Newport School District's six-year Facilities Plan, required by state law to be completed and turned in by Feb. 1, dominated conversation at the most recent board of directors meeting last Thursday.
Newport Superintendent Dr. Larry Bennett advised the board of several options concerning the facilities plan but reminded them that any project over the course of the next six years that they wished to seek state funding had to be included in the plan submitted next week.
"Any changes, if any, over the next couple of years that we want to apply for state funding - which would be at nearly 40 percent of the project - must be included in this plan," he explained.
"We can still do any projects we wish if it is not on this list, but it will be at 100 percent cost to the district."
Dr. Bennett advised the board that most any project should be in play for the district as one bond payment was paid off this month and another will come off the books in February 2013, the funding cycle for this six-year plan.
"We are in really good shape to do some serious projects as we will have approximately 12 mills to help finance any project without having to ask for a tax increase."
Board members discussed several options and will present their final Facilities Plan for the patrons of the district in a public meeting to be held Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Newport High School Cafeteria.
In other business:
- The directors approved a one-year contract extension for Dr. Bennett giving the superintendent a three-year contract remaining.
- Board members approved the district to apply for an E-Rate contract, which will pay approximately 86 percent, for a dedicated, 50-megabyte line through Suddenlink which will provide internet access to the district. If accepted by E-Rate, the district's share of the project will be $490 per month for the next five years.
- The board approved the reassignment of Jaqueline McCrary from sixth grade to special education at Newport Elementary.
- Newport Junior High School Principal Kenny Black advised the board that "we did not have one eighth grade student fail math or literacy" at semester. He also told the board that discipline referrals were down "70 percent" from the same time last year.
- Dr. Bennett advised the board that several departments were facing reviews in the coming months including: food service, 21st Century program, Gifted/Talented as well as a Scholastic Audit for the district.
The Newport School District's six-year Facilities Plan, required by state law to be completed and turned in by Feb. 1, dominated conversation at the most recent board of directors meeting last Thursday.
Newport Superintendent Dr. Larry Bennett advised the board of several options concerning the facilities plan but reminded them that any project over the course of the next six years that they wished to seek state funding had to be included in the plan submitted next week.
"Any changes, if any, over the next couple of years that we want to apply for state funding - which would be at nearly 40 percent of the project - must be included in this plan," he explained.
"We can still do any projects we wish if it is not on this list, but it will be at 100 percent cost to the district."
Dr. Bennett advised the board that most any project should be in play for the district as one bond payment was paid off this month and another will come off the books in February 2013, the funding cycle for this six-year plan.
"We are in really good shape to do some serious projects as we will have approximately 12 mills to help finance any project without having to ask for a tax increase."
Board members discussed several options and will present their final Facilities Plan for the patrons of the district in a public meeting to be held Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Newport High School Cafeteria.
In other business:
- The directors approved a one-year contract extension for Dr. Bennett giving the superintendent a three-year contract remaining.
- Board members approved the district to apply for an E-Rate contract, which will pay approximately 86 percent, for a dedicated, 50-megabyte line through Suddenlink which will provide internet access to the district. If accepted by E-Rate, the district's share of the project will be $490 per month for the next five years.
- The board approved the reassignment of Jaqueline McCrary from sixth grade to special education at Newport Elementary.
- Newport Junior High School Principal Kenny Black advised the board that "we did not have one eighth grade student fail math or literacy" at semester. He also told the board that discipline referrals were down "70 percent" from the same time last year.
- Dr. Bennett advised the board that several departments were facing reviews in the coming months including: food service, 21st Century program, Gifted/Talented as well as a Scholastic Audit for the district.
