Smackover-Norphlet approves roofing, tech upgrade – El Dorado News-Times

By By Brittany Wiliams Staff Writer

SMACKOVER The Smackover-Norphlet School Board approved service contracts for the districts roofing and technology, as well as changes to several district policies at its meeting Monday.

The school board accepted Wilcoxs recommendation to accept a bid of $300,022 to hire Olivers Custom Roofing to complete the districts roofing project, pending approval from another professional. The bid also included a $4.50 unit price.

We had seven bidders, five that we accepted and we came in way lower than what the budget was. The low bid is (from) OCR which is in Holland, Arkansas, Wilcox said. That unit price goes either way because we have a lot of decking in the project. Basically a third of the decking was factored in on this price so if we had to add more, thats the number theyll use. If they have to give us credit (or) do not have to replace as much decking, thats the same number thatll be used to come back our way.

Board members also approved the superintendents recommendation to hire IK Electric to upgrade the districts wireless technology. The total cost is $112,884.02 for the improvements at Smackover and Norphlet campuses, Wilcox said.

District special programs director Teri Philyaw recommended several policy updates including amendments to Smackover-Norphlets wellness Policy No. 5.29 that board member Chris Long voted against.

I dont know how this is going to go with the new (federal) administration, but the policy was substantially updated to include the new U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations on local wellness policies, Philyaw said. That ones a really significant change but that was something we didnt have any control over so its pretty much what we got to do.

According to the USDA, the final rule implementing section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requires schools that participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs to establish minimum content requirements for the local school wellness policies, ensure stakeholder participation in the development and updates of such policies and periodically assess and disclose to the public schools compliance with the local school wellness policies.

And if you dont? Long asked.

Philyaw answered, You dont get any child nutrition money.

Ultimately, all of Philyaws recommendations were approved though Long said that somebody got to speak up regarding Policy No. 5.29.

After reviewing the districts student-parent handbook in a committee meeting last month, Norphlet Middle School principal Keith Coleman presented changes recommended by the committee to the board.

Because its against the law to suspend students for truancy, the principal recommended that the minimum punishment should be detention hall and the maximum should be in-school suspension, removing out of school suspension. Though he previously objected this change, Long retracted his objection after he realized that the policy change gives principals discretion.

I personally wouldnt give them detention hall, Coleman said. Its not a step (punishment). Its a maximum and a minimum.

Among other approved recommendations are a description of the districts excused absence policy, requirement of parents immediately picking up students with transmittable live human host parasites from school and removal of Saturday School as a disciplinary action.

Board members also approved the resignations of Norphlet Elementary School principal Patti Vickery and Smackover High School physical education teacher Jerry Stegall.

The Smackover-Norphlet School Boards next meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Apr. 17 in the district office boardroom.

Brittany Williams may be contacted by email at bwilliams@eldoradonews.com. Follow her on Twitter and like her on Facebook @BWilliamsEDNT for updates on Union County school news.

Originally posted here:
Smackover-Norphlet approves roofing, tech upgrade - El Dorado News-Times