With major role changes in place, the Helena-West Helena School Board rolled through a busy slate Monday night, highlighted by the adoption of a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay raise for all district employees.
The Rev. Jarvis Smith, who has been an adamant proponent for better salaries for employees, spearheaded the proposal that evolved from executive session.
Deputy Superintendent Roy Bridges said Tuesday the pay raises would likely take effect around Thanksgiving.
Bridges had no ready-made calculations on the budget expenditure for the raises.
“We used to have 500 employees, but that has changed,” Bridges said.
The board took on a revamped appearance with the seating of new members Kim Smith and Michael Ashanti. Connie Jarrett, the incumbent vice president, was elected president.
Kim Smith and Tommy Stephens were offered in nomination for vice president. By a 5-2 vote, Stephens was installed as vice president, while Kim Smith’s bid failed.
Long-standing board member Larry Wilson was elected secretary by a 4-3 vote.
Superintendent Rudolph Howard expressed his displeasure with the defeated millage proposal for construction of a new high school.
“I am terribly disturbed. We missed an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Howard said. Howard said the defeat also meant the likely loss of a 70-30 state-local share opportunity.
Howard said the millage defeat would adversely impact the town’s potential industry gains.
There was some debate over a proposed public relations plan. Delta Force won out over the consideration of the other three local radio stations.
Howard said 52 radio spots a year would be developed involving students.
Bridges reported that while enrollment continues to decline in the school district the net loss of 36 as of Oct. 1, 2008 was much better than in previous Octobers.
The board agreed to a weeklong celebration of homecoming next week including the Oct. 24 game against Greene County Tech.
At the request of Marvin Jarrett, a member of the Helena-West Helena City Council, the board approved a request for materials to upgrade Cad Polk Park. A clean-up effort will be undertaken Saturday beginning at 7 a.m.
The board agreed to a $225,000 disbursement to five women who won a federal court lawsuit involving former business manager Al Hicks. At attorney Austin Porter’s insistence, Howard and the board agreed to make the lump sum payment no later than Nov. 13.
