DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY|dewayne@mcnews.online
CADDO HILLS – School board members discussed possible locations for a track and field facility Monday night at the Caddo Hills School Board meeting.
The meeting opened with a word of prayer by Superintendent Deric Owens followed by the approval of the agenda.
Board members approved the minutes from the previous meeting and the most recent financial statement.
Moving to new business, the board approved a recommendation to retire a list of unused assets. Superintendent Owens explained that a recent visit from an auditor led to the discovery of the listed items not in use. The board approved the retirement of listed items.
The board approved the creation of a Life Skills Greenhouse activity fund. The fund is necessary in order for Life Skills students to use the money collected from plant sales to increase their grow potential in their greenhouse.
The board approved the district’s facilities master plan.
The board approved the hiring of a new special education paraprofessional. Ariel Wagner was hired to fill the position.
The board voted to move forward with the possible purchase of a portable building to be used as classrooms. Superintendent Owens stated that the building was two 23×31 buildings that would be joined together to make a 23×62 foot building. The building comes equipped with heat and air units and will provide two classrooms for the district. The building is currently owned by the Ouachita River School District. Owens is looking into the cost to move the building and set it up if purchased.
The board discussed possibly renting the home on their adjoining property to a business. Superintendent Owens stated that he had been approached by a local resident who is moving their business from Hot Springs. The business would offer opportunities for student involvement. He added that the owner would also like to sell products through the Native Supply Store at the school.
Kenzie Bour and Nicole Black brought up questions regarding property taxes if the home was used as commercial property. Both board members work in the county tax accessors office. The subject was tabled until they could find out if the district would have to pay commercial property taxes on the home if it is used as a business.
The final item on the agenda was the discussion of possible locations for a track and field facility. Two locations were discussed.
Superintendent Owens discussed the possibility of building a facility on the adjoining property in a field behind the house. He explained that there is just enough space on the property to place the track facility. This location would require less excavation than the second option, but does not have access to restrooms or parking. He also pointed out that the entrance might be limited if the home is rented to an individual.
The second option is to place it in the field behind the gymnasium. There is adequate space for the track facility, but it would require extensive excavation. Owens explained that there is plenty of dirt on the property to fill the area in. He also pointed out that this location would provide access to parking and restrooms in the gym, or the baseball/softball concession stand.
If a track were to be built at this location the district’s cattle pen would have to be relocated. Superintendent Owens stated that they could move the cows to the new property in the field behind the house. A cattle pen could be built at this location with water and electricity available from the bus barn and the elementary building.
Superintendent Owens is to meet with a construction company representative this week. The representative will survey both sites and provide a rough estimate on construction costs. No plans to build a track and field facility have been approved, but board members expressed interest in the possibility.