School leaders and School Board members were treated to a luncheon prepared and served by members of the food service lab of the Family and Consumer Science Department at Pea Ridge High School under the direction of Mrs. Sherry Rickard prior to the December School Board meeting rescheduled to noon Monday.
First-grade students led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag and then showed school leaders some of what they've been learning in STEM -- project-based learning.
"We are learning real life lessons," said one boy. "And when we mess up, we can try again."
Assistant superintendent Keith Martin announced that the anticipated federal funds for food service had been received and that the new building for Pea Ridge Manufacturing and Business Academy is complete.
School Board members approved a resolution to purchase land adjacent to the school campus on Weston Street in addition to the land already purchased on Hayden Road. The two properties will be combined in a lease purchase contract for a total of $685,000.
A bid from Oekle Construction Company for a maximum price of $1.7 million was accepted for the new fine arts addition.
"This is about $400 less than the previous one and we're going to be doing with everything included -- air conditioning the gym, redoing the seats, all cabinetry," Rick Neal, superintendent, told board members. "I think we'll be very pleased with the general contractor... They're ready to begin construction."
General News on 12/17/2014