Food service account in the black

Food service account is in the black, Keith Martin, assistant superintendent, told Pea Ridge school members. The board has continually supplemented the food service program, Martin told the board.

"It is $60,000 in the black and will stay that way if we get the checks we're supposed to get on time," Martin said. "We should do even better next year because we won't have to buy computer software again."

Martin said the number of students eating at the high school has tripled and he intends on doing more to increase that number.

School Board members were presented a bid for remodeling the safe room for classrooms for Pea Ridge Manufacturing and Business Academy.

"The remodel has been blessed by FEMA," Neal told the board. "We've talked to FEMA and to Robert McGowen, Benton County Emergency Services director."

Neal said safe rooms built on school campuses across the state are used by the schools.

Board members approved the proposal. Neal said he intends to get more bids on the remodel which is estimated to cost about $60,000. The plan includes building partitions to provide classroom space for the iSchool which provides the academic portion of the new conversion charter school.

In other business, the board:

• Hired Cheyene Hostetler, food service worker, for remainder of school year;

• Accept resignations of Angie Dutton, custodian, effective immediately, and Kilee Luthi, effective March 25;

• Accepted resignation of Sue McElroy, middle school principal, with "heart-felt sadness and regret," as recommended by Neal;

• Transfer Katie Hendrix to elementary music teacher for 2014-2015 school year;

• Transfer Ben Love, Allison Johnson and Anthony Carrera to Pea Ridge Business and Manufacturing Academy for 2014-2015 school year;

• Transfer Matt McCool from high school band director to assistant band director for Pea Ridge Middle School for 2014-2015 school year;

• Approved out of state field trips for:

- 3/21 - FFA Fair, Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, Mo., and

- 3/15 - FFA contest at McDonald County High School, Anderson, Mo.;

- 4/21 - College-bound NEO, A&M Miami, Okla., third graders;

- 5/10 - Band to Six Flags, St. Louis, Mo.; and

- 4/15, 4/22 and 4/24 - PRHS track meet in Joplin and Cassville, Mo.

• Approved education contract for counseling services with Todd Rieff.