School buys land

Continual growth in the Pea Ridge School District prompted school officials to begin searching for land. Pea Ridge School Board members approved the purchase of 77 acres off Hayden Road (Ark. Hwy. 265) in a special School Board meeting Monday night.

The land, owned by Tom Hayes, was purchased for $485,000, according to Rick Neal, school superintendent.

"Basically we did a reimbursement resolution. We're financing it after the first of the year," Neal explained, adding that the money will come out of the building fund for now.

"We may need to build again within about five years," Neal said. He said he anticipates several work study sessions with the board preparing a five-year plan.

In other business, the Board:

• Approved the purchase of welding equipment for Pea Ridge Manufacturing and Business Academy for $36,000.

The next regularly scheduled School Board meeting is Oct. 13.

General News on 10/08/2014