mil would raise approximately $97,257 assuming a 96% collection rate. Millage increases can only be requested once a year during primary or general elections. The next opportunity to pass a millage increase is this November, but to do so, the county government would have to be notified of the request in June.
presently the millage rate for the Hazen district is 33.83 mils. The state average is 39 mils with Searcy at approximately 35.7, Stuttgart at 37 and Des Arc at 35.8. Each additional
By Lisa MillsThe Des Arc City Council met on April 16th with Mayor Roger Scott, Recorder/Treasurer
Janice Huffstickler, and all council members present. Kirk Berry from M Triple J addressed the council to request a 5% increase in trash pickup fees. Berry stated that the GFL Landfill increased dumping fees by 15% in April, as well as 12% in March, 2023. A motion was approved for a 5% increase for all residential and commercial customers. A new ordinance reflecting the increase will be presented at the May council meeting.
Mayor Scott reported that several speed bumps have been installed across the city to deter speeding, as
The district increased its millage and took out a bonded debt for $6.1 million at a fixed rate of 1.9-3.2 % in November of 2013, which has a payoff date of 2045. There is still an outstanding principal of $5.43 million on that original bond. Board Member Chad Greenwalt asked,
well as the Police Department being more diligent in enforcing speed limits. Council member Judy Burnett stated that the new speed bump on Whippoorwill seemed excessive because it is so close to the 4 way stop and makes it difficult for farm traffic and trucks. Scott replied that most of the residents on Whipporwill were very happy because so many vehicles drive through the area at high speeds. Residents receiving letters that their property is in violation of city regulations should be aware that fines, and other penalties will be enforced. Mayor Scott said that there will be no more leniency in the matter.
“How much should we ask for?” McBryde answered that the district should start with asking what the district needs, then asking what the people will support. No action was taken at this time.
Superintendent Any Barrett added that the average number of students at the district had gone up by eight students to 524 in October of 2023. This number determines how much money the district receives from the state. Casondra Sims, the K-3 Literacy Specialist, gave a presentation on the elementary school’s reading intervention program. She said that the goal of her program is to have fewer stu-
dents go into intervention programs. She said that the program tries to catch problems early on. “I’m seeing improvements,” Sims said. In other business, the board approved the 2024-25 classified and certified salary schedules. The only changes were paying paraprofessional and HIPPY employees a yearly rather than a per hour salary with no change to what they presently make, and paying bus drivers a set amount per year based on years of experience not miles driven. The classified salary schedule also added two new positions, Business Manager and Superintendent’s Secretary. The supple-
mental salary schedule added $5000 for the ABC Director, $1,000 for a Special Education Registered Behavior Technician paraprofessional, and $750 for the Special Education paraprofessional who deals with self-contained students. Security personnel for district events will be paid $75 per event. The board also passed the superintendent’s recommendation to lease two school buses from Midwest Bus Sales. Leasing the buses, rather than buying them, will keep the district from having to pay maintenance costs because the buses will be under warranty.
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The ambulance report for March showed 35 total transfers. Council member Keith Knupp stated that a new AED needed to be purchased because the current one is not working correctly. He said the cost would be $3,500 to $4,000 and the money is available in their account. A motion was approved to purchase the AED. Mayor Scott reported that the city would start replacing 10-15 gas meters per month until they have all been replaced. Council member Gail King reported that the gas loss for March was 28.1%. She also stated that Wood River held a recent meeting with Des Arc and the other cities they supply, which she and
member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.
Michael Phillip Prislovsky, 70, of Stuttgart passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Phil was born April 23, 1953, in Stuttgart to Mikey and Ann Posey Prislovsky. He was a 1971 graduate of Stuttgart High School and received an associate degree in computer science. He worked many years as a grain grader at Riceland and also was employed at Wal-Mart. He was a
Phil passionately followed the Razorbacks to the point that the world would come to a complete halt, regardless of the sport. He was a selfproclaimed foodie, a lover of bad Dad jokes and the ultimate supporter of the women in his family. None of the above compared to the love he had for his grandchildren. Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mendy Hoskyn. Survivors are his wife of 35 years, Paula
Prislovsky; daughter, Jillian Kate Horton and husband Justin of Rogers; step-son, Gabe McTigrit and wife Genny of Little Rock; mother, Ann Prislovsky of Stuttgart; three grandchildren, Sloane
Elizabeth Horton, Morgan Kate Horton and Madelyn Grace
McTigrit; brother, Tony Prislovsky of Stuttgart; nephew, Taylor Hoskyn of Jonesboro; and niece, Brittany Briggs of DeWitt.
A memorial service was held Saturday, April 13, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.
Des Arc Trap Team finishes 3rd...
Congratulations to the Des Arc Top SR DIV Trap Team for finishing 3rd at the 11th Annual Ducks Unlimited Trap Shoot held on Monday, April 15. Members include Noah Hubbard, Jaxton Bethell, Cane
GFWC Elsie McCain holds last meeting of the year
By Chris Weems GFWC Elsie McCainClub held their last regular meeting of the Club Year Saturday night at Murry's Restaurant in Hazen. Chris Weems, president, presided. Judy Foot, a past state president, was the guest speaker. She is a member of Stuttgart Women's Club.
Judy talked about her year as State President and how the clubs have changed since so many clubs have defederated. She said, " our communities still need the same services that the clubs provided all those years and we don't have the clubs to do them."
She also said that because of the diminished membership, the two-day convention has been changed to one day, which will be May 4 at the Delta Hotel in Little Rock.
Judy complimented the Elsie McCain Club for continuing as the only GFWC Club in Lonoke and Prairie Counties, which once had 12 clubs. The president said that she plans to go to the Convention, May 4, and any member will be welcome to go with her.
The president also said she may call on some members to come and help her pack the items that the club is sending to Operation Smile for the summer clinics they have to repair the cleft lips and and/or pallets that so many children in and around the Caribbean have. She also announced that the Club will begin the summer outings in about a month. Members will select the next outing.
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If the district decides to purchase the buses, it may do so in three years. The cost to lease the buses will cost the district $26,500 per bus per year.
The board also passed the facilities upgrades and improvements list recommended by Barrett which includes new district signage for the district and elementary school ($40,000) , Americans with Disabilities compliance issues ($10,000), football field bleachers and high school painting ($25,000), putting a dropped ceiling in the high school ($18,000), cafeteria improvements and seating ($25,000), renovating the old gym lobby and bathrooms ($10,000) and putting LED lights in the old gym ($10,000) and repainting and refinishing the old gym floor. A football field lighting project is also included for a cost of $374,500.
The district has already completed the new gym audio improvements and put new heaters in the cafeteria. The budget for these and other projects will cost the district approximately $268,000. The funding will come from refunded bond savings of $477,568.18 and an academic facility reimbursement of $186,914,53.
The Certified Personnel Policies Committee president Katie Reynolds gave a report as did the Personnel Policies Committee president Susan Booth. Elementary Principal
Laura Saranie tol the board that the Elementary Chess Team had won awards at a recent tournament. She also said that some of her students had been taken to a Travelers baseball game as a reward. Amy Marek was not present to give a report. Barrett said that he has put together an employee compensation committee, which has had three meetings so far. The committee had asked that the district pay for higher degrees. The new salary schedule pays all teachers $50,000 per year as mandated by the state’s LEARNS Act with increases for a master’s degree beginning in the 16th year of a teachers tenure. The new schedule also increases the superintendent’s salary to $100,00 a year plus a $5000 stipend for being
the federal coordinator, the high school principal’s salary to $77,096 a year, and the elementary principal’s salary to $75,010.
The board tabled a proposal by Verizon Wireless to change the amount
DAHS weightlifters compete...
Congratulations to all the Des Arc High School football players that competed in "The Pride of the Delta" weight-lifting meet held at England High School recently. Several students placed in the top three of their weight class, including Chandler Dobbins - 1st Place, Brody Benton3rd Place, Cole Eldridge - 2nd place, Gabe Berry - 2nd place, Cole Hunt2nd place, and Braeden English - 3rd Place.
Hazen FCCLA winners...
Faith Duell and Shelby Trevino (pictured left) won a silver metal for their “Promote and Publicize FCCLA” project at the State Star Events Competition held in Hot Springs recently. Ryder Greenwalt (right) took home the bronze metal in “Nutrition an Wellness.” Ryder has advanced to Nationals that will be held in Seattle this summer. Summer Greenwalt is their sponsor.
State Capitol Week in Review
From
Senator Ronald CaldwellLITTLE ROCK – The state Education Department has written new rules for troubled schools to enter “transformation contracts” with outside entities, such as charter school operators.
The Department will accept public comments until May 15 on the eight pages of proposed rules. They will implement a provision in the LEARNS Act that was passed by the legislature last year. The act was the centerpiece of the governor’s legislative agenda. An Education Department official said that transformation contracts offer a dramatic way to improve districts that are in academic distress.
Schools are eligible to enter the contracts if they have a D or an F rating or if they are classified as needing Level 5 intensive support by the Board of Education.
A strong incentive to enter transformation contracts is that for two years after the contract is signed, the state will not impose any sanctions or take any actions against the school for failing to satisfy academic performance standards.
The proposed rules allow the state to pro-
vide financial incentives to support the transformation campus, but the proposals do not specify any details about those incentives.
Under the proposed rules, any property owned by a school district when the contract is signed shall remain in the school’s possession.
The organization that contracts to take over most of the school’s administration is referred to as the transformation campus operator. Their intent must be to return management to the school after “accelerated, meaningful, and sustainable increases in student achievement have been achieved.”
One school district in the state is already being operated under a transformation contract that was signed soon after the LEARNS Act took effect last year. It is the Marvell-Elaine School District in east Arkansas, which is under state control.
Under the three-year transformation contract signed last year, Marvell-Elaine schools are being operated by the Friendship Education Foundation that sponsors openenrollment charter schools in Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pine Bluff.
The proposed rules would allow school districts that are not under state control to enter transformation contracts. If the district falls under state control during contract period, the contract would become void on the date the state takes over control.
Community Service Requirement
Another provision in the LEARNS Act will require high school students to perform 75 hours of community service in order to graduate. The first seniors who will have to comply will be the class of 2027, who are now in ninth grade. This class has about 39,000 students, so they will contribute almost three million hours of community service in Arkansas over the next four years.
The Education Department has written four pages of proposed rules to implement the community service provisions and will take public comments until April 24.
Local school boards may grant a waiver to a graduating student for extenuating circumstances, on a case-bycase basis. For example, waivers may be granted to students who are medically fragile, or students going through a serious illness or who has a family member who is seriously ill.
Also, students with jobs who contribute significantly to the family’s income may get a waiver.
17th 24thApril
In the win over the Patriots, the Bison broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Palestine-Wheatley led 1-0 after the second
inning. The Bison tied it at 1-1 with a run in the bottom of the third.
Scoring for the Bison were Roberts, Avert, Parker and Baylor Hauk. Hauk was 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Jones and Dalton Ward each drove in a run.
Ward pitched well for five innings. He struck out three. Jones got the win in relief. He struck out four in two innings of work.
Eagles p itche r do m inates Hazen
By Mark Buffalo Sports EditorDes Arc pitcher
Hudson Goodman
struck out 12 Hazen
batters as the Eagles beat the Hornets 13-3 last week in Des Arc. With the win, the Eagles improve to 11-7 overall and 6-3 in the 2A-6. Hazen drops to 64 overall and 3-4 in league play.
Goodman allowed only three hits and two
earned runs in five innings of work. He also gave up three bases on balls.
Des Arc jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Eagles then added four runs in the third, three in the fourth and three in the fifth to end the game by the 10-run rule.
Des Arc’s Cole Eldridge and Cane Childers each had three RBIs. Ben
Kearby led the Eagles with three runs scored. Hayden Nicholes and Eldridge each scored two runs.
Walker Harris, Eli Bender and Childers each scored one run. Hazen finished three runs on three hits. Hunter Pardon, Sam Clayton and Bubba Barnhill each scored runs. Peyton Anderson led Hazen with two hits. Pardon had one.
L ad y B ison get w ins o v e r NLR, P - W
for a three-hitters.
The Hazen City Council met on Thursday, April 18, with several things on the agenda. Only Councilman Dallas Taylor and Fire Chief Seth Skarda were missing. Mayor David Hardke told the council that the January delayed utility bill payment plans had been successful, with most of the bills already paid off. He also said that the work by the Heller Company to repair the burst pipe under Prairie Street and Highway 70 had been completed, and the bill had been paid. A lead service line survey, which is required by the state and federal governments will be sent out to Hazen’s water customers asking citizens to check the type of pipes that they have in their homes. Each homeowner will be asked to fill out a form and turn it into the city. Utilities Director Chad Swaim told the council that he has only found two lead pipes going into local homes in all of the years that he has worked for the city. Hardke told the council that M Triple J Sanitation has requested a rate increase due to an increase in the amount charged by the landfill. The GFL Rolling Meadows Landfill increased the trash disposal cost by 15% per ton in April. The council agreed to a 3% increase now, with another 3% increase again in October. The projected cost of the increase will be
$137,532.
The council also agreed to a five-year contract with Mississippi River Transmission for the transportation of natural gas. The contract was strongly recommended, according to Hardke. “They’ve been trustworthy,” Hardke said.
Hardke also told the council that homeowners will be asked to replace driveway culverts that no longer allow water to pass through them due to built up soil and trash. There have been problems with water backing up in some of the city’s ditches.
The council agreed to give a $1000 donation to the Lonoke County Council on Aging after the organization provided portable stage platforms to the city for the Community Center at no cost. The platforms will be used as a portable stage at events held in the Community Center.
Reporting on the American Rescue Plan is due by the end of April. The city primarily used the funds for repair of the city’s water system. Hardke said that other projects need to be done, and said, “We can’t keep pushing things down the road.”
Hardke said that an audit of the city has begun, and “everything looks good.”
Departmental audits will also be performed by the state.
In departmental reports, Police Chief Bradley told the council
that his department would be off TV until June and that the new body cameras will be arriving soon. He also said that there have been problems with citizens letting their dogs run loose, especially at night. Hardke added that citizens needed to be reminded of the city’s “no pit” rule.
Utilities Manager Chad Swaim said that mowing had started and lights on the baseball field had been fixed. The mixer at the water plant has been sent off to be cleaned and painted and should be reinstalled soon. He also said that his department is using new chemicals in the city’s water that have been working much better. “Everything looks very positive,” he said. The water has been tested to have less iron and less chlorine is being used. All of the members of his department have undergone operator qualification for gas, and a leak at the splashpad has been patched. Swaim hopes to have the splashpad open by Memorial Day. His department is also continuing to replace water meters that are not functioning properly.
After the business part of the meeting, the council took a tour of the Oasis Church, which rents space from the city. The council members were very pleased with the condition of the building and thanked the pastor, Teddy Walker, for taking such great care of the property.
By Mark Buffalo Sports EditorThe Carlisle Lady Bison went 2-0 in softball action last week. They beat Class 6A North Little Rock 10-3 and Palestine-Wheatley 15-0 in conference play.
With the win over the Lady Patriots, the Lady Bison stay in a tie for first place in the 2A-6 with Des Arc. The Lady Bison own the tiebreaker over the Lady Eagles by virtue of run differential
Lakyn Golden, Kiersten Taylor, Kylie Childers and Angie Petrus each scored two runs. Libby McIntyre and Adisun Golden each scored once. Laken Golden was 3 for 5 with four RBIs. Adisun Golden had two hits.
Carson Mealler and Tessa Sanders combined
In the win over North Little Rock, Carlisle scored since runs in the first and third innings before playing three runs in the top of the fourth to lead 5-0. The Lady Charging Wildcats came back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Lady Bison then scored a single run in the top of the fifth and four in the top of the seventh to account for the scoring.
In the win over Palestine-Wheatley, the Lady Bison scored five in the first, eight in the third and two in the fourth to end the game.
Lakyn Golden and McIntyre had three runs each. Jessa Wiles, Anna Stovesand and Taylor each scored twice. Also scoring were Adisun Golden, Childers and Petrus.
McIntyre hit a homer and had four RBIs. Laken Golden was 3 for 4. Mealler struck out five in three innings of work. Sanders worked a perfect fourth inning.
L ad y Eagles beat England , Hazen
By Mark Buffalo Sports EditorThe Des Arc Lady Eagles went 2-0 last week to improve to 13-4 on the season. They are tied for first in the 2A-6 with Carlisle. The two teams split the season series, but the Lady Bison hold the tiebreaker over the Lady Eagles by virtue of run differential. Carlisle beat Des Arc 10-0 in the first meeting; Des Arc won 9-3 in the second.
Des Arc beat England 11-1 and Hazen 5-1.
In the win over England, Des Arc scored three in the first, four in the second and two runs in both the third and fifth innings. Makenzie Williams led Des Arc with four runs scored. Kaylee McDonald was 2 for 3 with a homer and five RBIs. She scored two runs.
In the win over Hazen, Des Arc scored three in the third and two in the fifth. Hazen’s lone run came in top of the seventh.
Emma Buckner and Kymber Buckner each scored two runs. McDonald scored the fifth run.
Emma Bucker scored three times. Grace Knight scored once. McDonald struck out 12 in five innings of work.
Moving Sale
Mom moved to heaven. Furniture items – bedroom sets, sofa, sleeper loveseat, coffee tables, desks, more. Set of Corelle dishes and fine china. Saturday 4/27 ONLY, 10 - 4. Come look, bring your truck, and cash. 506 W. Jackson St. Hazen, AR
