By JOEL PHELPS | arkadelphian.com
The Arkadelphia Board of Education gave its nod Tuesday to buy new playground equipment for the district’s elementary school campus currently under construction.
Administration considered proposals from three different companies but settled on equipment from Davis Playgrounds. The Maumelle-based company provided the district with an estimate of $274,112 for the equipment, which includes various structures geared for children ages 5-12.
The new Peake Elementary School will house students in grades K-4. Administration said Davis Playgrounds offered the largest variety of equipment appropriate for that age group. “We felt [Davis] had the most equipment for the amount,” Superintendent Nikki Thomas said, estimating the equipment to cost between $200,000-$300,000.
The equipment will be placed on a 40,000-SF section of artificial turf, which will be added nearer the end of construction and included in the overall building cost, said Jimmy King, director of support services.
In other business, the school board approved a $106,750 purchase of classroom door access controls for the new Peake building.
The school board opted to remain in open session to consider the following personnel recommendations:
Employment
Renaya Ester, paraprofessional, Perritt
Austin Hollis, bus driver
Temporary MOU
Christy Smith, Goza Saturday School