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September 5, 2018
THE THEPOLK POLK COUNTY COUNTY
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1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600
1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600 ...............................................................................................................................................................................
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QUORUM COURT AGREES TO SUPPORT REGIONAL CRISIS STABILIZATION CENTER D
Livestock judging took center stage during the Polk County Fair. There were goats, lambs, rabbits, chickens, bulls, heifers, swine and even a guinea pig. Above, young people present their market goats to the judge.
The Best in Show flowers at the Polk County Fair.
There were a lot of booths, like the Acorn School District booth, in the Education Building.
uring the August meeting of the Polk County Quorum Court, Justices of the Peace passed an ordinance to appropriate funds to county accounts and to make line item transfers. JPs also reviewed the inventory deletion list, which contained a typewriter, air compressor and Midland radio from the county road department and a copy machine from the jail. Polk County Clerk Terri Harrison reported the Quorum Court also approved an ordinance to adopt an Interlocal Agreement between the counties and cities in the Sebastian County Mental Health Catchment area concerning the operations of the Sebastian County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit that will serve six counties, including Polk, Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Logan, and Scott and each municipality in that six county region.
According to the State of Arkansas, There’s an estimated 2 million people with serious mental illnesses booked into jail each year, the rate of serious mental illnesses in jails are three to six times higher than for the general public, and adults with mental illnesses tend to stay longer in jail and are at a higher risk of recidivism than people without these disorders. Sebastian County has dedicated $184,000 to secure an appropriate facility for the Sebastian County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit, which will help people stay out of jail by offering mental health and co-occurring substance treatment. However, the six county catchment and each incorporated cities within those counties have agreed to provide funds to
CRISIS CENTER CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
ORSD BOARD OF EDUCATION REVIEWS TEST SCORES M
onday, August 27th, the Ouachita River Board of Education reviewed the district’s ACT Aspire scores and conducted their annual address to the public. Superintendant Jerry Strasner reported the district had “a little over a million dollars” in the operating account and $1.5 million in the building fund. Strasner reported the construction work was completed on the new Acorn cafeteria and the construction company was working through the district’s punch list. He said the fire suppression system had been installed, but the sound system has yet to be installed. Strasner said the project should be completely finished by October 1st. Strasner reported all of the doors have been replaced, a security camera system had been installed and the campus safety
teams were meeting weekly to ensure the safety of students and staff members. He also stated the safety teams are considering a buzz-in/buzz-out entry system for the Oden campus. Campus principles reviewed the ACT Aspire test scores with the board. Overall, test scores improved in English and Reading, remained constant in Science, but declined in Math. According to the data, 49 percent of the students who were tested last year are exceeding. However, Strasner reported the Arkansas Department of Education is developing a strategy to improve Math scores throughout the state. Strasner said Ouachita Rivers focus this year is to improve Math scores. He pointed out that TEST SCORES CONTINUED ON PAGE 6