N.B. Board of Education to pursue new greenhouse, efficient lighting loan

Whether they're inside or outdoors, New Bloomfield Board of Education members hope to shed some extra light on the district's students.

During its Thursday meeting, the board agreed to look into funding avenues for a new greenhouse and pursue a state loan to help install high-efficiency fluorescent lighting in its schools.

Superintendent David Tramel said the school's greenhouse, which was installed about two years ago, had yet to be fully used due to damage to the structure and that "at this point, it's less of a greenhouse and more of a falling-down house."

"(FFA Advisor) Darren Humphrey's ready to admit that he's tried to do everything he can to fix it... but it's a combination of a cheap design and the extremely hot summer when we put it in that have completely destroyed it," Tramel said. "It's not functional and not suitable for the program."

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Tramel also sought the board's blessing to continue with applying for a low-interest loan from the state to install new high-efficiency lights in the district.

Though Tramel has the authority to apply for loans on his own, it requires board action to accept should the school be approved. He said he wanted to make sure the board was interested in potentially going forward with the project in January should the state award the loans.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.