Superintendent Jim Tucker presented a proposal for the purchase of a new livestock trailer for the agriculture program at El Dorado High School during a regular meeting of the district's school board last Monday.
Tucker said he solicited bids for a 24-foot, aluminum gooseneck trailer from several companies, and the low bid came in from National Trailer Services in Beaumont, Texas.
"The price on that is $26,000 and change, which was a range of about $1,500 to $5,000 cheaper than all the other ones that I shopped," Tucker said.
School Board members unanimously approved the purchase.
"They're looking forward to it," Tucker said of the agriculture students.
In April, the school board agreed to purchase a dually truck for the ag department.
"We put out to bid to purchase a truck, a one-ton crew cab, four-wheel drive, dually for our ag department. We reached out to three dealerships, we heard back from one," Tucker said.
Superior Dodge Chysler Jeep in Conway responded to the bid notice with a proposal of $59,114, which Tucker recommended the board approve.
School Board member Todd Whatley asked what the truck would be used for.
"Livestock – cows, goats, pigs," Tucker answered.
The school board also unanimously agreed to the truck's purchase.
School Board member Wayne Gibson asked this month whether the new trailer would need to be picked up or if it would be delivered. Tucker said it would need to be picked up.
"In our new truck," added School Board member Kenneth Clemens, who Tucker answered, "Exactly."
The district is in the process of completing several new facilities for agriculture students at the high school, while also expanding its program.
"Last year, before we even started construction on the building, we had 40 students in the FFA (Future Farmers of America). This year, we have 80. Last year, we had 80-something students taking ag; this year, we have 143," Tucker said. "The building is on track to be finished July 1, and there are a lot of kids that are anxious to get into it... It's a very nice addition to the high school."
In February, EHS Principal Sherry Hill touted the ag program. She said the new ag department facilities will include a shop area, classrooms, greenhouse and farm animals. Students will sell the products they grow in the coming years, and the money raised will go back into the program.
"I can't wait until it's open. I don't think anyone around is going to have anything like it," she said then.