Slim Turnout For Millage Talk

FAYETTEVILLE VOTERS GET QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABOUT UPCOMING VOTE

By Rose Ann Pearce

Posted: August 26, 2010 at 5:27 a.m.

Andy Shupe
Ron Shelby, center, of Hight-Jackson Associates and architect of the planned improvement to Fayetteville High School, center, answers questions Wednesday for Jim McGinty of Fayetteville, left, as Jim Halsell, a member of the Board of Education, right, listens prior to the start of a public information meeting concerning the Sept. 21 millage election. The event was held at First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville by Smart Fayetteville in conjunction with school officials to provide information to the public ahead of the election.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Some 35 employees and patrons of the Fayetteville School District and architects turned out to learn more about a proposed millage increase.

The meeting was more like preaching to the choir with only a handful of patrons there who wanted questions answered. The meeting was in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church.

Susan Byram, a leader for Boy Scout Troop 142, said she wanted to hear why the school district wanted to have a millage election so soon after last year’s request for a 4.9-mill increase was defeated.

And, she added, she wanted to hear details of the proposed construction of Phase 2 of the high school transformation.

She got the information she needed.

So did James McGinty, another patron attending the meeting.

The school district needed to have a better prepared financial package last year. The opportunity to save $29 million over the life of the package is “too good to be true,” McGinty said.

“This is almost like free money,” he added. “This is about the kids and about the future of Fayetteville.”

The school district wants voters to approve a 2.75-mill increase in property taxes to finance Phase 2 of the high school project. If approved, the increase will cost taxpayers $4.58 more a month than they currently pay on a $100,000 home. The total millage rate will increase to 45.65, if the increase is approved.

If approved, the millage increase will allow the district to take advantage of $31 million in interest free bonds, with a 15-or 16-year pay off. The package also includes another $19 million worth of bonds in a traditional funding package to be paid off in 25 years.

The increased millage will drop off the books when the entire package is paid off in 25 years.

School board member Tim Hudson, who moderated the meeting, said the transformation of Fayetteville High School will increase opportunities for Advanced Placement, service learning and career education.

The plans are designed to the environmental standards of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification standards. The transfer of ninth-graders to the high school frees up much needed space in other buildings to allow for the expansion of the prekindergarten program.

The district will accomplish Phase 1, with a guaranteed maximum price of $45 million, with internal fiscal controls and belt-tightening. Phase 1 includes a new performing arts space, gymnasium, cafeteria and administrative offices along with building a small learning community classroom and spaces for alternative education and vocational programs, including a pre-engineering program.

The annual school election is Sept. 21.

Early voting begins Sept. 14 and continues through Sept. 20 at the Washington County Clerk’s Office. The office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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