BENTONVILLE — The Bentonville School Board will look to the public for answers regarding any millage increase option they plan to present to voters in the fall.
One thing board members said is certain — any option must relieve overcrowding at Bentonville High School.
Ideas floating out there include a second high school without athletic facilities, a fourth junior high school or a ninth-grade center.
A 6.7-mill increase was soundly voted down by voters June 26. The increase would have paid for a second high school with athletic facilities and districtwide upgrades to technology along with heating and cooling improvement.
Board members said surveys focusing on finding out what voters will support will be instrumental in how they move forward. The first survey was sent out earlier this month, but board members haven’t had a chance to see those responses yet.
Several board members said they support a second high school but would vote on what they believe the public will support.
“I think a second high school is the best option,” said Travis Riggs, board president. “But it is not what I think personally that matters. We need to act slowly and be very informed with our decision. I’m hoping the value we will receive from these surveys will lead us to the right decision.”
Rudy Upshaw, board member, supports a second high school, but says the board must listen to the public.
“I think the community is open to a variety of different things” Upshaw said. “I want to make sure we listen to that and are not closed minded on a certain train of thought. When we talk about getting the community involved, for me personally, I am going to be very intentional about going out to the people and groups that were opposed to the last millage and figure out what that solution is.”
Rebecca Powers, board member, said she will support what the community wants.
“I want a second high school, but if those results come back and more people want a ninth-grade center, I will support that,” Powers said.
Bren Leas, board member, wants to stay open-minded during the process.
“I want to have my ears on before I make a decision on anything,” Leas said. “My view is that I am elected to be a steward of the public’s wishes and what they want us to do with their tax dollars. I know there are multiple options out there. I want to hear what the administration has to bring to us and what the public is willing to buy into.”
Willie Cowgur, board member, said because a second high school was voted down last year the board needs to be willing to look at other options.
“I think it is our obligation to look at other options for what we will present in the next millage campaign,” Cowgur said. “I think there are some good options out there. I think a fourth junior high school is something with merit.”
Cowgur also mentioned a smaller high school or a ninth-grade center as other possibilities voters might back.
Wendi Cheatham and Grant Lightle won contested seats on the School Board last year after campaigning they would move forward with a second high school without athletic facilities. Both say they still support that plan.
“When I was running for school board I had people call me and ask my position on a second high school,” Cheatham said. “I said then and now that I support a second high school. I feel very confident in that because the research that I did shows we need a school to hold at least 2,000 students.”
Cheatham said still wants public input on the proposal.
At A Glance
If Millage Had Passed
The Bentonville School District would have received $128 million for projects if a millage increase of 6.7 mills had passed June 26. Of that total, $94 million would have gone to build a second high school. The increase would have pushed the district’s millage rate to 50.4 mills.
Source: Staff Report
“We just have to be mindful that people are looking at what our tax rate is,” Cheatham said. “We should be mindful that we are only asking for what we need and not shooting for the moon.”
Cheatham said “bells and whistles” for a second high school can be added later with the help of possible private funding or school reserve money.
A second high school is the best option, but the board has to look at getting the cost down, Lightle said. He believes, based on past surveys results, voters didn’t turn down a second high school, but instead voted against the cost of the proposal.
“I think we can cut 40 to 50 million dollars off of the last millage and still build a 2,000-student high school. We can cut that tax impact on home owners pretty easily,” Lightle said.