NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — It seems that in spite of everyone’s good intentions, a major controversy has arisen in regard to the proposed Bentonville school bond election.
I had the honor of serving on the Bentonville School Board for 15 years.
I have always considered myself a fi nancial conservative. I had the patrons’ fi nances as well as the students’ well-being in mind when a bond issue was proposed. Most building programs were constructed with second lien bond money. In other words we renegotiated current loan and obtained additional funds based on the lower tax structure.
Our current high school was partially funded with second-lien bond money.
In addition there was a 4-mill bond issue passed.
There were also many major private donations including the Arend, Shewmaker and Walton families.
My point being the current high school and athletic fi elds were built with a reasonable bond issue that was supported by the patrons.
In addition, the high school was constructed in three separate phases.
Now let’s talk about Centerton High.
High school students drive to school. Most of the students will not live in Centerton. Whether it is Highway 102 or 72, this will be an extreme traff c problem. Highway 72 is especially dangerous with curvy roads plus the traff c for two other schools on that route will create a serious problem.
Why do we need two athletic complexes? Springdale has gotten by with one.
Poor school vs. rich school. Ask Rogers and Springdale how they have handled it. Springdale fi nally gave up (current legislation pending).
Historically Bentonville schools have tried to have neighborhood schools.
Bentonville’s most expensive neighborhoods are closest to Centerton.
I know the board willtry to make both schools equal; that is the reason for the high millage increase.
Now let’s talk about money.
The tax increase means nothing to the higher-income portion of the school district, but this is a relatively small portion of our population. What about our retired citizens on a fi xed income? What about the unemployed or underemployed? What will happen to the rent on rental property? Nothing is free.
Football stadium and athletic complex would cost $22 million.
High school football coaches’ salaries are $500,000 per year (including trainer and facilities manager).
What is wrong with a ninth-grade center? It was initially approved by the board, superintendent and both high school and junior high administrations.
Arkansas law states property assessments cannot be raised more than 10 percent a year.
Even with the recent devaluation of property, we will never catch up with the annual 10 percent property tax increase.
This 10 percent will be in addition to the proposed millage increase.
So if the millage passes, most of us will be paying the 10 percent assessment increase in property values plus the proposed millage increase.
I know this is a hard decision. I am against the millage tax increase.
We can do a better job in planning our future.
JIM REYNOLDS / Bentonville
JIM REYNOLDS SERVED ON THE BENTONVILLE SCHOOL BOARD FROM 1985 TO 2000.
IN SUPPORT OF MILLAGE
I served as chair of the Bentonville School Board for several years during the early 2000s. In 2003 our district voted fora millage to expand the current Bentonville High School building at that time, which is now the South BHS building.
About 15 rooms were added.
In addition the comprehensive athletic facility on the west side of J Street was built, using some of the millage and $3 million in private funds.
We continued to grow at a rapid pace, and in 2004 the board was looking at the option of building a second high school or once again adding to the current high school building.
There was much debate and research. The lone board member supporting a second high school was Rob Adair. The remaining members voted to add to the current building.
A millage was presented, passed and the North building became a reality.
Big mistake.
I do not know whether or not a millage vote at that time would have supported a second high school, but it is critical that we do so now.
Our current high school student population is much too large (and continues to grow) to provide for our students what public education purports to do - educate our children to the highest level possible while providing a safe environment.
Bentonville has one of the top educational systems in the state. This is not by accident.
It is because the people of our district - YOU and me - feel fortunate to live in such an environment and wish to continue to see that the following generations receive the very best education possible.
There are only fi ve to 10 high schools in the entire country with a larger population than BHS. And once we divide into two schools, these two will still be larger than most high schools in Arkansas.
There has been negative information coming forth giving false and skewed information.
You will notice these signs and mailouts areunsigned. Why?
I don’t know since we can’t ask “anonymous.”
Serving on a local school board is a thankless, nonpaying job.
I believe people serve in this capacity because they care and want to do the right thing.
Bentonville has historically supported their schools.
I believe we will continue to do so. I urge you to vote yes for our students and our future.
DOYLENE FUQUA / Bentonville
ROAD WIDENED, TREES CUT
I realize that the powers that be, in their infinite wisdom, determined Garland Avenue needed to be widened to four lanes through a residential neighborhood in order to create a grand avenue leading to the University of Arkansas.
Take a drive on Garland Avenue today, and what what you’ll witness is a scalping, 50-year-old trees sacrifi ced in the name of beautifi cation.
It now looks more like we’ve been bombed than anything else.
Maybe the university just wanted all of us who live along Garland to throw in the towel, give up and sell out to developers who would build even more apartments for university students.
I, for one, am not moving.
After this improvement, I’d never get what my property is worth, and I’d never fi nd a house built as well as the one I own now, with a backyard as big.
I suppose once the work is completed the appearance of the area won’t continue to look like it’s been assaulted, but personally, I wish they’d left well enough alone.
Those of us who live here were happy just the way it was.
ROSANNE BROWN / Fayetteville
Opinion, Pages 5 on 06/21/2012