Board Promotes Election

— The Bentonville School District millage election is less than a month away, and School Board member Travis Riggs said district officials will use the coming weeks to continue to inform voters about the second high school issue.

The district is asking for a 6.7-mill increase to fund the construction of a second high school. The 2,000-student-capacity facility planned in Centerton would have full athletic facilities. Funds from the millage also would support district-wide technology advancements.

“The district prospective is to make sure the public understands what the need is,” Riggs said. “We are making sure they get enough information to make an informed decision.”

District officials plan to receive $128 million in revenue from the millage if it passes. A second high school would cost $94 million, and athletic facilities would be another $23 million.

The monthly cost for someone owning a home valued at $200,000 would be an extra $22.31 if the millage passes. The annual cost would be $267.72.

AT A GLANCE

Dates To Remember

The Bentonville School District millage election is June 26. Here are a few key election dates to remember.

  • Today — Deadline to register to vote.
  • June 18 — Absentee applications are due.
  • June 19 — Early voting begins.

Source: Benton County Clerk’s Office

Web Watch

Voting Information

For more information about where and how to vote, visit www.co.benton.ar.us/CountyClerk/

Kids Come First

For more information about Kids Come First, visit www.voteyesbrighterfuture.com

Tena O’Brien, Benton County clerk, said special elections historically have lower turnouts.

“I predict the same with this election,” O’Brien said. “It is being held in June, and a lot of people are not aware of an election this month. Everyone knows about the May election.”

A primary election was held May 22 and drew more than 26,000 voters countywide. A much smaller turnout is expected for the Bentonville millage question.

District officials have given millage presentations to school and community groups, Riggs said. A telemarketing effort also is under way to keep voters informed as the election nears.

“We are letting them know we have a millage coming up,” Riggs said. “We ask them if they are favorable, against or if we could get them any information to help them make that decision.”

Superintendent Michael Poore said voters who participated in the last school election, along with people who signed a petition supporting a second high school late last year, are being called.

“When people do the phone calls we are getting very positive responses,” Poore said.

Schools in the district plan pool parties and ice cream socials in June, Poore said. These are ways for the students to connect with their school, but also can be used to inform parents of the millage vote, Poore said.

“We can’t influence parents, but we can remind them,” Poore said.

Amy Keith, a member of the Kids Come First Committee, is continuing a campaign to register people to vote. The committee supports passage of the millage.

“We are pretty much a grassroots campaign,” Keith said. “Our focus is talking with our neighbors. We are trying to be visible at any community event.”

A website, a Twitter account, a Facebook page and email blasts are also used to keep the community informed, Keith said. Direct mailers also will be sent out in the coming weeks.

“The messages are about educating our patrons about what the millage will provide and why this is a good long-term solution,” Keith said. “If people want to see our community prosper they are going to have to do something with these overcrowded schools.”

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