Cost Key For High School

Survey Indicates Millage Increase Failed Because Of Expense

Mary Ley, communications director for the Bentonville School District, looks through survey results Tuesday in Bentonville.
Mary Ley, communications director for the Bentonville School District, looks through survey results Tuesday in Bentonville.

— A majority of respondents would support a lower cost second high school, survey results released by the Bentonville School District on Tuesday show.

The postcard survey went out last month to the 9,630 voters who participated in a failed millage increase election on June 26, 2012. That 6.7-mill increase was soundly voted down by voters. The increase would have paid for a second high school with athletic facilities and districtwide upgrades to technology along with heating and cooling improvements. A second high school would have cost $94 million of the $128 million proposal.

Meeting Information

Bentonville School Board

The board will hold a special meeting Monday to discuss the survey results. It is expected the board will plan its next step. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the district administration building, 500 Tiger Blvd.

Out of 3,936 surveys returned to the district, 2,334 (59 percent) said they would support a second high school at a lower cost than what was proposed last year. Another 923 (24 percent) said they wouldn’t support any solution that would raise taxes for school construction. An option stating the survey taker would not support a second high school but would support an alternative was marked by 682 (17 percent).

Superintendent Michael Poore said the survey results give administrators and board members good insight about what voters will back.

“One of the things that came out of the survey is that the people who said no are adamant that they do not want to be taxed,” Poore said. “The people in the no camp are passionate about no.”

There was a spot on the survey where respondents could write comments. Many against any new tax wrote comments.

“If you need a new high school then restructure your budget to pay for it,” one person wrote. “We pay enough taxes.”

Another chimed in: “Education is important. With, however, our current economic situation, if we are taxed more, we may not eat or keep the taxed roof over our heads.”

One respondent gave alternatives to the construction of another building.

“How about split schedules?” the respondent wrote. “How about allowing bright students to receive info online at home and come in for testing? How about taking the emphasis off of sports?”

People also gave their opinions about alternatives to a second high school when marking they might support another option.

“A freshman/sophomore center I would support fully,” one wrote said. “That would keep our student body intact and be an alternative to crowding.”

Another person thought Bentonville High School should remain one student body.

“BHS should act more like a small university,” the respondent wrote. “Extend available class hours into the evening, build more buildings on a larger campus but stay one school with a larger (better) administrative staff to support it.”

Many of those who answered the survey said they would vote for a second high school, but wanted sports facilities removed from a millage increase package.

“Build a tech academy,” one person wrote. “No sports. Emphasis on learning.”

Another simply stated, “Share the stadium.”

One person pleaded for a solution soon.

“Please get started getting something built,” the person wrote. “Teachers and students suffer daily while admin and board members and public can’t get something done.”

Poore said the district administration will suggest the School Board continue public engagement to figure out more specifically what type of building voters will support.

Multiple public forums in each board member’s zones along with another postcard survey will be suggested by the administration, Poore said.

Rudy Upshaw, board member, thinks more public input is needed.

“I think the cost point is the next piece of information we need to get from the community,” Upshaw said. “My goal is making sure that whatever we put forth to the community, that they will support that.”

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