Monday, January 14, 2013
BENTONVILLE — The Bentonville School Board, with a recent survey in hand, will look at ways to ease overcrowding at the high school today.
A special board meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. at the school district administration building, 500 Tiger Blvd.
Results of a postcard survey released last week show a majority of respondents support a second high school, but with a reasonable price tag.
The Last Time Around
A failed millage increase in June 2012 would have paid for a second high school with athletic facilities in the Bentonville School District and districtwide upgrades to technology along with heating and cooling improvements. A second high school would have used up $94 million of the $128 million proposal.
Source: Staff Report
Out of 3,936 surveys returned to the district, 59 percent (2,334) support a second high school at a lower cost than what was proposed last summer when a millage increase fell flat before voters.
The postcard survey went out last month to the 9,630 voters who participated in the June 26, 2012, failed millage increase election. That 6.7-mill increase soundly voted down by voters would have paid for a second high school. That millage package was for $128 million.
Twenty-four percent (923 surveys) said they would not support any solution that would raise taxes. Another 17 percent (682 surveys) said they would not support a second high school, but another option such as a ninth-grade center.
Travis Riggs, school board president, said the survey speaks volumes.
“I think it is very interesting that you had 900 say no taxes altogether,” Riggs said. “And 600 to another alternative. It means that an alternative option is not at all preferred.”
Riggs would like to have the district’s contracted architects provide costs for a few options district officials can show the public.
“I think we have to develop a matrix that says $80 million will get you X and get you X in taxes,” Riggs said. “$100 million will get you X and X in taxes. It would not be good to give them three options on price alone.”
Grant Lightle, school board member, thinks the district has all the information it needs to move forward.
“I think at its core we know we need a facility that will handle the growth,” Lightle said. “The issues of what programming will go in that building is a distraction. We know we have a need for 2,000-student growth, and a majority of those students will need core mainstream opportunities and that is what this solution needs to address.”
Lightle said programming can be added at later time. Location of a possible second high school is a question the public needs to be asked about, Lightle said.
Superintendent Michael Poore said the administration will ask the board to hold public forums in their zones. Board members could then send out another postcard survey following the forums if needed.