Bentonville School District, Club Working On Busing Issue

Friday, April 18, 2014

BENTONVILLE -- Superintendent Michael Poore said he's working with Boys & Girls Club of Benton County officials on a "win-win" solution to the issue of the School District's after-school transportation of students to the club.

"We're still trying to hammer out some of those details," Poore said. "We're not quite there yet. We're awfully close."

At A Glance (w/logo)

The Club

The Boys & Girls Club operates two facilities in Bentonville, one in Rogers and one in Bella Vista. The club “develops healthy children who are successful in school and make positive life choices,” according to its impact statement. In 2013 the club reported 3,769 members and an average daily attendance of 602. About 66 percent of its members are boys.

Source: Boys & Girls Club of Benton County

Though Poore declined to disclose details, he said the potential solution is a long-term one that wouldn't cost the district any money. He also said it would involve others besides just the district and the club.

The district transports about 500 students per day between the schools and the club. District officials have pegged that expense at about $119,000 per year.

The district last fall began exploring ways of trimming the budget by $2.4 million. One proposal from those discussions was to eliminate transportation to the club or insist the club reimburse the district.

The School Board last month approved six cost-cutting measures to reduce the budget $2 million, but the club transportation proposal wasn't one of them.

Several people spoke out against the transportation cut at the meeting. The club's board also delivered a letter to the School Board asking it to reconsider the proposal.

The club, which operates four facilities in the county, operates on a yearly budget of about $2 million, most of which is generated through grants and corporate donations. It provides a variety of activities, but the focus is helping students with their school work, Hutson said.

The board's next meeting is Monday. The club transportation issue isn't on the meeting's agenda.

Jacob Hutson, the club's chief operating officer, said he's communicated with the district frequently about the issue over the past month.

"We are in continuous conversation with them about how this would impact our kids and our families," Hutson said. "We're trying to work with Mr. Poore to find the best solution for our kids. I believe Mr. Poore and the (School Board) have that best interest at heart and we're trying to make sure we come to a place where what happens is truly beneficial for our constituents."

Poore said the two sides have had good conversations. Discussions started about a month ago on the solution being discussed.

"I do believe we'll get to a place where both organizations will say, 'We're proud of this solution,'" Poore said.

Poore said most of the feedback he's received from the community has been in support of maintaining the district's relationship with the club.

NW News on 04/18/2014