Bentonville Bond Issue Still Paying Off

— Money left over from the School District's 2010 bond issue will go toward several maintenance projects and a budding technology initiative.

The School Board last week approved a list of items with an estimated cost of $2.26 million to be paid for with the remaining bond money. A team of administrators compiled the list and ranked the items in order of priority.

At A Glance

School Projects

Projects the School District will pursue this year using 2010 bond issue dollars, along with their estimated costs:

• Roof replacement at R.E. Baker Elementary School, $285,000

• Roof replacement at Old High Middle School, $276,000

• Roof coating with sealant at Mary Mae Jones Elementary School, $75,000

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Washington Junior High School, $155,000

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Old High Middle School, $145,000

• 21st Century Technology program grants, $500,000

• Renovation of west side of the Alternative Learning Environment building for a Professional Development Center, $150,000

• Replacement of gym floors at Central Park Elementary, Cooper Elementary and Washington Junior High schools, $54,000

• Repair and sealant for parking lot at Washington Junior High School, $345,000

• Satellite bus lot, to be built in the southwest area, $350,000

Source: Staff Report

The district has about $2.4 million in bond money remaining. That money must be spent by June 30.

New roofs at R.E. Baker Elementary and Old High Middle schools were deemed the most important. It's estimated those projects will cost $561,000 combined.

Kim Sutton, Baker's principal, said staff members are pleased about the coming improvements.

"It will make the school a more comfortable place to learn," Sutton said.

Voters approved a bond issue in April 2010 mainly to pay for construction of an elementary school, middle school and junior high school. All of those schools are now finished and open.

Michael Poore, superintendent, said good management of those dollars and a favorable bond market allowed the district to get more out of the bond issue.

In August 2012, the board approved spending funds for additional bond projects including 20 new classrooms at four elementary schools, technology renovations and equipment, and supplies for the district's 21st Century Technology program. Those items cost a total of $6.28 million.

"When you look at what was approved by this community in 2010 and the significance of how it's played out in terms of its impact on our children and our community, it's pretty amazing," Poore said.

This year's bond money will provide another $500,000 for the 21st Century Technology initiative, now in its third year. The program provides grants to classroom teachers so each of those classrooms can be equipped with enough iPads or laptops for each student. The district likely will accept grant applications and make awards this spring, said Judy Marquess, director of instruction.

"I am really, really pleased we are able to continue this program," Marquess said.

The board also approved spending about $275,000 in bond money to build a satellite bus lot that would have room for 15 to 20 buses that serve schools on the district's southwest side. That project, however, will be delayed until the other projects are completed or bid out because of the limited money available, according to Sterling Ming, finance director.

NW News on 02/24/2014

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