Vote No In Gravette

The Gravette School Board voted 4-3 to propose a millage increase of 3.6 mills to build a new elementary school in Bella Vista. After I attended school board meetings and read through the school board's documentation, it became clear we do not need a new elementary school. The following facts come from the Gravette School Board packet, "Bella Vista Elementary School Project Plan 2013-2014," the state of Arkansas and the Gravette schools website.

There will be 12 empty classrooms in the Gravette elementary schools and six empty classrooms in the new building if this millage passes. That's 18 empty classrooms.

Our millage rate is 37.2. The state average rate is 37.14. If we increase the millage rate, you will pay $72 in additional taxes for every $100,000 in appraised value on homes, cars, boats, farm equipment, poultry houses, etc. That is a real hardship on many families, retirees and farmers.

Shorten bus times by adding additional buses and drivers, allowing for shorter routes throughout the district, including Maysville and Sulphur.

It's not needed. Peak enrollment in Glenn Duffy Elementary was 485 students in 2006. In 2013, enrollment was down 34 students at 451. Maximum capacity is 520 to 590 students. In 2013-14, the school had eight kindergarten classes. Currently, we have seven. At Gravette Upper Elementary, peak enrollment was 437 students in 2008. In 2013, enrollment was down 45, to 392 students. Maximum capacity is 486.

On Aug. 20, the upper elementary enrollment was 394 students, up only two from 2013. We have 92 open spots for students in grades 3-5 this year, without adding any new staff or new construction. There are three rooms available at Glenn Duffy for classroom space with no construction needed.

Projected enrollment for grades K-5 in 2013 was 821. Projections for 2023 are 835 students. That's an increase of only 14 students over 10 years over six grades.

Original growth plans for the upper elementary called for three wing additions. Only one wing has been added. The second wing could be added without raising taxes. The high school expansion can also be built without raising taxes.

The library, cafeteria and PE Gym at the upper elementary are grandfathered in by the state of Arkansas when it comes to standards for new buildings.

We have two efficiently run elementary schools. If we build this new school, we will have three inefficiently run elementary schools.

Use the approximate $1.4 million the school district has on hand to address the issues in our schools: plumbing at Glenn Duffy, playground equipment for special needs students, air conditioning in our competition gym and an increase in our teacher salaries. We should be taking care of the students we have, not spending money on students we don't have in hopes they will come.

If you live anywhere in the Gravette School District you can vote on this issue Sept. 16. Vote no! To learn more visit NoNeedNoTaxHike.weebly.com.

Hope Duke

Gravette

Commentary on 09/04/2014

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