Bentonville, Rogers win millage hikes; Pea Ridge issue fails

NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Poll worker Winona Woods places an “I Voted” sticker on Jesse Bray after Bray voted Tuesday in the school millage election at First Baptist Church in Pea Ridge. Poll workers in Pea Ridge reported a steady stream of voters.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/FLIP PUTTHOFF Poll worker Winona Woods places an “I Voted” sticker on Jesse Bray after Bray voted Tuesday in the school millage election at First Baptist Church in Pea Ridge. Poll workers in Pea Ridge reported a steady stream of voters.

Voters in the Bentonville and Rogers school districts approved millage increases by wide margins Tuesday, agreeing to higher taxes to build more schools.

Pea Ridge voters, meanwhile, rejected a tax increase that would have paid for a new high school, despite a pledge from the state to provide millions of dollars for the project if the proposal passed.

Enrollment growth was at the root of each district's request. The three districts' combined enrollment has increased more than 13 percent over the past five years.

The Rogers proposal of 3.5 mills passed with 1,728 votes (58 percent) in favor and 1,242 votes (42 percent) against, according to unofficial results.

Bentonville's millage request passed with 2,847 votes (65 percent) in favor and 1,518 votes (35 percent) against, according to unofficial results.

Pea Ridge sought 5.1 mills that would have provided about $8.7 million for a new high school and remodeling and equipping of other school facilities. The state would have kicked in $10.6 million if the proposal had passed.

The issue failed with 421 votes (46 percent) in favor and 494 votes (54 percent) against.

There were 112,230 people registered to vote in the three districts combined. Voter turnout overall was 7.4 percent.

NW News on 05/10/2017

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