Letter to the Editor

Growth not there for new school

In the coming months you will be subjected to a campaign promoting yet another millage increase (3.9 mils) for Gravette Schools, completing the "2015 Plan" the school board created in 2005.

You may hear compelling arguments for the millage increase to build a new elementary school and an expansion of the high school.

Compelling that is unless you do a bit of research and seek the truth.

The main reason given for the millage increase is the booming growth in the schools. The truth is there has only been a small growth in the schools since 2006.

This can be confirmed on a student enrollment chart on Gravette school district's web page (lions.k12.ar.us).

This chart shows student enrollment from October 1, 2006 through October 1, 2013. There has been a small growth in high school and middle school enrollment.

However, the enrollment of the other two schools is the same or has decreased since 2006.

The chart shows the probability of a small increase in the high school enrollment next year, but then the enrollment will steadily go down. The numbers on the chart show enrollment in the other schools will begin decreasing next year.

The truth is instead of a booming enrollment, we have a shrinking enrollment. Why build more school space when enrollment will be smaller by the time construction is completed?

Another reason given for the millage increase is bus travel time for some students. I agree that is not good for our children. A school bus costs approximately $100,000.

The school district has enough money set aside for construction to purchase additional buses without any tax increase. A few hundred thousand for additional buses or more than $14 million for unnecessary construction, which makes more sense?

Those promoting a millage increase have a millage chart depicting Gravette at the very bottom.

The truth is there are many schools below Gravette.

The average school millage in Arkansas is 37.14. Gravette has a slightly lower millage rate than Rogers or Springdale school districts.

It also has a much lower enrollment of fewer than 2,000 students. Rogers has over 14,000 students and Springdale has over 19,000 students.

With the proposed increase, the millage rate for Gravette will be much higher than Rogers or Springdale with far fewer students.

A lot of families are already struggling economically. A 3.9 millage increase would mean additional taxes on their homes. This would be in addition to the 1.5 millage increase the City of Bella Vista is seeking to pay pensions and a possible increase in POA assessments.

In 2005 this area was experiencing a steady growth rate, but sadly not anymore.

I fear the school board is so focused on fulfilling their "2015 Plan," that they can't see we don't need the additional school space at this time.

Let's wait on a millage increase until we see this area begin to grow again and the space is actually needed.

Michele Gilbert

Bella Vista

Editorial on 07/23/2014