School not needed in Bella Vista
Three Bella Vistans, who serve on the Gravette School Board, are promoting building a school that is not needed in Bella Vista.
It is to be located on Arkansas 340 across from St. Bernard's Church--a school to be built for 147 students from Bella Vista to the tune of $14 million.
They want it now because the land from Cooper is free, not because there is a need.
After all your fact finding, you will see as have I, that there are classrooms available in the Gravette Schools and room to add on to existing buildings that were part of the original plans.
Take the time as I did and you will find, that not only are classrooms available, but the projected increases in enrollment is not happening.
I think the bigger issue is that this school will be in the back yard of Highlands Nursing Home and Highlands Plaza a retirement community. You will also find that there is a projected school bus terminal for this school location which will operate all day long.
Can you even begin to imagine a bus terminal, much less a school in the midst of this area where retires would like to enjoy what they moved here for --- peace, quiet, and lower taxes.
Imagine what this area will look like between Arkansas 279 (craft fair grounds), Arkansas 340 and Rogers Road all getting a big chunk of traffic morning, noon and afternoons. If you look into this, you will find that there are other locations to build a school -- much more convenient for other students as well.
They have said that they will empty Gravette classrooms in the present system to have them bused to Bella Vista to fill it. Duh!
It is too bad that these board members are presenting this emotionally.
At one meeting, one of the members actually continued to express his "personal agenda" by begging those in attendance to vote "Yes." I hate to tell him, but bringing your personal agenda into a school board event as a board member, I believe, is against the Arkansas School Board rules and regulations.
It has also been implied, that there should not be any problem getting this millage increase and raising our taxes in Bella Vista, because, these are the people who have the money to support this kind of millage increase.
Is this the reason they have chosen to do their presentations only in Bella Vista. No one has heard of Maysville, Gravette, Hiwasse or Sulphur Springs having any. They are all part of the Gravette School District.
Final point is that Bella Vistans, as most people, would be more than happy to continue to support a school that is needed. This one is not! And above all, being against a school that is not needed does not mean we are against children!
Investigate this. Project your tax bill! Find your answer to be to vote "No."
Pat Haas
Bella Vista
Editorial on 09/10/2014