LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Patrons of the Pea Ridge Community, Next Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, is election day. We would like to encourage the citizens of Pea Ridge to support the candidate of your choice and become involved in the voting process. The voting process is what makes our country great and deciding the next school leader is important to the future of our school

district. We also encourage you to vote “yes” on the extension of the school district’s bonded debt. Over the last 10 years, our district has been blessed with student growth, sound fi nancialfuture planning, and overall community support for education.

The Pea Ridge School District has not asked fora millage increase since 2005. The district has built the following facilities without an increase in taxes: tornado shelter, multi-purpose complex, intermediate school and the new stadium. These facilities have provided students

with a quality educational learning environment and provided athletic facilities that meet the needs of 1,700 students and the community. Currently, we have needs that are developing at the middle school and high school level. Our middle school and highschool are at capacity with over 1,000 students using these facilities. The bonded debt extension

which will appear on the ballot will provide six additional classrooms at the middle school and a 700-seat auditorium and six additional classrooms at thehigh school. This extension

will combine with existing building fund savings, existing bond restructure savings, and school partnership proceeds totaling over $6 million.

Finally, we are a community school. School facilities, such as the multi-purpose building, new football stadium, cafeterias, and gymnasiums are used for community events throughout the year without cost. The school district is committed to partnering with community members and encourages the use of all school facilities.

The Pea Ridge Board of Education supports the extension of the current bonded debt, and we hope the patrons of Pea Ridge will as well.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 09/11/2013