From Staff Reports
School officials and members of the "Yes for Pea Ridge" committee compiled questions and concerns raised by area residents. Many of those questioning the request for an additional 5.1 mils attended an information fair Saturday to hear the answers to their questions.
Questions most often asked, and answers from both school and city officials, are:
Buildings
• What is the total projected cost of the new high school with all peripherals?
The building will be value engineered to keep us in budget -- $21,500,000.
• Can the high school be built in stages?
The high school cannot be built in stages; it costs much more in stages. State Facilities division has very specific (POR) Program of Requirements. Schools must be built with specific room and space requirements. When a high school is built, the performing arts center must be included with it. That is a school facilities requirement.
• Based on growth projections, when would the new high school need to be expanded/added onto/remodeled?
The last time a millage was passed was 2006. Since then, we have used funds wisely to build over $31 million dollars without asking for a millage increase. Looking at projections the new high school will be sufficient for at least 13 years.
• Please explain again, why a second story cannot be added to the existing high school?
The Pea Ridge Planning Commission (city) will not allow the school district to build anything else on the existing high school site area. The main reason is water drainage.
• Why wasn't the high school put next to the administration building?
The land next to the administration building is not large enough to place a 125,000-square-foot facility with parking lots. The land is also designated to place a softball and baseball complex on it. This will keep all sports facilities in one location.
• When is the Primary School expected to be at capacity? The Intermediate? What would be the plan when that happens? Build a new Primary School? Another millage increase?
The district is in great shape with other facilities. Both Primary and Intermediate facilities are projected to have space available for several years. Based on current growth the district should be able to house elementary students for the next 12 to 13 years.
• Can the current Primary and Intermediate schools be expanded/added onto on their existing properties?
Yes.
• What is the district's plan if the millage does not pass?
The district will continue to look at ways to utilize space but unfortunately as the population increases, the current space is more crowded. The district has exhausted every avenue over the last 10 years by restructuring debt and utilize building fund savings to build needed school facilities. Eventually, the district will be forced to look at modular classrooms.
• Will every new building require a new administrative team.
The district will continue to follow state standard requirements and the existing staff will be able to handle the reconfiguration.
Traffic
• How will the students that need to go to the sports facilities be transported from the new high school to the old campus?
By a shuttle service.
CITY QUESTIONS BELOW
• What is the plan to handle traffic? The state and city will need to work together for a light and this includes funds. Is there a plan and has the city committed in writing? People are concerned that the police don't help traffic, but just watch. So, if a light will not be in at Hayden and Pickens when the school opens, how will traffic be handled? Will the police direct traffic? People seem to want to see a traffic plan.
According to Mayor Jackie Crabtree, city officials are working with the Arkansas Highway Department (and have been for quite some time) to determine the best solution. They will also meet with engineers to look at how Weston Street intersects with Pickens to see if there is something that needs to be done there. The Police Department will help as needed.
• Will sidewalks be extended from existing sidewalks to the new high school?
According to the mayor, that will be considered.
Millage and Monies
• If the partnership funds are contingent on the millage passing, why did the school district apply for funds without having their part of the partnership funded? If the millage does not pass the partnership funds will be returned.
If the millage does not pass the partnership funds will be returned.
• What is the expected amount to be generated by the millage increase per year?
$464,000
• The $8,465,000 -- community generated project funds -- what time period is represented by that amount?
30 years
• Does this millage cover the projected growth across the district to over 3,000 students in the next seven to eight years (this projection was in the video on the Yespearidge website)? Or will another millage increase be asked for?
The district believes existing facilities with a new high school will accommodate that.
• If this millage does not pass, will the district try again in the fall?
No, Pea Ridge will be forced to wait until the spring of 2018 to retry. If this occurs, the partnership money is not guaranteed. Without partnership money the local tax burden will become equivalent to 12.1 mills instead of 5.1.
• How much in tax dollars comes with each school choice out-of-district student?
$5,494
Other
• Will there be an increase in elective classes with the new high school? More offerings of different type classes?
Drama, agriculture offerings, culinary arts.
• What are the city plans to increase commercial business in the community to help our millage go further?
City officials said they continuously promoting Pea Ridge to potential businesses and have been working with local economic development companies and with the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Editor's note: The questions and answers will be continued next week.
General News on 04/26/2017