"We're disappointed, but at the end of the day, we're still a great school district," superintendent Rick Neal said about the defeat Tuesday, May 9, of the School Board's request for additional funds to build a new high school.
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 had already approved $10.6 million in partnership funds if the proposal had passed.
There were 915 votes cast in the election -- 494 (54 percent) against the millage increase and 421 (46 percent) in favor of it. There are 4,684 registered voters (3,812 of whom are considered active voters) in the Pea Ridge School District.
"People didn't get out and vote," Neal said.
"We lost against our own success," Neal said, explaining that the perception of success, as school officials have managed the taxpayers' money over the past decade in building $34 million worth of facilities and improvements, possibly led to the defeat of the millage request.
"We're growing. We've been creative, frugal, good stewards. We're now to the point we can't do it anymore," he said.
The student population has increased dramatically over the past decade with growth of about 7 percent in the past few years. The total student population in 2004 was 1,223; there were 2,073 this year. The high school is at capacity and a modular building will be added for the coming year, Neal said. He said the Primary and Intermediate schools are both in good shape and the Middle School is at 93 percent capacity.
There are 87 School Choice students attending Pea Ridge schools and Neal said "by law, I have to take them to 95 percent capacity." Those students bring with them $568,000, he said.
"We'll have some overcrowding issues at the high school and the middle school," said Rick Neal, Pea Ridge's superintendent. "We don't know what our next steps are going to be right now. It's going to be interesting."
The district's millage rate would have increased to 49.9, which would have been highest in the state. One mill brings the district only $91,000, a fraction of what Rogers and Bentonville collect. The owner of a $100,000 home would have paid $102 more in taxes per year if the proposal had passed. Because of the lack of industry within the district's boundaries, most of the revenue is collected on residences.
"We have no assessed value in 53 square miles," he said.
"Although the millage request was defeated," Neal said, "the Pea Ridge School District would like to take the opportunity to thank those who supported the District and for the hard work and positive influence you brought to the community on our behalf. We are thankful for each of you for your voice in the process, because your vote has shown the School Board and the Pea Ridge administration the will of our patrons."
Neal said the district will begin development of a forum, in order to allow those community members willing, to anonymously share their opposition to the plan.
"We are a community, and as a school district, we want another opportunity to hear and listen to your input, because we want what is best for this district and our students. Over the next few months, a lot of planning and needs must be met for our student enrollment. If those plans include another request for a millage increase, we want our community to once again be involved in the process," he said.
General News on 05/17/2017