Tax Increases vs. Possible Split Schedules for Bentonville H.S.
By: Marissa Stevens
Updated: May 30, 2012
Bentonville High School is facing the possibility of a split schedule if funding for the new high school is shot down.
Several folks gave feedback and wanted to know more about this issue, so Superintendent Michael Poore gave more answers.
"It is an important thing, you know, that we keep education as a primary responsibility for our community."
Superintendent Poore believes growth is a positive thing, but with it comes the need for change.
"The reality is we have a high school that's too full and something has to be done about that...When you have 4,500 student potentially in 2015 in a school that's ideal capacity is 3,300, you have to make some choices, and if we don't have the choice to go on to a second high school, then we have to go look at things like split schedules."
Many voters feel like they are being put between a rock and a hard place, but scientific data shows 57% of the public in support of this millage increase.
"This one is a pretty high tax, we're not going to back away from that, it is, but we also know that there's a big economic benefit on this."
With these tough economic times, Poore knows compromise is key.
"At that time it was 7.3 mills. We've since whittled the pencil, come up with better numbers, and are at 6.7 mills...There's been other proposals but this is the one that the community has rallied around, and we think that it has a great chance of being successful in June."
It comes down to some kind of tax increase or considering split schedules, and Superintendent Poore believes a second high school is the best option.
"This is a true need in our community and that it will impact every child in Bentonville school district and ultimately it's going to impact every citizen in this community."
The millage proposal will go to the voters on June 26, and Poore hopes it passes so the district can move forward with the new high school and with new technology that comes with it.
Several folks gave feedback and wanted to know more about this issue, so Superintendent Michael Poore gave more answers.
"It is an important thing, you know, that we keep education as a primary responsibility for our community."
Superintendent Poore believes growth is a positive thing, but with it comes the need for change.
"The reality is we have a high school that's too full and something has to be done about that...When you have 4,500 student potentially in 2015 in a school that's ideal capacity is 3,300, you have to make some choices, and if we don't have the choice to go on to a second high school, then we have to go look at things like split schedules."
Many voters feel like they are being put between a rock and a hard place, but scientific data shows 57% of the public in support of this millage increase.
"This one is a pretty high tax, we're not going to back away from that, it is, but we also know that there's a big economic benefit on this."
With these tough economic times, Poore knows compromise is key.
"At that time it was 7.3 mills. We've since whittled the pencil, come up with better numbers, and are at 6.7 mills...There's been other proposals but this is the one that the community has rallied around, and we think that it has a great chance of being successful in June."
It comes down to some kind of tax increase or considering split schedules, and Superintendent Poore believes a second high school is the best option.
"This is a true need in our community and that it will impact every child in Bentonville school district and ultimately it's going to impact every citizen in this community."
The millage proposal will go to the voters on June 26, and Poore hopes it passes so the district can move forward with the new high school and with new technology that comes with it.
