Greenwood voters reject millage increase
by March 9, 2010 9:19 pm 136 views
More than 58% of those who voted in the Greenwood special election Tuesday (Mar. 9) voted against a millage increase to fund a new elementary.
According to the unofficial (not yet certified) tally, the vote was:
FOR: 959
AGAINST: 1,360
Greenwood Public School District Superintendent Kay Johnson said Tuesday night the vote was more likely a vote about current economic and political sentiment rather than a vote against the school district.
“Obviously we’re disappointed, but the people of Greenwood have always been supportive of our school, but they have real concerns about the economy at this time,” Johnson said. “I really think this was less of a vote against the school and more a statement about the economy and and the political environment of our nation right now. … We knew it was a difficult time and felt we had a unique financial opportunity and believed we had a obligation to present that to the voters.”
Officials with the Greenwood Public School District were hoping to gain voter approval of a 2.8 mill increase that would pay to build a third elementary facility for the district. A new 80,000-square-foot building was expected to cost $14.2 million and would house up to 750 students. The money would come from $12 million in “Qualified School Construction Bonds” and $2.2 million from a state grant. The low-interest qualified bonds are part of the federal stimulus package and their availability will expire at the end of March.
A new elementary would relieve the overcrowding at East Hills Elementary and Westwood Elementary, according to District Superintendent Kay Johnson. She said 300 students would be moved to a new elementary if it was opened today.
The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority recently donated 22 acres at the northwest corner of Chad Colley Boulevard and Massard Road for a new elementary school for the Greenwood District. The FCRA on Feb. 18 also set aside an additional 28 acres to be held for five years for a proposed intermediate Greenwood school. The land will be subject to a first right of refusal, meaning that if the FCRA gets an offer on the property, the Greenwood School District will have an opportunity to buy the land or let it go.
A new elementary would relieve the overcrowding at East Hills Elementary and Westwood Elementary, according to District Superintendent Kay Johnson. She said 300 students would be moved to a new elementary if it was opened today.
A new 80,000-square-foot building was expected to cost $14.2 million and would house up to 750 students. The money would come from $12 million in “Qualified School Construction Bonds” and $2.2 million from a state grant. The low-interest qualified bonds are part of the federal stimulus package and their availability will expire at the end of March.
A flyer produced by the school district showed that the owner of property appraised at $200,000 will pay an extra $9.33 a month — or about $112 a year — if the millage increase would have gained voter approval. An owner of property appraised at $100,000 would pay an extra $56 a year.
Johnson said the school district can seek another millage increase in 2011 for the 2012 school year. That would be a decision for the school board, Johnson said.