Concept for a new high school addition in Bauxite. Scroll down to see flyover video.
The Bauxite School District has added a proposed millage increase to the annual school election on September 19, 2017. The administration wants to use the funds to help construct two academic buildings, according to the online campaign “Pick Yes Bauxite.” (Get it? Pick? Because Bauxite Miners? Miners use picks!)
There is a public informational meeting about the millage to be held on Monday, August 28th at 7 p.m. at Bauxite High School Auditorium. District administrators and the Pick Yes committee will be there to answer any questions you might have.
Scroll down for illustration video and exact ballot language.
According to their Facebook page, one new building would add four classrooms to Pine Haven Elementary. This would also serve as a tornado safe room for all of the staff and students in case of an emergency. The District already has a safe room at the high school complex. The 9th grade academy and middle school also use it, because they are next door. It’s also open to the public during storms. The elementary, however, is down the street, making it difficult to use the current safe room.
Another building would be a new addition to the high school. Pick Yes Bauxite states that it would provide classrooms so students can stop using the old science building, which proponents of the millage say costs too much in repairs.
- Bauxite School District No. 14
42.2 Mill School Tax
The total rate proposed above includes the uniform rate of tax of 25.0 mills (the “Statewide Uniform Rate”) to be collected on all taxable property in the State and remitted to the State Treasurer pursuant to Amendment No. 74 to the Arkansas Constitution to be used solely for maintenance and operation of schools in the State. As provided in Amendment No. 74, the Statewide Uniform Rate replaces a portion of the existing rate of tax levied by this School District and available for maintenance and operation of schools in this District. The total proposed school tax levy of 42.2 mills includes 25.0 mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation, 13.6 mills voted for debt service previously voted as a continuing levy pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness, and 3.6 new debt service mills. The 3.6 new debt service mills plus the 13.6 existing debt service mills now pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness, which debt service mills will continue after retirement of the bonds to which now pledged, will be a continuing debt service tax until the retirement of proposed bonds to be issued in the principal amount of $9,885,000, and which will mature over a period of 31 years and will be issued for the purpose of refunding the District’s Bonds, dated September 1, 2013 and February 1, 2015; and erecting and equipping new school facilities, and making additions and improvements to existing facilities. The surplus revenues produced each year by the debt service millage may be used by the District for other school purposes. The total proposed school tax levy of 42.2 mills represents a 3.6 mill increase over the tax rate presently being collected.
To see more about the election and about the school board candidates, click to go back to the main school election page.
Make sure you are correctly registered to vote by clicking here: https://elecprep.net/voting/ru-registered/
