Dr. Kimbrell addresses millage supporters after election results. Video below.
Bryant School District voters approved a 3.6 mil initiative on March 14, 2017, for facility improvements and new bulidings. See the specific numbers here: https://www.mysaline.com/2017-bryant-school-millage-election-results
According to Dr. Tom Kimbrell, Superintendent of Schools, this millage increase goes to relieving overcrowding, expanding learning programs, and addressing salary needs. The measure will also fund two new elementary schools, a new junior high school and building replacement projects at Bryant High School.
A crowd of about 120 millage supporters gathered at the Bryant Boys and Girls Club to wait and watch for results of the Bryant School Millage Election, on the evening of March 14th, 2017. This would be the third try for a millage increase in recent years and if it failed, the State Department of Education would have to come in and take control of the District. Bryant Schools was asking residents of the District for a increase of 3.6 mils – or, from 37.2 to 40.8 mils.
Results were available for Early and Absentee Voting shortly after the polls closed at 7:30 p.m. Those nunbers put the election at 66.34% FOR the millage and 33.66% AGAINST. Cheers ran all around the room, as early numbers are usually seen as a good indicator of the final results to come.
After getting all the votes turned in at the Saline County Clerk’s Office, County Clerk Doug Curtis called to let Dr. Kimbrell know that they would count half the votes from election day and then give an update. Then they would count the other half to make a final update.
About 8:50 p.m., the numbers stood at 63.63% FOR and 36.37% against the millage increase. The room was hopeful at this news, but not taking anything for granted, so the next 40 minutes of waiting might as well have been forever. The count finally came in at about 9:30 p.m., showing that there were 7,955 ballots cast that night for a 24.21% voter turnout among 32,865 registered voters residing in the school district. Remember that the borders of Bryant Schools is not just in the city limits of Bryant, but also in areas of Benton, Alexander, Shannon Hills, Mabelvale and Paron.
When it came down to it on Tuesday night, the final unofficial count reported by the Saline County Clerk’s Office was 4,759 votes (or 59.96%) FOR the millage increase and 3,178 votes (or 40.04%) AGAINST the millage. There were 18 under votes, which means those people submitted a ballot but checked neither yes nor no.
In the end, there was a lot of cheering by the crowd made up of school administrators, teachers, leaders of the PTO, parents, students and other interested parties. In the video below, you’ll see Dr. Kimbrell addressing supporters in thanks. Below that is a statement posted on the District’s social media. See a list of planned improvements here: https://www.keepbryantschoolsmoving.com/about
Statement from Dr. Tom Kimbrell, Superintendent:
We extend a tremendous thank you to our entire community for passing the millage proposal. This campaign was successful because of each and every individual who worked to get the word out and voted for the millage.
I can’t express how much the work of our students, parents and staff, the support of community leaders and organizations, along with the investment by the business community helped make this millage campaign successful. We appreciate the commitment to our children and their future.
Special thanks go to our Campaign Chair Jeremiah Oltmans and all the members of the Keep Bryant Schools Moving committee. This group’s contribution was crucial to getting the vote passed. I am so appreciative of their leadership, countless hours of work, and dedication to this effort.
I would also like to express gratitude to the Bryant School Board for providing continuous support for our efforts.
Again, a very heartfelt thank you!