Superintendent: Millage increase would help Bryant

He cites overcrowding, security issues

By Elizabeth Pannell

Overcrowding and a lack of security are two reasons the Bryant School board voted unanimously to go back to patrons and ask for a 3.9-mill property tax increase.

The special election will be Tuesday, March 10. The district's millage would increase from 33.3 mills to 37.2 mills, which would mean an extra $78 a year on a home valued at $100,000.

In 2007 the district sought a 6.2-mill increase, which was defeated.

Superintendent Richard Anthony said the millage increase would fund a much-needed building project.

"We have students in classrooms where student centers used to be and senior high students in classrooms designed for kindergarten kids. The enrollment projections show that the situation will get much worse in a very short time. The district grew by approximately 300 students last year and another 225 students this year.

"There is no indication that Bryant will quit growing; therefore we need to get prepared," Abernathy said.

Bryant High School senior Tanner Ward agreed.

"There is definitely a need for improvements at the high school campus. Hardly any of our buildings are up-to-date; it's next to impossible towalk from one class to another without getting wet on rainy days. It's also way too easy for someone to just walk on campus unnoticed."

Abernathy said the millage would fund the construction of 35 classrooms, four art rooms, five business and technology classrooms, two professional development rooms, a principal's office, a counselor's office and a media center.

Also included in the plan is enhanced security, including fencing, security cameras and upgraded locks.

The cost of all the projects is approximately $35 million. Abernathy also said the state has approved $7.5 million toward the proposed projects, "if we can come up with our share."

Mabelvale resident Larry Hacker was a strong opponent of the 2007 millage request, and he opposes this one.

"The school is just not being honest," Hacker said. "They don't want people to know how much money they really have. If the voters vote for the increase, then 100 percent ofthat money should be used for that bond. If it's paid off in five years then it should be stopped."

Abernathy said the clause on the ballot that states "the surplus revenues produced each year by debt services millage may be used by the district for other purposes" is standard language for a referendum.

"Bryant has a long history of placing excess revenue in the building fund," Abernathy said. "Since 1975 Bryant has saved over $36 million of excess revenue in the building f und for const r uct ion projects."

Those projects include a $1 million renovation of Bryant Elementary, fixing drainage problems at various buildingsand adding a welding and const r uct ion-management program.

Hacker said he will again gener ate a nd ha nd del iv - er hundreds of pamphlet s throughout Saline Count y outlining his opposition.

Abernathy said the school's needs won't go away. He said the school has teachers without classrooms who have to travel to various classrooms.

High school teacher Margaret Sorrows was a member of the committee that developed the plans for the additional facilities. She said the committee, composed of department heads, worked to create a plan that would benefit students.

"We wanted a plan to get st udent s out of t he r a i n, provide better campus security and centrally locate the administrators, counselors and support staff so parents wouldn't have to travel all overcampus to check out a child or see a counselor," Sorrows said. "The building plan is long overdue for the high school campus."

Sophomore Emily Terr y echoed the comments about the campus layout.

"Considering academics and test scores, Bryant is a topnotch school," Terry said.

"However, our campus layout is a serious problem. When trying to trek from one building to another between classes, it seems like a mile-long journey. Another problem the school has to face because of our multitude of buildings is unwanted visitors. With so many buildings on campus, it is much too easy for intruders to come into close contact with the students."

Br yant A lderman Robby Young said the City Council has not received a copy of the district's proposal, and hedoes not know how the community will receive the millage proposal.

"I have always supported the schools and I think education is important," Young said.

"But I would have to read through the plan to see if I'm for it either way. I do know the school is grossly overcrowded. With the economy, I don't know how much the community will support it."

Abernathy said if the millage fails, the district will have to answer to the state and community about its lack of adequate facilities.

"We will have to come up with a plan on providing the facilities for our students," Abernathy said. "It could be where we adjust our budget by reducing or eliminating programs or activities that we have become accustomed to having in order to meetadequacy. The district could prov ide t he st udent s w it h healthy and appropriate classrooms, but we may be forced to conduct class in portable trailers. The community will decide the outcome and expectations for the classroom of the future."

Tanner Ward said something has to be done about the overcrowding at the school.

"A passed millage will help in updating our campus and making it as safe as possible," the student said.

"Something must be done about our campus. The upcoming classes are larger than ever, and we can't handle the number of students we currently have."

High school Principal Randy Rutherford and school board members who were contacted declined to comment.

- epannell@ arkansasonline.com

Tri-Lakes, Pages 55, 56 on 01/15/2009