Another View - Vote for Kids in Eureka Springs!

On Oct. 19, the Eureka Springs Board of Education set an election date of Feb. 9, 2010 for a bond issue to build a new high school. The plans, features and benefits of this new community asset will be circulated to every citizen over the next few months. Please vote yes on this issue for our children's future.

I am a retired superintendent from Colorado. While there in a small school district the size of Eureka Springs, we passed a $7-million school bond for some much-needed improvements to buildings and a new structure. With that experience, I can assure you of the following:

A home appraised at $250,000 and assessed at $50,000 would pay an additional $99 per year in taxes. This is based on an additional 1.98 mills to pay for the school construction bonds. School taxes even with this new construction are still among the lowest in the Northwest Arkansas area. Additional financial details are available from the District Offices.

More than $500,000 is available for this school from federal stimulus funds.

A new school would be attractive to home buyers looking to buy homes or businesses in Eureka Springs.

Emphasize the 'next century'

Eureka Springs is well known around the country for supporting the arts. This new campus would emphasize music, art, technology and academics for the next century.

Architectural plans for this new facility have incorporated the most up-to-date green technology in order to save on energy and operating costs.

Plans are in the works to use the building as a community center for exercise, sports and activities at low or no cost to citizens when not utilized by students.

Senior citizens need to vote for this bond issue in order to maintain an educated work force for the 21st Century while at the same time, ensuring the economic stability of our region.

Retask the old campus

The site of the current high school will be available for a variety of exciting uses to be determined by you, your neighbors and the Board of Education with the passage of this bond referendum.

For more information, or to have a member of the Speakers Committee address your group with more details and plans, please call Superintendent Wayne Carr at 253-5999.

-- Dr. Ken Brown, Supt., (Ret.)

Member: New High School Planning Committee

Holiday Island