Reminder: Dead weeks will be ending on Friday, July 8. If you have a student athlete or band member who will be returning to practices or camps on Monday, steps to be properly hydrated should start at least 3 days previous to returning.
Your Questions Answered:
Happy Independence Day!
Your Questions Answered: Are the construction of the elementary school and/or relocating the power lines necessary? Yes. The elementary school has sections over 50 years old, and the main building built in 1976 is approaching 50 years of age. Any money spent on major renovations or systems replacement are only of a temporary nature and could be considered a poor use of funds due to the age of the school. The Division performed an inspection of the elementary school and the powerlines. The Division’s findings are (1) the Division approved both projects as necessary, (2) the powerline relocation is a safety concern and (3) the elementary school, due to its age and poor condition of most systems, qualifies for state Partnership funds for building replacement but does not qualify for state Partnership funds for systems replacements or partial renovations.
Save the Dates!
State partnership funding by the numbers:
A Millage Public Meeting will be held at the MS/HS Cafeteria on Tuesday, July 12 from 6-8 pm. We are excited to discuss what Bald Knob could offer our kids and to answer any questions you have regarding the proposed millage. Please send any questions you have in advance of the meeting to millage@baldknobschools.org. You can also check out our website for more information. As always, we value your feedback! Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future! Go, Bulldogs!
20 Days of Summer Reading- Don’t forget to submit a picture of your Bulldog Reading Tracker by tomorrow, for your chance at the first round of prizes.
Email pictures to summerreading@baldknobschools.org
Go Dogs!
Your Questions Answered: Why is the district asking for a millage increase now? Time is of the essence. The safety and well being of our students and staff are of paramount importance in all we do. The new elementary school and powerline relocation projects will provide a safer and healthier environment for our students. Additionally, there are financial factors that play into the need for an approved millage in August 2022. The Bald Knob School District was approved by the Division in April 2022 to receive nearly $6 million in state Partnership Program funds to help with the construction of a new elementary school and relocate underground power lines on the campus. Partnership funds must be spent and all projects completed within four years and construction should be started within 18 months. The deadline for project completion is April 2026. Time is of the essence. The Partnership Program that provides state funding assistance to school districts for approved projects is competitive and on a two-year cycle. Receiving state funds in one cycle is not a guarantee of receiving funds in a future cycle. For year two of the 2021-2023 funding cycle, the elementary project ranked 5th and the power line relocation project ranked 21st out of 58 approved projects. There were 36 other approved projects requesting approximately $20 million from the state that were not funded in this cycle. Construction costs and interest rates are increasing. Beginning construction early will help to minimize the cost of the project. If the millage does not pass, the new elementary school and power line relocation projects will likely cost more as the district takes steps to pursue another special election to approve a millage increase. The Arkansas Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation is creating a new funding formula for all districts for future projects. A new funding formula has the potential to lessen the rate of funding and opportunity of approval for Bald Knob.
Did You Know: State Partnership Funding by the Numbers for Year Two of the 2021-2023 Projects Funding Cycle: $92.2 million available to entire state; Only 58 projects of 94 projects funded; Nearly $6 million awarded to Bald Knob Elementary; Ranked #5th largest project funded; Power Line Relocation Ranked #21st largest project funded
Who can I call to find out exactly how much my real and property taxes will increase if the 5.75 millage increase is approved by voters?
White County Tax Collector
Beth Dorton
Office: 501-279-6206
Cell: 501-827-3167
Beth@whitecotax.com
If you are unable to attend the Millage Public Meeting tonight starting at 6:00, you may watch it live at the following link: https://youtu.be/7twvsGucWY0. The livestream will start at 5:45 pm.
Did You Know? The proposed millage will allow the district to take full advantage of the state's Partnership money to provide a safer and healthier learning environment for K-5 students. Current elementary school has a number of issues: classrooms are smaller than state standards, power is lacking to provide for the technology of today, plumbing and site drainage issues, and lacks current security features. The approved millage will provide a state-of-the-art facility to equip our elementary students with 21st century skills in a safer, more secure environment. The construction of a new elementary will provide up-to-date facilities for all students K-12.
Good afternoon. We would like to remind you of the upcoming Millage Public Meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. in the MS/HS Cafeteria. We hope to see you there.
Did You Know? The existing funding sources are not adequate to complete the proposed projects. Since the last millage increase in 2003, Bald Knob Schools has completed the following projects using alternative funding sources with no increase in millage: Construction of a new middle school; Construction of a new safe room; Renovation of the early childhood center; Renovation of the red brick gym; Replacement of the elementary main building roof; Construction of an elementary corridor; Renovation of the auditorium; Construction of a new middle and high school cafeteria; Construction of a sidewalks and a walking trail for cross country and community patrons; Construction of a concession stand; District-wide LED lighting project for energy efficiency; Reroof fine arts building; Reroof bus shop building; Reroof ALE building; Security entrances for elementary and middle school; Equipped two playgrounds for the early; childhood center; District wide access control; Replacement of the high school HVAC units with improved fresh air return; Replacement of the elementary; cafeteria HVAC units with improved fresh air return; District wide digital/IP-based video surveillance system with 110 cameras and 2 NVRs
Your Questions Answered: Are the construction of the elementary school and/or relocating the power lines necessary? Yes. The elementary school has sections over 50 years old, and the main building built in 1976 is approaching 50 years of age. Any money spent on major renovations or systems replacement are only of a temporary nature and could be considered a poor use of funds due to the age of the school. The Division performed an inspection of the elementary school and the powerlines. The Division’s findings are (1) the Division approved both projects as necessary, (2) the powerline relocation is a safety concern and (3) the elementary school, due to its age and poor condition of most systems, qualifies for state Partnership funds for building replacement but does not qualify for state Partnership funds for systems replacements or partial renovations.
What is the district asking? We are asking for a 5.75 mill increase in debt service mills to construct a new elementary school and relocate power lines.
Good evening! A Millage Public Meeting will be held at the MS/HS Cafeteria on Monday, June 20th, from 6-8 pm. We are excited to provide a sneak peek of what Bald Knob could offer our kids and to answer any questions you have regarding the proposed millage. Please send any questions you have in advance of the meeting to millage@baldknobschools.org. You can also check out our website for more information. As always, we value your feedback! Our Kids, Our Community, Our Future! Go, Bulldogs!
Join us for some Fun at the Lot on Friday, June 17, from 11:00-1:00 in the HS parking lot. There will be free books, food bags, face painting, and a bounce house. We can not wait to see you!
Friday is the deadline to register for the July 16 ACT.