Voters say no to hike on mills

Thanks to 504 voters in the Conway School District, a new intermediate school will be built without a millage increase.

An election Tuesday to restructure outstanding bonds and transfer debt service mills to maintenance and operation to satisfy a Supreme Court ruling was approved 504 votes for to 18 against in complete but unofficial results.

Dr. Terry Fiddler, president of the Conway school board, said he was "enthused by the election, even though the turnout was small." However, Fiddler said Faulkner County Clerk Melinda Reynolds expected only 125 voters. "It will provide enough money to accomplish our goals as far as a good learning environment," Fiddler said.

The $12 million generated by restructuring the bonds will fund construction of a school in west Conway for fifth- and sixth-graders, with money left over toward a future second intermediate school in east Conway. The first school, which will be built on Wescon Lane and Padgett Road, is scheduled to open by July 2004. It should relieve overcrowding in the elementary and middle schools, board members said.

Superintendent James Simmons said, "We're thankful to the people for their continued support. We will continue to make sound decisions for the district."

He said it was good to have met the requirement spelled out in the Lake View court ruling of having 25 mills dedicated to M and O by January 2004. The district, with a millage of 32.2, had only 7.3 mills for maintenance and operation and 24.9 mills for debt service.

If the district's proposal had failed, the Faulkner County Quorum Court would have been obligated to raise the millage almost 18 mills to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.

The district's millage will remain at 32.2.