With the annual school election just a little more than two weeks away (Sept. 21) Helena-West Helena school officials are busy trying to get the word out about the ballot proposal to refund a June 1, 2003 bond issue.
Superintendent Willie Williams and other school officials attended a breakfast and informational session Wednesday morning hosted by the Phillips County Ministerial Alliance at the New Haven Missionary Baptist Church. Brandi Love, school relations coordinator, reported that the session was to allow local ministers to learn more about the district’s bond issue in order to provide accurate information to their parishioners.
The meeting included a question and answer session with Williams fielding questions from the ministers and other interested citizens. Between 25 and 35 were on hand.
During the introduction, Rev. Jarvis Smith, a school board member and member of the ministerial alliance, stated, “We are fighting for the life of our school district. In the past few years, the Elaine and Lake View schools have been shut down and there are problems in Marvell and Barton as well as Helena-West Helena. We are asking for your prayers.”
At their July 19 meeting the Helena-West Helena School Board voted to apply for the approval to issue bonds totaling $12,450,000 for the purpose of refunding the June 1, 2003 of $7.4 million, which funded the following Partnership Project – $1,172, 750 for renovating the ALE building on the high school campus and the following non partnership projects:
•$152,100 for stadium repairs and renovations
•$186,500 for installing HVAC, painting and field house renovations
•$643,800 for installing HVAC in the gym
•$48,000 for art room class renovation at existing maintenance building
•$314,900 for JROTC class renovation at existing vo-tech shop area.
A total of $350, 064.25 each for the elementary schools will be used to buy playground equipment. A total of $28,000 each would go to the secondary schools – Eliza Miller Junior High and Central High School – to buy marquee signs. The four elementary schools would receive $11,575 for new signs.
The plan also sets aside $74,350 and $121,800 respectively for new metal fencing at Central and Miller. The totals for fencing for the elementary schools would be Beechcrest, $146,925; Woodruff, $77, 160; Westside, $230,015 and Wahl, $72, 250.
Any remaining funds will be used for other capital projects and equipment purchases.
The proposed bonds will be reduced over a period not to exceed 30 years and repayable on demand on any interest paying debt after five years at an assumed interest rate of 4.30 percent.
“The district is not seeking a millage increase,” stated Williams. “Voters are simply being asked to extend the existing debt service mills.”
Helena-West Helena School district patrons are currently paying 34.10 mills.
