On May 10, the district will be open to vote on the newest millage proposition.  The last millage in September 2010 asked for a 2.4 millage increase which would pay for the construction for a middle school, a junior high, and sports facilities.  This millage proposition was voted against, but now a new proposition is on the table.

“This second request for a millage increase is for the construction of a middle school and junior high only,” said Rick Schaeffer, Springdale School District Director of Communications.  “Therefore the increase of millage percentage was lowered to 1.9 mills.”

This request was made by the school board because of the money the state gave to Springdale School District to spend.  This deadline to spend $16 million was extended to pay for these projects.

“If the millage passes, the Springdale district will be responsible for $38 million of the projected total of $54 million,” said Schaeffer.

The district hopes for the milage to pass due to overflowing in schools.

“Next year 13 portable buildings will be utilized in the district because of the overflow,” said Schaeffer.

The schools that contain this overflow are Helen Tyson Middle School, J. O. Kelly Middle School, and Southwest Junior High.  This year, the district has had 700 new students and the total enrollment is nearing 19,000.

“We have the second largest district in the state,” Schaeffer said.

If the millage passes, it will not go into effect until 2012 calender year.  Construction will begin as soon as possible, but neither school would be open until the fall of 2013.