District 46 - NO -
Northwest Herald Oct . 22, 2006


Student enrollment has been nearly stable in Prairie Grove District 46.

And although new residential developments are coming, one is in a holding pattern, and it’s likely at least a couple of years before the others start adding large volumes of students into District 46, which serves Prairie Grove, Oakwood Hills and surrounding areas.

District 46 is asking voters Nov. 7 to approve a $25 million construction referendum. It would cost the owner of a $300,000 house $91 a year in property taxes, according to district figures.

We do not believe that Prairie Grove taxpayers need to begin paying for a school that the district does not need to begin building just yet.

District 46 school officials say the $7 million increase from the failed March request is due in part to having to buy land, but the largest difference is in increased construction costs.

The building program would include a 525-student junior high, additions to two buildings, air conditioning for the elementary school, and a new bus entrance off Valley View Road.

The student-teacher ratio is about 24 to 1. The ratio can increase; it might not be ideal, but other schools can do it, if temporarily.

We do not support approval of the school referendum.