If the Fayetteville School District had managed to sell the current Fayetteville High School to the University of Arkansas, would a millage increase still be necessary?
A millage increase would still be required because the current project cost is estimated at approximately $110 million. Even if proceeds from the sale of the current FHS could offset some of the expenses, a new site would require an estimated $30 million to replace facilities on the existing site that would need to be built elsewhere but will be retained on the existing site. Assuming proceeds of $50 million, the calculation would look like this: $110 million – $50 million + 30 million = $90 million It’s also critically important to note that the Fayetteville School District’s last millage increase was in 1995. We have spent $59 million on capital projects in the past 14 years with no increase. In fact, the millage rate today (42.8) is lower than it was in 1995 (44 mils). Another factor that cannot be ignored is the lack of a politically favorable site for a new high school, other than the current site. The community made it clear that a majority of patrons prefer the current site and
