Opposition to millage voiced

PRESCOTT – Not everyone is thrilled with the idea of paying an additional 5.9 mill in property tax for a new elementary school and security upgrades for the Prescott School District.

Don Collins, a former school superintendent with 34 years experience in education, is opposed to the hike, saying the public isn’t being given all the information and the tax will cost more than the public’s being told as well. Collins worked in the Prescott School District and was superintendent at Spring Hill, Palestine-Wheatley, Fordyce and Bigelow, before retiring. He said he turned against the measure after reading the reasons given at a Prescott School Board meeting about funds from the Arkansas Public School Facilities Divisions Partnership Program going away. Collins called the Arkansas Department of Education and state representatives, learning no one knew anything about the money going away. Collins said the amount the district could receive could change based on its wealth, adding Prescott doesn’t appear to be getting any richer.

“It’s being presented wrong, and isn’t true. 5.9  mill is on the high side and will bring the millage rate to 41 mill which is a lot and will never go away.”

Collins said when he was superintendent schools had less funds and did projects as they could and extend their debt. “There are other ways than seeking tax money,” he said. “I’d rather see the district save money for its projects, put money in the building fund. The people of Prescott are paying for this special election.” He continued saying the issue could have been postponed until a general election in November.

“I’m all about saving money and making it stretch,” Collins said. “5.9 mill is a big increase.” He added the district’s ‘get it done now’ mentality burned him because it could find a better way. “I’m all about schools. I left the education field because the culture, testing, parents and atmosphere was changing and I couldn’t keep ahead of the problems.”

When Collins saw the article about the millage increase, he called friends talking to them about it. He suggested they do their own research and vote accordingly.

In saying the 5.9 mill increase would never go away, Collins pointed out when the district’s bonds are refinanced, the payoff date is pushed back. The proposed millage is supposed to have a 30-year payout, but Collins said it will be there permanently. “It’d be nice sometime to get out of debt.”

He continued, saying people will be paying more in taxes than they’re being told because this millage increase will also be on their personal property taxes, as well as their real property taxes. “What they’re doing is misleading on purpose to get the people to vote for it. This burns me.”

Collins said when the school shooting occurred the administration was in Las Vegas for in-service training. He called it a vacation at the taxpayer’s expense.

The security being requested under the millage, he said, isn’t needed if the district has competent people on staff. “Things happen no matter what and I think they’re going overboard. It sounds ridiculous and seems like they like spending and wasting money. I resent it as a taxpayer. It’s overkill and I feel the voters are being misled. I will vote against it.”