MINERAL SPRINGS – A Saratoga resident spoke to a called meeting of the Mineral Springs School Board July 10th concerning conditions on the Saratoga campus. James Edwin McJunkins, a 1979 graduate of Saratoga High School, presented a petition to the board members signed by residents, alumni, and concerned individuals in and around the former Saratoga School property, now owned by the Mineral Springs School District.
In his comments to the board, McJunkins said, “This petition is not intended to be adversarial but is a plea to the Board and Administration to work with our community, which is also your community. We ask that the property be put to good use for the benefit of the community and at a minimum that it is maintained with a respectable appearance for the community and the 2600 vehicles that pass by this property on an average day. (Arkansas Department of Transportation 2024 traffic count).”
McJunkins continued, “We appreciate you allowing the Saratoga Auxiliary Gym (Multi-Purpose Building) to be available to local church or family groups as well as Hempstead County as a voting precinct. It is important that Hempstead County and the community have a connection with the Mineral Springs School District. This building and the grounds immediately around it, however, are not being properly maintained. We regret that the playground equipment was removed and the area left in disarray after the removal.”
“We are open to visiting and working with the Board and Administration at any time to help keep our community and our School District attractive to existing and potential new residents and Mineral Springs students. We believe that we can all work together to have a stronger community and School District!” McJunkins added.
The Mineral Springs School Board according to the March 18th, 2025, board minutes, voted 5-0 to lease the facilities. The lease involves most of the facilities on the east side of Highway 355 that includes the former elementary building that housed the cafeteria, office, and library, as well as the James A. Stewart Educational Building, shop, and several other portable buildings, along with a mobile home. One mobile home is not included as long as the current occupant lives there. That person is a district employee. Also not included is the multi-purpose building.
The lease states the purposes of the agreement is for “Veterans & Civilian Assisted Living Facility.” The term of the agreement is for a period of 50 years at a total annual rate of $6,000 dollars per year.
Stipulations in the lease states the Lessee accepts the premises in its current condition as of the beginning of the lease and agrees to take good care of the premises and keep in good clean condition; to obey all laws and ordinances affecting the premises; not to use the premises in violation of any law.
