District hopes bond will help to improve existing facilities

Delta Digital News Service

Monday, April 29, 2024

By Shelby Russom | Contributor

PARAGOULD, ARK – Paragould School District is seeking approval for a bond restructure to improve its existing facilities as well as new add ons. 

The bond restructure will be on the March 2024 ballot, and if approved, the district will use the funds to finance projects within the “Master Facility Plan.” This plan includes various projects such as building a new arena, HVAC projects, baseball/softball complex improvements, a potential renovation of the main high school campus, and parking lot improvements.

Jimmy C. Dodd, Jr. of the Paragould Rams Sports Network said he believes this is the most significant opportunity the district has had in a long time. He said this would benefit both the students and the community. Dodd said the district has this opportunity because of their excellent stewardship.

“It’s because of that that we have the opportunity to do this without a millage increase,” He said. “That’s a really big statement about accountability and using taxpayer money well.” 

In a public forum held by the Paragould School District on Feb. 9, the superintendent, Nick Jankoviak, said it is essential for the community to know the bond restructuring will not cause an increase in the tax rate. He said it is similar to getting a loan on a home. 

“We are extending our home loan, but by doing that, we can generate funds that can be used for construction projects,” Jankoviak said. 

Jankoviak said the construction projects involve building a new arena just east of the current arena, Doc Paynter Court, which the school has outgrown. 

“The reality is, it’s no longer adequate for the students, for the coaches,” he said. “The reality is that we can do something better.” 

Jankoviak said the plan does not involve tearing down Doc Paynter Court, seeing how the building is special to the district. 

Paragould School District media coordinator Danielle Honeycutt said she thinks building a new arena will help the students build new memories they will cherish the way her family, who graduated from PHS, do. 

“We’re like a family, and we’ve outgrown the house we’re living in.” She said. 

 Doc Paynter Court currently has a capacity of 851, but the new arena will hold 1,400. 

Voters can find Photos and a virtual tour of what the new arena will look like, a frequently asked questions section, a survey, and the official ballot question on the Paragould School District website. 

Jankoviak said the ballot question can be confusing because the district could not change all of the language on the question. The district was only able to change one sentence at the top of the ballot, which reads,

 “The total proposed school tax levy of 37.62 mills represents the same tax rate presently being collected.” 

The options listed are “for tax” and “against tax,” which Jankoviak said may be confusing, but the district is not asking for an increase in the tax rate. 

The community will vote on the bond restructure on March 5.

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