Hillbilly wisdom: Through our actions we teach bias, prejudice, elitism and we defeat ourselves. When
preference is given to one group over the other, it does not bring us together. It separates us. When you
cannot see or choose to ignore injustice you become a part of the problem.
My name is Gary. Mountain View class of 1970.
Each of us present this evening, I’m sure, had many long conversations with our school board
representative. Our representatives, after careful consideration supported Act 919. Stone county had
an election on march 3rd. This is democracy at work. The will of the majority has prevailed and the
district got what they wanted.
Twenty plus years ago this district was formed under Act 60 proposed by Governor Huckabee. The
state forced districts (with enrollment under 350 students) together but ultimately the state was not
capable of making them work together. Consolidation’s goal was to reduce administrative cost and
save Arkansans money. At the time of consolidation each district was financially stable and students’
performance was above the state average.
The State of Arkansas offered a one time payment of 900,000 to the new district. A BONUS or an olive
branch in one hand and in the other hand a club. The threat: if the schools do not join voluntarily they
would be forced to join the following year without the bonus.
Now the state offers Act 919, an olive branch in one hand and Jacksonville versus Pulaski County is the
club in the other hand. This district is now set to argue about money. Who gets what? It is time to pay
the piper.
You are have been told there is not a blueprint for the division of assets, this is not true. The precedent
is Jacksonville versus Pulaski county 2016. After the courts finished, Jacksonville got considerably
more than they originally requested.
The Mountain View School board’s attorney rightfully advises cooperation between the new districts
and advises against state involvement in division of the assets. Look at this facility and look at the
facilities on the other campuses. Consider the improvements made over time. Add in administrative
cost on each campus. Consider the present value of the money that each district brought originally with
them, add the enlistment bonus paid by the state. The mere possibility of a state mandated division of
assets under the guidelines established by Jacksonville versus Pulaski county upon this district should
rightfully scare this board to death. This district should not take the chance of the state running the
show. Work together.
I was in the minority about holding the district together and the election results says I was wrong. But
seriously consider keeping the state out of this next step. The state will consider the inequities to each
campus improvements into their computations and the resulting financial payment to the departing
districts will be considerably larger than the number sought from the newly reformed districts. Add to
this the legal fees and more importantly the blow to this community. The one time financial
adjustments will seem trivial in nature. When this is over we will still be neighbors and this will still be
our community. Thank You.