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. It is a form of racism. 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, has 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. On July 1, 2026 the Mountain View School Board will no longer be responsible for the students of Rural Special and Timbo.

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 of Stone county’s districts was financially stable and students’ performance was above the state average.

At the time of consolidation 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 under Sarah Huckabee Sanders offers Act 919, a chance to reform the original districts. Act 919 is the olive branch in one hand. It has taken a year and an election to bring us to this point. As of July 1, 2026 there will once again be three school districts in Stone County.

This district is now set to debate the money. Who gets what? It is time to pay the piper and Jacksonville versus Pulaski County is the club in the other hand.

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.