Voters Consider New Millage Increase; Some Ask What Happened With the Last One

by Dogtown Daily Staff

Correction: An earlier emailed version of this story contained incorrect information due to an editing error. The new millage is asking for an increase of 4 mills.

In February 2012, voters in the North Little Rock School District approved a 7.4-mill property tax increase to fund a major overhaul of school facilities. The measure allowed the district to issue approximately $74 million in bonds for capital improvements, including new construction, renovations, and equipment purchases.

Funds were used to consolidate the East and West high school campuses into a single, modern facility, which included upgraded science labs, performing arts spaces, athletic amenities, and a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) center. Planned improvements also included renovations to the middle school and enhancements to fine arts programming districtwide.

However, after the vote, the State of Arkansas phased out desegregation funding—a key revenue stream the district had anticipated continuing. This change resulted in an estimated $7–8 million annual loss, leading the district to scale back or delay some projects. Middle school renovations and certain fine arts components were among the efforts reduced or deferred due to the funding gap.

Now, voters are being asked to consider a new millage increase proposed by the North Little Rock School Board. The current proposal would increase the existing tax rate by 4 mill, allowing for the issuance of new bonds to address current infrastructure needs.

• Replace the middle school
• Stabilize and renovate the historic Ole Main building;
•  Provide for indoor athletic facilities at the high school

Supporters argue that the increase is needed to complete critical upgrades and protect aging buildings. Skeptics continue to raise concerns about past project follow-through and ask for more detailed accountability.

District documents detailing the 2012 bond spending and current millage proposal are available upon request from the North Little Rock School District.