The Watson Chapel School District received a green light Tuesday for its plans to build a new building for Edgewood Elementary School after voters approved a 2.3 mill increase to the previous millage rate of 31.8 that remained untouched since 1974.
Complete, but unofficial results were:
For — 588
Against — 326
The $4 million that will be generated from the increase will be paired with $6 million being contributed by the state for the project to fund the project.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Edgewood Principal Jennifer Barbaree was emotional after the final numbers were released at the Jefferson County Election Commission headquarters.
“This win is for all of our children,” Barbaree said. “Our students deserve a new school. The support of the parents and the community has been absolutely overwhelming. Watson Chapel is my alma mater and this is one of my proudest moments. The first words that come to mind are ‘Thank you.’”
District Superintendent Danny Hazelwood greeted the news with a weary smile.
“Of course we’re relieved and thankful for the small nucleus of people who worked so hard for this,” Hazelwood said. “We’re going to be able to give the community a building to be proud of. I am most proud of the fact that we accomplished what hasn’t happened since 1974. This is one of the hardest things I have done as superintendent. We hope to begin taking soil samples at the site this week.”
Watson Chapel School Board President Sandra C. Boone was savoring the victory.
“I feel very, very victorious,” Boone said. “This was a hard fight. We were up against all kinds of opposition, even in-house, but the people have spoken. The patrons of the Watson Chapel School District have spoken loudly and clearly. We have fought a very grueling, yet positive campaign despite the negative nay-sayers which included some teachers of this great district. We’re excited to get started because after all, it’s our kids, our Watson Chapel, our future.”
Boone believes that the vote is a sign of good things to come.
“The investment the voters have made in education by voting yes will pay significant dividends in the future,” Boone said. “After all, communities that support public school education thrive. By voting for this millage increase, the people have cast their vote for an educated, empowered and successful community.”
Project architects Henry D. Sadler Jr. and Richard Taylor of Nelson Architectural Group were looking forward to the beginning of construction.
“We’re excited for the kids,” Sadler said. “They are going to get a safe and healthy educational environment.”
“The people of this district put a lot of hard work into the success of this special election,” Taylor said. “We’re poised and ready to go with this project.”