Cave City School District officials are moving forward with plans for a new elementary school, a project projected to cost between $25 million and $27 million.
At a Cave City Area Chamber of Commerce event on Wednesday, Superintendent Steven Green told the school board the district has been approved for a $12.75 million Partnership Grant to help fund the 72,000-square-foot, K–5 facility planned behind the high school gym. The district has $6.1 million in savings but will need to raise another $7.4 million.
Voters will decide the issue in a special election on Nov. 18. The district says there will be no millage increase, only an extension of the current 39.0 rate, which is below the state average. Green emphasized that the state grant will be forfeited if voters reject the extension.
The new building is planned to include a secure single-entry system, video surveillance, a safe room, and modern infrastructure.
Green said the district’s strong academic rankings underscore the importance of the project. Cave City is ranked 19th of 250 districts statewide, the highest-rated in North Central Arkansas. The elementary school ranks 149th out of 495, while the middle school ranks 57th out of 324, and the high school ranks 18th out of 291.
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