School Boundary Fight Heads to Arkansas Board of Education
A contentious issue surrounding school district boundaries between Prairie Grove and Lincoln is set to be heard by the Arkansas Board of Education on June 13.
The dispute centers on a petition from residents living on Kelly Mountain Road, who seek to have their land annexed from the Lincoln Consolidated School District into the Prairie Grove School District. The residents argue that their homes are significantly closer to Prairie Grove schools than to Lincoln schools, making it more logical and convenient for their children to attend school in Prairie Grove.
The petition was initially forwarded to the Arkansas Board of Education by the Prairie Grove School Board, which voted in favor of the annexation at its April 16 meeting. The residents presented their case at a public hearing hosted by Prairie Grove in March, where all five speakers, including Brenda Long, Kim Kilpatrick, and Rickey Long, passionately expressed their desire for the boundary change, highlighting the advantages in terms of school proximity and property tax allocation.
However, Lincoln Consolidated School District Superintendent Mary Ann Spears has strongly opposed the annexation, citing concerns about the impact on property assessments and bond payments. Spears fears that approving the request would set a precedent, encouraging frequent boundary adjustment requests in the future.
To further their case, Prairie Grove school administrators, including Superintendent Lance Campbell, plan to attend the June 13 public hearing to provide additional information to the Arkansas Board of Education.
The outcome of this hearing will decide whether these residents will be able to change their school district affiliation, potentially altering the educational landscape for the children involved.
