GENTRY — Annual school elections are set for Sept. 15 in Gentry, with a number of items on the ballot for voters.

Two five-year school board positions are up for election: the zone 4

position and the at-large, position-6

post. Ted Dorn is running for re

election unopposed in the zone 4

position. In the at-large position cur

rently occupied by board chairman

Keith Harper, Jeff Coye and David

Williamson are running. Harper did

not file for re-election.

Also on the ballot will be aquestion regarding a total school tax rate (state and local) of 42.9 mills on the dollar of the assessed value of taxable property located in the school district.

The total tax levy includes the uniform rate of tax to be collected on all taxable property in the state of Arkansas and remitted to the state treasurer pursuant to Amendment No. 74 of the State Constitution to be used solely for maintenance and operation of schools in the State. The total proposed school tax levy of 42.9 mills includes 28.0 mills specifically voted for general maintenance and operation and 14.9 mills voted for debt service previously approved by voters as a continuing levy pledged for the retirement of existing bonded indebtedness. The 3.0 of the 28.0 maintenance and operation mills represent the transfer of 3.0 existing dedicated maintenance and operation mills to maintenance and operation.

The existing 14.9 debt service mills will also be pledged to the retirement of proposed bonds to be issued in the principal amount of $2,310,000 and which will mature over a period of eight years and will be issued for the purpose of refunding the district's outstanding bonds, dated Aug. 1, 2003. The surplus revenues produced each year by debt service millage may be used by the district for other school purposes.

The total proposed school tax levy of 42.9 mills represents the same rate presently being collected.

Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gentry United Methodist Church.

News, Pages 3 on 08/26/2009