McGehee School District Voters Approve School Millage

Arts & Entertainment Editor

This article originally appeared in The McGehee Times

Courtesy of McgeheeTimes.com

   After much anticipation over the last few months, the McGehee School District voters overwhelmingly approved a school millage request Tuesday, Sept. 22.

   Unofficial results showed 82 percent of voters favored the school millage increase, leaving only 18 percent against the proposal.

   McGehee School District Superintendent Thomas Gathen and approximately 60 others from across the district gathered in the high school cafeteria until the unofficial results came through. From students of all ages to retired teachers and former principals, the room filled with shouts of victory as Gathen announced the results.

   “I am extremely elated with our victory and the beneficiaries of our efforts will be our students,” Gathen said.

   Not only were McGehee students excited about the victory, many University of Arkansas at Monticello students who are also parents of  McGehee School District children, breathed a sigh of relief at the positive news of the election results.

   Tracy Anderson, a student at the UAM’s College of Technology at McGehee and an employee of the McGehee School District, says having her college career continue and her job secure, could not be more satisfying.

   “I could not continue my education and balance my schedule as a college student without a job at the McGehee School District,” Anderson said.

   School teachers, coaches and grandparents gleamed as Gathen walked around the room shaking hands with the supporters of the district.

   “The citizens of the McGehee School District just scored on a 99-yard touchdown run to secure a victory,” said Jr. Owl Coach John McGraw after the results were announced.

   Across the district nearly 1,500 voters made their way to the polls Tuesday, Sept. 21, a high turnout for a school election, officials said. Desha County Clerk Beth Fuller McMahan was also amazed at the high number of voters.

   “The numbers were comparable to a May primary, and that’s a countywide election,” McMahan said.

   With only two voting sites in McGehee, and one site in each of the surrounding areas, traffic remained constant and the sound of cell phones ringing never ceased throughout Tuesdsay’s election.

   The Railroad Depot polling site saw the biggest numbers with more than 830 voters showing up to cast their ballots.  More than 88 percent of those voted for the millage with less than 12 percent voting against it 

   Just over 200 voters cast their ballots at McGehee Hospital with 89 percent for the millage and 11 percent against. Early and absentee voters also supported the millage efforts with over 73 percent of voters saying yes.

   While an overwhelming majority of voters at McGehee precincts approved the millage, support split in the rural areas of the district.

   More than 61 percent of Arkansas City voters supported the millage, with just under 39 percent voting against it.  At the Watson City Hall polling site however, the vote split down the middle with 62 voters casting their ballots against the millage and 61 in favor.

   “It has been a great experience watching these communities come together for a common cause—our children,”Smith said.

   As the future of the McGehee School District looks forward to maintaining McGehee Owl pride, upcoming changes remain top priority.

   “The beneficiaries of our efforts will be our students and I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who supported the efforts.  I’m looking forward to continuing my tenure in the McGehee School District and I assure the patrons that the revenue in the McGehee School District will be professionally managed and safeguarded,” Gathen said.

For additional reading:

Millage Increase Leaves Fate of McGehee School District Undetermined
 

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