New Lease on Life

Mineral Springs overcomes financial struggle to break ground on new school

Chris Turner, the superintendent of the Mineral Springs, Ark., School District, talks about the journey from nearly closing the district to building a new school Friday. Officials broke ground on a new $19 million school building.
Chris Turner, the superintendent of the Mineral Springs, Ark., School District, talks about the journey from nearly closing the district to building a new school Friday. Officials broke ground on a new $19 million school building.

Mineral Springs, Ark., School District employees and members of the community broke ground Friday for a new $19 million building to house students from kindergarten through the 12th grade.

The administrators agree it's a miracle to see construction start on the building considering the Mineral Springs School District was about to close in 2013.

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AP

Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches the clock near the end of a loss to Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

The financial problems had increased and Superintendent Curtis Turner Jr. was faced with the dilemma of not being able to meet payroll for the teachers and staff.

During the ceremonies Friday, Turner and school district attorney John Walker confirmed the district was financially strapped.

"Superintendent Turner was in the role of undertaker and was going to preside over a funeral. The district was broke," Walker said.

"The school district had the lowest-paid teachers in the state," he said.

"Turner was vigilant and had a vision." he said.

Mineral Springs School Board Member Mike Erwin used a prayer closet in his barn daily to pray to God for answers to keep the school district open.

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rick mcfarland

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/RICK MCFARLAND --12/13/13-- Participants in the Polar Plunge, benefitting the Special Olympics, charge into 40 degree water in Lakewood Lake no: 3 in North Little Rock Friday. They are (left to right), Gordan Silaski, with Centennial Bank, North Little Rock Police Chief Mike Davis, Gary Curtis, Pulaski County Coroner's Office and Zack Farley, Little Rock Police officer.

He had attended meetings with the Arkansas Department of Education officials who said,"It's over."

Turner doubted the future of the district.

"I never dreamed this day would ever come. Four years ago, I thought this day was not possible, but obviously things happened beyond our control and caused this to happen (referring to the start of construction on the new building)," Turner said.

He found money in the budgets to be used to replace buildings 60 to 50 years old.

"I honestly didn't think we could do it. We did a lot of talking and praying, and behold we figured a way to make it work and the rest is history," Turner said.

"I didn't know if we could make it happen. Tim Erwin (assistant administrator) helped me with starting the building project. He filled the void we needed to fill," he said.

The key to the funding was restructuring the millage.

"It isn't a new millage. It is restructured bonded indebtedness. It allowed us to borrow monies to be able to build the new facility. It's $18 million to $19 million. We're hoping to build for less obviously. Like any other project, once we get in, we could incur costs we haven't counted on," Turner said.

The building will be able to house kindergarten through the 12th grade. The building capacity will be about 505 students.

Depending on the weather, completion is expected in the fall of 2018.

The new building will have a gym, auditorium and cafeteria large enough to handle programs the district might have, and it will include music rooms, art and P.E. facilities under one roof.

The current enrollment is about 420 students.

"We're thinking we are starting to grow and gain some students, so I think that trend will continue with the new building," Turner said.

"The stage is set for great things in Mineral Springs," he said.

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