$2 million school bond weighed in Russellville

Choosing to homeschool or send her children to private schools in the past, this is the first year Renee Davis has sent all of her children at home to the Russellville Public School.

"I'm thrilled; I've been so impressed," Davis said. "I'm surprised more people are not moving here."

School enrollment, in fact, has continued to decline, forcing the Russellville school board and administration to look at drastic measures to prevent deficit spending while continuing to offer its impressive academic performance.

At its regular meeting Thursday, the board will consider presenting a $2 million general obligation bond, Proposition CARE (Community Action Reinvesting in Education) on the April ballot.

Superintendent Perry Gorrell has said if the school district could add 40 students to its enrollment, the bond issue would not be necessary.

"We're always trying to make our academics better so kids have a good chance when they get out in the world, whether it's college or a career," school board president Debbie Malzner said. "It's sad that we cannot do as well with our enrollment."

School officials and community members have speculated what reasons might contribute to either local families moving out of Russellville or families looking for a smaller school choosing elsewhere.

At the top of the list seems to be football.

"I know several families who have left because of that," Malzner said. "It's a proven fact (football) has helped in a lot of communities."

After being a driving force in the community effort to establish a football program in the Russellville schools, Zach and Shannon Hackett chose to relocate their family into the
California school system this year.

"We really thought long and hard about it," Zach Hackett said. "For me, it didn't feel right not allowing my kids the same opportunities I had or better."

Hackett said he hopes Russellville will fulfill the goal of football, but the timeline was not going to fit his family's needs, his oldest son being only a year away from middle school.

Despite the loss of the Hackett family, the Russellville effort to establish football still is underway.

"I think football would be a good draw for the community," teacher and football group member Jack Lake said. "Not only does it bring opportunities for more students to participate in a sport, it also brings about some additional opportunities for band and cheerleading.

"Those three things alone would make the school more attractive to those looking to send their kids somewhere they can become more involved."

More than providing opportunities for teenagers, football creates a connecting point for the community.

"Our kids might not play on the team, but I guarantee you we would go to every home game," Davis said. "I think it brings a community together."

The Boyd family also chose to relocate out of the Russellville school district this year, but for different reasons.

"Our decision to move from the Russellville school district had absolutely nothing to do with the school district itself," Lance Boyd said.

Housing was the Boyd's obstacle.

Living on the farthest edge of the district, the family was driving a lot for school activities, and bus rides were nearly an hour each way.

"We sold our house in hopes of finding something much closer to the school, but unfortunately nothing worked out for us," Boyd said. "We would still be in the Russellville school district if we had found a piece of property that was right for our family."

Other issues that could be negatively impacting enrollment numbers are lack of consistent businesses in town and the high cost of utility bills inside city limits.

Local parent Jenifer Seaver added: "I also think the fact that we cannot seem to really keep and sustain any businesses hurts us. (And) the cost of the water/sewer in the city limits is high, so everyone wants to be outside city limits and there isn't much available."

Seaver posted to Facebook: "Lots of houses for sale in town :)."