The fate of a $7 million bond issue rests in the hands of voters who reside in the Tate County School District, but Superintendent Alee’ Dixon wants to ensure the facts are clear regarding the proposal.
“If you’re not voting for the fund, that doesn’t mean taxes won’t go up,” she explained. “You have to vote for the fund for it to be applied to the schools and we really need the money.”
Members of the Tate County school board unanimously authorized resolutions in January to issue the $7 million bond and an election for the public’s endorsement. The bond must receive approval from 60 percent of registered voters in a special election set for Tuesday, March 29.
Absentee voting begins Friday, Feb. 11, at the Tate County Circuit Clerk’s Office in the courthouse.
Dixon said the bond issue would allow for construction of a new basketball gymnasium at Strayhorn High School, a performance stage inside the gym at Coldwater to replace the one that was removed several years ago, and the addition of Agriculture Technology classrooms at Independence High School.
“The current gym at Strayhorn was originally built for the elementary school and does not meet standards set forth by the Mississippi High School Activities Association,” said school board member Dale Dunigan. “Strayhorn isn’t allowed to host district tournaments because of that.”
The new bond won’t require a tax increase because it would replace debt from a previous bond issued in 2006 for projects at Independence and Strayhorn that comes off the district’s books this June.
Every precinct within Tate County that is wholly or partially encompassed by the Tate County School District will have a polling station open Tuesday, March 29, to allow voters to cast a ballot in favor of or against the bond.
School board president Malinda White emphasized the projects would be done without any additional strain on taxpayers.
“We have methodically and significantly reduced our millage rate since the Tate County School District came out of financial conservatorship in 2014,” White explained. “The only reason I voted yes on this bond issue is because we will not be asking the burden be placed on taxpayers. This will not cost citizens an extra dime in taxes from the county school system.”
