Video: Starkville School Board Approves Improvement Bonds

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) -The Starkville School District Board of Trustees approved up to $9.95 million in spending power. The bond will require a 3-mill levy, but SSD Superintendent Lewis Holloway said the tax impact is negligible since a 6-mill will retire in20-15.

At least $2 million worth of the bonds will be interest free, and they will used for various maintenance and repair projects. Holloway says the bond money would provide the district with flexibility to complete numerous projects.

During this year’s legislative session, Holloway voiced concerns about finding future funding for county-wide maintenance for a consolidated school system. He says attending to current SSD needs puts the city school system in a better position for it’s 2015 merger with Oktibbeha County Schools.

SSD stakeholders had developed a prioritized list of maintenance needs during strategic planning sessions. High ranking projects on that list include: new roofs at Armstrong Middle School gymnasium and Overstreet School which is estimated to cost over $690,00; air conditioning for Henderson Middle School’s gym estimated at $200,000; and improvements to Starkville High School’s football field and track coming in at $1 million. These projects will take priority once money is allocated.

Other projects include parking lot cameras at Starkville High ($24,000); 92 HVAC units ($184,000); SHS White House rennovations ($200,000), and construction of six new tennis courts ($390,000).

A special referendum could be called if a petition signed by 20 percent of qualified electors residing within SSD’s boundaries is filed with the district by 6 p.m. on July 9.