Video: Pontotoc City Schools Proposes $11 Million Bond Package

PONTOTOC, MISS. (WCBI) – Pontotoc City School officials will put an 11 million dollar bond package before voters next month.

Hours before every home game Norma Harlow puts out two chairs , one for herself and one for her husband, who finds it tough to get up the steps at Warrior Stadium.

“Even with a cane or something, if you had one, you could not get down these steps,” Harlow said.

A proposed bond package would set aside $2.5 million for new bleachers,  press box with restrooms and concession,  concrete paving , ADA parking and more.

Harlow graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1962 and believes renovations are long overdue.

“It’s due for an upgrade, we upgrade everything else from year to year, this definitely needs an upgrade,” Harlow said.

Superintendent of Pontotoc City Schools, Doctor Michelle Bivens says the newest facility in the district is 21 years old. The oldest is nearly 80.   She says many of the campuses, like the Junior High School,  need an electrical upgrade, to keep up with new technology.

Pontotoc High School would get a new, secure front entrance and new bleachers in the gym.  At the Junior High School, the gym would be renovated, so students wouldn’t have to cross the street to use the high school’s gymnasium. Also, all of the old concrete in front of the school would be replaced and the campus would be handicapped accessible.

Four million dollars would cover renovations at the middle school, including additional bathrooms. the school has only one set of restrooms.  There would also be a PE facility, a library and media center and more classrooms.

Dr. Bivens says these changes would meet needs of the district for the next decade or more.

“I guess this is our opportunity to show them that as a community, we understand they deserve the best,” Dr. Bivens said.

Doctor Bivens says there’s a lot more at stake than long overdue renovations and improvements at the school campuses.  She also points to the correlation between a strong public school system and future economic development and growth.

“We want to be able to continue to provide the workforce that is needed in this area and for our community to continue to grow,” Supt. Bivens said.

The Pontotoc City School bond issue will go before voters December 19th.

If the bond issue passes, taxes on a $100,000 would go up about $150  each year.  Public hearings will be held between now and election day.