Video: Lowndes School Leaders to Try Bond Referendum Again

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LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — It may not have passed the first ballot last month, but Lowndes County school leaders are determined to present another bond referendum to voters.

They say the money would fund several school construction projects critical to the county.

The Lowndes County school board will call a special meeting later this month to discuss the future of the bond issue.

“You could be relatively assured that it will not be $47 million again,” said Jeff Smith, attorney for Lowndes County schools. “I believe it will be delineated, and explained, and every campus shown where its students will be benefiting from the bond issue.”

The new proposal could include a new high school at New Hope, athletic and school upgrades at all three campuses in the county, computers for students, and a career tech center.

“We need our students to be able to be trained with some skills, where they can be employable, or where they’re equipped for more advanced training at EMCC, or at institutions of higher learning,” said Lynn Wright, superintendent of Lowndes County schools.

Last month’s bond referendum didn’t pass, and school leaders blame low voter turnout. Only about 1,800 people voted out of 18,000 in Lowndes County.

“That’s not enough people to make a decision on the finances, and the future of our children,” Smith said.

Superintendent Wright says this time, educators want to do a better job getting the word out to parents.

“The people are becoming more and more informed,” Wright said. “Now they’re asking a lot of questions, and now everybody says, ‘This is kind’ve a no brainer. Why didn’t we go for this the last time?'”

And school leaders hope they’ll be a step closer to making these new building projects a reality.

Smith says school officials would like to have a bond referendum vote when other elections are held, as an extra incentive for residents.