Video: Oktibbeha County School $13.2 million Bond Rescinded

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OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — The fight over the Oktibbeha County School District plan to issue more than $13.2 million in bonds and citizens group efforts to force a vote is over. At least for now.

Students and parents of Oktibbeha County gathered together to find out the financial future for the school district.

Margie Pulley dismissed the $13.2 million bond when it became apparent enough signatures had been gathered to force a vote on the issue.

Starkville School Superintendent, Lewis Holloway says he was disappointed.

“A little bit disheartening the county never had a bond referendum in 30 years and we were trying to maximize these funds to improve the school,” says Lewis Holloway.

The bond would have improved two elementary schools in the district while providing extra bus transportation.

$10 million of the bond would help fund a partnership school for 6th and 7th graders.

Despite the setback, Holloway says this is not the end.

“We are going to start all over and re-look at the amount that we’d asked for and consider what’s the best option as we go forward,” says Holloway.

Jennifer Gregory with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership says the school bond would help those who need it most.

“The core of this are the children there are kids in Oktibbeha county that are going to school in facilities that have dial-up internet. My phone has more internet than that. They are going to schools in facilities with water leaks with damage with no extra curriculum activities, no band no art,” says Jennifer Gregory.

As school officials figure out the next steps for the district, Gregory says the partnership is optimistic about the school’s future.

“The partnership remains committed to public education in the community and we really look forward to the community coming together on this issue the stake holders really coming to the table to talk about viable solutions,” says Gregory.

We contacted Representative Gary Chism about the rescinded bond he said, “finding additional state money is not an option.”

 

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