Video: Rebuilding At Houlka Attendance Center Could Begin Soon

HOULKA, Miss. (WCBI) – Houlka is moving closer to rebuilding classrooms which were destroyed in a fire in July of 2014.

Teachers and students at Houlka Attendance Center have been sharing space the last two years and began using temporary, mobile classrooms a year ago.

“The whole staff and students have been great,” Dr. Betsy Collums said. She’s the Chickasaw County Superintendent. “They’ve done whatever’s been asked of them to do. It’s been an easy transition. We are anxious to have our space back.”

Collums says she understands the frustration Houlka residents are feeling.

“The community has been very concerned because it has been a lengthy process to get to this point of advertising for bids,” she said.

The process appears to be almost over. The county will hold a meeting next Thursday, Aug. 25 to accept bids. Collums says rebuilding could start this semester.

“We have wanted updated classrooms and the new building for a while,” Blair Jolly said. She’s both a parent and a teacher in Houlka.

“That would make me feel a lot better,” she said of seeing construction begin. “My own child would be in that building when it’s completed. That makes me feel good.”

The county has been working with the construction company New Path Strategy Consultants.