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Lamar County district outlines proposed $117 million bond for new schools, cites site and utility constraints
Summary
Superintendent presented a plan for a bond referendum—up to $117 million—to fund a new high school, middle school, elementary facilities and supporting infrastructure; the measure will appear on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot and site selection is driven by Mississippi Department of Education acreage rules and utility needs.
The Lamar County School Board heard details of a proposed bond referendum that would ask voters to approve a maximum of $117 million to replace and expand multiple district facilities.
The superintendent told the board the measure would appear on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot at regular precinct polling hours and is intended to fund a new Summerall High School, a new middle school, an additional elementary campus, a new office building and a multipurpose building. The superintendent said the November timing means the bond question will be listed after federal, state and county races on the ballot.
Why it matters: the superintendent and staff said site selection and project scope are constrained by state education siting standards and by utilities. The district cited a Mississippi Department of Education requirement for a minimum 15 acres for a high school plus roughly one additional acre per 100 students; the planned high school is being sized for about 900 students. The superintendent said preliminary civil engineering has been completed for candidate sites to confirm they can support two‑story school buildings and campus infrastructure.
The superintendent noted the district is limited in what it may do to influence the vote: “we cannot use tax dollars to promote this bond issue,” the speaker said, adding that a citizen fundraising group has organized billboards and yard signs to share factual information with voters.
District staff said utility providers have indicated capacity to serve a new campus: a Westar Water Association engineer told the district there is sufficient pressure for fire suppression and building needs, and River Valley Electric indicated willingness to extend power to a new substation. Architects have included utility hookup and preliminary civil costs in the program estimate.
Board members pressed for details on traffic and access; the superintendent said the intent is to site the new high school on Highway 44 with middle and elementary campuses placed to spread traffic and minimize peak congestion. The district said it will coordinate turning-lane and access work with the state Department of Transportation and with county officials once a site is selected.
Next steps: staff said the district will continue design and preliminary engineering work and that the bond question will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot for voter consideration. If approved, the district will proceed with final design and permitting in coordination with utility providers and state agencies.
