Want to know why you need to vote for the DeSoto County School bond issue? Read these Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: Why did DeSoto County School District place this bond referendum on May 20th instead of a "Special Election" ballot?

Answer: We would have loved to have been on a "Special Election" ballot because the Desoto County School District has to pay for the election. We gave the state legislature every opportunity before we took another course of action. Now we have to adhere to state law and justice department guidelines.

A decision to run the bond issue was our last option. We waited to see what the state legislature was going to do. Our hope was the building fund would be restored. It was not. Remember, when DeSoto Central schools were built, DeSoto County Schools received $30 million from the state to build these facilities. The legislature diverted the state building fund to the general fund four years ago.

Since this option did not work out, our Board of Education decided to call for an
election to run the bond referendum to build one new high school, two new middle schools, two new elementary schools, 24 additional classrooms at existing schools and improve security measures at all DeSoto County Schools. This will not raise school millage.

State law requires after the school board calls for an election, the vote will take place a minimum of 21 days later on May 20th, pending Justice Department approval.

Question: Why are we having the school bond election at the elementary schools?

Answer: It saves money to have the election at the schools. If the election were at regular
polling places, we would have to pay an additional $3,200. Costs are greatly reduced by having the polling places at our elementary schools, and the school district pays for this election.

This is a way to invite the public into our schools and see why we are often called "the premier educational system of Mississippi." We want taxpayers to feel they are an important part of our educational system. For some voters, it may be their only
opportunity to walk into our school system. We believe they are going to like what they see, and be reminded that our public education system is driving the economy of our area.
What will the new Bond Issue be used for?

A $60 Million bond issue will be used to build Lake Cormorant High School,
Center Hill Middle School, and Lewisburg Middle School, and will provide funds for
additional DeSoto Central High School (14) and DeSoto Central Middle School (10)
classrooms. Additionally, two new elementary schools will be built--one in the DeSoto Central area, and one in the Lewisburg area. To summarize, five new schools are proposed as well as additions on two schools. Security measures will be improved at all schools.

Question: Will this raise my school taxes?

Answer: No. The millage for bonded indebtedness will not change with this bond issue, so this bond issue will not raise your taxes. Property is being reappraised which can cause tax increases, but it is important to understand that this $60 million bond issue will have NO school millage increase. Basically, our district office has done such an excellent job in fiscal management of paying on the principal of the existing bonds that this will not cause a tax increase. Since we have "paid down" the principal on our previous bond issue, we can borrow money we have repaid. We plan to continue to commit significant funds to paying off the bonds. In three or four years, we may have to build other facilities throughout the county. We can meet those needs and not raise taxes again using this method. This will give us an opportunity to keep up with our overwhelming growth and maintain the premier educational system in the state without raising taxes. Remember, DCS has gained more than 7,000 students in the last four years, and built 10 schools. Now these schools are becoming full. If we don't build five schools and extra classrooms now, we will be back in the same shape we were four years ago with seriously overcrowded
conditions.

Question: Is every area getting something in this bond issue?

Answer: No. In the last bond issue four years ago, we met everyone's needs, but we raised taxes. This bond issue deals with immediate needs with NO school millage increase. In a few years, other areas will have needs. We will be in a financial position to help them at that time. So if you are thinking "there is nothing in this for me" now, there may be something in it for you at a later time. We have one school system in DeSoto County. There is strength in keeping our whole system strong. Security measures will be improved at all schools, so in a sense, every area is benefiting.

Question: What has to happen for this bond issue to pass?

Answer: Sixty percent of the registered voters who vote on May 20th must vote "for" the bond issue.

Question: What if the bond issue does not pass?

Answer: Then we can go back to trailers and overcrowded conditions. The DeSoto Central area is growing at 7% per year; Southaven area is 2% per year; Lewisburg is growing at 9% per year; Olive Branch/Center Hill is growing at 4% per year; Horn Lake/Lake Cormorant is growing at 4% per year and Hernando is growing at 1% per year, a misleading figure since a large number of former Hernando students are attending Lewisburg and Lake Cormorant schools. According to a recent study by the Bailey Educational Group, we can expect to have 8,000 additional students in the next five years. We have to be ready for them.

Question: When does the bond issue take place?

Answer: On April 22nd, the school board called for the election. Now they have called for an election, the vote will take place 21 days later on May 20th. The voting precincts will be in many of the elementary schools. The success of the bond issue will take place if 100% of the people of DeSoto County put children first. We are at a crossroads--we can continue on the educational path of having the greatest educational system in the Southeast or we retrace our steps of leasing trailers.

Question: Why should I be for this bond issue?

Answer: We can build schools or we can build jails. If we do not educate our children, our
community will become not only an uneducated community but an unsafe community. If we continue to grow and develop in this county, we must grow and develop our educational system. The road to economic development, according to Former Governor William Winter, is "by the schoolhouse door." The strong educational system is driving the economy of DeSoto County. We cannot wait until we are overcrowded to build schools. Planning for the future has to be now if we are going to work toward our goal of lowering the pupil/teacher ratio and accommodating our growing enrollment.

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DESOTO COUNTY SCHOOLS EDUCATIONAL FACILITY STUDY

Demographics:
5 year growth projections

• DeSoto Central - 7% per year, 1085 students
• Lewisburg - 9% per year, 1277 students
• Hernando - 1% per year, 176 students
• Olive Branch - 4% per year, 853 students
• Centerhill - 4% per year, 1608 students
• Horn Lake/Lake Cormorant - 4% per year, 2358 students
• Southaven - 2% per year, 605 students
  Total district growth for next 5 years: 7909 or 26% to enrollment of 37, 800 students
  

Facility Response to Growth:
Cricital Facility Needs

• DeSoto Central - New elementary, 14 classroom additions to high school and 10 classroom additions to middle school
• Lewisburg - New elementary school and middle school plus addition of a track
• Lake Cormorant - New high school (relievesHorn Lake as well)
• Centerhill - New middle school
• Security Upgrades to all existing schools including secure vestibules and hardware
  Total Estimated Cost = $60,000,000
  

Facility Response for Phase 2 Needs:
Phase 2 Facility Needs

• Multi-Purpose PE/Performing Arts facilities for Hernando, DeSoto Central, and Olive Branch High Schools
• Elementary science and additional computer labs for all elementary schools
• Classroom additions at Hernando
• Miscellaneous renovations including HVAC and electrical to older facilities district-wide
  Total Estimated Cost = $22,600,000
  

Facility Response for Future 10 Year Growth:
Phase 3 Facility Needs

• Begin planning for future K-12 campuses to relieve major growth in DeSoto Central and Lewisburg areas as well as typical growth in all other areas
• Growth projections could necessitate 2 new K-12 campuses
  Total Estimated Cost = $41,000,000 per K-12 Campus

CONCLUSIONS:

DESOTO COUNTY SCHOOLS...

• Growth is continuing district-wide
• Hot spots of DeSoto Central and Lewisburg need attention, although the buildings are being maintained well, there are still on-going building capital needs
• The district needs to view 10-year growth and make wise 5-year plans with the future in mind

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Compiled by:
Bailey Educational Group, LLC
Gary Bailey, President
John Jordan, CEO
Chuck Poer, Vice-President/Academic Services
Valerie Troiani, Director of Operations