Residents of the Petal School District have overwhelmingly voted to approve a slight tax increase to support the construction of a new elementary school, along with a multi-purpose center, to accommodate the 7 percent increase in student population across the district’s five schools in the span of the past five years.
During a special bond referendum on May 16 held at Petal High School, approximately 80 percent of voters said “yes” to a 4.5 mill tax increase on property taxes to support that endeavor. According to final but unofficial results from the election, a total of 1,142 residents participated in the election, of which 1,1148 voted for the initiative and 294 voted against against it.
There were 58 affidavit ballots and seven absentee votes in the election, which required a 60 percent voter approval to pass.
“We’re very excited for our school district, our students and staff, our community,” Petal School District superintendent Matt Dillon said. “To get an 80 percent approval rating with a tax investment just shows again how the community supports our school district, so we’re just so excited.
“It was a lot of hard work, energy and effort that went into sharing this information and presentations all across our community, with small groups and big groups. It paid off for our students and staff so they can have the best learning environment and resources that they need to succeed. I could not be more excited for our district.”
One mill is equal to one-tenth of a cent. To calculate property tax, divide the millage by 1,000 and multiply it by the property’s assessed taxable value.
For example, if a city were to institute a .64 millage increase, the owner of a $100,000 home will pay an additional $6.40 per year in property taxes. Property owners who are under 65 years of age with a home valued at $100,000 will pay an additional $45 per year on property taxes. An individual over 65 years of age with the same home value will pay an extra $11.25 annually.
The new elementary school will be built on school-owned property on Herrington Road, adjacent to Petal Primary School. The school will house third and fourth grades and would be constructed to accommodate future growth.
The current elementary school will become part of the Petal High School campus, providing space for the high school, which is home to the largest number of students in the district.
“In 2014, we were sitting right at 4,000 students, but fast forward to this school year, we grew all the way to 4,400 students at one point,” Dillon said at a previous hearing. “We have since dipped, as every day, people move in and move out during the school year. But in the last six years, we have grown 330 students.”
In anticipation of that construction, district officials have recently overseen the widening of Herrington Road to facilitate traffic flow from Petal High School, Petal Primary School, Petal Elementary School and the proposed new school.
The multi-purpose facility will be constructed on the Petal High School campus and will feature a full-size gymnasium, complete with stadium seating and a stage for arts and athletics. The building also will offer opportunities for the district to host various camps and competitions, such as dance and cheer competitions, as well as JROT exhibitions and indoor percussion events.
“Our immediate next steps will be to finish out the school year, for us to start looking at our bidding process, looking at all the projects and coming up with a timeline,” Dillon said. “We’ll be sharing more information about that, but right now we’re just going to focus on finishing out the school year strong.”
Dillon said without funds from the bond, district officials would have been forced to increase class sizes and purchase additional portable buildings for instructional spaces at the high school and elementary school.
“First of all, with the voter turnout – having over 1,500 people come out to vote – was just really good for us,” he said. “I think that really shows the importance of the school district.
“And then, number two, getting 80 percent is a really strong percentage rate, especially when you’re talking about some form of tax investment. So I’m very pleased and very proud.”
