By Bonnie Culverhouse
The three propositions on last Saturday’s ballot passed easily, but it wasn’t due to a good voter turnout. Of the 22,902 registered voters in Webster Parish, only 1,535 went to the polls, early voted or cast their ballots by mail.
Since everything on the ballot was school-related, Webster Parish Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland said he appreciates those who took the time to vote.
“We are grateful for the support the citizens of Webster Parish showed with the renewal of the Parish Wide Maintenance Tax, and specifically the voters in District 8 in Springhill that renewed their millage for maintenance and passed a GO Bond for much needed renovations and construction at our three campuses,” Rowland said. “On behalf of the Webster Parish School Board, we say thank you and we are eager to get started.”
With an unofficial turnout of 6.7 percent of registered voters, renewal of a 2.81 mill, 10-year parish-wide special tax that supports acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining or operating the public school system in the parish passed by 65 percent of the vote. Revenues from the millage is estimated at $743,102 annually, beginning in 2026.
A 10-year renewal that includes a .60 mills increase due to reappraisal, raising the millage rate to 7.69 passed by 9.4 percent or 58 percent of the voters It was in Springhill District 8 only. Annual income from the millage is anticipated at $328,450.
Money from the millage, which would begin in 2025, would be used for acquiring, constructing, repairing, improving, maintaining and/or operating schools and school related facilities, plus equipment and programs for District 8.
Springhill School District 8 voters by 9.3 percent or 62 percent of the vote, also approved a new bond issue, not to exceed $11 million and to have debt incurred for not more than 20 years from the date of issuance. The general obligation bonds would be payable from ad valorem tax revenue provided by an estimated 12.75 mills increase above the 28.50 mills currently being levied to pay general obligation bonds of District 8.
Bonds would be used to finance capital expenditures including constructing, acquiring and/or improving schools and other school related facilities together with equipment and furnishings.
