On Tuesday, registered voters living within the Pearl River County School District had the opportunity to choose whether to approve a proposed $18.5 million bond. The extra tax revenue generated from the passage of the bond would be used to upgrade or build several facilities at the school’s Carriere and McNeill campuses.

After the school held a series of community meetings to educate citizens regarding the bond, voters seem to have accepted that there is need to upgrade the District. Currently, a majority of ballots reflect that the public is in favor of the bond referendum.

According to previous coverage, unofficial results show the bond received more than 62 percent support from the more than 1,600 voters in the District. The unofficial passage of this bond referendum could be considered a positive response from the community, especially after a similar bond was proposed the year prior and was voted down.  It’s good to see that members of the community are welcoming change. Besides the educational benefits, improving our schools plays a crucial role in the development of not just our students, but the economy as well. The addition of a multi-purpose facility, extra classrooms and extension to the library will not only encourage current students, but also attract families looking for a new place to live. One of the first things people look for when considering relocation is the state of the education system. The status of a school system does not stop at testing and graduation rates.  Facilities and their function play a large role in how people view a school. Superintendent Alan Lumpkin said the extra funds will pay for the installation of state-of-the-art technology that would benefit students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Pearl River County has a lot to offer. Each year our school districts send young people into the world to seek out challenging professions.

Although there are still 75 affidavit votes required to be certified for the bond to officially pass, the response in favor of the bond shows the community is willing to invest in its students.