Lowndes County voters who reside outside Columbus city limits will head to the polls Tuesday to decide on a $47 million bond issue that could revamp campuses in New Hope, Caledonia and West Lowndes.
If 60 percent of votes cast support the bond, it will be implemented by the Lowndes County School District.
The bond will pay for Phase 2 of an extensive overhaul of the district’s current facilities, as well as new construction. The district has spent $26 million on Phase 1, which included updates to the West Lowndes campus and adding a sewer line at New Hope.
Phase 2 includes a $14 million career-tech center to be built on Lehmberg Road that will be used by all three campuses; a $26 million high school at New Hope; and $2.8 million for extensive renovations to the current New Hope middle school. The remainder will be spread between a new field house and track at both the Caledonia and New Hope campuses; a new weight room at West Lowndes High School; and an initiative that will put laptops in the hands of every student.
Superintendent Lynn Wright hopes voters fund the bond to signal a show of support to students.
“We serve great communities and great communities support great schools,” Wright said. “We want our students to know through our votes that we are committed to their futures, enabling them to be a powerful force behind the continued economic development of Lowndes County, improving our communities in every way.”
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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