Simpson County School Bond Vote Fails

[Rebel Bert]

Roughly only 22 or 23 percent voted. 13,100+ did not show up to vote. 58% against, 42% For

Perhaps they should have went to the people before voting to Consolidate. They closed on the land yesterday. 

[s1nglewing]

15 minutes ago, Rebel Bert said:

Roughly only 22 or 23 percent voted. 13,100+ did not show up to vote. 58% against, 42% For

Perhaps they should have went to the people before voting to Consolidate. They closed on the land yesterday. 

 

So how're they going to build this new school? Got land with no funds to build?

[Rebel Bert]

1 hour ago, s1nglewing said:

 

So how're they going to build this new school? Got land with no funds to build?

Vote was for building Athletic Facilities and Performing Arts Center. Now they will play games either at Magee or at Mendenhall. The Mendenhall principle has already named the mascot. 49ers

[MSSportsGuy]

I am not shocked but wonder why people are so against it, in Simpson County or most communities. I get that bigger isn't necessarily better but in many communities the facilities are simply insufficient and efforts to build new ones should generally be supported. Property taxes are certainly a concern but it also costs money to operate and repair small, aging schools that are in constant need of repair.

 

I grew up and graduated in a community that has several smaller high schools that are not exactly low quality but a centralized school with a newer facility and the ability to offer more subjects and programs would be logical. Why hasn't it happened? Largely athletics and an old guard of people who are afraid of losing power or influence. I intentionally chose to move my family to a Mississippi community that has a high quality school system when compared to most in the state mainly because I wanted my kids to have more opportunities than I did. 

 

Consolidation isn't always the answer but I think those who don't support it in an area where there could be improvement are just postponing the inevitable. Of course, I don't live in Simpson County, never have, and my opinions are strictly my own. 

[coachfball87]

9 hours ago, Rebel Bert said:

Vote was for building Athletic Facilities and Performing Arts Center. Now they will play games either at Magee or at Mendenhall. The Mendenhall principle has already named the mascot. 49ers

Where did you see the mascot had been named? Word was they will play football at Mendenhall's facilities, and baseball/softball/soccer at Magee's facilities. Don't know that for a fact but know someone in that area that told me that was the proposed plan if this failed to pass. 

[SoJack3]

So, is Chuck Maxie the HC at Magee, Mendenhall or the new consolidated school? When does that begin? 

[Rebel Bert]

5 hours ago, MSSportsGuy said:

I am not shocked but wonder why people are so against it, in Simpson County or most communities. I get that bigger isn't necessarily better but in many communities the facilities are simply insufficient and efforts to build new ones should generally be supported. Property taxes are certainly a concern but it also costs money to operate and repair small, aging schools that are in constant need of repair.

 

I grew up and graduated in a community that has several smaller high schools that are not exactly low quality but a centralized school with a newer facility and the ability to offer more subjects and programs would be logical. Why hasn't it happened? Largely athletics and an old guard of people who are afraid of losing power or influence. I intentionally chose to move my family to a Mississippi community that has a high quality school system when compared to most in the state mainly because I wanted my kids to have more opportunities than I did. 

 

Consolidation isn't always the answer but I think those who don't support it in an area where there could be improvement are just postponing the inevitable. Of course, I don't live in Simpson County, never have, and my opinions are strictly my own. 

The board approved a new school before going to the people with the plans. It's a fine line sometimes when it comes to purchasing land. The vote to build should have come after talking to the people.

[Rebel Bert]

14 hours ago, s1nglewing said:

 

So how're they going to build this new school? Got land with no funds to build?

Funding was and will be for athletic facilities and performing arts

[Rebel Bert]

2 hours ago, SoJack3 said:

So, is Chuck Maxie the HC at Magee, Mendenhall or the new consolidated school? When does that begin? 

Scheduled to open in 24-25 school year with athletics at one of the two schools

[FBdude]

They should play football at Magee. Much better set up and environment imo 

[Old Golfer]

Who is to be the HC?

[Rebel Bert]

2 hours ago, Old Golfer said:

Who is to be the HC?

TBD

[Rebel Bert]

Just now, Rebel Bert said:

TBD

All I have heard is no one new will be hired until current positions hired. Not sure they will need 2 head coaches. 

[Chunky6617]

They can’t play their games at Magee because Magee has a stadium capacity to hold at best the numbers of a 4A program. Simpson county will be a 6A school. The problem is that a lot of people who voted “no” on the bond issue thought that it would prevent the schools from consolidating. They were wrong, the consolidation is a done deal. All these voters did was deny the new school on campus facilities. 

[FBdude]

Mendenhall’s stadium isn’t big either.

[Rebel Bert]

30 minutes ago, FBdude said:

Mendenhall’s stadium isn’t big either.

Adding bleachers to either stadium will be required or a lot of standing

[coachfball87]

1 hour ago, Rebel Bert said:

Adding bleachers to either stadium will be required or a lot of standing

I believe Mendenhall has more seating due to the concrete bleachers they have the metal bleachers. If I remember correctly. Watched my nephew play there twice. But yes and extra set of bleachers, say the ones from Magees stadium would provide more seating. 

[Rebel Bert]

34 minutes ago, coachfball87 said:

I believe Mendenhall has more seating due to the concrete bleachers they have the metal bleachers. If I remember correctly. Watched my nephew play there twice. But yes and extra set of bleachers, say the ones from Magees stadium would provide more seating. 

Then are you bussing the Jr high and youth league from one school to another and play if you remove the bleachers.

[FBdude]

They will have to do something. Very few 4As have the current structure to sit a 6A crowd and Mendenhall no Magee is one.

[Rebel Bert]

I can bet they will build the facilities in less than 5 years after having a bond vote in 2023 election cycle time frame and raising their taxes even higher to plant a few trees etc

[Chunky6617]

On 4/4/2022 at 12:00 PM, Rebel Bert said:

Then are you bussing the Jr high and youth league from one school to another and play if you remove the bleachers.

Mendenhall and Simpson central already both play junior high games at mendenhall, as does the mendenhall youth football team. Magee’s youth team and junior high will probably have to make some adjustments. It shouldn’t be a big problem 

[Rebel Bert]

2 minutes ago, Chunky6617 said:

Mendenhall and Simpson central already both play junior high games at mendenhall, as does the mendenhall youth football team. Magee’s youth team and junior high will probably have to make some adjustments. It shouldn’t be a big problem 

They will have to play the high school games at one school. You want a seat you get there early. Maybe they will add some bleachers or a new band bleachers. 

[Rebel Bert]

5 openings at Magee, Band Director, 4 coaches: basketball, volleyball, etc Apparently teachers are leaving the district. Lots of absenteeism in the classroom.