It is been more than 40 years since Holmes County citizens invested in their children's educational future via a bond referendum.
In a unanimous vote on Thursday, February 28, the Holmes County Consolidated School District’s Board of Education (BOE) approved a recommendation to seek the maximum allowable bond referendum to include a $5,000 pay raise for teachers and construction of a new state-of-the-art high school. If approved, the pay raise would make the district teacher pay the highest in the state.
“Our children are striving to be high achievers, but to inspire them to greatness, they need more highly qualified and certified teachers and first-class, technologically-equipped facilities," said Superintendent Henderson. “For less than a $100 increase in annual taxes for most homeowners, both of these can happen.”
Henderson said he believes the citizens of Holmes County are ready to pass a bond referendum.
"Parents and grandparents want to see better opportunities for these talented, bright and goal-oriented scholars. Most importantly, the students want it for themselves. They tell me this every week," he said.
Henderson stressed that the district wants the citizens to view this mincrease in taxes as an investment in positively transforming the district's report card and improving their children's future.
Board President Anthony Anderson agreed.
“Passage of this bond is very important. Authorizing this is one of the greatest things we’ve approved this year. When the bond referendum passes, we will be able to pay teachers a better salary—increasing their motivation, performance and student achievement,” he said.
