White Hall School District voters rejected a 5.7-mill property tax increase Tuesday night that would have funded new construction and renovations.
According to the Jefferson County Election Commission, complete but unofficial results are:
For 282
Against 550
Had the increase passed, White Hall's millage rate would have gone up to 44.9 mills, up from 39.2 mills, meaning a $114 annual increase in property taxes on a house with an appraised value of $100,000.
Money from the increase was to fund more than $24 million in bonds to build a fine arts center, a multipurpose center and some renovations, according to district officials. The district hasn't raised its millage rate since 2009, and White Hall Superintendent Larry Smith said improvements are important to the district's future.
After learning of Tuesday night's election results, Smith said he was disappointed but respects the voters for turning out to voice their opinion.
"The people have spoken, and we did our part by laying out the plan for the community," Smith said. "They have to make decisions for the future of their schools and their children. At some point in time, our board will have to decide if they want to come back to voters with another proposal."
At more than 34,000 square feet, the proposed fine arts center was to have included a 1,200-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, classrooms for band and choir, as well as a facade that would give the entire high school a new look.
The school has never had an auditorium and relies on the cafeteria as the primary space for large gatherings or school meetings. Smith said White Hall First Baptist Church has allowed the school to use its space for choir concerts and other events, but the venue isn't large enough to accommodate bigger crowds.
Classrooms vacated by the band and choir would have been used for workforce development courses, which are now held off campus, Smith said.
The multipurpose center would have included an indoor, 50-yard practice field to be used primarily for athletics and band practices. The proposal also called for more than 52,000 square feet of space for batting cages and dressing rooms for boys and girls, as well as office space. It was to be built next to the south end zone of Bulldog Stadium.
Additional renovations would have included a handicapped-accessible entrance to the high school gymnasium, new restrooms and a concession stand for the gym.
State Desk on 04/15/2015