Petal School Bond Issue [Archive]

politically incorrect

08-03-2006, 11:49 PM

The vote on the bond issue is August 26. I expect it will pass easily, seeing how the community supports the schools so much and it will not increase property taxes. Anyone else on this side of the Leaf River want to say how they will vote? Does anyone have a problem with the plans for building a new lower elementary school?

BTW, this is my 200th post. WOW.:smt119

Tully Mars

08-04-2006, 12:11 AM

I am voting a very definite yes. I have had coversations with both Dr. Hutto and board members and this bond issue, as well as the uses for the money have been very well planned out. The Petal School district does an excellent job of strategic planning.

Joelaw

08-04-2006, 03:52 AM

Wow that is saying a lot to know all that about a new teacher go Dr. Hutto.

Conveyor Belt

08-04-2006, 05:23 AM

We need a new lower elementary school. I remember it being a bit cramped back in the 80's when I was there. Can't imagine what it's like now.

Farside

08-04-2006, 05:18 PM

Yes, by all means. We are lucky to have Dr. Hutto along with all of the other fine teaching professionals in the district.

politically incorrect

08-04-2006, 09:27 PM

On a side note, my wife just started at Petal High School this week and Dr. Hutto approached my wife and knew exactly who she was...knew that she had taught in the Oak Grove schools, in Georgia, and even knew her preferred teaching method (TPR-S).

She was impressed to say the least.

I know your wife. She is in my department and a fine addition to our school. We are glad and lucky to have her.:)

Conveyor Belt

08-26-2006, 01:25 PM

I went to vote on this today... I was planning on just popping in/popping out... no. No such luck at all. I don't mind waiting to vote, in fact, I'd much rather wait in line than be the only one in the polling place. It makes me feel more, American, I guess is the right way to say it.

The high school has changed a good bit... more walls, and it seems smaller for some reason. I'm the same height I was in high school, but the halls just seemed smaller. Maybe they built the walls out more or something. I noticed the carpet was gone, and I can't imagine how much louder it is with the tile instead of the carpet.

Tully Mars

08-26-2006, 04:44 PM

I voted earlier today and was more than happy to wait in line for a few minutes. In fact, I enjoyed visiting with several friends while waiting. My prediction is that this is going to be a slam dunk.

carsalesguy

08-26-2006, 04:46 PM

Conveyor Belt

08-26-2006, 05:48 PM

All I want to know is, what's up with the A-I line??? That line moved like molasses, while the I-Z line just sailed on through... My wife and her parents went around 3:30... she said no one was in the I-Z line, but the A-I line was very long...

I guess us A-I's get out more than the I-Z's...

Tully Mars

08-26-2006, 10:44 PM

According to the Hattiesburg American the vote was 90% in favor of the bond issue. (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060826/NEWS01/60826004) :smt038

Way to go Petal.

politically incorrect

08-26-2006, 10:45 PM

The high school has changed a good bit... more walls, and it seems smaller for some reason. I'm the same height I was in high school, but the halls just seemed smaller. Maybe they built the walls out more or something. I noticed the carpet was gone, and I can't imagine how much louder it is with the tile instead of the carpet.

If you think the halls look small with no students there, you should see them during class changes. You can hardly navigate them. The school was designed for 600 and we have about twice that now.

I was also concerned over noise when they ripped the carpet out, but it is not that bad.

wilebill

08-26-2006, 10:48 PM

According to the Hattiesburg American the vote was 90% in favor of the bond issue. (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060826/NEWS01/60826004) :smt038

Way to go Petal.
Well, that kind of puts to rest that tired old argument that 60% is an unrealistic goal. I personally think the 60% rule needs to stay.

Congrats to Petal. Y'all done good.

Maggie-Doodle

08-26-2006, 11:41 PM

Congratulations and thanks to the voters of Petal who decided to put their children first. Until citizens put schools and education in the forefront of things our children will suffer.

Kitty

08-28-2006, 10:50 AM

seems that petal had done their homework compared to the way lamar county had done their proposals....hopefully by the time my daughter is old enough i will just be able to send her to sacred heart.....
Indeed, Petal should be proud of the phenomenal support for the bond issue; 90% in favor is an incredible slam-dunk.

However, the Petal and Lamar County school bond issues really can't be compared, largely because the Petal bond issue did not require a tax increase.

Improved schools at no additional cost to taxpayers is pretty much a no-brainer. I cannot believe there were 250 +/- Petal residents who voted against the school bond issue.

I don't believe Lamar County could have avoided a tax increase in conjunction with its bond issue.

lamarrebel

08-28-2006, 11:29 AM

However, the Petal and Lamar County school bond issues really can't be compared, largely because the Petal bond issue did not require a tax increase. . . . .

I don't believe Lamar County could have avoided a tax increase in conjunction with its bond issue.

I agree. There is a big difference in a $43.5 million bond issue and a $9 million one. Petal had previously passed a bond issue, and apparently, was about to have it paid off, and the bond simply refinances whatever remaining debt there is and pays to build the new elementary school. Last year's Lamar County School District bond was its first, and thus there was no bond about to be paid off to be replaced by another.

Now what the voters did do Saturday is potentially vote against a tax decrease in the not so distant future. Of course, the Petal school officials didn't tell the voters that. That might explain the 250 or so votes.

That being said, there's no doubt that the improvements are needed in Petal and I am very glad for the Petal community that it passed.

Conveyor Belt

08-28-2006, 11:37 AM

Now what the voters did do Saturday is potentially vote against a tax decrease in the not so distant future. Of course, the Petal school officials didn't tell the voters that. That might explain the 250 or so votes.

I'm pretty sure we all figured that one out on our own.

lamarrebel

08-28-2006, 12:23 PM

Many voters like yourself did. But, you'd be surprised, there are some people in any community upon hearing that there is no tax increase resulting from a school bond, that would be inclined to go ahead and vote for it, without further analysis or asking "what's the catch?".

Kitty

08-28-2006, 12:26 PM

Now what the voters did do Saturday is potentially vote against a tax decrease in the not so distant future. Of course, the Petal school officials didn't tell the voters that. That might explain the 250 or so votes.

Good point, Hubba, but don't you mean against a tax increase? :smt102

lamarrebel

08-28-2006, 12:40 PM

wilebill

08-28-2006, 05:50 PM

The HA is now reporting (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060828/NEWS01/60828008) that the bond issue passed with 96% approval.

That's like unheard of.

Tully Mars

08-28-2006, 06:35 PM

No...what I was saying is that upon the paying off of the previous Petal School Bond, the property owners in Petal in the near future might have been looking at a tax decrease resulting from the bond service being removed from the school district's budget, had this not passed.

Actually I think that the majority of people in the PSD are well aware of that fact and also understand that maintaining a quality school district and quality education for our children requires an investment. Personally, I would rather continue paying the higher tax rate with the knowledge that my tax dollars are being invested in my children's future.

Blondie

08-28-2006, 06:53 PM

Tully, I totally agree with you. I'd much rather my money go to helping educate and better our children.

I think another big difference between the Petal and Lamar Co. school bond issues is the fact that all citizens voting on the Petal school bond have students that will (or have) attend(ed) all the schools at one point in time. Many voters/parents even attended the schools themselves. Granted my kids won't go the the proposed Primary School, but they will go to PETAL schools. Petal doesn't have the jealousy and arguing amongst the different schools (OG vs. Sumrall) like Lamar Co. has (or at least I remember it being on the news). I think that makes a big difference. Not many in Petal have kids attending private school like you do in OG and H'burg, so there's more of a sense of community school. It's just a close-knit community that truly supports their school district and the education of their children.

Blondie

08-28-2006, 06:53 PM

Tully, that beer's not Southern Pecan, is it? :)

Tully Mars

08-28-2006, 06:57 PM

Tully, that beer's not Southern Pecan, is it? :)

You know it!! I'll probably get sued at some point but look at the picture in my profile. :)

lamarrebel

08-28-2006, 07:34 PM

:smt038 Actually I think that the majority of people in the PSD are well aware of that fact and also understand that maintaining a quality school district and quality education for our children requires an investment. Personally, I would rather continue paying the higher tax rate with the knowledge that my tax dollars are being invested in my children's future.

I'm not disagreeing with you at all, and I am sure if I lived in the Petal School District, I would have voted for the bond issue. I was simply making point about what likely would have been a result if it failed, a point that I didn't hear raised in the local media during the campaign.

That being said, "THUMBS UP TO PETAL!!" :smt038 :smt038

Hillary

08-31-2006, 02:46 PM

:smt038

I'm not disagreeing with you at all, and I am sure if I lived in the Petal School District, I would have voted for the bond issue. I was simply making point about what likely would have been a result if it failed, a point that I didn't hear raised in the local media during the campaign.

Tully -vs- Hub

This is like watching 2 mules fight over a turnip. Who cares?

Tully Mars

08-31-2006, 05:10 PM

Tully -vs- Hub

This is like watching 2 mules fight over a turnip. Who cares?

Hey, who's fighting...do ya'll see any fighting going on here? I don't, do you Hubba? :smt070

lamarrebel

08-31-2006, 05:39 PM

No, there's no fighting here....just a civil discussion. Tully and I are both in full agreement that the passage of this bond issue was a good thing for the Petal Community.

Instead of worrying about us fighting, shouldn't you be worried about what (or who) your hubby is doing?

Hillary

08-31-2006, 05:42 PM

Maybe you just enjoy the making up part Hubby....

Hillary

08-31-2006, 05:47 PM

You know, on second thought, I need to put on my perfume and come rock yours and Tully's world.

Tully Mars

08-31-2006, 05:54 PM

You know, on second thought, I need to put on my perfume and come rock yours and Tully's world.

:smt073 :smt100 :help: :icon_behe :zelfmoord

lamarrebel

08-31-2006, 06:08 PM

Hillary, I'm too young to die from heart disease! :smt118

wilebill

08-31-2006, 10:28 PM

I watched the Petal Band rehearse this afternoon behind the new track. They are already moving dirt as a result of the bond issue passage.
The band is moving dirt? Shouldn't they hire a contractor to do that? Or is that some new PE program? :smt102

Hillary

08-31-2006, 10:36 PM

Tully, now don't play hard to get. I know that you are trying to front for your friends but you know you me and Hub would make a great tag team.

fuzzis

08-31-2006, 10:43 PM

Tully, now don't play hard to get. I know that you are trying to front for your friends but you know you me and Hub would make a great tag team.
:smt107

*shudder*

Did we really need that image?

fuzzis

warriorman

08-31-2006, 11:04 PM

Mighty Warriors Rule Gridiron!

wilebill

08-31-2006, 11:17 PM

MrPaulB, this is your fault for encouraging him. :smt086

wilebill

11-27-2006, 12:41 AM

Well, warriorman didn't say too many things that were as dumb as what hubba or rro5 ever did. I think it's pretty sad when you feel like you have to go back and take back everything you've said for the past year or so.