Starkville, August 18, 2025
News Summary
The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District has announced plans to borrow up to $125 million for a new high school, set for completion by 2027. In an effort to alleviate overcrowding at Starkville High School, the district aims to offset operational costs without impacting local tax rates. Taxpayers will be asked for $33.7 million to fund ongoing expenses, while the district maintains a commitment to financial prudence. A final decision on bond issuance is anticipated soon, with potential sites for the new school under consideration.
Starkville – The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District (SOCSD) has announced plans to borrow up to $125 million for the construction of a new high school, expected to be completed by 2027. However, the associated debt will not appear on the tax bills for district patrons in the coming year, allowing for a decrease in tax rates for local residents, at least in the short term.
District leaders revealed that they are seeking a total of $33.7 million from taxpayers based on both real and personal property values. Of this request, $28.1 million will be allocated for operational costs, which includes funding for ongoing expenses along with debt service. Specifically, $27.7 million is drawn from the previous fiscal year, with an additional $402,675 earmarked for homestead exemption adjustments.
According to state law, school districts are allowed to request up to a 4% increase in operational funding compared to the previous year. A request exceeding 4% can lead to a reverse referendum, requiring further public scrutiny and potential voter approval. If the operational funding request exceeds 7%, it will necessitate a direct referendum for voter approval.
This year’s operational budget includes $5.1 million aimed at addressing district debt obligations, which are divided into several categories: $1,161,672 for a 3-mill note dedicated to capital improvements; $3,958,578 for general obligation debt; and $512,025 for the Millsaps Technology Center.
The county board of supervisors will examine this funding request and set the necessary tax rate, measured in mills, to support the budget. Homeowners can expect that a 1-mill increase would add approximately $10 to their tax bill for every $100,000 of their property value. For the previous fiscal year, 66.4 mills were needed to meet the district’s budget demands. The current year’s request is reduced to 65.95 mills, which translates to a decrease of about $4.50 per $100,000 of property value for local property owners.
Superintendent Tony McGee has expressed appreciation for the current circumstances that avoid an increase in operational funding requests and has reiterated the district’s commitment to prudent financial management. The school board has also decided to postpone the issuance of $3.5 million in bonds for this year, again to avoid raising the tax rate for residents.
The district has been authorized to borrow up to $125 million in bonds to facilitate the new high school construction, with the completion timeline of 2027 being subject to change due to various factors, including funding and construction processes. Collaborations with architects are currently in progress to assess and address the specific programming needs for the new facility.
Concerns about overcrowding at the existing Starkville High School, which currently accommodates around 1,400 students, have highlighted the need for a new facility. The school district is exploring two potential locations for the new high school: either at the existing high school site or adjacent to Partnership Middle School on the northern edge of Mississippi State University’s campus. Plans to relocate the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) to the MSU campus could potentially allow for shared facilities with the new high school, pending legislative approval.
As the district moves forward with its plans, the board is expected to finalize the bond issuance on July 8. If 20% of registered voters submit a petition, a bond election may occur, allowing the community to have a say in the funding mechanism for this crucial educational infrastructure initiative.
FAQ
What is the primary purpose of the $125 million bond?
The bonds are intended to finance the construction of a new high school to alleviate overcrowding and meet the district’s educational needs.
Will the debt from the new high school affect tax rates next year?
No, the debt will not appear on the tax bills for next year, and taxpayers may actually see a decrease in their tax bills for that period.
How much is being requested from taxpayers for operational costs?
The school district is requesting a total of $33.7 million from taxpayers for operational costs.
When is the final decision on bond issuance expected?
The finalization of the bond issuance is expected on July 8, unless a petition is filed by 20% of registered voters to hold an election.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Bond Amount | $125 million |
| Operational Funding Request | $33.7 million |
| Tax Rate Decrease | From 66.4 mills to 65.95 mills |
| Proposed Completion Date | 2027 |
| Current Enrollment at Starkville High School | Approximately 1,400 students |
| Potential New Site Locations | Current Starkville High School campus or next to Partnership Middle School |
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Additional Resources
- CDispatch: SOCSD Looks to Borrow Additional $39M for New High School
- Wikipedia
- Clarion Ledger: New School District Consolidation Effort
- Google Search: Starkville High School
- CDispatch: SOCSD Hopes to Have New High School Complete by 2027
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Construction
- Starkville School District: Yellow Jacket Turf Renovation
- Google News: Starkville School Construction
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
