OSD still pondering referendum

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, August 10, 2016

The Oxford School Board is taking its time on whether to move forward on a $23 million bond referendum.

On Monday, during a special called meeting, the board was presented with two proposals from local law firms looking to represent the OSD if it should decide to move forward with the bond.

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Young Law Group and Butler Snow presented proposals to the board, each explaining how they can assist the district and offering suggestions on how best to manage the funds and shared their past experiences with helping other district, and municipalities with their bonds.

No action was taken and the board requested Superintendent Brian Harvey check the references of each group.

“We are not quite ready to make a selection,” Harvey said Tuesday morning.

The school board has not yet voted whether to pursue the bond referendum; however, Harvey has spoken about the district’s needs for a new elementary school to accommodate the growth.

Recently, the district surveyed 300 people in a telephone survey to learn if the community would support the $23 million bond referendum. About 62 percent of those polled said they would either somewhat or strongly support the bond. The projected cost to homeowners would be a $20 tax increase on a home valued at $100,000.

Also on Monday, the board approved items on the consent agenda and for a student living in Oxford to attend the Lafayette County School District.