In a little more than a month, Vicksburg and Warren County voters will be asked to go to the polls to approve a bond issue of about $83 million to improve school facilities here.

That money, if OK’d by voters, would be included with other existing available funding to begin a project of more than $131.5 million in facility improvements.

It is about time. Voters here who care about the future of Vicksburg and Warren County children should enthusiastically cast their ballots to approve this bond issue.

Quality education and jobs and opportunity go hand in hand. It’s been more than 50 years since school district officials asked voters here to increase taxes to support improved school facilities.

Our schools, like most aging infrastructure, are in deep need of repair. An abbreviated list of some of the issues the funding would address includes:

• Renovate and expand elementary schools, included expanding Bowmar at Grove Street.

• Renovate and expand junior highs and build the Academy of Innovation between the junior highs.

• Renovate and expand the high schools with major career academy additions at each and additional shared academies at Hinds Community College.

• Expand existing athletic facilities at each high school.

These renovations would include upgraded electrical systems, intercoms and fire alarms; mechanical upgrades; reroofing; American with Disabilities Act and security improvements; restroom renovations, new ceilings, floors and lighting, as needed; cafeteria and window improvements; new site improvements, drainage improvements and paving; some new paint.

These aren’t luxury items; these are issues that should be repaired in order for teachers to comfortably and safely do their jobs and students to learn in a comfortable and safe environment.

Just like turning a barge on the river takes time, it takes time to improve our school district, and positive, steady signs of that change are everywhere. Never before has the bond between the business community and our school district and its citizens been so strong. The public and private sector are at work here to improve opportunity in our community.

A yes vote on the school district’s bond issue request would send a clear message to those considering our community for their manufacturing operation that this community cares about its children and its future and is willing to invest our own money in it.

The bond issue would represent a 7.9 mil increase in taxes on homeowners here.  That means someone who lives in a $100,000 home would pay an additional $79.10 per year to cover these facility improvements.

Surely, our children and the future of our community are worth that.

Join me in voting to approve the school district’s bond issue request on March 27.

It’s a vote that’s good for all of Vicksburg.

Jan Griffey is general manager of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at jan.griffey@vicksburgpost.com.