When the voters of Warren County went to the polls in 2018 and approved the massive $83 million bond project that would refurbish, renovate and rebuild much of the Vicksburg Warren School District, they did so hoping updated facilities would have a positive impact on our children’s education.

They cast a ballot for the investment knowing many of our facilities had not necessarily fallen into a state of disrepair but were in a condition where any money spent on simple maintenance was simply a waste of taxpayers’ money. 

But, to now know that the district-wide project that has seen huge work at Vicksburg and Warren County High Schools, the metal skeleton of the new Academy of Innovation, and countless other projects already underway is on pace to be under budget is the icing on the cake. 

While not all of the projects have been bid yet, nor many of the checklist of needed projects become finalized, to be this far in the process and be under budget is a credit to Dale Bailey Architects and district officials who have sweated every detail thus far.

In the midst of everything, these teams of contractors, their vendors and subcontractors have had to reshape our county’s education system while working around students and teachers, athletic events and ceremonies.

Despite some of our schools being in a state of construction chaos, the attention to detail and the attention to the needs of our teachers and students have shown the passion these companies and architects have for our children.

We are still months and years away from the final nail being driven, the final landscape touches and painters adding their last splash of color on this project, but we can already tell just how transformative it will be for our children, our teachers and, in the end, our community.