During its August 3 meeting, the DeSoto Parish School Board unanimously approved placing bond measures in Districts 1 (Logansport) and 2 (North DeSoto) on the ballot for the upcoming November election. These measures for capital improvements are aimed at addressing the evolving needs of both communities while continuing to provide exceptional educational experiences for students in a safe, secure, and modern environment.
A recent five-year enrollment projection for the DeSoto Parish School Board found that there is continued growth expected for the North DeSoto area and stable enrollment expected for Logansport as the area continues to grow and see new residents.
In District 2, North DeSoto Schools, the $130 million bond proposal proposes construction of a new North DeSoto High School, a state-of-the-art facility that will provide ample space for learning and accommodate growth, modern amenities and cutting-edge resources to foster an exceptional educational experience. Once the new high school is built, the current high school will be repurposed to accommodate the middle school students (grades 6-8). This strategic move ensures efficient utilization of existing facilities while meeting the community's growing demands.
In the plan, the current Lower Elementary will be expanded and renovated to provide for more PK classrooms and multi-use spaces for additional support services. The plan would also result in new traffic patterns that aim to alleviate current traffic congestion during the opening and closing of school and during major events.
The cost to the taxpayer depends on the value of your home. For example, a $300,000 home in District No. 2 (North DeSoto) with a homestead exemption of $75,000 would have an adjusted taxable value of $225,000 which would be assessed at 10%. The increase from a millage of 3.6 to 34 would result in an annual increase of $684 per year or $57 per month.
Election day is Saturday, November 18 with early voting beginning on November 3. Registered voters in each district will be able to participate in the election for their respective proposals.
DeSoto Parish Schools is obligated to provide factual information about the bond proposals and cannot advocate for or against their passage. More information will be shared via the district and school websites and social media channels throughout the process to allow voters to make an informed decision at the polls.