Board Members Discuss Bond Issue

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-25

[00:00:07]I'm Lacey McManus. Over the past year as the board has discussed [music] challenges with our school facilities and considered a bond issue, I'll be honest, I've struggled with what the right decision would be.

[00:00:20]But the time has definitely come where we have to do something for our schools.

[00:00:26]Our primary school needs major repairs >> [music] >> that it's no longer practical to keep patching.

[00:00:32]And our middle school has growing significant needs that we also can't ignore.

[00:00:37]>> [music] >> It's not just about small classrooms or peeling paint or outdated light light fixtures.

[00:00:44]It's much bigger than that. We're talking safety and accessibility amongst other [music] things.

[00:00:51]We've really looked at many options and all of them are complex with real tough impacts on our community and our entire parish.

[00:00:59]Ultimately, the bond before us seems to be the only plan that moves us forward in Winfield while continuing to serve students and families >> [music] >> across every part of our parish.

[00:01:10]It may not be perfect, but it is a path forward.

[00:01:14]The decision ultimately belongs to you, the voters.

[00:01:18]And I want to be clear, a vote against this bond does not mean that someone does not care about children.

[00:01:24]But a yes vote reflects a willingness to invest financially in our schools and our future.

[00:01:31]I understand this is a big ask. I'm a property owner, too.

[00:01:35]>> [snorts] >> And I'll see an increase in my tax bill for sure.

[00:01:39]But I believe it's manageable and more importantly, it's worth it.

[00:01:44]My own children won't benefit from these school improvements, but I will support every student in this community and try to make decisions that will best benefit our system as a whole.

[00:01:55]I want us to succeed.

[00:01:57]The decision that we make now won't just impact our schools, it will shape our community's future. [music] Thank you. I'm Joel E. Long and as a board member, I think it's my responsibility to do the most I can do and the best I can do for the children [music] in Winn Parish.

[00:02:14]When when voters call me and ask uh or tell me what they think about the bond issue that's coming up, >> [music] >> I kind of remember the old saying, "Taxation without representation is tyranny."

[00:02:26]>> [music] >> And I hope that even if they don't have children or grandchildren in the system, that they have children [music] that are in school at all, that they believe that they have a vested interest in the >> [music] >> health, the safety, and the uh in the learning of all the children in this in this city.

[00:02:46]I hope that they in [music] turn that they feel that that's an investment in their future and in the future of this parish.

[00:02:53]The best we can do is provide [music] that safety and that health so that our kids have a great place to learn in.

[00:03:03]In conjunction with the architects, I believe that we've come up with a plan >> [music] >> that will best utilize the funding that is been comes is a bit as a benefit of this bond issue to provide the environment that we need to do to help our children.

[00:03:23]We won't solve every issue, but I believe a new primary school addition uh and improvements in the middle school, >> [music] >> and a new spectator gym will be a step in the right direction. And for sure, >> [music] >> I believe that having all of our city schools in one location is just a a smart answer.

[00:03:46]Thank you.

[00:03:57]>> Hey.