Early voting begins Wednesday, Nov. 12, for the Cleveland County School District’s proposed 6-mill property tax increase to fund construction of a new gymnasium at the Rison campus.
The proposed increase would generate about $12 million and raise the district’s total millage rate from 38.1 to 44.1 mills. Superintendent Davy King said the new facility, which would seat about 1,200 to 1,300 people, would also be used for school assemblies, concerts, graduations, and community events.
If approved, property owners would pay about $120 more annually per $100,000 of assessed value, though part of the cost would be offset by the state’s Homestead Tax Credit, which increased from $500 to $600 this year.
The district has been approved for $2.7 million in state partnership funding to help cover construction costs but must provide matching funds to receive it. Any leftover funds from the project could be used to renovate Rison Elementary School, which has not undergone major upgrades since 1986.
King also shared details about the new gym, including its square footage and seating capacity.
King said he’s been asked why the district is requesting so many seats, and he explained the reason behind it.
Early voting runs through Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hall-Morgan Veterans Building in Rison. Election Day voting will be held Nov. 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at polling sites in Rison, Kingsland, and New Edinburg.
