Outlook: Vicksburg-Warren Schools get much-needed updates

Published 4:00 am Sunday, August 8, 2021

Students attending schools in the Vicksburg Warren School District walked in on Friday, the first day of the VWSD’s calendar year to fresh paint, remodels, and in the case of those attending the Academy of Innovation, a whole new building.

While there are a few punch list items left to finish at some of the schools and the completion of the cafeteria at Warren Central High School, locals can be proud of the upgrades and additions made to the community’s public schools.

“We are almost on target to have every school renovated or a new school built,” VWSD board president Jim Stirgus Jr. said.

Over the course of the renovation, weather and COVID-19 have hampered construction, but with most of the projects completed, Stirgus said, he is hopeful all will be completed by the end of the 2021-22 school year.

On March 27, 2018, an $83 million bond referendum for the VWSD passed with 68.6 percent of the vote in favor of “putting the children first,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said after the results were tallied following the election.

The vote marked the first time since 1966 that a bond election had been held to support the school district in Warren County.

The bond referendum was designated to fund a majority of a $131.5 million facilities plan that included major renovations and expansions at the two high schools, the construction of a new AOI and renovations at each of the district’s schools. The money would also go toward upgrading the athletic facilities, which included AstroTurf and new tracks at Viking Stadium and Memorial Stadium.

The $83 million bond is being repaid through a 7.9 mil increase on property taxes in Warren County and the remaining $48.5 million will be funded as debt from the construction of the two mega-schools — Sherman Avenue and Dana Road — which were built in 1999 rolls off the books.

“I am extremely happy for the bond money being spent because it was spent for the children, and I will ask any constituents of District One through District Five to please come by and look at what you have helped build,” Stirgus said.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

More by Terri Cowart