Voters reject Bay-Waveland school bond that would have provided universal pre-K, more

A Bay-Waveland school bond proposal that would have provided universal pre-K, repairs to Bay High school and other school facilities, and more failed by a near two-to-one margin on Tuesday.

The unofficial results show 66% of voters voted against the near $38 million bond, while 34% supported it. More than 2,220 residents turned out to vote.

“I am saddened and disheartened that the majority of the voters did not see the need to show support for what I feel that our children need and deserve,” said Amy Necaise, Bay High principal. “At the end of the day, the faculty, staff and students of our district are the very best. We rise to challenges, we overcome when things don’t go our way, we teach our children to never quit and we will teach our children to continue to excel despite any circumstances.”

The vote brings to close a counter-campaign that encouraged residents to vote against the bond, which school officials and bond proponents said often provided misinformation about the bond.

Untrue rumors also circulated about what would happen if the bond pass, including stories that students would be forced to wear masks at school and abortions would be provided on school grounds.

This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 8:43 PM.