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Baldwin Referendum Campaign in Spanish Fort

72 views · Published 12 February 2015 · 1:56 · Indexed 17 October 2026

Channel: NBC 15 · 2015 · News & Politics

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SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WPMI) The push continues to convince Baldwin County residents to vote "yes for schools", and a $350 million capital improvements plan. 
 
Education leaders have been visiting schools, speaking with residents about the need for the referendum vote. The most recent conversation centered around Spanish Fort. 
 
It's considered to be one of the fastest growing cities in all of Alabama, that means Spanish Fort is not exempt from a Baldwin County problem that we continue to hear about over and over again.
 
"Problem is we are overcrowded in many schools and it's going to be an increasing problem county wide," said Robbie Owen, Baldwin County School Superintendent. 
 
Statistics show that there are currently just 3,515 students enrolled in the Spanish Fort feeder pattern. That number is expected to grow to 4,426 by 2018. 
 
As we stand now, there is no room or money for that growth. 
 
"The solution is with the referendum, if it passes, with our 8 mil increase, we are going to be able to fund a 10 year capital plan, and we are going to start with three years, the immediate problems, and that will work its way to the potential growth," said Owen. 
 
In Spanish Fort, those improvements would come in the form of an addition to the high school, renovation of the elementary school and later, a new feeder pattern. 
 
"What people know it as is the golden triangle, where there is a first part is the elementary school, as the growth that we see happening, we already have the property for an elementary, middle and a high school," explained Owen. 
 
For the average homeowner in Baldwin County, the referendum would cost an additional $180. 
 
"I think that voting for this tax can only increase our property value, I think it's an investment in our community and in our children," said Tamra Pitre, a Spanish Fort resident and mother of two. 
 
The referendum vote will take place on March 31st, 2015.

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