CCSD Voters Approve 6-Mill Increase

RISON - Voters in the Cleveland County School District overwhelming supported a 6-mill tax increase in Tuesday’s election to support construction of a new gym at the Rison School campus.The final but unofficial total had 870 votes for the millage (68.2 percent) and 405 votes against the millage (31.8 percent). Overall, 1,275 votes were cast from among the 2,761 registered voters within the Cleveland County School District. That equates to a voter turnout of 46.2 percent.The 6-mill tax increase will generate about $12 million in construction funds that will help build a 1,200 to 1,300 seat gym. The new gym will be built over the student parking lot located between the existing gym and the Pride field house. The plans include placing the concession stand and restrooms along the western side of the building so they can be shared with the football field.It was a party-like atmosphere outside the Cleveland County Courthouse in Rison Tuesday evening as dozens of supporters of the tax started gathering on the courthouse lawn at about 6 p.m. to await the results. Cheers could be heard as the final results were announced to the crowd.This was the third time since 2021 that the Cleveland County School District has asked for a millage increase to build a new gym at the Rison campus. Both previous requests were for 5 mills and would have funded additional projects in addition to the gym.In May 2021, voters rejected a 5-mill increase by a 613-501 margin. That increase would have generated $9.25 million in construction bonds and would have funded the construction of a new arena, interior renovations to Rison Elementary, expansion of the school cafeteria, construction of a two-bay bus maintenance shop and an eight-lane athletic track.In August 2022, voters opposed a 5-mill tax increase by a 27-vote margin, 562-535. That millage was would have generated about $9.1 million in construction money for a new gym, renovations to Rison Elemen...