SPRINGFIELD - The fate of a new high school campus will be in the hands of voters Saturday in the Springfield school district with a $14 million bond issue on the ballot.

The money would go toward building a new school on land already owned by the Livingston Parish school system. Right now temporary buildings house 19 classrooms across the three schools in the Springfield area. Enrollment numbers have also continued to grow as Springfield High projects 405 students for next year, according to Principal Spencer Harris.

"We're overcrowded at the elementary levels, middle school and here at the high school. So we're just in dire need of expanding in a fourth school," he said.

The proposed campus would comfortably house up to 650 students in classrooms equipped with upgraded wireless technology. The new school would also feature a high-tech library and media center, band recital facility, agriculture facility, air-conditioned gymnasium and an enlarged cafeteria with an auditorium.

"We have to make this decision for the betterment of these kids. Not my kids, but the kids in the future. So it's what we have to do as a community," said parent Josh Randle.

The 36.25 mills property tax would be paid by property owners over the next 20 years. Someone with a $150,000 home would pay $271.88 a year after homestead exemption.

"I'm still kind of weighing and wondering what I'm going to do," said Springfield resident Denise Martin. "I know it's needed, but I also know that the property tax scares a lot of people because of everything that's going on."

The new campus could be built within three years if voters approve the bond to fund the project, according to Harris.