By Pat Culverhouse
A number of proposed ad valorem tax renewals will be the subject of a planned public meeting at the April 7 regular 6 p.m. meeting of the Webster Parish School Board.
Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland said plans call for board members to consider adopting a resolution ordering and setting a date for special elections throughout the school district.
Renewals will be sought for the taxes, based on value of property, in the following districts: Consolidated School District 3, Cotton Valley School District 12, Sarepta School District 35 and the Sales Tax School District 6.
Roland said parish residents should be reminded that the request is not for additional taxes, only a renewal of taxes already being collected.
During Monday’s meeting, board members also:
• Recognized Samantha Lewis, teacher at North Webster Jr. High, as Employee of the Month for March.
• Approved updated Employee Evaluation Performance Reviews for instructional coach and food service department employee.
• Approved trip by charter bus to. The Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX on April 17 for J.L. Jones third grade students. Estimated cost $4,857.78 to be funded by Title I.
• Approved the Minden High School Band of Pride Auxiliary to attend camp at Texas Southern University in Houston, TX June 16-20.
• Gave approval for North Webster Upper Elementary student body to travel to Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR on April 10 to see live production of Cinderella. Funded by Title I.
• Ratified approval for Mrs. Lesa Ward and two Lakeside Jr/Sr High students to travel to Career Expo in Marshall, TX.
• Heard reports from attendees to the Innovative School Summit in New York City.
• Agreed to enter into contact with Yeager, Watson and Associates, LLC for architectural services related to additions and alterations to Griffith Stadium. Funding source is District 6 One-half cent sales tax fund.
• Approved a number of parish school system policies from the 2023 legislative session.
Members approved invoice payments from a number of school system funds including:
• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $14,121.12 to purchase PA system for Doyline High School
• District 6 One-half Sales Tax Fund: $57,568.32. Major payments include $12,325.94 to purchase wet/dry vacuum, electric high-speed burnisher and propane powered stripping machine with emissions monitoring for E.S. Richardson Elementary; $9,465 to install window tint and designs at Webster Jr. High; $5,500 for change order to add rollup door, door open and framing to storage building at J.A. Phillips; $4,999 to install graphic wraps on nine exterior preschool doors, one kindergarten building entrance and one main entrance at J.A. Phillips: $4,998 to install graphic wraps on two doors and two brick walls and logo for main office at J.A. Phillips; $4,066.96 to purchase hardware to repair existing doors in Minden High.
• Springhill Maintenance Fund: $56,174.99. Expenditures of note are $41,523 to purchase two sets of walk-through metal detectors for North Webster High School; $10,959 to purchase LAZER Z S-Series lawnmower for North Webster High School.