By Pat Culverhouse

Improvements to a pair of north Webster Parish schools took another step forward Monday when the parish school board accepted a bid from a Ruston-based contractor.

Board members gave the thumbs up to low bidder Walker Construction Co., Inc. with a base bid of $2.409 million and an alternate #1 bid of $40,000 for projects at Browning Elementary School and Brown Upper Elementary in Springhill.

Superintendent Johnny Rowland said he spoke with architect Perry Watson earlier Monday, “…and he strongly recommended we accept this bid. It came in one million dollars under budget.”

During Monday’s meeting, board members also:

• Recognized Crystal Heard, counselor at Central Elementary, as Employee of the Month for October.

• Recognized winners of the September Attendance Awareness Month poster contest.

• Approved the 2025-26 pupil progression plan.

• Approved the fiscal year 2025-26 La. Dept. of Education stipend guidelines.

• Approved HPEC to open bank account at Bonvenu Bank for the cashless system.

• Approved authorization to open credit card accounts with B1 Bank for 14 schools and designated administration.

• Approved travel to Petit Jean State Park in Conway, Arkansas for 12-14 members of the Minden High Nature Club Nov. 2-5. Cost covered by the club and personal finances.

• Gave approval for Lesa Ward, FBLA sponsor at Lakeside Jr/Sr High, and the chapter president to travel to the 2025 National Fall Leadership Conference Nov. 5-9 in Phoenix, Arizona. Funding source local FBLA chapter.

• Gave approval for Olivia Sebald and Angelisa Srayhan to attend National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth conference in Dallas, Texas Nov. 2-4. Funding source Title V.

• Declared six school busses as surplus to be auctioned at a date to be announced.

Members also approved a total of $494,678.90 in invoice payments from various maintenance and tax funds for repairs and maintenance at parish schools. Payouts include:

• Consolidated District 3 Maintenance Fund: $121,958.07. Total includes $53,584.35 to upgrade 29 cameras and remove/reposition others at Central Elementary; $35,319.57 to remodel basketball concession stand at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $8,650 to replace HVAC unit for room on kindergarten/first grade wing at Central Elementary; up to $8,085 for lawn works services at Lakeside Jr/Sr High for fiscal year 2025-26; $7,238 to purchase two Promethean Boards for Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $4,539.23 to demo and install new flooring in football coaches’ office at Lakeside Jr/Sr High.

•  District 6 One-half cent Sales Tax Fund: $127,118.78. Major payments include  $39,600 to demo old cabinets and sink and install new laminated storage cabinets in conference room at Richardson Elementary; $23,345 to address ongoing water/drainage issue on track midfield at Minden High; $21,550 to prep and install rubber playground mulch at Richardson Elementary; $18,034.08 to renew service contract for water treatment for tower/chiller at Minden High; $11,250.88 for bearing and shaft replacement on AAU at Minden High.

• Springhill Maintenance Fund: $133,276.59. Major payments include $53,800 to replace 972 bleacher seats in basketball gym at North Webster High; $25,100 to replace chiller compressor at North Webster High; $12,704 to purchase Kubota RTV520 w/canopy at Brown Upper Elementary; $12,580 for multiple AHU supplies/equipment at North Webster High; $10,500 to replace five-ton system with direct unit in the office area at North Webster High; $4,581 for mold remediation at Brown Upper Elementary.

• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $87,149.11. Total includes $65,000 to demolish old softball locker room/restrooms at baseball/softball complex at Doyline High and replace with 18’x40’ metal building on existing slab; $7,500 to replace metal roof and trim on weight room at Doyline High; $4,917 for lawn services at Doyline High for fiscal year 2025-26; $3,499.95 to purchase baseball pitching machine for Doyline High.

• Sarepta Maintenance Fund: $16,095.92 includes $14,795.92 for upgrades at North Webster Jr. High; $1,300 for sale of TXV for North Webster Jr. High football stadium.

• Shongaloo Building Fund: $9,080.43 to pay $5,580.43 for purchasing and replacing breaker on chiller at North Webster Lower Elementary; $3,500 for R-22 refrigerant at North Webster Lower Elementary.