Richland schools seek bond issues for repairs

Richland Parish school officials are asking people to vote on two bond issues affecting the schools April 24.

Richland Parish Superintendent of Schools Sheldon Jones explained a bond issue for District 2 will help with repairs and renovations at Start Elementary School while a similar tax in District 3 will be used for Rayville elementary, junior high and high schools as well as Holly Ridge Elementary School.

Jones said Start School District would be asking voters in District 2 to approve a property tax of about half what they district could legally ask for.

He explained rather than a 20-mills property tax for $3,150,000, School Board President Kevin Eppinette asked for a much lower bond issue in his district due to the uncertainty of the current economic condition and the fact many homeowners in District 2 have no children or children who don’t attend school at Start.

For this reason, voters in District 2 are asked to approve a 10.5 mill property tax to pay off a $1,750,000 bond issue to be used  for improvements to Start Elementary School. 

“I see first hand the need for capital improvement to our facilities,” project manager Stephen Dupont said. “It is through bond propositions and the support given our schools by the tax paying citizens we are able to create comfortable, save environments for our children to learn.”

Start Principal Landon Sapp said the funds would be used primarily to improve safety and security by constructing a new lobby entrance with updated entrance and exit doors, updating restroom facilities and bringing the school into compliance with fire marshal’s office by upgrading the fire detection system and increasing fire safety.

He added items not on the list to be funded by the bond issue included replacing windows, updating parking lots, hot water to all bathrooms, a digital information board, working sinks in pre-K through second-grade classrooms, renovations to old gym and updating awnings and walkway covers.

Voters in District 3 will be asked to approve a larger bond issue which will be used to upgrade facilities at all four schools in the district. That 11.70 mills property tax would fund $12,325,000 in bonds for all three Rayville schools and Holly Ridge Elementary School.

“Monies from the bond prop will be allocated to the District 3 schools based on needs and student population,” Dupont said.

Rayville Elementary School Principal Elycia Hill said her school use their share of the funds to concentrate on improving the restrooms, establishing a multisensory playground with a three-lane paved walking track and picnic tables and creating a STEM academy.

“This academy will be furnished with science tables, experimental lab areas and the most up-to-date technology,” she said.

Rayville Junior High School Principal Nettie Ranel noted that as an open campus facing the main highway, her school would focus on landscaping as well as replacing flooring and ceiling tiles and upgrading classrooms with improved seating and white boards.

“I’m proposing we build a stage in the gym by extending east wall to promote the arts and activities,” she added.

Rayville High School Principal Samuel Williams said his school has stucco which needs power washing and gutters which need renovation. He added that rooms have broken security screens and parking lot lines need to be repainted for visibility.

He also noted that due to excessive traffic in the bus area, the road needs to be repaired, speed bumps created and awnings extended. In addition, ceiling tiles are damaged and discolored and floor tiles broken and holding water under the tiles which has led to mold.

He would also like to see repairs to the athletic facility and dirt work at the baseball field in addition to refurbishing dugouts. Officials would also like to add a scoreboard to the softball field and individual shower stalls in field house rather than group showers as well as remodeling the locker rooms and adding new lockers.

Holly Ridge Elementary School Principal Chelsea Chisolm says she would like to focus on structural improvments.

“Due to its age, the roof has begun to leak,” she said. “Many areas receive damage during rain.”

There is also structural damage in the multistorage room and exterior door hardware needs to be repaired or replaced and the drainage needs to be improved. The school also needs heating, ventilation and A/C work while smartboards need to be updated in order to access online materials.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 24. However, early voting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 10-17. The deadline to request a mail in ballot Aril 20 and the deadline for the registrar to receive by mail ballot is April 23.