$6 million in bonds on April ballot for a Louisiana school improvements

MOREHOUSE PARISH, La. (KTVE/KARD) –With the general elections approaching, Morehouse Parish voters will decide if they will renew a 10 millage property tax for school improvements.

The Morehouse Parish School Board proposition would allow the board to get an additional $6 million for capital improvements. Everything from fixing the roofs, its foundations and security updates.

“The property owners would not pay any additional funds. It is something that they are already paying for. It’s asking them to continue what they are doing to support the children of Morehouse Parish,” said business manager for Morehouse Parish School Board, Ersula Downs.

Downs says taxpayers could pay even less.

“Because we are being able to pay this down with possibly lower rates than back in the time when it was put on 20 years ago.”

Morehouse Parish School Superintendent, David Gray, says the first thing the board will tackle will be installing new roofs on all buildings damaged by leaks.

“Currently, all of our buildings unfortunately have leaks. We also have a couple of buildings in the parish that have sinking foundations that were placed on some clays that are expensive.”

The proposition placed on the ballot aims to help with major upgrades in all schools.

Gray says ESSER money is only allowed to be used for students’ lesson learning, or air quality improvements. One example of a recent project includes such the installing of 45 brand new bar units to replace old air conditioning systems within the schools to keep better quality of air for students. He says ESSER money can not be used for athletics.

“The reason we were able to resurface the track that is a 6 lane track is because we can take kids out of an enclosed gym, get them in fresh air and allow them to have physical activity.”

Proposition A will target safety and security upgrades in all schools.

“It’s very apparent this year that we need to secure our hearts in schools. Fencing would help secure the perimeter from animals from individuals coming on campus that shouldn’t be there,” said personnel service coordinator, Teri Carson.

“We want improvements in our classrooms, we want it enhanced, we want it better for everyone, not just for students but for everyone who works in the school,” said personnel director, Teresa Merritt.

For more information on Proposition A click here.

For information on budgets you can visit www.louisianabelieves.com

1. click the funding tab on the top right-hand corner
2. scroll to the bottom of the webpage and click on eGMS under the section entitled.

Grants Managements

1. Click on Public Access under the Logon section in the right-hand corner of the screen.
2. Click on Dashboard under the Public Reports menu.
3. Select the budget year, then select .34-Morehouse arish.
4. Click View Report on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
5. Click on Go to Application Select Page at the top right-hand corner of the screen and all of the individual grant applications will download.
6. Click the Open tab to open each grant search, then click on the Budget Pages or Budget.
7. Detail tab at the top of the Menu bar to view budgets.

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