By Times Staff
Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey spoke to the Walter Ledet Coffee Club Wednesday morning about the Oct. 14 state election and particularly on the school board tax.
The school board is asking for a seven mill, 20-year property tax for $18.6 million to basically renovate buildings in the Natchitoches High School system.
The tax will be assessed for all of school district # 9.
Stamey said he spoke earlier with Parish Tax Assessor Dolly Mahoney who outlined the monetary effect the tax will have annually on homeowners tax bill. A house, assessed at $100,000 less the $75,000 homestead exemption would increase the tax bill by about $17.50 a year. For a $200,000 assessed home, the increase would be about $87.50 a year. For a $300,000 assessed home, the increase would be about $157 a year. The taxes would increase proportionality as the value of the home increases.
Stamey pointed out that these estimates are based on today’s assessments and every four years property values are reassessed; so, after eight years and two reassessments the tax increase could be significant.
School District # 9 includes all of the city, Oak Grove and surrounding areas. Stamey said back in the 1930s when the high school was built, students from Clarence, Powhattan, Cane River and the surrounding area were sent to the school, which is now Louisiana School Math, Science and the Arts building. The area where the students lived formed the taxing area for District # 9.
(See Map).
Concerning the constitutional amendments, Stamey said since 1974 when the last state constitutional was written, the constitution has been amended 186 times. Of that number, 92 of the amendments dealt with the budget or financial matters. Needless to say another constitutional convention needs to be held.
On the upcoming ballot, Amendment #1 deals with prorating annual property tax on the percentage of the industrial site completed rather than taxing the full amount the first year of a multiple-year project.
Amendment #2 deals with the surviving spouse of volunteer firefighters killed in a crisis not to have to pay property taxes on the home as long as he or she does not remarry.
Amendment #3 deals with restricting fuel taxes to only that being used in the line of work and not for wages.
Stamey also provided voting precinct and condition updates at a commissioner school at the Events Center Oct. 3. All precincts will vote on State Treasurer and the three amendments to the State Constitution.
Those casting ballots at precincts 4-4, 4-5 and 4-7 and some voters in 4-3 (Melrose) and some in 4-9 will vote on the Fire District 1 item.
Precinct location changes:
- The two precincts formerly located at the Magnet School on University Parkway, 1-4 and 1-4A, will now vote at the NCHS boys gym.
- The precinct formerly located at Llamb’s Heating and Air, 4-9, will now be at the Christian Worship Center at 1513 Hwy 494.
- The precinct formerly located at the Marthaville Heritage building will be at Marthaville First Baptist Church Activity Building, 10660 La. Hwy 120.
The following precinct changes are temporary. They will resume their previous locations in 2018. The changes were made due to conflicts with events at these locations.
- Melrose-St. Augustine Catholic Church precinct will be moved to the Cypress Police Jury building for the October and November elections.
All precincts will vote in November if there is a runoff in the State Treasurer’s race.
A breakdown on proposed renovations/improvements.
The Sales Tax Dist. 9 (different from school board district 6) proposition, will focus on renovations and new construction to M.R. Weaver, East, Natchitoches Magnet, Frankie Ray Jackson, NSU E-Lab and Middle Lab, L.P. Vaughn and Natchitoches Jr. High.
The proposition will fund $18,000,000 in 20-year general obligation bonds for school improvements.
The Issues:
• Major Mechanical, Electrical and Communication Systems are approaching 20 years old at all schools and need major upgrades.
• Major upgrades to restrooms, kitchens and other support facilities.
• Security fencing and camera systems at each campus should be updated.
• Outdoor activity spaces at most campuses are in need of repair or replacement.
• The cost of campus and building repairs exceeds normal maintenance funding.
• Natchitoches Jr. High has inadequate restrooms, gymnasium bleachers in need of replacement, a worn out parking lot and track, and no restroom or concessions facility for the public at the football field.
• Natchitoches Central High School is overcrowded and in need of additional classroom space.
• NCHS has outgrown the old fieldhouse and has no grandstand and restroom/concessions facility for the public at the football field.
• Improve the overall educational environment
• Energy and maintenance savings.
The Plan:
The strategy for the Taxing Dist. 9 Improvements Program is to address real needs at each campus in a responsible manner to enhance the learning environment for over 4,300 students. As outlined in the following detailed program, necessary long-term improvements are listed for each school with an emphasis on:
• Modernization, energy efficiency, necessary repairs and upgrades, security and savings in maintenance costs.
M. R. Weaver Elementary:
•Improve parking lot drainage • Miscellaneous roof repairs • Renovate Restrooms throughout School •Change out carpet for tile floors • Replace selected kitchen appliances • Update campus security fencing • Upgrade camera and security systems •Update communications systems • Replace boiler and cooling tower •Upgrade AC system and controls • Retrofit interior school lighting to LED • New outdoor playground set
East Natchitoches Elementary:
• Miscellaneous Roof Repairs • Renovate Restrooms throughout School • Change out Carpet for Tile Floors • Replace Wood Gymnasium Floor • Replace Selected Kitchen Appliances • Update Campus Security Fencing • Upgrade Camera & Security Systems • Update Communications Systems • Replace Boiler & Cooling Tower • Upgrade AC System & Controls • Retrofit Interior School lighting to LED • Renovate Outdoor Play Courts • Install New Outdoor Basketball Goals
Natchitoches Magnet School:
• Miscellaneous Roof Repairs • Renovate Restrooms throughout School • Change out Carpet for Tile Floors • Replace Selected Kitchen Appliances • Update Campus Security Fencing • Upgrade Camera & Security Systems • Update Communications Systems • Replace Boiler & Cooling Tower • Upgrade AC System & Controls • Retrofit Interior School Lighting to LED • New Outdoor Playground Set FRJTC: • Renovate Restrooms throughout School • Change out Carpet for Tile Floors • Update Campus Security Fencing • Upgrade Camera & Security Systems • Update Communications Systems • Retrofit Interior School Lighting to LED • Renovate Outdoor Play Court • Install New Basketball Goals
NSUE & NSUM:
• New Interactive Smart Boards • New Computers • Install Camera & Security Systems L. P. Vaughn Elementary: • Miscellaneous Roof Repairs • Renovate Restrooms throughout School • Change out Carpet for Tile Floors • Replace Selected Kitchen Appliances • Update Campus Security Fencing • Upgrade Camera & Security Systems • Update Communications Systems • Replace Boiler & Cooling Tower • Upgrade AC System & Controls • Retrofit Interior School Lighting to LED • Install Additional Covered Walkway • New Outdoor Playground Set
Natchitoches Junior High – FRJ:
• Renovate Restrooms throughout School • New Restroom Addition • Replace Gymnasium Bleachers • Update Campus Security Fencing • Upgrade Camera & Security Systems • Update Communications Systems • Retrofit Interior School Lighting to LED • Renovate Outdoor Play Courts • Install New Outdoor Basketball Goals • New Football Restroom & Concessions Building • Repair and Resurface Track • Re-Crown & Seed Football Field • Repair & Overlay Asphalt Parking Lot
Natchitoches Central High School: New Construction:
A- New 8 Classroom Building B- New Athletics Fieldhouse C- New’ ,300 Seat Grandstand D- New Restroom & Concessions Renovations & Upgrades: • Renovate Existing Fieldhouse for Spring Sports • Renovate Boys & Girls Basketball Locker Rooms • Renovate Girls Softball Locker Room • Re—Crown & Seed Football Field • Renovate Restrooms throughout School • Change out Carpet for Tile Floors • Add Coolers & Freezers at Kitchen & Replace Selected Appliances • Update Campus Security Fencing • Upgrade Camera & Security Systems • Update Communications Systems • Replace Boiler & Cooling Tower • Upgrade AC System & Controls • Retrofit Interior School Lighting to LED
