Like several schools in Natchitoches Parish, Marthaville Elementary/Jr. High is enjoying many improvements provided for by the taxpayers in that school district. Board Member Carroll Daniels said the district has spent $700,000 dollars in the last year to upgrade the school to make it safer and more efficient. Taxpayers in the district support a 20-mill tax that makes the improvements possible. While it is not a recent project, one of the major improvements has been a new sewer and drainage system that was implemented to meet EPA and DEQ standards.
The cost of the new system was $300,000. There have been drainage upgrades behind the home economics building and between the junior high and math buildings. One of the most visible upgrades is a new activity bus that cost the district about $60,000. Students are also enjoying a new bus shed for covered access of loading and unloading.
There is a new metal covering for walkways between the gyms. Another major project has been a new roof on the school building. There have been either improvements or additions of restrooms in the gyms, administration and junior high buildings and kindergarten wing. In general there have been several improvements such as new paint, additional storage, weather stripping on doors and sealant on windows, new awnings on the elementary building and upgrades in the safety netting and backstop on the ball field.
There have been major improvements in security including a new intercom and bell system and security cameras for the whole school. The school will have an LED sign at the front of the campus plus new signage in other areas. Still remaining are four other projects that include replacing covered walkways, updating windows and doors in the elementary building, repairing or replacing the main parking lot and drainage system and flooring in the gym.