By Malcolm Butler

 

Following the Lincoln Parish School Board’s 9-2 vote in favor of a capital improvement plan for the Simsboro School District No. 3 during Tuesday night’s meeting, voters in the school district will have an opportunity in April to cast a yes or no ballot for a millage that could generate $10 million.

The current 5.95 percent millage is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2023. However, the proposal that will be on the April ballot will be for 11.5 percent, a renewal of the 5.95 percent with an increase of 5.55 percent.

Lincoln Parish School Board Superintendent Ricky Durrett said if the millage passes, the funds would solely go towards a capital improvement plan for Simsboro School.

Durrett said if the millage passes, the tentative timeline for the start of the projects would be in November with a projected completion taking 18 months.

Below is a breakdown of the $10 million which are preliminary costs and inclusive of fees for professional services.

 

Simsboro School ($10,000,000)

$5,737,800 — New addition of classrooms, agri-science shop, restrooms

$2,885,400 — Gym renovations and lobby additions

$489,300 — Parking, driveways, drainage, dirt work, landscaping

$682,500 — Replace lighting on baseball and softball fields

$105,000 — New pre-K playground

$100,000 — Replace auditorium seating

 

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