By Malcolm Butler and Kyle Roberts
“Tense” would be an apt word to describe the feeling heading into Tuesday’s Lincoln Parish School Board session, particularly regarding a $17.5 million bond measure for Ruston District No. 1 for a capital improvement plan that includes athletic and security upgrades.
And even after robust presentations of both sides of the issue, tension was released after school board members voted 11-0 (Otha Anders was not present at the meeting) to send both bond measures to a public election on April 27, 2024.
LPSB president Gregg Phillips said he was very pleased with the outcome of the bond measure vote.
“I know there’s some concerns and questions that the public has that even some board members have on this issues, but I think the right thing to do what pass it, allow us to continue to have those conversations with board members and the public and inform the public of what this is,” Phillips said. “There is some misinformation out there, as well. So it gives us a chance to continue that conversation so we can bring it to the public in April.”
Phillips added that future public forums will be held in the months leading to the vote, including a yet-to-be determined date at I.A. Lewis.
For LPSB vice president Dr. Danielle Williams, her “yes” vote was an effort to show unity on the school board, while acknowledging her own hesitations with items in the proposal.
“It’s very important because it shows the constituents that we are working together for a common goal, which is making sure that every child receives a quality education,” Williams said in an interview following the meeting. “When we met (Monday), there were some things that were revealed that I wasn’t happy about. And I told them in the meeting that I don’t want to let it out and (that I would) just explain to the public that I’m voting yes.
“But when it comes to students, I mean, I’m the daughter of a football coach. So I’m all for making sure that these kids have the best. But I just want transparency.”
The Ruston District 1 proposal for capital improvement will include:
Ruston Junior High School ($1,820,000 total)
– Security Upgrades (Fencing & Gates): $1.3 million
– Additional Parking: $320,000
– Body Scan Machines: $200,00
Ruston High School ($14,780,000 total)
– New Roof: $1 million
– Entrance Upgrades for Security: $950,000
– Body Scan Machines: $300,000
– Parking Lot by Gym: $330,000
– Covered Pavilion: $5 million
– Softball Field Upgrades: $3.5 million
– Boys & Girls Basketball Renovations: $1.5 million
– Baseball Upgrades: $2.2 million
Transportation ($900,000 total)
– Activity buses: $900,000
Prior to passing the Ruston bond proposal, the school board voted 11-0 to pass a capital improvement plan for Choudrant School District No. 6, which will include:
Choudrant Elementary School
– Additional Classrooms with Boys and Girls Restrooms: $1.5 million
Choudrant High School
– New Multi-Purpose Room ($500,000)
The school board also approved declaring nine buses from the fleet as surplus in order to grant permission to dispose through the bid process.
Toward the end, the school board approved of the 2024-25 school calendar, which can be accessed in a document below.
At the beginning of the meeting, the board honored Black History Month by celebrating the legacies of two of the first black men to the Lincoln Parish School Board in Mr. Calvin Wilkerson and Mr. George Mack, Sr.
“Both of these men, shared a similar passion for all people,” Phillips read in a prepared statement. “They played a significant role in shaping the history of this parish through their service on this board and their influence on this community. These men fought for equal rights for everyone, and their commitment to equality was unwavering. These men helped pave the way for minorities in K-12 education here in Lincoln Parish, and they were passionate about making our community a better place for its citizens and its students.”
The Lincoln Parish School Board will meet again on Tuesday, March 5.
