Countdown Is On As LPSS Board Members Promote New Tax

Voters will soon vote on a .5 cent sales tax to support new building construction and the replacement of "butler" buildings. Election day is April 29th. LPSS Board Member Justin Centanni joined Acadiana's Morning News to address some criticism about the wording of the tax proposal.

RESOLUTION #01-17-1896
DESIGNATING PARTICULAR SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECTS TO BE FINANCED WITH SALES TAX AND SALES BOND PROCEEDS
WHEREAS, the Parish School Board (the “Board”) of Lafayette Parish has called a Sales Tax election (the “Election”) to be held on April 29, 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to ensure that proceeds of the sales tax and sales tax bonds payable from the tax are expended to complete the purposes stated in the tax proposition and to do so in partnership with the community;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD THAT:
SECTION 1. The Board will utilize sales tax and sales tax bond proceeds for the purpose of acquiring and/or improving lands for building sites and playgrounds, purchasing, erecting and/or improving school buildings and other school related facilities within and for the parish and acquiring the necessary equipment and furnishings therefor;
SECTION 2. The proceeds of the sales tax and the bonds payable from the tax shall be expended for the projects authorized pursuant to the Sales Tax proposition. Upon a determination by the Board that any proposed change in a site location or in the scope of a project is necessary, the Board shall hold a public meeting for the purpose of obtaining public input into such proposed change. A favorable two-thirds majority vote of full membership shall be required for any changes to be made to the projects listing. In addition, there will be a special board meeting during the first quarter of each year during which time an external audit firm will present results of their audit of the related construction fund.
SECTION 3. The Board recognizes and acknowledges its responsibility to use the sales tax and sales tax bond proceeds as authorized by the voters and commits to provide the best educational environment for the System’s children, consistent with applicable law.

Our news partners at KATC covered some of the problems at Carencro Heights Elementary: