A $167 million School Board bond reauthorization geared toward moving the School System forward on several fronts, is on the ballot this Saturday, March 8.

The proposed reauthorization includes funding for major advances in instructional technology in the schools; enhanced security on all school campuses, through the installation of networked security cameras; and construction initiatives, including two new schools and extensive remodeling and renovation of 16 schools.

The package of improvements will be backed by a renewal of existing millage, with no increase in tax rates.

School officials have spoken to citizens across the Parish over the past month about the bond reauthorization, with appearances before parent groups, civic organizations, and School System employees.

Endorsements of the reauthorization have come in from a wide variety of community and business associations, as well as elected leaders, including Mayor Marshell Brumfield, Village of Folsom; Penny Dastugue, BESE Board Member; Kevin Davis, St. Tammany Parish President; Mayor Louis Fitzmorris, Town of Abita Springs;  James Garvey, District 1 BESE Representative; Mayor Peter Gitz, Town of Madisonville; Mayor Barbara Gibson, Village of Sun; Mayor James Lavigne, Town of Pearl River; Mayor Ben Morris, City of Slidell; Mayor Eddie Price, City of Mandeville; District Attorney Walter Reed; Sheriff Jack Strain; Mayor Candace Watkins, City of Covington; East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce; the Military Road Alliance; the Northshore Area Board of Realtors; the St. Tammany Democratic Party Executive Committee; the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation; St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees; the St. Tammany Parish District PTA; and the St. Tammany Republican Parish Executive Committee

Under the plan, $15 million would be allocated to essential instructional technology for schools and System support of the technology in the schools. 

To implement additional security initiatives in the schools, $2.1 million would be used to equip schools with campus surveillance cameras, as proposed under the Safe Schools Initiative. Security cameras were high on the list of recommendations from parents, law enforcement, and educators for finding proactive ways to help maintain safe schools. Cameras already installed at some high schools have proven highly-effective in reducing vandalism and disruptive behavior.

On the list of bond-financed capital improvements is an Advanced Studies Center for high school students from all the high schools in the School System.  At the Center, students will focus on in-depth instruction in arts, science, technology, and technical/career fields.  The Center will be a key component in the proposed Learning Park to be developed in the center of the Parish. Area universities and colleges are planning to bring their satellite campuses to a University Square in the Learning Park.

A new elementary school in the high-growth Madisonville area and renovations and/or expansions of 16 existing facilities across the Parish also are being included in the $150 million capital improvements package.

Give us your comments on the proposed reauthorization by clicking on the Public Comment link on the home page of the School Systems Web site,  http://www.stpsb.org.