Terrebonne Parish School Board OKs ad valorem increase

Faced with state cuts and holding a $191 million operating budget for the 2011-2012 school year that began Monday, eight members of the Terrebonne Parish School Board voted last Tuesday to adopt a new millage rate of 3.760 mills. The increased ad valorem tax will help fund the school district for the next 10 months.

Following an open meeting and three official but unanswered calls for public comment, all board members in attendance – Debi Benoit was absent – offered their nod by roll call vote to a tax increase that will mean an additional $2 million for the school district, but should be minimally noticed by property owners.

“This is an insignificant amount,” School District Executive Director of Finance Harris Henry said. “If you were a homeowner that had a $100,000 home, the increase to you would be 25 cents a year.”

By having more than the required two-thirds of board members supporting the constitutional millage a tax increase was legally instituted without a public vote.

Although a crowd of approximately 50 citizens were present – mostly family members of school district employees receiving new appointments – no one from the assembly offered any comment to the tax hike.

Among other budget cuts to balance the 2011 budget was the previously approved reduction of 85 employment positions through attrition and retirement.

Superintendent Philip Martin has repeatedly insisted that measures are being taken to protect what dollars are spent in the classroom by cutting back primarily on administrative costs.

Following adoption of the millage increase, board member Donald Duplantis said that Terrebonne Parish has one of the lowest school district millage levels in Louisiana where the state average is approximately 10 mills. “I think that is a tribute to this board,” he said.

Among other business acted upon by the school board was approval for the installation of a full-size elevator at South Terrebonne High School. The project, not to exceed a cost of $300,000 will be funded through an anticipated Community Development Block Grant and does not impact the school district’s operating budget.

Martin stressed that approval of the elevator project was done pending the awarding of CDBG funds. Addition of the elevator would enhance the school district’s compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act.

Terrebonne Parish School District Superintendent Philip Martin, left, along with board president L.P. Bordelon and vice president Roosevelt Thomas join other board members as they present and approve an increase in the school millage rates to generate an added $2 million for the school district during a special public meeting. MIKE NIXON