EPSB approves millage rates, expenses

The Evangeline Parish School Board approved property tax millage rates for 2014 during its meeting Wednesday, June 4, with the only change coming from the Basile District VII bonds.
Chief Financial Officer Amy Lafleur informed the board that the only millage change for 2014 will be in debt service for Basile District VII bonds. The millage will decrease by more than half, from 14 mills last year to 6.05 mills this year. All other millages will remain the same, including Basile District VII Athletic (2.00 mills), Basile District VII Maintenance (6.12 mills), Basile School District VII Maintenance (6.25 mills), Consolidated School District Two (12.13 mills), Special Parishwide Tax (10.18 mills) and Constitutional Parishwide (4.59 mills).
In other business, the board approved a quotes from Lemoine Insurance Agency for worker’s compensation and property insurance. Premiums were $281,456 for worker’s compensation and $219,088.24 for property insurance. No other bids were submitted.
The board also approved a low quote from Hixon Autoplex to replace some of the aging trucks in the school district’s fleet. Assistant Superintendent Darwan Lazard said the low quote for the maintenance truck was $34,733 on state contract. This truck, he said, will replace two older trucks in the fleet.
In other business, the board:
•Approved a low quote from Baron and Son Painting for the painting of buildings at Evangeline Central. The low quote was $10,680.
•Learned from Lazard that summer school is underway and that 133 students in grades three to eight are enrolled, with 27 students enrolled in regular summer school and 106 enrolled in LEAP testing summer school. He stated he did not yet have the numbers for high school students.