EPSB sees lower tax collections, honors teachers

Chief Financial Officer Amy Lafleur with the Evangeline Parish School Board discussed a near $1 million decrease in tax collections during the board’s meeting Wednesday, March 12.
Lafleur stated that tax collections for the month of February were down $30,653.21 for a total of $551,982.73. Collections in February of last year were $582,635.94. Overall, from July 2013 to February 2014, the Evangeline Parish School Board has seen tax collections decrease $955,161.60 total when compared to the same period in the previous year.
However, as Lafleur has stated at previous school board meetings, the total tax collections for the last fiscal year were abnormally high, and this fiscal year’s tax collections are more in line with the norm.
The school board also took a moment to recognize the Evangeline Parish Teachers of the Year. The board recognized and gave awards to a number of teachers from around the parish. Photos of the teachers and details of their accomplishments will be published in Sunday’s edition of The Gazette.
In other business, the board:
•Approved a low quote from Ace Roofing Inc. for a roof replacement project at Mamou Elementary Head Start building. The low quote was $16,995.
•Approved the purchase of a new truck for $27,073, which is the state contract price.
•Approved payment to First Student of $288,635.71 for transportation services in the month of February.
•Learned windows at Mamou Elementary are in the process of being replaced.