Superintendent Goree Details Millage Renewal for Schools [VIDEO]

Caddo Parish Schools Superintendent Dr. Lamar Goree talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the upcoming election to extend a property tax millage for 10 years to pay for several critical needs in local schools.

According to Goree, the .6 mill would generate about 88 million dollars over the 10 year stretch. This millage was scheduled to roll off the books next year, but leaders want to keep it on the books to cover some vital needs.

The renewal, which will be on the ballot May 4th, will pay for a number of ongoing school expenses:

1. New buses

$25 million would be set aside to buy 250 buses over the next 10 years.  By law, more than 220 buses have to be retired over the next 6 years.  These buses must be replaced to continue providing adequate transportation for all students.

2. HVAC

The major portion of the funding, $51 million would be used to upgrade heating an air conditioning systems in all schools.  The system currently spends $8 million dollars a year to make repairs to heating and air systems and that pricetag continues to go up.

3. Security

$12 million would be allocated to beef up security in our schools. This would include access control and single entry points at all schools for visitors.  It would also include an upgrade to camera systems and software.

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