DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / April 18, 2000

LUTCHER – The St. James Parish School Board has called a special election inDistrict One, and voters will be asked to extend a 10-mill tax and renew a 6.09-mill property tax.The election will be held July 15.

The approval of the propositions will not raise taxes in the district, said bond attorney Hugh Martin. One is an extension of a current tax, he explained, andthe other is a standard 10-year renewal.

Proposition One would extend a current 10-mill tax, allowing the board to issue $6 million in 20-year bonds that would be used to acquire, erect or improve lands and buildings in the school system. The extended 10-mill taxwould pay off the bonds, which have an interest rate of 9 percent a year.

Proposition Two is the required 10-year renewal of a current tax that has been in effect for 20 to 25 years, said Martin. The 6.09-mill tax providesoperation salaries for teachers, among other expenses.

The resolution was passed unanimously by the board, 6-0. Charles Nailorbeing absent.

In another matter, the IASA and Title I, II, III, IV and VI 2000-2001 proposed budget was issued to the board for review. The budget is set at $1.06million, submitted at 95 percent of last year’s budget as required by the state. The money will go to various needs in the parish, including repairs andmaintenance, staff development, parental involvement and hiring teachers as part of classroom reduction strategies.

Also, Elvis Cavalier was on hand to present and update the board on the St.

James Theatrical Program’s “One Step From The Edge.” Showing a shortvideo displaying small excerpts of the scenes, Cavalier said the show had come together very well. Two shows had already been performed, one at St.James High and the other at Lutcher High. Two more shows were scheduledduring the week at the Thibodaux Civic Center.

Board members who had seen the show praised the production, saying they were impressed with the level of excellence in a program that involved coordinating all of the schools in St. James with 328 student and 32 adultparticipants.

“It was very very impressive. I hope we can all change and go in this newdirection together,” said George Nassar Jr.

Carol Lambert echoed Nassar’s comments, saying, “The kids got a lot out of (the program). It’s astounding for 300 kids out of 12 schools to cometogether like this.”

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