By JIM MUSTIAN

Staff Reporter

LULING – The St. Charles Parish School Board on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a reduced total millage rate for this year. The board voted 7-1 to scale its millage back by about one mill; the new rate is set at 56.87.

Two St. Charles residents attended the meeting Wednesday and asked the board to consider lowering its millage even further. Patricia Daste of Luling presented board members with a lengthy petition signed by scores of St. Charles residents in support of a tax cut.

Board Member Ellis Alexander was the only member to vote against the measure.

Also at the meeting, the board accepted the partial substantial completion of artificial turf installation projects at Hanhville High School and Destrehan High School.

Jim Rome, administrator of physical plant services for St. Charles schools, said both turf fields would be complete in time for the start of football season later this month.

Officials ticked off several advantages the turf would provide including savings and improvements regarding maintenance, particularly when it rains. Additionally, soccer teams won’t have to wait for football season to end to utilize the fields.

The board also moved its next meeting to Sept. 10.