With construction underway on two projects, and a third one in the planning stage, the West Feliciana Parish School Board got a report July 15 on how the work will affect the district’s finances.
Construction is nearing completion on the first phase of work to restore the old Julius Freyhan High School building for use as a school system central office and community center.
The restoration was largely financed with a state legislative appropriation, but the funds were not enough to finish all of the work needed in the initial contract with Cangelosi Ward General Contractors.
The board plans to finish the project with surplus local funds, and members approved a contract with Holly and Smith Architects to draw up plans for the second phase of construction for a possible bid-letting in December.
Work also is underway on an athletic field house at the West Feliciana High School stadium, which is estimated will cost $5.9 million when completed.
The board allocated $2 million to the field house from the remainder of a construction bond issue that voters approved for construction of a new Bains Elementary School and other improvements. It also is allocating $3.81 million from its general fund reserves to finish the job.
Superintendent Hollis Milton said use of reserve funds to finish the Freyhan project and the field house will leave the district with a fund balance of more than $9 million, or about 21 percent of the district’s annual operating expenses.
Milton said school districts are encouraged to have fund balances of at least 10 percent of their operating budgets, while a school system with a fund balance below 5 percent is considered to be on shaky financial grounds.
Currently, West Feliciana offers starting teachers the third-highest starting salary, $54,272, among 11 school districts in the Baton Rouge region, according to state Department of Education figures.
The board’s central office staff is planning to eventually move into the Freyhan building, and the current building will be razed to add parking and green space areas.
In connection with plans to use part of the building for public events, the board approved a letter of intent with the Julius Freyhan Foundation and the Louisiana Hospitality Group for managing events that would be held in the public spaces.
The agreement calls for the school system and the foundation to each get 25 percent of the rental revenue and the hospitality management group to get 50 percent.
Foundation President Betsy Levasseur said the foundation, which worked to get the state funds, prefers to have the local hospitality group manage events to ensure that fire code regulations are followed, the building is cleaned after events and that the activities are in keeping with those specified in rental agreements.
Louisiana Hospitality Group manages The St. Francisville Inn and other historic properties.
Levasseur said the foundation’s share of rental proceeds will be put back into the school system through scholarships.
Milton also announced that the first day of school for students in the new school year will be Aug. 7, while a convocation of employees will be held Aug. 4.
The Happi Llandiers organization also will hold its annual school supplies giveaway from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Aug. 2. The material will be handed out as parents drive through the West Feliciana Middle School grounds.