T’bonne board looks to renew 10-year tax, redirect portion of 1-cent sales tax

The Terrebonne Parish School Board unanimously approved final wording for the ballot initiative to renew the 10-year school maintenance tax and redirect a portion of the 1-cent sales tax at last Tuesday’s meeting.

The maintenance tax would take effect from 2011 to 2020 and generate $3.6 million annually, if passed.

A portion of the 17 percent of the one-cent sales tax dedicated to technology upgrades and building repairs would be used as collateral for future bond sales to fund new school construction projects.

The school system must get approval from the state’s bond and election commissions before an election date is set. The board is hoping for an Oct. 17 date.

“This is the first step in a six-month process,” said board member Rickie Pitre. “We’re looking at five meetings per month (two regular and three committee meetings) over the next five months for anybody to have input on the why and how and what the results of these taxes will be.”

The board also unanimously waived the annual superintendent evaluation for Philip Martin

Board President Hayes Badeaux said the reason for foregoing the evaluation is Martin has headed the system less than four months.

“It would be ridiculous to do (the evaluation) now,” Badeaux said. “What are we going to say? He did a good job. We haven’t had a chance to see him in action. He just initiated some things. It’s not done yet.”

The board also unanimously approved Martin’s administrative personnel appointments and principal assignments for 36 of 40 parish schools. Personnel moves are effective July 1.

The district has begun running advertisements for the unfilled assistant superintendent post and vacant principal positions at Ellender Memorial High, Grand Caillou Elementary, Oaklawn Junior High and Terrebonne Vocational-Technical High schools.

The only change in the administration is Carol Davis and Pam Lemoine will switch jobs. Davis will be elementary education supervisor, while Lemoine is the federal programs supervisor.

Five principals will lead different schools in August: Marilyn Schwartz at Bayou Cane Adult Education Center; Marcel Fournier at Grand Caillou Middle; Demetria Maryland at Legion Park Middle; Lois Carter at Southdown Elementary, and Sharon Henry at Village East Elementary.