County school board considers $5 million loan

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Feb. 1, 2004
Denise Sisson of Lauderdale County said county school buildings are in such bad shape that she would be in favor of the school board borrowing money to fund repairs.
Sisson, who has a child at Northeast Elementary, Northeast Middle and Northeast High schools, said she is concerned when toilets overflow and students are moved out of their classroom which happened Friday.
On Monday, Lauderdale County School Superintendent David Little and county school board members plan to discuss a possible loan of $5 million to $7.5 million during a board work session.
Little said the board probably will back a $5 million loan, more formally called a bond issue. But, he said, the board could borrow up to $7.5 million to make improvements at each of the county's four campuses.
If the board decides to borrow $5 million, Little said, the proposal likely would go to a vote by county residents in the November general election. Little said a $5 million loan would not raise county taxes.
Charlotte Parker, director of finance for county schools, said it is the board's intent not to raise property taxes on county residents.
Little said the district's first priority with the loan money would be to complete an energy savings project that would provide central heat and air conditioning in all of the older campuses.
It also would provide insulation for windows.
Little said completing the project should not cost more than $3 million.
Many principals at Lauderdale County schools said they would be in favor of a school district loan because they have many needs at their schools.
Miller said Clarkdale Attendance Center needs, among other things, a new gym, a new vocational-technical center, a new band hall and a new weight room.
Southeast Lauderdale High School Principal Bill Burnham said his school also has many needs.
School board meeting
What: The Lauderdale County School Board will have a work session at 5 p.m. Monday to
discuss a possible loan for school improvements.
Where: The meeting will be in the board room on the fourth floor of the Raymond P. Davis annex of the Lauderdale County Courthouse, 410 21st Ave.
More information: For more information, call the school district office at 639-1683.