As part of the revised budget discussion at the St. Tammany Parish School Board committee as a whole meeting Thursday night, Director of Business Affairs Brett Stoltz recommended a one mill reduction in the ad valorem tax collected to repay bonded debt.

Stoltz said that after examining needed funding and projected millage revenue, the reduction, while small, could be given.

Superintendent Gayle Sloan said, “We are anxious to provide tax relief if we can.” Board members agreed, stating that even if it is only one mill, “every little bit helps,” said Ron Bettencourtt. Michael Dirmann added, “It may look like a small amount, but it’s something.”

The current levied millage for bond debt is 21.9 mills. If accepted by the full board, the millage will be reduced to 20.9.

The decrease is being made partially because of an increase in the number of properties taxed in the parish, said Stoltz. He said of the school system’s budget, about half of the funding comes from the state, with 20 percent from ad valorem or property tax and 25 percent from sales tax. About 5 percent comes from other revenue.

Committee chairman Don Villere reported that the interchange for U.S. 1088 and Louisiana Highway 1088, a major priority for the School Board because of the location of the new Lakeshore High School, is finally under consideration by the Corps of Engineers.

They are awaiting information from the Department of Transportation and Development.

Villere said the information he has received indicates that work may begin this summer, with completion of the interchange in 12-18 months.

With an eye to future needs of the school system, the committee passed a proposal to allow for the purchase of 30 acres of land adjacent to Abita Springs Elementary School on the north side of Louisiana Highway 36 and the south side of Level Street in Abita Springs.

Although there are no definite plans for the property in the near future, the property could have a variety of uses, including a middle or junior high school. It could also provide additional transportation accesses to the current school until then. The purchase price, based on an average of two appraisals, would amount to $420,000, or $14,000 an acre.

A bid for replacement of wings 100 and 200 at Fontainebleau Junior High School was accepted by the committee unanimously. The bid is for $4,170,000 from Polk Construction. The original budget for the project was $7.55 million, funded by the 2008 bond issue.

Both the land acquisition and acceptance of the bid will be considered by the full board at its next meeting.

The monthly construction, maintenance and custodial, risk management and transportation reports were submitted and accepted.

There will be no School Board meeting next week due to graduation ceremonies. Instead, the regular board meeting will be held May 21.