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Dec. 8 election called for bond issue for school improvements in Kinder

OBERLIN — The Allen Parish School Board called a Dec. 8 election Monday for a bond issue for school improvements for schools in Kinder.The bond issue would be for $9.2 million in 20-year general obligation bonds for renovations, improvements and new facilities at Kinder elementary, middle and high schools.The bond indebtedness rate would be set at a seven percent maximum interest and be payable from ad valorem taxes currently collected in School District 25 (Kinder).District 6 School Board member Carolyn Manuel said plans for the bond issue call for cafeteria improvements at the elementary and middle school.“The cafeteria is probably 65 years or older and has not been updated all this time except for a few pieces of equipment,” Manuel said.A new cafeteria will also allow students to have a longer lunch period. Currently nearly 1,000 students in elementary and middle school share the cafeteria, she said.The plans also include a classroom expansion for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at the elementary school to include updated classrooms for physical development and a separate playground area for the students.The classrooms would replace older classrooms currently located in a former canning facility which has flood damage, Manuel said.A new gym is also proposed for the high school to include new restrooms and concession stands which will be used during football and basketball games.The new gym would also allow the high school to hold playoff games without having to travel to neighboring parishes, Manuel said.“The current gym is too small to hold the crowds,” she said.Superintendent Michael Doucet said the bond issue will also allow the School Board to address safety issues for all three school campuses.“We want to improve on safety and try to make the campuses safer,” he said.Among the proposals is to make a one-way entrance and exit for all three campuses; school door locks; secured entrances to the schools and secure doors to the classrooms.Improvements would also be made for band and music rooms at the elementary and middle school campus. The facilities are currently housed in portable buildings.If approved by voters in December, the bond money would be available by March or April of 2019, according to bonding attorney Alan Offner of Foley and Judell in Baton Rouge.A new gym is proposed for the high school to include new restrooms and concession stands which will be used during football and basketball games.Special to the American Press