Schools apply for stimulus

• By MARSHA SILLS
• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: Jun 13, 2009 - Page: 1BA

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LAFAYETTE — Lafayette Parish school system officials say they hope to take care of at least $30 million in needed school maintenance and improvements as part of the federal stimulus program.

The district will soon submit the projects with its application for a share of the $131.6 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds made available to the state through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The state department of education will divvy the money among school districts. Larger school districts in the state —  East Baton Rouge, Caddo, Jefferson and Orleans — received separate allocations from the federal government.

The district hopes to tackle at least $14 million in electrical service needs, such as upgrades and new fire alarm/intercom systems. The amount includes nearly $9 million to upgrade electrical capabilities at 36 schools. Earlier this week, district staff received assistance from master planning firm CSRS of Baton Rouge in prioritizing the projects for the application process.

The district must submit a list of possible projects with its application to the state department of education.

Before that application is submitted, the School Board will need to approve the list of projects. Its next meeting is scheduled on Wednesday.

Below is a summary of projects and costs:

• Environmental maintenance — $550,000 to address moisture issues at Charles Burke and Ernest Gallet elementary schools.
• HVAC improvements — $5.1 million for new chillers, cooling towers, boilers and fan coil units.
• Electrical service — $14 million.
• Maintenance construction — $5.9 million for roofs at schools throughout the district and a new gym floor at Lafayette High ($150,000).
• Parking lot repairs — $858,500.
• Expenditures for another $3.5 million have not been determined.