Morehouse parents want schools fixed

The majority of parents who asked questions and made comments at a a public forum Tuesday said they want to see the school board invest in retaining teachers and improving test scores before looking to build a new school.

Bruce Walker who manages the management program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, presented a plan to build a new elementary and middle school on the same campus with a shared cafeteria. The ideas are in the preliminary stages, he said.

The district is looking at sites on U.S. 165 heading toward Monroe and behind the Walmart Supercenter in Bastrop. Walker said the plan could be funded through a land donation, federal and state funds, and corporate and foundation grants with a tax being the final option.

School Board President Rick Hixon said he does not expect the board to make a decision within six month and many more community meetings will be scheduled before that happens.

After the presentation, the floor was opened for public questions. Multiple people said the board is divided and the community doesn't think the district can make progress until it's united. Some said the closure of other schools was a waste of taxpayer dollars and existing buildings or the shuttered schools should be sold to help fund this venture.

Superintendent Hazel Sellers answered questions about what the district is doing to remedy ongoing problems, including changes that took place because a reduction in force.

School board member Louis Melton said he opposes the plan to build one large new school because it will eliminate choices for low-income families.

Follow Bonnie Bolden on Twitter @Bonnie_Bolden_ and on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1RtsEEP.