MANSFIELD — Thanks to the Haynesville Shale, all DeSoto Parish school system employees will get an extra check just in time for Christmas.
The School Board voted unanimously Thursday to give each employee a $3,500 supplement in December. The money is coming from increased sales tax receipts tied to oil and gas activity in the parish. Total one-time cost: $3.2 million.
This is the first supplement for the 2010-11 fiscal year. Last year, employees received $7,000 above their regular paychecks, which made DeSoto's teachers the second highest paid in the state. Red River Parish teachers hold the No. 1 spot because of more than $25,000 in supplements handed out in the 2009-10 fiscal year.
DeSoto School Board members prefer the periodic supplements rather than permanent raises because of the uncertainty of the continued financial impact of the Haynesville Shale development. Still, school officials felt comfortable enough earlier this year to bump up salaries of teachers and support staff by $2,500 effective July 1.
The school system collects 2.5 percent sales tax, and collections for year-ending June 30 reached a record $50.6 million.
Collections since July 1 total $23.6 million, according to the October monthly report.
Some board members want to see their monthly compensation increased, too. The board voted 8 to 3 to advertise its intent to seek an increase from $600 to $800. The matter will be discussed and voted on at the December board meeting.
"I'm against it even being advertised," said board member Neil Henderson, who was joined by board members Mark Ross and Johnny Haynes in opposing the idea. "It sends a negative response to taxpayers. I do not see how or why it went through the Finance Committee."
Board member Barthlomew Claiborne said the DeSoto School Board is among the lowest paid in northwest Louisiana. "It's time. "» I think the general fund can handle it."
In another matter, the board accepted a $2.4 million bid from ELA Group of Shreveport to build a multipurpose building at Logansport Elementary School. Excess sales tax shifted to each school district's capital projects funds will pay for the project. Bids were competitive with 12 companies vying for the project with prices only varying within $350,000 of the lowest bid.
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