Ouachita Parish School Board approves stadium sound system, multiple contractors and permissions to bid; receives financial update

The Ouachita Parish School Board on Aug. 13 approved replacement of the sound system at Richwood High School, selected architects for several roofing and sports-area projects, awarded multiple construction and supply contracts and granted permission to bid on larger bond-funded projects, while the district finance officer reported current fund balances and planned drawdowns of bond and maintenance funds.

Board members voted to replace the Richwood High School stadium sound system and authorized funding to purchase a complete replacement. The board also approved selecting an architect for sports-area complex improvements at West Washington High School and chose Architect Alliance to design roof replacements and partial reroofing at West Monroe High School, West Washington High School, George Wilts and Crowley Elementary; the roof work was described as funded from the district’s maintenance and operations (M&O) roofing fund.

The board heard a financial report for the period ending June 30, 2025. Staff reported a general fund projected ending balance of about $20.4 million and noted an expected deficiency in closing entries of roughly $2.2 million that will be adjusted as accruals are completed through the end of August. The M&O fund balance was presented as about $28.7 million with a projected negative adjustment of roughly $2.7 million as ESSER-funded expenditures shift back into M&O and general fund lines. Board staff said the district has been using bond proceeds to advance construction and is now drawing down some previously accrued M&O balances for routine maintenance and capital items.

On procurements, the board approved the…