Committee weighs $318,000 quote for Greenville Park paving, considers limestone and gravel alternatives

The Capital Outlay Committee discussed whether to proceed with a roughly $318,000 paving quote for a grassy bus-parking area at Greenville Park, with board members urging staff to seek less costly alternatives and return with pricing options.

"The load quote that we got was from Ronald Booty for $318,000," staff said during the presentation, noting that purchases above $250,000 would require hiring an engineer and going out for sealed bids. That threshold prompted discussion about whether to pursue an engineered asphalt project or instead use limestone or improved gravel as a lower-cost alternative.

Board members described competing priorities: principals and local officials have raised concerns about buses parking on grass and mud, but others cautioned that installing asphalt would not solve community objections to buses being parked at that location. Miss Robin clarified the bid would be for the grassy area inside the fenced section used to park buses, not the public gravel lot used by teachers.

Members also noted practical trade-offs: limestone can reduce dust and compact harder than loose gravel but may create issues for pedestrian comfort and shoe wear, while asphalt would be a more permanent fix but at a higher cost. Staff said the district previously paid for limestone at other sites and offered to get multiple quotes and consult with the parish about participating, as had been done on a different site.

No formal funding decision was made. The committee asked staff to return with multiple options and prices for limestone, gravel and asphalt and to check with the parish about cost-sharing or matching projects done elsewhere.