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Caddo Parish outlines capital plan: HVAC, ADA upgrades, playgrounds and bond proceeds in 2026‑27 budget workshop
Summary
Finance staff told the board the capital projects plan (approved in fall 2025) prioritizes HVAC and safety investments, cites about $86 million in special revenue funds, a $21.3 million combined bond issuance for HVAC/security, and a capital millage package totaling about 11.79 mills; board members asked for project timing, fund balances and paving priorities.
During the June 9 budget work session, finance presenter Mr. Howard walked the Caddo Parish School Board through the district's special revenue, capital projects and debt service budgets for 2026‑27, highlighting HVAC upgrades, ADA improvements and playground/facility renovations across the parish.
Mr. Howard said the district's combined special revenue funds totaled about $86 million with roughly $85.3 million in planned expenditures across 56 separate funds, and he directed board members to page 28 of the budget packet for the fund list and the subsequent pages with details on each fund.
Capital project highlights included ADA upgrades at Northwood Stadium/Green Oaks (including a vertical accessibility elevator due to the three‑story structure), restroom renovations at multiple schools, playground equipment and fencing at several campuses, pavement improvements at Booker T. Washington and foundation repairs at Fairfield and North Kau. Mr. Howard also noted a prior combined $21.3 million bond issuance in January that funded a portion of HVAC and security work.
On debt and millages, Mr. Howard said the district has two capital projects millages in addition to five general fund millages that together total about 11.79 mills; a separate debt service millage of five mills funds existing debt and the district has issued the bonds authorized under prior voter approvals.
Board members asked for more detail about timing and balances. One member asked why the capital projects fund shows a roughly $1.26 million difference between estimated revenue and expenditures; staff explained the gap reflects carryover and timing of multi‑year projects rather than an operating shortfall and pointed to an anticipated capital projects fund balance to cover the timing differences. Members also asked whether savings from contracting could be redirected (the presenter described at least one change order that expanded paving work while still keeping the project below budget).
Mr. Howard said the comprehensive capital projects list begins on page 90 of the packet and identified the district's priorities: safe, accessible learning environments and facility readiness (HVAC, asbestos abatement, mold remediation and security). He invited further board questions and reiterated that the public hearing and adoption is scheduled for June 16.
Next steps: staff will answer follow‑up questions about individual project scopes, the capital projects schedule and any available savings that could be applied to high‑priority campus needs.
(Reporting note: numeric totals and page references are taken from the presenter's remarks during the budget workshop.)
