Schools want share in gaming revenues
Published 1:14am Friday, November 11, 2011NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams School District wants to jump on board with the city and county to receive gaming tax dollars from a proposed new casino.
Interim Superintendent Joyce Johnson asked the NASD school board at Thursday’s board meeting to allow the board attorney to discuss with the Natchez Board of Aldermen if the district could have a share of the revenues.
“We missed out on the last opportunity,” Johnson said.
The city receives 3.2 percent of gaming revenues from the Isle of Capri casino as part of a tax agreement, which was developed with local-private legislation, NASD board attorney Bruce Kuehnle said.
Adams County receives a third of those revenues from the city, but the school district receives none.
“Most people think schools are getting money off of the boat,” school board President Wayne Barnett said.
“The community ought to know (public schools) are not getting a share.”
Barnett also noted that legislation in neighboring areas justified gambling by adding provisions specifying that gaming revenues benefit education.
Kuehnle said he believed the Isle of Capri has been taxed the maximum amount required by law. But he thought either an amendment to the current legislation or new local-private legislation could possibly alter how the taxes are shared.
“I’m not sure whether what exists can be amended, but the intent (of the board) is clear to see if we can have some input on where we are now (on the issue of gaming revenues) and where we will be (for a proposed new casino),” Kuehnle said.
Kuehnle also encouraged board members to approach any sitting aldermen or supervisors about getting their piece of the gaming pie.
“This is both a legal process and a political one,” Kuehnle said.
Board member David Troutman made a motion to approve Johnson’s recommendation to have Kuehnle approach the aldermen, and it passed unanimously.
In other news from Thursday’s meeting:
- On a last-minute addendum to the meeting agenda, board member Dr. Benny Wright asked the board to consider the school district’s potential role in Adams County’s economic development.
Wright suggested Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ advise the school administration, via a seminar, about ways to cater curriculum to the new industries coming to town.
“Hopefully Russ will be able to enlighten us to help us be proactive for future employment opportunities,” Wright said.
Board member Tim Blalock, who was sworn in as the newest board member at the start of the meeting, said he suspects there is a need to align the curriculum with skills required by new industries.
“We need Chandler to educate us on specific needs (and) to go between the administration and the companies,” Blalock said.
Board member Thelma Newsome said offering curriculum geared toward the local workforce could lower dropout rates.
The board unanimously passed a motion to invite Russ to conduct a seminar with the administration concerning the district’s potential role in economic development.
“It’s a win-win,” Barnett said.
- NASD Director of Curriculum Charlotte Franklin presented a 31-page dropout prevention plan, which the board approved.
Every school district in the state is required to adopt a dropout prevention plan.
According to data in the plan, the four-year graduation rate at NASD from the 2010-2011 school year was 47 percent, and the five-year graduation rate was 62 percent.
- The school district voted to contract with Smith Shellnut Wilson LLC to manage the district’s 16th Section funds.
Barnett, Wright, Newsome and Troutman voted for the motion to contract with the investment company under the condition that a number of details of the contract are worked out before it is executed. Blalock abstained.
NASD Business Manager Margaret Parson said the district has more than $1.7 million in its 16th Section Fund, which a representative from the investment company has said is one of the top three funds in the state among all school districts.
