Ville Platte-   The Evangeline Parish School Board Wednesday has scheduled an executive committee meeting for May 11 at 2:30pm to receive a recommendation from the superintendent and her staff on proposed reductions to the budget. The adjustments will be to cover an anticipated budget shortfall this year and next year.

Superintendent of Schools Toni Hamlin said she will be recommending a package of proposals to cover at least $2.5 million dollars in budget adjustments

Business Manager Amy Lafleur said the employer share of two retirement funds have increased which will cost the school district $1.2 million dollars more per year.

In addition, the school system’s hospitalization insurance cost will increase by about $250,000.

For the third year in a row, the state will not provide the built in so called “growth factor” in Minimum Foundation Program funding to school districts . The factor amounted to 2.75% of the annual funding.

In other business, ten of the thirteen members of the school board   prior to the meeting made a tour of the progress being made at Ville Platte High School . The $3 million dollar renovation work is “moving along well” said the superintendent. Currently work crews are making major improvements to the school gym.

This summer, work will begin in the Junior High building.

In other action, the school board:

--was notified by Hamlin that phase two of high stakes testing will take place the week of April 11;

--appointed board members Nancy Hamlin and Georgiana Wilson to serve as legislative liaison;

--voted to approve a recommendation to upgrade the audio/video system in the school board meeting room using federal Clearwire funds.