The Evangeline Parish School Board held its bi-monthly meeting tonight in the School Board Media Room.  Attorney, Betsy Jackson, swore in School Board Members, President, Wayne Dardeau, Vice President, Scott Limoges, Peggy Foreman, Georgianna Wilson, Wanda Skinner, Arthur Savoy, Lonnie Sonnier and Ellis Guillory.  Board Members, Mike Fontenot and Darrin Vidrine were in attendance, but had previously been sworn in.

Supervisor, Linda Lafleur, addressed the board with proposed changes to the “Remediation” program for 4^th and 8^th grade students.  The Board approved the change of making the remediation period 4 days in May instead of the 6 days leading into June as it is now.  Normal Summer School will remain the same.

Chief Financial Officer, Amy Lafleur, gave the sales tax comparison and reported that collections for the month of December of the 2014-15 school year were $548,027.73 compared to $455,345.25 for the 2013-2014 school year.  That is an increase of $92,682.48.

Again, discussions turned to the PARC Assessment and the Common Core program as the Board was presented with two Resolutions from other parishes asking the State of Louisiana to grant a moratorium on sanctions being imposed if a school district is not ready in time for the PARC testing (St. Mary Parish School Board); and asking the State to remove itself from the Common Core Standards and charge the Louisiana Board of Education with developing a new standard (St. Tammany Parish School Board).  After discussions were had, the Board adopted the Resolutions.  They will have no effect on Evangeline Parish.

Superintendent, Toni Hamlin, congratulated newest Board Member, Mike Fontenot from the Mamou area for being with the Board.  She also announced the first Executive Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, January 27^th at 2:00 p.m. in the Media Center.  Peggy Foremen has agreed to head that committee again this year.  This Friday will be a staff development day so educators can continue to receive up-to-date training.

Ms. Hamlin also congratulated Mamou High School for receiving two grants this week.  The School received a $5,000.00 grant from Lowe’s Home Improvement for beautification and improvement to the campus; and also a $1,000.00 grant from the new Walmart Express newly opened in Mamou.