February 4, 2015
The Evangeline Parish School Board held its bi-monthly meeting tonight in the Media Center. There was an Executive Committee Meeting held on January 27th where the topic of an announcement made in the media regarding students’ option not to participate in the state testing. Superintendent, Toni Hamlin brought the subject up and because it is not mentioned in State Law 17:24, the subject could become critical. There would be no penalty to the student, but teachers, schools and districts would be penalized. A school would receive a “0” for every student not tested, which would be disastrous for the School Performance Scores. This was a topic for discussion and information at this time.
During the regular Board Meeting, Mr. Vic Slaven gave the Audit Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014. He gave the Board a “Very Clean Report”. Board Member, Nancy Hamlin, said she was very proud of the schools, Central Office and Amy Lafleur, Chief Financial Officer for their hard work.
Discussion then turned to the renewal of the First Student transportation contract. The issue had been discussed in the Executive Committee Meeting wherein a “Five Year Renewal” was rejected and a “Three Year Renewal” was accepted. When presented to the Board, there was debate back and forth as to whether the contract needed to go out for bid rather than just renewed, especially that the amount of the contract is in the millions and the highest paid contract the School Board has. Board Member, Mike Fontenot expressed it would be “fiscally responsible to our constituents and our students to put it out for bid in hopes of saving money.” The Board voted 5 to 6 in favor of putting the contract out for bid. Work on the bidding process will now begin.
Assistant Superintendent, Darwan Lazard spoke regarding repairs and projects being performed at all of our schools. He pointed out that he has a small group performing the work, but they have done a very good job and have completed approximately 188 work orders from October 11, 2014 through January 7, 2015.
He reported that they did come across an “unsafe situation” at James Stephens. They were receiving complaints from those in the neighborhood and had a problem with an emergency vehicle not being able to get through. This is in the area where the parents line up to drop off and pick up the children. They are preparing a new route in the rear of the school for new pickup. They have placed limestone, extended a canopy and sidewalk. New signage will be going up. James Stevens Drive will become a 1-way from 7-9:00 A.M. and from 2-4:00 P.M. and Peach Street will become a one-way to the East for part of the day. A letter will be sent home to parents regarding the changes.
There will be a Superintendent’s Committee Meeting for support personal at 2:00 P.M. tomorrow at the Central Office.
Vidrine Elementary was recognized by KATC for being a “Cool School” due to their donations of books to children’s hospitals.
And we close on a good note, Pine Prairie High School Student Jamie Jenkins was awarded 1st Place in the Cover Art Contest by the Louisiana Council for Exceptional Children. Congratulations from KVPI!