Ville Platte-- Evangeline Parish Superintendent of Schools Toni Hamlin informed the members of the Evangeline School Board of the ribbon cutting of the new Ville Platte High gym that took place earlier in the day. It was the first chance for school students to actually view the athletic facility. Hamlin said the students were very pleased with the gym. The old school gymnasium did not have a regulation size court and the school  basketball teams were  forced to use area school gyms in post season playoff games.

        The gym project is part of the $3 million dollar Ville Platte High School renovation project that is substantially complete.

        Hamlin announced that there will be an open house and walking tour of  the school board and the general public  December 8 from 5:00-6:30pm.

        In other business, the school board agreed to review a proposed contract with  American Academy. The firm is an online academy that that concentrates on drop out recovery at no cost to the school district.  The company receives funding from  Minimum Foundation Program  funds for that student.

      The school district would provide a list of drop out students which the firm would contact in an attempt to re-enroll the student.

      Personnel Supervisor Michael Lombas called it a “win-win” situation both for the student and the school district. “If we can recover 1-2 drop outs and have them earn their diploma, it would be worth the effort.”

      In other action, the school board:

--approved a 2 year contract renewal for Title One Director Mary Ann Fontenot;

--was notified there will only be one meeting of the board in December: on December 14.