EVANGELINE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

AUGUST 17, 2016

       Superintendent of Schools Toni Hamlin Wednesday informed the Evangeline Parish School Board that she will retire at the end of her current contract effect Dec. 31. For the past nine years, Hamlin has served as school superintendent. In looking back, Hamlin has worked in the school system for more than 40 years.

      She listed the following accomplishments while serving as school chief: achieving unitary status and removing the federal courts from judicial oversight; naming nine of the 12 seated principals, naming six of the 12 seated supervisors; receiving outstanding audit reports  with no exceptions; securing a transportation contract with a $500,000 savings over a six year period; moving Ville Platte High from the academic unsatisfactory  grade to a much better grade in one year and overseeing the renovation of Ville Platte High and other school facilities.

      Hamlin said she wants to spend more time with her family and grandchild. It was after a recent class reunion that made her seriously consider making such a move.

     Board President Wayne Dardeau told Hamlin “It has been a privilege working with you for the past 27 years. Through the years, we have had many discussions, shared ideas and sometimes we disagreed. I want to commend you on doing an excellent job.”

      Also sharing personal congratulatory comments came from Board members Lonnie Sonnier, Georgianna Wilson and Nancy Hamlin.

     In other business, the school board approved advertising for bids for the construction of a new parish wide Teacher Training and Technology Building at the recommendation architect Mike Holt with the firm of Yeager, Watson and Associates..

      The  40x70 foot metal building is expected to cost anywhere from $280,000 to $310,000. The building will be used to house one million dollars worth of technology including centralized servers handling data from all of the parish school. The building will also be used to  train and inservice teachers.

      Board Business Manager Amie Lafleur informed the board members that no general funds will be used to fund the new building. The funds are coming from special funds set aside for technology and other funds.

     Holt stressed that the current building housing the 24 computers and centralized servers is in very bad shape and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

     In her report to the board, Superintendent Hamlin said from all indications the student population beginning the new school year remains stable from last year at approximately 6200.

     She also reported that the weekend flooding rains brought water inside four parish schools: James Stephens Montessori School, Mamou High, Mamou Elementary and Chataignier Elementary.