The Evangeline Parish School Board approved the installation of metal detectors in five Evangeline Parish schools during Wednesday night’s meeting.

Basile High School, Ville Platte High School, Mamou High School, Pine Prairie High School, and Bayou Chicot Elementary will be receiving metal detectors. This $23,681.75 project, a proactive measure, follows last month’s threats made against Evangeline Parish schools, which led to parish-wide school closures.

In order to make up the instructional minutes lost in February, Superintendent Darwan Lazard announced that Memorial Day (May 28^th) will no longer be observed, and class will be held for all students.

Lazard extended his thanks to parents for being understanding, and to law enforcement, state police, and the FBI for a job well done.  

The board also heard from Maintenance & Operations Facilitator, Jason Hazelton, who recognized two Evangeline Parish schools with the “Cleanest School of the Quarter” award.  The “Big School Division,” award was given to Bayou Chicot Elementary custodians, and the “Small School Division” award was given to James Stephens Montessori custodians. $25 gift cards were also awarded to each custodian.

In other business:

The board accepted a price quote of $36,500.00 from Percille’s Construction, regarding the concrete slab needed for Pine Prairie High Schools new stadium bleachers; so far a $214,000 project.