The Evangeline Parish School Board met Wednesday evening. Board members voted 12-1, to give themselves a raise from $600 to $800 per month. One board member, Michael Fontenot voted against the pay raise. In other business, Phil Lemoine, former mayor of Ville Platte, announced to the board his candidacy for Louisiana State Representative in the 38th district. In other action, the Board approved and accepted the following: • The bid of $5,000 to Marvin's House Moving, Demolition and Excavating Contractor, LLC for the sale of old technology buildings and three portable buildings at Ville Platte Elementary. • The low price quote of $6,524.08 from Deshotel's Floor Covering for stairwell treads at Bayou Chicot Elementary. • The low price quote of $22,620 for VC tile flooring in 20 classrooms of the main building at Ville Platte Elementary. • $27,000 for professional development for principals, assistant principals and supervisors to implement meaningful walk-through observations and effective feedback. • $26,350 to LSUE for payment for dual enrollment. • $24,378.90 to M.D. Descant, LLC for Basile High School improvements. • $14,890.21 for additions and alterations to W.W. Stewart Elementary. In closing remarks, Superintendent Darwin Lazard said Ryan Chapman from Ville Platte High School has been selected to represent his school in engineering in the National Young Leadership Forum. Those students who participate in a national event are given $200 by the school board. Lazard attended the National Superintendents Association conference last week in Los Angeles. He had an opportunity to represent Louisiana and was the only one to represent on the governing board. He said some superintendents wanted to take a position against corporal punishment, but Lazard said he would rather local states and districts individually make that decision. That particular effort did not pass, as the association did not take a position on it. Lazard went on to inform the board that March 1st is Dr. Seuss Day in honor of his birthday, and he and some of his staff will be visiting the elementary schools and reading to the students. Lastly, Lazard said he hoped the state would give a raise to teachers and support personnel because they haven't had a raise from the state since Governor Blanco was in office. He said the school board gave them a raise and he was grateful for that, but said "I think it would be wonderful if the state of Louisiana would take a stand and invest in public education."