The Evangeline Parish School Board, Wednesday, announced that its reapportionment plan is ready for the 2014 school elections. Superintendent of Schools Toni Hamlin reported that due to the recent Supreme Court decision it is no longer necessary for political subdivisions submit their redistricting plan to the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department.

      School Board Chief Financial Officer Amy Lafleur reported that sales tax collections for the first month of the new fiscal year, July, was $114,809 below the same month a year ago. She also reported that the school district’s tobacco tax settlement fund in the Education Excellence Fund amounts to $1.2 million dollars.

     Superintendent of Schools Toni Hamlin announced that in -service classes have been going on this week for new teachers at Mamou High to prepare for the new school year to review policy and procedures, lesson planning and the new Common Core standards. There will be a district wide in-service next Tuesday and more in-service in each school next Wednesday and Thursday. The first day of school for students will be Friday August 16.

   Superintendent Hamlin said “It was a productive summer and I feel good about the new school year”. She announced two teacher openings: a counselor at Bayou Chicot and chemistry teacher position at Ville Platte High.

     In other action, the school board :

--recognized Ville Platte High graduate Eric Richard who recently earned his doctorate degree and is currently a teacher at a high school in Dallas, Texas. His parents were present at the meeting and were given special recognition;

--received news that the authorities are investigating a case of vandalism at Chataignier Elementary School.