Documenter: Tracy E. Antoine

Agency holding meeting: Calcasieu Parish School Board

Date: June 12, 2023

The CPSB agenda included school supply bids, Hurricane Laura school repairs, employee salary changes, and student recognition

The Scene

There were more than fifty members of the public at the meeting. The atmosphere was cheerful and talkative as people filled the CPSB auditorium.

The meeting was called to order by Board President Russell Castille. Board member Phyllis Ayo gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance.

Superintendent Shannon LaFargue, called attendance. All board members were present except board member Billy Breaux.

A motion was made by board member Damon Hardesty and seconded by board member Glenda Gay to approve the Meeting Minutes from May 9, 2023. The board voted, and the motion passed. 

Presentations

Dr. LaFargue introduced Mr. Keith LeLeaux, director of child welfare and attendance, to present the perfect attendance award to Lucious Lee Guillory, Iowa High School, and Clailey Layne David, Sam Houston High School. The students were recognized for their perfect attendance and stellar accomplishments during their educational journey from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Dr. LaFargue announced that for the 2022-2023 school year, over 1,800 students graduated.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. LaFargue directed the board to their packets for the superintendent’s full report.

For the Head Start report, Dr. LaFourche stated, “The Head Start interviews are scheduled throughout June. The May 2023 sales tax general fund collections show $721,182.00 for the eleventh month of the 22-23 fiscal year. The collections are $385,944.00, and after eleven months, collections are $15,827,764.00 and $2,636,692.00.

Hurricane Information: The summary is included in the board packet. 

The Executive Session started at 5:29 p.m. with a motion by Hardesty, seconded by Natali. The session ended at 5:39 p.m. with a move to reconvene the regular CPSB session at 5:40 p.m. with a unanimous vote. 

The board voted on a settlement on case WC#143502/Kyle Beasley, attorney. The board voted and passed the motion unanimously.

Discussion

Items to be voted on were whether it was feasible to change the CPS employee pay date from once per month to two times per month. 

CPSB members also voted on permission to hire Lean Frog, a third-party financial company, to study CPSB’s salary. 

Board members discussed the effect of the payday change on current staff and the money requested to pay for services to Lean Frog, a third-party consultant, to perform a salary schedule study for $38,216.

Board member Desmond Wallace questioned why another study was necessary when a survey was given to CPSB employees regarding the change in once-per-month to twice-per-month pay.

Barne stated, “The study is necessary to ensure that the teachers and faculty are being properly compensated.” The study will show any deficiencies in the current CPS employee salary, Barne said.

The issue was debated more by board members Desmond Wallace, Phyllis Ayo, Glenda Gay, Eric Tarver, and Patrick Pichon as the board tried to get clarification on the item. Board member Dean Roberts made a motion to postpone, which was seconded by board member Desmond Wallace, while board member John Barnes got more specifics of what would be included in the cost. 

The next item on the agenda, John Barnes asked the board to allow $250,000 to enter into a 5-year lease agreement with Enterprise Inc to purchase pre-owned trucks to add to the maintenance truck fleet, as the older ones have been breaking down. Hardesty asked what would be included in the lease agreement and if $250,000 would be required after every 5-year lease period.

John Barnes agreed to get more information from Enterprise and additional lease agreement details from other dealers. The motion to postpone was made by board member Dean Roberts and seconded by Glenda Gay.

Bid and Hurricane Reports

Bid# 2024-HT dealt with hand-towel dispensers in schools. Staff recommended VERITIV as the lowest responsive vendor. The dispensers will be purchased with ESSER Funds for $105,495. The board passed the motion.

For the hurricane bid report, letters A-D: St. John Elementary/ Hurricane Laura repairs/K&J Development/$985,000, M.J. Kaufman Elementary/Hurricane Laura repairs/ Russell J. Stutes Construction/Base Bid $91,9000, Oak Park Elementary/ Hurricane Laura repairs/Trahan Construction/$1,717,000, and lastly LCBA Re-Roofing Building F/ MorCore Roofing/ $305,000. All items were passed unanimously.

Correspondence

Change Order Numbers for administrative area modifications at Maplewood Middle and Elementary schools were increased to $7,457.86, and a contract extension of 35 days was approved. The other change order number for the project, a second-story addition at Bell City High School Gymnasium paid for through BCHS Maintenance Fund and to be performed by Moss Architects, Inc, was also approved, along with a contract extension of 102 days.

Recognitions

The 2022-2023 High School Athletic Spring State Champions were announced by Superintendent LaFargue, who introduced Mr. Patrick, principal at Barbe High School, to present the first set of award winners. 

The CPSB will hold its next meeting on July 11, 2023.

The motion to adjourn was made and approved at 7:39 p.m.