During the most recent Evangeline Parish School Board meeting, Supervisor Kelli LaFleur informed board members that the Louisiana State Department of Education reduced the amount of funds available for supplemental course education.
These cuts, LaFleur said, will “significantly impact our LSUE dual enrollment, LSUE Academy, as well as South Louisiana Community College.”
According to LaFleur, “last year we were very fortunate to receive $160,000.00.” She then continued, “We did however get word last week that number has been reduced to $88,323.”
The money received from the state to provide for these further education classes to be offered for students covered tuition costs and cost of books.
With less money being allocated to the school district for these programs, LaFleur suggested that the district only use the money it will receive for tuition, and only offer one class during the fall semester. She then advised that they could reevaluate the funds available in the spring semester to determine if enough funding is available to offer a another class.
As it relates to this matter, Superintendent Darwan Lazard said, ““We had a very successful program, where students are able to earn college credits, but the funds that we get come from the state, which they cut significantly. I mean, when you lose $100,000, that’s nothing to blink at. We wanted everyone to know up front that we won’t be able to offer as many classes as we have in the past.”
These cuts however, Lazard shared, will not affect students utilizing Pell Grants to pay for these classes.
During the superintendents comments he recognized Christine Bacon, who has retired from her career in education after 41 and a half years at W.W. Stewart. At the time of her retirement, Bacon was the head principal at W.W. Stewart in Basile.
He then informed the board of personnel changes being made at several schools in the district. Replacing Bacon as interim principal at W.W.S. is Danielle Young. Other new placements are Candace Manuel, who will be the interim principal at Mamou High, Quint West, who was named as the new principal at Pine Prairie High, Katrina Ardoin, who will be the interim assistant principal for PPHS, and Dr. Kimberly McCauley, who will serve as the newest mathematics teacher and assistant principal at PPHS.
Items approved at the meeting were:
•2018 millage rates for the tax year 2018, which all will remain the same as last year, except for the special parish-wide tax that increased from $9.99 to $10.35.
•low-price quote of $12,394.26 from Associated Food Equipment & Supplies for a tilting skillet for W.W. Stewart Elementary School Cafeteria using SFS funds.
•ratification to ASE Environmental Services in the amount of $5,250.00 for remediation/wipe down of the principal’s office and room #13 at Chataignier Elementary School using the parish-wide maintenance fund.
•ratification of payment to ASE Environmental Services in the amount of $6,300.00 for remediation/ wipe down of eight classrooms at Basile High School (Elementary Building) using Basile Maintenance Fund.
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ELIZABETH WEST Managing Editor