Harlan Kirgan
The St. Landry Parish Council dismissed hearing from school Superintendent Patrick Jenkins at a meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting was called to discuss parish government’s budget, but Jenkins was added to the agenda to talk about the lease of a parish-owned Head Start site.
Parish President Bill Fontenot said he requested Jenkins be added to the agenda.
Opelousas Parish Council member Wayne Ardoin said, “I thought we had voted on an agenda to discuss the budget and I don’t know how Mr. Jenkins got on the agenda and I’m asking at this time that this be postponed until we have a committee meeting to discuss the time.”
Ardoin said his plan is to ask for an appraisal of the property.
The property has been leased for $60 a year.
Fontenot said, “I’ll confess openly that I asked that it be put on the agenda.”
“Mr. Jenkins called me,” Fontenot said.
“He doesn’t necessarily want action tonight. From what I understood from him he just wanted to make a statement about the importance of it ... not to argue the cost or anything,” Fontenot said.
Councilman Harold Taylor said the Council faced a long agenda and he has questions about the Head Start lease.
“Could we reschedule next week at our committee meeting?” Taylor asked.
After the vote, Fontenot said, “I want to personally apologize to Mr. Jenkins. I was only trying to help him. I think it is absurd that he couldn’t make a statement. So, it is my fault in under-estimating the good reasoning of the Council. So, I’m sorry about that.”
Three and half hours later the meeting adjourned.