PUBLIC NOTICE
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
St. Landry Parish School Board
July 11, 2024
The St. Landry Parish School Board met in regular session on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the St. Landry Parish School Board Supplementary Resource Center, 1013 Creswell Lane, Opelousas, Louisiana.
1. OPENING OF MEETING
Procedural: A. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 P.M.
Procedural: B. Roll Call
Roll call was taken and in attendance were the following members:
Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy Robert Gautreaux, Tiffany Nolan were not in attendance.
Courtney Joiner, board attorney, was also in attendance.
Procedural: C. Prayer
A prayer was recited.
Procedural: D. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Procedural: F. Resolutions of Sympathy
Upon motion of the entire membership of the board, the following Resolutions of Sympathy were adopted:
• Wilda Rivette Reynaud, retired St. Landry Parish School Board teacher at Northeast Elementary; mother of Helen Robinson, retired SLPSB Supervisor of Child Nutrition; grandmother of Donyelle Robinson, teacher at Northeast Elementary; and sister of Shirley Payne, retired teacher at Southwest Elementary
• Elinor Alacoste Eaglin, retired STPSB Title I Instructional Specialist, and former St. Landry Parish School Board member, District #2
• Gloria Lafleur, mother of John Lafleur, and mother-in-law of Wendy Lafleur, teachers at Opelousas High School
• Joseph “Lil Joe” Coutee, retired school bus driver and father of Paige Coutee, paraprofessional at Eunice Career & Technical Education Center
• Shanda Guidry, retired school bus driver
Procedural: G. Board President’s Comments
Mary Donatto, Board President, addressed the board and audience
Presentations, Procedural: H. Presentations and Recognitions
• SLEMCO Outstanding Youth Award Winners
• Jake Scherff - Grand Prairie Elementary
• Emma Blanchard - Grand Prairie Elementary
• Lane Barker - Krotz Springs Elementary
• Layla Bartram - Krotz Springs Elementary
• Hayden Gradney - Lawtell Elementary
• Mariyah Pete - Lawtell Elementary
• Gabriel Stein - Palmetto Elementary
• Jasmine LeBlanc - Palmetto Elementary
• Frederick Wilson - Plaisance Elementary
• Darriona Fisher - Plaisance Elementary
• Reach University Graduates
• Wanda Guilbeaux - Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
• Tressha Willis - Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
• Christine Collins
• Alice Cooper
• Tiffieny Gallien
• Krystle Richard
Procedural: L Superintendent’s Comments
Superintendent Batiste addressed the board and audience
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action, Minutes: A. Regular Board Meeting held on June 6, 2024
Action, Minutes: B. Committee of the Whole Meeting held on June 18, 2024
Motion to approve minutes.
Motion by Kyle Boss, second by Milton Ambres.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy
3. EXECUTIVE RECOMMENDATION
Action, Discussion: A. Discussion and/or action to approve (4) St. Landry Parish Sheriff Supplementary Resource Officers for designated schools (Beau Chene High, North Central High, Northwest High) and to authorize Superintendent Milton Batiste or designee to negotiate a contract with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. - Mr. Milton Batiste
Motion to approve (4) St. Landry Parish Sheriff Supplementary Resource Officers for designated schools (Beau Chene High, North Central High, Northwest High) and to authorize Superintendent Milton Batiste or designee to negotiate a contract with the St, Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Motion by Milton Ambres, second by Anthony Standberry.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy
4. BUILDINGS, LANDS, AND SITES RECOMMENDATION
Action, Discussion: A. Discussion and/or action to approve to sell the Morrow Elementary property that the school board owns, as is, and to have the school board attorney determine legal clarification of the donated portion of the property. - Ms. Claudia Blanchard
After getting legal clarification from the school board’s attorney regarding the donated portion of the Morrow Elementary property, it was determined that the School Board does indeed own the donated portion of the property. Therefore, a motion was made to approve to sell the entire Morrow Elementary property, as is, and, if the property is not sold by by February 1, 2025, then the School Board will have the property cleaned up.
Motion by Bianca Vedell, second by Renee Aymond.
Substitute motion was made to edit the above motion:
Motion to sell the entire Morrow Elementary property, as is, and, if the property is sold, to have the proceeds of the sale go towards the schools in District #5, however, if the property is not sold by February 1, 2025, then the School Board will have the property cleaned up.
Motion by Milton Ambres, second by Bianca Vedell
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Milton Ambres, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy Nay: Hazel Sias, Kyle Boss, Randy Wagley
Abstain: Joyce Haynes
5. FINANCE RECOMMENDATION
Action, Discussion: A. Discussion and/or action to approve the 2024-2025 millage rates at the maximum authorized levy. - Ms. Shaun Grantham
Motion to approve the 2024-2025 millage rates at the maximum authorized levy.
Motion by Raymond Cassimere, second by Randy Wagley.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy
6. PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATION
Action, Discussion: A. Discussion and/or action to give Superintendent Batiste authority to open up position for Director of Operations before the current Director retires. - Mr. Milton Batiste
Motion to give Superintendent Batiste authority to open up position for Director of Operations before the current Director retires.
Motion by Hazel Sias, second by Raymond Cassimere,
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy
7. OTHER ITEM
Discussion: A. Discussion regarding the status of the building known as Opelousas High School Magnet Academy of Biomedical Sciences. - Mr. Milton Batiste
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Discussion: A. In accordance with Louisiana Revised Statute 42:17, the Board will enter into executive session to discuss litigation in the case of Christopher and Karlie Miller et al. v. Brett Simien et al., Docket No. 24-CV-00030 (Western District of Louisiana).
Motion to enter into executive session.
Motion by Milton Ambres, second by Raymond Cassimere,
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy
Motion to exit out of executive session.
Motion by Milton Ambres, second by Joyce Haynes
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy
9. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM
Action, Discussion: A. Discussion and action to approve recommendation made in the case of Christopher and Karlie Miller et al. v. Brett Simien et al., Docket No. 24-CV-00030 (Western District of Louisiana).
Motion to accept the recommendation of the board’s attorney in the case of Christopher and Karlie Miller et al. v. Brett Simien et al., Docket No. 24-CV-00030 (Western District of Louisiana).
Motion by Milton Ambres, second by Joyce Haynes,
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea: Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy
10. ADJOURNMENT
Action: A. Adjourn the Meeting
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:28 P.M.
Motion by Milton Ambres, second by Renee Aymond.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Yea:Anthony Standberry, Bianca Vedell, Hazel Sias, Joyce Haynes, Kyle Boss, Mary Donatto, Milton Ambres, Randy Wagley, Raymond Cassimere, Renee Aymond, Timmakah Hardy
RespectfuIly submitted,
Mary Donatto, President
ATTEST: Milton Batiste III, Superintendent
TRANSCRIBED BY: Valencia Thierry-Tyler
(PUBLISH: AUGUST 8, 2024) 1T