Claudia A. Blanchard

The meeting commenced with an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. A request was made and granted to move the Helix item up on the agenda. The main discussion centered on an update regarding school operations, showing enrollment growth from 437 to 497 students since the beginning of the school year, with strong enrollment across most grades. The origin of these students, including those transferring from other St. Landry Parish schools and those coming from outside the district or who were previously homeschooled, was detailed, highlighting the success of the board's charter strategy to provide new facilities in the city of Opelousas. Future plans include preparing for the addition of sixth grade next year and seventh and eighth grades in the 2027-2028 school year, which aligns with construction plans for a new middle school facility featuring a gymnasium. Furthermore, the completion of the purchase of an additional 7.3 acres of land for sports fields was reported. Board members discussed ongoing planning challenges related to facility management and maintaining both new and older school buildings.

The meeting commenced with the calling to order of the joint committee and regular board meeting, followed by the invocation. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the necessity to divide a previously considered proposition into two separate ballot items concerning a bond measure. Proposition Number One focused on salary components, including raises for all employees and funding for school resource officers, counselors, and nurses. Proposition Number Two addressed capital improvement aspects related to safety, such as the track, turf football fields, and IP cameras. The superintendent recommended tying the passage of both propositions together. Board members discussed the associated timelines, noting that recent legislative changes moved the election date from April to May 16th. Further discussion centered on the impact of the proposed salary increase (a $2,500 raise for all employees) on bringing current employee compensation up to competitive levels relative to the market, contrasted against prior goals outlined in Lean Frog reports. The capital improvement aspect was discussed in the context of assessing needs across 37 sites, with the understanding that the final allocation would be flexible based on outcomes and potential cost savings from bids, or site consolidations.

The primary focus of the Committee of the Whole Work Session was the discussion and potential action regarding the reconfiguration, consolidation, and closure of schools. The board reviewed three distinct plans (Plan 1, Plan 2, and Plan 3) detailing various proposed structural changes for elementary, middle, and junior high schools beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. These plans included changes to grade configurations, consolidation of Pre K students, the establishment of a 6th through 8th grade junior high school, and the expansion of the Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts to include 6th grade.

The presentation focused extensively on school safety and security, initiated by a safety consultant sharing personal experiences related to workplace violence and highlighting common vulnerabilities, referred to as "soft targets." Key discussion points involved assessing the current state of safety measures within the district's schools, including the presence of dedicated resource officers, particularly in rural areas, and response times. The presenter emphasized the mandatory requirements outlined in Louisiana law (17:41616) for preparing and maintaining crisis management and response plans, which must be developed collaboratively with law enforcement and fire officials and reviewed annually. Specific mandated actions include conducting safety drills within the first 30 days of school, ensuring classroom doors remain locked during instructional time, and maintaining copies of the plan with key personnel like the superintendent and chief of police/sheriff. The consultant strongly recommended hiring an external consultant for a comprehensive, itemized safety assessment to identify gaps against legal requirements and best practices, followed by prioritizing resource acquisition through internal budget review, community stakeholders, and external grants before appealing to the public for funds. Immediate, low-cost actions suggested included mandating locked doors with peepholes and increasing walk-and-talk procedures for administrators and staff during transitional periods.

The Committee of the Whole meeting agenda included discussions and/or action on approving policies regarding the dismissal of employees and employee discipline. Key action items involved accepting the recommendation for the lowest bid received for the renovation of Eunice Elementary School, with bids ranging from $364,300.00 to $498,500.00. The committee also planned discussions regarding Board election procedures and the procedural process of Personnel Committee recommendations, specifically concerning employee terminations and student discipline, with portions scheduled to move into executive session for these personnel matters.