Mike Diaz

The Finance Committee meeting commenced with updates on sales tax collections, noting that the 2 cent sales tax was up 4.21% for December, leading to a 7.88% increase year-to-date for the first six months. The associated Ephid tax was also reported as up 13.98% for the month. Discussions indicated that current stipends are diminishing the related fund faster than anticipated. The presentation of the 2024-2025 financial audit was tabled due to the auditor's absence. Monthly financial reports, including the new statement of net position (balance sheet) for October 31, 2025, were presented, showing positive figures. The committee reviewed and subsequently approved the August and September 2025 accounts payable registers. A significant discussion focused on revising the performance stipends for highly effective teachers, specifically addressing the issue where retiring teachers may not receive their earned stipends if they retire before the October payout date; this was referred to legal counsel due to constitutional concerns regarding post-employment bonus payments. Finally, the committee deliberated on awarding the next two years of grass cutting contracts, initially moving to approve the lowest quotes, but ultimately amending the motion to retain current contractors based on satisfaction, though this amendment failed a vote. The original motion to accept the lowest quotes was then passed.

The board meeting commenced with roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, skipping the National Anthem due to an absent student performer. Key actions included the approval of previous board minutes and capital outlay committee minutes by consent, followed by the approval of finance committee minutes after suspending rules to add a late item concerning a stipend increase for extracurricular activity travel and bus driver hourly rates. The board subsequently referred the 'Handle With Care' stipend issue to the policy committee for further review after discussion on compensating salaried employees for this specialized role. The 2024-2025 financial audit was presented as a clean audit with no management disagreements. The Superintendent provided updates, including recognizing National School Counseling Week (noting the staff increase from 20 to 41 counselors since 2013), encouraging applications for PreK programs, and reminding the board about the calendar vote deadline. Board acknowledgements recognized the district's dance team achieving third place nationally and commended the Superintendent's community tours with local pastors and school administrators.

The Capital Outlay Committee meeting addressed several topics, beginning with the quarterly report on purchase orders for capital outlay and maintenance funds, which received positive feedback regarding recent policy changes. A significant focus was placed on the transition of HVAC systems from water source units to PTAC units to address aging infrastructure, including achieving court approval for electrical improvements at Kentwood High School to facilitate this conversion. The committee discussed HVAC conversions at Nalbony and upgrading systems at Ponchula, Laura High School, LRA Middle, and Lanja Elementary due to interconnected water loop system vulnerabilities. Additionally, the committee reviewed the asphalt paving request for the Greenville Park area, noting a high quote ($318,000) that triggers a requirement for engineer involvement and sealed bids, leading to a request for alternative quotes, including limestone options. Updates on electrical projects showed that four projects are in the contract phase following recent approvals. For athletic tracks at Sar, Ponchula, and Hammond, the design status was updated from schematic design to design development to fast-track completion by August. The cost difference for the specialized sandwich method track versus the base track surfacing was noted to be an upcharge of approximately $220,000 for all three schools, with the primary benefit being performance rather than significant longevity extension. Finally, progress on the Ponchula project was reported as an impasse due to scope alignment with the existing budget.

The meeting involved roll call and the pledge of allegiance led by Mr. Anthony. The new business focused on the presentation of the 2024-2025 financial audit, which resulted in a clean, unmodified opinion for the June 30th, 2025 financial statements. Key findings highlighted a decrease in assets but a larger decrease in liabilities, leading to an approximately $6 million increase in total fund balance year-over-year. The presentation noted a deficit in the restricted maintenance fund balance, which is being subsidized by the general fund. Furthermore, the audit revealed no material weaknesses in internal controls under Governmental Auditing Standards or Uniform Guidance, and no exceptions were found in the Best AUP engagement. The committee also discussed and ratified an administration recommendation to amend the salary schedule for bus drivers to establish a rate of $25 an hour, effective from August forward.

The capital outlay meeting included updates on facility improvements, specifically parishwide bathroom updates involving both in-house maintenance staff and subcontractors for tasks such as flooring, painting, and the installation of durable stainless steel backsplashes. Other completed projects highlighted included new playground equipment, security perimeter fencing, painting, parking lot striping, installation of automatic gates and car pickup gates, gymnasium interior and exterior painting, and the removal of hazardous trees. Future work planned involves additional flooring projects, installation of new scoreboards, replacement of auditorium and stage curtains at Nissim and Hammond High School, construction of a concrete pad at Amy Westside, and addressing the costly asphalt parking lot project at Greenville Park. A significant concern raised was the need to replace old gymnasium bleacher motors across all schools due to difficulty sourcing parts.