Tomyra Courtney

The special board meeting convened to discuss and approve insurance coverage quotes. Key new business involved reviewing quotes for general liability, automobile liability, physical damage, school leaders errors and omissions, and law enforcement liability. A detailed analysis of proposed coverage from Liberty Mutual was presented, contrasting it with the expiring coverage from Larma, noting improvements such as better deductibles for newer buses and the inclusion of specific coverages like violent event response and pollution coverage, although certain exclusions like firearms and cyber incidents require separate policies. The board ultimately voted to accept the Liberty Mutual policy with modifications, specifically rejecting the uninsured motorist coverage option to achieve significant cost savings, while retaining terrorism coverage and physical damage coverage for leased buses.

The committee received personnel updates and a workforce dashboard, noting new hires, resignations, and transfers. Discussions included staffing vacant positions, particularly teacher vacancies, and the hiring of quality teachers who are enrolling in the assert program to obtain certifications. The budget and finance committee considered employee longevity and retention stipends funded by the 2024 budget surplus. The committee also reviewed and discussed the 2025-2026 transportation plan, including adjustments due to insurance coverage issues with third-party bus drivers.

The committees discussed personnel updates, workforce dashboards, employee longevity and retention stipends, and the 2025-2026 Transportation Plan. They also considered a one-time stipend for Food Services Workers. Additionally, they discussed and considered for approval an MOU between Next Level Educational Services, LLC and St. Helena Parish School Board, a Professional Services Agreement between St Helena Parish School Board and XP Synergy, and a contract between St. Helena Parish School Board and Lawrence Consulting and Advocacy, LLC. A promotion policy regarding LEAP2025 assessments was tabled for the next meeting. The committees also considered MOUs between St. Helena Parish School Board and Southeast Community Health Systems to provide a School-Based Health Center at each school campus and to provide a Licensed Professional Counselor/Behavioral Health Coordinator.

The committees received personnel updates, including resignations and advertised positions. The E-Rate RFP was approved and sent to the full board for a vote. An update to the Salary Schedule to include Differentiated Compensation Stipends Plan was tabled. The Professional Support Services proposal from the Kirkland Group for Professional Development was approved and sent to the full board for a vote. An agreement with Instructure (Parchment) to provide Transcript and Diploma Request services was tabled.

The meeting included a presentation from The Kirkland Group on procedures, implementation, and support to improve the district letter grade. The board considered and approved the LDOE Differentiated Compensation Plan, release of the LDOE stipend for certified teachers and support staff, an agreement with Instructure (Parchment) for online transcript services, declaring a portable trailer at St. Helena Early Learning Center as surplus, and revisions/additions to the Cash Donations Policy.