Ville Platte Gazette
August 27, 2026
Legal Notice
EVANGELINE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 15, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendance
Voting Members
Bobby Hamlin, Jr., District 11, President
Sheila Joseph, District 7, Vice President
Lonnie Sonnier, District 1-Absent
Nick Chaumont, District 2
Karen Vidrine, District 3
Wayne Dardeau, District 4
Monica Andrus, District 5-Absent
Michael Fontenot, District 6
Jerry Bottley, District 8
Kristy Briley, District 9
Fannie Soileau, District 10
Calvin Leday, Jr., District 12
Donald Anderson, District 13
Non-Voting Members
Cheri B. Fontenot, Superintendent
Amy LaFleur, CFO
Julehene Jackson, Asst. District Attorney
1. Permission to approve the previous Regular Board Meeting’s Minutes dated June 17, 2026
There were no questions or concerns from the board members or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Michael Fontenot
Motion seconded by: Fannie Soileau
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
2. Permission to approve the previous Special Board Meeting’s Minutes dated June 23, 2026
There were no questions or concerns from the board members or the audience. CCiick the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Donald Anderson
Motion seconded by: Fannie Soileau
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting results: Unanimously approved
3. Permission to approve the previous Special Board Meeting’s Minutes dated July 1, 2026
There were no questions or concerns from the board members or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Wayne Dardeau
Motion seconded by: Michael Fontenot
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting results: Unanimously approved
4.Executive Meeting dated July 9, 2026
A. Permission to approve minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting dated July 9, 2026
There were no questions or concerns from the board members or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Fannie Soileau
Motion seconded by: Karen Vidrine
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
B. Permission to approve the action of the Executive Committee Meeting dated July 9, 2026
There were no questions or concerns from the board members or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Wayne Dardeau
Motion seconded by: Kristy Briley
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
5. 2025-2026 Preliminary LEAP Test Result
Informational: Superintendent Cheri Fontenot congratulated the students, parents, teachers, and staff on the released LEAP results. She shared and explained the attached results. She said that all the growth that we have means that we are moving in the right direction.
Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
6. Public Notice-Per the USDOE, school systems are to annually notify parents and eligible students {over the age of 18) about their rights under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). Additional, more detailed policy information can be found in the student handbook in section JR.
Informational: There were no questions or concerns from members of the board or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
7. Number of Certified and Uncertified Professionals
Informational: Middle School Supervisor Katrina Ardoin shared and explained the attached document regarding the number of certified and uncertified professionals. There were no questions or concerns from members of the board or the audience. Click on the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
8. Donations for the month ending May 31, 2026
Informational: There were no questions or concerns from the members of the board or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
9. EPSB Sales Tax Comparison from July 2025 to June 2026
Informational: There were no questions or concerns from the members of the board or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
10. To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special elections held in (i) the Parish of Evangeline, State of Louisiana, (ii) Consolidated School District No.2 of the Parish of Evangeline, State of Louisiana and (iii) School District No. 7 of the Second Police Jury Ward of the Parish of Evangeline, Louisiana and the Seventh Police Jury Ward of the Parish of Acadia, Louisiana, on Saturday, June 27, 2026, to authorize the renewal of special taxes therein.
CFO Amy LaFleur shared the reason for adopting the resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special elections held on Saturday, June 27, 2026. She thanked everyone who voted in favor of renewing the special taxes, which represent approximately seven million dollars to the district. There were no questions or concerns from the members of the board or the audience. Click on the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Karen Vidrine
Motion seconded by: Donald Anderson
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
11. Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire (For Audit Engagements of Government Agencies) July 15, 2026
CFO Amy LaFleur said the fiscal year just ended on June 30, 2026, and the legislative audit requires a set of questions to be answered on the Census of the district. There were no questions or concerns from the members of the board or the audience.
Motion made by: Michael Fontenot
Motion seconded by: Jerry Bottley
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
12. Permission to proceed with timber bid as recommended by EPSB Land and Timber Manager Daniel Rush
CFO Amy LaFleur corrected that it is permission for us to seek bids for the thinning of the timber, and Manager Daniel Rush recommends that we proceed with requesting permission to sell the thinning to allow other trees to grow. The bids will be presented in the September time frame for the board to accept the high quote. There were questions and concerns from members of the board. Mrs. LaFleur answered adequately.
Motion made by: Michael Fontenot
Motion seconded by: Jerry Bottley
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
13. Lemoine Insurance Agency, LLC--$38,798.75 for Student Accident & Catastrophic Insurance
Renewal due date 7/30/2026 using General Fund
CFO Amy LaFleur explained that this policy is a renewal that covers student athletes, accidents, and catastrophic events at the same price. There were no questions or concerns from the members of the board or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Jerry Bottley
Motion seconded by: Michael Fontenot
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr. Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont Yes: Karen Vidrine Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr. Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
14. Permission to approve a revision to the 2027 graduation schedule by moving graduation ceremonies to May 20th and May 21st, 2027 to ensure all dual enrollment grades are received and properly reflected prior to graduation
Superintendent Fontenot explained the reason for the revision to the graduation ceremony dates. There was a question from a board member and CFO Amy LaFleur answered briefly. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Karen Vidrine
Motion seconded by: Fannie Soileau
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
15. Permission to approve the Evangeline Parish School District 2026-2027 Technology Handbook for virtual and dual enrollment students
Title II Supervisor Connie Guillory explained that only the dates changed in the 2026-2027
Technology Handbook for virtual and dual enrollment students. There were a few questions from the members of the board, which Mrs. Guillory, Mr. Manuel, and Mrs. LaFleur answered. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Michael Fontenot
Motion seconded by: Jerry Bottley
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
16. Permission to adopt the 2026-2027 Student Handbook & Reference Guide
Child Welfare & Attendance Supervisor/Administrator Steven Manuel explained the changes made in the book were the academic and assessment calendars, legislator updates, and updated contact information for schools with new principals and secretaries, behavioral health support for students, and student suicide prevention awareness acts, where contact information was added to the Louisiana Suicide Prevention hotline. There were no questions or concerns from members of the board or the audience. Click the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Fannie Soileau
Motion seconded by: Wayne Dardeau
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
17. Permission to ratify/approve the attached requisition(s)/invoice(s)
There were questions and concerns from members of the board, which were answered by CFO Amy LaFleur briefly. Click on the agenda tab to view the attachment for more details.
Motion made by: Wayne Dardeau
Motion seconded by: Fannie Soileau
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr. Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
A. Ratification of GoGuardian Pear Deck learning--$17,219.36 for Renewal Superscription for Professional Product Training using Educational Excellence
B. Ratification of Playlearn--$11,200.00 for Calming Dark Room Package for High Cost Students using High Cost Student#25 ($10,993.00) and IDEA ($207.00) Funds
C. Ratification of Sayes Office Supply--$29,740.50 for Outdoor Sensory Materials for High Cost Students using High Cost Child#20 RD.- ($3,881.00), HCC#24 RD. 1($4,003.00), HCC#1 Rd. 2 ($9,811.00), & HCC#2 Rd.2 ($8,662.00) Funds
D.Ratification of Vector Solutions--$13,687.26 for Renewal of Teach Point Annual Subscription using Title II Fund
E. Ratification of Vector Solution--$13,445.67 for Vector Trainings-Employee Mandatory Trainings using General Fund
F. Ratification of lnvision--$28,703.52 for Desktop for Basile Business lab using Perkins
G. APEL--$22,000.00 for Professional Development using Title IV fund
H. Parent Square, lnc.--$10,135.82 for Renewal of EPSB and School Websites using General Fund
I. louisiana School Board Association--$18,800.00 for Simbli Modules-Meetings & Policy Platforms using General Fund
J. louisiana School Boards Association--$11,205.83 for District’s LSBA Annual Membership using General Fund
18. Discussion and possible action regarding the proposed relocation of students in grades 6-8 from JSM to ERA
There were questions and concerns from the members of the board. Superintendent Cheri Fontenot explained the reason for omitting the discussion and possible action regarding the proposed relocation of students in grades 6-7 from JSM to ERA. She shared that she was waiting for some information from LDOE and was not able to get all the pieces of information.
Mrs. Fontenot said that she did not think it was prudent to move forward with that plan without all the information to make a strong recommendation tonight.
Attorney Julehene Jackson advised the board president that a vote was needed to omit this item.
Motion made by: Jerry Bottley
Motion seconded by: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr. Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley Yes: Kristy Briley Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting Results: Unanimously Approved
19. Discussion and possible action regarding proposed adjustments to student-teacher ratios in identified and grade levels
Informational: Superintendent Cheri Fontenot explained the proposed adjustments to student teacher ratios as indicated on the handout. Click on the agenda tab to view for more details. There was a brief question-and-answer period between the members of the board and the superintendent.
20. Personnel Matters
Informational: There were questions and concerns from members of the board.
21. Superintendent’s Comments
Informational: Superintendent Cheri Fontenot said that this is day 15, and we have been focusing as a team to try to stabilize the district’s finances. She shared that these are difficult decisions trying to get our finances in order. It requires as a team work and discussions. It is hard for a community. Thus far, the decisions that have been made have not been taken lightly or have been easy. Superintendent Fontenot said that if she had the power, she would not change anything for anybody. She expressed appreciation to the staff because everybody came together as a team with positive feedback from the principals and the supervisors. Mrs. Fontenot said that we are looking forward to a very good academic year. A new theme was voted on that will drive our work this year, “One District, One Team, One Purpose”. She reminded the members of the board and the audience about the following:
• August 3, 2026, is the First Day of School for all employees except the bus drivers and bus aides.
• August 3 and 5, 2026 will be school-based Professional Development days.
• August 4, 2026, will be a District Professional Development day.
• August 6, 2026, students will return to school. Note: A staggered start has already been advertised on EPSB’s website. If parents have any questions or concerns, please call your school where you are zoned for.
Superintendent Fontenot concluded by saying that she is excited with the direction that our district is taking and thanked the board for the opportunity to serve.
22. Adjournment by Order of President Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
There were no questions or concerns from the members of the board or the audience. Meeting adjourned at 6:51PM.
Motion made by: Michael Fontenot
Motion seconded by: Jerry Bottley
Voting results:
Yes: Bobby Hamlin, Jr.
Yes: Sheila Joseph
Not Present: Lonnie Sonnier
Yes: Nick Chaumont
Yes: Karen Vidrine
Yes: Wayne Dardeau
Not Present: Monica Andrus
Yes: Michael Fontenot
Yes: Jerry Bottley
Yes: Kristy Briley
Yes: Fannie Soileau
Yes: Calvin Leday, Jr.
Yes: Donald Anderson
Voting results: Unanimously approved
/s/:Cheri B. Fontenot
Cheri B. Fontenot
Secretary- Treasurer
/s/:Bobby Hamlin
Bobby Hamlin
President
082726
Cost is $715.00