Thibodaux Daily Comet
May 16, 2026
Regular School Board Meeting - Minutes
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Parish School Board Office
805 East Seventh Street
Thibodaux, LA
1. Opening of Meeting
A. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m.
B. Invocation by Mrs. BuffyLynn Charpentier, District 9
C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
D. Roll Call
Members present
Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Leslie Wells, BuffyLynn Charpentier
Others present
Superintendent: Mr. Jarod W. Martin; Supervisory Staff: Chris Arnold, Tanya Bolton, Lisa Boudreaux, Kelly Burlette, John Cheramie, Greg Cook, Andrea Delcambre, Kenny Delcambre, Jimi Encalade, Barry Filce, Lauren Fletcher, Chastity Himel, Lacy McKinney, Dr. Decina Rodriguez
2. Awards/Recognition
A. Introduce New Administrator
Assistant Principal of Bayou Blue Elementary School: Mrs. Andrea Rogers, effective July 1, 2026
B. LPSD Student, Staff, and Group Recognitions
The complete awards agenda is available in Diligent Community.
3. Approval of Minutes
A. To approve minutes from Regular Board Meeting held April 1, 2026.
Dr. Guillot announced that the approval of minutes was duplicated in error. With no objections from the board, action was taken on only item 7B.
B. To approve minutes from Regular Board Meeting held April 1, 2026
To approve minutes from Regular Board Meeting held April 1, 2026
Moved by: Tina Babin; seconded by: BuffyLynn Charpentier
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
C. To approve minutes of Board Member In-Service held on April 27, 2026
To approve minutes from Board Member In-service held on Monday, April 27, 2026.
Moved by: Marian Fertitta; seconded by: Leslie Wells
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
4. Memorial Resolutions
A. Ms. Merline Prejean, Retired School Secretary
B. Ms. Doris Dufrene, Retired Custodian
C. Ms. Connie Schouest, Retired School Bus Operator
D. Ms. Grace Felarise, Retired Child Nutrition Technician
E. Ms. Jacqueline Cheramie, Retired Custodian
F. Ms. Helen Crochet, Retired Teacher
5. Approval of Policy & Academics Committee Recommendations, as per meeting held April 29, 2026
A. To approve revisions to policy DJD, Expense Reimbursement
To approve revisions to policy DJD, Expense Reimbursement
Moved by: Clyde Duplantis; seconded by: Tina Babin
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Clyde Duplantis, and Leslie Wells
Nay: Marian Fertitta, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Carried 5-4
B. To approve a waiver from the Lafourche Parish School Board in accordance with Section 4-45(2)(e) regarding the ordinance governing school proximity and business operations.
To approve a waiver from the Lafourche Parish School Board in accordance with Section 4-45(2)(e) regarding the ordinance governing school proximity and business operations.
Moved by: Clyde Duplantis; seconded by: Valerie Bourgeois
A motion was offered by Mr. Henry Lafont to table item to May 13, 2026 Policy and Academics Committee Meeting
Moved by: Henry Lafont; seconded by: Clyde Duplantis
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
C. To approve the purchase of materials for reading intervention curriculum.
Materials will be used for semester 2 of second grade - fifth grade students.
Student Workbooks
Teacher Materials
Professional Development (on-site & virtual)
To approve the purchase of materials for EPS Learning SPIRE reading intervention curriculum at a cost of $194,973.57.
Moved by: Clyde Duplantis; seconded by: Valerie Bourgeois
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
6. Approval of Business Committee Recommendations, as per meeting held April 29, 2026
A. To approve adding the position of Supervisor of Human Resources to the LPSD Organizational Chart.
To approve adding the position of Supervisor of Human Resources to the LPSD Organizational Chart.
Moved by: Myron Wright; seconded by: Marian Fertitta
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
B. To authorize advertisement for bids, through the Purchasing Department, for frequently purchased equipment and supplies for the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year.
To authorize advertisement for bids, through the Purchasing Department, for frequently purchased equipment and supplies including: a. janitorial and paper products b. toner, printer, IT equipment and supplies c. office equipment and supplies d. maintenance supplies and small equipment for the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Moved by: Myron Wright; seconded by: Valerie Bourgeois
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
C. To approve a 1-year contract with HTV programming, effective May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027.
To approve a 1- year contract with HTV programming, effective May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027.
Moved by: Myron Wright; seconded by: BuffyLynn Charpentier
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
D. To adopt the millage rate resolution for rates that apply to the 2026 assessed rolls.
To adopt the millage rate resolution for rates that apply to the 2026 assessed rolls.
Moved by: Myron Wright; seconded by: Tina Babin
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
E. To authorize an extension of EisnerAmper, LLC's contract for external audit services for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
EisnerAmper, LLC. completed the third year of a three-year contract for external audit services with the 2025 audit. The FY2026 external audit of the financial statements (not inclusive of Statewide and BESE agreed upon procedures review) is not to exceed $177,500 with FY2027 not to exceed a 3.5% increase of FY2026.
To authorize an extension of EisnerAmper, LLC's contract for external audit services for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Moved by: Myron Wright; seconded by: Henry Lafont
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
7. Approval of Land & Facilities Management Committee Recommendations, as per meeting held April 29, 2026
A. To approve a change order request for the Golden Meadow Middle School Demolition and Campus Improvements project.
To approve a change order request in the sum total of $5,717.04 to add light fixtures to the Golden Meadow Middle School Demolition and Campus Improvements project.
Moved by: BuffyLynn Charpentier; seconded by: Marian Fertitta
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
B. To approve a change order request for the South Lafourche High School HVAC Renovations project.
To approve a change order request in the sum credit of ($6,244.00) for various items to the South Lafourche High School HVAC Renovations project.
Moved by: BuffyLynn Charpentier; seconded by: Leslie Wells
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
C. To approve a change order request for the Bayou Boeuf Elementary School New School project.
$4,892.00 - Gas Line Re-routing
$3,800.00 - Add back VE Water Heaters
$11,038.00 - Add Back Cast Iron Piping at Kitchen
$3,546.00 - Add Yard Drains at West Side
$4,518.00 - Add Electrical at Pavilion
$4,460.00 - Additional Electrical Breaker for HVAC Equipment
$5,039.00 - Remove Exist. Playground Slab
($3,693.00) - Reduce FDC Pipe Size from 8-inch to 4-inch
$4,301.00 - Add 2-Hour Fire Rating at Pump Room
To approve a change order request for various items in the sum total of $37,901.00 to the Bayou Boeuf Elementary School New School project.
Moved by: BuffyLynn Charpentier; seconded by: Valerie Bourgeois
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
D. To approve a request from the Bayou Bengals to waive the fees for usage of the Thibodaux High School baseball field.
To approve a request from the Bayou Bengals to waive the fees for usage of the baseball field at Thibodaux High School for a 3 year period. The requester would be responsible for the $300 damage deposit and custodian fees. (Contact Person: Brandon Arceneaux)
Moved by: BuffyLynn Charpentier; seconded by: Marian Fertitta
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
E. To approve a request from Thibodaux Biddy Basketball to waive the fees for the usage of the Thibodaux Middle School and C.M. Washington Elementary School gymnasiums.
To approve a request from Thibodaux Biddy Basketball to waive the fees for the usage of the Thibodaux Middle School and C.M. Washington Elementary School gymnasiums for a 3 year period. The requester would be responsible for the $300 damage deposit and custodian fees. (Contact Person: Kevin Clement, Mayor, City of Thibodaux)
Moved by: BuffyLynn Charpentier; seconded by: Tina Babin
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
F. To approve a request to purchase utilizing Lafourche Parish Government's awarded material bids for the Cut Off Elementary School Drainage Project.
To approve a request to purchase utilizing Lafourche Parish Government's awarded material bids for the Cut Off Elementary School Drainage Project.
Moved by: BuffyLynn Charpentier; seconded by: Valerie Bourgeois
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
G. To approve a request to hire Castagnos Goodwin Utley for the Thibodaux High School sanitary piping project.
To approve a request to hire Castagnos Goodwin Utley for the Thibodaux High School sanitary piping project with an Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) of $220,000.00 and a design fee of $25,449.00 for a project total of $245,449.00.
Moved by: BuffyLynn Charpentier; seconded by: Tina Babin
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
H. To approve a request to hire Gossen Holloway Cortez for the W.S. Lafargue Elementary School Canopy Replacement project.
To approve a request to hire Gossen Holloway Cortez for the W.S. Lafargue Elementary School canopy replacement project with an Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) of $453,420.00 and a design fee of $49,234.00 for a project total of $502,654.00.
Moved by: BuffyLynn Charpentier; seconded by: Marian Fertitta
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
8. New Business
A. To receive a report on bids received by the Child Nutrition Department for (a.) bread (Class 1), (b.) milk and milk products (class 2), (c.) food products (classes 3,5,7,8,9), and janitorial and paper products (class 11) to be used for the 2026-2027 school year, and take appropriate action.
To accept bids from Flowers Baking Company as the lowest bidder meeting all specifications for bread (Class 1);East Side Jersey/DBA Prairie Farms as lowest bidder meeting all specifications for milk and milk products (Class 2); Gold Star Foods (DBA Pon Food & Lacassagne Inc.) as the lowest bid received from the recommended vendors for food products (food classes 3,5,6,7,8,9), and Economical & Ascension Paper Products (D.B.A. Jam Pak, LLC. as lowest bidder meeting all specifications for the purchase of janitorial and paper products (Class 11), to be used for the 2026-2027 school year.
Moved by: Tina Babin; seconded by: Leslie Wells
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
B. To receive a report on bids received by the Child Nutrition Department, for the cleaning of grease traps in the cafeterias for the 2026-2027 school year, and take appropriate action.
There were three bids received for grease traps for the 2026-2027 school year.
To accept the low bid from Crescent Environmental Services, meeting all specifications for the cleaning of grease traps for the 2026-2027 school year.
Moved by: Tina Babin; seconded by: Clyde Duplantis
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
C. To consider selecting The Daily Comet as the official journal for the Lafourche Parish School Board for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
In accordance with R.S. 43:141, school boards at their first meeting in June of each year, shall select a newspaper as official journal for a term of one year.
The Daily Comet would like to remain the official journal for the Lafourche Parish School Board for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027 The rate will remain the same as last year - $5.50 per square of 100 words.
To select The Daily Comet as the official journal for the Lafourche Parish School Board for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Moved by: Tina Babin; seconded by: Henry Lafont
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
D. To consider accepting the low bid from Volute for the North Larose Elementary School Hydronic Piping Insulation project.
Base Bid $609,700.00
Alternate 1 $17,500.00
Design Fee $57,702.40
Project Total $684,902.40
To accept the low bid from Volute for the North Larose Elementary School Hydronic Piping Insulation project.
Moved by: Tina Babin; seconded by: Henry Lafont
Yea: Myron Wright, Dr Dennis Guillot, Tina Babin, Marian Fertitta, Clyde Duplantis, Valerie Bourgeois, Henry Lafont, Leslie Wells, and BuffyLynn Charpentier
Motion Carried 9-0
9. Tentative Dates of Future Meetings
A. Committee Meetings: Policy & Academics Committee; Business Committee; and Land & Facilities Management Committee, Wednesday, May 13, 2026
B. Regular Board Meeting, Wednesday, June 3, 2026
10. Adjournment
A. Adjourn the Meeting
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
/s/ Dennis Guillot, Ph.D., President
/s/ Jarod W. Martin, Secretary
12336304 5/16/26 ($292.36)
Miscellaneous Notices