Morgan City Daily Review
July 10, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICE
ST. MARY PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Regular Meeting of St. Mary Parish School Board
06/04/2026
05:30 PM
Evans Medine Meeting Room
474 Hwy 317, Centerville, LA 70522
MEETING
MINUTES
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Attendance
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Voting Members
Guienzy Brent, Board Member
Dr. Tammie Wilson, Board Member - Vice President
Lindsey Anslem, Board Member
Debra Jones, Board Member
Ginger Griffin, Board Member
Chad Paradee, Board Member
Alaina Black, Board Member - President
Andrew Mancuso, Board Member
Rhonda Dennis, Board Member
Lawrence Guillory, Board Member
Absent Board Member
Marilyn LaSalle, Board Member
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I. Meeting Called to Order (Mrs. Black)
The meeting was called to order by President Black.
1. Roll Call (Dr. Sanders)
The roll call was conducted by Dr. Sanders.
II. Opening of Regular Meeting
The St. Mary Parish School Board met in regular session on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the Evans Medine Meeting Room at the Central Office Complex in Centerville, Louisiana for the following purposes and to take whatever actions necessary. The meeting may be viewed online at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnZ1z15loF_FZnVcBe09cRQ
1. Invocation (Mr. Holmes)
Mr. Holmes gave the Invocation.
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America (Mrs. Black)
President Black led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
III. Appearances
1. Recognition of the 2025-2026 retirees. (Ms. Estay)
Ms. Estay recognized and introduced the 2025–2026 St. Mary Parish School Board retirees in attendance as follows:
Patricia Harrington – 25 years of service
Felicia Henry – 37 years of service
Terry Jo Candella – 32 years of service
Wayne Mire – 5 years of service
Myra Wiggins – 13 years of service
Brenda Preston – 15 years of service
Gale Thomas – 20 years of service
Shirley Jones – 50 years of service
Additional retirees not in attendance were also acknowledged, including Brad Wiese, Ricky Cook, Marla Calamia, Eric Logerman, Kim Philbrook, Kim Mire, Susan Aucoin, Norma Troquille, Christine Comeaux, Paul Gilder, Shawna Davis, Kathy Thomas, Donna Broussard, and Patricia Meehan.
2. Recognition of Manuel Building Foundation Winners. (Dr. Sanders)
Dr. Sanders recognized the Manual Builders Foundation award re- cipients and ex- plained the annual program honors outstanding educators nominated by students, parents, and staff as follows:
Kaylee Kidder - Hattie A. Watts Elementary School — 2nd Place
Theri Jo Candella — Centerville School - 1st Place
Donella Wagner - Raintree Elementary School - Grand Prize
Dr. Sanders not-ed there were numerous additional nominees recognized for their contributions.
IV. Approval of Amended Agenda (Mrs. Black)
There was no amended agenda.
V. Approval of Official School Board Minutes (Mrs. Black)
1. Regular Meeting: May 7, 2026
The board ap- proved the official school board minutes from the regular school board meeting held on May 7, 2026, as presented.
Motion made by: Debra Jones
Motion seconded by: Dr. Tammie Wilson
Voting results: Unanimously Ap- proved
VI. Approval of Consent Agenda (Mrs. Black)
President Black stated that board members can re- move any of the items on the consent agenda for further discussion in the regular proceedings. Dr. Sanders read aloud the items on the consent agenda.
1. *Award Bids: Child Nutrition Department Items: Juice, Milk, Produce, Dry and Canned Foods, Frozen Foods and Meat, Paper and Cleaning, Small Kitchen Equipment. (Ms. Chaisson)
2. *Proclamations:
A. *Juneteenth (Ms. Mitchell)
B. *America 250 - Independence Day (Ms. Mitchell)
A motion was made and duly seconded to approve all consent items as presented by Dr. Sanders.
Motion made by: Ginger Griffin
Motion seconded by: Rhonda Dennis
Voting results: Unanimously Ap- proved
VII. Personnel
1. Review and approve revised job descriptions (Ms. Estay)
A. Assistant Coach
B. Athletic Director
C. Bus Coordinator
D. Head Coach
E. Instructional Music
F. Maintenance Technician 3
G. Maintenance Technician 4
H. Maintenance Technician 7 Electrical
I. Maintenance Technician 7 HVAC
A motion was made and duly seconded to approve all job descriptions in globo as presented by Ms. Estay.
Motion made by: Andrew Mancuso
Motion seconded by: Lindsey Anslem
Voting results: Unanimously Ap- proved
VIII. Business Affairs
1. Receive Group Health Insurance Premium to Claims Summary Report (Mr. James Perez)
Before beginning the group health insurance update, Mr. Perez asked Mrs. Voisin to re- port on the recent Blue Cross settlement. Mrs. Voisin explained the district received a $485,933.09 settlement payment, which has been deposited into the general fund pending guidance from legal counsel and auditors regarding the permissible uses of these funds for the 26-27 budget. Mr. Perez then provided the insurance update, noting a positive year-to-date outlook, including approximately $1.2 million in claims recovery, resulting in an adjusted loss ratio of 74.78 percent. However, claims are slightly higher than last year and are expected to increase during the summer months.
2. Approve Louisiana Compliance Questionnaires of audit engagement entities and adopt the Resolution for audit purposes. (Mrs. Voisin)
A motion was made and duly seconded to approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaires of audit engagement entities and adopt the Resolution for audit purposes, as presented by Mrs. Voisin.
Motion made by: Guienzy Brent
Motion seconded by: Debra Jones
Voting results: Unanimously Ap- proved
Yes: Guienzy Brent
Yes: Dr. Tammie Wilson
Yes: Lindsey Anslem
Yes: Debra Jones
Yes: Ginger Griffin
Yes: Chad Paradee
Yes: Alaina Black
Yes: Andrew Mancuso
Yes: Rhonda Dennis
Yes: Lawrence Guillory
The motion passed with ten (10) votes in favor and one (1) absent.
3. Discuss and/or take action concerning contract with Superintendent-Elect. (Mrs. Black)
A motion was made and duly seconded to approve the contract for Superintendent Elect Dr. Sanders. The superintendent’s contract included a base salary of $158,000, a $1,000 monthly car and phone allowance, and a term ending December 31, 2028. A clause was added to the contract that stated, “In the event the Superintendent goes on sick or any other leave, for a period of thirty (30) days or more, the Superintendent shall not be entitled to the $1,000 per month payment until such time as the Superintendent returns to work.”
It was noted that the superintendent declined paid health insurance, leave payouts, and a 2 percent annual raise, instead opting for a higher base salary and a 1 percent annual increase based on satisfactory evaluation. She also declined enhanced (2.0 in- dex) state and federal raises and will receive the same increases as district employees.
It was reported that the overall compensation package is comparable to similar districts and aligns with prior compensation when previous benefits are considered.
Motion made by: Lawrence Guillory
Motion seconded by: Debra Jones
Voting results: Unanimously Ap- proved
IX. Staff Re- ports
1. Chief Financial Officer’s Re- port (Mrs. Voisin)
A. Sales Tax Update
Mrs. Voisin re- ported that, ten months into the fiscal year, sales tax collections are approximately 4 percent above budget, with April collections totaling approximately $2.409 million, exceeding the budget by about $71,000.
B. Financial Statements (Major Funds Only)
Financial statements actuals through May 2026 were included in the Board packet.
C. Other Significant Items
2. Consider scheduling the 2026-2027 General Funds, Maintenance District Funds, and School Food Service Funds Budget Workshop and the District Board Member Workshop. (Dr. Sanders)
The 2026–2027 General Fund, Maintenance District Funds, and School Food Service Funds Budget Workshop, together with the District Board Member Workshop, were scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to be held in the Evans Medine Meeting Room, 474 Highway 317, Centerville, Louisiana.
X. Superintendent’s Report (Dr. Sanders)
Dr. Sanders re- ported that district educators attended the Louisiana Department of Education Teacher Leader Summit and returned with ideas for the up- coming school year. She noted that Patterson Junior High Principal Lauren Rentrop was nam-ed a finalist for State Principal of the Year. Dr. Sanders further reported that summer professional development is underway, including a recent Career and Technical Education (CTE) retreat and leadership training sessions for administrators, and announced that the district will observe Juneteenth on June 19, 2026.
XI. Resolution of Respect (Ms. Estay)
Ms. Estay read aloud the Resolutions of Respect for the late Kevin Theriot (retired school secretary), Lynette Hernandez (retired business teacher), and Laura Williams (retired custodian).
XII. Executive Session (Mrs. Black)
1. Consider en- tering into executive session, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), to discuss the status and strategy in the matter entitled: Adam Rhodes v. St. Mary Parish School Board, Suit No. 138911, Div “E”, 16th Judicial District Court, Parish St. Mary.
The Board en- tered into the executive session.
Motion made by: Ginger Griffin
Motion seconded by: Dr. Tammie Wilson
Voting results: Unanimously Ap- proved
The Board re- turned to regular session.
Motion made by: Andrew Mancuso
Motion seconded by: Debra Jones
Voting results: Unanimously Ap- proved
2. Consideration and/or action in the matter entitled: Adam Rhodes v. St. Mary Parish School Board, Suit No. 138911, Div “E”, 16th Judicial District Court, Parish St. Mary.
A second agenda item for the executive session was noted, but no action was re- quired.
XIII. Closing - Adjournment (Mrs. Black)
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Motion made by: Dr. Tammie Wilson
Motion seconded by: Guienzy Brent
Voting results: Unanimously Ap- proved
RESOLUTION
IN MEMORIAM OF
Lynette
Hernandez
WHEREAS, Al- mighty God, in His infinite wisdom, has taken from our midst Lynette Hernandez, and
WHEREAS, her untimely death has deprived the St. Mary Parish School System of a retired business teacher and a fine citizen;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RE- SOLVED that the St. Mary Parish School Board and the people attending this Board meeting, rise and bow our heads in silent prayer out of respect for the late Lynette Hernandez, and extend to her bereaved family our sincere condolences in this, their hour of sorrow; and in these inadequate words, endeavor to express the high regard in which we held her in life and honor her memory in death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLV-ED that a copy of this resolution be inscribed on a separate page of the official proceedings of this meeting; that a copy of this resolution be sent to the be- reaved family of Lynette Hernandez, and that this meeting adjourns out of respect for her.
This Resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 4th of June, 2026.
(S) Alaina L. Black
ALAINA L. BLACK,
PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
(S) Rachael C. Sanders, Ed. D.,
SECRETARY
RESOLUTION
IN MEMORIAM OF
Kevin Theriot
WHEREAS, Al- mighty God, in His infinite wisdom, has taken from our midst Kevin Theriot, and
WHEREAS, his untimely death has deprived the St. Mary Parish School System of a retired school secretary and a fine citizen;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RE- SOLVED that the St. Mary Parish School Board and the people attending this Board meeting, rise and bow our heads in silent prayer out of respect for the late Kevin Theriot, and extend to his bereaved family our sincere condolences in this, their hour of sorrow; and in these inadequate words, en- deavor to express the high regard in which we held him in life and honor his memory in death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLV-ED that a copy of this resolution be inscribed on a separate page of the official proceedings of this meeting; that a copy of this resolution be sent to the be- reaved family of Kevin Theriot, and that this meeting adjourns out of respect for him.
This Resolution was therefore declared approved and adopted this 4th of June, 2026.
(S) Alaina L. Black
ALAINA L. BLACK,
PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
(S) Rachael C. Sanders Ed.D.
RACHAEL C. SANDERS, Ed. D.,
SECRETARY
RESOLUTION
IN MEMORIAM OF
Laura Williams
WHEREAS, Al- mighty God, in His infinite wisdom, has taken from our midst Laura Williams, and
WHEREAS, her untimely death has deprived the St. Mary Parish School System of a retired custodian and a fine citizen;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RE- SOLVED that the St. Mary Parish School Board and the people attending this Board meeting, rise and bow our heads in silent prayer out of respect for the late Laura Williams, and extend to her bereaved family our sincere condolences in this, their hour of sorrow; and in these inadequate words, en- deavor to express the high regard in which we held her in life and honor her memory in death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLV-ED that a copy of this resolution be inscribed on a separate page of the official proceedings of this meeting; that a copy of this resolution be sent to the be- reaved family of Laura Williams, and that this meeting adjourns out of respect for her.
This Resolution was therefore de- clared approved and adopted this 4th of June, 2026.
(S) Alaina L. Black
ALAINA L. BLACK,
PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
(S) Rachael C. Sanders, Ed. D.,
SECRETARY
Adv. July 10, 2026