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July 14, 2026
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
A public meeting will be held as follows:
Date: July 14, 2026
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Place of Meeting: 3310 Broad Street
Lake Charles, LA 70615
2026-2027 BUDGET HEARING 4:30 p.m.
Notices Posted: June 26, July 3, July 10, 2026
DATE, TIME,
PLACE OF MEETING
The Calcasieu Parish Budget Hearing Meeting was held at 3310 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
There being no questions, the Budget Hearing adjourned at 4:31 p.m. and the regular Calcasieu Parish School Board meeting was held at 3310 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Aaron Natali, President. The prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Phyllis Ayo.
ROLL CALL
The roll was called by Superintendent VanMetre and the following members were present: Aaron Natali, Karen Hardy-McReynolds, Shawn Baumgarten, Dean Roberts, Patrick Pichon, Mary Fontenot, Dr. Betty Washington, Damon Hardesty, Tony OBanion, Phyllis Ayo, Billy Breaux, Russell Castille, and Glenda Gay.
Absent: Eric Tarver, Rev. Desmond Wallace
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
On a motion to approve by Mr. Baumgarten and a second by Mrs. Fontenot, the Minutes of June 9, 2026 were approved on a unanimous vote.
PRESENTATIONS
A. Scott Quick/General Manager, Lake Charles-Beaumont Allied
SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT
Dr. VanMetre gave the following report:
l. There is no formal Head Start report this month, but you will see a financial report at your place and information regarding an upcoming mini conference for Head Start Teachers and Paras.
2. I would like to report our June, 2026 sales tax numbers which show collections at $17,624,978, which is $2,320,976 above budget for the month and $1,115,077 or 6.8% above collections for the same month in 2025.
3. The latest hurricane report is in your packet.
4. The next school population report will be in September, showing the numbers from May 25th to August 31st.
5. Qualifying dates for the November 3, 2026, election for board members have been moved to August 5 (Wednesday) through August 7 (Friday), from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and it is requested by the Clerk of Court that you make an appointment.
6. Congratulations to the Westlake High School Ram Band. They were selected to march in the Independence Day Parade in Washington DC on the Fourth of July. Although the parade was cancelled due to excessive heat in Washington, they were able to participate in the Alexandria Virgina parade.
7. Tech Camp is currently underway at the Tech Center. 165 students are spending the week at the Tech Center learning exciting topics like coding, and using new and innovative pieces of technology. Thank you to the Tech Department for doing a great job with this event year after year.
8. Update on OGB quote. Risk Management sent the requested information to the Office of Group Benefits. They are currently working on the quote for us. It should take roughly a month to receive it.
9. Your annual report for the 2526 school year is complete and at your place. Thank you to Ms. Holland and Mrs. Tassin for this great work.
TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION
(Items B-F are available for viewing at the end of the document and at www.cpsb.org/Minutes)
Mr. Natali read the following:
A. Approve Cooperative Endeavor Agreements with the State of Louisiana for Act 3 of 2026 Regular Legislative Session, Act 4 of 2026 Regular Legislative Session, and any subsequent Act by the Louisiana Legislature to appropriate funds for the Calcasieu Parish School Board for the 2026 session and authorize Superintendent Jason VanMetre to sign any and all documents in connection with the agreements.
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
B. Approval of Resolution to Adopt 2026 Millages
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
C. Approval of Resolution to Adopt 2026-2027 Budgets
l. General Fund
2. Special Revenue Funds
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
D. Adoption of 2026-2027 Salary Schedules
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
E. Approval of Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
F. Approval of Student Accident Insurance and Extended Day/Summer Programs Insurance
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
G. Resolution in support of the City of Lake Charles naming 5th Street, between Enterprise Blvd. and 1st Avenue, Coach Herman Weston Drive
On a Point of Privilege, Mrs. Gay introduced Mr. Eric Doshier, speaking in support of the Resolution.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Charles proposes to rename that portion of 5TH Street between Enterprise Boulevard east to 1ST Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lake Charles proposes to change the name of said portion of 5TH Street to Coach Herman Weston Drive; and
WHEREAS, the Calcasieu Parish School Board has no objection to the Citys proposal.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Calcasieu Parish School Board has no objection to the City changing the name of that portion of 5TH Street between Enterprise Boulevard east to 1ST Avenue to Coach Herman Weston Drive.
On a motion to approve by Mrs. Gay and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
BID REPORTS
Mr. Natali read the following:
A. Bid#2027-31 Musical Band Instruments: 4 Bids received; Staff recommends Brook Mays Music with the lowest responsive Bid of $187,898.16 - Funded by the River Boat Fund
On a motion to approve by Mr. Hardesty and a second by Mr. OBanion, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
B. Bid#2027 Storm Debris cleaning and proper disposal RFP, One Bid received from Looks Great Services of MS, Inc.
FEMA Funds--- Staff recommends awarding contract to Looks Great Services of MS, Inc. for debris clean up and disposal, with pricing based on ICF approved reasonable rates.
On a motion to approve by Mr. Hardesty and a second by Mr. OBanion, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Natali read the following:
A. Change Order Number Three (3) for the Project, Phase 4 Improvements/Exterior and Interior/R.D. Molo Middle School,
Bid 2025-01PC; District 31 Bond; Ellender Architects & Associates, LLC., Architect; K&J Development of SWLA, LLC., Contractor; Increase of $24,741.00.
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
B. Change Order Number Seven (7) for the Project, Phase 3 New Gymnasium and Site Improvements/Washington-Marion High School, Bid 2024-01PC; District 31 Bond; Ellender Architects & Associates, LLC., Architect; PERC Development, LLC., Contractor; Decrease of $21,152.67.
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
C. Recommendation of Acceptance for the Project, Phase 3 New Gymnasium and Site Improvements/Washington-Marion High School, Bid 2024-01PC; District 31 Bond; Ellender Architects & Associates, LLC., Architect.
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
D. Change Order Number Two (2) for the Project, Starks High School Renovations, District 24 Bond Funds; VSG Architects, Designer; K&J Development of SWLA, LLC., Contractor; Increase of $51,290.00 and Increase of Seven (7) days.
On a motion to approve by Mr. Breaux and a second by Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, with duplicate motions by Mr. OBanion and Mr. Castille, the motion to approve was carried on a unanimous vote.
CONDOLENCES AND RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Natali asked for a letter of condolence to the family of Mr. Joseph Natali.
Mrs. Ayo asked for a letter of condolence to the family of Mr. Kenny Cruze and to the family of Mrs. Janet Breaux.
Dr. Washington asked for a letter for a letter of condolence to the family of Ms. Sonya Ross.
Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds asked for a letter of condolence to the family of Mr. Otis Ambrose, Sr.
Mrs. Hardy-McReynolds, Dr. Washington, and Rev. Wallace asked for a letter of condolence to the family of Mr. Otis Brannon, Sr.
SCHEDULED
COMMITTEES
C&I Committee, followed by A&P Committee/August 25, 2026/5:00 p.m.
Budget Committee/September 22, 2026/5:00 p.m.
ADJOURN MEETING
On a motion by Mr. Hardesty and a second by Mr. Baumgarten, the meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.
Aaron Natali,
President
Jason VanMetre, Ed.D., Secretary
Jul 22 1t