Notice

Publication Date

2024-04-10

Subcategory

Miscellaneous Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Calcasieu Parish School Board Meeting was held at 3310 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Monday, March 18, 2024.

The meeting was called to order by Eric Tarver, President. The prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Russell Castille.

ROLL CALL

The roll was called by Superintendent LaFargue and the following members were present:

Betty Washington, Phyllis Ayo, Tony OBanion, Dean Roberts, Glenda Gay, Shawn Baumgarten, Patrick Pichon, Desmond Wallace, Damon Hardesty, Russell Castille, Karen Hardy-McReynolds, Eric Tarver, Mary Fontenot, and Aaron Natali. Mr. Breaux arrived after the roll was called.

APPROVAL OF

MINUTES

The Minutes of February 6, 2024 were approved by unanimous vote on motions by Dr. Washington and Mr. Hardesty.

PRESENTATIONS

A. Recognition of Student Ambassadors for the month of March:

Barbe Elementary

Jourdan Walker

Marcin Davis

Kron Lennix

Justin James

Jamerick Malbrough

Vinton Middle School

Alston Moody

Shelby Maxeiner

Ethan Perez

Pate Stine

Morgan Temple

Carson Haymon

Milena Benavidez

Taytum Trahan

DeLaila ONeal

Arnett Middle School

Olivia Fruge

Josei Manuel

Mason Naquin

Olivia Rion

Haley Crumpler

Chloe Chastain

Roark McGee

Jenna Wix

Starks High School

Katelyn Johnson

Matthew Boutte

Ben Crisp

DeQuincy High School

Scotti Christerson

LaGrange High School

Kyler Hart

Susanna Chiruguru

Bell City High School

John Murphy

Jerrald Deshotel

Sam Houston

High School

Randi Comeaux

Breelie Buckner

Westlake High School

Jamira Guillory

Addison Robertson

B. JCI quarterly report/Marcus Mashon

SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT

l. You have each received your Head Start report:

Program Governance

Policy Council meeting was held on February 19, 2024. The following items were approved:

Decembers Policy Council Minutes Januarys Directors Report

December and Januarys Attendance Report December and Januarys Financial Report 2024 2025 Continuation Grant Application

In the month of February, we engaged in several fun activities with the staff and students. These activities include: the 100th and 101st Day of school, our monthly Parent Meeting and STEM Activity, Black History Month Activity, and Bus Driver Appreciation Day.

On the 100th Day of School, students were encouraged to wear bright or neon colors to showcase we are 100 days brighter! On the 101st Day of School, students were encouraged to wear black and white or spots like a Dalmatian.

Students were able to quantify one hundred and one with 101 Dalmatian puppy posters around the school.

The February Parent Meeting provided information regarding upcoming center events, Mid-Year DCAs, Oral Health Awareness, Parenting Partnersthis is our 6-week parenting curriculumand a presentation from our Mental Health Specialist on consistency in discipline. Following, our families engaged in a fun Mardi Gras-inspired STEM activity in which they made King Cake Slime.

To close out the month of February, we celebrated Black History crossed with Mardi Gras in a Shoebox Float Parade. Students were encouraged to dress up like their favorite inspirational person of Black History and create a Mardi Gras float that depicted the many accomplishments of the person they were representing. To top it off, we celebrated our favorite bus drivers with breakfast and special letters from faculty and students. It was a great month!

Program Operations

Enrollment 447

2. You have each received your school population report, reflecting the numbers from the end of January to the end of February.

3. I would like to report our February 2024 sales tax numbers for our general fund which show collections at $2,331,127 or 16.6 % above budget for the 8th month of the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Collections are $1,760,278 or 12 % above collections for the same month last year.

After 8 months, collections are $7,511,481 or 6.3 % above budget and

$3,132,087 or 2.5 % above the same period last year.

4. Hurricane Information: The summary was included in your packet.

5. Today is day 139 of 182 according to the CPSB personnel calendar. 75% of the school year is behind us.

Our schools have been working hard for the upcoming testing windows and we are looking forward to our students demonstrating their growth.

This month, in accordance with the 2023-24 compensation plan, the last of the supplements for this year will be paid out. This supplement will be paid to k-12 certified special education teachers, grades 6-12 certified science teachers, grades 6-12 math teachers, and all certified mentors in the district. The amount of this supplement will be $380.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On motions by Mr. Roberts and Mr. Castille, the Board adjourned into Executive Session at 5:25 p.m. on a unanimous vote.

A. Discussion on Settlement of Claim #C366552879-0003-01

B. Discussion on Settlement of Claim #CLAS12244A1/Attorney Ed McGuire

C. Discussion on Settlement of Claim #ClAS12664A1/Attorney Kyle Beasley

TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board resumed Regular Session on the same motions at 5:46 p.m.

A. Take action on Settlement of Claim #C366552879-0003-01

On a motion to approve by Dr. Washington and seconded by Mr. Hardesty, the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

B. Take action on Settlement of Claim #CLAS12244A1

On a motion to approve by Dr. Washington and seconded by Mr. Hardesty, the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

C. Take action on Settlement of Claim #ClAS12664A1

On a motion to approve by Dr. Washington and seconded by Mr. Hardesty, the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Employee Benefits Committee, March 5, 2024/Billy Breaux, Chair,

Glenda Gay, Vice-Chair

Mrs. Gay gave the following report:

The Calcasieu Parish School Board Employee Benefits Committee met in the Board Room at 3310 Broad Street, Lake Charles on Tuesday, March 5, 2023, at 5:00 pm. The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman, Mrs. Glenda Gay. Prayer and pledge were led by Ms. Stephanie Hardy.

The roll was called by Mr. Jay Bergeron. The following members were in

attendance: Ms. Glenda Gay, Ms. Phyllis Ayo, Mr. Damon Hardesty, Mr. Tony OBanion, Mr. Patrick Pichon, Ms. Dianne Bagwell, Ms. Beth Eason, Mr. Troy Fontenot, Mr. Wayne Foster, Ms. Stephanie Hardy, Ms. Suzanne Heath, Mr. Mike Hill, Ms. Loree Smith, and Ms. Hattie White with a quorum present.

Mrs. Kathy Sonnier and Mr. Richie Gregory with HUB International, gave the presentation of the group health insurance for the policy year May 1, 2024 April 30, 2025.

Employee premium history was presented:

2018-2019: No Increase

2019-2020: No Increase + Premium Holiday

2020-2021: 2% adjustment

2021-2022: No Increase + Premium Holiday

2022-2023: Increase 12.45% + Slight High Option Plan Changes

2023-2024: Increase 5.17% + High Option Plan Changes

The analysis of Stop Loss Reinsurance was presented. CPSB purchases Insurance coverage for claims that exceed $750,000. We currently have 2 claimants that have surpassed the $750,000. The current premium is $625,632 and the renewal premium is $690,547.

A summary of the prior years experience was also presented. Medical claims are projected to surpass available funding by 11.3%. This is a reflection of current claims performance, along with the national medical trend forecast of

7.2%.

Further discussion was had regarding the medical plan and carving out

pharmacy. Currently, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana has a contract with Express Scripts (ESI). If Calcasieu Parish School Board were to move to Crumdale for Express Scripts contract, it would save the plan 6.8% or $3.36 Million. Overall, this would adjust the premium increase for the May 1, 2024 renewal from 11.3% to 4.8%. All members will receive new cards for 5/1/24 a Blue Cross card for medical and Express Scripts card for pharmacy.

After discussion about plan changes, a motion was made by Ms. Suzanne Heath, seconded by Mr. Mike Hill, it was recommended that Calcasieu Parish School Board accepts Crumdale for Express Scripts Contract, along with having a 4.8% increase for the 2024-2025 renewal for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Medical plan. On a 13-1 vote, the motion carried to increase premiums by 4.8%.

On behalf of the committee, Mrs. Gay offered a motion to approve the recommendation. A second was not required and

the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Tony OBanion, seconded by Ms. Phyllis Ayo to amend the recommended 4.82% increase by having the Calcasieu Parish School Board absorb the increase and pass on a $0 change to staff. A roll call vote was taken with the following members voting as Aye: Ms. Phyllis Ayo, Mr. Tony OBanion, Ms. Hattie White; and the following members voting as Nae: Ms. Glenda Gay, Mr. Damon Hardesty, Mr. Patrick Pichon, Ms. Dianne Bagwell, Ms. Beth Eason, Mr. Troy Fontenot, Mr. Wayne Foster, Ms. Stephanie Hardy, Ms. Suzanne Heath, Mr. Mike Hill, Ms. Loree Smith. The motion failed.

On behalf of the committee, Mrs. Gay read the failed action and offered a motion to approve. Mr. OBanion, with a second by Mr. Hardesty, offered an amended motion for the General Fund to absorb the employee portion of the 4.8% rate increase. After much discussion, the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Blue cards to address the Board:

Teri Johnson, SWLA Federation

Andrea McFarlain

Ayshe Tayfun

Jessie Beddoe

Janel Hummel

Kailyn Bravo

Duston Royer

The next item presented by Ms. Kathy Sonnier was dental renewal. MetLife renewal delivered was 43.1% increase. After negotiations, MetLife reduced that amount to 38% increase. The market was shopped with the final carrier for renewal being Humana. Humana offered a 2-year rate guarantee, with a 3 rd year 8% rate cap. Premiums will result in the following change:

MetLife Employee only $28.67 to Humana Employee Only $35.35

MetLife Employee/Family $72.87 to Humana Employee/Family

$89.84

On a motion by Mr. Wayne Foster, seconded by Mr. Mike Hill, it was recommended to renew the dental plan with Humana for May 1, 2024. On a unanimous vote, the motion was passed.

On behalf of the committee, Mrs. Gay offered a motion to approve the recommendation. A second was not required and

the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Additional information discussed during the renewal presentation:

Group Medicare Advantage:

Runs on Calendar year basis

January 1, 2025 premiums adjust

2025 renewal is currently not available

Trustmark Group Life and Group Voluntary Life no change

First Financial Supplemental Plans

Vision change from Superior Vision to Ameritas VSP

Critical Illness change from Allstate to Guardian

A motion was made by Mr. Mike Hill, seconded by Wayne Foster of request for presentation at Mid-year review in Fall 2024 of an additional high deductible plan offering for staff that meets the health savings account criteria.

On a unanimous vote, the motion was passed.

On behalf of the committee, Mrs. Gay offered a motion to approve the recommendation. A second was not required and

the motion carried on a unanimous vote.

After the presentation, a motion to adjourn was made by Glenda Gay and passed unanimously at 6:50 pm.

TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION

Mr. Tarver read the following:

These items are available for viewing at the end of this document and as a portion of the legal Minutes posted at www.cpsb.org/Minutes.

A. Approval of Resolution to retain outside counsel, Stutes & Lavergne Law

Firm, regarding assessment of taxes appeal by CIVEO USA, LLC.