Legal Notice

EVANGELINE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

REGULAR MEETING

MARCH 19, 2025

The Evangeline Parish School Board members met this day at 6:00 p.m. in a regularly scheduled meeting at the Evangeline Parish School District Media Center, Ville Platte, LA 70586.

The board members present were President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. Board member Mr. Micheal Fontenot was absent.

Superintendent Darwan Lazard, Assistant Superintendent Micheal Lombas, CFO Amy LaFleur, Assistant District Attorney Betsy Jackson, CNP Director Barbara Victorian, SPED Director Kelli LaFleur, Elementary Supervisor Cheri Fontenot, Secondary Supervisor Elizabeth Chatelain, Title II Supervisor Connie Guillory, Maintenance & Operations Facilitator Rico Guillory, and the Media were also in attendance.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr. declared a quorum and ordered members to proceed with the day’s business at 6:00 p.m.

Item#10-Mrs. Monica Andrus made a motion, seconded by Ms. Fannie Soileau, to remove #10 (Consideration of a Four or Five-day work week for the 2025-2026 school year) from tonight’s agenda. There were no comments from the board members, staff, audience, etc.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. voted for the motion, which passed unanimously.

Item#11-President Bobby Hamlin, Jr. stated that Item#11 would be moved up also, since it is related to Item#10(Consider adopting a calendar for employees and students for 2025-2026) for discussion before Item#1. Mrs. Monica made a motion to move Item#11.

Mr. Wayne Dardeau made a motion, seconded by Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr., recommended by Superintendent Darwan Lazard, to approve adopting the calendar for employees and students for the 2025-2026 school year. There were no comments from the board members, staff, & audience, etc.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. voted for the motion, which passed unanimously.

Item#1-Mr. Donald Anderson made a motion, seconded by Vice President Sheila Joseph and recommended by Superintendent Darwan Lazard, to approve the minutes of the previous meeting dated February 19, 2025. There were no comments from the board members, staff, audience, etc.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. voted for the motion, which passed unanimously.

Item#2-lnformational-Annual Tier 3 Personal Financial Disclosure Statement - The deadline to submit to the Board of Ethics is on or before May 15, 2025.

Item#3-lnformational-Principal Shelsy Williams recognized VPHS Basketball Girls as Parish & District Champs, along with All-Parish and District 4-3 A Coach of the Year Rhonda Thomas, Assistant Coaches Dorothy Doulet & Megan Moore. Then she recognized VPHS Basketball Boys as Parish Champs along with All Parish Coach of the Year Kentarius Hills and his Assistant Coaches D’myrus Daniels and Benjamin Joseph. The teams were congratulated for their great accomplishment, applauded by the audience, and took pictures with the Superintendent and the board members representing the Ville Platte area.

Item#4-Informational-CFO Amy LaFleur presented the EPSB Sales Tax Comparison from July 2024-February 2025 presented as follows:

Item#5-CFO Amy LaFleur presented the EPSB Revenues & Expenditures as of February 28, 2025, as follows:

Item#6-CF0 Amy LaFleur presented the Donations for the month ending January 31, 2025, as follows:

Item#7-Informational-President Bobby Hamlin, Jr. asked if anyone from the board had any questions or concerns about Dual Enrollment & Guidelines for 2025-2026 for Secondary Supervisor Elizabeth Chatelain. None of the members of the board had any questions or concerns.

Item#8-Mr. Lonnie Sonnier made a motion, seconded by Ms. Fannie Soileau and recommended by Superintendent Darwan Lazard, to approve the Child Nutrition Program to advertise for bids on bread products, milk, and milk products, produce (fresh fruits & vegetables), frozen and chilled: meat items, fruits, juices, vegetables, and bakery items, canned and dry: grains/cereal, fruits, vegetables, juices, meat/meat alternates, and general support items, paper and cleaning supplies, and small equipment, and for the 2025-2026 school year. There were no comments from the board members, staff, audience, etc.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. voted for the motion, which passed unanimously.

Item#9-Title II Supervisor Connie Guillory explained that teachers were using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for administrative tasks, not with students. Therefore, AI needs to be added as an Addendum to the current Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for teacher use.

Ms. Fannie Soileau made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lonnie Sonnier and recommended by Superintendent Darwan Lazard, to approve to add an Addendum to the current Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that will include Artificial Intelligence (AI). There were no comments from the board members, staff, audience, etc.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. voted for the motion, which passed unanimously.

Item#12-Ms. Karen Vidrine made a motion, seconded by Vice President Sheila Joseph and recommended by Superintendent Darwan Lazard, approved to seek formal bids/quotes for the construction or purchase of a New Band Room for MHS, a New Athletic Field House for MHS, and New/Used bleachers for visitors and installation at MHS. There were comments and questions which were addressed.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. voted for the motion, which passed unanimously.

Item#13-Ms. Fannie Soileau made a motion, seconded by Mr. Lonnie Sonnier and recommended by Superintendent Darwan Lazard, to ratify /approve the following requisition(s)/invoice(s): There were no comments from the board members, staff, audience, etc.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. voted for the motion, which passed unanimously.

A. Ratification EDU 20/20 6150~$10,500.00 for Professional Development for grades 3-8 in Social Studies using Title II Funds

B. Ratification of Varsity Spirit Fashion-$ 17,182.61 for Cheerleader Uniforms, etc., for BHS Cheerleaders using the BHS Cheer Fund (presented by Principal Anthony Bertrand)

C. Ratification of GeoSurfaces, Inc-$125,875.00 for Payment Number Three for the VPHS Track Project-New 6 Lane Track using the Campus Improvement Fund

D. Ratification of Cenla Contracting, LLC~$32,483.70 for the Gym Renovations at JSM using the Campus Improvement Fund

E. Ratification of VP Innovative & Creative Learning~$10,381.68 for LaBrie’s Child Daycare for 24-25 CCAP B-3 Seats using CCAP B-3 Fund

F. Ratification of First Student, INC.-$407,685.04 for Regular HTS Routes, $73,135.16 for Regular Routes-SPED Portion, and $7,312.84 for School for DEAF, a total of $486,873.67 for February 1- 28, 2025, using General Fund

G. Ratification of Trapper J Wildlife & Honeybee Removal-$28,550.00 for Sealing certain building openings and Bat Removal at BHS using Basile Maintenance Fund

H. Ratification of Farmer’s Gas—$ 16,157.81 for BCE Fuel, Regular Ed Fuel, and SP ED Fuel using General & SPED Funds

I. Ratification of First On Site—$27,865.00 for low bid/quote to clean mold on the auditorium walls at MJHS using Parishwide Maintenance Fund

J. Ratification of Data to Information-$28,443.00 for Student Growth to Mastery, Math & ELA Standards using Title II and SPED Funds

K. Wex Bank~$11,392.89 for Regular Ed Fuel, SP ED Fuel, and Maintenance Fuel using General, SPED, & Maintenance Funds

L. Ratification of Tudor, Inc.—$334,825.00 for Renovation of the Existing Building of Evangeline Reimagine Academy using ERA Bonds

M. Ratification of Curriculum and Associates-$36,410.12 for Tier I Math Materials for VPE (K-5) $19,781.87 and CES (K-5) $16,628.25 using Redesign Fund

N. Ratification of Xanedu-$14,329.28 for Tier I ELA Guidebook Materials for VPES (3-5) $7,786.67 and CES (3-5) $6,542.61 using Redesign Fund

O. Imagine Learning-$ 17,097.00 for ELA Tier I Materials for VPE (K-2) $9,267.00 and CE (K-2) $7,830.00 using $17,097.00

Item#14-Personnel Matters-Informational-Information regarding professionals & support personnel 24-25 fiscal year. All appointments/assignments are contingent upon initial funding allocations of programs for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. All appointments of new employees by the Superintendent of the Evangeline Parish School Board will be contingent upon verification of proper documentation of certification and/or other qualifying information being provided to the Central Office.

• CHATAIGNIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1. Connie L.Thibodeaux, Kindergarten Teacher, resignation effective February 21, 2025

2. Olivia Thibodeaux, CNP Technician, resignation effective March 3, 2025

3. Mary Freeman, CNP Technician, reassigned from PPHS, replacing Olivia Thibodeaux, effective March 6, 2025

4. Bobbie Godeaux, Special Education Child Specific Paraprofessional, reassigned from VPES, effective March 6,2025

5. Susan Venable, Kindergarten Teacher, replacing Connie Thibodeaux, effective February 18, 2025

• EVANGELINE REIMAGINE ACADEMY

1. Haley Boykin, Regular Education Elementary Teacher, replacing Taylor Olivier, effective March 13, 2025

2. Amanda Soileau, SPED Paraprofessional, reclassified from a Child Specific Paraprofessional funding source changed from SPED01 to GF001.

• JAMES STEPHENS MONTESSORI SCHOOL

1. Mary Christine Fontenot, Interim Assistant Principal, replacing Sara Melancon, effective February 18, 2025

2. Kaitlyn Doucet, PreKindergarten Paraprofessional, resignation effective February 28, 2025

3. Ashley Ardoin, PreKindergarten Paraprofessional, replacing Kaitlyn Doucet, effective March 11, 2025

• MAMOU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1. Jennifer Fontenot, Special Education Elementary Teacher, retirement effective May 31, 2025

• PINE PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL

1. Alice Johnson, CNP Technician, retirement effective May 30, 2025

2. Whitney Causey, Child Specific Paraprofessional, resignation effective March 6, 2025

• VIDRINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1. Tiffany Pollard, CNP Technician, terminated effective February 25, 2025

• VILLE PLATTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1. Lanie Bordelon, PreKindergarten Paraprofessional, replacing Bobbiejo Godeaux, effective March 6, 2025

2. Kourtnie Roberie, Special Education Child Specific Paraprofessional, replacing Lanie Bordelon, effective March 6, 2025

• WW STEWART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1. Joan D. Fontenot, Registered Nurse, retirement effective May 31, 2025

Item#15-Superintendent’s Comments

• He announced the Student of the Year GALA on March 20, 2025, at the Ville Platte Civic Center from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

• Mr. Lazard Congratulated Mrs. Melanie Soileau of James Stephens Montessori for being selected as a Louisiana State Teacher of the Year Semifinalist! Superintendent Lazard along with Principal Fran, Title I Director Maryann Fontenot, Elementary Supervisor Cheri Fontenot, Middle School Supervisor Sherral Tezeno, Title I Supervisor/TOY Coordinator Grace Sibley, and Maintenance & Operations Facilitator Rico Guillory, presented Ms. Soileau with flowers on March 19, 2025.

• Superintendent Lazard congratulated the PPHS Percussion Ensemble, which competed at the National Regional Competition, Winter Guard International, and won 1 st place again for the third year in a row. They are now the Top Three Seeds for the World Championship Preliminaries.

• He announced that PPHS Percussion Ensemble is hosting its annual sprint! concert on Friday. March 21,2025. in the gym at PPHS starting a, 6:30 PM. AH are invhed’as our Percusston Ensemble prepares tor the World Championship.

• He mentioned the Work-based Luncheon held in Mamou on March 12, 2025. He thanked the

Special Education Department, SPED Director Kelli Lafleur, SPED Supervisor Keith Scott, Transition Specialist Dorothy Doulet, Mr. Jori Randle, other team members, and the Businesses of Evangeline Parish for working with the students. He also thanked Board President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., for attending.

• He announced the Special Olympics Track & Field, which will take place on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Basile High School.

• He gave an update on the following projects:

o The VPHS Track’s rubber coat has been placed on it. It is very near completion. We are looking to a meeting with the architect to go over the warranty of the track and make sure that we are in good position to take care of that particular item

o As a reminder, money was allocated for PPHS to purchase track equipment and they did; there is money allocated for VPHS to purchase track equipment, also. He said that he met and reminded the VPHS Principal and others that they needed to put their order to get the equipment expeditiously, so we could have a ribbon cutting or some event associated with it. MHS had a similar allocation, which was used to complete its gym renovation.

o The JSM Building Project is in place and waiting for the connection of sewage and electricity, and the additional ramp that the fire marshal requires is near completion.

o The VES Gym Floor needs one more coat, and the windows are near completion

o The JSM Gym is moving forward to completion.

o Reimagine Academy is moving along and close to the start of the installation of new flooring, but the contractor is waiting for some test results that are needed before proceeding

• Lastly, Superintendent Lazard said we will work with the EPPJ as we continue our conversation about the Hester Heath property. Another meeting with Jury representatives has been set for 3-26-2025 at the Central Office; board members from the Chicot area have been invited.

Adjournment: Mr. Wayne Dardeau made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Monica Andrus and recommended by Superintendent Darwan Lazard, to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 PM.

President Bobby Hamlin, Jr., Vice President Sheila Joseph, Mrs. Kimberly Coleman, Mrs. Kristy Briley, Mr. Donald Anderson, Mr. Lonnie Sonnier, Mr. Nick Chaumont, Mr. Wayne Dardeau, Mrs. Monica Andrus, Ms. Fannie Soileau, Ms. Karen Vidrine, and Mr. Calvin Leday, Jr. voted for the motion, which passed unanimously.

/s/:Bobby Hamlin

Bobby Hamlin

President

/s/:Darwan Lazard

Darwan Lazard

Sectary-Treasurer

042425

Cost is $410.00