[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6635934,"mediaKeyId","2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810","parentId",2616201,"title","Board approves property, equipment and workers’ compensation renewals and retains claims administrator and safety consultant","audioSeconds",228,"startMs",3669000,"endMs",3897000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810&start=3669&end=3897","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810/thumbnail_3669000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6635934/Louisiana/Board-approves-property-equipment-and-workers-compensation-renewals-and-retains-claims-administrator-and-safety-consultant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635934-ae2d6db497abaaa09bf1a96f33936926/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213433&Signature=SwRDeKz3p1IAcuzjODBNvcQ5DAWT663fkW7tlNEuV9d3mZRMaePq98i-vBQjavZN2X7CdB-EWAOJixrOm1Z30D3KyMFsOJw9x4F0MMxpCCFSp2kEBxlwRds95bZh6IxpW4o95Lg-AR2NIyG5pzg-e74OW9ghw4y3ozUzm-42SHAB-wStDE2RaV81esvIzSX45TQTf7EuWG5BsENJWHMHH-uNGPJUeu-RtBcJMsOprwCPRUKL3iaN1Q4S0YIybzNdqTvqZizaqLgrTRBvBylybUGO8hAtw1dqfEKWxIpNRN~Q3dH~V0DlFiDgn19kytDQZ9jDj0rbF~NHtaqh6u5wjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary Parish","date","2025-03-14T00:18:25.783Z","article","The Saint Mary Parish School Board approved a package of insurance renewals and related contracts covering property, equipment breakdown, and excess workers’ compensation, and voted to retain its existing third-party administrator (TPA) for claims administration and a safety consultant for loss-control services.

For building and contents coverage the board approved a renewal with an upper premium limit of $2,054,007.06 for the policy year beginning April 1, 2025. The district’s insurance advisor explained that this figure is a negotiated cap and the agent will continue negotiating before binding the policy; the final bound premium could be lower. The board also approved renewal of boiler and machinery (equipment breakdown) coverage at a premium of $11,004.97 for the year beginning April 1, 2025.

The board approved renewal of excess workers’ compensation coverage for the program year beginning May 1, 2025. The district’s self-funded program retains a self-insured retention (SIR) of $850,000; the annual premium for the excess coverage was reported as $98,002.39. Midwest, the carrier writing the excess, offered a true two-year policy that would lock the premium for two years; the board approved the two-year option to avoid returning for approval next year.

Because the district self-funds claims, the board also approved retaining the current claims administrator (a TPA based in Tyler, Texas) despite a flat annual fee increase (from $21,003.67 to $29,003.67). The board approved continuing loss-control and safety work with RiskWise at the same fee ($12,000). Board staff explained the TPA fee increase is tied to rising claim counts and that self-funding still produces sizable savings compared with going fully insured. Staff reported the district’s estimated self-funded cost for the year (claims, excess premium, TPA fees, safety program, and assessments) would be about $640,928, roughly $454,000 less than a fully insured premium quote.

Earlier in the meeting the board received a group health insurance premium-and-claims summary through February 2025. The district’s claims ratio for January and February was reported at roughly 89.2% and 86% respectively, with about $2.25 million in premiums collected and approximately $1.9 million in claims paid year-to-date. Staff flagged prescription drug trends (noting GLP‑1 drugs) as an area of ongoing concern.

Each insurance recommendation was moved and approved by the board during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting - March 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved property and boiler/equipment insurance renewals, approved excess workers’ compensation coverage (including an offered two-year option), and retained its third-party claims administrator and safety consultant; staff reported favorable initial health-insurance loss ratios for 2025.","taxTitle","St. Mary Parish, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",38436,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6635939,"Board adopts revised student electronic device policy; committee changes wearable-tech language",165,3779000,3944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810&start=3779&end=3944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810/thumbnail_3779000.jpg","/articles/6635939/Louisiana/Board-adopts-revised-student-electronic-device-policy-committee-changes-wearable-tech-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635939-02676cd2ffab33a777aac39a68e86161/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213433&Signature=cTrj~ezuqV73NYxb2fokMhVevXKO-aG1aiLbA0x00EInQlGLuCbkzCs4ken12PE219WjDpvIJrFegmDuGwz0fLsLqQuB7EhKO1LzChirJGyVt875BbTBrSZkMoyC1BgXXjgUrlyUJT6i7uVZ62AXcKubQSRRtFTDFCi2puFQ2j~HId7JLmA4JGTOSwPM94derN4nVWNDyYltkb4VKWl~wWZvhvXVRUcfMGaSUdG7YHIjYRwMYWb-LegKschudrVmcBwNg6qf8Pza2Ausf2EG2UjBH-aju97DeU8FkXOfRtyMwrY3kSJoE-rM2Nmf-gTqfeMSGjLrAHnkrfmirnSGVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Mary Parish School Board voted to adopt a revised student use of electronic telecommunication devices policy, with a committee-recommended change that narrows a state bulletin requirement for wearable technologies at school-sponsored events.

Board members presented a policy prepared by Forethought Consulting and revised by Hammons and Seals; the policy committee recommended one change before adoption. Bulletin 741 (as discussed in the meeting) requires prohibitions on wearable technology capable of sending or receiving text messages or similar notifications. The district’s proposed revision had used the mandatory term “shall” to extend the prohibition to school-sponsored events (including athletic competitions and field trips) that take place during instructional days. The policy committee recommended changing “shall” to “may,” which leaves the decision to apply the wearable-device restrictions at school-sponsored events to local school principals or administrators. Mister Mancuso moved to approve the policy with the committee modification; the motion passed.

Board counsel and administrators noted the district’s obligation to comply with state guidance and said the policy change preserves local discretion about events while aligning with the state-level requirements. The board’s approval updates district policy JCD-AE (student use of electronic telecommunication devices) as submitted to the board policy committee and reviewed by legal counsel.","The board approved revisions to the district’s student use of electronic telecommunication devices policy, adopting committee-recommended language that gives principals discretion over wearable-device rules for school-sponsored events taking place during instructional hours.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6635943,"Board issues public notice of intent to call sales tax renewal election for April meeting",81,2829000,2910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810&start=2829&end=2910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810/thumbnail_2829000.jpg","/articles/6635943/Louisiana/Board-issues-public-notice-of-intent-to-call-sales-tax-renewal-election-for-April-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635943-0f8f15328c7c61d1ba88a95a9a86767c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213433&Signature=n-dkr4tSWSj5tibOL~g-0p9usV7RMzKAyrvWweNp7H95AtTAjY1iFzEp3GZRhHOXRtBYLNtLT7lurjKZD3KuB3bBUOLRTKcxGa0qOV3tZ0jHFRIxqnUdTFXGzH6IWKrzRmLz-PBWxezlu8kDymBnyXzQHKSwwIPqVMUj48LO0gXJsKVg8gOIdtvtcoJG9kvqHe3KWa8z-IgR206eqrt1HOzek4yFzuhXxx~7fkys2awKNGpyopBt0WCrLyKB6ImXNRo5CumrbfZzVzJtJTapEBCc3KTGpzgWhN3D7oh79AH2RoOGhpHqNh3mq6zHPvoWIBAM--4ObaUf9hPt7Wzb6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 13 meeting the Saint Mary Parish School Board read the formal public announcement required as the first step in the notice process for a proposed 0.5% sales-and-use tax renewal. The notice, prepared by the district’s bonding attorney, sets a public meeting for 5:30 p.m. on April 10 in the Evans Madon Meeting Room at the central office complex to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling the election.

Miss Foisin read the timeline provided by the bonding attorney, Jason Acres, and told the board the attorney would attend the April 10 meeting to answer questions about the election process and documents. The board did not take a final vote on the renewal at the March meeting; the reading constituted the public-notice step required by law.

The board’s action at this meeting was procedural: it announced the date and location for the required public meeting and indicated that more specific ballot language and financial details would be presented at the April 10 meeting when the bonding attorney is present.

No formal resolution ordering the election was adopted at the March meeting; that action is scheduled for the board’s April meeting.","The Saint Mary Parish School Board read a legal notice announcing its intent to consider ordering a renewal 0.5% sales-and-use tax and set a public meeting on April 10 for formal action and details.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6635945,"School board approves two-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Fagan Bush after heated discussion",1348,4045000,5393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810&start=4045&end=5393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810/thumbnail_4045000.jpg","/articles/6635945/Louisiana/School-board-approves-two-year-contract-for-Superintendent-Dr-Fagan-Bush-after-heated-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635945-b9c9c14a9f67300cd51b2993fc78e771/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213433&Signature=W~YWyhv7vijezTLPbsEdaTmlxtfyHxnpfXmFKTuivKxX0kBE6HLIvcJJRsxUQBI-NBrsDRGj7~rNBoilN7j1jRaNSl~Klh3CCpYpapU4AWMBRoBcSzqQo0kn7pZBZl4M7q-FVXpgvbfFg0wwesd4ukhSASO-7TYVrT57jZLzdwrrzYtfuum~UuPPWXGvQioZuVqi9mZ1SZ8ZkfCzW7KD8NnRBcPNWq0sIb5ud-CE87hzRC9eiqNfE2-GZVHQSnESVXnI1D8kKwAFyJ2a6t19dDo9oBkei~CR5AcrXIdVwYh~EcO4XTRfTIxpHQV9zipXgguyS-SMEptq-nc4JvOqsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Mary Parish School Board voted 9–2 to approve a two-year employment contract for Superintendent Dr. Fagan Bush after an extended public discussion about contract provisions, a substitute motion to alter several terms, and a roll-call vote.

The board’s negotiation team (the board president and vice president) presented a negotiated contract and asked the full board to consider approval. The contract changes identified in the packet and during discussion included a 2% salary increase, a two-year term, the addition of performance criteria in line with recent legislative requirements (including literacy and numeracy objectives tied to K–3 growth), a new annual cash-out provision allowing the superintendent to convert up to 10 days of unused annual leave at the end of each fiscal year, and the board’s assumption of the employer/employee portion of health insurance for the superintendent. The liquidated-damages clause present in prior contracts (a fixed monetary payment if the superintendent left before the contract end) had been removed during negotiation.

Board members debated several elements at length. Miss LaSalle asked why a prior “other employment” provision (requiring the superintendent to obtain board approval before taking outside paid work) was not included; legal counsel responded that the provision is not in other superintendent contracts they prepare and that the liquidated-damages clause is discretionary. Miss LaSalle and other members expressed concern about the payment schedule for unused leave and the insurance provisions. Superintendent Dr. Fagan Bush addressed the board and said the cash-out schedule was requested for budgeting reasons and pledged publicly that she did not intend to leave the position and would serve the full contract barring a medical emergency.

During debate, Miss Griffin moved a substitute motion to approve the contract only if three changes were made: (1) reinsert the liquidated-damages clause, (2) remove the annual 10-day leave payout provision (instead revert to payment at contract end), and (3) remove the board-paid employer/employee portion of health insurance; Miss LaSalle seconded the substitute motion. The substitute motion failed on roll call (4 yes, 7 no). The board then voted on the original negotiated contract; a roll-call recorded nine yes votes and two no votes and the original motion carried.

Roll-call on the final vote (as read during the meeting) was: Miss Brent—Yes; Miss Moore—Yes; Miss Anselm—Yes; Miss Jones—Yes; Miss Griffin—No; Miss LaSalle—No; Mister Guillory—Yes; Mister Parady—Yes; Miss Black—Yes; Mister Mancuso—Yes; Miss Dennis—Yes.

Board counsel and administrators noted the contract contains new performance objectives required by state legislation, including an exhibit enumerating literacy and numeracy growth measures that account for 30% of the evaluation. The board directed that the final, fully executed contract be provided to the superintendent and filed as a public record.","After extended debate and a failed substitute motion to alter several contract provisions, the Saint Mary Parish School Board approved the negotiated two-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Fagan Bush by roll-call vote, 9–2.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6635947,"Saint Mary Parish School Board approves ITEP application from Saint Mary Sugar Cooperative",579,2221000,2800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810&start=2221&end=2800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2616201-fa7df8fe80b97a2b39c55623f9fe7810/thumbnail_2221000.jpg","/articles/6635947/Louisiana/Saint-Mary-Parish-School-Board-approves-ITEP-application-from-Saint-Mary-Sugar-Cooperative","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6635947-cac45b1c9412c06856b2f54fd8c10919/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213433&Signature=iHGnI3La-jjEX6k6P6UGIb4X7uVd~vq-Bd7lpxddoGpO0-UcY0eiukJhVYFKdWbsbkVVN60bGYGabHeSzEmnY8zoY4t8iG6Ib0IQWJr1XCpskon8TTK6~onhR6dPRL6B8DxrCvuB61vUduSgTgagRCvqGe1nc-EKgbIJOrUGD8Jxbxj5va3slRwo8kCx9k-Mub-SdvARM1DEo-ZlccmbCvc8o7ST75cYhuHFXIoLHxqQVwsnDqGMjnP6kpoA9EcsO9weRR7EsTrzlJ6GqwqKi1Y0dES6Rte74Nu2eD8somex4WYejZWVN-sgm93n9wpABLiQ2CGpvejgmosvxuOF4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Mary Parish School board voted to approve a tentative Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) application submitted by Saint Mary Sugar Cooperative following public comment from the cooperative’s president and a brief board discussion.

Board President Dr. Fagan Bush introduced the item, saying the board had three options: ask for a 30-day extension to receive an economic impact report, approve the application, or deny it. Brett Alley, who identified himself as president of Saint Mary Sugar Cooperative and a former member of the Louisiana State Senate, addressed the board and described the cooperative as one of the state’s oldest, locally governed sugar companies. Alley said the cooperative generated “probably close to $180,000,000 in revenue” last year from sugarcane, that about 62% of those receipts are paid directly to farmers, and that the mill employs roughly 200 people during harvest. He told the board the cooperative needs a $24,000,000 cane baller to remain competitive and that securing tax relief was essential to finance the purchase.

Board discussion included a recusal by board member Miss Black because her employer does business with Saint Mary Sugar; she said she supported the application but recused herself under Revised Statute 42 11 12. The board also discussed projected local hiring tied to the application: for the record, a staff comment noted a commitment of three hires per year for 10 years at an average salary of $80,000.

Mister Guillory moved to approve the application and Miss Moore seconded. Two abstentions were recorded; the motion carried.

The board’s approval will be forwarded to the state for final action by the Louisiana Economic Development (LED), which had tentatively approved the exemption prior to the meeting. The board did not adopt a local ordinance or special conditions at the meeting; the approval recorded by the board was limited to the local action requested on the ITEP application.

Board members and cooperative representatives emphasized the cooperative’s local ownership and the role of the sugar industry in the parish economy. No formal amendment or additional conditions were adopted by the board at the meeting.

The board recorded the motion as approved and the matter will advance to the state review process.","After public comment from the cooperative’s president, the Saint Mary Parish School Board voted to approve a tentative industrial tax exemption program application submitted by Saint Mary Sugar Cooperative; one board member recused.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves property, equipment and workers’ compensation renewals and retains claims administrator and safety consultant

Board adopts revised student electronic device policy; committee changes wearable-tech language

Board issues public notice of intent to call sales tax renewal election for April meeting

School board approves two-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Fagan Bush after heated discussion

Saint Mary Parish School Board approves ITEP application from Saint Mary Sugar Cooperative