[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6067689,"mediaKeyId","3123424-d8233cbaacef4ab65b69f5e6c1820476","parentId",3123424,"title","Board debates campus maintenance, custodial coverage and vehicle use as district readies bond priorities","audioSeconds",1248,"startMs",2408000,"endMs",3656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123424-d8233cbaacef4ab65b69f5e6c1820476&start=2408&end=3656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123424-d8233cbaacef4ab65b69f5e6c1820476/thumbnail_2408000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6067689/Louisiana/Board-debates-campus-maintenance-custodial-coverage-and-vehicle-use-as-district-readies-bond-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067689-86bb87c5ebb733fa250cc21a99406169/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440113&Signature=LC3Zya-UsfUmjwleehHzGyK~yXb8wKOrNZMnyED4G2tCxSrGVsCD9ZQTSprzL9rr0vcZCIDo3bjbhpNhvIF6fv~2XdGwPjx74YtDTQ2yuDDSLNzTYlmowrNPIsyV16UgKx5mdUVqoJ0sBDCh~cslx0ZA7vP8oKrnvBipCda3ZXRaRc7~MZaimk52A-rvvl9oQOcoZNz0Rp~3ATPJAO3eDWR7-Uz049Ng5pE8wsP7saGl4OHw8uJlxV9~yhJJwrTYWNI4TqFZ52m0yPBew2FDEYgR1m93prl0njIAMbnwOSwHK6AtI0HOv5L8HArXywmOHzZdJXoCoTHtVKx~SP8D2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Martin Parish Schools Public","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","Board members devoted extended discussion to campus maintenance, groundskeeping, custodial staffing models and district vehicle use, saying appearance and safety are priorities to address alongside any proposed capital projects.

Several board members described uneven campus conditions—overgrown grass, damaged outdoor equipment, gym floors and windows in need of repair—and urged staff to research low-cost ways other districts maintain campuses. One suggested reallocating certain janitorial/maintenance stipends to on-site staff or coaches to perform outside maintenance (pressure washing, field upkeep) during the summer, with the work documented as community service where student volunteers are appropriate. Staff was asked to contact other parishes that use similar approaches and return with an implementation proposal.

Board members also raised staffing and scheduling practices: the district's 12-month maintenance staff often work a four-day summer schedule that some members said prevents timely completion of summer projects; members asked staff to propose schedules and supervisory controls to ensure coverage for summer work and critical projects. Supervisory oversight of scheduled vacation and monitoring of multiple simultaneous absences were raised as operational issues that need clearer policy.

District vehicle use and after-hours parking drew specific concern. A board member reported seeing a district vehicle parked at a casino late at night and argued that vehicles should be parked on district property at night and only used off-hours for emergencies; the board asked that the superintendent address the matter and consider a policy requiring employees to park vehicles at district facilities overnight.

Other maintenance topics the board raised included:

- Security improvements and fencing at multiple campuses; members said secure entry and perimeter fencing are districtwide priorities and asked staff to include security in the capital plan.
- Clarification of maintenance budget allocations by square footage: staff reported receiving updated square-footage records from Brown & Brown insurance to rebalance maintenance allocations across schools.
- Use of project managers for bond work: board members discussed whether to hire an outside project manager or use internal staff (one suggested hiring a dedicated project manager at an estimated lower cost than the prior approach of multiple architects and consultants).

Staff was asked to research and return with options, including cost estimates and recommended staffing models, so the board can weigh in before final capital projects are selected and funds are committed.

Ending

Board members directed staff to report back with specific proposals on maintenance staffing, vehicle policy, summer scheduling for maintenance crews, and recommended security upgrades to be incorporated into the capital improvement planning and budgeting process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Martin Parish School Board Finance and Regular Board Meetings 4.2.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members spent substantial time on campus appearance, custodial staffing models, grounds maintenance, vehicle parking and security fencing, asking staff to research alternative staffing models and options to keep campuses maintained between bond projects.","taxTitle","St. Martin Parish Schools, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",38402,"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},6067694,"St. Martin Parish board advances capital-improvement plan, adopts 2025-26 calendar and approves routine personnel items",457,1677000,2134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3123424-d8233cbaacef4ab65b69f5e6c1820476&start=1677&end=2134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3123424-d8233cbaacef4ab65b69f5e6c1820476/thumbnail_1677000.jpg","/articles/6067694/Louisiana/St-Martin-Parish-board-advances-capital-improvement-plan-adopts-2025-26-calendar-and-approves-routine-personnel-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6067694-bca15c49770c2ba4c13341016d602f5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440113&Signature=TCDpu64L2JhAtIISW-UpNv9is87dUS8yF~~j~-I5po~oQj~J7aK67ZABLP7eqAW4Y2wK1dKPa28R0trfTL4jDO7Tm~Cpfua5yukdc0glKP~bEBCNPfsBH6EzUfqSbqNGtGAUHXC5u69UhVqXbiX0bTuIfTm2VaSI42bkTleybBrocO2Pl12WrmmJ0T2JqcMiBaXZD-SSNBfkHyxzybVvTkzxT81LQ0rBAY6bI7n7pmka8GJ3TSfP82X-R1PCIb5L9XpOxrlNCYvxFQBISpyX~02y86YyyG~PBkKzsJR1reH9yNFpQaCCaHZ3vTTLvpE5iIVsKbmpD0NkkYBvUm2tyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Martin Parish Schools board members discussed and moved toward adopting a capital improvement plan that will guide how proceeds from a proposed bond issue would be used, adopted the district's 2025-26 school calendar and approved routine personnel and committee recommendations at the meeting.

Board members said the capital improvement plan is intended to give the public an outline of likely projects and priorities before the district asks voters to approve a bond. The plan presents a top-three set of projects for each school as the district works to gather budgets and then return to the board with a prioritized spending plan for remaining wish-list items.

The board adopted the 2025-26 calendar after staff reported results of a district survey of employees. Staff presented three calendar options; Option 1 received the largest share of staff support in the survey and was approved by the board. The consent agenda, including a renewal/extension item for the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority right-of-way/easement, passed as part of routine business. Staff recommendations for hires and enrollment-related items were also approved as part of consent actions.

Members flagged a number of implementation details they want clarified before the district actually spends bond proceeds. Board members requested that staff develop budgets for the listed projects, confirm which projects meet the primary stated purpose of safety and security, and propose a method to pool or redistribute funds across schools in ways that prevent uneven outcomes (for example, one school using local funds to install athletic turf while others lack basic security improvements).

Several board members emphasized that the capital-improvement plan should prioritize safety, security and building condition (heating, air-conditioning, secure entry points) over athletic upgrades. Staff told the board they will draft budget estimates, return with a formal priority list after the bond passes, and circulate the resolution language that would accompany the plan when the board takes a formal vote to adopt it prior to the bond election.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of 2025-26 school calendar (Option 1): approved (motion and recorded vote on agenda item; roll-call details not specified in transcript excerpt).
- Consent agenda (including lease/easement renewal with Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority): approved (vote not detailed in excerpt).
- Staff recommendations (new hires, enrollment and related personnel actions): approved (consent action).
- Resolution to adopt capital improvement plan: board discussed and a resolution authorizing adoption and the plan attachment was presented; staff and board agreed a formal vote would be taken after staff provides budgets and final language (vote outcome: not specified in the transcript excerpt).

The board also discussed process items: whether to employ an in-house project manager for bond projects or to contract externally; how to use updated square-footage/insurance records (staff reported receiving an updated square-footage list from Brown & Brown insurance); and how to ensure future boards cannot reallocate funds in ways that defeat parishwide priorities. Several board members requested that the plan's primary purpose be stated clearly in public communications: safety, security and maintaining buildings in good working order.

Board members set next steps: staff will draft budget estimates for the top-priority items, return with a more detailed priority plan for remaining wish-list items, and prepare resolution text for a future formal adoption vote ahead of the bond election.

Ending

Board members said they expected to revisit the capital improvement plan and the budgets before placing a bond question before voters. Several members asked staff to return with concrete budget numbers and a clearer written policy for how leftover or surplus funds would be allocated across schools.","Board members discussed a proposed capital improvement plan tied to a potential bond measure, voted to adopt the 2025-26 school calendar (Option 1), and approved the consent agenda and several staff recommendations; the board debated how bond funds should be prioritized and requested budgets before final allocations.","actionData","errors"]

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Board debates campus maintenance, custodial coverage and vehicle use as district readies bond priorities

St. Martin Parish board advances capital-improvement plan, adopts 2025-26 calendar and approves routine personnel items