[{"_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",6463017,"mediaKeyId","5786273-dc01ffe73151ca9a53eb806fc75d15b7","parentId",5786273,"title","Sterlington Middle School sale proceeds, project history and litigation discussed; board tables construction litigation items","audioSeconds",1421,"startMs",694000,"endMs",2115000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786273-dc01ffe73151ca9a53eb806fc75d15b7&start=694&end=2115","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786273-dc01ffe73151ca9a53eb806fc75d15b7/thumbnail_694000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6463017/Louisiana/Sterlington-Middle-School-sale-proceeds-project-history-and-litigation-discussed-board-tables-construction-litigation-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463017-7f1992018bbf785fed541e69ba53844c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775058876&Signature=PshzBPuYdw19NpE75qccKgncdeadgHDeg1ZbwqLEKqavlz25UoERTcsX7XZHeN7ogBHC6ZpjgtUYDLC9vRGPiSo9fHmOWzC0~-GH6Z6q2~O7aqZfJMmoS5dyWgJ57h-JPTMtcAsMVhYyW-dzXEVi7FrTTwNryh9~OCcZCnaQMFnoDXAnhZ0HFcr2h0sSEY61OCwVmwySVe1d1nOPjHUtGmyElWx8ucnUwMI-67mnZilIhSrkDFhvQZAGF8TV3dHLIx~a-r3AJXNyU3m7zT4cxp6X5n0fPzvgfH~~Se1EuGK6yjvSWE5af9irWj3GQPcd~MIyCrt-OaqtaHFROAsM9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ouachita Parish Schools, LA","date","2025-09-12T22:54:21Z","article","The Ouachita Parish School Board on Aug. 25 approved distributing the $1.2 million in proceeds from the sale of the old Sterlington Middle School and held an executive session to discuss prospective litigation tied to the new Sterlington Middle School construction. After the closed session, the board voted to table two construction‑related agenda items for further work.

Board members voted to divide the $1.2 million sale proceeds equally among the three east‑side board members, which district presenters described as replacing premium bond funds that had been advanced earlier during construction of the new Sterlington Middle School. Staff said premium bond funds had been shifted during construction to cover a budget shortfall; the sale proceeds will reimburse that premium bond allocation. The motion passed with no recorded opposition.

Rice Gregory, who identified himself as project architect for Sterlington Middle School, gave a detailed history of the new school’s procurement and construction timeline, saying the project began in programing and design in 2020, was rebid after earlier bids exceeded budget, and a contract was awarded in early 2022. Gregory told the board he has overseen contract documents and public construction projects for the district since 1983 and presented what he called a final status and accounting for the project.

The board then moved into executive session to “confer with counsel and discuss prospective litigation relative to Sterlington Middle School liquidated damages on Marion Construction,” citing state executive‑session authority. The motion to enter executive session passed on roll call with board members recorded as voting yes. The board also used the executive session time to hear a confidential student expulsion appeal; after returning to public session the board recorded action on that appeal (the board took an affirmative vote to grant the appeal). The board later made and approved a motion to table agenda items 12 and 14, both related to construction and litigation matters, so staff and counsel could continue work outside public session.

The Sterlington sale proceeds distribution and the litigation matter are linked in board discussions: district staff and some board members described the sale proceeds as a mechanism to repay premium bond funds used during construction, while the litigation discussion concerns claimed liquidated damages against the contractor for the new school project. The board did not vote on any litigation settlement or contract termination in public session and deferred related construction items to be addressed later.

The board instructed staff and legal counsel to continue evaluation and to return the tabulated construction items when additional information is available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ouachita Parish School Board Meeting Live Stream - September 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members discussed the sale of the old Sterlington Middle School, approved equal disbursement of the $1.2 million proceeds for east‑side board districts to reimburse bond premium money, and entered executive session on construction litigation; the board later moved to table two related construction litigation agenda items.","taxTitle","Ouachita Parish, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",14437,"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},6463021,"Ouachita Parish School Board adopts FY25–26 budget, approves staff stipends, policy updates and fleet purchases",177,388000,565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5786273-dc01ffe73151ca9a53eb806fc75d15b7&start=388&end=565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5786273-dc01ffe73151ca9a53eb806fc75d15b7/thumbnail_388000.jpg","/articles/6463021/Louisiana/Ouachita-Parish-School-Board-adopts-FY2526-budget-approves-staff-stipends-policy-updates-and-fleet-purchases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6463021-4a748978d7a015e06a88236abc9184ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1775058876&Signature=W--wf1iwhHO~L2kW0QuYa4gDWvF6LUi7Bm27TAgFOBDjQCakJNRlmqkCIMEJ27RAt1rkSZJslj6MwwcYM4Ts2D3UHAmIeZSRg8hTKkkLHe7Sqjv2q--SEDWBy3XyKPFHZc685TKxVj5WtypB1OQKUQW6u6zj~Isg9g7zxMu8v~iDllDFaNzTSCwmcnPn5VGod~G5cmUu41VhEmk1pKPjKIERJU8Ayl0Q7QQIX286h-dYLndzxqwJdcGYxhCNf98wFRAR~WDqjLJ4ZuaCiUkXQ0A1DLtyGFs2~NdIxhHwiF7FdAyb~~wlu1gEZ5YGXVJqgX06Jxz72lCdqypB-8te1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ouachita Parish School Board on Aug. 25 approved its 2025–26 operating budget, authorized distribution of one‑time state stipends for certificated and support staff, adopted several policy updates and approved a series of operational purchases and funding changes.

The board approved the annual operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26 as presented in the district packet and discussed at a public hearing earlier the same day. The board chair called for a motion and the board voted to adopt the budget. Board members did not record any opposition during the vote.

In a separate action tied to state legislation this year, the board authorized distribution of the Legislature‑approved one‑time stipend: $2,000 for certificated staff and $1,000 for support staff. The district told the board the stipends must be distributed before Dec. 15; the board approved distributing payments on Oct. 9 using an employment cutoff of Oct. 1, 2025, so staff hired on or before that date would be included.

The board also approved several policy changes that the policy review committee recommended. Policies presented included IFA 25, IBFGA 25, JBD 25 (attendance/makeup work), JCDA‑F 25, JDE 25, JGCE 25 and JGCF 25. The committee told the board the changes reflect actions taken in the most recent legislative session and state board guidance; one specific local clarification to JBD would limit makeup work time to no more days than the number of days a student missed (for example, three missed days = three days to complete makeup work).

Other operational approvals included:
- Activity trip pay: the board approved a simplified pay rate for bus drivers and activity trip drivers of $25 per hour, with an additional $25 per hour for hours beyond eight and a $200 overnight fee when an overnight stay is required. The board approved the change after district staff said the former system had become difficult to administer.
- Ag substitute funding: the board approved reimbursing substitute costs for agriculture teachers when those absences are for required curriculum activities or closely tied to their professional organization obligations. The change takes effect for the start of the current school year and is intended to remove the previous practice of billing those substitute costs back to individual schools.
- Fleet purchase: the board approved a cooperative endeavor agreement to buy seven used school buses from Union Parish School Board at $10,000 each (total $70,000). District staff said the buses are 2015 models equipped with cameras and air conditioning and that the district’s mechanics expect to keep them in service for years.
- Bid acceptance: the board accepted bids for West Monroe High School training‑room equipment (bid 10‑26). District staff recommended awarding items across three responsive vendors; the tabulation in the packet showed a combined award totaling $67,054.55 though the board motion referenced the project budget of $60,000 and carried as presented.

Several routine items also passed by unanimous voice vote, including approval of the meeting minutes from the Aug. 12, 2025 meeting and the meeting agenda.

Votes and motions were moved and seconded during the meeting; where roll‑call votes were used the board recorded affirmative votes and no recorded opposition.

The board adjourned after approving the agenda of business items and scheduling the next board meeting for Oct. 21.","The Ouachita Parish School Board on Aug. 25 approved its 2025–26 operating budget, authorized distribution of one-time state stipends, adopted multiple policy changes and approved several operational purchases and program funding items, including seven used buses from Union Parish.","actionData","errors"]

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Sterlington Middle School sale proceeds, project history and litigation discussed; board tables construction litigation items

Ouachita Parish School Board adopts FY25–26 budget, approves staff stipends, policy updates and fleet purchases