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