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Board members criticize handling of construction‑department staffing changes amid facility concerns
Summary
Several board members objected to recent changes in the district’s construction department and criticized how staff terminations were handled, saying the move could slow facilities work and that employees were dismissed without sufficient compassion or communication.
Several Tangipahoa Parish School Board members on June 24 expressed concern and frustration over recent personnel changes in the district’s construction department, questioning whether the dismissals were handled appropriately and warning of consequences for facilities work.
Board members said the construction group had been performing careful contractor and architect reviews and that the expertise could slow delivery but improved project oversight. One board member said the district let multiple construction employees go “in a way that is not true to our values,” criticizing a decision to terminate staff by email and to immediately disable accounts. The member said the removals and the subsequent resignations of other supervisors could undercut the district’s capacity to manage cafeteria, roofing and other facilities work.
Another board member called the decision a mistake and urged follow-up: he requested spreadsheets and additional answers from the superintendent and the operations team to understand whether the problem was employee performance or leadership and whether projects will remain on schedule. Board members said they want clearer communication about facilities staffing and more accountability on how the changes will affect project timelines.
District leaders did not announce additional personnel actions at the meeting; the board voted to enter executive session later in the agenda to discuss unspecified personnel matters and returned with no action taken publicly.
Board members asked for updates and documentation about projects and the staffing changes; one member said they will hold the administration accountable for project delivery and asked staff to provide more information to the board.
