Acadia Parish board approves student travel, surplus bus disposal, lease extension and AMI Kids contract

The Acadia Parish School Board on Tuesday approved a package of routine items: out-of-state travel for student groups, declaring a 2018 Bluebird bus surplus, a fourth extension of a state agency lease shared with Lafayette Parish, the addition of a community representative to the Head Start Policy Council, a proclamation designating Attendance Awareness Month, and the 2025–26 AMI Kids Acadiana contract.

Board members approved an out-of-state travel request for Crowley High School FFA to attend the national FFA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, from Oct. 27, 2025, through Nov. 1, 2025. Two Crowley FFA officers addressed the board about the trip: Kennedy Smith, identified as the Crowley FFA chapter vice president, and Madison Benoit, identified as the chapter secretary. Kennedy Smith said the Crowley chapter will accept a national award as a three-star chapter — “the highest ranking chapter” in Louisiana — and that the trip gives members a chance to meet students from other states.

The board also approved an out-of-state trip for Rain High School emergency medical and biology students to visit the Houston Health Museum on Oct. 23, 2025. A separate request to send Midland High School students and the Midland High dance team to Orlando, Florida, in April 2026 was approved; presenters told the board the Midland dance team was invited to perform at Disney World and described the opportunity as part of an audition-based program.

The board declared a 2018 Bluebird bus, VIN 1BAKGCSH4JF341337, as surplus property and authorized the superintendent to dispose of the bus “by any legal means available,” as stated in the motion.

Members approved the fourth amendment to state agency lease number 21865, a joint lease for property in the Doosan area shared with Lafayette Parish. Board discussion identified Acadia Parish’s share as about 30% of the lease and Lafayette Parish’s share as about 70%; a staff speaker estimated the parish’s portion of revenue at roughly $12,000 per year.

The board approved adding an additional community representative to serve on the Head Start Policy Council for the 2025–26 program year and adopted a proclamation recognizing Attendance Awareness Month. The board also approved the 2025–26 AMI Kids Acadiana contract; an AMI representative told the board the program currently serves about 34 students and credited district staff, including the special-education department, for supporting the program.

Most items were moved from committee and approved by voice vote at the board meeting; several student presenters and program representatives spoke briefly to the board in support of travel and contract requests.

Votes at a glance - Crowley High School FFA out-of-state travel to Indianapolis, Indiana (Oct. 27–Nov. 1, 2025): motion carried (mover: Mister Quivido; second: Mister Reshore). - Rain High School student trip to Houston Health Museum (Oct. 23, 2025): motion carried (mover: Mister Jones; second: Mister Seymour). - Midland High School out-of-state travel to Orlando, Florida (April 2026): motion carried (mover: Miss James Ellis; second: Mister Quipido). - Declare 2018 Bluebird bus VIN 1BAKGCSH4JF341337 surplus and authorize disposal by superintendent: motion carried (mover: Mister Quibito; second: Mister Richard). - Add community representative to Head Start Policy Council for 2025–26: motion carried (mover: Miss James Allen; second: Mister Quibito). - Attendance Awareness Month proclamation: motion carried (mover: Bridal Hebert; second: Becky Atkinson). - Fourth amendment to state agency lease no. 21865 (Doosan area, joint lease with Lafayette Parish): motion carried (mover: Mister Richard; second: Mister Jones). Board noted Acadia Parish holds ~30% of lease share; estimated parish revenue ~ $12,000 per year. - 2025–26 AMI Kids Acadiana contract: motion carried (mover: Adeeloh Abare; second: Becky Atkinson). AMI representative said the program currently serves 34 students.

The board’s public discussion on these items was brief in most cases and focused on presenters explaining the educational value of travel or providing contract and program details. Several board members offered encouragement to student groups making presentations. The superintendent or staff will carry out the administrative steps required for disposal, lease execution, contract implementation and Head Start Policy Council appointment.