St. Mary Parish School Board approves cybersecurity contract, surplus sales plan and forms committee on 16th‑section land

The St. Mary Parish School Board on Aug. 14, 2025, at the Evans Medine Meeting Room approved a cybersecurity services contract paid largely by an E‑Rate cybersecurity grant, designated old Franklin Junior High furniture as surplus, authorized use of govdeals.com to auction surplus items, and voted to form a committee to make recommendations on 16th‑section land and other properties.

The actions came during a regularly scheduled meeting at which President Dr. Fagan Bush called the roll and confirmed a full quorum of board members. Board members voted on a set of consent and business items, accepted committee recommendations, and approved a motion to enter executive session to discuss prospective litigation related to a 16th‑section land lease.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes, July 10, 2025 regular meeting: motion by Miss Griffin, seconded by Dr. Wilson; motion carried (yes: 12, no: 0, abstain: 0). - Approval of consent agenda with removal of consent item 2 (piggyback bid authorization): motion to approve with removal by Mr. Mancuso, second by Miss LaSalle; motion carried (yes: 12). - Approval to piggyback on chemical bid awarded to Autoclor (dishwashing chemicals and maintenance for district dish machines), considered separately after removal from consent agenda: motion by Miss LaSalle, second by Miss Jones; motion carried (yes: 12). - Approval of Cybersecurity 2025 contract (E‑Rate cybersecurity grant; district responsible for 10%): motion by Miss LaSalle, second by Dr. Wilson; motion carried (yes: 12). - Designation of Old Franklin Junior High School furniture (desks, chairs, file cabinets) as surplus inventory for auction: motion by Dr. Wilson, second by Miss Jones; motion carried (yes: 12). - Authorization to use govdeals.com as the official online auction platform for surplus items: motion by Miss Dennis, second by Mr. Mancuso; motion carried (yes: 12). - Maintenance District 1 committee recommendation to approve a canopy at W.P. Foster Elementary School: motion by Miss Brent, second by Miss LaSalle; motion carried (yes: 12). - Policy committee recommendation to adopt revisions to expense reimbursement policy DJD (committee noted specific table edits and struck ‘Baton Rouge’ from tier 2): motion by Mr. Mancuso, second by Miss Dennis; motion carried (yes: 12). - Creation of a committee to make recommendations for 16th‑section land and property not covered by a specific maintenance committee: motion by Mr. Mancuso, second by Dr. Wilson; motion carried (yes: 12). - Motion to go into executive session pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute 42:17(A)(2) to discuss prospective litigation concerning a tract of 16th‑section land leased by Morgan City Stevedor(s) LLC and Lee Babin: motion by Mr. Mancuso, second by Miss Brent; motion carried (yes: 12).

Most significant operational approvals Board members approved a cybersecurity contract tied to an E‑Rate grant described as the Cybersecurity 2025 program; the vendor selection and contract were included in the board packet. According to the district presentation, the E‑Rate award covers 90% of the contract cost and the district budgeted for the remaining 10%.

Surplus property and auction platform The board designated furniture from the old Franklin Junior High School — primarily desks, chairs and file cabinets — as surplus so the items can be sold. The district will use govdeals.com as its official online auction platform for surplus items; the procurement presentation said govdeals.com is designed for government entities and widens the pool of potential bidders, which the presenter said should improve returns for technology and other higher‑value items. The district noted some older laptops were already sold to HP through a buyback program rather than auctioned.

Committees and policies The board approved a committee to review 16th‑section land matters and other properties not assigned to an existing maintenance committee. The president said she would invite board members who wish to serve to request membership by email. The policy committee recommended adoption of revisions to the expense reimbursement policy DJD; the committee report identified specific table edits and removal of “Baton Rouge” from tier 2 in the reimbursement table.

Procedure and next steps Chief Financial Officer Miss Wasang reminded the board of the deadline to adopt the fiscal 2025–26 budgets by Sept. 30 and that a public hearing is scheduled at 5:15 p.m. before the Sept. 11 meeting. The board then recessed into executive session to discuss prospective litigation under state law.

Ending The meeting included several recognitions earlier on the agenda, including summer graduates, Red Ribbon Week art contest winners and a vocational teacher honored by the Louisiana Agriscience Teachers Association. After the executive session motion the public portion of the meeting recessed; the board will consider implementation and follow‑up items in future meetings.