St. Mary Parish School Board calls Oct. 11 sales-tax renewal, approves one‑time staff supplements and $3M device refresh

The St. Mary Parish School Board voted April 10 to call a special election on Oct. 11, 2025, asking voters to renew a 0.45% sales and use tax and approved several spending items financed by that tax and other district funds.

Board members unanimously approved a resolution calling the October election to renew the existing 0.45% sales and use tax that the parish originally approved in 2021, according to Jason Akers, the district’s bond counsel. The resolution directs staff to submit required paperwork to the state bond commission, the Secretary of State and the attorney general so the renewal can appear on the Oct. 11 ballot.

The tax was first approved in 2021 to supplement salaries in the district. Jason Akers told the board the tax was a five‑year levy and that the Oct. 11 date was the next available regular election date that allowed the district time to meet statutory deadlines.

Separately, the board approved disbursement of funds tied to the 4.5% sales tax salary supplement. The board voted to authorize one‑time payments for employees: $1,000 for certified staff (described at the meeting as an employer contribution toward benefits) and $600 for support staff and non‑certified employees. Finance staff said available funds, in part because of higher-than-expected online sales tax receipts, made the one‑time payments feasible. One board member said they would abstain from that vote because their spouse is a teacher; the abstention was recorded during the meeting.

The board also approved allocation of $3 million for a district‑wide student device refresh. Technology staff described a three‑tier device plan: touchscreen devices for kindergarten–grade 1 (about $520 each), a mid‑range device for grades 2–8 (about $401 each), and upgraded Dell laptops for incoming ninth‑grade students (higher‑end models). The allocation also covers a library refresh (roughly 25 computers per school library) and protective cases. Staff said some existing district devices date to the 2020–21 pandemic purchases and will not support Windows 11, which reaches end‑of‑life support for Windows 10 on Sept. 30, 2025. Technology staff told the board the district will roll devices forward and budget for a roughly 25% stock of loaners to replace broken units.

On cybersecurity, the board heard that the district was awarded an FCC Cybersecurity Policy Pilot Program grant (roughly $345,000, according to staff). The board authorized issuing an RFP so vendors can propose software and services the district could buy with the grant funds.

The board also accepted a recommendation from its District Climate Committee to consider using Panorama services as an outside vendor for a district climate/culture survey; the committee report was accepted and members said Panorama is widely used and would integrate with attendance and demographic data. The committee asked the board to review pricing and funding options — including use of Title I funds — before issuing a purchase request.

Other actions at the meeting included awarding a construction bid for a boiler replacement at Jsoquan Elementary to the low bidder, AirPlus LLC; the board approved the contract award after staff recommendation. The board also accepted several policy changes recommended by its discipline committee that lower the disciplinary level for selected infractions for K–5 students; the changes do not affect middle‑ or high‑school discipline levels.

Board members and district leaders highlighted student and staff recognitions from the meeting: state athletic champions, students and employees of the month, and a roster of students and coaches honored for a state boys basketball championship. The superintendent and staff also reminded the public of two upcoming job fairs — April 26 (teaching/support positions) and May 5 (industry/employer fair for graduates and community members) — and announced that spring break runs through April 20 with school resuming April 22.

The board recorded motions, seconds and “motion carries” for the key items above during the meeting. Several items were flagged for follow‑up or further budgeting work, and staff said they will return to the board with RFPs, funding breakdowns and implementation schedules.

Ending

The meeting closed with a resolution of respect acknowledging recent deaths of several former employees and retirees. The board adjourned following a moment of silence and prayer.