School board approves two-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Fagan Bush after heated discussion

The Saint Mary Parish School Board voted 9–2 to approve a two-year employment contract for Superintendent Dr. Fagan Bush after an extended public discussion about contract provisions, a substitute motion to alter several terms, and a roll-call vote.

The board’s negotiation team (the board president and vice president) presented a negotiated contract and asked the full board to consider approval. The contract changes identified in the packet and during discussion included a 2% salary increase, a two-year term, the addition of performance criteria in line with recent legislative requirements (including literacy and numeracy objectives tied to K–3 growth), a new annual cash-out provision allowing the superintendent to convert up to 10 days of unused annual leave at the end of each fiscal year, and the board’s assumption of the employer/employee portion of health insurance for the superintendent. The liquidated-damages clause present in prior contracts (a fixed monetary payment if the superintendent left before the contract end) had been removed during negotiation.

Board members debated several elements at length. Miss LaSalle asked why a prior “other employment” provision (requiring the superintendent to obtain board approval before taking outside paid work) was not included; legal counsel responded that the provision is not in other superintendent contracts they prepare and that the liquidated-damages clause is discretionary. Miss LaSalle and other members expressed concern about the payment schedule for unused leave and the insurance provisions. Superintendent Dr. Fagan Bush addressed the board and said the cash-out schedule was requested for budgeting reasons and pledged publicly that she did not intend to leave the position and would serve the full contract barring a medical emergency.

During debate, Miss Griffin moved a substitute motion to approve the contract only if three changes were made: (1) reinsert the liquidated-damages clause, (2) remove the annual 10-day leave payout provision (instead revert to payment at contract end), and (3) remove the board-paid employer/employee portion of health insurance; Miss LaSalle seconded the substitute motion. The substitute motion failed on roll call (4 yes, 7 no). The board then voted on the original negotiated contract; a roll-call recorded nine yes votes and two no votes and the original motion carried.

Roll-call on the final vote (as read during the meeting) was: Miss Brent—Yes; Miss Moore—Yes; Miss Anselm—Yes; Miss Jones—Yes; Miss Griffin—No; Miss LaSalle—No; Mister Guillory—Yes; Mister Parady—Yes; Miss Black—Yes; Mister Mancuso—Yes; Miss Dennis—Yes.

Board counsel and administrators noted the contract contains new performance objectives required by state legislation, including an exhibit enumerating literacy and numeracy growth measures that account for 30% of the evaluation. The board directed that the final, fully executed contract be provided to the superintendent and filed as a public record.