Acadia Parish School Board hears budget snapshot, reports drop in property premiums

District staff presented a midyear budget snapshot to the Acadia Parish School Board on Nov. 18, reporting general-fund revenues of $24,499,841 (26.95% of expected collections) and expenditures of $28,934,975 (31.6% of expected expenditures). "We're still running a deficit at this time," a staff presenter said, adding the district expects to try to close the gap over the fiscal year.

On employee health coverage, staff compared two 12-month periods and said expenditures are down $1,567,037 while premium collections are down $1,704,000 following a 5% reduction in premiums; staff stated the Medicare Advantage plan is "working." Staff said Blue Cross rates for the next plan year are expected in late April or early May.

The board discussed property insurance and agent relationships after staff said local brokers had contacted the district for a statement of values. The presenter said the district hesitated to distribute a $259,000,000 schedule of values without board approval and noted that one company sought a quote without board authorization in a prior year. The presenter reported property insurance premiums fell from $2,016,740 two years ago to $1,549,203 this year, a reduction of $467,000.

The board did not take an immediate contract decision but agreed to bring the matter to the full board for further discussion and to consider whether to keep long-term agent Dupré/Gary/Gotcha (as named in the transcript) in place. Board members asked to be unified in messaging if outside agents solicit quotes.

Separately, the policy committee received a Head Start update: governance training links were sent to board members by Janet Walker, Head Start will deliver budget and health/mental-health training Nov. 20, teachers completed first home visits, and the program currently serves 31 students with disabilities. That item was for discussion only.