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St. James Parish board approves pay apps, e‑rate funding, 4‑H agreement and salary-schedule amendment
Summary
The board approved four pay applications totaling about $131,262, an E‑rate resolution with the district's portion at $39,487, a cooperative agreement with LSU AgCenter for 4‑H, and an amendment to the salary schedule to record $250 state stipends for qualifying pre‑K teachers.
The St. James Parish School Board on May 12 approved a package of routine measures, including construction and design pay applications, technology funding through the federal E‑rate program, a cooperative extension agreement with the LSU AgCenter to support 4‑H programming, a salary-schedule amendment to record state-funded stipends for trained pre‑K teachers, and several procurement approvals.
Certificates of payment approved included: Murray Architects for the St. James High Broadcast Media Center design, $5,568.80; Thompson, Luke & Associates LLC for freezer/cooler replacement design, $4,558.66; Pivotal LLC for the St. James School Board Public Relations Building renovations, $62,173.30; and Murray Architects for St. James High tennis courts design, $58,962.50. "We're asking for approval for these 4 pay apps tonight," Ashley Munce said; the board approved them by voice vote.
On technology funding, staff explained the E‑rate program totals about $294,000 this year, with the district's share listed as $39,487, and that remaining funds will help complete a Wi‑Fi upgrade. "From the little grid that you have on the resolution, the total amount was 294,000. . . our portion's only 39,487," Ricky Bode said. The board approved the E‑rate resolution.
The board also approved a cooperative extension agreement with the LSU AgCenter to continue 4‑H programming. 4‑H agents Carly Dufran and Lainie Smith described growth in local participation—"overall enrollment is up about 25 kids this year," one agent said—and outlined summer camps and leadership programs. The presentation noted Junior Leaders numbered about 40 teens this year. The agreement was approved by motion.
On personnel pay, the board approved Amendment No. 4 to the 2025–26 salary schedule to reflect state-funded stipends for pre‑K teachers who completed the LDOE science-of-reading modules. "This is from the state...it's a $250 per teacher that completed the training," Simone LeBlanc said; the amendment was approved.
The board also approved renewal of the SchoolStatus communication contract (funded under Title I, not general funds), adoption of a hearing-officer list for employee hearings, awards for food and non-food bids for 2026–27, and building-committee recommendations including renewal of the grounds-management contract with Begnell Grounds Management LLC and Change Order No. 2 for the Lutcher High School softball complex and the Public Relations building renovations. Each item was moved, seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote as recorded.
Votes at a glance: the meeting record shows voice votes for motions on minutes, committee reports, the bond refunding resolution, pay applications (4 items), E‑rate resolution, LSU AgCenter CEA, Amendment No. 4 to the salary schedule, SchoolStatus contract renewal, hearing officer list, food/non-food bid awards, and building committee contract approvals; the transcript records motions carried by voice vote with no roll-call tallies provided.
Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement and contract administration for approved items, and the finance and bond teams will complete the tender offer process for the refunding resolution.
