Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School board approves Milesville staff relocation amid debate over cost savings
Summary
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approved relocating Milesville employees and closing the Milesville building as part of broader 13% departmental cost‑saving proposals; the measure passed 8–3 after a failed motion to table.
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board voted to relocate Milesville employees and close the Milesville building on April 15, approving a broader set of cost‑saving measures aimed at addressing shrinking revenues.
The motion, moved by Sanders and seconded by Schum, passed 8–3. Board members Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Triche and Mitchell voted in favor; Burl, Jones and Wallace voted no. A substitute motion from Jones to table the relocation failed 4–7.
Superintendent Dr. Lynett Hookfin framed the discussion in fiscal terms, telling the board the district has reduced staff numbers while student enrollment has fallen: “2016‑17: 687 employees, 6028 scholars; 2017‑18: 738 employees, 5977 scholars; 2018‑19: 779 employees, 6064 scholars; 2019‑20: 884 employees, 6066 scholars; 2020‑21: 859 employees, 5706 scholars,” and said the district is pursuing a 13% cost‑savings target per department. She said long‑term options include following a staffing model or closing sites if necessary.
Several speakers pressed for more analysis before closing Milesville. Mr. Jones requested a property assessment and a precise savings estimate, noting the known fiscal uncertainties; Mr. Wallace said the immediate savings from the move were estimated at $11,000. Dr. Stacey Spies and other special‑education staff warned that Milesville serves as a 35‑year Child Search Facility and a central meeting location for special education services; Spies said closing without a plan “will cause multiple problems on so many levels.”
Public commenter Mr. Burl criticized the board’s process and timing, asking why meetings were not recorded and urging clearer and earlier communication about cuts: he said similar decisions in neighboring jurisdictions were announced immediately. Staff said the district has already instituted day‑to‑day cuts and is seeking further savings through contract reviews and staffing adjustments.
The board will continue budget work; a workshop on further cuts was scheduled for April 27. The Milesville relocation motion carried and the administration was directed to implement the relocation plan as discussed.
