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Cameron Parish School Board approves insurance renewal, FEMA‑obligated gym project and student travel funding
Summary
At its April 14, 2025 meeting the Cameron Parish School Board approved a property insurance renewal capped at $2,805,605, accepted FEMA obligation for a new South Cameron High School gym totaling $12,825,812.80 (90% of eligible after insurance reduction), authorized levee repair work, certified LEA Title VI compliance and approved multiple student travel funding allocations of $500 per eligible student.
The Cameron Parish School Board met April 14, 2025, and voted on a series of administrative, insurance and recovery projects tied to continuing post‑disaster repairs and routine district business. Board members in attendance included Telesha Bertrand (president), Christi Labove, Marsha Trahan, Sharon Picou and R. Mitchell Kelley.
The board approved renewal of the district’s property insurance and authorized Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. representative Nancy Sylvest to continue negotiations with a not‑to‑exceed premium cap of $2,805,605. The board also approved a package of coverages that included pollution (mold), boiler and machinery, disaster management services, terrorism liability and property coverage, and cyber liability addressing privacy, digital restoration and security liability; the board voted to non‑renew the Violent and Malicious Acts Policy.
Board members received project updates from Hoffpauir Architects and project staff about multiple capital repairs and upcoming bid schedules. Among items reported: advertising for bids on the Johnson Bayou High School track (advertise mid‑April, accept bids late May); ongoing restoration and repairs at South Cameron High School, including athletic structures and restrooms; and a FEMA obligation dated Dec. 21, 2023 for the South Cameron High School new gym complex totaling $12,825,812.80, described in the meeting as 90% of the eligible obligated amount after insurance reduction. The board approved Apache’s authorization request for levee repair and bank stabilization at Sections 17/20/29 T14S R10E.
The board approved several program and student supports: a motion to provide $500 per qualifying student to attend the National FBLA Conference in Anaheim (June 27–July 3, 2025); $500 per student from the Commonwealth Explorer Program for students attending Boys and Girls State; and $500 per student for Grand Lake Elementary Jr. Beta Club to attend the National Jr. Beta Convention in Orlando (June 27–29, 2025). The board also approved issuing RFPs for sports medicine services.
As part of governance and planning the board approved the LEA Title VI Compliance Certification and appointed Superintendent Charley Lemons as the district representative to the Local ITEP Committee. The board accepted Dr. Groft’s Economic Impact Study Plan and received information on an anticipated salary schedule for 2028 and beyond. The board approved action on the FY 2024–2025 13th check allocation, which includes an additional 4% in addition to the Venture Global LNG allocation.
Routine business items were approved on the consent track: minutes from the March 10, 2025 regular meeting and payment of bills. The superintendent delivered a multi‑part report on staffing planning, operations, student achievement and community engagement. The board adjourned following the superintendent’s report; staffing numbers for 2025–26 were noted for presentation at the May meeting.
The meeting record lists attendance, motion makers and seconders for each approved item; no roll‑call vote tallies were recorded in the transcript beyond motions being approved.
