Camp Cleanups Among SLPSB Issues
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
St. Landry Parish school board members are considering a spending request to rehabilitate derelict properties on property the District owns along the Bayou Courtableau levee.
Don Leger, who manages the board-leased campsites along the waterway, told a Building, Lands and Sites Committee on Tuesday night that it could cost as much as $18,000 to clear the properties and make them suitable for new renters.
Leger said the District has received about $35,000 this year from rental agreements. Leger suggested that some of the camp rental proceeds could be used to pay for the clean-up.
Committee members agreed with acting Operations Director Claudia Blanchard that at least three quotes will be needed in order to proceed with the project which includes removing vacant mobile homes and vegetation.
Employee Stipends
The Finance Committee discussed and approved a pair of stipends that will be provided to employees before the start of the Christmas Holidays.
One of the extra checks includes paying full time employees $2,500 each, while long-term substitutes receive $1,000.
Revenue for the stipends originates from an Employees Compensation and Benefit Fund parish wide sales tax. Finance Director Shaun Grantham said the stipend will cost the District $5.6 million.
Accountant Timothy Carron urged school workers to spend at parish-owned businesses in order to continue generating revenues for the ECBF account.
The other stipend is a state-generated issuance of $2,000 for the full time workers and $1,000 for support staff.
Helix Academy Contract
Academic Committee members reviewed a proposed five-year contract between the District and the Helix Artificial Intelligence and Medical Academy that is under construction off Interstate-49.
The academy, according to Helix CEO and president Preston Castille, should be open to start 2025.
Castille said the classroom complex covers 42,000 square feet. At its onset, Helix is set to accommodate 650 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Transportation Manager
The Personnel Committee approved a job description for the transportation manager position which has been vacant for a couple of months.
Applicants are required to possess a high school education and the necessary requirements to operate school buses.
In previous discussions, committee members argued over whether the transportation manager should have a college or advanced degree or a high school diploma.
