The Ouachita Parish School Board was updated on the construction at the new Sterlington Middle School campus on Tuesday during a regular school board meeting.
Per project architect Rice Gregory, construction is 284 work days past the original completion date as of Tuesday’s school board meeting. Gregory advised that the football field, football concession stand and softball fields are still under construction, and that the contractor has not completed the construction punch list that was received on July 17.
Barron Construction, the contractor on the project, told Gregory that all construction will be completed by September 22. Barron Construction was not in attendance at Tuesday’s board meeting.
In May, the School Board placed Barron Construction in default for failing to complete the project by the required date of August 14, 2023. Despite ongoing construction, Sterlington Middle began the 2024-2025 school year on the new campus.
Gregory will provide the School Board with another construction update during the October school board meeting.
Stipend Payments Approved
The School Board approved the distribution of state pay stipends for teachers and support staff. Teachers in the Ouachita Parish School System will receive a $2,000 supplement, while support workers will receive $1,000. The stipends will be distributed in October.
State funding for the stipends was appropriated by the Louisiana Legislature.
Property Purchase
The School Board approved a motion to purchase property at 102 Riggs Street in West Monroe. The property, which is adjacent to West Monroe High School, will be used to build a secure parking lot for students.
The property was appraised at $119,000.
Policy Updates
The School Board approved updates to the following policies — qualifications for School Board Members, School Board Member continued education, notification of School Board Meetings, contracts and compensation, sick leave, sick leave banks, corporal punishment, student health services, immunizations, administration of medications and behavioral health services for students.
These policies were updated to comply with changes to state law made during the 2024 Louisiana Legislative Session. Updated policies can be found on opsb.net.
Special Recognitions
The Board recognized four West Ouachita High School students for receiving the College Board National Recognition Program award — Kaden Copeland, Amberlynn Kennedy, Kyleigh Millwood and Emmaline Wink.
This award honors students for scoring in the Top 10 percent on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test or PSAT, earning a 3+ on two or more district AP exams in the 9th or 10th grade, earning a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher and attending school in a rural area or town.
Kyleigh Millwood of West Ouachita High School also received the National First-Generation Recognition award as a first-generation Black, Hispanic or Indigenous student who received the College Board National Recognition Program award.
The Ouachita Parish Schools Business Department was recognized for receiving two awards — The Association of School Business Officials International Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award and the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
These awards are the highest forms of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. The Ouachita Parish Schools Business Department has won these awards for 36 consecutive years.
Change Orders
The School Board approved a change order of $98,769 for digital classroom cameras installed at each school in the district. The change order addresses schools that lacked complete camera coverage in every area of the campus.
The cameras will be purchased with federal ESSER funds.
Bids
The School Board approved bids on the following items:
Bid Item Funding Source Budget Amount
Copy Paper Various Various
GHMS Additions & Improvements West Ouachita Sales Tax $2,500,000
Intercom Systems West Ouachita Sales Tax $60,114
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
