During a Tuesday regular board meeting, the Ouachita Parish School Board voted to consider calling a special election that will authorize issuing bonds in eastern Ouachita Parish. The School Board will consider the special election on January 14 in a regular board meeting.
Voters passed a bond issue in 2020 that was used to fund facility projects and improvements.
Municipal Advisory Agreement Terminated
The School Board approved the termination of the school district’s municipal advisory agreement with Government Consultants. A municipal advisor advises a school district during the bond issue process.
Hiring recommendations will be made to the School Board for a new municipal advisor at the January 14 regular board meeting.
Special Recognitions
• The School Board recognized the district winners for the 2024-2025 New Teacher of the Year awards:
Arron Smith – Shady Grove Elementary
Leah Maldonado – East Ouachita Middle
Colby Armstrong – Ouachita Parish High
The district nominees for the 2024-2025 New Teacher of the Year awards were also recognized:
Leanne Nadler – Central Elementary
Charlotte Guice – Drew Elementary
Haley Hearron – Sterlington Elementary
Jonathan Johnson – Sterlington Middle
Mercedez Morehead – Ouachita Junior High
Jakyshaih Hicks – Sterlington High
• The School Board recognized Mrs. Kimberly Takewell’s third-grade class at Drew Elementary placed third in the nation in the WoodmenLife Patriotic Video Contest. Students from across the country created 30-to-60 second videos designed to spur interest in American history, patriotism and their communities.
Representatives from WoodmenLife presented Mrs. Takewell with a $1,000 check that she plans to use on student supplies.
Policy Updates
The School Board approved updates to the following policies — notification of school board meetings, broadcasting and taping of school board meetings, employment of the superintendent, architectural and engineering services, personnel records, use of pronouns and given names, recruitment, sex education, education of students with exceptionalities and student health services.
These policy updates comply with changes to state law made during the 2024 Louisiana Legislative Session. Updated policies can be found at opsb.net.
Differentiated Compensation Distribution
The School Board approved a differentiated compensation plan to distribute a one-time stipend to highly effective teachers. This $578 stipend was authorized by the passage of House Bill 1 during the 2024 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session. Compass evaluations completed during the 2023-2024 school year were used to determine the qualifications for a highly effective teacher.
Funds for the stipend were provided from the Louisiana Department of Education.
Changes to Band Uniform Policy
The School Board approved an increase in the district allotment for band uniforms to $500 per uniform for high schools. The previous allotment of $400 per uniform was approved during the 2012-2013 school year. Uniform purchases are based on the number of students enrolled in the band program plus 40% for schools with less-than-50 members and 20% for schools with more-than-50 members.
Football Helmet Reconditioning Allotment Increased
The School Board approved an increase in the district allotment for football helmet reconditioning to $78.95 per helmet, which reflects the total cost of reconditioning a football helmet. The pervious allotment of $28.95 per helmet was approved during the 2012-2013 school year.
Employee Travel Policy Revised
The School Board voted to update the employee travel policy to reflect the IRS standard rates on mileage reimbursement and U.S. General Services Administration standard rates on per diem meals.
Signage Allocation Approved
The School Board voted to pay up to $2,500 for signage at any approved facility. During the months of April and October, the School Board can vote to name a facility after a certain individual in adherence to the School Board’s guidelines.
Any cost incurred over $2,500 will be paid by the individual school.
Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire Approved
The School Board approved district leadership to submit the school district’s Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor requires public school districts to complete this questionnaire for each audit year.
Ouachita Parish Schools received a perfect audit score with no irregular findings for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Bids
The School Board approved bids on the following items:
Bid Item Funding Source Budget Amount
Dishwasher & Garbage Disposal - Riverbend Child Nutrition Group $65,000
Walk-in Cooler (Highland) & Walk-in Freezer (Crosley) Child Nutrition Group $90,000
Calhoun Middle Wastewater Treatment Plant WOST $475,000
Woodlawn Elem. & Jr. Wastewater Treatment Plant WOST $252,000
Sound Systems for WMHS & GHMS WOST $50,000
The School Board granted permission to bid on the following item:
Bid Item Funding SourceBudget Amount
Surplus Sale – Graphic Arts Equipment
WOHS Stadium Renovations & Improvements WOST $9,000,000
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