Board to discuss enrollment drop

Heading the agendas for both the St. Martin School Board’s Finance Committee meeting and regular monthly board meeting today is a discussion of the drop in student enrollment for the 2017-18 session.
The Finance Committee will meet at 4 p.m. with the full board convening at 5 p.m. in the Administrative Office on Corporate Boulevard.
Although the numbers won’t be officially confirmed until next week, it appears that parish public schools have experienced a decrease in overall enrollment of 148 students as of Oct. 2nd compared to 2016-17, with the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) head count dropping by 193.
The parish receives $3,961 per student from the state through the MFP. If the decrease of 193 is confirmed, that will represent a loss of $764,473 in operating funds for the parish public school system.
Another related item on today’s agenda is a postponement on the filling of vacant positions.
In addition to a number of routine items, today’s agenda also includes:
•Scheduling of a special meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 8, to consider bond-related items.
•Consider updated administrator contracts.
•Award bids for new classrooms and restroom renovations at Breaux Bridge Jr. High.
•Award bids for miscellaneous renovation, window replacement and masonry waterproofing project at Breaux Bridge High. Budget of $400,000.
•Award bids for Cecilia High field house drainage project.
•Award bids for roofing at Parks Middle administrative building and St. Martinville Sr. High weight room. Budget of $93,000.
•Accept low quote for JCEP site work upgrades.
•Consider proposals for the sale of the old house owned by the board at the corner of Red Barn Road and Cecilia Loop.
•Executive (secret) session to discuss superintendent’s contract and desegregation litigation.
•At the request of board members, discuss 1) control system for board meetings (Russel Foti); and 2) procedures and requirements for advertising for school board lawn service (Jimmy Blanchard).