2020 redistricting presented to school board

By Staff Reporters

The Cameron Parish School Board meeting was called to order on Tuesday, Mar. 15, at 5 p.m.
The board approved the minutes for the Feb. 8 regular meeting.

Michael C. Hefner, Chief Demographer, Geographic Planning and Demographic Services, LLC and Superintendent presented the timelines for the Cameron Parish School Board 2020 reapportionment and a summary of 2020 redistricting.

Hefner specializes in reinforcement for redistricting. He pointed out the problems Cameron Parish faces for balancing out the districts and determining how to move district lines. The population of Cameron Parish has moved northward. The Police Jury has had some of the same issues the school board faces. The Census Bureau was given an extension by Congress to finalize the census until April. Cameron Parish won’t get results back until late September. We have until June of 2022 to get a plan developed.

The first election after implementing the new plan will be Nov. 8, 2022. The new districts have to meet certain state and federal guidelines. The parish should not have an issue with a minority district. Hefner made a proposal that the price, which includes a discount if coordinating with the Police Jury’s plan at the same time, would remain the same as last time. This proposal will be put on the agenda for the next meeting in April.

The Board authorized the execution of amendment number 4 to AIA-A133 Agreement between Cameron Parish School Board and The Lemoine Company dated June 23, 2020 for the Hackberry High School Building Package Phase IIC.

The Board has received $13,000,000 from insurance proceeds, and is expecting more to come in.

The Board authorized Cameron Parish School Board to open a credit card account.

The Independent Auditor’s Report, ending June 3, 2020, was presented by Coy Vincent, CPA and prepared by Gragson, Casiday & Guillory, LLP- Superintendent was approved by the board.

Land Issues – as prepared by the District Attorney’s Office A. Revenue (Income) & Activity Report:

The School Board will advertise for bids on 11 separate tracts of property. They will be advertised in the Cameron Pilot and on the School Board’s website

Construction projects up for bids/quotes in late March-April-May include administration building restoration – (Phase 1-first floor); administration building (generator replacement); Audrey Memorial (generator replacement); Hackberry High School (restoration/repair); Hackberry High School (generator replacement); Grand Lake High School (bleacher cover at softball field); Grand Lake High School (final phase of repairs); Johnson Bayou High School (restoration repair phase II); South Cameron High School (permanent repair to school); South Cameron High School (gym demo); South Cameron High School (temporary repairs to field house); South Cameron High School (various athletic field repairs)

Projects that are out for bid/quotes – James Hoffpauir, Project Management are Grand Lake High School (exterior campus lighting) and Audrey Memorial (maintenance facility restoration) with bids to be received Apr. 8.

The low bidder on the Grand Lake High School Athletic Track Repair was Jerry Trahan Construction.

The Board authorized the Superintendent to advertise for new bids and accept low bids on currently advertised projects due to requisite number of advertising days and a need to move forward on projects.

The Board approved advertising for bids for the 2020-21 school year on copy paper, the official journal, janitorial supplies and paper goods.

A recommendation was made regarding a 13th check allocation for the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The Board approved the Option B for the 2021-22 Cameron Parish School Board District Calendar , with school beginning on Aug. 16.

May 27 would be the last day for students, with May 28 being the last day for teachers for the 2020-21 school year.