By Crystal Nix
The Cameron Parish School Board met in regular session on Monday, Aug. 11. Present were Marsha Trahan, Christi LaBove, R Mitchel Kelley, Vicki Kiffe, and Joseph Delcambre. Absent were Telesha Bertrand, Sharon Picou and Randall Faulk.
Good news for Cameron Parish Schools! Cheniere LNG offered a $20 M “Payment in Lieu of Taxes” agreement. Their current tax exemption ends in 2025; afterward, they’ll owe full taxes.
The proposal includes $8 million be appropriated as stipend for teachers and staff, $8 million for insurance premiums and $4 million for everyday expenses of the schools. Final terms will be negotiated by Cheniere, Superintendent Charley Lemons, District Attorney Tom Barrett and the school’s attorney, with the final approval to be made by the Cameron Parish Police Jury.
The School Board has recently repurposed Hurricane Laura alternate funds originally for fencing (deemed unnecessary.) Funds were used instead to purchase vehicles, a tractor and lawn mowers.
The school board is constantly addressing the needs of the teachers. Currently, each school is provided with two black and white copy machines (which are leased) and copy paper. Many teachers are using personal classroom printers instead of utilizing the copiers. The board approved a $150/year and an extra $150/year to be used per teacher for printer ink.
School Nurse Christy Pierson proposed a standing order for emergency use of albuterol in life-threatening events. Louisiana law now allows K-12 schools, businesses, camps and childcare centers to stock albuterol, epinephrine, and Norcan. Board agreed to have Forethought Consulting draft policy changes to be voted on at the next meeting.
Alfred Palma, LLC was the winning bidder for the South Cameron High Gymnasium, with a base bid of $21,995,000 plus the three additive alternates that total $344,400.
The board received an estimated cost of between $875,000 and $1,350,000 for renovation of a warehouse, to be the future home of the school board. They will proceed with putting the property located at 510 Marshall St. out for bids.