?PROCEEDINGS
Parish of Cameron
March 26, 2024
The Cameron Parish School Board met at its special called meeting on this date at 12:00 pm via ZOOM and meeting was called to order, members in attendance were: Vickie Kiffe, Marsha Trahan, Sharon Picou, Mitchel Kelley, Telesha Bertrand, Randall Faulk and Joseph Delcambre
Absent: Christi Labove
The prayer and the pledge were led by Ms. Kiffe and Mr. Delcambre.
On the motion of Mr. Delcambre, seconded by Mrs. Bertrand, the Board approved the agenda.
By order of Roll Call Vote, the Board adopted the following resolution in opposition of an Education Savings Account (ESA’S) as presented by the Superintendent-
Roll Call Vote
YEAHS: Marsha Trahan, Vickie Kiffe, Christi Labove, Sharon Picou, Mitchel Kelley, Telesha Bertrand, Randall Faulk, Joseph Delcambre
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Christi Labove
RESOLUTION
A Resolution expressing opposition to state legislation establishing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), including House Bill 745 which creates the LA GATOR Scholarship Program, that provide public dollars for private school tuition and educational expenses and to urge the Cameron Parish legislative delegation to vote NO on any bill proposing an Education Savings Account, and otherwise to provide with respect thereto.
WHEREAS, there is a renewed and concerted effort at the legislature to pass bills that will give public funds directly to parents to be used for private school tuition and other educational expenses with little to no oversight; and
WHEREAS, for the past 20 years, the state has failed to adequately fund K-12 public education; and
WHEREAS, during that same period the state has continuously placed new accountability demands on both our students and our schools; and
WHEREAS, the Cameron Parish School Board provides free public K-12 education to any student who resides in our school district within the guidelines set by both the state and federal government; and
WHEREAS, diverting public dollars to private schools and other programs through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) without fully funding public schools disadvantages our students and schools; and
WHEREAS, providing public dollars to ESAs without requiring the same state accountability testing imposed on public school students is irresponsible public policy.
THEREFORE, the Cameron Parish School Board does hereby express its OPPOSITION to legislation creating and/or funding Education Savings Accounts.
FURTHER, the Cameron Parish School Board directs the superintendent of the Cameron Parish School System to deliver a certified copy of this Resolution to each member of the legislative delegation of Cameron Parish.
This resolution was read and adopted by majority vote of the Cameron Parish School Board at its special called meeting on Tuesday, the 26th day of March in the year of 2024.
On the motion of Mrs. Bertrand, seconded by Ms. Kiffe, the Board adjourned the special called zoom school board meeting.
Sharon Picou
Date: March 26, 2024
APPROVED:
Sharon Picou – President
CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Charley Lemons,
Superintendent
CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RUN: Nov. 14 (N 33)