EPSB bids farewell to school board member

The Evangeline Parish School Board took time during its meeting Wednesday, December 10, to bid farewell to David Landreneau, outgoing District Six school board member.
Landreneau, who has served on the school board for 30 years, was defeated in his re-election bid on November 4. School board President Wayne Dardeau presented Landreneau with a plaque in honor of his many years on the board and Landreneau reminisced about the board’s accomplishments during his service.
In regards to funds, the board learned that it was a banner month for sales tax collections, as the year-to-date collections surpassed the $3.2 million mark. Chief Financial Officer Amy Lafleur informed the board that the month of November saw large strides made, with a total of $678,863.48 collected in the month of November. Compared to November 2013, that was an increase of $124,881.17.
While Lafleur was pleased with the increase for the month, she said she is hoping to see those numbers rise even further for December as people finish their Christmas shopping.
The board also re-elected Dardeau to continue serving as this year’s board president and Scott Limoges will continue to serve as its vice president.
In other business, the board:
•Heard a presentation from area students, in which the students sang “Baby It’s Cold Outside” with piano accompaniment.
•Approved the purchase of an oven/steamer for Mamou Elementary School at a cost of $21,597.16. Assisting the parish in paying for this purchase will be an $11,000 grant from National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance. The final cost to the parish will be $10,597.16.
•Approved hiring Ardoin Painting at a cost of $12,500 to paint the Mamou High School auditorium. The funds for this project will come from money the parish earned from its timber sale.
•Changed its normal meeting schedule for the month of January. The school board, which normally meets the first and third Wednesday of each month, will hold only one meeting in January on January 14. This is due to the holidays.
•Learned the main office will be closed beginning December 19, and will reopen after the holiday break on January 5.
•Approved purchasing a central unit for Basile High School from Vallet’s Refrigeration for $9,234. Funds for this purchase will come from the Basile Maintenance Fund.