EPSB learns two schools to receive monies

By: CARISSA HEBERT

Managing Editor

Superintendent Toni Hamlin told board members two schools, Basile High and Vidrine Elementary, would be receiving reward money based on their test scores from 2006-2007.

“If you remember, last year’s recipients of money were Mamou High, Basile High and Pine Prairie High,” she said. Basile will receive approximately $11,142, and Vidrine will receive approximately $10,782, according to Hamlin. “We’re very pleased.”

Hamlin also said the district was participating in DEWS, a dropout early warning system pilot program initiated by the Louisiana Department of Education. She said the system will use indicators to identify students who are at-risk of dropping out of school. State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek is a big supporter of this program which will use data, such as attendance, grades, discipline, age, etc. to determine if a student is at-risk of dropping out of school.

Hamlin explained data, such as having three disciplinary actions in 35 days or five in one year, will be used to identify students, who are at-risk.

She said the best money the district has ever spent was on JPAMS, the district’s database used for student data, like grades. She said the data from this program will assist the district in identifying these students in the DEWS program so they can receive assistance in working toward a high school diploma. “It’ll be beneficial to us and to the state, as well,” Hamlin said.

In other business, the board:

•Gave permission for the district to adopt a resolution allowing Pine Prairie Energy to deposit the monies to retire Pine Prairie’s school millage. Approximately seven years ago, Pine Prairie voters approved a millage to raise monies to improve their community’s schools. The millage cannot be retired until 2011, and as per the agreement with the Industrial Board of Ward One, Pine Prairie Energy will place the money in an account to retire the debt in 2011.

•Gave Ted Soileau permission to allow the purchase of textbooks to begin for the 2008-2009 school year.

•Gave permission to seek quotes for workman’s compensation and liability insurance.

•Agreed to allow the policy committee to revisit the athletic substance abuse policy.

•The board approved the minutes of its March 5, meeting and the minutes of its March 3, policy committee.

•Paid its bills, including $187,850.51 to Laidlaw for transportation and $56,200 and $28,900 to JPAMS.

Before the board entered executive session to discuss legal issues involving students and hear information concerning the proposed millage to build a new high school in Ville Platte, there was a short discussion about allowing Jennifer Vidrine to speak about the millage for the new school. It was agreed Vidrine could not speak at this time, because the board was not going to take any action on this matter. The board received information from Hamlin on the recent public meetings on this issue. They are scheduled to make a decision at the first meeting in April. The board has called for a millage to be put before voters in July, but no decision has been made on what type of proposal will be brought to the voters in regards to building a new high school.