The Allen Parish School Board began the new year with housekeeping measures associated with the changing of the guard, updates on programs in the parish and other business.
Kevin Tyler was the only nomination for the position of president for the 2021 year. Jason Turner was named vice president.
Tyler’s first business was to name Cathy Farris as chair for the finance committee and Karen Reed and Greg Monceaux to the committee. He named Carolyn Manuel and Sally Moreaux to the Allen Action Agency. He set meetings at 5 p.m. on the second Monday of the month. Finance will continued to meet the Wednesday before and after the monthly meeting at 4 p.m.
Superintendent Kent Reed congratulated the board as he recognized them. January is School Board Member Appreciation Month.
Marla Sanders gave an update on the Student of the Year (SOY) and Teacher of the Year (TOY) programs. She said they were recently selected. At the March meeting all would be recognized including those moving to the district level of the competition.
Ladeshia George gave an update on the virtual learning program and use of tools like Google™ Classroom and Edgenuity. She reviewed changes made to the virtual program for the next semester.
Kerry Stanley said a group of employees from Roy O Martin are responsible fore repairs at Fairview High and Elizabeth High athletic stadiums this year and Oakdale High softball field last year. She explained there is a leadership program that encourages employees to adopt a project in their community.
In Elizabeth, they replaced rotting wood, painted, made repairs to the concession stand and restrooms and some electrical work. In Fairview, they repaired the dugout roofs and built nice benches inside, built wooden backdrops for both schools, painted and redid the roof on the concession stand. The board thanked all of these volunteers for their hard work.
Reed said the first day of the new semester is Friday, January 15. On Wednesday, January 20, report cards for the first semester will be issued.
In his construction updates, Reed said the cafeteria at Kinder Elementary (KES) is being utilized now. On the first day, 850 students were fed. This week, the final walk-through of the Pre-K/Kindergarten building at KES will occur. Students should be in the classroom next week.
Work in the classrooms at Fairview High is complete, and floors are being poured this week. Reeves High’s gym’s roof is fixed. The floor is being laid and bleachers should arrive. Bleachers will be installed next week. It should take about three days per side to complete.
He said the Second Annual Teacher of the Year luncheon will be Friday, April 1, at 12 noon.
Reed congratulated Coach Bret Fuselier and the Kinder Yellow Jacket football team for a great season and their participation in the state championship game.
In other business the board:
•Approved revising polices: BCAD (teleconference/remote participation in school board meetings), GBRIB (sick leave) and GBRIBC (emergency family and medical leave and emergency paid sick leave).
•Approved resolutions for providing for canvassing the returns from three special elections and then approved resolutions to continue levying taxes in each district. (24.66 mills in School District No. 1, 14.22 mills in School District Ward One, 12.07 mills in School District No. 4 and 12.63 mills in School District No. 5.)
•Approved the minutes from the December 14, regular meeting.
•Authorized the payment of bills.
•Authorized the superintendent and president to sign on all bank accounts.
