BOARD BRIEFS: October Meeting

The Ouachita Parish School Board accepted an offer for liquidated damages associated with the construction of Sterlington Middle School during Tuesday’s regular board meeting.

The School Board agreed to the offer from Baron Construction, the contractor on the project, after discussion in executive session. The liquidated damages are associated with the delayed completion of the new Sterlington Middle campus, which opened in the fall of 2024.

Policy Updates

The School Board approved updates to the following policies: EFAB (employee and student use of Artificial Intelligence), BCBB (notification of school board meetings), GAAA (equal opportunity employment), JAA (equal education opportunity), IDDF (education of students with exceptionalities), IDDFC (cameras in special education classrooms), JDA (corporal punishment) and JD (discipline).  

The Ouachita Parish School System policy manual is available at opsb.net.

Richwood High Multipurpose Room Named

The School Board approved the naming of the multipurpose room at Richwood High after Dr. Sharilyn Loche, who recently retired after 16 years as the school’s principal.

Loche began her career as a student-teacher at Richwood High and also taught at Ouachita High. She became Richwood High’s principal in 2009 after serving eight years as assistant principal.

LA Compliance Question

The School Board approved the submission of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. This document, which is authored by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office, is required for each local government entity to complete and state its compliance with state law.

The Ouachita Parish School System was compliant with each item for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Water System Improvements

The School Board agreed to grant easement to the city of Monroe to upgrade its water system. The water line runs through property on Louberta Street that is owned by the Ouachita Parish School System.  

Bid Item                                                                      Funding Source                 Budget Amount
Warehouse Cooler and Freezer Doors                       CNP                                        $250,000
Property Sale 3420 Gordon Avenue                                                                           $9,950
SHS Classroom additions/Athletic Improvements   ES Bond                                 $6,650,000
Mineral Springs Property Sale                                                                                     $80,000
 

The School Board granted permission to bid on the following item:

Bid Item                                                                      Funding Source                 Budget Amount
Small Group Classroom Furniture                               Title I                                     $80,000
Front Office Renovation Lakeshore Elem.                 ES Bond                                 $1,300,000
Jack Hayes Elem. Canopy                                              ES Bond                                $900,000
EMOS Multipurpose Bldg.                                            ES Bond                                 $2,100,000
Property Sale 3420 Gordon Avenue                                                                           $9,950
Property Sale Mineral Springs                                                                                     $80,000
IT Equipment and Supplies (ERATE)