EPSB discusses money, truancy

By: CARISSA HEBERT
Managing Editor

In her comments to the board Wednesday evening, Superintendent Toni Hamlin said she wanted to inform them about an upcoming supplement for support workers and the annual excess supplement issued to employees in November.

The legislature approved a one-time supplement of $1,000 to support workers, and she said that money would be distributed to employees, who meet the criteria, Friday, October 24.

“We had specific guidelines we had to follow,” she said as she explained the one-time supplement.

The board’s target date to issue its excess surplus to employees, who meet the criteria of that supplement, will be November 21, according to Hamlin. She said there is a large difference, and after speaking to an employee who was commenting on the paper’s monthly tax collections report, she wanted to clarify the report only represents one month. To date, the board’s collections are $733,000 lower than last year’s collections at this time, so employees should anticipate smaller checks this year.

Board member Jerry Thompson asked if last year’s collections were not a record. Hamlin verified they were. Thompson said he’d already mentioned to someone that he believed the checks would be smaller this year.

Board member Scott Limoges asked when the excess would be known. Amy LaFleur, business manager, said she hoped to have that information by the November 5, meeting providing no problems occurred. She said she hoped she would have preliminary figures. “As soon as I complete it, I go to the superintendent and a letter is sent to each of you.”

Richard Ortego, truant officer, spoke to the board about his duties. Hamlin said they’re impressed with him, as well as his work ethic and knowledge of the law. She said he is doing a great job and his connections will be an asset.

Ortego explained he has met with the district attorney and district judges and an agreement has been signed between the agencies on how truancy cases will be handled. The sheriff has also commissioned him giving him all the same powers as deputies in the parish. Ortego retired from state police after 30 years, worked with the state prison system and a sheriff in another parish.

After three days of unexcused absences, principals will meet with the parents to discuss the situation and make parents aware of state statute 17:221. After five unexcused absences he brings the case to Jerry Veillon at the district attorney’s office. After 10 days, an arrest warrant is issued. Because of his knowledge of the law and his credentials, Ortego handles the process. He said he serves the parent and attempts to have a court date within 72 hours. He said paperwork was not going to sit when a board member questioned him about completing the process as quickly as possible.

Ortego also notified the board he had met with board attorney Raymond LeJeune to secure a restraining order for a person who had went to the Basile campus earlier in the day and caused a disturbance. “I’ve also made a lot of home visits; located a lot of missing children.”

Ortego said he also approached Wendy Lafleur, child welfare and attendance supervisor, about a grant for SROs (School Resource Officers) in the schools. He said they were too late for this grant cycle, but they would be working on one for the future. He said this particular grant was a 70-30 match and would have given $86,000 to the parish for SROs.

Raymond Lejeune said Ortego will be an asset because he can serve warrants.

The board also:

•Approved the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the board’s upcoming audit. LaFleur said the audit is for the year ending June 30, and the auditors should be here during the first week of November.

•Purchased 20 marker magnetic boards for $6,460. Title One will pay for 10 boards, and the general fund will pay for the other 10.

•Purchased 82 desks for $7,995 with general funds.

•Authorized its workman comp representative to settle two cases for the recommended amounts given to them during executive session. The two cases are for Nathan Fontenot and Antoinette Ortego.