School busing, funding concerns talked

During Monday’s Budget and Finance Committee meeting of the Acadia Parish School Board, a long discussion was heard concerning the DS Bus South report.
The monthly update was given by DS Bus South Contract Manager Brad Duhon, who noted the following updates: employee incentive program continuing; two safety meetings held; five drivers now training; one new driver graduate; two drivers testing this week; one driver began driving today; and two drivers lost to other job services.
“It’s a lose and gain situation on an ongoing basis when it comes to keeping good drivers,” Duhon stated. “But, it’s like that throughout the state, especially with COVID still lingering on.”
Immediately following the busing report, a number of questions / remarks were directed towards Duhon by Rebecca Atkinson of District 4, including:
• Mask mandate for anyone riding on an Acadia Parish school bus still in effect - Duhon stated that masks are to be worn by everyone on Acadia Parish buses as ordered in the federal mandate. This mandate will be in effect until at least the first of the year, added board attorney Jon Guice.
• COVID safety protocol for bus drivers (especially when out sick due to COVID) and COVID relief funding as it pertains to bus drivers - Duhon noted that he remembers only one driver out for an extended amount of time;
• Discipline issues not addressed when reported - Duhon stated that he knew of discipline issues in the past and a couple now being worked on, but that no new problems have been addressed directly to DS Bus South. He also noted that these problems would be taken care of if they are reported directly to DS Bus South. “We all need to work together to solve any and all discipline problems,” he said.
• Bus route coverage within the allotted time and overtime if more time is needed - It was discussed that the majority of bus routes are completed at or below the allotted 40-hour work week. In some instances, extra hours are needed and those drivers are paid overtime.
Atkinson then directed comments to Superintendent Scott Richard in regards to Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding received by the school system, noting a great difference of her area’s funding compared to other districts.
“I feel that on some level, and you see it in black and white on this summary, that I’m getting left out some kind of way,” Atkinson said. “This basically proves what I’ve been saying — that I’m getting short-changed when it comes to funding. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a woman or what, but this needs to be addressed.”
Richard addressed the different amounts spent during the ESSER I and II phases of the fundings of projects in each school district.
“All the funding and projects approved have been done by this entire board,” he said. “We greatly respect each and every elected school board members’ opinions, suggestions and concerns; and, we work diligently each day to address those concerns so we can provide a safe and high quality learning environment for our students.
“Our first and foremost priority is our students and what’s best for them. I think we can all agree to that.”
The ESSER I funding was right at $4.7 million with the majority spent on technology related to enhancing virtual learning due to COVID (student and teacher devices, connectivity like WiFi signal strengthening throughout the schools, etc.) and COVID-related mitigation measures such as disinfectant, masks, electrostatic sprayers, thermometers, etc.
The most recent funding through ESSER II was allocated right at $16.8 million. Expenditures to date include the following:
• Stipends and benefits to all employees in June 2021 for increased COVID related duties ($2.43 million) and proposed same expenditure in June of 2022 pending board approval;
• Updated and enlarged Child Nutrition freezer in Crowley at a cost of approximately $3 million to be constructed now that bids have been received;
• Various additional technology enhancements that are ongoing;
• Personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies related to COVID;
• Water bottle filling stations at each school (ongoing installation);
• Portable classrooms with additional restrooms; and
• Five activity buses for each high school, etc.
The upcoming ESSER III funding is allocated right at $7.5 million for the purposes of providing evidence-based interventions to meet social, emotional and academic needs of students.
This allocation is working through the state Department of Education approval process and includes a number of curriculum- and instruction-related measures designed to assist with improving student achievement.
The board allocated $30 million for the purposes of reopening schools and sustaining safe operations aligned to CDC guidance so students can return and remain in in-person learning mode.
Planned expenditures now being considered by the Board include:
- Stipends and benefits to all employees in June of 2023 and 2024 for increased COVID related duties at an estimated cost of approximately $5 million;
- Additional, anticipated technology upgrades across the district to maintain efficiencies and modernization efforts;
- Additional PPE and COVID related chemicals/supplies in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, improvements to the virtual learning program with anticipate growth.
Finally, the APSB has proposed to spend the remaining balance of approximately $16 million in the following manner:
- Per pupil allocation based on the enrollment of the district by school in the amount of $1,703.76 to be used for COVID mitigation measures such as air quality improvements and additional space at schools in all areas of each school’s physical plant.
Board members agree that they meet the requirement that funds follow the student.
At this time, the board is working to gather information and feedback to plan accordingly, with next steps that would include requesting and receiving LDOE pre-approval for any building/physical plant improvements.
“We have to also remember that these funds have to be used by a deadline,” Richard added. “We have a 2024 deadline to use these funds where needed as agreed to by the board.”
It was also noted that all school board members are urged to make visits to all 26 schools of the parish to help assesses how much funding and where the funds will be used.