Board sets meeting on school budget

CENTERVILLE — The prospect of money-saving personnel changes was hanging over the St. Mary Parish School Board at Thursday’s meeting, even though board members pulled back from discussing them directly.

Instead, they’ll talk about 2016-17 budget concerns, possibly affecting employees, at a special meeting Feb. 25.

Chief Financial Officer Alton Perry suggested the Feb. 25 meeting date.

With a $2 million deficit projected for next year, the board is trying not to take money from its reserves.

The Feb. 25 meeting date is too soon for board member Pearl Rack of District 4.

Rack moved to table the budget concerns until May or June. The later date would still provide adequate time for suggested changes if it was the decision of the board, Rack said.

Board member Dwayne Deslatte of District 7 disagreed.

“If we have to make any changes, the people involved in the changes deserve to know as soon as possible,” Deslatte said.

The earlier the board can discuss the projected shortfall, the better off school employees affected by the budget will be, Deslatte said.

“Some of the issues that we’re going to have to deal with are going to be unpleasant, but they’re necessary and time sensitive,” said school board Vice President Michael Taylor of District 8.

Taylor said there are going to be administrative and personnel changes.

“We need to know these in advance,” Taylor said. “We don’t want to put things off like the state has done year after year.”

The board has waited a number of years to make decisions, Rack said. There is a concern that the scheduling of the special budget meeting is rushed.

“We have to run this like a business,” Superintendent of Schools Leonard Armato said. “We need to get to the bottom of what we’re going to do as soon as possible.”

In the end, the board voted not to approve a delay in the special meeting.

There will be a detailed agenda for the upcoming special meeting, including small details affected by budgetary changes, requested by board members.

The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 followed by the special meeting at 7 p.m.