POINTE COUPEE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
337 Napoleon Street
New Roads, LA 70760
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Thursday, May 28, 2026
The Pointe Coupee Parish School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 337 Napoleon Street in New Roads, Louisiana 70760. President Frank R. Aguillard, Jr. called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Board member Jason Lemoine offered the invocation, and Mr. Aubry Hendricks led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America.
Members of the School Board present: Chad Aguillard, Frank R. Aguillard, Jr.,
Lisa Loupe-D’Aquila, Walter Grezaffi, Aubry Hendricks, Jason Lemoine, and
Thomas Nelson.
School Board Member Anita LeJeune was absent.
President Frank Aguillard announced there is a quorum; seven members of the Board are present.
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Central Office Administrative Staff in attendance: Kim Canezaro, Superintendent; Natalie Aguillard, Director of Human Capital; Amanda Fontenot. Supervisor of HeadStart; Brandi Forbes, Chief Academic Officer; Stephen Langlois, Chief Financial Officer; and Dr. LaShonda Victorian, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.
School Administrative Staff in attendance: Dr. Rosie Courville, Principal of Livonia High School; April DosRamos, Principal of Rougon Elementary; and Sara Taylor, Principal of Valverda Elementary.
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Expressions of Sympathy – On a motion by the seven members of the School Board present, and seconded by those board members, condolences were offered to the families of:
Ms. Clemetine Epps, the sister of Ms. Beulah Epps, HeadStart Teacher at Upper Pointe Coupee Elementary Schol.
Mr. Carlos Fernando DeLeon, a retiree of the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board.
Mr. Joel Parker, Sr., the father of Norma Zachery, a bookkeeper at the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board Office.
Mr. Charles Polar, the brother of Janis Kimble, a school clerk at Valverda Elementary School.
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Remarks from the Superintendent- Superintendent Canezaro made the following announcements:
Our 21st Century Summer Program will begin on Monday, June 1st and continue through Thursday, June 25th.
The Central Office will begin its summer schedule on Monday, June 1, 2026; the office will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday and we will be closed on Fridays.
Board members, I am happy to report that after 19 years of the state owing this school system money for the construction of a new central office building (due to the flooding of the former school board building on Hwy 1), we have received concurrence approval to begin the project. A copy of the letter of approval is in your update folder.
Board Member Thomas Nelson questioned if the building will be opened by December.
President Aguillard requested that Architect David Mougeot, of Mougeot Architect, approach the podium. Mr. Mougeot stated there is a one-year construction schedule. He announced they are just starting the contracting phase, which will take a couple of weeks, and the one-year clock time will begin. Mr. Mougeot announced in reality they are anticipating June or July of 2027 for the building to be ready.
Mr. Frank Aguillard stated that he would like everyone here tonight, and the public, to know that when they pass on the Morganza Hwy. and see the brand new 4.1-million-dollar Pointe Coupee Parish School Board Central Office Building, it was not constructed from local tax dollars. He explained that when the Audubon Bridge was built, they built a levee which caused flooding of the former central office building located at 1662 Morganza Highway. Mr. Aguillard stated the state of Louisiana owed the school system this money and the School Board has been in debate for 19 years and finally received approval to begin the project with appropriated funds (4.1 million) from the state. He mentioned this will be a new building for our employees to work, parents to meet and Board members to have a state-of-the-art facility to host their meetings. Mr. Frank Aguillard thanked Mr. Stephen Langlois, Mr. David Mougeot, the Superintendent, and everyone for working so diligently on this project.
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Consent Agenda- Mr. Thomas Nelson offered a motion, seconded by Ms. Lisa Loupe D’Aquila, to approve the consent agenda items. Hearing no opposition, the motion was carried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.
Approval of the minutes from the regular School Board meeting of Thursday,
April 23, 2026.
Approval of the Executive Committee meeting minutes of Thursday, May 21, 2026.
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Consider Approval of a MOU and Data Sharing Agreement Between Tri-Parish Energy Workforce Alliance (TEWA) and the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board-
President Aguillard announced that Ms. Rebecca Armstong-English was unable to attend tonight’s meeting and Superintendent Canezaro will address this agenda item. Superintendent Canezaro reminded members of the Board that they already approved working with the Tri-Parish Energy Workforce Alliance (TEWA); they are now requesting formal signatures on the MOU and Data Sharing agreement.
Mr. Jason Lemoine made a motion, seconded by Mr. Aubry Hendricks, to approve the MOU and Data Sharing Agreement between the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board and the Tri-Parish Energy Workforce Alliance. Hearing no opposition, the motion carried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.
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Receive the Head Start Supervisor’s Monthly Report – Ms. Amanda Fontenot announced there was a discussion at the Executive Committee meeting regarding the Head Start Supervisor’s Monthly Report for April, along with the addendums, which are the new policies/procedures that we were asked to adopt by the Office of Head Start; this information has been posted on BoardDocs. Ms. Fontenot stated that she has been working closely with the Office of Head Start to complete our Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and is asking the Board to adopt the report and all of the addendums at tonight’s meeting.
President Frank Aguillard inquired about having a telephone conversation with the Office of Head Start. He stated he was participating in a work-related conference call and was unable to take the last call he received on his cell phone from Washington, D.C. Ms. Fontenot stated that this will take place during the next phase of the compliance process. Ms. Fontenot explained that she, Stephen Langlois, and Brandi Forbes were on a previous call with the Office of Head Start; however, received an update from them a couple of days later informing her to disregard everything said in that meeting with new information and stated that it was okay that Mr. Aguillard was not on the first call. He asked Ms. Fontenot to please inform him a week ahead of time regarding the next call with the Office of Head Start, as one day there was not enough time; she assured him that she would let him know as soon as possible.
Mr. Aubry Hendricks offered a motion to approve the April Head Start Monthly report and all addendums (new policies/procedures) relating to the Corrective Action Plan, as . prepared by Ms. Fontenot. Ms. Lisa Loupe D’Aquila seconded the motion. Hearing no opposition, the motion was approved by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.
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Discussion and/or Action Regarding Monthly Financial Information - Mr. Stephen Langlois asked if there were any questions regarding the monthly financial information and the budget for actual reports that were reviewed at last week’s Executive Committee meeting, and on BoardDocs. He inquired if anyone had any questions or if they needed him to elaborate on the information that was reviewed. No questions were asked. President Frank Aguillard announced that Board members had an opportunity to study the information all week.
Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi, to approve the monthly financial report for April 2026. Hearing no opposition, the motion was carried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.
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Adoption of the Millage Rates for 2026- Mr. Stephen Langlois stated that millage rates are adopted on an annual basis. He stated that this is being done a little earlier than usual this year, as requested by the Assessor’s Office, for a July 1, 2026 deadline. Mr. Langlois explained the millage rates for all three taxes levied by the School Board will remain the same as last year. He read aloud the resolution in full.
Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi to adopt the millage rates, a roll was called, and the resolution was adopted by a vote of yeas-7; nays-0; abstentions-0, and absent-1.
RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED that the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2026 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by Pointe Coupee Parish School Board
MILLAGE
Constitutional 4.61 mills
Special Parish Wide Schools 12.14 mills
Special Parish Wide Schools 2 9.64 mills
(Tax for: e.g., General Alimony, Library, Maintenance)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Pointe Coupee, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2026, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.
The foregoing resolution was read in full; the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:
YEAS: Chad Aguillard, Frank R. Aguillard, Jr. Lisa Loupe D’Aquila,
Walter Grezaffi, Aubry Hendricks, Jason Lemoine and Thomas Nelson
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: Anita LeJeune
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the board meeting held on May 28th, 2026, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.
New Roads, Louisiana, this 28th day of May , 2026.
(Signature of authorized person of the taxing district)
(Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion to adopt the 2026 milage rates, seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi). President Frank Aguillard stated the motion passed by a vote of 7 yeas, 1 absent.
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Discussion and/or Action Regarding LHS Classroom Addition (Project #25017-A)-
Mr. Langlois announced as discussed at last week’s Executive Committee meeting, there was a bid opening on Thursday, May 7, 2026 for the permanent classroom addition project at Livonia High School. He stated there were four bids in total and administration would recommend that the Board approve Mr. Mougeot’ s recommendation to accept the lowest base bid received from Vella Builders, License No. 73390, in the amount of bid of $1,654.00.000 with recommended acceptance of Alternate 1 in the amount of $20,000.00. The grand total of recommended accepted bid, $1,674,000.00. Mr. Langlois announced as was mentioned last week, a couple of summers ago, the Board approved 4 million dollars in financing for permanent classroom additions to replace some of the modular buildings on the Livonia High School campus. He explained all of the modular buildings on the left side of the campus (alongside the Johnson property) will be removed and relocated for use during construction but once construction is completed, students will be able to access that building going forward. Mr. Langlois stated this was discussed a couple of years ago and this is what this financing was for; therefore, it is their recommendation to use the first $750,000.00 in financing from the LTFA Program and then a $3,250,000.00 line of credit at Guaranty Bank to help with the rest, and utilizing the Capital Outlay Fund to pay the amortization payments over the next fifteen years.
Mr. Frank Aguillard stated that Mr. Langlois mentioned the payments will be made with Capital Outlay funds, followed by an announcement of the current fund balance of 2.9 million dollars in that account.
Mr. Aubry Hendricks questioned the number of brick-and-mortar classrooms that will be built and the number of t-buildings the school system will remove. Mr. Langlois stated there will be 10 classrooms, with built-in restrooms; 5 modular buildings will be removed from the campus.
Mr. Jason Lemoine stated that capital outlay money will be used and questioned Mr. Langlois about the additional earmarked money each year that will be added to the capital outlay account. Mr. Langlois explained the school system will continue to receive money annually from the two pilot programs and mentioned the first two years a bulk of cash was received in lieu of sales tax payments. He stated the school system will continue to receive funds from the pilot programs ($270,000 to $300,000) annually from each of the properties in lieu of taxes for the next 30 years; the Board has the option to pay off the loan early, without penalties, with Guaranty Bank. He mentioned the flexibility of having this option is the reason we went with Guaranty Bank.
Mr. Frank Aguillard re-iterated that any one-time revenue received is placed in the Capital Outlay Account. He stated how much he appreciates this School Board for having the foresight to place any one-time revenue in a separate account, not in the general fund, for these types of project improvements in the school district.
President Frank Aguillard asked the Superintendent if she has a recommendation and Superintendent Canezaro stated that she recommends approval of this agenda item.
Mr. Walter Grezaffi made a motion, seconded by Mr. Jason Lemoine, to approve the recommendation from the Superintendent, the Chief Financial Officer, to approve Mougeot Architect’s recommendation to accept the lowest base bid received from Vella Builders, License No. 73390, in the amount of bid of $1,654.00.000 with recommended acceptance of Alternate 1 in the amount of $20,000.00 for a grand total of $1,674,000.00
(utilizing the first $750,000.00 in financing from the LTFA Program, a portion of the line of
credit at Guaranty Bank to help with the rest, utilizing the Capital Outlay Fund to pay the amortization payments over the next fifteen years). The motion carried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.
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Discussion and/or Action Regarding LHS New Welding LAB Building (Project #2017-B)-
As was discussed at last week’s Executive Committee meeting, there were five bids received and opened on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. regarding the Livonia High School-New Welding Lab Building. The bid tabulation sheet was posted on BoardDocs. Mr. Langlois stated, along with Mougeot Architecture, it is their recommendation to accept the bid received from Sawfish Construction, LLC., in the amount of $1,599,000.00 for the base bid with recommended acceptance of Alternate 1 in the amount of $150,000.00 and Alternate 2 in the amount of $75,000.00, for a grand total of a recommended accepted bid of $1,824,000.00. Mr. Langlois stated they are also recommending using the same funding sources used for the permanent classrooms for the new welding lab.
Mr. David Mougeot stated there will be 17 bays in the new welding lab building, which is five more than there are now.
President Frank Aguillard asked the Superintendent if she has a recommendation and Superintendent Canezaro stated that she recommends approval of this agenda item, with the two alternates, for the new welding lab building at Livonia High School.
Mr. Aubry Hendricks made a motion, seconded by Ms. Lisa Loupe D’Aquila, to approve the recommendation from the Superintendent, to approve Mougeot Architect’s recommendation to accept the bid received from Sawfish Construction, LLC., in the amount of $1,599,000.00 for the base bid with recommended acceptance of Alternate 1 in the amount of $150,000.00 and Alternate 2 in the amount of $75,000.00, for a grand total of a recommended accepted bid of $1,824,000.00, utilizing the first $750,000.00 in financing from the LTFA Program, a portion of the line of credit at Guaranty Bank to help with the rest, utilizing the Capital Outlay Fund to pay the amortization payments over the next fifteen year. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.
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Discussion and/or Action Regarding Surplus Devices for Freshman Initiative Program- Mr. Stephen Langlois announced that when the tax was passed in 2020, it included half of a mil to fund the freshman initiative regarding technology. He stated due to changes in state law and Board policy, we now have to annually declare laptops purchased for the Freshman Initiative Program as surplus before a graduating senior can request to take the device they were issued as a freshman. It was mentioned that laptops are checked in, and the data is wiped by the IT Department prior to the graduating senior taking the device. The list on BoardDocs pertains to the devices that were purchased four years ago for the freshman initiative.
Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Jason Lemoine, to declare the laptops listed on BoardDocs that were purchased for the Freshman Initiative Program four years ago as surplus devices. The motion caried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Boad present and voting.
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Discussion and/or Action Regarding a Use of Facility Request on the Morganza Campus- President Frank Aguillard stated that he received two comment cards to speak on this agenda item; one from Mr. Mitchell Braud and one from Mr. Al Burleigh. Mr. Langlois stated at last week’s Executive Committee meeting, he announced that he had received a request for the use of a facility on the Morganza Campus. Mr. Langlois mentioned that Mr. Braud contacted him requesting to use the gym and/or cafeteria on the former Morganza school campus for weekly AA meetings. Mr. Langlois stated that Mr. Braud filled out the proper paperwork as anyone else does that requests to use a school facility, and he has also received a quote from an insurance company to provide the insurance coverage required to use the facility. Mr. Langlois stated that he contacted Attorney Evan Alvarez, with HSAGNP, and was told since the request is for the use of a building on a recurring basis, it has been historically placed on the agenda for approval by the School Board. Since Mr. Braud is requesting use of the facility on a weekly basis is the reason the item was placed on this month’s agenda.
Mr. Braud approached the podium and announced that he would like to use the campus for AA meetings once per week on Wednesday nights from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. Mr. Braud stated they (Trudgers of Morganza) sit around drinking coffee discussing ways to stay/get sober and this is a good thing for the community of Morganza.
Board member Thomas Nelson stated that he saw Mr. Burleigh in court earlier today and commended the work they are doing with the program. Board Member Aubry Hendricks inquired about the number of participants each week and he was told that it is an average of 18 people that attend the weekly meetings. Board Member Lisa Loupe D’Aquila inquired about the building they wanted to use, and she was told the cafeteria. President Frank Aguillard stated the Council on Aging uses the cafeteria during the day and asked Mr. Braud to work with them for their weekly Wednesday meetings.
Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Aubry Hendricks, to allow Mr. Braud to use the cafeteria facility building on the former Morganza school campus for AA meetings on Wednesday nights from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Hearing no opposition, the motion was carried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present.
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Adoption of Revisions to Policy JS (Student Fees, Fines and Charges)- Dr. LaShonda Victorian announced that she comes before the Board requesting their consideration of adoption of revisions to Policy JS in reference to Appendix A – Schedule of Fees. Dr. Victorian stated the proposed revisions are for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year; specifically as it relates to fees regarding athletics, band, classroom, Jr. class, and Sr. class; information is on BoardDocs.
Board Member Lisa Loupe D’Aquila stated that she attended the meeting that Dr. Victorian held regarding the proposed changes and would like to make a motion to approve the revisions. The motion was seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi. Hearing no opposition, the motion was carried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present.
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Approval of the Pointe Coupee Banner as the Official Journal for the School Board as Required by La. R.S. 43:141 and La. R.S. 43:150, Effective July 1, 2026-
Superintendent Canezaro stated that she is asking the board to approve the yearly standard item selecting the Pointe Coupee Banner as the Official Journal for the School Board, (information will be submitted to the Louisiana Secretary of State).
Mr. Jason Lemoine made a motion, seconded by Mr. Aubry Hendricks, to approve the Pointe Coupee Banner as the official School Board Journal selection in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes 43:141 and 43:150, beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. Hearing no opposition, the motion carried by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.
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Adjournment - On a motion by Mr. Thomas Nelson, seconded by Mr. Chad Aguillard, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
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Frank R. Aguillard, Jr., President
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Kim Canezaro, Superintendent
