School Board Meeting Summary – STPPS – July 9, 2026

Community Meeting Summary

Meeting Information

• Public Body: St. Tammany Parish Public Schools
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Body: Not available
• Meeting Title: CAW Finance & Administrative Meetings - Jul 09 2026
• Meeting Date: 07-09-2026
• Meeting Type: Not available
• City: Covington
• County: St. Tammany
• State: louisiana
• Meeting Source URL: https://stpsb.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=484
• Meeting Listing URL: https://stpsb.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/
• Public Body Website: https://www.stpsb.org/our-district/school-board
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/live/g3zBCMNTHoE?si=acEpSS8nqa_n5Mc2
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCMYQjeoZy2MEC8RDKeH3Hw

What Community Members Should Know

The Committee as a Whole (CAW) Finance and Administrative meeting focused on district operations, construction planning, employee compensation, financial oversight, purchasing policies, and governance matters. Board members reviewed a wide range of routine and strategic business before forwarding or approving multiple recommendations affecting school facilities, district employees, and administrative operations.

A significant portion of the meeting centered on capital improvement projects across several schools. The committee considered bids for lighting improvements, student services renovations, a junior high school addition, site preparation and infrastructure work for modular classrooms, and HVAC-related improvements. Each construction recommendation resulted in approval of the lowest responsive base bid, allowing multiple facility projects to continue moving forward.

Employee compensation and benefits also received considerable attention. Members approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) addressing salary and other compensation for fiscal year 2026-2027, although this item generated the only recorded dissenting vote of the meeting. A separate MOU concerning health and welfare fund contributions was also approved, followed by approval of the district's salary schedule for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Finance Department presented monthly financial statements covering April and May 2026 along with the June purchasing report. These reports were reviewed as part of the district's ongoing financial oversight process. While no specific financial concerns or budget shortfalls were documented in the available meeting materials, the reports provide regular monitoring of district finances, grants, construction funds, and purchasing activity.

Board members also addressed governance and policy issues. They approved revisions to policies governing inventories and school purchase orders. In addition, members adopted a new policy addressing transparency and integrity of public meeting recordings and approved revisions to the policy governing broadcasting and recording of school board meetings. These actions reflect continued attention to public access and administrative accountability.

The superintendent announced five administrative appointments involving assistant principal positions and an acting principal assignment. These appointments support school leadership ahead of the upcoming school year and represent routine organizational staffing changes.

Administrative staff also provided updates regarding maintenance and custodial operations and presented an ongoing construction report covering active district projects. These reports were informational and helped board members monitor operational progress without requiring separate formal action.

The meeting concluded with an opportunity for public comment before adjournment. The available meeting materials identify the public comment period but do not document the substance of any remarks.

Major Discussion and Action Items

Administrative Updates and District Operations

District administrators presented routine operational updates, including administrative matters and the monthly maintenance and custodial report. These presentations informed board members about ongoing district operations, maintenance workload, and general administrative activities. No formal vote was recorded on these informational reports.

Administrative Appointments

The superintendent announced five administrative appointments:

• April Rodriguez – Assistant Principal, Abney Elementary
• Phuong Normand – Assistant Principal, Cypress Cove Elementary
• Rebecca Cambre – Assistant Principal, Florida Avenue Elementary
• Kaci Puglia – Assistant Principal, Lyon Elementary
• Ben Strohl – Acting Principal, Lyon Elementary

The meeting materials describe these as announcements rather than items requiring board approval.

Construction Projects

The committee reviewed five construction bid recommendations affecting multiple campuses.

Projects included:

• Mandeville High School softball field lighting
• Northshore High School student services renovation
• Fifth Ward Junior High School addition
• Pine View Middle School site clearing, paving, modular classroom relocation, and supporting infrastructure
• Marigny Elementary replacement of fresh air units serving the 200 and 300 wings

Staff recommended accepting the lowest base bid for each project. Each recommendation received board approval through recorded motions and unanimous votes.

Employee Compensation and Labor Agreements

The Finance Department presented two memoranda of understanding with the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and Support Employees.

One agreement addressed salary and other compensation for fiscal year 2026-2027. The motion passed 9-1, representing the only recorded opposing vote during the meeting.

The second agreement addressed health and welfare fund contributions for FY 2026-2027. That motion passed with nine affirmative votes and one abstention.

The committee also approved the district salary schedule for FY 2026-2027 by unanimous vote.

Financial Oversight

Staff presented monthly financial statements covering April and May 2026, along with the June purchasing report.

The materials indicate these reports were reviewed to monitor district finances, grant activity, construction funds, and purchasing operations. The available meeting materials do not identify additional board action beyond receipt and review of these reports.

Governance and Policy Updates

Board members considered several policy matters.

Policy revisions involving inventories and school purchase orders were approved after staff recommendations.

Members also adopted a new policy titled "Transparency and Integrity of Public Meeting Recordings" and approved revisions to the policy governing broadcasting and recording of school board meetings. These actions addressed governance practices surrounding public meeting documentation and accessibility.

Construction Progress Report

District staff presented an updated construction report summarizing active district construction activity. The presentation provided status information for ongoing projects but did not require separate board action.

Public Comment

A public comment period was included on the agenda. The available meeting materials identify the opportunity for public participation but do not summarize comments or indicate any board response.

Votes, Decisions, and Direction

• Approved the June 4, 2026 CAW meeting minutes. Motion by Gia Baker; second by Kalinda Fauntleroy. Passed 8-0.
• Approved award of the Mandeville High School softball field lighting project to Preferred Electric, Inc. for $261,267.00. Motion by Kalinda Fauntleroy; second by Gia Baker. Passed 10-0.
• Approved award of the Northshore High School student services renovation project to Sieverding Construction, Inc. for $256,382.00. Motion by Michelle Ruffino Gallaher; second by James Braud. Passed 10-0.
• Approved award of the Fifth Ward Junior High School addition project to E.C.O. Builders, Inc. for $1,385,000.00. Motion by Brandon Harrell; second by Gia Baker. Passed 10-0.
• Approved award of the Pine View Middle School site and modular infrastructure project to LA Contracting Enterprise, LLC for $1,142,343.00. Motion by Adaline Rutherford; second by Isabelle Moore. Passed 10-0.
• Approved award of the Marigny Elementary fresh air unit replacement project to Rashad AC and Heating LLC for $674,000.00. Motion by Adaline Rutherford; second by Michelle Ruffino Gallaher. Passed 10-0.
• Approved the FY 2026-2027 salary and other pay MOU. Motion by Michelle Hirstius; second by Isabelle Moore. Passed 9-1, with Gia Baker voting no.
• Approved the FY 2026-2027 health and welfare fund MOU. Motion by Kalinda Fauntleroy; second by Michelle Hirstius. Passed with nine affirmative votes and one abstention by James Braud.
• Approved the FY 2026-2027 salary schedule. Motion by Adaline Rutherford; second by Michelle Hirstius. Passed 10-0.
• Approved revisions to Policy DIC (Inventories). Motion by Kalinda Fauntleroy; second by Gia Baker. Passed 10-0.
• Approved revisions to Policy DJEG (School Purchase Orders). Motion by Isabelle Moore; second by Kalinda Fauntleroy. Passed 10-0.
• Approved the new policy regarding Transparency and Integrity of Public Meeting Recordings. Motion by Isabelle Moore; second by Amanda Martin. Passed 10-0.
• Approved revisions to Policy BCBJ regarding broadcasting and recording of school board meetings. Motion by Michelle Hirstius; second by Amanda Martin. Passed 10-0.

Financial Matters

Financial discussions included employee compensation, benefit agreements, construction contracts, monthly financial reporting, and purchasing oversight.

Construction contracts approved during the meeting totaled:

• Mandeville High School: $261,267
• Northshore High School: $256,382
• Fifth Ward Junior High School: $1,385,000
• Pine View Middle School: $1,142,343
• Marigny Elementary School: $674,000

Combined value of the approved construction contracts was $3,718,992.

The board also approved:

• FY 2026-2027 salary MOU
• FY 2026-2027 health and welfare fund MOU
• FY 2026-2027 salary schedule

Staff presented financial statements covering April and May 2026, grant budget reports, construction fund reports, and the June purchasing report for ongoing financial oversight.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The committee approved several governance-related actions.

Policy DIC governing inventories was revised.

Policy DJEG governing school purchase orders was revised.

A new policy concerning transparency and integrity of public meeting recordings was adopted.

Policy BCBJ governing broadcasting and recording of school board meetings was revised.

Together, these actions updated district administrative procedures while also addressing public access to meeting recordings.

Reports, Presentations, and Updates

Reports presented included:

• Superintendent's update
• Administrative update
• Monthly maintenance and custodial report
• Construction report
• April and May 2026 financial statements
• June purchasing report

These reports provided operational and financial information for board oversight but did not necessarily require formal board action.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The superintendent announced five administrative appointments involving assistant principal positions and an acting principal assignment:

• April Rodriguez – Abney Elementary
• Phuong Normand – Cypress Cove Elementary
• Rebecca Cambre – Florida Avenue Elementary
• Kaci Puglia – Lyon Elementary
• Ben Strohl – Acting Principal, Lyon Elementary

These appointments support school leadership for district operations.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

Facility projects approved during the meeting include:

• Softball field lighting improvements at Mandeville High School
• Student services renovation at Northshore High School
• Addition at Fifth Ward Junior High School
• Site clearing, paving, modular classroom relocation, and infrastructure work at Pine View Middle School
• Fresh air unit replacement at Marigny Elementary School

Maintenance operations and active construction projects were also reviewed through informational reports.

Public Comment and Community Input

The agenda included a public comment period with a three-minute speaking opportunity.

The available meeting materials do not summarize comments or identify any specific issues raised by members of the public.

Questions and Answers

Board discussion reflected continued attention to:

• Progress of district construction projects.
• Employee compensation and benefit agreements.
• Routine financial oversight through monthly financial reports.
• Administrative policies governing purchasing, inventories, and public meeting recordings.

The available meeting materials do not provide a detailed question-and-answer transcript identifying individual exchanges between board members and staff.

Community Impact

Students and families may benefit from facility improvements at five schools, including lighting, classroom infrastructure, HVAC improvements, and expanded instructional space.

District employees are affected by the approved salary schedule and labor agreements governing compensation and health and welfare funding for FY 2026-2027.

Residents may experience greater transparency regarding school board recordings because of the adoption of the new meeting recording policy and revisions to existing recording procedures.

Taxpayers benefit from continued oversight of financial statements, purchasing activity, and competitive construction bidding.

School administrators will experience leadership changes at several campuses as announced during the meeting.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

1. When will each approved construction project begin and be completed?
2. How will construction work affect school operations during the school year?
3. What specific compensation changes are included in the FY 2026-2027 salary agreement?
4. What changes were made to employee health and welfare funding?
5. What revisions were made to the inventories and purchase order policies?
6. How will the new meeting recording policy change public access to board meetings?
7. How are district leaders monitoring construction costs and schedules?
8. What major trends were identified in the April and May financial reports?
9. Are additional capital projects expected later in the fiscal year?
10. How will the newly announced administrators support their assigned schools?

Important Dates and Next Steps

• Approved construction contracts will move into implementation according to district project schedules.
• FY 2026-2027 salary agreements and salary schedules will support employee compensation planning for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Newly adopted and revised board policies will proceed through district implementation.
• Financial statements and purchasing activity will continue to be reviewed during future board meetings.
• District staff will continue monitoring active construction projects through future construction reports.

Key Takeaways

• Meeting held July 9, 2026.
• June 4 meeting minutes approved 8-0.
• Five construction contracts approved.
• Nearly $3.72 million in construction contracts authorized.
• Mandeville High School lighting project approved.
• Northshore High School student services renovation approved.
• Fifth Ward Junior High School addition approved.
• Pine View Middle School infrastructure project approved.
• Marigny Elementary HVAC fresh air unit replacement approved.
• FY 2026-2027 salary MOU approved 9-1.
• FY 2026-2027 health and welfare MOU approved.
• FY 2026-2027 salary schedule approved unanimously.
• Inventory policy revisions approved.
• Purchase order policy revisions approved.
• New meeting recording transparency policy adopted.
• Broadcasting and recording policy updated.
• Monthly financial reports for April and May reviewed.
• June purchasing report reviewed.
• Maintenance and custodial report presented.
• Construction progress report presented.
• Five administrative appointments announced.
• Public comment opportunity was provided.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:02 p.m.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://stpsb.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=484
• Meeting listing: https://stpsb.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/
• Public body website: https://www.stpsb.org/our-district/school-board
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/live/g3zBCMNTHoE?si=acEpSS8nqa_n5Mc2
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCMYQjeoZy2MEC8RDKeH3Hw

About the Public Body

• Name: St. Tammany Parish Public Schools
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Covington, louisiana
• County: St. Tammany
• Provider: diligent-community

Keywords

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