Fiscal, energy responsibility lauded at School Board meeting

Dr. John Swang, supervisor of administration for the St. Tammany Parish School System, presented the School Board with four awards given in recognition of the energy-saving measures adopted by the school system.

By adopting the energy management program, the school system realized a savings in the 2007-2008 fiscal year of $1,595,337 and reduced energy usage by 15.5 percent, he said.

Awards earned include two by the Environmental Protection Agency: the Energy Star Label Award, the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy performance, given to the Instructional Technology building; and the Energy Star Leadership Award given for reducing energy use districtwide by 10 percent.

The St. Tammany school district is the only one in the state to achieve either award, Swang said, and the IT building is the only school facility in the country to receive the Energy Star Label Award, usually given to corporations.

The third award is from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources for environmental stewardship for energy efficiency districtwide, and the final award was given by the SEE organization, Schools for Energy Efficiency, for saving at least $1 million in energy costs.

Swang thanked the board for its vision and support of the programs.

In other business, the School Board recognized 243 employees for having perfect attendance last year. They were honored at a reception before the meeting, and two were award cash prizes from a raffle. A resolution was passed unanimously by the board honoring the commitment and dedication of those employees having perfect attendance during the 2007-2008 school year.

A resolution was also unanimously passed in support of the United Way and the organizations it serves, encouraging all School Board employees to participate in the 2008 drive either through payroll deduction or cash donation.

Resolutions were also passed for retirement of four certified and four non-certified employees.

The board also approved recommendations made by the committee as a whole at its Sept. 9, 2008 meeting, including:

• The acceptance of the proposed budget for the 2008-2009 school year that includes $334.5 million for the general fund.

• The acceptance of levy millage for the 2008 tax roll for debt service only at the millage rate levied last year and approved by voters of 21.90. This will be amended when the assessor releases the property reassessment.

• The authorization for Supt. Gayle Sloan and/or School Board President Neal Hennegan to enter into a block grant agreement to secure funds for recovery from Hurricane Katrina.