[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6156630,"mediaKeyId","5468658-1db00063dd089c902ace24ec0d1b0637","parentId",5468658,"title","Public speakers urge stricter oversight of curriculum and rebuilding funds as superintendent search begins","audioSeconds",458,"startMs",951000,"endMs",1409000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5468658-1db00063dd089c902ace24ec0d1b0637&start=951&end=1409","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5468658-1db00063dd089c902ace24ec0d1b0637/thumbnail_951000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6156630/Louisiana/Public-speakers-urge-stricter-oversight-of-curriculum-and-rebuilding-funds-as-superintendent-search-begins","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156630-81312da71b5715ef76cf0e214f1bf9b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770790043&Signature=ndYKVwUNFkNk1NmF4IbfdEumBpUeBV87T5fyWWDAOt-WVC5gYgN1GpSSZ9k0tunbmEqQFEgtjqNTP6Dl4OkpEfBjJTDilqobvkc8F9bC2AhheuykTNyc9t5kapDkpg7yahq2wa~nAesY7QC4~AyhhU7G~f7M9U8elqMZ4Vp~FtrDhUIGuwl7WktnHR4kVtmOvM5etIfwzkJP97xvxdX1R1dfZbcRivH4YbB2bUDF24PS-Wi8tdX5DO9PCzXjkj5L3~u4u9GIeK-Jjp2Ax2SV0QgejWMMugkML7cWsV04Vnv9TvvpOpBVveSkGkfYuYYr1TBAEm1I8lrlqmlkUUvI2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Terrebonne Parish School Board, LA","date","2025-07-25T01:31:06.207Z","article","Two members of the public used the meeting's public-comment period to press the school board on curriculum content, the superintendent search and oversight of rebuilding funds and expenditures.

Linda Poggi (introduced as Linda Poggi of Shelley Court, Houma) presented a list of qualifications she said the next superintendent should have, saying candidates must demonstrate \"evidence in their career that they have kept the needs of the children in the communities they live in first in mind,\" have classroom teaching and curriculum experience, and \"be kind and compassionate and thoughtful.\" She urged the board to prioritize classroom experience and instruction-focused leadership in the upcoming superintendent search.

Another commenter, who identified herself as Sherry Chanton of Elba Street, criticized what she called an adopted \"progressive curriculum,\" asked board members whether they knew \"what a progressive curriculum looks like,\" and warned parents would resist mask mandates if COVID-19 restrictions return. Chanton also urged the board to review and disclose the sources of curricular materials and said she planned to pursue public records on district expenditures tied to recent federal COVID funds.

Chanton asked that the board create an oversight committee to monitor rebuilding expenditures and invoices tied to the district's recovery funds; she said she was seeking copies of invoices for approximately $40 million the district received in earlier COVID-related funding and indicated she would obtain those records through public-records requests if necessary. The speaker explicitly asked for an oversight committee that would see invoices, contracts and expenditures related to the larger rebuilding fund the public has discussed (she referenced an amount cited as $200,000,000 by members of the public).

Superintendent Martin answered briefly during public comment period that, in response to the question of whether prohibited material is present in schools, he said \"No\" when the board chair asked all to respond, indicating that school officials were not aware of inappropriate curricular material. Several board members thanked the speakers, and some members said they supported further review of curriculum materials and of the superintendent selection criteria.

What the board will do next: The meeting agenda already included advertisement of the superintendent search and a public meeting scheduled to receive comments on the superintendent search process. The board did not take formal action to form an oversight committee during this meeting; requests for records and any future committee would follow district procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TPSDBoard 2022 01 04","oneSentenceSummary","Two public commenters urged the board to require clear qualifications for the next superintendent, review classroom materials they called \"progressive curriculum,\" and create an oversight committee for rebuilding expenditures and invoices tied to the district's reconstruction funds.","taxTitle","Terrebonne Parish, School Boards, Louisiana","taxId",16966,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6156635,"School board approves resolution to pursue up to $105 million in financing for district projects",113,1866000,1979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5468658-1db00063dd089c902ace24ec0d1b0637&start=1866&end=1979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5468658-1db00063dd089c902ace24ec0d1b0637/thumbnail_1866000.jpg","/articles/6156635/Louisiana/School-board-approves-resolution-to-pursue-up-to-105-million-in-financing-for-district-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156635-5c4112a6835d4ded5634e5a031172c74/orig.mp4?Expires=1770790043&Signature=WzJ9GdM1ajUaHhpPSuu4~yn8HtObd3JsotIq74hgCDCFBTFRObS-J63XIZkONqZBy-S94mLojf8nZkSr-UCs9voH5qbc~TzGUB092juJ689hfeKqhDJP93kDtj~DPXDIpUb-xbEO~VOgiTKY2c2xN8tRNBJ-MgbJCXeDJwxzGB31D~nEHx7lhDh9fpcCup9kK62zxnB24PhFGUWZzTdlZLgeFVBT~ULDdyrXFK3lf7I57HBIQm65HRZvzhw2IlcyKkNGc3Q1mPBhWsAmimbL~sP2LhFuMEsPXtzQ8EH-Nasrlc5q6dOZ7dj9B4a~FdbYnjpzb5-5JYnMNNWRujAmTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Terrebonne Parish School Board voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the district to proceed with financing documents for up to $105,000,000 through the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority. The motion approved the form and execution of a loan and assignment agreement, trust indenture, bond purchase or placement agreement, and related documents and authorized the board president and superintendent to sign the necessary instruments.

Board staff presented the resolution as part of the superintendent's agenda; the motion passed with no recorded objections in the meeting transcript. The district did not at this meeting issue bonds or close any financing; the board approved the form of documents and authority to sign, enabling staff to proceed with the financing process.

Board members did not amend the principal amount during discussion. The resolution directs staff to complete required documents and to coordinate with the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority on delivery and placement or sale of financing instruments.

What this means: Approval authorizes staff and officers to complete the paperwork and proceed with the next steps of the financing transaction. Any final sale or placement terms, interest rates or closing documents will require execution consistent with the approved forms and the board's further action as required by policy and state law.","The board adopted a resolution authorizing staff to finalize documents to issue or place bonds and related loan agreements up to $105 million, approving the form of financing instruments and authorizing officers to sign.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6156640,"School board selects two firms to manage multimillion-dollar rebuilding effort amid debate over selection process",524,2365000,2889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5468658-1db00063dd089c902ace24ec0d1b0637&start=2365&end=2889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5468658-1db00063dd089c902ace24ec0d1b0637/thumbnail_2365000.jpg","/articles/6156640/Louisiana/School-board-selects-two-firms-to-manage-multimillion-dollar-rebuilding-effort-amid-debate-over-selection-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156640-f8680175092ba65ab2cc258dcb2f0c00/orig.mp4?Expires=1770790043&Signature=ZFI279ULjXxFZKuFevT87uXcF3PQjhPuciCPkF~cBK08TLuYJz0~fF9g36d5Fjew6HDBw-RI2fZe-z52hDaiiE2jI1GL~fcd9~1D78zcYhf2kK1s0a99vKJPFPmCM2x79d7i36MC~ON93Cle5Lwm073tStjFU9jNEINNzIprx0FTjbc~qiu3ywqOVBDAGOBvPjXcJRADafq0wijYXxsM25WZ0sz1xsbkmpBHykhUENE2H29iizRWQ1LSRqkEEEteo7nGkHfhX1Nh3b0ZdwhPED8H8rDEwNq3~6DAPZN~TCf4~0KgSDpZM4YQy8UW2tlbe9wYqHtSTuEWgdr-E86rDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Terrebonne Parish School Board voted 5-4 to accept proposals from Volkert, Inc., and Hammerman & Gainer LLC to serve as project managers for the district's school-rebuilding program, authorizing the board president to sign contracts subject to fee negotiations and standard terms. The vote followed competing motions and an extended public and board discussion about evaluation methods used during the vendor interviews.

Board members said the project management decision matters because the firms will oversee planning, contracting and expenditures for temporary campuses and longer-term rebuilding. The substitute motion that passed named Volkert, Inc., and Hammerman & Gainer LLC as the two firms to receive contracts starting Jan. 5, 2022, for an initial two-year term with options to extend in one-year increments, “subject to negotiations,” the motion said.

Supporters of the substitute motion said Volkert and Hammerman scored highly on presentations and demonstrated experience managing large projects. Board member Matthew Ford said he ranked Volkert first and described Hammerman as among the firms “that stood out.” Opponents warned against revising the scoring outcomes after staff compiled interview scores. Roger Dale DeHart said changing the selection after the vetting process would undercut the board's agreed procedure.

The board chair read the roll call after the vote and announced five members voted ‘‘yea’’ — Clyde Hamner, the board president (Gregory Harding), Debbie Benoit, Matthew Ford and Michael Lagarde — producing the 5-4 majority. The meeting record names those five as voting in favor; the meeting transcript does not list all four dissenting names in a single roll-call statement.

Board members also discussed diversity and local participation in their remarks. One member noted that Hammerman includes local leadership and said awarding a contract to that firm would be meaningful during African American History Month. Several members said that, regardless of the vote, other interviewed firms could still contract for work on specific projects.

The board's motion instructs staff to negotiate fees and conditions with the selected firms and to return final contracts for signature by the board president. The board did not approve any final negotiated contracts at the meeting; the motion authorized only the award of proposals subject to negotiation.

Background: The district assembled and interviewed seven firms in a competitive request-for-proposals process to select project managers for rebuilding multiple campuses damaged by storms. The board discussion included debate about the scoring rubric and whether interview presentations should carry as much weight as written submissions.

What happens next: Staff will open fee negotiations with Volkert and Hammerman, finalize contract language, and present executed agreements to the board for formal authorization if required by district procurement rules.","The Terrebonne Parish School Board approved two firms to serve as project managers for a district school-rebuilding program after a 5-4 vote that split board members over scoring and selection procedure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public speakers urge stricter oversight of curriculum and rebuilding funds as superintendent search begins

School board approves resolution to pursue up to $105 million in financing for district projects

School board selects two firms to manage multimillion-dollar rebuilding effort amid debate over selection process