ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / January 22, 2000

EDGARD – The St. John Parish School Board voted Thursday to call aelection for April 15, 2000, to renew a property tax millage.

In the board’s regular meeting at the West St. John Elementary School,members were told by the Director of Business Operations Felix Boughton that the 3.47 mil property tax will expire at the end of the year 2001.Because this millage is dedicated to school system salaries and benefits, Boughton requested the board call the election to make sure the millage is in place by the end of 2001 in order to pay employees.

This 10-year millage provides $507,000 annually to the School Board.

The board voted in favor of the election with nine yea votes. Boardmembers C.J. Watkins and Dowie Gendron were absent.The board also voted in favor of renewing its contract with Kelly Substitute Services.

For the past semester Kelly Substitute Services has provided substitute teachers for the school system.

Alfred Donaldson, director of Personnel, reported that Kelly Services has been a great asset to the schools.

“We have gotten absolutely no complaints on Kelly,” Donaldson said.

Before Kelly was hired schools had a difficult time finding substitutes every day. Donaldson said that since Kelly was contracted, the fill ratehas been “dramatically improved.” Being able to get substitutes has hadseveral advantages according to Donaldson, including: Continued planned instruction for students.

No combined class situations.

Increase morale among teachers.

Less burden on the administration to schedule substitute teachers.

Better discipline.

“Above all,” said Donaldson, “we believe that because of all the above, better instruction is being provided to the student.”Donaldson said he’s pleased with the Kelly substitutes.

“All the principals are very happy with the Kelly substitutes,” Donaldson he added.

Not only are the schools’ substitute problems solved, but Kelly Substitute Services also saves the school board money. Kelly pays all the substitutes’ salaries and benefits, including workman’s compensation. Kelly also paysfor all drug testing and finger printing.

Even though the St. John School Board pays Kelly Services an up-front feeof $194,000, the actual cost to the board is only $38,000 when one takes out all the payroll, benefit and service charges Kelly pays out of its own pocket.

“Our final cost to Kelly,” stated Alfred Donaldson, “is less than 1 percent of our budget, which is a really great savings.”The School Board unanimously renewed the contract.

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