School Board sets special meeting on employee conduct, superintendent's renewal

The St. Mary Parish School Board will meet in special session Wednesday to authorize negotiations related to the renewal of Superintendent Dr. Buffy Fegenbush’s contract and to consider a closed session to discuss an employee.
The special meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Central Office Complex in Centerville. The original call for a special meeting came from board member Chad Paradee of Berwick at Thursday’s regular meeting.
Also at the regular meeting, the board said goodbye to longtime Chief Financial Officer Alton Perry, who is retiring, and welcomed his newly appointed successor, Becky Voisin.
The original agenda for Wednesday’s special meeting called for the board to “discuss or take action” regarding the renewal of Fegenbush’s contract and to consider authorizing board President Alaina Black and Vice President Tammie Moore to negotiate with Fegenbush for the renewal.
Fegenbush, a former Berwick High principal and Lafayette Parish school administrator, was appointed superintendent in April 2023, succeeding Dr. Teresa Bagwell.
An amended agenda says the meeting is to authorize the president and vice president to negotiate with Fegenbush for the renewal, but drops the language about taking action.
The amended agenda also adds an item calling on the board to consider a closed-door session “to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of a school board employee.”
The agenda doesn’t name the employee, and open meetings laws allow for discussion of personnel-related matters out of public view.
Thursday
Voisin, a Morgan City High and Nicholls State graduate, worked for the Darnell Sikes and Frederick accounting firm and as controller for Cameron before joining the school system 16 years ago. Voisin has served as the district’s chief accountant.
“I’m truly honored to have been given the opportunity,” Voisin told the board, “and promise to do my very best to provide you with critical, accurate, nonbiased information so you’re able to make informed and financially sound decisions to provide students the resources they need to succeed.”
Perry’s last financial report to the board included the fact that seven months into the year, the $2.5 million sales tax take last month was $500,000 over budget thanks to a one-time audit. He also passed along bond attorney advice to begin planning for a renewal vote on the 0.45% sales tax for teacher and staff pay in October.
The board president praised Perry for his work with the district.
“Mr. Perry’s dedication to ensure the financial health of our schools has had a lasting impact on countless students, educators and staff members,” Black said. “His expertise has shaped the foundation for much of the success we’ve experienced in our school system.”
“It’s bittersweet,” Perry said. “But it’s time.”
Also Thursday:
•The board passed a resolution acknowledging that all 11 members received the six hours of training required by the state in 2024. Four members received at least 20 hours each: Lindsey Anslem of Bayou Vista, Rhonda Dennis of Morgan City, Guienzy Brent of Franklin and Moore of Four Corners.
•The board recognized its Students of the Month: Berwick Junior High eighth-grader Rylee Fryou, Julia B. Maitland fifth-grader Brixx Billiot and Morgan City High senior Sherley Perez-Deleon.
•The Employees of the Month are custodian Jesus Ramirez of Berwick Junior High; teacher Kortney Osburn of Maitland; and Therra Williams of Morgan City High.