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Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley has unveiled a plan to address learning losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the windfall of federal funding that’s ensued.
Called “Louisiana Comeback,” Brumley and the Louisiana Department of Education outlined three main areas for student progress: attendance and well-being, professional learning and recovery and acceleration.
Brumley asked local school systems to embrace the plan and invest a portion of their record stimulus relief funding into the three DOE initiative areas.
“Louisiana school systems have received about 4 billion dollars of stimulus funds to support efforts like these, and we need to use our one-time resources well," Brumley said.
The announcement followed the release of statewide testing results, which showed Louisiana’s students have fallen behind.
The Louisiana Educational Assessment Program, or LEAP, reported a proficiency decrease of 5 percentage points in grades 3-8 over the past two years, meaning fewer children are prepared to move to the next grade level. High school students also registered a 5-percentage-point decline during the period.
The COVID-19 pandemic and a series of hurricanes were blamed for the test results, though Louisiana has struggled with student performance before 2019.
Daniel Erspamer, chief executive officer of the New Orleans-based Pelican Institute, said the Louisiana Comeback is an opportunity for change, providing transparency is applied to the stimulus funding.
“Pre-pandemic status quo should not be the goal,” Erspamer said. “Education outcomes in Louisiana lagged behind the rest of the country long before COVID-19. Now is the time for bold action, high expectations, and clear accountability to ensure every child in Louisiana has an opportunity to attend a school that fits him or her.”
The Louisiana Legislature passed a transparency bill, House Bill 38, earlier this year that would have required local school districts to publish spending information online, but Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed the legislation in July.
Edwards, a Democrat, said the bill was “unaffordable.” A financial impact assessment from the Legislative Fiscal Office showed a cost of $540,540 over five years.
Brumley said the DOE is developing a fiscal dashboard to track and report how the state and local school systems are budgeting the $4 billion in federal relief, which is in addition to the state’s record 2021-22 school year budget of $3.9 billion.
“Transparency and accountability remain the top priority,” a DOE news release said.
Schools that show measured progress in student proficiency and ACT scores, as well as decreases in “unsatisfactory” LEAP scores, will receive additional funding.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advises that during the months of June and July, the Marine Section of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the following incidents:
Search/Rescue Mission: June 23, 2021, 11:45 am, Halters Island
On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at approximately 1145 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section received a call from dispatch advising of a stranded vessel. Dispatch further advised that Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office called stating that a boater was stranded near Mosquito Bay, but coordinates to his location showed him in the Atchafalaya River near Sweet Bay Lake.
Given the conflicting locations, the deputy made contact with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in efforts to obtain a more accurate location. The USCG provided coordinates that showed a location North of Chacahoula. Contact was made with a deputy with the Terrebonne S.O. Marine Section. The deputies coordinated efforts to responded to these locations. It should be noted that, at that time, the deputies did not have communications with the boater.
Three deputies responded in SMB-5, a marked patrol vessel. After checking the location near Sweet Bay Lake, they proceeded down river towards Halters Island while the Terrebonne S.O. deputy responded to Mosquito Bay. The deputies located the boater in the Atchafalaya Bay near Halters Island. The boater stated he first experienced trouble at Mosquito Bay and then used his trolling motor to try to make his way back.
The deputies instructed the boater to secure a towline to his vessel and board the patrol vessel donning a life vest. He was then transported to the Berwick Boat Launch without incident.
Regular Patrol/Assistance: July 8, 2021, 2:00 pm, Gulf of Mexico, 23 miles south of Vermillion Bay
On Thursday, July 08, 2021, at approximately 1400 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section received a SAR text from the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The text stated that a fishing vessel located 23 nautical miles south of Vermillion Bay had an injured crew member aboard and was in need of assistance.
The deputy contacted the USCG Sector New Orleans and was informed of the vessel’s location and that it was underway moving North East at 11 knots. The USCB advised that they were sending a helicopter out and would advise of the situation. Minutes later, Sector New Orleans called back stating their helicopter was more than an hour out due to weather and asked if the SMPSO could respond. The deputy advised that the SMPSO would respond and would notify the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (IPSO) as well as the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
Two deputies and a first responder from Franklin Fire Dept. responded from Burns Point in SMB-5, a marked patrol vessel. After getting underway, the deputy contacted Sector New Orleans for current updates of the vessel’s position as they were tracking the vessel. It was determined the vessel was heading west to Fresh Water City.
The deputy attempted to make contact with Vermillion Parish while en route to intercept the vessel south of South West Pass. However, it was learned that the vessel had already made its way to the jetties at Fresh Water City and was intercepted by IPSO’s vessel. They were able to transport the victim to a dock in Fresh Water City and turn him over to Acadian Ambulance Service for transport and medical treatment. There is nothing further to report at this time.
Call out/Search/Rescue: July 12, 2021, 1:08 pm, Atchafalaya River near American Pass
On the above date, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section was contacted by dispatch in reference to a subject that was disabled near a sand bar in the Atchafalaya River near American Pass.
Upon speaking to the subject, it was learned that he was safe but was turned around due to the weather and his engine wouldn’t start. He also stated that he left out of the Verdunville landing and was not sure how to get back. Once deputies were underway the subject was located a short time later at American Pass. The deputies were able to get his engine running and the boater followed them back into the landing without incident.
Call out/Assistance: July 17, 2021, 6:30 am, Atchafalaya River
On Saturday, July 17, 2021, at approximately 0630 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section received a call from dispatch in reference to a stranded boater. Dispatch advised that the boater called stating he was aground in the Atchafalaya River and was in need of assistance.
The deputy made contact with the boater via cell phone and was provided with coordinates to the location. The boater stated that he and his friend were without injury, but needed assistance getting off the sandbar. The deputy advised him that the SMPSO would respond and if his situation changed before their arrival to call back.
Two deputies responded in SMB-5, a marked patrol vessel, and upon arrival at the given coordinates, observed a bass fishing type vessel that was hard aground. The deputies handed a towline to the boater who secured it to his vessel. They were then towed off the sandbar without incident. After standing by with them for a few minutes to make sure their outboard motor was operating correctly, the boaters departed under their own power and the deputies returned to base. There is nothing further to report at this time.
Call out/Assistance: July 21, 2021, 4:00 pm, Atchafalaya River near Shell Island
On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at approximately 1600 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section received a call from dispatch in reference to a possible disabled vessel. Dispatch advised that the United States Coast Guard (USCG) called stating there was a possible disabled vessel in the Atchafalaya River near Shell Island with 5 persons on board.
The deputy contacted the USCG Sector New Orleans and learned that a boat captain called in and reported a small aluminum skiff possibly disabled near beacon 11 just North of Shell Island. The deputy made contact with said captain who confirmed the USCG’s statement. Contact was made with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) in efforts to see if they had a vessel nearby, however they did not.
Two deputies responded to the Berwick Boat Launch with SMB-4, a marked patrol vessel. As they were launching, they observed a small aluminum vessel towing another small aluminum vessel north bound in the River heading for the Berwick Boat Launch. Upon their arrival, it was learned the vessel in tow was in fact the disabled vessel they were searching to locate. All occupants were safely returned to the boat launch. Nothing further to report at this time.
Regular Patrol/Assistance: July 27, 2021, 8:30 am, Fourleague Bay
On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at approximately 0830 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section received a SAR Text from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in reference to a downed aircraft. The text stated that a small airplane went down in Fourleague Bay with one occupant. The occupant was alive and they also relayed coordinates to the aircraft’s location.
The deputy contacted dispatch and advised of the situation and was joined by another deputy in SMB-5, a marked patrol vessel. While en route, the deputies contacted Terrebonne S.O. and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to advise them of the situation.
Upon arrival, the deputies observed a small aircraft inverted in Fourleague just East of Halters Island. The occupant was seated on the aircraft and appeared to have a laceration above his left eye and another on his nose. A rescue diver from the USCG helicopter was assisting the pilot upon our arrival. Moments later, the rescue diver informed me that the pilot was refusing to be transported by vessel due to the fact he gets seasick. Meanwhile, the LDWF and Terrebonne arrived on scene, and the occupant was then airlifted by the USCG, transported to the Patterson Airport, and turned over to Acadian Ambulance Service.
Regular Patrol/Assistance: July 27, 2021, 12:30 pm, Atchafalaya River near Stout’s Pass
On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at approximately 1230 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section received a call from dispatch in reference to a stranded vessel near Stouts Pass. Dispatch further advised that the boater and a passenger were aground on a party barge just north of Stouts Pass in the Atchafalaya River.
Two deputies responded in SMB-5, a marked patrol vessel, as they were on patrol and were near the location. Upon arrival, they observed a pontoon type vessel aground at the 113 M/B of the Atchafalaya River. The deputies handed the towline to the boater and instructed him and his passenger to get as low as possible in the rear of their vessel. They were then towed off the sand bar without incident. After checking that their engine was operating correctly, they left under their own power.
Call out/Assistance: July 29, 2021, 6:20 pm, Lake Fausse
On Thursday, July 29, 2021, at approximately 1820 hours, a deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Marine Section received a call from a deputy with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office (IPSO) in reference to a swamped vessel in Lake Fausse Point with four persons in the water.
The deputy responded immediately to Grand Avoille Boat Launch with SMB-2, a marked patrol vessel. While en route, the deputy contacted dispatch and advised of the situation. Upon arrival at the boat launch, the deputy observed a black Toyota pickup truck pull into the launch. One male and one female exited the bed of the truck. The subjects were two of the subjects from the swamped vessel. The deputy learned that the other two subjects were picked up by the IPSO Sheriff.
Moments later, a deputy with the IPSO arrived at the boat launch and confirmed the information given by Tyler. There is nothing further to report at this time.

Multiple agencies responded to a fire at Allison Marine in Amelia Thursday afternoon and kept firefighters on scene for about five hours.
Amelia Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jason Brown said the department was called to a fire at the facility at 3:30 p.m. involving a platform that was being scrapped. Brown said that the platform ignited during the scrapping.
The first truck arrived at the scene at 3:36 p.m., and mutual aid was called from Morgan City at 3:59 p.m. Additional mutual aid was requested from fire departments in Berwick, Bayou Vista, Patterson and Bayou L’Ourse, Brown said.
All units left the scene by 8:41 p.m., he said.

The heat is turned up and the rain is unrelenting. What can you do this month in the garden? As we look forward to cooler fall weather there are things to do to prepare for the fall and still time to tackle summertime gardening tasks.
Prune your blooming roses back about one-third of their height in late August to early September to encourage new blooms for October and November. Remove all the dead canes and diseased wood.
If the plants are showing signs of black spot or mildew, be sure to rinse your pruners in 10% bleach solution then in water before moving onto healthy shrubs to prevent the spreading of any disease. Fertilize with an all-purpose fertilizer or one designed specifically for roses after pruning at recommended rates to encourage new growth and to improve flowering for the fall bloom.
This is also a good time to spray roses for blackspot, powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. You may choose to use triforine, thiophanate methyl, or copper oleate. Follow manufacturer’s directions carefully. Rake up and remove all fallen leaves to prevent further infection of rose bushes and dispose of them in the trash.
Ornamental bedding plants have either grown out of control with the warm and wet weather or they have just tuckered themselves out in all the heat. Trim or stake tall plants and deadhead spent flowers on annuals and perennials to give them a boost.
Consider another application of fertilizer for your lawn. Your third and final application of fertilizer can be made in August for Bermudagrass, St. Augustine grass and Zoysia grass. Centipede it is not necessary.
Chinch bugs, sod webworms and armyworms may be causing damage in your lawn. All three feed on grass stems and stolons. Look for brown patches in the lawn and signs of caterpillars or adult moths. If the problem has gotten out of control, consider insecticide applications of bifenthrin, carbaryl or permethrin. Follow the label instructions carefully.
Another thing you can do this month is dig up and divide perennial flowering plants such as daylilies and irises. In general, most prolific perennial plants such as lilies, irises and ornamental grasses need to be divided over time. When you notice plants beginning to decline or they cease to make flowers, it is typically an indication of overcrowding.
Plants that are overcrowded begin to decline in vigor and health due to increased competition for sunlight, nutrients and water. This will be most noticeable when plants start to look a bit ragged.
Signs usually manifest when clumps begin to decline and die out in the center of the plant, and they may stop flower production all together. When you begin to notice this decline, it’s time to start dividing the plants to help decrease competition for nutrients and water.
Divide plants first thing in the morning or late evening when the temperatures are not too hot. When dividing plants, use a spade or shovel to carefully lift the clump of plants from out of the ground and avoid damaging roots as much as possible. When you have a good clump out of the ground, use a garden knife or spade to cut clumps into smaller pieces for moving.
Transplant to a new container or in another portion of the lawn or share them with friends or family. Be sure to water plants as well to avoid added stress. Continue to watch plants over the next few weeks to ensure adequate water as they establish new root systems.
Dividing and replanting during the late summer and early fall allows plants to establish a good root system before going into dormancy during cooler winter months.
Overall, perennials are best divided in the very early spring when they are just breaking dormancy or in the late summer after they have stopped flowering and begin looking a bit ragged. Avoid disturbing perennials when they are forming flower buds or are in bloom.
It’s time to start planning your fall vegetable garden. Transplant fall tomato plants into your garden by mid-August for north Louisiana and the first week of September for south Louisiana. Some suggested cultivars for fall production are Florida 91, Phoenix, Sun Leaper, Solar Set, Sunmaster and Talladega. Fall seeds of broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, cucumber, kale, lettuces, lima beans, Swiss chard, Southern peas, shallots, squashes and turnips can be planted later this month.
Perform maintenance in the summer vegetable garden. Remove spent summer tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, etc. that have tuckered out. If your spring-planted eggplant, pepper plants and okra still look good let them continue to grow. They often produce another fall crop.