LIVINGSTON — The Livingston Parish School Board honored three Denham Springs High School powerlifters for their performances at a national competition during its July 23 meeting, which also included action on several construction projects and updates from across the school district.
The board recognized Gabby Haire, DarReyus Scott, and Noemi Blancarte for their placements in Powerlifting America.
Haire was named the female sub-junior 76-kilogram national champion after squatting 402.3 pounds, bench pressing 181.8 pounds, and deadlifting 330.6 pounds for a total of 914.9 pounds. With a flawless 9-for-9 meet, she recorded the fourth-highest total weight lifted and became the fifth girl in Denham Springs High School history to squat 400 pounds or more. Haire said she hopes to eventually reach a total of more than 1,000 pounds.
Scott was named the male sub-junior 120-kilogram national champion after squatting 672.4 pounds, bench pressing 418.9 pounds, and deadlifting 655.9 pounds for a total of 1,747 pounds.
Blancarte was the female sub-junior 52-kilogram runner-up after squatting 270 pounds, bench pressing 142 pounds, and deadlifting 285 pounds for a total of 700 pounds.
The board then voted to advertise for bids on renovations at the Walker Junior High School campus. Board member Katelyn Cockerham said the renovations are “much, much needed” to “bring it back to life and give it some much-needed TLC.”
The board voted unanimously to approve advertising for bids.
The board then discussed ratifying bids for the Denham Springs High School parking lot project.
Jeff LaRosa with Coleman Partners Architects told the board that Epic Paving met all qualifications and submitted a base bid of $865,395, along with an “alternate number 1” bid of $72,500, for a total of $937,895.
LaRosa explained that the existing asphalt portion of the parking lot, which makes up roughly half of the lot, will be demolished, including its base. It will be replaced with a new base, stone substrate, and a top layer of concrete. Three light poles will also be added to better illuminate the area during the evening and nighttime hours.
LaRosa said it will be a “50-year parking lot at a minimum with normal traffic.”
The board voted unanimously to ratify the bids.
Chris Bankston, with Gasaway Gasaway Bankston Architects, then approached the board to discuss ratifying bids for the North Live Oak Elementary School multipurpose building.
McLin Construction submitted the lowest bid at $2,547,000.
The board voted unanimously to ratify the bids.
Superintendent Jody Purvis wrapped up the meeting with comments and updates on school statistics.
Students and staff at Walker Junior High are set to move to the new South Fork Junior High campus for the coming school year.
Seven bus routes were eliminated for the year through route consolidation, with no employees losing their jobs.
Purvis also reported measurable increases in breakfast and lunch participation through nontraditional breakfast programs. Thirty-two of the district’s 42 schools are participating in the programs, with 2,239 more students eating breakfast each day. Lunch participation has increased by 1,116 students, with the numbers continuing to grow even though enrollment is slightly down.
Expulsions increased during the past year, but Purvis said, “We will continue to work and try to reduce the number of expulsions by trying to maintain a structured environment.”
Purvis also reviewed current statistics in four categories included in the board’s success plan.
The district’s 2030 goal for the College and Career Index is 55%, while schools are currently at 82.3%. The 2030 goal for WorkKeys Gold and ASVAB is 58%, while the current figure is 78.7%. The 2030 Benchmark for Literacy goal is 60%, while the district is currently at 68%. The 2030 goal for students in grades 3-8 scoring mastery or above on state testing is 55%, while the current figure is slightly lower at 43.5%.
“I never want somebody to get caught up in the numbers,” Purvis added as the meeting drew to a close. “We have to look at it as every one of those numbers is a child who is reading stronger, a child who has graduated from school with a craft so they can go directly into their career.”
