By Emily Burleigh

American Press

The Calcasieu Parish School Board unanimously approved sales tax supplements for CPSB personnel at Tuesday’s meeting.

Before taxes, non-support personnel will receive $7,025, while support personnel will receive $4,920.

In addition to the sales tax supplement, district employees will receive one-time stipends of $2,000 for certified non-support staff and $1,000 for support staff. This stipend is a result of a bill that was passed by the Louisiana legislature in June.

Both of these supplements will be included in October paychecks.

Honored

Also, Calcasieu Parish School Board faculty and students were honored at Tuesday’s meeting.

CPSB Superintendent Shannon LaFargue said that it is important for the district to make time to celebrate exceptional individuals in the district.

“Whenever we have opportunities to highlight individuals in our system, we want to do so. … You hear about model behavior, we know they do their job to the fullest, they uphold their responsibilities to the job description, but they go beyond the job description and they’ve established relationships within the system that are long-lasting.”

One such individual is Martin Payne, the custodian and crossing guard at Vinton High School.

Eric Heinin, principal, Vinton High School, said at the meeting that Payne has a healthy rapport with students and staff at Vinton, and an inspiring spirit that encourages hard work, growth and responsibility in those around him.

“Everybody knows Mr. Martin. Everybody in Vinton works just a little bit harder because of Mr. Martin.”

Holly Holland, public information officer, CPSB, called Payne a “phenomenal human being.”

“We are so, so blessed to have him here in Calcasieu Parish.

Payne was recognized by CPSB on National Custodian Day, Monday, Oct. 2, with a three-minute video that was produced by Holland and Elosie Boullion, digital media specialist, CPSB, and posted on CPSB’s Facebook page.

In the video, Payne stated that his role in Vinton provides him with one thing: happiness.

“I try to tell everybody, you’re only here for, say, maybe till you’re 80. … Be happy with what you’ve got, be happy with what you’re doing. Nobody asked me to do the job, I asked for the job, so I’m going to do the best I can.”

The video was viewed at the board meeting and was followed by a standing ovation for Payne. He was presented with a leadership pin by LaFargue, which is reserved for school board members, principals and those that properly represent the Calcasieu Parish school district.

Over 70 students that attained perfect LEAP and EOC scores in 2022 were honored at the board meeting. Each student scored an 850 on one or more of their standardized assessments, including science, social studies, English Language Arts and math for third through eighth grade science, and Algebra I, English II and Geometry.

The students were each given a CPSB Student Ambassador sign to display in their yard.