St. Martin Parish board approves funding approach for STEAM upgrade after heated debate over general fund use

The St. Martin Parish Schools board spent more than an hour discussing proposed equipment upgrades—chiefly chiller and ventilation replacement—at several schools, including Broadridge/Burbridge, Saint Martinville High and the STEAM academies.

A vendor and staff representative told the board some procurement bids came in substantially under budget at one site and near budget at another. The vendor argued that some existing equipment was antiquated and that replacing it would improve air quality. Staff warned that some grant funding windows have deadlines and urged timely decisions.

Board members debated whether to redirect savings from under‑budget projects or to take money from the parishwide general fund. The transcript records a substitute motion to fund the upgrades from the general fund; that substitute failed and the board then approved the original motion to proceed with the plan the board had previously reviewed. The record shows "Motion passed" after the vote; the transcript did not print a full roll‑call breakdown for that vote.

During the debate staff said ESSER and MSAP grants would not cover many of the structural upgrades being requested, and one staff speaker noted that while grant funding could cover smaller items, about 95% of the upgrade cost would likely need to come from the funding source the board selected. A vendor cited a remaining balance after prior purchases that could be used toward upgrades but emphasized that some parts of the equipment were obsolete and needed full replacement rather than patch work.

What the board decided: After consideration and a failed substitute motion to move the work entirely onto the general fund, the board approved the previously reviewed plan to fund the STEAM/academy upgrades (the transcript records the motion passing). Staff said they will return with a detailed funding breakdown and schedule so the district can meet construction timelines tied to grant windows.

Why it matters: The decision advances multiple facility upgrades that district staff and a vendor say will improve ventilation and air quality at schools, but it also commits district funds at a time when members expressed concern about enrollment declines, maintenance needs elsewhere and competing priorities.