Two place at state social studies fair

Acadia Parish has two first place state social studies fair winners in its midst as the school board learned Monday night at its meeting.

Jacob and Sadie Zaunbrecher, a brother and sister team from Iota High and Egan Elementary, respectively, recently placed first at the Louisiana Social Studies Fair.

The students did a project on Roberts Cove’s Germanfest, a project near to the students as they are originally from Germany.

“It’s part of our history,” said Jacob Zaunbrecher.

The school board also learned Monday night that School Board Vice President James Higginbotham had been elected as vice president of the Louisiana School Boards Association during its recent convention. Three other candidates were in contention for the vice presidency.

Board members had one other big takeaway from the state convention, this one in regards to Act 1, which is still being contested in courts.

For now, boards across the state have been advised to continue to adhere to Act 1 even though it has been recently ruled unconstitutional. As part of that, the board and superintendent learned that Act 1 says that the board shouldn’t be voting on personnel decisions.

The board will learn what needs to be changed at its committee meetings, set for Feb. 19. Superintendent John Bourque plans to still make sure the board is made aware of personnel changes via reports when necessary.

Items approved at Monday night’s meeting by the board were:

• The adoption of a resolution to consider a nomination request submitted by Pride Oil. The unanimously approved item will continue to be overseen by the board’s attorney.

• An electrical line right-of-way to a water well site on the Simon Farm lease at Lyons Point (north half of Section 16, Township 11 South, Range 1 East). It was unanimously approved.

• The adoption of a resolution regarding funding of the proposed and comprehensive Iota/Fourth Ward Classrooms Project, which will begin during the spring 2014 semester. The item, approved without dissension, states that the board will loan the project fund money with the promise of being paid back as it has done in the past, if necessary.

• The Mire Elementary School band’s trip to perform in Branson, Mo. between May 11 and May 14. Band Director Mike Magee explained some of the aspects of the performances which will follow Louisiana and patriotic themes, respectively. Magee also highlighted the educational trips the band will make while in Branson.

The board will hold its March meeting on the second Monday due to the Mardi Gras holiday, March 10.