📢 Here’s What Changed at the Latest Avoyelles School Board Meeting

The Avoyelles Parish School Board elected new leadership during its regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20, unanimously selecting Aimee Dupuy as board president and Dr. Jay Callegari as vice president for the 2026 calendar year.

Dupuy was elected president on a 7–0 vote, with no opposition and two members absent. Following her election, the board again voted unanimously to elect Callegari as vice president.

“I’m grateful for the board’s vote of confidence and honored to lead this dedicated group,” Dupuy said. “We’ve made great progress, but there’s still important work ahead. As I head into the final year of my second term, my focus is on finishing the work strong and setting things up well for the future.”

Callegari echoed that sentiment following his election.

“It’s an honor to be trusted with this responsibility,” Callegari said. “I take this role seriously and will continue working to do what is best for the students, educators, and families of Avoyelles Parish. Every decision we make should ultimately serve the children in our schools.”

The leadership change followed recognition of outgoing President Rickey Adams and Vice President Robin Moreau, who were presented plaques by Superintendent Karen Tutor in appreciation of their service during the previous term.

In addition to organizational business, the board received the annual financial audit for fiscal year 2024–2025 from Douglas Burke of Kolder, Slaven & Company. The audit identified weaknesses related to internal controls over certain cash sales conducted between individual schools and groups.

Board members noted that the issue was already known prior to the audit’s presentation and that corrective actions have been implemented. District officials reported that steps have been taken to strengthen oversight, improve accountability, and ensure tighter controls moving forward.

Other highlights from the meeting included recognition of December Students of the Month and Teachers of the Month from schools across the parish, approval of numerous personnel actions, and updates on the Avoyelles Community Education Center building project.

The board also received an update from Marcus Guillory of Delta Engineering on the status of the new Avoyelles Community Education Center, a technical education facility currently under construction. Board members were told the project continues to move forward as planned. One board member commented that the School Board has been very pleased with Delta Engineering’s work on the project, noting that the firm has “bent over backwards” to assist the district throughout the process. The board expressed appreciation for that partnership and said it is looking forward to completing the facility by the end of the year.

The board also approved several major action items, including budget revisions, technology purchases, security camera licensing, maintenance vehicle acquisition, and infrastructure improvements. In addition, members authorized plans to move forward with public meetings related to potential renewal elections for school taxes later this year.

The meeting concluded with unanimous approval of multiple agenda items and adjournment following completion of business.