By LEONARD GRAY – Managing Editor

LULING – Shell Chemical Company in Norco and St. Charles Parish public school district are honored in the latest Civic Star Awards, presented recently by the American Association of School Administrators Conference and Sodexho School Services.

The award was created to recognize school districts who have teamed with local communities to develop and implement innovative activities that advance student learning.

During the past 15 years, Shell has contributed to the education initiatives, work-force preparation and community involvement and enrichment. The financial contribution has amounted to more than $500,000, and Shell Norco employees have volunteered more than 1,200 hours annually in their efforts.

Among these activities and programs are Partners in Education, the Process Technology High School Program, School-to-Career, the River Parishes Education Initiative and the River Parishes Youth Leadership Camp.

However, the most comprehensive program has been the Norco Community Education Initiative, which addresses adult basic educatiion and literacy programs, based on a needs assessment of the town.

Additionally, the Shell Oil Company Foundation’s annual $350,000 contribution has developed into more adults served in the programs and a 33 percent increase in GED graduates.

In addition to a plaque presentation at Wednesday’s meeting in recognition of the Civic Star Award, the school board also approved the following actions in their consent agenda:

€ To authorize the bidding of library books and periodicals.

€ To authorize the staff to issue requests for proposals for computer repairs.

€ To accept the $83,530 bid from Alack Refrigeration for the kitchen steamers.

€ To authorize the purchase of a $39,582 delivery truck for the Distribution Center.

€ To accept the bid of $3,548,000 from Aegis Construction for the Satellite Center. All eight bidders exceeded the $2.49 million budget, but the board approved the extra spending to ensure a quality building.

€ To accept the bid of $537,900 for the renovations to the Luling Elementary School cafeteria from Lamar Contractors. Again, all three bidders exceeded the $397,000 budget, but again the board authorized shifting funds within the budget to cover the extra cost.

The board also renewed their employee health insurance with United Health Care with no changes in the plan, with MetLife for life insurance, and with Ameritas for dental insurance.

John “Rusty” Walker also reported on a middle schools principals meeting, in which a proposed soccer program was discussed.

It was agreed there were not enough opponents and a lack of a qualified coach.