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The Vermilion Parish School System finished the year in decent financial shape. The school system is about to be in better financial shape in 2022 thanks to the Federal Government handing out $2.6 billion to the Louisiana school systems Coronovirus Aid Relief.
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) was established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March of 2020.
The Vermilion Parish School system has slowly been getting ESSER Funds. Last school year, the Vermilion Parish school district received around $10 million.
In 2022, accountant Rob Carter of Kolder, Slaven and Co. gave an updated audit report to the school board members at last week’s meeting.
The report projected the Vermilion Parish School system to receive around $35 million in ESSER funds.
That money, coupled with the grant money the school board typically gets a year ($13 million), brings the total to $48.2 million that the school district is expected to receive.
The ESSER money can be spent in various ways, such as purchasing equipment for summer learning and after-school programs. Or hiring extra help to help teach students after school or for distance learning.
Another possibility could be to improve facilities to help with distance learning or reduce the risk of COVID.
The government would also allow school systems to improve air conditioning systems to improve ventilation.
It can not be used for employee pay raises.
The Vermilion Parish School Board did not address the spending of the $48 million of ESSER money.

Overall, finances are good for the school system.

The good news is that the school board brought in $113 million in revenue and spent around $113 million. So bottom line, it was a break-even year.
Carter presented the board with pie charts showing the school board’s expenses and revenues.
The pie chart for revenues shows an increase of $13 million over the last three years.
In 2019 and 2020, the school board’s revenue was around $99 million. However, it jumped to $113 million in 2021.
The reason for the $13 million increase was a combination of two things. The most significant increase was $10 million from ESSER funds. Each school district received millions to help with COVID-19 relief.
The second-biggest increase was in sales tax collections. The school board collected close to $2 million more in sales tax revenue than in 2020.
With more money coming in, the school board spent more money.
The school board spends most of its money on salaries and benefits. The school board spends 75 percent of its budget on wages and benefits.
Last year, that equaled $79 million out of the $113 million. That figure has remained the same for the previous two years.
This year the school board had to spend $10 million it did not expect to pay. The school board spent $10 million in hurricane repair on wind-rain-damaged schools.
Another increase in spending was for materials and supplies. The school system spent $5.2 million, which is $2 million more than it did two years ago.

Hello, fellow residents of District A.
My name is Tony J. Hardy. I am running for the open position of District A Councilman. I am a longtime resident of Abbeville, and I have dedicated 34 proud years of public service to the City of Abbeville.
I began my career in 1980 as a patrolman for the Abbeville Police Department and worked my way up to the position of Lieutenant, before becoming Chief of Police. After 8 years serving as Chief, I retired to take care of my wife Trudy, who was diagnosed with cancer.
As I walk the streets of District A, I am listening to your concerns and problems. If elected, I would like to help each and everyone of you needing assistance.
Drainage is just one of my major concerns of residence in District A, and I think all maintenance and work should be done so that water runs off as fast as possible. These problems should be taken care of before severe weather comes.
Having served the city for so long, I have seen how your voice may go unheard and the issues District A faces.
Using an open door policy, I’m going to eliminate the hassle. If you have an issue, come talk to me.
If I can help, I will. Through partnerships with you, local parish and state entities, I will streamline your complaints and ideas, so that we can improve both our communication and community as a whole. When choosing a councilman, you do not want someone who will waiver when faced with opposition. You want a strong, unwavering presence, one you know and can trust that will work to make sure your voice is heard, and your problems are solved.
Remember I am just a phone call away. I hope to meet each and everyone of you as I walk all of the streets of District A. (My cell Phone: 337- 281- 9818)
God Bless and thank you for your consideration.
On March 26, 2022, eliminate the barriers between residents and council, don’t let your voice fall upon deaf ears. Vote for the person best for the job.

Tony Hardy

Richard (Doc) Emmett Perkins passed away on January 18, 2022, at the age of 90, surrounded by his family while in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Richard was born on October 10,1931 in Gulfport, MS, to Robert Emmett Perkins and Henrietta Browne. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, David Perkins.
Richard married Jo Ellen King in 1954, and they had three children: Beth, Robert, and Martha. He was remarried to Betty Gaspard in 1978.
After graduating from high school in Mount Hermon, Louisiana, Richard attended Southeastern Louisiana University for one year, then enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Korean War as a navigator. After the war, he attended Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and received his DVM in 1960.
Because of his love for the great outdoors, Richard moved to Louisiana, "Sportsman's Paradise", to start his veterinary practice in Abbeville, LA. He opened a mixed animal practice, Perkins Veterinary Clinic, in 1965 and retired in 1996. He was the second veterinarian in Vermillion parish and mentored Clyde Prejean, DVM and Kim Bradley, DVM who later opened their own practices in Abbeville, Louisiana. Doc spent many nights delivering calves and performing C-Sections on cows in pastures across the parish. During hunting season, locals brought sick or injured pets to his camp in Pecan Island because they knew Doc would take care of them.
While running his practice, he developed a love of racehorses. His first racehorse, Robert K, was named after his son. Others that followed, PI Shooter and Shooting PI were in reverence to Pecan Island. Many Sunday afternoons were spent with Robert and friends at Clements’s racetrack. Richard loved life and loved sharing with others. One of his favorite things to do was cook for friends. His famous fried sacalait filets, eggplant, okra, potatoes and thinly sliced sweet potato chips were a favorite. He was generous in delivering fresh fish, boiled crabs, shrimp, and St. Paul's chicken salad to Vermillion parish residents.
Richard's best times were spent with family and friends at Pecan Island. He loved hunting, fishing, playing cards, telling jokes, boiling crabs, and frying fish. He was an incredible gardener and grew the most delicious tomatoes. After retirement, he fished daily for sacalait in the Atchafalaya Basin. He described the 10 years, age 65-75, as his best years.  He kept a detailed fishing log and was known to reach his limit by noon. Anyone lucky enough to be in his boat, learned about setting the hook, avoiding hang-ups, and not bringing a PPFA (Piss Poor Fishing Attitude). Contests were the norm-who caught the first, biggest and most fish. It was impossible to beat him, he was the ultimate sacalait fisherman.
Richard was a longtime member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Abbeville. He was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association, American Association Equine Practitioners. He was also proud to be an Auburn Alumni. He leaves an incredible legacy to his family and friends.
Richard is survived by daughters, Beth (Terry) Jordan of Wimberley, TX and Martha Briley of Lake Charles; son, Robert (Patrice) Perkins of Erath; grandchildren Kyle Jordan, Paul (Taylor) Jordan, Ellen Briley, Spencer Briley, Meagan Perkins and  Michelle Perkins; nephews Scott Perkins and Lane Perkins; his step-grandchildren, Chelsie (Nick) Domingue and Paige Rogers, and his step-great-grandchildren, Lillian Domingue and Brylon Bellot. The family will hold a small, private service to honor his life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Priest's discretionary fund at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 101 Vermillion St. Abbeville, LA 70501.

ABBEVILLE – Funeral services for Simuel Guidry, Jr. are scheduled for Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at Abbeville’s Greater First Apostolic Church – 913 W. Port Street—with interment at St. Paul Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, January 28th from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. and will resume Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until time of service. Pastor J. J. Anderson will officiate the services.
Mr. Simuel Guidry Jr. was born to Alma Guidry and Simuel Guidry on November 27, 1949. He, being the oldest of 11 siblings, grew up in the town of Abbeville LA, where he met and married Elzina Guidry on march 4th 1971.
Mr. Guidry was a proud veteran having served many years in the United States army. In the year of 1980 both Simuel and Elzina Guidry visited The First. Apostolic Church of Lafayette and there they received the gift of the Holy Ghost and were baptized in Jesus's name. In 1988, Simuel Guidry and his wife move to Abbeville's Greater First Apostolic Church to begin a work for God alongside Pastor J. Anderson and his wife. After being found a faithful man of God he was there ordained as a Deacon of Abbeville's Greater First Apostolic Church. As his family grew, God blessed Mr. Guidry with a beautiful home in Kaplan LA where he continued to raise his family. Mr. Guidry was well known by many as a friendly, honest, helpful, and loving man.   Simuel Guidry Jr. (72) passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 19, 2022 at. Ochsner University Hospital & Clinics in Lafayette LA. He will be greatly missed and forever loved by all.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elzina Guidry of Kaplan LA, 4 sons, Sam Guidry, Scott. Guidry, Simeon Guidry, and Samuel Guidry of Kaplan; 6 daughters, Sybee Guidry, Shacira Guidry, Marvelle. Guidry, Jalaina Guidry, Jenny Lynn Guidry, and Rebecca Guidry of Kaplan, 3 brothers Allen Guidry, Glen Guidry, Gary Guidry; 6 sisters, Susan Lewis, Janie Guidry, Patty Heath, Jody Harris, Brenda Harris, and Judy Guidry of Abbeville; 19 grandkids; 5 great- grand kids; AND a host of relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his Father Simuel Gudry Sr.; his mother Alma Guidry; 2 Brothers Tony Guidry, Donald Rae Guidry, and twin children Laurence and Loyce Guidry.
He will be greatly missed!
Kinchen Funeral Home Inc., 218 North Saint Valarie Street, Abbeville, LA 70510 is in charge of arrangements.  Additionally, condolences to the family can be expressed on our website at www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.