School Board extends grant consultant's contract

The Iberville Parish School Board last week extended the contract of a firm seeking a $3 million federal grant for a “hybrid” virtual school program for an additional six months.

Sabiston Consultants has invoiced the parish for $13,500 in fees for its initial yearlong contract, which reached a hiatus because of the “things going on in Congress,” Superintendent P. Edward Cancienne Jr. said.

The extension gives the firm an additional six months and a total fee of up to $31,500 to write a grant and find funding for an on-line teaching program that includes supervision by classroom teachers, hence a “hybrid” program, Dr. Cancienne said.

The superintendent said the program would be available to students in advanced placement (AP) classes, as well as to those who have failed a course and are taking it again on line and students in “credit accrual” programs who are advancing at their own pace to get ahead in their school work.

Their on-line studies would be aided by four teachers (in math, science, English and social studies) who would rotate to the parish's high schools to assist them.