The contract will allow Vermilion Parish students to utilize the facility, which is located next to Erath High School. The building, which was once used by an oil field company, has sat idle for more than a year.
Fontana was the first to speak out against the usage contract because he said he would not vote for it unless he had more time to go over the specifics and was able to read over the actual contract.
“We’re approving into a contractual agreement that we don’t even know what it is,” Fontana said. “I think we’re putting the cart before the horse here. I have no problem with authorizing the superintendent with legal council to discuss a contract with Nathan (Granger). Bring the contract back to the board, and we see exactly what the contract is, then we can vote on it.”
Fontana made a substitute motion to, “authorize the superintendent with legal council to negotiate with Mr. Granger and work out an agreement and present it, if you can, at the next meeting.”
According to School Board attorney Calvin “Woody” Woodruff, a contract is in the works and, “Mr. Granger’s attorneys are drafting the basic contract that I should get very soon, and review it.” Woodruff said he should have the contract in two weeks.
“I’m in favor of the concept,” Fontana said, “but I don’t vote on a contract till I know what it is.”
The substitute motion failed with Fontana and Faulk voting for it, and all other members voting against the motion.
Following the failed motion, School Board Member Ricky Broussard made a motion to, “move to enter into an interim contractual agreement with Quality Sports Authority with use of the indoor facilities for student activities pending approval by the boards legal advisor and our superintendent.”
The motion was approved by all but Faulk and Fontana.
Following the motion, Tori Garner of Kaplan said, “I just can’t believe our school board just entered into a contract without even seeing it. I don’t understand why they couldn’t wait two weeks like Anthony and Angela said.”
After the motion was voted on, Broussard spoke about his trust in Granger to provide a top-notch sports facility for Vermilion Parish students, as well as his trust in Woodruff as the board’s legal council.
“Mr. Granger is a successful businessman,” Broussard said, “and I think we have the best legal council we can possibly have in Mr. Woody. I know they’re going to do this right, and keep us informed. We got to put our trust, and our faith, in the people that work for us.”
(Abbeville Meridional)
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