The board in closed session heard Gerard Caswell’s advice regarding plaintiff attorney Marion White’s motion for $9.8 million payment for his work in the 40-year-old case.
Following the executive discussion, the board reassembled and voted to take Caswell’s advice.
No one would say what that advice was, perhaps like good poker players not wanting to reveal the value of their hand too soon.
The board has until Aug. 30 to formally respond to White’s motion for payment.
Where the tab ends up is vital to preparation of the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, a budget already looking substantial changes to meet new expense requirements and revenue allocations.
In another matter related to desegregation at Thursday’s session, the board voted to purchase 33 portable classrooms currently being rented for Cankton, Grand Coteau and Leonville elementary schools and Port Barre High.
The desegregation settlement requires replacement of portable buildings except at facilities that are landlocked (no property on which to build).
These buildings are in that category. The board approved paying about $964,000 for them. The annual rental cost is about $214,000.
divided by 9.8 million = $236 dollars / hr for a man working for equality. That is if he worked 40 years for 20 hrs at no pay. Someone better check the time sheets.