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S T TA M M A N Y FA R M E R.N E T
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W e d n e s d ay, M ay 21, 2025
151ST YEAR, NO. 32
50¢N
Pay raises for teachers, workers agreed to with union Board to make final decision
The raises would become effective with the school year that starts in August, Osborn said. The district and union are nearing the end of year one of a two-year collective bargaining agreement Jabbia that dominated school system politics last summer. Among a handful of other salaryrelated items, the new agreement also calls for stipends ranging from $250 to $1,000 for coaches who guide team to the playoffs or become state champions, as well as $550 per semester for employees who manage the Chromebooks laptop computers at their schools. The School Board must still approve the agreement. The board is expected to schedule a special
BY BOB WARREN Staff writer
Teachers and other school workers in St. Tammany are in line for raises soon if the School Board signs off on an agreement hammered out between Superintendent Frank Jabbia and the employees’ union. Teachers would receive an additional $2,550, and other school workers would receive $1,750 annually under the proposal, which Jabbia recently negotiated with Brant Osborn, president of the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees.
meeting later this month to take up the issue, Jabbia and Osborn said in recent interviews. The pay raises, if approved, would mark a departure from the most recent stipends given to employees. Those were one-time payments and did not add to employees’ permanent salaries. The school district has more than 6,000 employees. Permanent raises were a focus of the talks between the administration and union, Jabbia said. “We wanted to get out of the stipend business,” Jabbia said. “We felt it was important to start putting our money where we could for a permanent pay raise.”
Split vote to keep free school lunches at least another year
Osborn posted some key takeaways to the proposed agreement on Facebook last week, one of which noted that this would mark the school district’s largest singleyear raise. Jabbia said starting teacher salary is just over $49,000 now and would near $52,000 if the raises go through. Another takeaway in Osborn’s Facebook post notes that teachers have had more than $6,400 in raises over the past four years, while support staff have an additional $4,205. “We really had a collaborative spirit and did everything we could with the existing budget,” Osborn said last week. “I’m pleased with
St. Tammany public school students will continue to receive free meals during the 2025-26 school year under a federal program that the School Board opted into at its June 15 meeting. The board voted 7-5 to continue the Community Eligibility
ä See RAISES, page 2A
ä See LUNCHES, page 2A
BY KIM CHATELAIN Contributing writer
Mandeville picnic builds traditions and memories BY DARREN COOPER
Contributing writer
About the only thing missing is a pie-eating contest, but maybe next year. The 12th Annual Heroes at Home Mandeville Family Reunion is more than just the name says. It’s a throwback to Memorial Day picnics of the past. It’s a chance to recognize and honor former and current service members and enjoy a good time on the scenic lakefront with food and music. “What we want people to know is that it’s open to the public, you don’t have to be just from Mandeville,” said event director Susan Brady. “It’s for everybody. We want people to come and honor our fallen heroes.” The event starts with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. that recognizes local Gold Star families. Music starts at 10:30 a.m., and the headline act — Vince Vance and the Valiants — take the stage at 5:30 p.m. There are also activities available, such as rope for a family tug of war, sack races and cornhole boards. It’s not a festival per se, in that there’s limited food and drink for sale, and guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic (gas grills only, no glass bottles) and sit out by the water and relax. Shuttle services are provided from public parking areas. Near the entrance will be a welcome tent with raffle tickets for local prizes, including gift certificates and pictures of times gone by. “It’s a good way to see the history of Mandeville,” said Brady. There are contests for the largest group/family gathered, the most patriotic tent/table and the most patriotically-dressed person. There is no cost to attend, but donations are welcome. Over the past five years, the event has raised more than $110,000 for a combination of fallen officers’ families and different police organizations. “Memorial Day for me is about our fallen heroes. I have a brother
ä See PICNIC, page 2A
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PHOTO BY MATTHEW DOBBINS
HATS OFF FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
More than 100 white graduation caps sail in jubilation on May 10 at St. Scholastica. ä Area high school graduation photos. PAGES 6A, 7A
Covington YMCA draws hundreds to runs, Healthy Kids Day BY KADEE KRIEGER
ecutive director. “We are located in such a good corner of our community, central to Covington, Mandeville and Madisonville, The West St. Tammany YMCA filled its and we have members of all three areas property with hundreds of people who coming to us to be a part of all of the good showed up for its national Healthy Kids things we are doing. We want to keep exDay initiative to race, dance, mingle and panding and keep helping others.” celebrate the organization’s recent growth The May 10 event on the YMCA propand improvements. The YMCA also offi- erty off La. 1085 began with more than 400 cially opened its pool for the summer and participants in the second annual 1-mile and 5K walk/run first thing that morning. celebrated its newly lighted back field. “Nothing but good vibes here,” said Joey ä See YMCA, page 2A Roberts, the West St. Tammany YMCA ex-
Contributing writer
PHOTO BY GRANT THERKILDSEN
Brice and Lorna Lockfield, and Marilyn Persich make bracelets at the Healthy Kids Day event.
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