It was a meeting of many laughs and much emotion for attendees of the Aug. 23 Zachary Community School Board meeting.

For Superintendent Warren Drake, it was his last meeting in 10 years of school board meetings. "I am so excited," Drake said, as he gave two thumbs up.

Several district employees were recognized for going Beyond the Call of Duty - Yolanda Williams and Adonica Duggan, two school board employees for their hard work and dedication; two Zachary Elementary School teachers - Demetria Scott and Danye Pelichet, who wrote a grant about the French Canadians or Acadians (Cajuns); and Darryl Edwards for work he did over the summer at ZES. Each received an honorary certificate.

Instead of Drake's usual Superintendent Report about news within the district, he honored each of his supervisors by giving them an honorary certificate with their nickname and a "gold" medal. Drake also told funny stories about how they each earned their nicknames.

Gordon Robertson, Aencid Mason, Scott Devillier, Yolanda Williams, Gwen Longmire, Karin Lawless, Tim Jordan, Helen Folkes, Diane Stone and Adonica Duggan were all ribbed by Drake. "It's been fun," he told them.

Drake's last day was Sept. 4.

In other school board news: Board members were set to approve the proposed changes and demographer's suggestions regarding the reapportionment of school board voting districts per the 2010 Census. However, at the last minute, Kenneth Mackie, of Dist. 4, asked whether a small portion (four blocks) in new member Boyce Smith's Dist. 7 could be recalculated and included in District 4. "I know this is at the eleventh hour," Mackie said. "But I'd like to see if it can possibly be added."

After a public hearing was held, Jensen said that the proposed plan could be amended to accommodate Mackie's request.

"Ya'll [sic] have grown so much," Jensen told board members. "There is a total deviation of 45 percent and mostly in the Copper Mill and downtown areas of Zachary."

The board approved the resolution to include Mackie's revised district.

The board also approved the settlement amount of $254,000 which it stands to receive from several parties involved in a failed roofing project at Copper Mill Elementary.

Drake said there were about 30 people at the mediation - roofers, principals, architects, contractors, insurance agents, shingle business owners and attorneys.

Although it wasn't the $300,000 the district asked for in reimbursement fees, Drake said it was a good offer since most of the damage was to the roof and tiles, not equipment inside the school.

The board approved the settlement amount, and the parties have 30 days to remit payment to the ZSCD.

Board member Gaynell Young said the search for a new superintendent is going well and dates have been set for tentative interviews.

The first round of interviews is set for Tuesday, Sept. 25, and the second round for Thursday, Oct. 18.

The next board meeting with interim Superintendent Gordon Robertson at the helm will be held Thursday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.

School Board meetings are open to the public.