Avoyelles School Board agrees to pay DA's Office $25,000 in legal fees

    With very little discussion, the Avoyelles Parish School Board voted 8-1 to start paying District Attorney Charles Riddle $25,000 a year for legal services, beginning immediately.

    School Board President Mike Lacombe said Riddle asked the board about paying the fee because of the amount of time the District Attorney’s Office has spent on legal issues for the School Board. That time has been increasing in recent years.

    Lacombe said Riddle initially requested a base rate of $25,000 plus an hourly rate with a maximum of $35,000 a year. Lacombe asked Riddle to consider charging just the base rate. Riddle agreed to the change.

    “This does not include any desegregation work,” Riddle told board members. “Myself and David Lafargue handle the case and don’t charge the board. It’s all the other work that we now have to divide up between myself and a couple of assistant district attorneys.”

Riddle said the School Board work load has already cost him one assistant DA, Jim Lee. After losing Lee, Riddle said he decided to spread the work around to more than one person.

    “Our office also handles legislative issues concerning the board,” Riddle said. “This will help in paying for their salaries.”

Riddle said the Police Jury already pays his office for work on Police Jury matters.

    School Superintendent Blaine Dauzat said the board had three options: not pay the DA and hire outside counsel; pay the fee and continue with the DA providing legal counsel; or reject the DA’s request.

    “I will not sue if the board tells me no,” Riddle quickly responded. “This agreement will continue a good working relationship.”

Chris Jeansonne, who was sitting in the audience, asked if the figure will creep up yearly until the board could be paying $50,000 a year or more.

   “I thought $35,000 was a fair deal because of the money I have to pay a staff that is needed for School Board work,” Riddle answered. “I may have to ask for more in the future, but this agreement is a good thing.”

    School Board member James Gauthier said that over the past 10 years prices have gone up and the expenses in the District Attorney’s office are no exception.

    Board member Darrell Wiley was the only “no” vote. After the meeting, Wiley said teachers and administrators have to work late for no additional funding. He said the vote was not meant to show any disrespect towards the District Attorney.