May 15, 2000

CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

MAY 15, 2000

The Acadia Parish School Board met in SPECIAL SESSION on this the 15 th day of May 2000, at 5:00 p.m., in Crowley, Louisiana, with President John H. Quebodeaux presiding, pursuant to the following notice given in writing to each and every member thereof and duly posted in the manner required by law, viz.:

May 9, 2000

Dear Board Member:

By virtue of the authority vested in me by law by reason of the fact that it is deemed necessary, advisable, and to the public interest that the Acadia Parish School Board is called to a special session; therefore, I, John H. Quebodeaux, president of the Acadia Parish School Board, do hereby give notice that a special meeting of the said Board will be held at its domicile in the City of Crowley, Louisiana, at 5:00 p.m.. MONDAY. MAY 15. 2000, for the purpose of discussing, and, if deemed advisable, acting upon the following propositions, to wit:

1. CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION TO DISMISS EMPLOYEE;

2. CONSIDER ADDITIONAL RESOURCE OFFICERS FOR 2000-2001 SCHOOL YEAR;

3. HEAR CONCERNS REGARDING POLICY DEALING WITH PARTICIPATION IN GRADUATION EXERCISES;

4. CONSIDER RESIGNATION OF SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEY;

5. HEAR REPORT REGARDING SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION PROCESS;

and to transact any other business that may properly come before the Board.

Sincerely,

s/s John H. Quebodeaux, President Acadia Parish School Board

(Copies sent to Central Office Staff Members, Principals, News Media)

1) Members present for the special meeting were Lyle C. Johnson, Bill Pinac, Kitty M. Valdetero, Woody Marceaux, Wadie H. Bias, Woody Marceaux, Lynn Shamsie, John H. Quebodeaux, Nolton J. Senegal, Roland J. Boudreaux, Rodney J. Trahan, Johnnie L. Smith, Charles F. Daigle, Shirley Vige', Robert L. McManus, and Paul K. Bellon.

2&3) Mr. Senegal led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

4) There were no revisions to the agenda.

5) President Quebodeaux read the letter calling for a special meeting.

SPECIAL SESSION ITEMS:

1) Mr. Kenneth Privat, attorney, introduced Mr. Gerard Caswell, special hear officer, previously authorized by the Board. He asked Mr. Caswell to advise Mrs. Joyce Blackwell of her right to choose whether this hearing will be a closed or opened (public) session. Mrs. Blackwell had no objections to an opened session. Documents relating to her recommended dismissal were presented to board members.

Mr. Privat reminded the Board that Mrs. Blackwell had been given proper notice and the option to resign or retire (she has in excess of twenty years of service) from her position. She acknowledged that this was correct and wanted the tenure hearing to proceed.

In his opening statement, Mr. Privat indicated that Mrs. Blackwell was being recommended for dismissal from her position as school librarian, due to neglect of duties. Mrs. Blackwell waived the opportunity to make an opening statement.

Mr. Ronald Doguet, principal, was sworn in and answered questions of Mr. Privat. Various documents were introduced as evidence in this proceeding. Mr. Carl LeJeune, Executive Director of Personnel, was then sworn in and answered questions posed by Mr. Privat, regarding this matter.

At this point, 5:40 p.m., Mr. Joe Bellon entered the meeting.

Dr. Marietta James, Superintendent, was sworn in and responded to Mr. Privat's questions. First, Mr. LeJeune was recalled to testify, and then Mr. Doguet.

The Superintendent's case concluded at 6:07 p.m.

At this time, Mrs. Blackwell took the stand, and was sworn in. She read a statement regarding this matter. She first stated that at no time had she willfully neglected her duties. She declared that a serious problem existed and she had turned evidence of these problems over to federal authorities. She informed the Board that it would be hearing from them (federal authorities)and her attorney.

Mr. Caswell then advised the Board of its duty to deliberate this matter in a closed session. Before going into a closed session, a question was redirected to Mr. Doguet.

Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into an executive session at 6:25 p.m.

Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened into a special session at 6:30 p.m.

Each charge was reread and voted upon, individually, by a roll call vote.

At this time, the Board once again offered Mrs. Blackwell the opportunity to resign or

retire.

Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a roll call vote of 11 to 5, Mrs. Blackwell was offered the opportunity to resign or retire. Mr. Quebodeaux made this offer to Mrs. Blackwell, and she declined the offer.

Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation to terminate employment of Mrs. Joyce Blackwell as librarian was upheld.

The Board took a five-minute break at 6:57 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened at 7:05 p.m.

2) Dr. James indicated that consideration of additional resource officers for the 2000-2001 school year was tabled at the May 1, 2000, board meeting. Mr. Trahan motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to hire two additional resource officers for the 2000-01 school year. Mr.Quebodeaux reported that the Sheriff indicated that he would pick up 100% of the salaries, after three years. The APSB would pay $7,000 per year for three years, a total of $21,000.

Discussion followed regarding the permanent funding of these positions after three years. Ms. Valdetero called for question which passed by a unanimous voice vote. The main motion to hire two additional resource officers for the 2000-01 school year failed by a roll call vote of 13 to 2.

YEA: Pinac, Trahan

NAY: Johnson, Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Boudreaux, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

3) The Board's policy regarding participation in graduation was questioned by parents of some seniors. They indicated that their daughter had passed all of the required courses, but failed the exit exam. They feel that too much emphasis was placed on this test. Dr. James indicated that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education allowed local school boards to make guidelines regarding who can participate in graduation exercises. Previously, the APSB adopted policy which allows only students who have met all requirements, including the state exit exam, to march with graduating seniors. Continued discussion disclosed that all students were offered multiple opportunities for remediation and testing.

Another parent addressed the Board with a different situation. Her daughter, who

transferred to Acadia Parish from Texas, was originally told, by the counselor, that she was not required to take LEAP tests, as she had passed similar tests in Texas. Dr. James reviewed the situation and is assisting with an appeal at the state level. It was noted that the student relied on the advice of the counselor and didn't take these tests. Discussion continued.

Due to extenuating circumstances, Mr. Boudreaux motioned and Mr. Daigle seconded to allow this student to walk with her graduating class at Rayne High School. After more discussion, the question was called for and passed by a unanimous voice vote. The main motion failed by a roll call vote of 11 to 4.

YEA: Bias, Senegal, Boudreaux, Daigle

NAY: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Trahan, Smith, Vige', McManus, Bellon

4) Mr. Kenneth Privat rendered his resignation as school board attorney. He stated that night meetings were becoming too much of a burden. He offered to continue working with sales tax and special education matters. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted the resignation of Mr. Kenneth Privat as Board Attorney. Mr. Smith gave some history of Mr. Privat's work, and commended him for his years of service. Mr. Privat will continue working on pending cases. Mr. Quebodeaux thanked Mr. Privat for his services to the APSB.

At this point, upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine 4a (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR PROPOSALS FOR LEGAL COUNSEL), and Routine 4b (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR PROPOSALS FOR AN ADDITIONAL BUILDING AT ESTHERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL), were added to the agenda.

4a) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for proposals for legal counsel.

Dr. James will contact the District Attorney's office to request legal counsel for the June 5, 2000, board meeting.

4b) Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for proposals for an additional classroom building at Estherwood Elementary School.

5) Mr. Bellon discussed the process to be used in evaluating the Superintendent, as recommended by the committee. Mr. Suire motioned and Mr. Vige' seconded to accept the Superintendent Evaluation Committee's recommendation regarding evaluation of the superintendent for the current evaluation. Members asked questions regarding the process to evaluate the Superintendent. It mirrors the process used to evaluate teachers in Acadia Parish. The number and frequency of evaluations were further discussed. The main motion passed by a roll call vote of 9 to 5.

YEA: Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Boudreaux, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Trahan

Mr. Quebodeaux handed out copies of the open meetings' law for board members to review.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

John H. Quebodeaux, President

ATTEST:

Dr. Marietta W. James, Secretary-Treasurer