CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
SEPTEMBER 11, 2000
1) Roll Call.
The Acadia Parish School Board met at Midland High School on this the 11th day of September 2000, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session, with President John H. Quebodeaux presiding. Members present were Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, Mr. Bill Pinac, Ms. Kitty M. Valdetero, Ms. Wadie H. Bias, Mr. Woody M. Marceaux, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. Nolton J. Senegal, Sr., Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux, Mr. Rodney J. Trahan, Mr. Johnnie L. Smith, Mr. Charles F. Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige', Dr. Robert McManus, Paul K. Bellon, and Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Marietta W. James.
2&3) Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. John Suire led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by adding Opening Item 6 (RECOGNIZE MR. GEORGE FAWCETT OF SLEMCO).
5) Read and approve minutes of the August 7, 2000. meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the August 7, 2000, meeting was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting), and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6) Recognize Mr. George Fawcett of SLEMCO.
Mr. George Fawcett, representative of SLEMCO, addressed the Board, and, as a result of the Cajun bankruptcy settlement, presented a refund check to the School Board in the amount of $38,266.89. SLEMCO serves seven schools in Acadia Parish.
Mr. Shamsie introduced some of the persons responsible for reconstructing facilities at Midland High School. Contractors, engineers, insurance agents, and architects were all commended for their work.
ACTION ITEMS:
1) Consider requests from Mike LeBlanc for payment of $2.850.00 of legal fees. (John Quebodeaux).
Mr. Gerard Caswell, attorney, indicated that since this matter took place more than five years ago, this request was invalid because more than three years has lapsed. He stated that the Board is not allowed to consider payment of this request. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Ms. Valdetero abstained), this request was denied.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider removing all legal work regarding Wal-Mart litigation from Hammonds & Sills and placing it in the hands of the APSB attorney.
Mr. Caswell suggested that the Board hear the report from Hammonds & Sills and that the case remain with Hammonds & Sills. He suggested that the APSB move for a court date as soon as possible. Mr. Kenneth Sills addressed the Board regarding the ECR matter with the Educational Center (Old Wal-Mart Building). He is still receiving input from attorneys representing the developer and land owners. Mr. Senegal motioned and Mr. Daigle seconded to accept Mr. Caswell's recommendation to let this case remain in the hands of Hammonds & Sills law firm. Questions were raised about this matter and potential legal costs. Mr. Caswell suggested that the Board seek a court date from the judge before final negotiations with other parties. The motion was approved by a
unanimous voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item l a was added to the agenda.
la) Consider approval of lease with Farmers' State Bank for Adult Education classes.
Ms. Dianna Guidry, supervisor, explained the rental lease situation to the Board. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote (Mr. Daigle abstained), a lease was approved with Farmers' State Bank for Adult Education classes at $400 per month, with a sub lease to others of $160 per :month. This lease is the same as the previous contract.
2) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to set property tax millage. The following schedule of parish-wide tax millage, as established by the tax assessor's office, was previously sent to Board members. Mr. Senegal gave the recommendation of the Budget/ Finance Committee to set annual millage as scheduled. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommended schedule was adopted.
ACTUAL 1999 PROPOSED 2000
Constitutional 5.13 5.14
School Maintenance 5.00 5.01
Special School Tax 15.00 15.02
25.13 25.17
DEBT SERVICE FUNDS MAINTENANCE FUNDS
1999 2000 1999 2000
Crowley 0 0 0 0
Rayne 0 0 0 0
Church Point 36.00 34.00 0 0
Fifth Ward 37.00 33.00 12.29 13.45
Iota 9.00 9.00 0 0
Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees regarding placement of recently hired classified employees into the salary system.
Dr. James reviewed recommendations of the committees. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux and Mr. Trahan opposed), the following recommendations of the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees were approved.
Name Start Location Title Pay Years Level Salary
Date Grade Exper.
Tammy Simon 06/12/00 Central Ofc. Media Secretary I 210 9 5 7.50/hr
Roxane Frederick 08/17/00 Church Pt. High Child Specific Aide 220 4 4 8.02/hr
Pamela Hanks 08/15/00 Ross Elem Title I Aide 220 1 1 7.75/hr
Carlotta Caillouet 08/15/00 Iota Elem Cafeteria Clerk 420 0 0 7.80/hr
4) Consider pay grade change for employees classified as printers
Dr. James reviewed recommendations from the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees to upgrade the pay grade from 230 to 240 for two classified printers. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommendation was accepted and the pay grade for printers was upgraded from 230 to 240.
Mr. Vige' requested an update on the possibility of upgrading the printing hardware.
5) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Finance and Budget/Finance Committees to " change hourly rate of pay for adult education teachers and paraprofessionals.
BESE has relaxed its regulations on hourly pay rates of $15.00 for adult education teachers and $10.00 for adult education paraprofessionals. Both committees recommended hourly pay of $25.00 for adult education teachers and $15.00 for adult education paraprofessionals: Mr. Boudreaux questioned the additional cost of replacement positions. Mr. Leonards indicated that most of the positions mentioned would be paid for with other than general funds. The only difference for the general fund would have to do with years of experience. Board members questioned the equity of this pay rate and the source of such funds. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux opposed), the Board approved the change in hourly rate of pay to $25.00 for adult education teachers and $15.00 for adult education paraprofessionals.
6) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities Committee to authorize the Superintendent to advertise for a mineral lease on school board property in Mire.
The committee recommended approving a request from Hep Energy, Inc. to nominate for bid an oil, gas, and mineral lease of lands comprising seven acres situated in Section 5, Township 9 South, Range 3 East, in the Mire area. Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for a mineral lease on school board property in Mire.
7) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities Committee to deny request from a private citizen to park tractor-trailer in APSB Educational Center parking lot.
The Transportation/Facilities Committee recommended that the Board deny a request from L. D. Breaux to park his tractor-trailer in the Educational Center parking lot. There was some discussion about how to enforce a "non-parking" rule. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, L. D. Breaux was denied permission to park his tractor-trailer in the Educational Center parking lot.
8) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities committee to revise policy regarding use of primary bus for field trips.
Mr. Shamsie presented the proposed revised policy as it relates to the use of primary buses for field trips. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson, Ms. Valdetero, Mr. Boudreaux opposed), the Board approved the following policy revision.
Bus drivers shall not make arrangements for field trips/activity trips which conflict with any portion of the regular route without written permission of the superintendent or designee. In the event such permission is granted, the driver making such request shall secure a spare bus which is insured through the Acadia Parish School Board, and shall make arrangements for the bus to be driven by an approved substitute bus driver. Drivers making such requests should consider related school board policies regarding Leaves of Absence. page 93, item 9.
9) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees to approve electrical modifications at Armstrong Middle School.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the committees' recommendation to use available school funds for electrical modifications at Armstrong Middle School was approved.
10) Consider approval of Head Start budget to Child and Adult Care Food program. (Sondra Myers
Mrs. Sondra Myers briefly outlined the operations of this reimbursement type program that provides meals to Head Start students and staff She answered questions of board members. Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Trahan opposed), the Head Start budget to Child and Adult Care Food program was approved.
11) Consider changing dates of the November and January board meetings.
Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the November board meeting will be held on Monday, November 13, 2000, and the meeting in January will be held on Monday, January 8, 2001.
12) Consider adoption of Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
Dr. James briefed the Board on the purpose of this questionnaire, as it relates to the APSB annual audit. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire was adopted.
13) Hear report regarding Summer School and LEAP 21 retest. (Adele Carr).
Ms. Adele Carr provided a report showing results of students passing subjects studied in summer school. She provided this information by grade, subject, and school comparing Acadia Parish results with state trends. She answered questions from board members regarding the Acadia Parish summer school program, and the conditions under which students may advance to the next grade. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the report was received.
14) Hear report regarding expanded services for Center-Based Hospital/Homebound Program at Alternative School. (Michael LeBlanc).
Mr. Michael LeBlanc addressed the Board regarding the Center-Based Hospital/Homebound program established at the Alternative School site. He has placed two teachers at the site, with two teachers assigned to home visits. Transportation will be provided to students who attend class at the Alternative School. A policy and procedures manual is being developed for the Center-Based Hospital/Homebound program. Upon motion by Ms. Bias, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this report was received.
15) Hear report regarding Pre-GED class at Alternative School. (Cal Simar).
Mr. Cal Simar discussed the Pre-GED class established at the Alternative School for overaged students. Mrs. Evelyn Julian, principal, provided more details regarding this new initiative and answered questions of the Board. Future plans include vocational training. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this report was received.
16) Hear report on Special Education para-educator training. (Mike LeBlanc).
Mr. Michael LeBlanc introduced Mr. Bart Thibodeaux who, after a brief explanation, introduced Mrs. Barbara Latiolais, para-educator at Iota High School. She described the role and function of para-educators in the special education program A para-educator training team has been created and its members were recognized by the Board. Mrs. Latiolais was commended for her efforts in working with this difficult area. Upon motion by Ms. Bias, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this report was accepted.
Correspondence.
Mr. Quebodeaux reminded the Board of the special meeting regarding open meetings law which is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, at 5:00 p.m. This meeting is mandatory for nine of the board members.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Discuss twelve-member plan previously distributed to board members.
A plan from Mr. Charles King was previously distributed to each board member. Mr. King addressed the Board explaining the mechanics of redistricting Acadia Parish. He suggested that reapportionment would have to occur because of new census figures and population shifts. He provided a format to reduce the board size from sixteen to twelve. Then he answered questions of Board members. Many had strong opinions regarding the proper size of the school board and expressed them. Several suggested that a public hearing be held in each district before considering any plan to reduce the size of the Board. President Quebodeaux thanked Mr. King for his efforts in preparing this information for the Board.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following consent items were approved:
1. Assignments and changes of professional employees, since the last meeting.
2. Sales tax report showing a year-to-date increase of 2.75%.
3. Request for release of contract from Walton P. Sellers, III, teacher, Crowley High School, effective August 9,2000; Craig Andrus, Teacher, Crowley Middle School; and Chandra B. Trahan,, teacher, Crowley Middle School.
4. Request from Liscinda Fox, teacher, Crowley Middle School, for sabbatical leave for the Spring 2001 semester for professional development.
5. Requests from Mr. Ronald Doguet, principal, Iota high School; Mr. Clyde Briley, principal, Midland High School; and Mrs. Helen Schmaltz, principal, Crowley hi School; for FFA members to attend the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, October 22-27, 2000.
A Sales Tax report on the number of delinquent accounts will be on next month's agenda.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, and seconded by Dr. McManus, carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
H. Quebodeaux, President
ATTEST:
Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent