CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
OCTOBER 2, 2000
1) Roll Call
The Acadia Parish School Board met in Crowley, Louisiana on this the 2nd day of October 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, and SecretaryTreasurer, Dr. Marietta W. James. Mr. Paul K. Bellon was absent.
2&3) Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Nolton Senegal 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. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by adding Routine Item 4a (CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION/FACILITIES COMMITTEE REGARDING A REQUEST FROM ELLIOT'S SLAUGHTER HOUSE TO PLACE A SIGN ON SCHOOL BOARD PROPERTY).
5) Read and approve minutes of the September 11 and 14, 2000, meetings.
Reading of the minutes of the September 11 and 14, 2000, meetings 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. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6) Recognize Head Start Policy Council Members and Officers. (Sondra Myers)
Mrs. Sondra Myers introduced recently selected members of the Head Start Policy Council for the upcoming year. They were recognized and commended by the Board.
7) Recognize Head Start FACES (Family and Children Experiences Survey) Team. (Sondra Myers)
Mrs. Sondra Myers introduced FACES Team members who will be conducting surveys in the parish for the next two weeks. The study is a longitudinal study tracking the success of Head Start students over a number of years. Team members briefly addressed the Board and answered questions posed to them. Mrs. Myers then gave an overview of the re-authorization act for the Head Start program, which occurs every four years. Each year, a community assessment is conducted to determine the changing needs. She discussed the connection between Head Start preK services and special education services and answered questions of the Board.
ACTION ITEM:
1) Consider a twelve-member plan previously distributed to board members.
Mr. Pinac motioned and Ms. Valdetero seconded to accept the twelve-member plan which was discussed at last month's meeting. Others suggested gathering more public input before moving forward on any particular plan. Mrs. Liz Harson, president, spoke on behalf of the Acadia Association of Educators, citing their support of reducing the board size, but not to back a particular plan or number of board members.
A substitute motion to reduce the board size to eight, following Acadia Police Jury boundaries was offered by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Trahan. Others suggested placing this matter on the ballot and allowing voters to make a direct vote on the matter.
A second substitute motion was offered by Mr. Daigle and seconded by Dr. McManus, that each board member hold hearings in their respective school district (bonding districts) to gather more public input by the end of the calendar year (December 31, 2000), prior to deciding whether to reduce the board size, passed by a roll call vote of 8 to 6.
YEA: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus
NAY: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan
Mr. Boudreaux asked for some ground rules for conducting these hearings so that fair results could be obtained. President Quebodeaux asked Superintendent James to develop consistent guidelines for each district.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Hear report regarding October 1 enrollment.
Mr. Glen Mayard presented enrollment figures showing "preliminary" enrollment of 9,809 for the current year. This is approximately 200 students less than last year. The decrease in indicative of the trend set over the past four years. Mr. Mayard answered questions of the Board.
2) Consider revision of policy regarding executive sessions.
The current policy states that executive sessions require a simple majority. However, state law indicates that a two-thirds vote is necessary. Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the APSB policy will be amended to reflect the two-thirds vote requirement for executive sessions.
A question was raised about whether the policy needed to include wording that anticipated executive sessions should be so noted in the call of the meeting.
3) Consider recommendation of the Technology/Instruction/Federal Programs Committee to revise the APSB Internet Acceptable Use Policy.
Upon motion by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, TIF Committee's recommendation to revise the APSB Internet Acceptable Use Policy was approved.
4) Consider recommendation of the Technology/Instruction/Federal Programs Committee to adopt web page guidelines.
Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the TIF Committee's recommendation to adopt web page guidelines was approved.
4a) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities Committee regarding a request from Elliot's Slaughter House to place a sign on school board property.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a request from Elliot's Slaughter House to erect a small sign on APSB property was approved.
5) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees regarding substitute teachers pay.
Dr. James provided a survey of substitute teacher pay throughout the state. The Personnel/Insurance Committee's recommendation was to approve this schedule. The Budget/Finance Committee forwarded this matter to the full board without taking any action. Mr. Trahan expressed concern about the daily rate of pay for day-by-day certified teachers as compared to adult education aides. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux opposed), the following substitute teachers' requirements and compensation were approved.
Substitute Teacher Pay Rates (Day-by-Day Subs) 2000-01
Category Education Level Daily Rate
1 High School Diploma $37.50
2 2 years of college $42.50
3 Bachelor's Degree $47.50
4 Certified Teacher $57.50
After 20 consecutive days substituting for the same teacher, the daily rate will increase to $10.00 per day. This increase in not retroactive.
Certified Long-Term Substitute Teachers 2000-01
4a) When placement of long-term certified substitute teachers is anticipated to last 30 or more and up to 60 days (based on board approved leave or documented medical leave), the substitute will earn $130.00 per day from the first day.
4b) When placement of long-term certified substitute teachers is anticipated to last more than 60 days (based on board approved leave or documented medical leave), the substitute will earn $155.00 per day from the first day.
In the event that the anticipated length of placement is extended beyond the original term, the rate of pay shall be adjusted accordingly at the time such change is known by the personnel office. This adjustment only applies to Category 4 or 4a and is prospective, not retroactive.
6) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees regarding placement of recent hires into the salary system.
Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, recommended placement of recent hires into the salary system was approved as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees.
7) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees regarding leasing APSB land for hunting.
The Transportation/Facilities Committee recommended not leasing. The Budget/Finance Committee recommended consideration of leasing. It was moved by Mr. Vige' and "seconded by Mr. Boudreaux to refer this matter to the attorney for review to consider leasing the property for hunting leases. Discussion followed regarding potential income and liability issues. It was noted that bids have to be advertised for a lease of public lands. More information regarding fair market value will be sought before advertising this property for a hunting lease. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
8) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees to purchase land adjacent to Church Point High School.
Mr. Smith expressed the desire to purchase property adjacent to Church Point High School with remaining bond funds. Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Daigle abstained), the purchase of this property adjacent to CPHS for $40.000 (Amended at the Nov. 9 Board Mtg.) was approved.
9) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees for fuel adjustment for school buses.
Dr. James presented recommendations from the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees which differed. The T/F Committee's recommendation covers additional cost of fuel; whereas the B/F Committee's proposal would compensate bus drivers an amount beyond their actual cost. Discussion followed, especially as it related to "dead" miles driven on certain routes. Others suggested studying the matter further to assure that any change in reimbursement would be retroactive to the beginning of the school year. Mr. Boudreaux suggested using the T/F Committee's table, but increase the "adjustment above base" amount by 5 cents per level (decrease base to $1.25). Concern was expressed about the possibility of the state coming forward with additional funds for increased fuel costs. It was stated that there was a need to be in a position to recover funds already paid out from the local level. Mr. Johnson suggested that only increased dead miles be considered for additional compensation. Mr. Doughty indicated that bus routes have been reviewed in all areas of the parish. Iota and Midland were the last areas to be considered. More discussion followed. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item was tabled for further consideration to be brought back to the Board.
10) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding bids received for Child Nutrition program freezer truck.
Mrs. Ruth Miller reported that bids submitted did not meet APSB needs. She recommended that all bids be rejected and she requested approval to re-advertise for bids. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr., Shamsie; and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Dr. James was authorized to re-advertise for bids for a freezer truck for the Child Nutrition program.
11) Receive a report presented to the Budget/Finance Committee regarding delinquent sales tax collections.
Mr. Dudley Simon, sales tax collector, went over sales tax delinquency figures. He described the process used to collect delinquent accounts, up to and including legal action. Compared to other parishes, APSB's percentage of delinquency appears reasonable. Mr. Simon answered questions of the Board. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this report was received.
12) Receive report presented to the Budget/Finance Committee regarding school financial statements.
Information was previously provided to members. Mr. Leonards answered questions and distributed copies to all members. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote the report was duly accepted.
13) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to participate in the Administrative Outreach Program.
Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to participate in the Administrative Outreach Program was approved.
14) Correspondence
Dr. James reviewed correspondence regarding LSBA's convention to be held in March 2001.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Discuss policy regarding technology assistive devices for disabled students.
Dr. James indicated that this policy change was necessary due to recent legislation. The school board is not responsible for special education devices lost or damaged by students.
2) Discuss policy regarding school land rental or lease.
Dr. James indicated that legislation regarding rental of school board property requires a change in policy.
3) Discuss policy regarding school admission.
Legislation changes regarding state sanctioned foster care and short form birth certificates make it necessary to update this policy.
4) Discuss student-teacher ratio at Crowley Kindergarten. (Lyle Johnson)
Mr. Johnson asked the Board to reconsider the pupil/teacher ratio at Crowley Kindergarten, due to high enrollment. The superintendent and principal indicated that there is no additional space at the kindergarten, and would not recommend hiring another teacher at this time.
5) Discuss distribution of Board members' travel fund. (Lyle Johnson)
Mr. Johnson suggested that board members' travel be allocated evenly among the sixteen board members. He further suggested that these amounts be accrued over members' four-year terms. Dr. James indicated that during the past several years expenditures have stayed within the annual budget of $6,000. Discussion followed regarding types of expenses reimbursable to Board members. Mr. Smith suggested that a policy be developed regarding board member travel. Mr. Quebodeaux indicated that the APSB's cost for board member salaries and travel is very low compared to other school districts.
Dr. McManus asked Mike LeBlanc, supervisor, to present a report at next month's meeting, regarding hospital-homebound students attending the Alternative School.
Mr. Daigle asked Dr. James not to include political messages in board members' packets. Dr. James stated that she had not placed such information in the packets and that it must have been distributed by someone prior to the meeting.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Senegal, 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 5.75%.
3. Request from Celeste M. Vidrine, teacher, Church Point Elementary, for sabbatical leave for professional development for the Spring 2001 semester.
4. Request from Genevia Miller, computer clerk, Richard Elementary, for leave without pay from September 12, to October 25, 2000.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, and seconded by Mr. Pinac, carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 7:13.m.
s/_____________________________
John H. Quebodeaux, President
ATTEST:
s/_____________________________
Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent