CROWLEY,LOUISIANA

DECEMBER 4, 2000

1)         Roll Call.

            The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 4th day of December 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, Mr. Paul K. Bellon, and Secretary/Treasurer, Dr. Marietta W. James.

2&3)    Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

            Mr. Charles Daigle led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

4)         Consider approval of a revised agenda., if there are an changes.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by adding Routine Item 1 a (CONSIDER CORRECTION OF PROPERTY DESCRIPTION ON SERVITUDE PREVIOUSLY GRANTED TO BELLSOUTH), Routine Item 1b (HEAR REPORT FROM APSB ATTORNEY REGARDING Wal-Mart), and deleting Discussion Item 1.

5)         Read and approve minutes of the November 9, and November 13, 2000, meetings.

            Reading of the minutes of the November 9, and November 13, 2000, meetings was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and approved as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

ACTION ITEM:

1)         Consider explanation and specific examples of how pay raises were figured for classified employees. (Lyle Johnson)

            Mr. Johnson raised questions regarding the implementation of classified personnel pay increases. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this matter was referred back to the Superintendent and business director to review discussion when this matter was originally presented to the Board. This matter will be discussed further at next month's meeting.

2)         Consider sales tax revenues received from the new CLECO substation and KLFY Channel 10 tower. (Lyle Johnson)

            This item did not require action of the Board.

3)         Consider sales tax method of issuing permits in Acadia Parish. (Lyle Johnson)

            Dudley Simon, a sales tax collector, provided procedures currently in place to insure registration of new businesses in the parish. He answered questions regarding existing and new procedures.

4)         Consider having Board meetings at 5:30 p.m. instead of 5:00 p.m. (John Ouebodeaux) Upon motion by Ms.

            Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Pinac opposed), Board meetings will continue to be held at 5:00 p.m. instead of changing to 5:30 p.m.

5)         Consider a change in policy regarding out-of-state field trips. (Lyle Johnson)

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following change in policy regarding out-of-state field trips was adopted.

OUT-OF-STATE FIELD TRIPS

Out-of-state field trips are permitted only with the consent of the Superintendent of the Acadia Parish School Board. The principal of the school seeking such permission must submit a written request to the Superintendent. Written approval or denial will be provided upon the Superintendent's review of the request.

6)         Consider not changing Board meeting dates except when they fall on a holiday. (Lyle Johnson

            Mr. Johnson motioned and Ms. Valdetero seconded to change Board meeting dates only when meetings fall on holidays. There was discussion regarding the merits of changing the dates of board meetings. The motion failed by a tie roll call vote of 8 to 8 with President Quebodeaux casting the tying vote.

YEA:    Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Vige'

NAY:   Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, McManus, Bellon

7)         Consider reduction of the Acadia Parish School Board.

            Mr. Pinac motioned and Ms. Valdetero seconded to reduce the size of the Board to twelve (12) and take the necessary steps. A substitute motion was offered by Mr. Shamsie and seconded by Mr. Bellon to leave the size of the Board at sixteen (16). Another substitute motion was offered by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Trahan to reduce the size of the Board to eight (8). Superintendent James gave an overview of recently held public hearings regarding the size of the Board, indicating that they were not well attended. Discussion followed. The substitute motion to reduce to eight (8)members failed by a roll call vote of 11 to 5.

YEA:    Johnson, Pinac, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan

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

            The substitute motion to leave the size of the Board at sixteen (16) passed by a roll call vote of 9 to 7.

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

NAY:   Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan

            The main motion died when the substitute motion passed.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Hear update regarding Acadia Parish School Board financial audits.

            Mr. Greg Milton addressed the Board regarding the financial audit of June 30, 2000. He indicated a few minor items remain, and he expects to have the report finalized in a few weeks. It will be delivered to the Board in January. He answered questions of the Board.

1 a)      Consider correction of property description on servitude previously granted to BellSouth.

            BellSouth requested a correction of servitude at Crowley High School where they are in the process of upgrading their service equipment. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, and seconded by Mr. Vige', a correction of property description on servitude previously granted to BellSouth was approved.

1b)       Hear report from APSB attorney regarding Wal-Mart.

            Mr. Gerard Caswell updated the Board on litigation regarding declaratory judgement. The attorney, Ken Sills, is still gathering information. No trial date has yet been set.

2)         Consider proposals regarding professional development for school board members.

            A list of topics for professional development was presented to Board members for their consideration. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the list of topics was received, will be reviewed, and action will be taken at next month's meeting.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding a refrigerated truck for Child Nutrition Program.

            Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, all bids were rejected and the Superintendent was authorized to re-advertise for a refrigerated truck for the Child Nutrition Program.

4)         Consider method of funding fuel adjustment for school buses.

            Mr. Daigle expressed concern about the possibility of the State funding a fuel adjustment for school buses. He questioned, if the State does fund a fuel adjustment, would the APSB be able to rescind the local supplemental increases. Mr. Daigle motioned and Mr. Smith seconded to refer this matter to the Attorney General for clarification before taking action on funding a fuel adjustment for school buses. Discussion continued regarding the APSB's proposed method of computing fuel pay subsidies. A substitute motion to use funds previously budgeted for the Technology Coordinator's salary and authorize payment for the third and fourth quarter of the year 2000 (July through December); thereafter, the Board would authorize this supplement on a quarterly basis (depending on the cost of fuel), and adopt a resolution to be sent to the State asking for its support with rising fuel costs was offered by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Bellon. Mr. Caswell indicated that this process would minimize the risk of the school board. Discussion continued. Mr. Carl LeJeune addressed questions regarding whether or not this would be considered as compensation. Mr. Daigle restated his motion or inquiry to the Attorney General: if a fuel adjustment is paid, would this be considered compensation, and, if the state comes forth with funding, would the APSB be reimbursed with state funds? Mr. Johnson suggested that this inquiry be made to the legislative auditor instead of the Attorney General. The main motion by Mr. Daigle seconded by Mr. Smith failed by a roll call vote of 8 to 8.

YEA:    Bias, Senegal, Trahan, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY:   Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux

            Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Vige', to add routine item 4a (CONSIDER FUNDING A FUEL ADJUSTMENT FOR ONLY THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, AND SUBMIT A RESOLUTION TO THE STATE ASKING FOR ITS SUPPORT IN THIS MATTER), carried by a unanimous voice vote.

4a)       Consider funding a fuel adjustment for only the first six months of this fiscal year, and submit a resolution to the state asking for its support in this matter.

            Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a majority voice vote, the Board approved funding a fuel adjustment for only the first six months of this fiscal year, and adopted the following resolution to the state asking for its support in this matter.

RESOLUTION

            WHEREAS, the State funds the Operational Allowance for school bus drivers; and

            WHEREAS, the State has not recently granted school bus drivers an Operational Allowance increase; and

            WHEREAS, operational expenses for school bus drivers have significantly increased, causing a monetary burden on school bus drivers; now

            THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Acadia Parish School Board urges the Governor and State Legislators to sponsor legislation that will ensure that school bus drivers receive an equitable increase in their operational allowance; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Mike Foster, members of the legislature, and the Louisiana School Boards Association.

5)         Consider unrestricted donation from Rayne High School Athletic Boosters.

            Dr. James reported that the coaching supplement recommended was within the parish limits. It was recommended that this unrestricted donation be applied to two coaches as discussed at last month's meeting. Mr. Boudreaux, reminded the Board that the funds were raised by athletic boosters, and these were not originally public funds. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Shamsie opposed), the unrestricted donation from Rayne High School Athletic Boosters was allocated for coaching supplements for two coaches at that school.

6)         Consider flashing caution lights at Crowley High and Martin Petitjean Elementary.

            Mr. Boudreaux motioned and Mr. Johnson seconded to approve the installation of flashing caution lights at Crowley High and Martin Petitjean Elementary. Mr. Daigle asked the Board to consider recent correspondence from the APSB insurance carrier and board attorney regarding taking on additional liability which properly belonged to the state, as both locations are state highways. Discussion followed. Question was called and passed by a majority voice vote. The main motion failed by a roll call vote of 12 to 3.

7)         Receive board members' professional development certificates for September training session.

            Dr. James indicated that certificates would be issued to the following Board members who attended an Open Meetings Law Seminar in September: Mr. Lyle Johnson, Ms. Wadie H. Bias, Mr. John Suire, Mr. Rodney Trahan, Mr. Johnnie Smith, Mr. Charles Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige', Dr. Robert McManus, Mr. John Quebodeaux, and Mr. Nolton Senegal.

8)         Approve locally initiated elective for LEAP remediation.

            Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the locally initiated elective for LEAP remediation was approved.

9)         Correspondence

            Dr. James announced that the State did a follow-up at Crowley High School, as well as three other randomly selected schools, regarding its competitive food policy. All schools were found to be in compliance.

            A letter from Mr. Charles King regarding policy was turned over to the APSB attorney for review.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1)         Discuss procedures for entrance into the Alternative School.

            This item was deleted earlier in the meeting.

CONSENT ITEMS:

            Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Vige', 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 9.42%.

CLOSING:

            There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

s/                                                           

John H. Quebodeaux, President

ATTEST:

s/______________________________

Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent