February 9, 2001

CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

FEBRUARY 9, 2001

The Acadia Parish School Board met in SPECIAL SESSION on this the 9th day of February 2001, at 5:00 p.m., in Crowley, Louisiana, with President John A. Suire 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.:

February 8, 2001

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 be called to special session; therefore, I, John A. Suire, 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, on FEBRUARY 9, 2001, at 5:00 p.m. to:

CONSIDER RESPONSE TO PROPOSED TEACHER JOB ACTION.

Sincerely,

s/s John A. Suire, 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, Wadie H. Bias, Woody Marceaux, Lynn Shamsie, John H. Quebodeaux, Nolton J. Senegal, Roland Boudreaux, Rodney J. Trahan, Johnnie L. Smith, Shirley Vige', Robert L. McManus, and Paul K. Bellon. Members absent were Kitty M. Valdetero and Charles F. Daigle.

President Suire called the meeting to order.

2,3) Mrs. Bias led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Item 2 (CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR ACTING PRINCIPAL AT RICHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.)

5) Reading of letter calling for Special Session.

President Suire read the letter calling for a special session.

SPECIAL SESSION ITEMS:

1) Consider response to proposed teacher job action.

Superintendent James informed the Board of three options regarding the proposed teacher walk out planned for Monday, close schools, leave schools open, or declare Monday a staff development day.

Mr. Quebodeaux motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to declare Monday as a non instructional staff development day, in place of the one scheduled for February 20, 2001. A question was raised regarding the transportation of parochial students. Mr. Jeff Kology, LAE President, suggested that declaring a non-instructional day would serve no purpose; teachers would likely walk out on another day.

Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a majority voice vote, Item 3 (CONSIDER RESCINDING RESOLUTION REGARDING THE YELLOW RIBBON CAMPAIGN) was added to the agenda.

Ms. Jenny LeJeune addressed the Board, citing that their (AAE) goal is not to hurt children, but to help them by getting additional funding for education. Teachers have no desire to anger the Board, but to help children in the long run. Ms. Eurella Cahanin addressed the Board on behalf of APEL, who oppose teacher walkouts. Mrs. Ellan Baggett, principal, addressed the Board, suggesting that school be canceled on Monday, but have class on February 20 instead.

Mr. Boudreaux indicated that there will likely be a state-sponsored, teacher pay increase in the upcoming legislature. He suggested a local tax to help with teacher pay, asking for support from teachers and all employees in the parish. He suggested that teachers take up their efforts on their own time and consider focusing their efforts during the special session. Mr. Kology responded that this is not a threat to the school board or the system. He stated that in the long run, students' education would not adversely be affected by missing one day of school.

Several Board members felt confident that a state pay raise was imminent. Question was called to stop discussion, but failed by a majority voice vote. Discussion continued.

Ms. LeJeune again addressed the Board. She explained the reason a walk out would be the best solution. Ms. Debbie Nunley also spoke in support of the teachers' position. She acknowledged that more local effort will be necessary to make a difference in teacher pay. Ms. Peggy Ford addressed the Board. She also asked the Board to close school on Monday and have school on February 20 the proposed in service day. She further stated that the issue is a pay increase for all school employees.

A substitute motion to close school on Monday and have an instructional day on February 20 was offered by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Bellon. This would require the use of an emergency day. President Suire expressed disappointment with the actions of LAE. Mr. Quebodeaux indicated that the timing of this walk out is suspect. The substitute motion failed by a roll call vote of 8 to 5.

YEA: Johnson. Pinac, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY: Bias, Marceaux, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Boudreaux Trahan, Smith

The main motion passed by a roll call vote of 8 to 5.

YEA: Pinac, Bias, Marceaux, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Smith, Vige'

NAY: Johnson, Boudreaux, Trahan, McManus, Bellon

2) Consider Superintendent's recommendation for Acting Principal at Richard Elementary School.

Superintendent James asked the Board to reject all applicants for the position of Acting Principal at Richard Elementary School and allow her to make temporary assignments to fill the role of principal until the end of this school year.

Mr. Smith motioned and Mr. Boudreaux seconded to accept the Superintendent's recommendation. Mr. Vige' asked how others would have time to fill this role if they are otherwise fully employed. Discussion continued regarding splitting the motion and acting on each part independently. Question was called to end discussion.

A motion to divide the motion 1 (REJECT ALL APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF ACTING PRINCIPAL AT RICHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL) and 2 (AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO MAKE TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS TO FILL THE ROLE OF PRINCIPAL AT RICHARD ELEMENTARY UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.) was made by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a roll call vote of 7 to 5.

YEA: Johnson, Pinac. Shamsie. Senegal, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY: Marceaux, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux. Trahan. Smith

ABSTAIN: Bias

The motion to reject all applicants for the position of Acting Principal at Richard Elementary School passed by a roll call vote of 7 to 5.

YEA: Bias, Marceaux. Quebodeaux, Senegal, Boudreaux, Trahan. Smith

NAY: Johnson. Pinac. Vige', McManus, Bellon

ABSTAIN: Shamsie

Mrs. Jeanette LeJeune addressed the Board on the topic, suggesting that part-time assistance would not provide adequate leadership for the school. Mrs. Marie Jeanise also addressed the Board, suggesting that a full-time acting principal is needed.

The motion to authorize the Superintendent to make temporary assignments to fill the role of principal at Richard Elementary School until the end of the school year passed by a roll call vote of 9 to 3.

YEA: Johnson, Pinac, Bias, Marceaux, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith

NAY: Vige', McManus, Bellon

ABSTAIN: Shamsie

3) Consider rescinding resolution regarding the Yellow Ribbon Campaign.

Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Pinac; and carried by a majority voice vote; this item was removed from the agenda.

There being no other business to come before the Board; upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.

At this time, Ms. Jenny LeJeune announced to the Board that teachers plan to be at work on Monday, but would hold a sick-out on Tuesday, February 20, 2001.

John A Suire, President

ATTEST:

s/______________________________

Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent