CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
AUGUST 6, 2001
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 6thday of August 2001, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session, with President John A. Suite presiding. Members present were Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, Mr. Bill Pinac, Ms. Kitty M. Valdetero, Ms. Wadie H. Bias, Mr. Woody M. Marceaux, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. John H. Quebodeaux, Mr. Nolton J. Senegal, Sr., Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux, Mr. Rodney J. Trahan, Mr. Charles F. Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige', Dr. Robert McManus, Mr. Paul K. Bellon and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Marietta W. James. Mr. Johnnie L. Smith -was absent.
2&3) Mr. Nolton Senegal led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes
Mr. Johnson asked why an item was not on the agenda, as he requested at last month's meeting. Mr. Caswell gave his legal opinion regarding the appropriateness of the school board viewing the personnel files of employees. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and passed by a majority voice vote, Routine Item 13a (RECEIVE REPORT FROM BOARD ATTORNEY REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT THE BOARD MAY ACCESS A PERSONNEL FILE OF AN EMPLOYEE BY A MAJORITY VOICE VOTE) was added to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the July 2. 2001, meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the July 2, 2001, meeting was dispensed with (copies were sent to each member prior to the meeting) and adopted as amended to record Ms. Valdetero and Mr. Johnson abstaining instead of opposing for Routine item 2, upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Pinac, and carried by a voice vote.
6) Presentation of Bell South mini grants by Mr. Danny Wilson.
Mr. Danny Wilson of Bell South presented mini grants to three Acadia Parish teachers; Donna Williams at Estherwood Elementary, Cindy Habetz at South Crowley Elementary, and Patricia Ronkartz at South Crowley Elementary.
1) Consider revision to Acadia Parish School Board employee dress code.
Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Shamsie opposed), the following Acadia Parish School Board employee dress code was adopted
ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE POLICY PHILOSOPHY 'Each employee of the Acadia Parish School Board is expected to give proper attention to his/her personal appearance as required by work responsibilities. Acadia Parish Schools constitute one of the largest businesses in the parish and the image projected by its employees is an important influence on the degree of public support it receives. An appropriately dressed employee is seen as a more suitable role model. Personal appearance also has direct bearing on the teaching authority, confidence, and self-esteem of teachers, administrators, and staff. Appropriate dress influences the way staff interacts with students and positively affects the general environment Each employee of the Acadia Parish School Board will contribute to the formation of a positive, professional public image by maintaining high standards of personal appearance through appropriate dress and grooming regardless of job category.
GUIDELINES
Principals, as instructional leaders, shall have the authority to determine what is considered professional attire and in the best interest of instruction.
1) Dresses, skirts, and split skirts must be of a modest and appropriate length (no more than 2" above the kneecap when standing). Unacceptable length will be dealt with by the school administration.
2) Walking/dress shorts (no denim) of appropriate length (no more than 2" above the kneecap when standing) are acceptable. However, they should be worn with a jacket, blazer, or vest, and stockings or tights must be worn. Unacceptable length will be dealt with by the school administration.
3) Any tight fitting or clinging attire is inappropriate for school wear.
4) Collared shirts for men are required tad neckties are encouraged.
5) The only allowable piercing jewelry will be earrings worn on the ear.
6) Recreational clothing, warm-up suits, and wind snits may not be worn.
7) Appropriate professional footwear will be required. Stockings or socks with all footwear are encouraged.
8) Jeans of any color may not be worn as a part of dress for all employees (maintenance workers, janitors, and bus drivers are excluded). On special occasions and/or while on duty, athletic shoes/tennis shoes/sneakers may be worn.
9) Teachers of special education, physical education, industrial arts, vocational agriculture, and non-clerical support staff will be required to dress appropriately according to their job description.
10) No tee-shirts.
11) Spirit Day - no more than once a week, no jeans of my color allowed.
It is the responsibility of the principal or supervisor to be aware of inappropriate dress and to discuss dress and grooming expectations with those employees who may require guidance. Examples of inappropriate clothing: see-through clothing; clothing should cover the entire body with exception of arms, legs, and neck up; tight clothing; and low-cut blouses/dresses.
2) Consider revision to Test Security Policy
Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried, the revised Test Security Policy was adopted.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider changing date of September Board meeting
Mr. Senegal motioned and Mr. Traban seconded to change the September Board meeting to Monday, September 10, 2001. A substitute motion to change the September Board meeting to Tuesday, September 4, 2001, was offered by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and passed by a roll call vote of 12 to 2.
YEA: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon
NAY: Senegal, Trahan ABSENT: Smith
2) Consider Superintendent's recommendation for principal at Rayne High School
There were three applicants for the principalship at Rayne High School. Dr. James recommended Mrs. Ruth V. Petry for the position. Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation was accepted and Mrs. Petry was appointed principal at Rayne High School. She was commended by the Board.
At this point, a motion by Mr. Senegal to add Routine Item 2a (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT RAYNE HIGH SCHOOL) was seconded by Dr. McManus, and passed.
2a) Consider authorizing the Superintendent to advertise for Assistant Principal at Rayne High School.
Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for Assistant Principal at Rayne High School.
3) Consider selection of community representatives for Head Start.
Upon motion by Mr. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried, Head Start community representatives as recommended were approved.
4) Hear report on Spring 2001 Iowa Test Results (Dianna Guidry)
Ms. Dianna Guidry presented and reviewed results of the Spring 2001 Iowa Tests. 5)
Consider request from Duke Energy for addendum to valve and road easement
Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried, the Board granted to Duke Energy an addendum to a valve and road easement on Section 16, Township 8 South, Range 2 West, hear Iota.
6) Consider request from HEP Energy for assignment of a mineral lease
Upon motion by Mr. Traban, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried, the Board granted HEP Energy an assignment of a mineral lease.
7) Consider request from CLECO for right-of-way at North Crowley Elementary School Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried, the Board granted CLECO a right-of-way at North Crowley Elementary School.
8) Consider request from Armstrong Middle School to air condition gymnasium with school/PTO funds.
Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried, the Board granted permission to Armstrong Middle School to air condition its gymnasium using school/PTO funds.
9) Consider change of employment status of two Adult Education employees
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried, the employment status of two Adult Education employees was approved, and a teacher and an aide were changed from part-time to full-time.
10) Consider Technology/Instruction/Federal Programs Committee's recommendation to approve APSB Technology Plan.
Upon motion by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Ms. Bias, and carried, the APSB Technology Plan was approved.
11) Consider revising policy regarding student code of conduct
Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried, the policy regarding student code of conduct was approved as revised.
The definition of Bullying approved by the APSB at the July 2, 2001, meeting, - "A bully is a person(s) habitually intimidating to others who are perceived as being different or weaker physically, emotionally, racially, or sexually. Bullying may involve a verbal, physical, social, or psychological imbalance of power."
Act 220 defines the terms "harassment", "intimidation",and "bullying" shall mean any intentional gesture or written, verbal, or physical act that:
(a) A reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of harming a student or damaging his property or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his life or person or damage to his property; and
(b) Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
(c) Any student, school employee, or student volunteer who in good faith reports an incident of harassment, intimidation, or bullying to the appropriate school official in accordance with the procedures established by local board policy shall be immune from
a right of action for damages arising from any failure to remedy the reported incident.
12) Consider Proposals for re-codification of APSB policy manual
Forethought submitted the only proposal for re-codification of the Acadia Parish School Board policy manual.
Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and passed by a roll call vote of 9 to 5, Forethought's proposal to codify the APSB policy manual for the sum of $12,000 was approved.
YEA: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Bias, Quebodeaux, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon
NAY: Marceaux, Shamsie, Senegal, Boudreaux, Trahan
ABSENT: Smith
13) Enter board members' LSBA 2000-2001 credit hours into minutes
Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried, board members' credit hours for attending LSBA 2000-01 Conventions/Seminars were approved for recording into the minutes.
Mr. Roland Boudreaux- 4 hours
Mr. Charles Daigle - 2.25 hours
Mr. Woody Marceaux - 3 hours
Dr. Robert McManus - 4 hours
Mr. John Quebodeaux - 4 hours
Mr. Nolton Senegal - 8 hours
Mr. Johnnie Smith - 8 hours
Mr. John Suire - 3 hours
13a) Receive report from board attorney regarding whether or not the Board may access a personnel file of an employee by a majority vote
Mr. Caswell addressed the board regarding the appropriateness of school boards to examine personnel records, with a majority vote. He indicated that this was permitted my law, but requires the employee to be notified. He further suggested that, if the Board decided to take such action, they have to give the employee ample advance notice. He suggested extreme caution regarding such matters.
Mr. Johnson motioned and Mr. Trahan seconded to contact Mr. Donald Adams and notify him that, at the next meeting, the Board will access his personnel records under LA: RS 17:81. The matter was discussed further. Question was called by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried. The main motion failed by a roll call vote of 7 to 7, with President Suite casting the tying vote.
YEA: Johnson, Pinac, Marceaux, Shamsie, Boudreaux, Trahan, Vige'
NAY: Bias, Suire, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Daigle, McManus, Bellon ABSTAINED: Valdetero
ABSENT: Smith
14) Correspondence
Dr. James reminded the Board of disclosure statements and of the teacher induction program held the previous week..
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Discuss policy regarding home-schooled students taking academic subjects in Acadia Parish public schools.
Mr. Pinac relayed the recommendation of the Technology/Instruction/Federal Programs Committee to deny home-schooled students to take academic subjects in Acadia Parish public schools. This matter was discussed.
2) Discuss Internet Acceptable Use Policy that ensures compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act.
The Internet Acceptable Use Policy that ensures compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act was reviewed. A favorable recommendation was received from the Technology/Instruction/Federal Programs Committee.
3) Discuss policy regarding cell phones on school buses
Mr. Steve Jones presented proposed policy regarding cell phones on school buses. He also reported that two proposals were received for cellular phones, one from Cingular Wireless (no charge to the Board) and one from Centennial (Board would have to pay for this vendor's service).
Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item was moved to an action item to be addressed at this time.
Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carded, the following policy relating to the use of cellular phones on school buses was approved.
ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROVIDED CELLULAR TELEPHONES
1. A school board-provided cellular telephone shall be on each school bus unless the bus driver has agreed to supply his own cellular service. If so, a signed agreement must be in place.
2. Drivers are expected to exercise reasonable care and supervision in regards to the safety and operation of the telephone. Obvious negligence may result in penalties for the driver.
3. The telephone shall be plugged into the bus electrical system or shall operate on supplied batteries which shall be maintained by the driver.
4. The telephone shall be available on the bus at all times, even when a substitute is driving.
5. Substitutes shall be instructed as to the proper use of the phone and when it is expected to be in the "on" position. This is the driver's responsibility.
6. Cellular telephones shall remain in the "on" position before, during, and after the route. (This means the phone is turned on when the driver first boards the bus and remains on until the bus is parked at the end of the route).
7.Telephone problems requiring school board office intervention shall be reported to the Transportation office without delay.
8.When it is necessary for you to make or receive a call, you shall pull off the road and stop the bus. Calls are not to be made when the bus is moving.
9.The telephone must be kept with you when you leave the bus. You should never leave the telephone unattended on the bus. Store the telephone is a safe place in your home overnight. You should also make sure that your battery pack is charged each night.
10.Telephones will be turned in at the end of each school year to the Transportation Department.
11.Failure to follow this Board adopted policy makes one liable for disciplinary actions.Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried, the proposal from Cingular Wireless was accepted.
Upon (notion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried, the following item was added to the agenda (CONSIDER ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL FROM CINGULAR WIRELESS TO PROVIDE CELL PHONES ON APSB SCHOOL BUSES)
The Board commended Cingular for making cellular phones available to Acadia Parish buses.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried, the Board took the following action on consent items:
1) Approved assignments and changes of professional employees.
2) Received sales tax report showing a year-to-date increase of 70.76%.
3) Granted request to Maura Guillory, teacher, Crowley Middle School, for release of contract, effective June 1, 2001.
4) Granted request to Nichole Gavelek, teacher, South Crowley Elementary School, for release of contract, effective June 1, 2001.
5) Granted request to Carmen Pousson, teacher, Crowley High School, for release of contract, effective July 11, 2001.
6) Granted request to Richard Lavergne, principal; Rayne High School, for release of contract, effective July 31, 2001.
7) Granted request to Pamela B. Andros, teacher, Church Point Elementary School, for release of contract, effective July 23, 2001.
8) Granted request to Sharon Miller, teacher, Crowley high School, for sabbatical for medical leave for the 2001-02 school year.
9) Granted request to Shawn LeJeune, teacher, Egan Elementary School, for sabbatical for medical leave for the 2001-02 Fall semester.
10) Granted request to Charlotte Cope, teacher, Crowley High School, for sabbatical for medical leave for the 2001-02 Spring semester.
11) Granted request to Madeline Duncan, teacher, Rayne High School, for leave without pay for medical reasons for the 2001-2002 school year.
12) Granted request to Cathy Romaine, aide, Iota Elementary School, for leave without pay from August 2001, to May 2002, to attend LSUE.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
/1
John A. Suite, President
ATTEST:
Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent