October 1, 2001

CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

OCTOBER 1, 2001

1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 1st day of October 2001, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session, with President John A. Suire 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. Senegal motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to revise the agenda by adding Routine Item 11 a (CONSIDER INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF CROWLEY REGARDING MOSQUITO CONTROL AT SCHOOLS), Routine Item 11b (CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR TERMINATION OF PIERRE LEGER, CUSTODIAN AT SOUTH RAYNE ELEMENTARY), and Discussion Item 3 (DISCUSS UPDATES TO DISTRICT TEST SECURITY POLICY). An amendment to the main motion to also add Routine Item 11c (CONSIDER RESOLUTION REGARDING NATIONAL STANDARDIZED TESTING) was offered by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan and carried. The main motion as amended carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

YEA: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Boudreaux, Trahan, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY: None

ABSENT: Smith

5) Read and approve minutes of the September 4, 2001, meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the September 4, 2001, meeting was dispensed with (copies were sent to each member prior to the meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a voice vote.

6) Recognize 2001-02 Head Start Policy Council members and officers

Mrs. Sondra Myers introduced the following 2001-2002 Head Start Policy Council members: Jennifer Winn, Loretta Citizen, Aimee LeBlanc, Tessa Guilbeau, Dianne Granger, Melvin Lawrence, Sandra Briggs, Roswell Dixon, Wallah Dolce, Leicester Broussard, C.D. Humphrey, J. D. Robinson, Dorothy Cole, Hilda Charles, Laurita Pete, Rose Jacob, and Charles Daigle.

7) Recognize proclamation designating October as State Child Search Net Month

Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board adopted a proclamation designating October as State Child Search Net Month as presented by Mrs. Esther Trahan.

8) Recognize Rayne High School Band

Members of the Rayne High School Band were introduced. Members modeled recently acquired band uniforms.

ACTION ITEMS:

1) Consider consequences for use of inappropriate language by teachers and faculty.

(Later in this meeting, this item was moved to an Action Item from a Discussion Item.)

Mr. Boudreaux motioned and Mr. Quebodeaux seconded that, in lieu of a policy, a memorandum be sent to all employees notifying them that inappropriate language will not be tolerated. After some discussion, Mr. Boudreaux offered to withdraw his motion. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and approved, the motion was removed from the table.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1) Consider Child Safety Program. (Eric Stutes)

Mr. Eric Stutes introduced Ms. Ann Cunningham who presented information regarding a Child Safety Program available through Stellar Place, a nonprofit agency. Parental approval is required for student participation. Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Child Safety Program was approved.

2) Hear report regarding hiring additional school level personnel.

The Board received a report provided by Dr. James's which listed additional teachers and teacher aides who were recently hired.

3) Hear report regarding October 1 MFP count. (Glynn Mayard).

Mr. Glynn Mayard provided preliminary enrollment figures showing a decrease in enrollment of 240. After explaining that these figures may change slightly, he answered questions regarding enrollment trends and its impact on funding.

4) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding placement of recently hired classified employees into the salary system.

Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved placement of recently hired classified employees into the salary system as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

5) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding method of calculating sick leave for employees in a four day school week.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation that four day school week employees be charged one day of sick leave for each day absent, instead of 1.25 days for each day absent as originally implemented.

6) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding proposals received for stadium bleachers and lighting for Midland High School track

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved a proposal of $76,911 from Hahn's for bleachers and H & H Electric's proposal of $49,975 for lighting at the Midland High School track to be paid with Fifth Ward funds, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

7) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to approve a request from HEP Energy, Inc. and Southwestern Energy Production Company for further assignment of their interest in a mineral lease.

Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved (pending review by Mr. Caswell) HEP Energy, Inc. and Southwestern Energy Production Company's request for further assignment of their interest in a mineral lease.

8) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding duties of the Budget/Finance Committee.

The Budget/Finance Committee's duties as listed in the policy manual were reviewed prior to this meeting. Although specific duties are listed, there is also a statement that indicates that the duties are not limited to those fisted. The committee recommended no change in their duties and that the term "Executive Committee" be replaced with "Budget/Finance Committee" throughout the policy manual. Mr. Senegal motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to approve the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation. A substitute motion to table for further review for the next board meeting was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried by a majority voice vote.

9) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to approve requests from Church Point Elementary. Crowley Kindergarten, Crowley High, North Crowley Elementary, Ross Elementary, Branch Elementary. South Crowley Elementary, Rayne High, and Church Point High for leases and/or long-term indebtedness with local school funds.

In compliance with Board policy, these schools made requests for approval of leases and/or long-term indebtedness. Questions were addressed regarding these requests. Mr. Senegal motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to approve these schools' requests as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee. A motion to amend policy to read "whenever school audits are performed, schools must disclose any unpaid bills, outstanding debts, or lease obligations" was offered by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried by a unanimous voice vote. The main motion as amended passed by a unanimous voice vote.

10) Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees regarding bids received for Head Start bus purchases.

The Head Start Program has been awarded $70,000 for the purchase of two buses. One bus will be used in the Crowley area and the other in Rayne. Mrs. Sondra Myers provided information regarding contract bus costs. Mr. Senegal motioned and Mr. Bellon seconded to approve the purchase of two Head Start buses as recommended by the Transportation Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees as recommended. Discussion followed regarding acquisition of these buses and drivers' compensation. Question was called and President Suire called for a roll call vote. The main motion passed by a vote of 8 to 6.

YEA: Bias, Marceaux, Shamsie, Senegal, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

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

ABSENT: Smith

11) Enter board members' reapportionment workshop credit hours into minutes.

Board members recently attended a reapportionment workshop presented by Mr. Mike Hefner. Two credit hours were earned by Mr. Lyle Johnson, Mr. Bill Pinac, Ms. Kathleen Valdetero, Ms. Wadie Bias, Mr. Woody Marceaux, Mr. John Suire, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. John Quebodeaux, Mr. Nolton Senegal, Mr. Roland Boudreaux, Mr. Rodney Trahan, Mr. Johnnie Smith, Mr. Charles Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige', Dr. Robert McManus, and Mr. Paul K. Bellon, in accordance with ACT 66 of 1998 which requires board members to earn a minimum of six hours of training and instruction in school laws of this state; in the laws governing the powers, duties, and responsibilities of city and parish school boards; and in educational trends, research, and policy. Certificates were presented to each member.

11a) Consider Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Crowley regarding mosquito control at schools.

Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote,the Board adopted the following Intergovernmental Agreement with the city of Crowley regarding mosquito control at schools.

RESOLUTION OF THE ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, AUTHORIZING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF CROWLEY TO PROVIDE MOSQUITO CONTROL SERVICES ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND FOOTBALL FIELDS

WHEREAS, South Louisiana and Acadia Parish has been subjected to an invasion of mosquitoes due to recent heavy rains, which has resulted in West Nile virus and Encephalitis infections in Louisiana which present a threat to the health and well being of the community; and

WHEREAS, the Acadia Parish School Board does not have the equipment or facilities to spray for mosquito control on its property;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the members of the Acadia Parish School Board, in regular session duly convened, that they do hereby authorize John A. Suire, President of the Acadia Parish School Board, to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Crowley authorizing the City of Crowley to conduct mosquito control efforts on Acadia Parish School Board property located in the City of Crowley including the use of equipment and man power belonging to the City of Crowley as may be necessary to suppress and attempt to control large number of mosquitoes now and at such times in the future as may be deemed necessary and proper.

THUS DONE AND ADOPTED in a regular session of this 1st day of October 2001 at Crowley, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, at which a quorum was acting throughout.

11b) Consider superintendent's recommendation for termination of Pierre Leger, custodian at South Rayne Elementary.

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a majority voice vote, as recommended by the Superintendent, the Board terminated Mr. Pierre Leger from his position as custodian at South Rayne Elementary School, for abandonment of his position, effective October 1, 2001.

11c) Consider resolution regarding National Standardized Testing

Mr. Boudreaux indicated that tests for accountability at the state level were already being administered. He stated that too much time is being spent on testing students instead of teaching. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Valdetero, and carried, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Boudreaux will work with Ms. Dianna Guidry and Dr. James to develop a resolution to present to state legislators. This resolution will be considered at next month's board meeting.

12) Correspondence

Board members had been given information regarding a Truancy Center that will be discussed by Melise Trahan at next month's meeting. Also correspondence regarding the APSB Educational Center (old Wal-Mart building) was received. Mr. Caswell informed the Board that the court date originally set for October had been delayed until February 2002.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1) Discuss policy change regarding school level indebtedness.

The matter of school level indebtedness is related to duties of the Budget/Finance Committee and will be addressed after other issues are resolved.

2) Consider consequences for use of inappropriate language by teachers and faculty, (Lyle Johnson)

Mr. Johnson suggested developing a strong policy regarding the use of inappropriate language by teachers and faculty. Concerns were expressed about attempting to develop policies that would be too restrictive, indicating that existing policies are sufficient to address inappropriate language.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item was moved to an action item to be addressed at this meeting. (See Action Item 1)

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, 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 135.15%.

3) Granted request to Patricia Francis, aide, Crowley High, for maternity leave, effective 8-29-01 through 11-02-01.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

John A Suire, President

ATTEST:

s/______________________________

Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent