CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

DECEMBER 3, 2001

 

1)         The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 3rd day of December 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. Wadie H. Bias, Mr. Woody M. Marceaux, Mr. Lynn Sharnsie, Mr. John H. Quebodeaux, Mr. Nolton J. Senegal, Sr., 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. Ms. Kitty M. Valdetero 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.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by adding Consent Item 4 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM VENESSA BOUDREAUX, TEACHER, HEAD START, FOR LEAVE WITHOUT PAY EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 3, 2001, TO THE BEGINNING OF THE 2002-2003 SCHOOL YEAR) and deleting Routine Item 9.

 

            At this point, Charles King was recognized from the audience. He voiced his concerns regarding adding items to special called meetings.

 

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

 

            Reading of the minutes of the November 5, 2001, meeting was dispensed with and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

 

1)         Consider policy regarding administrative records.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, policy regarding administrative records was adopted.

 

2)         Consider policy regarding buildings and grounds management:

 

3)         Consider policy regarding, equipment maintenance.

 

4)         Consider policy regarding personnel records.

 

5)         Consider policy regarding contracts and compensation.

 

6)         Consider policy regarding employment of personnel.

 

7)         Consider policy regarding curriculum.

 

8)         Consider policy regarding administration of medication.

 

9)         Consider policy regarding student records:

 

10)       Consider policy regarding student fees, fines and charges.

 

            Action items 2 through 10 were read individually and adopted en globo, upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)         Consider resolution adopting Census 2000 Reapportionment Plan for the Acadia Parish School Board.

 

            Mr. Mike Hefner addressed the Board regarding comments made earlier during the public hearing regarding the reapportionment plan for the Acadia Parish School Board. He indicated that the plan was ready for adoption. Mr. Charles King addressed the Board, suggesting that the plan was flawed; due to the existence of divided precincts, which conflicts with state laws and federal guidelines. Mr. Hefner stated that if the state has any questions regarding the plan he would work out the problems to the satisfaction of all parties as stipulated in his contract.

 

            To end debate, question was called by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the resolution adopting the Census 2000 Reapportionment Plan for the Acadia Parish School Board was approved.

 

RESOLUTION

 

Acadia Parish School Board

 

            WHEREAS,  The 2000 Census was completed in December 2000, and

 

            WHEREAS,  The Acadia Parish School Board had a study conducted that showed that one or more of the existing School Board election districts were outside the allowable population deviation, and

 

            WHEREAS,  The Acadia Parish School Board had a new plan drawn that reapportioned the population of the parish into 16 single member districts that were within the allowable population deviation, and

 

            WHEREAS,  After holding a public hearing to solicit public comments received at that hearing,

 

            THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Acadia Parish School Board, by simple majority vote, adopts Plan 1 as its apportionment plan, and

 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Reapportionment Consultant be authorized to submit, on behalf of the Acadia Parish School Board, said plan to the U.S. Department of Justice for Section 5 Pre-Clearance and that a copy of the submittal and the subsequent decision by the U.S. Department of Justice be sent to the Louisiana Secretary of State and the Acadia Parish Registrar of Voters.

 

2)         Hear audit report.

 

            Mr. Greg Milton of Broussard, Poche, Lewis, and Breaux presented the audit report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2001. He provided a financial overview of operations for the Board's review. Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the audit report was accepted by the Board.

 

3)         Hear report on School Performance Scores.

 

            Mrs. Margaret Jones and Ms. Diana Guidry presented information regarding Acadia Parish Schools' performance under the state's accountability program. They reported that most schools are showing progress in this campaign for academic improvement. Assistance is being provided to schools lagging behind the expected trend. A District Assistance Team (DAT) is analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of these schools and developing plans for improvement.

 

4)         Consider revisions to Pupil Progression Plan.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, revisions to the Pupil Progression Plan were adopted by the Board.

 

5)         Consider approval of School Crisis Management and Response Plans.

 

            Dr. James indicated that School Crisis management and Response Plans were presented to the Board in June, but no action was taken. The State now requires school boards to approve these plans. Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the School Crisis Management and Response Plans.

 

6)         Consider approval of resolution regarding the Administrative Outreach Program

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board adopted the Administrative Outreach Program resolution.

 

RESOLUTION

 

ADMINISTRATIVE OUTREACH PROGRAM

 

            WHEREAS, The school districts of Louisiana are in need of additional funding in order to provide education of quality to their students, and

 

            WHEREAS, The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana School Boards Association have joined together to establish a program of Medicaid reimbursement entitled the Louisiana Administrative Outreach Project, and

 

            WHEREAS, The Louisiana Legislature has created and passed Legislation authorizing such a program through a single provider (Jefferson Parish) school district and directing the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to work with that school district, a billing company and the Louisiana School Boards Association to develop a program that results in maximum allowable reimbursement and to begin in the shortest practicable time, and

 

            WHEREAS, The school districts of Louisiana will realize millions of dollars in new revenue as reimbursement for administrative activities in which they are already engaged and thus will not require adding new program duties or staff through the Louisiana administrative Outreach Project, and

 

            WHEREAS, The host district and the Louisiana School Boards Association have contracted with Cost Management Services, Inc., an experienced and fully qualified billing company with significant experience in Medicaid reimbursement to provide billings and other services for which the company will be paid when school districts receive reimbursement, and

 

            WHEREAS, The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is currently engaged in establishing the procedures for and parameters of the Medicaid reimbursement project in order that the billings may be submitted effective the second Federal quarter (January through March), and

 

            WHEREAS, The overwhelming majority of school districts in Louisiana have previously indicated their support for and intent to join the project, and

 

            WHEREAS, Districts must be formally enrolled in the project through an interagency agreement with the host district to participate in the billing, and

 

            WHEREAS, The host district, Cost Management Services, Inc., and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals are in the process of finalizing the contract language with which school districts enroll in the project, and

 

            WHEREAS, Time is of the essence and school districts must enroll in the project prior to the end of the year to qualify for reimbursement for the second federal quarter, now

 

            THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Acadia Parish School Board does hereby indicate that it will join the Louisiana Administrative Outreach Project, effective upon the signing of the interagency agreement with Jefferson Parish, and

 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Acadia Parish School Board duly authorizes and directs the Superintendent to enter into the interagency agreement with Jefferson Parish on its behalf immediately upon receipt of such document.

 

            BE IT KNOWN THAT THIS RESOLUTION was approved by the Acadia Parish School Board at its meeting held on Monday, December 3, 2001.

 

7)         Consider changing date of January 2002 board meeting

 

            After some discussion, question was called by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried. The main motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Daigle, to have next month's board meeting on January 14, 2002, carried by a unanimous voice vote.

 

8)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to distribute savings from sabbatical and medical leave and supplemental pay.

 

            Superintendent James presented the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to distribute supplemental pay of $1,000 to eligible teachers and administrators and $500 to support personnel. Upon motion by Ms. Bias, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved distribution of a gross amount of $1,000 supplemental pay to all currently employed teachers and administrators, $88.63 to those professionals who were employed in the spring of 2001 but no longer with the APSB, and $500 to all currently employed support personnel. Checks are to be prorated for part-time employees.

 

9)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding request from Body Masters for a waiver of penalty and interest resulting from a sales tax audit.

 

            This item was deleted at the beginning of this meeting.

 

10)       Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to allocate funds for staff development for 4th and 5th grade reading teachers.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, allocation of $22,206 for staff development for 4th and 5th grade reading teachers was approved by the Board.

 

11)       Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities Committee to advertise for a tenant farmer on Section 16, Township 9 South, Range 2 West, near Evangeline.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for a tenant farmer on Section 16, Township 9 South, Range 2 West, near Evangeline.

 

12)       Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities Committee to advertise for a tenant farmer on Section 16, Township 8 south, Range 2 West, northwest of Iota.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Bellon, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for a tenant farmer on Section 16, Township 8 South, Range 2 West, northwest of Iota.

 

13)       Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities Committee to renew an agricultural contract with Cleveland Guillot and Sons.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, an agricultural contract with Cleveland Guillot and Sons was renewed for five more years.

 

14)       Consider recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees regarding repair of lights at Gardiner memorial Stadium.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized a nondestructive intrusion inspection of light poles at Gardiner Memorial Stadium at a cost not to exceed $2,300.

 

15)       Consider recommendation of the Transportation Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees regarding purchase of an activity bus by Midland High School

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized Midland High School to purchase an activity bus at an anticipated cost below $15,000 which requires obtaining three written price quotes.

 

16)       Correspondence

 

            Dr. James informed the Board of an on-site Head Start review which will be conducted in February 2002. She also requested that Iota/Egan district schools be closed Friday, December 7, since Iota High School's football team will be in the state finals in New Orleans.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, an item to consider closing Iota/Egan district schools on Friday, December 7, 2001, was added to the agenda. The motion to close Iota/Egan district schools on Friday, December 7, 2001, carried by a unanimous voice vote.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 

1)         Discuss revision of annual leave policy.

 

            Changes in legislation require a change in the Acadia Parish School Board annual leave policy. The change simply affects the timing of distribution of annual leave payments upon separation.

 

2)         Discuss revision of bids and quotations policy

 

            A change in law allows the use of employees to construct buildings within the parish which cost less than $100,000.

 

3)         Discuss teacher salaries

 

            Dr. James presented information regarding teacher pay. She suggested that the Board consider a permanent long-term solution for teachers which would require additional revenues from sales tax, property tax, or a combination of both. Figures showing different funding scenarios, election dates, and a ranking of beginning teachers' pay in surrounding parishes and state were provided. It is possible that, as local revenues increase, additional state funding may become available under Level 2 of the existing MFP formula. These funds could be used to provide additional compensation for support personnel and administrators. Ms. Jenny LeJeune, representing the Acadia Teachers Association, suggested that the Board seek $4,000 to add to the teachers' pay scale. Discussion continued with suggestions being made to refer this matter to the Budget/Finance Committee for development of specific recommendations; to appoint a separate committee (made up of board members, educators, community members, businesses, etc.) to study this matter; to take a vote to see if there is a consensus among board members to move in this direction; to employ professional pollsters to develop a strategy, etc. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item was moved to an Action Item.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a roll call vote of 15 to 0, President Suire was authorized to appoint a committee made up of diverse membership from the Board, staff, teachers, community, businessmen to study the matter of seeking revenues from sales tax, property tax, or a combination of both to finance a teacher pay raise in Acadia Parish.

 

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

NAY:   None

ABSENT: Valdetero

 

            Mr. Keith Cahanin, representing the Acadia Association of Principals, commended the Board for considering a permanent solution to teacher pay in Acadia Parish.

 

CONSENT ITEMS:

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a majority voice vote, 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 102.51 %.

 

3)         Granted request to James Quebodeaux, teacher, Rayne High School, for sabbatical leave for the 20022003 school year.

 

4)         Granted request to Venessa Boudreaux, teacher, Head Start, for leave without pay effective December 3, 2001, to the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year.

 

CLOSING:

 

            There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.

 

s/                                                           

  John A Suire, President          

 

ATTEST:

 

s/______________________________

  Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent