CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

FEBRUARY 4, 2002

1)         The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 4th day of February 2002, 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, 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. Mr. Nolton Senegal was absent. He was excused to attend the National School Board Association/FRN Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

2&3)    Mr. Trahan led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

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

            The agenda was revised by adding Routine Item 20a (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM ENTERGY FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY.), Routine Item 20b (CONSIDER BUDGET FINANCE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION REGARDING CRITERIA FOR WAIVING PENALTY ON SALES TAX COLLECTIONS.), and Discussion Item 1 (DISCUSS COMMITTEE SYSTEM. Lyle Johnson).

5)         Read and approve minutes of the January 14, 2002, meeting,

            Reading of the minutes of the January 14, 2002, meeting was dispensed with and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6)         Recognize the Iota High School football team.

            Dr. McManus recognized the Iota High School football team for an excellent season. They were AA State runners up.

7)         Recognize Head Start Federal Team members.

            Mr. Dean Campbell, Head Start program Specialist, addressed the Board. He pointed out that a Head Start Federal Review Team is in Acadia Parish this week to conduct a routine three-year review of the Head Start Program.

8)         Recognize Mrs. Ezora Proctor of Career Expo.

            Mrs. Ezora Proctor of Career Expo invited all board members to participate in the annual Career Expo on February 21, 2002.

ACTION ITEMS:        No action items.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider renewal of performance contract for Dianna Guidry, Supervisor of Adult &Community Education and Testing.

            Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Ms. Dianna Guidry, Supervisor of Adult & Community Education and Testing.

2)         Consider renewal of performance contract for Verelda Girouard, Principal of Central Rayne Kindergarten.

            Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mrs. Verelda Girouard, Principal of Central Rayne Kindergarten.

3)         Consider renewal of performance contract for Dr. Diane Wakefield, Principal of North Crowley Elementary.

            Upon motion by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Dr. Diane Wakefield, Principal of North Crowley Elementary.

4)         Consider renewal of performance contract for Darryl Broussard Assistant Principal of Midland High.

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Darryl Broussard, Assistant Principal of Midland High.

5)         Consider renewal of performance contract for Robert Gates Principal of South Crowley Elementary.

            Upon motion by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Robert Gates, Principal of South Crowley Elementary.

6)         Consider renewal of performance contract for Linda Wilkerson Principal of Ross Elementary.

            Upon motion by Ms. Bias, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July l, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mrs. Linda Wilkerson, Principal of Ross Elementary.

7).        Consider renewal of performance contract for Keith Cahanin Principal of Branch Elementary.

            Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Keith Cahanin,Principal of Branch Elementary.

8)         Consider renewal of performance contract for Evelyn Julian Principal of Alternative School.

            Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mrs. Evelyn Julian, Principal of Alternative School.

9)         Consider renewal of performance contract for Linda Stemplewski, Assistant Principal of Crowley High.

            Upon motion by Mr. Bellon, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mrs. Linda Stemplewski, Assistant Principal of Crowley High.

10)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Carl LeJeune, Director of Personnel.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Carl LeJeune, Director of Personnel.

11)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Mary Robbins, Supervisor of Media and Technology.

            Upon motion by Ms. Bias, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mrs. Mary Robbins, Supervisor of Media and Technology.

12)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Charles Barbier, Assistant Principal of Church Point Elementary.

            Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Charles, Barbier, Assistant Principal of Church Point Elementary.

13)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Mikal Stall, Assistant Principal of Rayne High.

            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Mikal Stall, Assistant Principal of Rayne High.

14)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Glynn Mayard, Facilitator of Media and Technology.

            Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July l, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Glynn Mayard, Facilitator of Media and Technology.

15)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Louis J Joubert Principal of Egan Elementary,

            Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Louis J. Joubert, Principal of Egan Elementary.

16)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Sandra Doguet, Principal of Church Point Elementary.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July l, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mrs. Sandra Doguet, Principal of Church Point Elementary.

17)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Paul DeRousselle, Principal of Church Point Middle.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Paul DeRousselle, Principal of Church Point Middle.

18)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Steve Jones, Supervisor of Maintenance and Transportation.

            Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July 1, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Steve Jones, Supervisor of Maintenance and Transportation.

19)       Consider renewal of performance contract for Marshall Thibodeaux, Assistant Principal of Armstrong Middle.

            Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried, a two-year performance contract beginning July l, 2002, and ending June 30, 2004, was approved for Mr. Marshall Thibodeaux, Assistant Principal of Armstrong Middle.

20)       Consider changing date of April Board meeting

            Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2002.

20a)     Consider request from ENTERGY for right-of-way.

            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board granted a request to ENTERGY for a 20 foot right of way to construct a single phase power line on Acadia Parish School Board property on the northeast corner of Schultz and Gumpoint Roads.

20b)     Consider Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation regarding, criteria for waiving penalty on sales tax collections.

            The Budget/Finance Committee recommended that the following italicized wording be added to Section 19.437 (p. 92) of the existing Sales and use Tax Rules and Regulations:

            If the failure to make any return at the time such return becomes due is attributable, not to the negligence of the taxpayer, but to other causes set forth in written form and considered reasonable by the collector, the collector may remit or waive payment of the whole or any part of the specific penalty provided for such failure; but in any case where the penalty exceeds one thousand dollars, it can be waived by the collector only after approval by the taxing authority. However, the collector shall be given the authority to waive penalty on first-time audits, provided there is not evidence of fraud and the entire balance of tax and interest is paid in full.

            Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, criteria for waiving penalty on sales tax audits was amended to include the following wording: However, the collector shall be given the authority to waive penalty on first-time audits, provided there is not evidence of fraud and the entire balance of tax and interest is paid in full.

            After some discussion, Mr. Caswell, board attorney, recommended against the waiver of any penalty, regardless of the circumstances. Dudley Simon, sales tax collector, explained the logic behind the proposed change. He asked for a definitive resolution to this problem. In the past, it has been a practice to waive penalty, with reasonable cause, on first time audits.

            A substitute motion not to waive penalty in any circumstance was offered by Mr. Vige' and seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux. Discussion continued regarding the original committee recommendation and the substitute motion.

            An amendment to the substitute motion to place an effective date, at least 90 days after adoption of the policy change, was offered by Mr. Trahan but did not receive a second.

            A motion to table was offered by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and failed by a roll call vote of 10 to 4.

YEA:    Johnson, Pinac, Bias, Boudreaux

NAY:   Valdetero, Marceaux, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Trahan, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

            A motion calling for question was offered by Ms. Bias, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and passed by an 11 to 3 roll call vote.

YEA:    Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Shamsie, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY:   Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan

            It was questioned whether or not this would constitute a change in policy to require thirty (30) days notification. To be on the safe side, Mr. Caswell suggested that it be considered a policy and addressed at next month's meeting.

21)       Receive Head Start Self-Assessment and Community Assessment reports.

            Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Head Start Self Assessment and Community Assessment reports were received.

22)       Consider approval of Head Start Child Outcome Plan, Program Improvement Plan, and eligibility criteria for 2002-03.

            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Head Start Child Outcome Plan, Program Improvement Plan, and eligibility criteria for 2002-03, were approved.

23)       Consider seeking an Attorney General's opinion regarding the definition of "property tax" in MFP concurrent resolution.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Gerard Caswell, attorney, was authorized to seek the Attorney General's opinion regarding the definition of "property tax" in MFP concurrent resolution. The opinion is sought specifically to determine if a "household fee" levied and collected for educational purposes is a property tax.

24)       Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance Committee regarding Third Party Administrator for workers' compensation claims.

            After experiencing problems with the service for Littleton Risk Services, Inc., APSB third party administrator for workers' compensation claims, Mr. Leonards sought proposals from other third party administrators and formed a panel of staff members who deal with these issues on a routine basis. The panel met with representatives from three companies that submitted proposals: Trinity Insurance Services, F. A. Richard & Associates, Inc. (FARA), and MorTem Risk management Services, Inc. Based upon experience, professionalism, apparent ability to handle claims aggressively, and endorsements from the APSB insurance agent as well as the school board attorney, the panel asked the Budget/Finance Committee to recommend F. A. Richard & Associates, Inc. for the third party administrator for workers' compensation claims.

            A motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Bellon, to hire F. A. Richard & Associates, Inc. (FARA) as the APSB third party administrator for workers' compensation claims and review the contract annually (thirty (30) days prior to renewal) failed by a roll call vote of 7 to 6.

YEA:    Valdetero, Bias, Shamsie, Daigle, McManus, Bellon

NAY:   Johnson, Pinac, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith, Vige'

ABSENT: Marceaux

            A motion to reconsider was offered by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and passed by a roll call vote of 8 to 7.

YEA:    Valdetero, Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Daigle, McManus, Bellon

NAY:   Johnson, Pinac, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith, Vige'

            More discussion followed. The original motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Bellon, to hire F. A. Richard & Associates, Inc. (FARA) as the APSB third party administrator for workers' compensation claims and review the contract annually (thirty (30) days prior to renewal) passed by a roll call vote to 8 to 7.

YEA:    Valdetero, Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Daigle, McManus, Bellon

NAY:   Johnson, Pinac, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith, Vige'

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

            Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried by a unanimous voice vote, newly hired classified employees were placed into the salary system as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

26)       Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding midyear budget revisions.

            Mr. Vige' motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to approve midyear budget revisions as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee. A substitute motion to receive the report and consider approval at next month's meeting was offered by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried. Formal adoption of midyear budget revisions will be considered next month.

27)       Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to adopt FY 200203 budget calendar.

            Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the budget calendar for FY 200203 was adopted.

2002-2003 BUDGET CALENDAR

1/30/02 @ 5:00 p.m.    Initial Meeting

2/27/02 @ 5:00 p.m.    Budget Committee Meeting

3/20/02 @ 5:00 p.m.    Budget Committee Meeting

4/24/02 @ 5:00 p.m.    Budget Committee Meeting

5/22/02 @ 5:00 p.m.    Final Budget Meeting

5/23/02                        Budget made available for public inspection

                                    Publication of Public Hearing Notice in Official Journal

6/03/02 @ 4:00 p.m.    Public Hearing for Budget

7/01/02 @ 5:00 p.m.    Adoption of Budget by School Board

7/31/02                        Budget filed with Legislative Auditor

            Mr. Shamsie suggested that the Board take a closer look at the General Fund budget, possibly meeting as a committee of the entire board on February 19, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. After more discussion, a decision was made to meet on February 27, 2002, at the regular Budget/Finance Committee meeting as planned.

            Mr. Johnson left at this time (6:45 p.m.)

28)       Correspondence

            Dr. James requested that board members submit their Email addresses to her office.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1)         Discuss Committee System (Lyle Johnson).

            Mr. Boudreaux suggested going back to two meetings per month. One as a committee of the whole and the other as the regular monthly board meeting.

CONSENT ITEMS:

            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous 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 67.56%.

3)         Granted request to Peggy LaPointe, cafeteria technician, South Crowley Elementary, for a leave without pay from January 25, to May 31, 2002.

4)         Granted request to Tonya Leonards, teacher, Iota Elementary, for sabbatical leave for Professional Improvement, for the 2002-2003 school year.

CLOSING:

            There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

s/                                                           

  John A Suire, President          

ATTEST:

s/______________________________

  Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent