CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

 JUNE 2, 2003

1)         The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2^nd day of June 2003, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session, with President John Quebodeaux presiding.  Members present were Mrs. Ezora J. Proctor, Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige’, Dr. Robert L. McManus, and Superintendent John E. Bourque, Secretary-Treasurer.

2&3)    Mrs. Ezora Proctor introduced Reverend Louis Dugas who led the prayer, and Dr. Diane Wakefield, principal at North Crowley Elementary, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

            The agenda was revised, upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, by adding Routine Item 3a (CONSIDER RESIGNATION OF DR. JAMES FARRIS, PRINCIPAL AT ESTHERWOOD ELEMENTARY, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2003), and deleting Consent Item 6 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM LOUIS JESSIE JOUBERT, PRINCIPAL, EGAN ELEMENTARY, FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE FOR THE 2003-2004 SCHOOL YEAR, FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT).

5)         Read and approve minutes of the May 5, 2003, meeting.

            Reading of the minutes of the May 5, 2003, meeting was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6)         Recognize Sharon Benoit, Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year.

            Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year, Ms. Sharon Benoit a teacher at North Crowley, received $1,000 for the school.  Ms. Benoit was ill and could not attend this meeting.

ACTION ITEMS:      There were no action items.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Supervisor of Personnel.

            There were four applicants for the position of Supervisor of Personnel.  Mr. Bourque recommended Mrs. Ellan K. Baggett, who scored the highest, for the position.  Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mrs. Baggett was appointed Supervisor of Personnel effective July 28, 2003, through, June 30, 2006.  Mrs. Baggett was congratulated and she thanked the Board for its support.

2)         Consider authorizing the Superintendent to advertise for vacancy created by appointment of Supervisor of Personnel.

            Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Superintendent Bourque was authorized to advertise for Principal of South Rayne Elementary School.

3)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Assistant Principal at Church Point Middle School.

            There were six applicants for the position of Assistant Principal at Church Point Middle School.  Superintendent Bourque recommended Mrs. Linda Armstrong, who scored  the highest, for the position.  A motion by Mrs. Proctor to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation failed for lack of a second.  Superintendent Bourque then recommended Ms. Carola Jolivette for the position.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Ms. Jolivette was named Assistant Principal of Church Point Middle School, effective July 30, 2003, through June 30, 2006.

3a)       Consider resignation of Dr. James Farris, Principal at Estherwood Elementary, effective June 30, 2003.

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted the resignation of Dr. James Farris, Principal at Estherwood Elementary, effective June 30, 2003.

            At this time, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item 3b (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR PRINCIPAL AT ESTHERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL), was added to the agenda.

3b)       Consider authorizing the Superintendent to advertise for Principal at Estherwood Elementary School.

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Superintendent Bourque was authorized to advertise for Principal at Estherwood Elementary School.

4)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for bus driver for route in North Crowley area.

            Superintendent Bourque recommended Mr. Hardy LaSage for bus driver of a route in the North Crowley area.  Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. LaSage was named bus driver for a route in North Crowley.

5)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for bus driver for route in West Crowley area.

            Superintendent Bourque recommended Ms. Michelle Beverly for bus driver of a route in the West Crowley area.  Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Ms. Beverly was named bus driver for a route in West Crowley.

6)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for bus driver for route in West Rayne area.

            Superintendent Bourque recommended Ms. Tabitha A. Jacobs for bus driver of a route in the West Rayne area.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Ms Jacobs was named bus driver for a route in West Rayne.

7)         Consider authorizing the Superintendent to advertise for bus driver for route in South Crowley area.

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Superintendent Bourque was authorized to advertise for a bus driver for a route in the South Crowley area.

8)         Adopt millages for parish-wide property tax for 2003.

            Mr. Mike Leonards reviewed information previously made available to board members.  Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board adopted millages for parish-wide property tax for 2003.

                                              Actual 2002           Adopted 2003

Constitutional                             5.14                             5.14

School Maintenance                   5.01                             5.01

Special School Tax                   15.02                          15.02  

Total Parish-wide                      25.17                           25.17  

9)         Adopt millages for debt service funds and maintenance for 2003.

            Mr. Leonards computed proposed millages for debt service funds for 2003 and he answered questions.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board adopted millages for debt service funds and maintenance for 2003.

DEBT SERVICE   MAINTENANCE FUNDS

                                 Actual     Adopted                      Actual                 Adopted

                                  2002         2003                          2002                   2003

Crowley                       0               0                                   0                         0

Rayne                           0              0                                   0                          0

Church Point          29.50       28.40                                   0                          0

Fifth Ward             27.50       21.80                             13.45                   13.45

Iota                          6.00        3.60                                    0                          0

10)       Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding annual renewal of Health Insurance Plan.

                  Health insurance information, presented by Mr. Mike Leonards, showed a 7.7% increase over current rates. The estimated additional cost to the general fund for active employees and retirees is $295,000.  The health insurance plan was recommended favorably by the Insurance Panel to the Personnel/Insurance Committee.  Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved renewal of the health insurance plan as recommended.

                                           Health Insurance Rates - Effective July 1, 2003

Coverage                                          Total Premium        APSB Share         Employee/Retiree 

Single     342.27                                    224.18                      118.09

Employee/1                                          594.14                      353.27                   240.87

Family    730.90                                    423.24                     307.56

Retiree/W/Medicare                             208.02                      141/27                    66.75     

Retiree/W1/1 Medicare                        448.18                      265.17                  183.01

Retiree/W2 Medicare                           400.04                      247.09                  152.95

11)       Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding revisions to policy for instruction.

            Mrs. Margaret Jones reviewed proposed changes to policy related to instruction as discussed with and recommended by the Personnel Insurance Committee.  Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, policy changes were adopted with the more permissive wording ”r;should” instead of ”r;shall” regarding placing hand over the heart during the pledge to the United States flag.            

12)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding substantial completion of classroom additions at Estherwood Elementary School.

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved substantial completion of classroom additions at Estherwood Elementary School.

13)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids for teaching and duplicating supplies.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried, the Board awarded lowest bids for teaching and duplicating supplies, except where preferred items are indicated or where the vendors require all or none, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

14)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids for janitorial supplies.

            Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board awarded lowest bids for janitorial supplies, except where preferred items are indicated or where the vendors require all or none, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

15)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids for small cafeteria equipment.

            Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a recommendation brought to the Board by the Budget/Finance committee to award lowest bids for small cafeteria equipment, except where preferred items are selected, was approved.

16)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids for paper and cleaning supplies.

            Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids were awarded to the lowest bid for paper and cleaning supplies.

17)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids for official journal for fiscal year 2003-2004.

            The Rayne Acadian Tribune was the only bidder for the APSB official journal for fiscal year 2003-2004.  Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted Rayne Acadia Tribune’s bid of $1.00 for a legal square for the first insertion and no charge for all other insertions.

18)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendations regarding bids for consolidated budget for Title I.

            Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, consolidated budgets for Title I, Title 2, Title 3, Title 4, and Title 5, were approved as presented by Mr. Sherman Wilson to the Budget/Finance Committee.

19)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding Head Start COLA and Quality funds.

            Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved funding use of Head Start COLA and Quality Funds as presented by Mrs. Sondra Myers to the Budget/Finance Committee.

20)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding a resource officer grant.

            Superintendent Bourque met with the sheriff’s department to consider the future of the resource office program.  The cost of $25,000 per year for four resource officers would be shared by the APSB and sheriff’s department. The cost to the APSB’s would be approximately $17,000 per year.  Discussion followed regarding job description and merits of this position.  A motion to approve funding for resource officers was offered by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and failed by a roll call vote of 5 to 2

YEA:    Johnson, Boudreaux

NAY:   Proctor, Shamsie, Daigle, Vige’, McManus

21)       Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation for football field drainage.

            Dr. McManus noted that the contractor for this project is properly bonded, and funds will be provided by the Booster Club.  Upon motion by Dr. McManus,  seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved a request from Mr. Ronald Doguet, principal, Iota High School, for football field drainage improvements, estimated to cost approximately $20,000, which will be paid with available athletic funds.

22)       Hear a report on District Accountability scores.

            Ms. Dianna Guidry presented a comparison to other parishes of Acadia’s district accountability scores.  Acadia’s scores are above state level across the board.  Teachers, administrators, support personnel, parents, and students were commended for the improved results.

23)       Consider approval of Head Start Program plans for 2003-2004.

            Mrs. Sondra Myers presented Head Start Program plans for 2003-2004.  Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Head Start Program plans for 2003-2004 were approved.

24)       Receive end-of-year Head Start program report.

            Mrs. Sondra Myers presented the end-of-year Head Start Program report.  No action necessary.

25)       Consider authorizing the Budget/Finance Committee to award meat bid (#136SL) and frozen and canned food bid (#134SL) on June 18, 2003.

            Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee was authorized to award, on June 18, 2003, meat bid (#136SL) and frozen and canned food bid (#136SL) to the lowest bidder, except where preferred item are indicated or where the vendors ”r;all or none” qualification is stated.

26)       Consider approval of Special Education budgets application for fiscal year 2003-04.

            Mr. John Doughty gave an overview and answered questions regarding Special Education budgets application for fiscal year 2003-04.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Shamsie opposed), the application for special education budgets for fiscal year 2003-04 was approved.

27)       There was no correspondence.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1)         Discuss criteria for limiting travel.

            Mr. Bourque reported that travel has been reduced approximately 12% since last year.  In order to further reduce travel, he suggested attending researched-based educational seminars, limiting the number of persons going to the same conference, limiting number of trips per person, and having participants submit a summary of the conference to determine if worthwhile.  He indicated that some training would be by electronic means (blackboard) instead of off-site sessions.  Others suggested closely monitoring travel and eliminate or require Board approval for out-of-state travel.  Mr. Mike Leonards will provide historical trends and identify ”r;mandated travel.”

            This will be an action item at the July board meeting.

2)         Discuss rescinding and redistribution of pay incentive.

            Mr. Boudreaux reviewed the history of APSB’s current pay supplements for teachers and support personnel.  He proposed the $1,000 teachers’ pay incentive ($910,000) be rescinded and redistributed to administrators (75% of a 13^th pay-check) and a $750 supplement to support personnel.  Other Board members shared this opinion.  Mr. Gerard Caswell’s opinion was that while the Board had the authority to rescind a pay incentive, due to budgetary constraints, he cautioned redistributing this to other classes of employees, since this would indicate there wasn’t a budgetary constraint.  Others cautioned against dividing classes of employees by disproportionate pay plans.  Several teachers voiced their concerns on taking from one group of employees and giving to another.

            This will be an action item at the July board meeting.

CONSENT ITEMS:

            Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board took the following action on consent items:

1)         Approved  new assignments and changes of professional employees.

2)         Received sales tax report showing a year-to-date decrease of 15.18%.

3)         Granted request to Marla Zaunbrecher, teacher, Iota Middle School for sabbatical leave for the 2003 Fall Semester, for medical reasons.

4)         Granted request to James B. Thibodeaux, special populations, for sabbatical leave for the 2003-2004 school year, for professional development.

5)         Granted request to Lucinda L. Signorelli, teacher, Egan Elementary, for sabbatical leave for the 2003-2004 school year, for medical reasons.

6)         This item was deleted earlier in the meeting. (Request from Louis Jessie Joubert, principal, Egan Elementary, for sabbatical leave for the 2003-2004 school year, for professional development).

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

            No comments.

CLOSING:

            There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

_____________________________

John H. Quebodeaux, President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent