CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
JULY 7, 2003
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 7th day of July 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 Mr. Rogers Moultry, retired bus driver, who led the prayer, and Keisha Ali, an honor roll student at South Crowley Elementary School, who led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.
There were no changes to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the June 2, 2003, meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the June 2, 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. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6) Recognize 2002-03 retirees.
Acadia Parish School Board 2002-03 retirees were recognized for their years of service by Mr. Carl LeJeune, retiring Director of Personnel. Mr. LeJeune presented certificates to all retirees. Those with more than 30 years of service also received a plaque. On behalf of the Board, President Quebodeaux commended retirees for their dedication to the APSB.
1) Consider criteria for limiting travel.
Mr. Bourque discussed APSB travel guidelines previously submitted to the committees. Board members discussed the guidelines, pledging to continue close monitoring of employee travel. A tabulation showing the number of classroom days missed each year was requested. Board members’ travel was also discussed and will be forwarded to the Budget/Finance Committee for consideration at its July meeting.
Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, APSB guidelines for travel were adopted as submitted.
TRAVEL GUIDELINES
Everyone is aware that there is a need to be on the job; therefore, travel for workshops, conferences, etc., must be streamlined. In an effort to reduce travel, including expenses that result from such travel, the following guidelines were adopted by the Board.
Immediate supervisors must monitor travel closely relative to the purpose for traveling, the number of requests previously submitted, and the number of days away from work.
When completing the Request to Attend or Participate in Professional Meeting or Activity form, an individual must briefly state the rationale for attending and attach an agenda.
School level requests for travel must be based on need(s) as identified in the school improvement plan and should involve the acquisition for information relative to research-based strategies, programs, etc.
Except when justified, no more than two teachers per school should attend a particular workshop, conference, etc.
Principal’s/teacher’s travel to out of state conferences should lead to documented staff development activities at his/her school.
● Individuals requesting travel may be asked to submit a Professional Development Activity Report.
● When requesting out of state travel for a conference, an individual should be affiliated with the state or national organization of the sponsoring group.
● Whenever possible, car pooling should be utilized.
2) Consider rescinding and redistribution of pay incentive.
Superintendent Bourque recommended that the incentives for the coming year not be rescinded. All certificated employees who received the 13th check for 2003-2004 will also receive the $1,000 signing bonus. Those in the position of Assistant Principal on up would be excluded. The reasoning was that previous minutes stated that administrators would receive the $1,000 incentive for one year and teachers would receive the incentive for two years. The Personnel/Insurance Committee was charged with formally defining "teacher." Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Shamsie opposed), Superintendent Bourque’s recommendation was accepted by the Board.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal of Estherwood Elementary School.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Superintendent Bourque’s recommendation for Mrs. Johnette LeLeux, top candidate, for the position of Principal of Estherwood Elementary School from July 29, 2003, through June 30, 2006 was approved by the Board. Mrs. LeLeux was recognized and she thanked the Board.
2) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal of South Rayne Elementary School.
From a field of nine applicants, Superintendent Bourque recommended Mrs. Linda Armstrong, top candidate, for the principalship at South Rayne Elementary School.
Mr. Nick Jagneaux, representative of LAE, addressed the Board on behalf of Mrs. Armstrong. Mr. Gerard Caswell, attorney, explained the APSB policy regarding the selection of administrators.
A motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation failed by a roll call vote of 4 to 3.
YEA: Proctor, Vige’, McManus
NAY: Johnson, Shamsie, Boudreaux, Daigle
Superintendent Bourque then recommended Mr. Charles Barbier, ranked second, for the principalship at South Rayne Elementary School. A motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation failed by a roll call vote of 4 to 3.
YEA: Proctor, Vige’, McManus
NAY: Johnson, Shamsie, Boudreaux, Daigle
Then Superintendent Bourque recommended Mrs. Patsy Cart, ranked third, for the principalship at South Rayne Elementary School. A motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to name Mrs. Patsy Cart as Principal of South Rayne Elementary School from July 29, 2003, through June 30, 2006, passed by a unanimous roll call vote (7 to 0).
YEA: Proctor, Johnson, Shamsie, Boudreaux, Daigle, Vige’, McManus
NAY: None
Mrs. Cart was congratulated by the Board and she thanked the members for their support.
3) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for a bus driver in the East Crowley area.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Superintendent Bourque’s recommendation of Mrs. Anne Guillot Breaux as bus driver in the East Crowley area was approved. Mrs. Breaux was congratulated by the Board.
4) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids for large equipment.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation to award lowest bid for large equipment was approved.
5) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids for dairy products and juice.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation to award lowest bid for dairy products and juice was approved.
6) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids for bread.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation to award lowest bid for bread was approved.
7) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding renewal of a contract for auditing services.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation to renew auditing services contract with Broussard, Poche’, Lewis, and Breaux was approved.
06-30-03 06-30-04 06-30-05
Audit of financial statements 30,800.00 30,225.00 31,150.00
Agreed-upon procedures - DOE 3,000.00 3,100.00 3,200.00
33,800.00 33,325.00 34,350.00
8) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding refinancing outstanding bonds for Fifth Ward and Church Point School Districts.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation to refinance outstanding bonds for Fifth Ward School District No. 7 of Acadia Parish, Louisiana; not to exceed two million dollars ($2,000,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, series 2003, providing certain terms of said bonds; making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said Bonds: and providing for other matters in connection therewith, and, also, to refinance outstanding bonds for Church Point School District No. 6 of Acadia Parish, Louisiana; not to exceed two million four hundred thousand dollars ($2,400,000) of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2003, providing certain terms of said bonds; making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said bonds; and providing for other matters in connection therewith. An estimated savings of approximately $350,000 will be realized.
9) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding Egan-Evangeline water system to acquire a site for constructing a water tower on school board property.
Mr. Caswell, attorney, explained that 16th Section property can be leased, long-term, to the water district. Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a lease will be negotiated for fair market value, including the possibility of a foot bridge at a gully in Egan and free water for both Egan and Evangeline Elementary Schools.
10) Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding 2003-04 program and personnel policies for Head Start.
Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Head Start program and personnel policies were approved as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance Committee.
11) Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding employee transfer policy.
Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the APSB employee transfer policy was approved as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance Committee.
INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER
The Acadia Parish School Board may transfer any administrator, teacher, or other employee upon the recommendation of the Superintendent from one position, school or grade, to another by giving written notice of such intention to transfer. Such transfer shall be without loss of status or violation of contract and shall not be for political or personal reasons. The Board may transfer any teacher only in accordance with applicable state law.
At the discretion of the Superintendent, a teacher may be transferred for the following reasons:
1. To move a teacher into the proper field of certification
2. To meet enrollment changes
3. To overcome friction with the principal, other school employees, or the community
4. Due to financial limitations or the discontinuance of special programs or projects
When a transfer is to be made during the session, a conference of the employees concerned shall be held either with the Superintendent or his/her designee. A teacher who is unsatisfied with the transfer may refer to the grievance policy. The Board reserves the right to transfer teachers within a school or to other schools within the system provided certification requirements are the same. Involuntary transfers may be made after the Superintendent and Supervisor of Personnel have met to determine staffing needs in specific teaching areas.
When involuntary transfers are warranted due to reasons 2 (to meet enrollment changes) and 4 (Due to financial limitations or the discontinuance of special programs or projects), the teacher(s) transfer from one school/grade/position to another shall be accomplished using the information listed below in the order in which it appears:
1. Teachers who have Temporary Authority to Teach (TAT)
2. Teachers who have Temporary Emergency Permit (TEP)
3. Practitioner Teachers (PT)
4. Teachers with Out of Field Authority to Teach who are Non-Tenured (OFAT-NT)
5. Properly Certified Teachers (teaching in their certified areas) who are Non-Tenured (PC-NT)
6. Teachers with Out of Field Authority to Teach who are tenured (OFAT-T)
7. Properly Certified Teachers (teaching in their certified areas) who are Tenured (PC-T)
When transfers are to be considered from within one specific category and there is a choice to be made between two or more teachers, the determination of who is transferred shall be made on the basis of length of service in the Acadia Parish School System. Board approved leave with pay will count toward seniority. Board approved leave without pay will not count toward seniority.
Classified employees may be transferred for the following reasons:
1. To meet enrollment changes
2. To overcome friction with the principal, other school employees, or the community
3. Due to financial limitations or the discontinuance of special programs or projects
When involuntary transfers are warranted, the transfer shall be accomplished using the information listed below:
1. Recommendation of immediate supervisor
2. Seniority within classified position categories, ie., clerical, food service, bus drivers, aides, labor force, and classified management level positions
3. Seniority, defined as total years of employment in the Acadia Parish School System
4. Academic or other qualifying preparation (when acceptable)
5. Regularity of attendance, not including appropriate use of sick leave
6. By lot, if all other factors are the same
The Superintendent shall make a recommendation to transfer persons when it is determined to be in the best interest of the school system.
12) Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding locally initiated electives.
Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, locally initiated electives were approved as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance Committee.
LOCALLY INITIATED ELECTIVES 2003-04
Course Title Reauthorization Request District/School Approval Status
ACT Preparatory Course Permanent Status District Approved
8.5 English Language Arts Permanent Status District Provisionally Approved
Transition Course
8.5 Mathematics Transition Permanent Status District Provisionally Approved
Course
Note: Documentation of evaluation and reauthorization requests is on file at the central office and is available upon request. Provisional approval will require that an end-of-the-year evaluation be submitted and close monitoring be conducted.
13) Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding staffing changes for 2003-04.
Superintendent Bourque indicated that a reduction in staffing of 23.2 professionals and 10 2 support positions was anticipated for the coming year. He discussed staffing formula currently in use. Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux opposed), the Board approved staffing changes for 2003-04 as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance Committee.
14) Consider authorizing the Budget/Finance Committee to award bid for renewal of property, liability, and fleet insurance.
Mr. Mike Leonards explained that only one proposal had been received for renewal of property, liability, and fleet insurance. Therefore, the deadline for proposals was extended to the July meeting of the Budget/Finance Committee. Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized the Budget/Finance Committee to award bid for renewal of property, liability, and fleet insurance in order to meet the expiration date of July 31, 2003.
15) Consider request from Mrs. Antoinette Pete, principal at Crowley Middle School, to purchase stage curtains.
Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mrs. Antionette Pete, principal, was granted permission to purchase stage curtains for the gymnasium at Crowley Middle School, using available PTO funds.
16) Correspondence
Superintendent Bourque called the Board’s attention to correspondence placed in packets from LSBA regarding pending legislation regarding public education.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Discuss sales tax collection procedures and reporting.
Mr. Johnson requested a quarterly report, to the Board, showing sales tax delinquencies, amounts, and any legal action pertaining to the collection of unpaid taxes. Discussion followed. This will be considered as an Action Item at the August meeting.
2) Discuss the possibility of merging committees or having two board meetings per month.
Board members expressed their thoughts on the possibility of merging committees or having two Board meetings per month. After ample discussion, committee chairpersons were asked to come up with a recommendation to the Board at its August meeting.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, 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 as submitted.
2) Received sales tax report showing a year-to-date decrease of 14.24%.
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:
No comments.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.
______________________________
John H. Quebodeaux, President
ATTEST:
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Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent