CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

OCTOBER 6, 2003

1)         The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 6^th day of October 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. Gene Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige’, and Superintendent John E. Bourque, Secretary-Treasurer.  Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux and Dr. Robert L. McManus were absent.

2&3)    Mrs. Ezora Proctor introduced Reverend Bob Hollis, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Crowley, who led the prayer.  Luke Ancelet and Skylor Huval led the Pledge of Allegiance. They will represent North Crowley Elementary School as prince and princess at the International Rice Festival.  Luke is the son of Larfay and Julia Ancelet, and Skylor Huval is the daughter of Bryant and Roxanne Huval.

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

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice, the agenda was revised by adding Routine Item 6a (CONSIDER RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING OCTOBER AS CHILD SEARCH AWARENESS MONTH IN ACADIA PARISH. Esther Trahan), deleting Routine Item 7, and combining Action Item 1 with Discussion Item 2.

5)         Read and approve minutes of the September 8, 2003, meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the September 8, 2003, meeting was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6)         Recognize Policy Council Members as part of Head Start Awareness Month. (Sondra Myers)

In recognition of Head Start Awareness Month, Mrs. Sondra Myers updated the Board on Head Start activities and introduced members of the Head Start Policy Council.  Parent representatives are Mr. Joseph Landry, Jr., Ms. Jamie Morrow, Ms. Judy Leday, Ms. Jaslynn Price, Mr. Shelton Alfred, Sr., Ms. Fontella Cole, Ms. Tenisha Solomon, and Ms. Isabella Monceaux.  Alternates are Ms. Jennifer Hains, Ms, Kristi Domingeaux, Ms. Stacy Foster, Ms. Rockella Mayfield, Ms. Chandra Landry, Ms. Lynette Sylvester, Ms. Kay Olivier, Ms. Michelle Price and Ms. Alice Breaux.  Community representatives are Ms. Dianne Granger, Ms. Laurita Pete, and Ms. Rose Jacobs.  Mr. J. D. Robinson is an alternate and Mr. Lynn Shamsie is the school board representative.

7)         Recognize Blue Ribbon School - Morse Elementary.

Dr. Gibson Miller, principal, addressed the Board.  Dr. Miller introduced employees of Morse Elementary.  Morse Elementary School was recognized by the U. S. Department of Education   as a No Child Left Behind National Blue Ribbon School for outstanding academic achievement and dramatic gains in student achievement over a three-year period.  Morse Elementary School is one of five schools in Louisiana to receive this award.  Nationwide 248 elementary, middle, and high schools will be recognized and receive this award in Washington, D.C., October 30, 2003.

He thanked Superintendent Bourque, members of the Board, and central office staff for their guidance and support.  Dr. Miller and his staff were commended by the Board.

ACTION ITEMS:     

1)         Consider Policy regarding the process to follow when adopting changes to the policy manual.

This item was moved and combined with Discussion Item 1.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance committee regarding renewal of a sales tax auditing contract with Gary Lambert & Associates.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a sales tax auditing contract with Gary Lambert & Associates was renewed with a slight rate increase, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

2)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding renewal of agricultural contracts with tenant farmers.

Six tenant farmers’ contracts will expire in November.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, agricultural contracts with Mr. Danny Richard, Mr. Mike Pousson, Mr. Linus Regan, Mr. John Hoffpauir, Mr. Larry LeJeune, and Mr. J. D. Sittig, tenant farmers, were renewed for five years beginning November 2003, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding an unrestricted donation from the Crowley High Athletic Backers.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the acceptance and use of an unrestricted donation from the Crowley High Athletic Backers as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

4)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding ongoing funding of the roofing fund.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation to reserve the present roofing fund balance of $386,335 for major roofing repairs and continue to contribute $3000,000 per year to the roofing fund.

5)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding the designation of an insurance reserve account.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to reserve $306,840 for insurance claims, and to add $75,000 per year to this reserve was approved by the Board.

6)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding adoption of the Systems Survey and Compliance Questionnaire.

Upon motion by Mr.  Vige’, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board adopted the Systems Survey and compliance Questionnaire, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

6a)       Consider resolution proclaiming October as Child Search Awareness Month in Acadia Parish. ( Esther Trahan)

Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board adopted the following resolution proclaiming October as Child Search Awareness Month in Acadia Parish.  

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS,     each year throughout Louisiana, some children will need special help in reaching their potential and in gaining an education commensurate with their abilities; and

WHEREAS,     there are children currently enrolled in the public schools who have difficulty working at their age levels; and

WHEREAS,     children with exceptional talents and academic abilities must have special services to meet their potential; and

WHEREAS,     children must be the center of all educational programming; and

WHEREAS,     early identification is a key to helping Louisiana’s children overcome their developmental and learning problems and developing their talents and academic abilities to gain an education; and

WHEREAS,     time is of the essence in providing an early opportunity for these children that will help them become productive citizens and lead fulfilled lives; and

WHEREAS,     children need to remain in school and have access to appropriate educational programs; and

WHEREAS,     the Louisiana Child Search Project through the Division of Special Populations of the Department of Education, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the public schools of the state of Louisiana are working to offer our children special help so they can obtain an appropriate education.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Acadia Parish School Board, Crowley, Louisiana, does hereby recognize the month of October 2003, as

                                      CHILD SEARCH AWARENESS MONTH

7)         Consider adoption of job description and pay scale for LPN’s.

This item was deleted.

8)         Hear a report of preliminary October 1, 2003, MFP student count.

Mr. Glynn Mayard, facilitator, presented preliminary October 1, 2003, total enrollment of 9,789 for Acadia Parish.  This year’s total enrollment increased by three students over last year.  Preliminary October 1, 2003, MFP-Funded Enrollment of 9,485 (eleven less than last year’s enrollment) does not include Pre-K students.  Funding for Pre-K students is not included in the MFP.  Final October 1 figures will be available in January.

9)         Hear an update on the water tower site lease.

Mr. Gerard Caswell, attorney, has not received a response to the proposal sent to the Secretary of the Iota-Egan water district.

10)       Hear a report on resurfacing the athlete track at Church Point High.

Mr. Michael Leonards indicated that $63,649 of insurance funds is available to resurface the athletic track at Church Point High School.  He suggested that additional costs, if any, be borne by CPHS Athletic Funds.  Mr. Lee Bellard, principal, addressed the Board.  He indicated that he was aware of a possible cost overrun and agreed to accept this responsibility.

At this time, upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Items 11 and 12 were moved (out of order) to be addressed after Consent Items.

11 & 12)    Moved to be addressed after Consent Items.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  

1)         Discuss recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance Committee regarding changes in policies regarding students.

Mr. Gerard Caswell, attorney, spoke in relation to changes in policies regarding possession versus use of cell phones by students at schools.  He stated that this matter is being interpreted differently throughout the state.  A question has been posed to the Attorney General’s office seeking an opinion on whether or not the law actually allows principals the right and discretion to regulate use of cell phones at schools.  He recommended waiting for the Attorney General’s opinion.

2)         Discuss policy change relative to the number of votes necessary to change board policy.

Mr. Johnson suggested requiring a majority of the membership (5) to vote to make or change policy, as opposed to a majority of those present.  Also, currently, Discussion Items must be presented as Action Items at the following month’s meeting.  Mr. Caswell suggested a change in policy to allow Discussion Items to become Action Items at the following meeting to allow things of an urgent nature to be addressed at a called meeting. 

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following action was taken:

1)    New assignments and changes of professional employees were approved as submitted.

2)    The monthly sales tax report showing a year-to-date decrease of 6.31% was received.

3)    Ms. Holly Vidrine, teacher, Branch Elementary, was granted a sabbatical leave for the 2003-04 Spring Semester for professional development.

4)    Mrs. Angela Harrison, teacher aide, South Crowley Elementary, was granted a maternity leave effective September 9, 2003, through December 19, 2003 (54 days).

ROUTINE ITEMS 11 AND 12 (TAKEN OUT OF ORDER):

At 5:42 p.m., upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into executive session to address Routine Items 11 and 12.

At 6:03 p.m., upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened into regular session

11)       Consider going into executive session to discuss pending litigation pursuant to R.S. 42:6.1.A(2) in the matter of Roger Stelly vs. Acadia Parish School Board Docket No. 02-07091 District 04 Office of Workers’ Compensation.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted the recommendation of legal counsel for further action regarding pending litigation pursuant to R.S. 42:6.1.A(2) in the matter of Roger Stelly vs. Acadia Parish School Board Docket No. 02-07091 District 04 Office of Workers’ Compensation.

12)       Consider going into executive session to discuss workers’ compensation claim of Boyd Linhart.

Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted the recommendation of legal counsel for further action regarding workers’ compensation claim of Boyd Linhart.

13)       Correspondence

There was no correspondence.

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

Superintendent Bourque commended the Board for a good working relationship.  He commended the central office DAT teams and schools for the excellent work being done at four schools.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, at 6:05 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Shamsie,  seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned.

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John H. Quebodeaux, President

ATTEST:

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Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent