CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

FEBRUARY 2, 2004

1)         The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2^nd day of February 2004, 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)    Reverend Richard Sadlier, pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church, led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ms. Mary Champagne, a teacher at Crowley Middle School.

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

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by adding Routine Item 28a (CONSIDER ADVERTISING FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT RAYNE HIGH SCHOOL), and added to Consent Item 1 (Resignations: MR. MIKAL STALL, RAYNE HIGH SCHOOL, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, RESIGNED EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 4, 2004).

5)         Read and approve minutes of the January 5, and 26, 2004, meetings.

Reading of the minutes of the January 5, and 26, 2004, meetings was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, and seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6)         Hear report on Career Expo. (Mrs. Proctor and Ms. Lee Dupont)

Ms. Lee Dupont recognized and commended all of those instrumental in preparing for the Fifth Annual Career Expo, which was held recently in Crowley.  Mrs. Ezora Proctor briefed the Board on this activity, making a pictorial presentation.  Approximately 1,600 eighth and tenth grade students throughout the parish participated in this event.

ACTION ITEMS:

There were no action items to address.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Hear concerns of employees regarding election results.

A recent election to pass a 2 % sales tax to establish a permanent source of funding for APSB employees’ salaries and benefits failed by a 332-vote margin.  Representatives of various employee associations addressed the Board, thanking board members for their support in this endeavor and expressed their desire to continue to seek a permanent funding source for better salaries for all employees.  They agreed that more work must be done to see this matter through and requested that the Board call another election in July 2004 for this purpose.

Board members and Superintendent Bourque reiterated that there seemed to be a misconception by the general public about the purpose for the tax.  They agreed that this effort was for all APSB employees and felt that more had to be done before another election would be called.

2)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Dr. Paul Gibson Miller, Principal of Morse Elementary.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Dr. Paul Gibson Miller, Principal of Morse Elementary, as recommended by the Superintendent.

3)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mrs. Ruth  V. Petry, Principal of Rayne High.

Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mrs. Ruth  V. Petry, Principal of Rayne High, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

4)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Ms. April Briscoe, Assistant Principal of Church Point High.

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Ms. April Briscoe, Assistant Principal of Church Point High, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent

5)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Ms. Dianna Guidry, Supervisor of Adult & Community Education and Testing.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Ms. Dianna Guidry, Supervisor of Adult & Community Education and Testing, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

6)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mrs. Verelda Girouard, Principal of Central Rayne Kindergarten.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mrs. Verelda Girouard, Principal of Central Rayne Kindergarten, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

7)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Dr. Diane Wakefield, Principal of North Crowley Elementary.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Dr. Diane Wakefield, Principal of North Crowley Elementary, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

8)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mr. Darryl Broussard, Assistant Principal of Midland High.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mr. Darryl Broussard, Assistant Principal of Midland High, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

9)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mr. Robert Gates, Principal of South Crowley Elementary.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mr. Robert Gates, Principal of South Crowley Elementary, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

10)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mrs. Linda Wilkerson, Principal of Ross Elementary.

Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mrs. Linda  Wilkerson, Principal of Ross Elementary, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

11)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mr. Keith Cahanin, Principal of Branch Elementary.

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mr. Keith Cahanin, Principal of Branch Elementary, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

12)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mrs. Linda Stemplewski, Assistant Principal of Crowley High.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mrs. Linda Stemplewski, Assistant Principal of Crowley High, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

13)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mrs. Mary Robbins, Supervisor of Media and Technology, central office.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mrs. Mary Robbins, Supervisor of Media and Technology, central office, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

14)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mr. Charles Barbier, Assistant Principal of Church Point Elementary.

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mr. Charles Barbier, Assistant Principal of Church Point Elementary, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

15)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mr. Glynn Mayard, Technology Facilitator, central office.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mr. Glynn Mayard, Technology Facilitator, central office, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

16)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mr. Louis J. Joubert, Principal of Egan Elementary,

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mr. Louis J. Joubert, Principal of Egan Elementary, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

17)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mrs. Sandra Doguet, Principal of Church Point Middle.

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mrs. Sandra Doguet, Principal of Church Point Middle, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

18)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mr. Paul DeRousselle, Principal of Church Point Middle.

Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mr. Paul DeRousselle, Principal of Church Point Middle, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

19)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation regarding performance contract for Mr. Steve Jones, Supervisor of Secondary Education, central office.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board approved a two-year contract renewal for Mr. Steve Jones, Supervisor of Secondary Education, central office, beginning July 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2006, as recommended by the Superintendent.

20)       Consider going into an executive session to discuss a worker’s compensation claim.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into executive session at 5:28 p.m. to consider Routine Items 20 and 21.

Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened at 5:44 p.m.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board attorney’s recommendation was accepted and he was authorized to proceed with the settlement of a worker’s compensation claim.

21)       Consider going into an executive session to discuss pending litigation (APSB) vs. Folmar & Associates and Lawland docket #74607.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote, the Board accepted legal counsel’s recommendation to resolve litigation of APSB vs. Folmar & Associates and Lawland (now Parkerson Properties), Docket #74607, by accepting an offer of $60,000 and minor modifications in regard to easement restrictions. The Board authorized the Board President and Attorney to review and approve all settlement documents necessary to get this matter resolved

YEA:    Proctor, Johnson, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Daigle, Vige’, McManus

NAY:   None    .

22)       Consider acceptance of unrestricted donation from Crowley High Backers.

Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Daigle opposed), an unrestricted donation from Crowley High Backers in the amount of $8,000 was approved and obligated for summer weight training.  Coach Indest spoke regarding his thoughts as a newly hired coach at Crowley High School.

23)       Consider recommendation from the Personnel/Insurance Committee regarding insurance consultants.

Four proposals for insurance consultants for property and casualty insurance were received.  Mrs. Proctor and Superintendent Bourque met with Mr. Dwight E. Collier and recommended him for an insurance consultant based on his proposal and pricing, contingent upon him acquiring professional liability insurance.  Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Dwight E. Collier was approved as insurance consultant for property and casualty insurance for the APSB.

                                                       INSURANCE CONSULTANT PROPOSALS

NAME                                              1^ST YEAR     2^ND YEAR       3^RD YEAR       TOTAL

Dwight E. Collier                                    7,500              3,000                 3,000             13,500

Norris Insurance (Thomas Hudson)       15,000            15,000               15,000             45,000

Fred C. Dent, Jr.                                  15,000            15,000                15,000             45,000

 igma Group -Todd Thomas                   7,700               6,500                 6,500             20,700

24)       Consider recommendation from the Budget/Finance Committee regarding a request from the Rayne Guest Home for a construction easement across South Rayne Elementary School property.

Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the B/F Committee was authorized to gather more information and act on, at its February meeting, a request from the Rayne Guest Home for a construction easement across South Rayne Elementary School property.

25)       Consider recommendation from the Budget/Finance Committee regarding bids received for renovation of the special Population offices.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received for renovation of the Special Populations offices were taken under advisement, as recommended by the B/F Committee.

26)       Consider out-of-state travel guidelines.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, consideration of out-of-state travel guidelines was removed from the table.

Superintendent Bourque submitted current guidelines and a comparison of out-of-state travel for this year and last year that showed a reduction of approximately two-thirds.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux and Mr. Shamsie opposed), Out-of-State Travel Guidelines were approved as presented by Superintendent Bourque.

                                                           TRAVEL GUIDELINES

• 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 of information relative to research-based strategies, programs, etc.

• Except when justified, no more than two (2) teachers per school should attend a particular workshop, conference, etc.

• Principal/teacher travel to out-of-state conferences should lead to documented staff development activities at his/her/school.

• Individuals who request 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.

27)       Receive and consider approval of the Head Start report on Self Assessment, Refunding, and Child Restraint Guidelines.

Mrs. Sondra Myers, principal, presented a summary of Head Start Self Assessment, Refunding and Child Restraint Guidelines.  She requested an extension through January 20, 2006, to implement Child Restraint Guidelines.  Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved extending implementing Child Restraint Guidelines for the Head Start Program to January 2006.

28)       Consider approval of Internal Dispute Resolution Policy between the Head Start Policy Council and the Acadia Parish School Board.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Internal Dispute Resolution Policy between the Head Start Policy Council and the Acadia Parish School Board was approved.

28a)     Consider advertising for the position of Assistant Principal at Rayne High School.

Mr. Mikal Stall, Assistant Principal at Rayne High School, notified Superintendent Bourque of his resignation from his position.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for the position of Assistant Principal at Rayne High School.

29)       Correspondence

Superintendent Bourque called attention to correspondence from Mr. Robbie LeBlanc, a veteran School Board member in Iberia Parish, who is a candidate for the Region 3 seat on the Louisiana School Boards Association Board of Directors.  He also referred to correspondence from the LSBA included in Board members’ packets. 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1)         Discuss revisions to the student assignment policy.

Mr. Cal Simar, supervisor, presented proposed revisions to the Student Assignment Policy.  He made a distinction between ”r;student assignment” and the ”r;transfer” policy which are unrelated.  Currently, student assignment is based on ”r;physical custody” determined by a notarized affidavit (some hand written) which states that the child resides with somebody in the school district.  The new policy would require ”r;legal custody” obtained by legal court action. 

1)                  Discuss policy revisions relating to legislative acts passed during the 2003 session.

Mrs. Ellan Baggett, supervisor, indicated that due to policy revisions relating to legislative acts passed during the 2003 session some policies require changing.  A packet was distributed which highlighted these changes.

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, 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 19.65% was received.

3)   Ms. Jennifer D. Kennerson, teacher, Church Point Elementary School, was granted a sabbatical leave for the 2004 Spring semester for medical reasons.

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

Superintendent Bourque made comments regarding the recent election to pass a sales tax.  He thanked the Board for their support.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, at 6:21 p.m., upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned.

_____________________________

John H. Quebodeaux, President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent