CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
MAY 3, 2004
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 3rd day of May 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) Dr. Tom Curtis, led the prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Malcolm Richard, an eighth grade student at Crowley Middle School.
Mrs. Francie Boullion, a candidate for court of appeals briefly addressed the board asking the crowd for their support in the September election.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.
Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Opening Item 8 (RECOGNIZE TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK AND ADOPT RESOLUTION), and Opening Item 9 (RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD TO PARTICIPATE IN CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE STATE FOR RELIEF FROM INCREASE RETIREMENT AND INSURANCE COSTS), and upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous vote, Action Item 1 (AUTHORIZE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR ACTING PRINCIPAL AT IOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL) were added to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the April 5, 2004, meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the April 5, 2004, 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, and seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6) Recognize Rayne High School power lifting team.
The Rayne High School power lifting team was recognized for their recently earned national title.
7) Recognize Crowley Middle School band.
Crowley Middle School band, under the direction of Mrs. Leola Woods, was recognized for their performance at national competition in Atlanta, placing 2nd overall and receiving superior rating.
ACTION ITEMS:
1) Authorize Superintendent to advertise for acting principal at Iota Middle School.
Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, authorization to advertise for acting principal at Iota Middle School was approved.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider Fifth Ward school calendar.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the fifth ward school calendar was adopted for 2004-05 school year.
2) Hear report on school district performance scores.
Margaret Jones and Dianna Guidry reviewed recently announced 2002-03 performance and test results. Seventeen (17) schools were recognized for their performance, thereby garnering more than $183,000 of funds to be spent at the school level for instructional materials.
3) Hear Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding students’ use of electronic telecommunication devices.
Cal Simar presented a proposed revised policy regarding student use of telecommunications devices. Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the revised proposed policy regarding student use of telecommunications devices was approved as recommended.
4) Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding technology coordinator position.
Board members expressed concerns regarding whether or not to fill this upcoming vacancy. Discussion ensued between board members. Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and motion to amend the main motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, to advertise to replace the position of technology coordinator and direct the Superintendent to develop a 3-year plan showing how central office positions may be eliminated, within 60 days. The amended main motion passed by a roll call vote 4 to 3.
YEA: Proctor, Daigle, Vige’, McManus
NAY: Shamsie, Johnson, Boudreaux
5) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding textbook budget for 2004-05.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the 2004-05 textbook budget of $290,900.00 was approved.
6) Consider awarding bids for teaching and duplicating supplies (Bid # 440).
Mr. Leonards indicated that bids have been tabulated and made these figures available for the board to review. Low bids which met specifications were awarded, except where a preferred item was indicated. Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids for teaching and duplicating supplies were approved as recommended.
7) Consider awarding bids for janitorial supplies (Bid # 441).
Mr. Leonards indicated that bids have been tabulated and made these figures available for the board to review. Low bids which met specifications were awarded, except where a preferred item was indicated. Upon motion by Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids for janitorial supplies were approved as recommended.
8) Review and award bids for renovation of special education offices.
Mr. Bill Ackal recommended approval of low bid from Garden City construction in the amount of $384,481, pending final approval of funding source. Mr. Bill Ackal indicated a significant price increase in construction materials over the past few months. He answered questions of the board. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids for renovation of special education offices were approved.
9) Review and award bids for official journal.
Mike Leonards presented the board with the low bid from Rayne Tribune as the official journal for the upcoming fiscal year. Upon motion by Mrs. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bid for official journal was approved.
10) Consider request from Iota Middle School to lease a copier.
Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from Iota Middle School to lease a copier was approved.
1) Discuss recommendation from Personnel/Insurance Committee regarding Band Night policy.
A committee was formed and met to look into possible Band Night policy violations. The committee indicated that no policy violations had occurred. Steve Jones gave a written report to the board members. He submitted recommended changes to the existing policy, which was discussed by the board members. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and by unanimous voice vote this item was added to the agenda as an action item. Policy was adopted by unanimous vote.
2) Discuss recommendation from Personnel/Insurance Committee regarding Home School policy.
Mr. Bourque asked to consult with principals to get more input and inform the board. Dr. Curtis addressed the board, seeking a policy change to allow private school students to participate in sports at the middle school level.
CONSENT ITEMS:
1) New assignments and changes of professional employees were approved as submitted.
2) The monthly sales tax report was received.
3) Request from Ms. April B. Mixon, teacher, Crowley Kindergarten, for sabbatical leave for 2004-05 Fall semester for medical reasons.
4) Request from Mrs. Norma Nix, principal, Iota Middle School, for leave without pay from July 15, 2004, to June 30, 2005, for professional development.
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:
Superintendent Bourque indicated that our District Responsibility Index increased from 57th in the state to 14th. He made a few comments regarding ongoing staffing moves in Acadia Parish. He emphasized the fact that staffing levels and insurance costs are independent of any future sales tax referendum. Mrs. Proctor invited everyone to the upcoming National Day of Prayer. Mrs. Ruth Miller announced that, later this week, a delegation from USDA and the Dominican Republic will be visiting our lunchrooms. Mr. Mouton questioned the board regarding the newly adopted band policy, especially the timing and wording of notification to the parents of potential band members.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, at 6:30 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting was adjourned.
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Mr. John H. Quebodeaux, President
ATTEST:
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Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent