CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
JUNE 6, 2005
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 6th day of June 2005, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session, with President Lyle C. Johnson presiding. Members present were Mrs. Ezora J. Proctor, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige’, Dr. Robert L. McManus, and Superintendent John E. Bourque, Secretary-Treasurer.
2) Ms. Veronica Foreman who served ten years in the US Army and is a 1987 graduate of Crowley High School, led the prayer.
3) Tyron Foreman, son of Mr and Mrs. Terry Foreman and a third grade student at North Crowley Elementary, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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, the agenda was revised by adding Routine Item 8a (AUTHORIZE THE SUPERINTENDENT TO SELECT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2005), Consent Item 9 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM MS. LENETTE MECHE, TEACHER AT ARMSTRONG MIDDLE, FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE FOR THE 2005-06 SCHOOL YEAR FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT), deleting Routine Item 9 (HEAR A REPORT ON SPRING 2005 LEAP/GEE AND IOWA TESTS RESULTS), Routine Item 10 (CONSIDER 2005-06 ADULT EDUCATION FUNDING) and Routine Item 19 (CONSIDER PERSONNEL/INSURANCE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION REGARDING PAYROLL SPECIALIST POSITION).
5) Read and approve minutes of the May 2, 2005, meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the May 2, 2005, board meeting was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
1) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance Committee regarding policy changes for employee drug testing.
Mrs. Ellan Baggett indicated that the Personnel/Insurance Committee’s proposed policy was sent to the board attorney for review and he concurred. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, the follow drug testing policy for employees was adopted by the Board.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING PROCEDURES GENERAL EMPLOYEES
Employees of the Acadia Parish School Board shall be explicitly prohibited from unlawful manufacturing, making, distributing, dispensing, selling, possessing or using controlled substances or alcohol in the workplace. Controlled substances are defined in Schedules I through V of Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 USC 812) and further defined by federal regulations 21 CFR 1300.11 through 1300.15 and includes those substances described as Controlled Dangerous Substance by Louisiana law. The workplace is any Acadia Parish School Board property or other site where work is performed by employees of the Board, whether owned, leased, or used by the school system, at any school sponsored or supervised activity, in any Board owned, leased, or used vehicle in the course of Board employment, including any school bus, or any employee workplace.
As a condition of employment, the employee shall:
(1) Abide by the terms of the Board's Drug-Free Workplace Policy;
(2) Notify the Acadia Parish School Board Personnel Department of any criminal controlled drug statute conviction of the employee no later than five (5) days after such conviction.
(3) Immediately notify the Acadia Parish School Board Personnel Department of any violation of the Acadia Parish School Board Drug and Alcohol Policy by the employee or by others.
EMPLOYEES IN SAFETY-SENSITIVE AND SECURITY-SENSITIVE POSITIONS
Employees of the Acadia Parish School Board who hold safety and security sensitive positions including, but not limited to, those who work with power equipment, toxic or dangerous chemicals, drive Acadia Parish School Board vehicles, transport students in buses or receive compensation/reimbursement from the Acadia Parish School Board for the use of a personal vehicle while on school business shall be subject to alcohol and drug testing. Employees in safety-sensitive or security-sensitive positions shall include:
(1) Any employee or contracted person operating a public or contracted vehicle.
(2) One who transports children or employees in a vehicle.
(3) Any employee or contracted person using or operating tools, equipment, or machinery that may place that person or others in a dangerous situation.
(4) Any employee who may at any time during their described duties be required to perform duties that are safety-sensitive or security-sensitive.
(5) Any employee who may be required to handle drugs or weapons.
(6) Any employee involved in any way with food preparation.
TESTING
As a condition of continued employment, the Acadia Parish School Board may require samples from a school system employee for alcohol/drug testing in the following circumstances:
(1) When an employee is involved in any accident classified as medical only or lost time/medical during the course and scope of his or her employment.
(2) Under other circumstances which result in reasonable suspicion that drugs are being used by the employees;
(3) As part of a monitoring program, to assure employee compliance with a rehabilitation or treatment agreement;
(4) As part of program of random drug testing of designated employees who occupy safety-sensitive or security-sensitive positions.
In addition, when an employee is injured as a result of a job-related accident and who after alcohol/drug testing is determined to be intoxicated under the standards set forth in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 23:1081 or the employee refuses to immediately submit to such testing, then in accordance with state law such employee shall be presumed to be intoxicated at the time of the accident and may be denied workers' compensation benefits in addition to any other authorized action.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this policy shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to written reprimands, changes in job assignments, suspensions from work and discharge.
An employee shall be subject to immediate discharge if the employee refuses to cooperate with any of the law enforcement provisions of the policy or is believed to have tampered or purposefully tried to alter the outcome of drug and alcohol tests. Additionally, the employee may be discharged if found using, manufacturing, selling or distributing drugs or alcohol while on School Board premises.
It shall be the responsibility of an employee to report to the sample collector before the drug testing, any medication (prescription or over-the-counter) which might adversely influence the results of the drug test.
No adverse action shall be taken against any employee based on a confirmed positive testing result if the employee demonstrates reasonable doubt as to either the accuracy or the result of the chain of custody of the sample.
SAMPLE COLLECTION
Direct observation of the employee during collection of the urine specimen is not allowed except under the following circumstances:
(1) There is reason to believe that the individual may alter or substitute the specimen to be specified.
(2) The individual has provided a urine specimen that falls outside the acceptable temperature range as listed in the NIDA guidelines.
(3) The last urine specimen provided by the individual was verified by the medical review officer as being adulterated based upon the determinations of the laboratory.
(4) The individual has previously been determined to have a urine specimen positive for one or more drugs, and is being tested for purposes of follow-up testing upon or after return to service.
(5) The type of drug testing is post-accident or reasonable suspicion/cause.
All direct observations shall be conducted by a same gender collection site person. A designated representative of the Acadia Parish School Board shall review and concur in advance with any decision by the collection site person to obtain a specimen under direct observation.
REHABILITATION
Employees not terminated for violation of this policy may be required to participate in drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs. Continued employment shall be contingent upon drug and alcohol abstinence to deter relapse. Monitoring for the presence of drug or alcohol use shall be frequent, unannounced, and with urine specimens collected under direct observation. Blood, saliva, and/or urine may be used for monitoring drug or alcohol use. Other than follow-up drug and alcohol testing, the Board shall have no financial responsibility for any employee's rehabilitation program.
VOLUNTEERS, CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS
The Acadia Parish School Board Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy applies not only to its own employees, but equally to all volunteers, employees of contractors and subcontractors while in the scope of contract employment for the Board or on the premises of the Board.
EMPLOYER RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
The Acadia Parish School Board reserves the right to amend, interpret, change, rescind, or depart from this policy in whole or part. The employee shall be notified in writing of any such changes. Nothing in this policy alters an employee's status.
2) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding policy to replace buses in the APSB fleet.
Mr. Rex Mills reviewed proposed guidelines for replacement of buses, indicating concurrence among drivers and board members. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the policy and guidelines to replace buses in the APSB fleet were adopted with one minor change.
GUIDELINES FOR REPLACEMENT OF BUSES IN THE APSB FLEET
Upon retirement of any driver, consolidation of the route will be considered. If the route falls within the top 10% (based on mileage) the Board will provide a bus. If the route is to be filled, existing contract drivers may apply for the vacancy in the prescribed manner, as defined in state law. If the driver is unable to provide his own bus, the school board will provide one.
If a driver is unable to fulfill the requirement of his route due to the condition or age of his bus, they may ask the Acadia Parish School Board to provide a bus. Thereafter, the board provided bus will remain on this route as will the driver who made the request. If the route is ultimately assumed by a contract driver due to retirement (as indicated above), the board owned bus will remain in the fleet on the route vacated by the driver assuming this route.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider the Superintendent’s recommendation for principal at South Rayne Elementary School.
There were five applicants for the principalship at South Rayne Elementary School. Superintendent Bourque recommended Mrs. Brenda S. Savoie for the position. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mrs. Brenda S. Savoie was awarded a two-year contract for the principalship at South Rayne Elementary School beginning August 1, 2005. Mrs. Savoie was recognized and congratulated by the Board. She thanked members for their support.
2) Consider the Superintendent’s recommendation for principal at Iota Elementary School.
Superintendent Bourque recommended Dr. Gibson Miller for the position. A motion to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation was offered by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and failed by roll call vote of 4 to 4 with President Johnson casting the tying vote. Dr. Gibson thanked members who supported him and voiced his disappointment that he was not selected and that he intended to file a discrimination suit against the Board.
YEA: Proctor, Shamsie, Suire, Daigle
NAY: Johnson, Boudreaux, Vige’, McManus
Superintendent Bourque then recommended Mr. Charles Barbier for the position. A motion to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation was made by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a roll call vote of 5 to 2. Mr. Charles Barbier was awarded a two-year contract for the principalship of Iota Elementary School beginning July 25, 2005. Mr. Barbier was recognized and congratulated by the Board. Mr. Barbier thanked the members for their support.
YEA: Proctor, Shamsie, Suire, Boudreaux, McManus
NAY: Daigle, Vige’
3) Consider the Superintendent’s recommendation for assistant principal at Crowley Middle School.
There were two applicants for the principalship at Crowley Middle School. Superintendent Bourque recommended Mr. Joe Jacobi for the position. Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Jacobi was awarded a two-year contract for assistant principal at Crowley Middle School beginning August 1, 2005. Mr. Jacobi was recognized and congratulated by the Board. He thanked board members for their support.
4) Receive and award bids for the purchase of five used buses.
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received for five used buses exceeded budgeted amount and, therefore, were rejected. The Superintendent was authorized to re-bid for the purchase of these buses.
5) Consider awarding bids received by the Child Nutrition program for small equipment.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received for the Child Nutrition program for small equipment were awarded as recommended.
6) Consider awarding bids received by the Child Nutrition program for paper and cleaning products.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received for the Child Nutrition program for paper and cleaning products were awarded as recommended.
6a) Consider authorizing the Superintendent to advertise for a principal at Church Point Elementary School.
This item was added to the agenda, upon motion by Dr. Mcmanus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for the principalship at Church Point Middle School.
7) Consider awarding bids received by the Child Nutrition program for canned frozen fruits and vegetables.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received by the Child Nutrition program for canned frozen fruits and vegetables were awarded as recommended.
8) Consider awarding bids received by the Child Nutrition program for frozen and chilled meat.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received by the Child Nutrition program for frozen and chilled meat were awarded as recommended.
8a) Authorize the Superintendent to select auditors for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to select auditors for fiscal year ending June 30, 2005
9) Hear a report on Spring 2005 LEAP/GEE and IOWA test results.
This item was removed from the agenda earlier in the meeting.
10) Consider 2005-06 Adult Education funding.
This item was removed from the agenda earlier in the meeting.
11) Consider extended year for high school coaches.
Superintendent Bourque went over proposed changes in coaching pay for working in the summer. The additional cost is estimated to be $81,212. A motion by Dr. McManus to approve the proposed changes in coaching pay for summer work was seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a roll call vote of 7 to 1.
YEA: Proctor, Johnson, Shamsie, Suire, Boudreaux, Vige’, McManus
NAY: Daigle
12) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding final budget revisions.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried final budget revisions were approved as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.
13) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding a request for right-of-way from the Egan Water Corp.
Mr. Gerard Caswell, attorney, reviewed and approved this request. Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a request for right-of-way from the Egan Water Corporation was approved.
14) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding Head Start funding increase for COLA funds.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Head Start funding increase for COLA funds was approved as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.
15) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding Head Start one-time supplemental funds grant.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Head Start one-time supplemental funds grant was approved as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.
16) Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding renewal of leases for Head Start centers in Rayne and Church Point.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, renewal of leases for Head Start centers in Rayne and Church Point were approved was recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.
17) Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding renewal of health insurance coverage for 2005-06.
Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a 10% increase in health insurance coverage renewal for 2005-06 was approved was recommended by the Personnel/Insurance Committee.
18) Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding renewal of property and casualty insurance for 2005-06.
Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, renewal property and casualty insurance for 2005-06 was approved as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance Committee.
19) Consider Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding Payroll specialist position.
This item was removed from the agenda earlier in the meeting.
20) Consider Pupil Progression Plan for 2005-06.
Mr. Steve Jones went over changes in the Pupil Progression Plan for 2005-06. After some discussion, a motion by Mrs. Proctor to approve the Pupil Progression Plan for 2005-06 was seconded by Mr. Daigle, carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Shamsie opposed).
21) Consider going into an executive session to discuss workers’ compensation claims.
At 5:47 p.m., upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into executive session to discuss workers’ compensation claims.
At 5:57 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened into regular session.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the attorney’s recommendation to proceed with workers’ compensation claims was approved.
22) Consider changing date of July board meeting from the 4th to July 11, 2005.
Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the July board meeting will be held on Monday, July 11, 2005, and committee meetings in June were cancelled due to lack of agenda items.
23) Correspondence
There was no correspondence to report.
23a) A motion by Dr. McManus to add Routine Item 23a to the agenda (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE THE PRINCIPALSHIP AT IOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL) was seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote,
Consider authorizing the Superintendent to advertise the principalship at Iota Middle Elementary School.
Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Superintendent Bourque was authorized to advertise for the principalship at Iota Middle School.
DISCUSSION ITEMS: There were no discussion items to address.
CONSENT ITEMS:
The Board discussed the status of teachers with temporary certification.
Upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following action was taken:
1) Approved assignments and changes of professional employees.
2) Received notification of retiring employees:
3) Received the monthly sales tax report showing a year-to-date increase of 34.18 percent.
4) Granted permission to Mrs. Janice N. Carboni, special populations’ school psychologist, for sabbatical leave for the 2005 Fall semester, for professional development.
5) Granted permission to Ms. Madeleine R. David, teacher at Branch Elementary, for sabbatical leave for the 2005-06 school year, for professional development.
6) Granted permission to Ms. Maggie Elkins, teacher aide at Branch elementary, for leave without pay from August 2005 to August 2006, for maternity reasons.
7) Granted permission to Ms. Tricia Fontenot, paraprofessional at South Rayne Elementary, for maternity leave from April 4, 2005, through May 13, 2005 (27.5 days).
8) Granted permission to Ms. Cinnamon Prather, teacher, to waive intention to return to service after sabbatical leave in accordance with LA. R.S. 11:755.
9) Granted permission to Ms. Lenette Meche, teacher at Armstrong Middle, for sabbatical leave for the 2005-06 school year for professional development.
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:
Superintendent Bourque commented on his evaluation results and thanked the Board for their support and comments.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, at 6:08 p.m., upon motion by Mrs. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned.
______________________________
Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, President
ATTEST:
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Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent