CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

OCTOBER 3, 2005

            The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 3^rd day of October 2005, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session, with President Lyle C. Johnson presiding.  Members present were Dr. 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)         Dr. Proctor introduced members of the 2005-06 Head Start Policy Council, as October is Head Start Month.  They led the prayer.

3)         Ms. Melise Trahan led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by deleting Routine Item 4 (CONSIDER SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF THE PAVILION AT MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL).

5)         Read and approve minutes of the September 12, 2005, meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the September 12, 2005, board meeting was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

ACTION ITEMS:      None to address.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding renewal of agricultural leases.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, renewal of agricultural leases was approved as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

2)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding garbage collection services.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux abstained), The Cajun Environmental Company was approved for garbage collection services, contingent upon final approval by Mr. Gerard Caswell, board attorney, and Mr. Mike Leonards, business director.

3)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding a request by Head Start for supplemental funding due to increased enrollment for hurricane evacuees.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a request by Head Start for supplemental funding due to increased enrollment for hurricane evacuees was approved as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

4)         Consider substantial completion of the pavilion at Midland High School

This item was deleted from the agenda, earlier in this meeting.

5)         Hear an assessment of hurricane damage to parish schools.

Superintendent Bourque presented a listing of damages to schools in Acadia Parish.  All schools were in session, today.  The new ward maintenance workers were able to help in repairing storm damages.  A summary of food spoilage was given.  Mr. Ruth Miller, supervisor, will look into the possibility of securing a generator for the warehouse, in the event of an extended power outage.  Mr. Ronnie Chaumont, supervisor, answered questions of the Board.  He also commended the maintenance department on its swift response to storm damages.

6)         Hear an update from BESE regarding school accountability.

Superintendent Bourque indicated that the State Department (BESE) indicated that high stakes testing may not count, this year.  More information will be forthcoming.

7)         Correspondence    

Superintendent Bourque reported the possible waiver of instructional minutes lost during the hurricane.  The first six-weeks schedule was revised.  New salary books have been printed.  The new Acadia Parish telephone book’s cover photo is of Acadia Parish teachers of the year.  Updated the Board on evacuee enrollment expecting some reimbursement from the state, but the amount is uncertain.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  

1)         Discuss the Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding policy changes as the result of legislative mandates.

Mrs. Ellan Baggett, supervisor, went over legislative action that requires changes to Board policy.

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following action was taken by the Board:

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 59.10 percent.

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

Superintendent Bourque thanked the press for providing notification of school closings to the public.  He also thanked the central office staff for their efforts during the recent emergency.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, at 5:24 p.m., upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned.

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Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, President

ATTEST:

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Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent