CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

NOVEMBER 7, 2005

            The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 7^th day of November 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)         Mr. Lyle Johnson led the prayer.

3)         Ms. Judy Andrepont a member of the Teachers of the Year led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by deleting Routine Item 1 (CONSIDER RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO POLICY AS THE RESULT OF LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.).

5)         Read and approve minutes of the October 3, 2005, meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the October 3, 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 Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6)         Recognize Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Proctor recognized the Acadia Parish Teachers of the Year.  They were feted earlier today at a luncheon.

ACTION ITEMS:

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

Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, changes to policy as the result of legislative mandates were approved as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance Committee.

LEGISLATIVE POLICY CHANGES

CBD-EMPLOYMENT OF SUPERINTENDENT

• Written contract for superintendents is now statutorily required.

• Required ingredients are specific performance objectives, others are permitted.

• Negotiation or termination of the contract must be done not less than 90 days prior to the expiration of the contract.

• Can be terminated for failing to fulfill terms and performance objectives during the term of the contract but shall be entitled to written charges and a fair hearing.

• Applicable to anyone employed on or after July 1, 2005, and to subsequent term of anyone who is already serving as a Superintendent on July 1, 2005.

EE-CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• $       Includes information relevant to Act 331, which limits or restricts the sale of certain foods and beverages to students in schools.

GBD-EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL

• Broadens the scope with regard to background checks to include anyone who might reasonably be expected to be placed in a position of supervision or authority over school children.

JBA-COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AGES

• Distance living from school is no longer a sanctioned reason for not being at school.

• Excuses for illnesses may now come from a nurse practitioner in addition to a physician.

• Exempts a minor from compulsory attendance if the minor is involved in rendering artistic or creative services.  (Must meet certain statutory provisions.)

JDD-SUSPENSION

• Deals with students in possession of knives.  Blades two inches or longer were immediately suspended and recommended for expulsion, except students in K-5 where  principal had the discretion to recommend or not recommend for expulsion.

• Now limited to students less than 11 years of age in Pre K-5.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider recommended changes to policy as the result of legislative mandates.

The item was deleted earlier in the meeting.

2)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids received for meat products.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received for meat products were approved as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

3)         Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids received for fruits and vegetables.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received for fruits and vegetables, were approved as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

4)         Consider Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding the air-conditioning project at Ross Head Start gymnasium.

Mrs. Sondra Myers reviewed plans to air-condition the gymnasium at Ross Head Start.  Grant funds and locally generated funds will be used.  This was previously included in budgets.  No action needed, this time.

5)         Consider the recommendation for a tenant farmer on 60 acres on Section 16, Township 8 South, Range 2 West.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a majority voice vote  (Mr. Suire abstained), Mr. Trent Fruge’ and Garber Farms were approved as tenant farmers on 125 acres on Section 16, Township 8 South, Range 2 West, as recommended.

6)         Hear an update on the status of gymnasium damage at Iota Middle School.

Mr. Bill Ackal updated the Board on the extent of damage to the Iota Middle School Gymnasium.  The estimated repair cost exceeds $300,000.  More investigation is necessary, including some demolition, to determine the full extent of the damage.  Mr. Ackal answered questions of the Board.

At this time, upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, routine item 6a was added to the agenda.

6a)       Consider declaring emergency regarding the damage to the gymnasium at Iota Middle School to facilitate repairs and proceed with work based on the architect’s recommendation.

Mr. Bill Ackal, architect, addressed the Board regarding the scope of the work at this time.  He pointed out the possibility that more damage may be uncovered as work begins on this project.  Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved declaring an emergency regarding the damage to the gymnasium at Iota Middle School to facilitate repairs and proceed with work based on the architect’s recommendation.

7)         Consider change in the Pupil Progression Plan in regards to High Stakes Testing.

Mrs. Margaret Jones, director, addressed the Board regarding Acadia Parish’s position regarding High Stakes Testing.  Louisiana is waiving these requirements this year, due to recent natural disasters.  She recommended establishing an Academic Appeals Panel to over see the process, insuring that the highest possible standards are maintained.

Ms. Dianna Guidry, supervisor, gave a report showing school performance scores, a significant improvement from last year.  She compared Acadia Parish’s trends to state norms and answered questions of the Board.  Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, change in the Pupil Progression Plan in regards to High Stakes Testing was approved and an in-school academic appeals’ committee will be charged with the responsibility of making promotional decisions as stated below.

                                                  PUPIL PROGRESSION REVISION

In Acadia Parish, students in grades 4 and 8 are expected to pass LEAP as well as meet attendance requirements and demonstrate mastery of course work to be eligible for promotion.  For the 2005-06 school year, an Academic Appeals Committee will be charged with the responsibility of making promotional decisions for 4^th and 8^th grade students who meet other requirements for promotion but do not pass LEAP.  The Academic Appeals Committee may only consider promotion/placement for students who have attended summer remediation, met summer remediation attendance requirements, and completed the summer retest.

8)         Correspondence

Superintendent Bourque went over recent correspondence with the Board.  He called attention to a  notice from Mrs. Carr searching for judges for the Parish Social Studies Fair on January 24, 2006, at the Rayne Civic Center.  A notice from Mrs. Robbins with information and a web address regarding Mona Dore, a librarian at South Crowley Elementary, who has been awarded a $5000 Read Across America award.  She had moldy books.  With volunteers, she emptied the library, discarded the moldy books, she used Clorox to clean the shelves and repainted.  She is getting the award to replace the books she had to discard.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  

1)         Discuss the Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding policy changes as to the APSB personnel evaluation policies.

Mr. Mike Leonards, director, went over changes as discussed at the Personnel/Insurance Committee meeting.

CURRENT PROCEDURES                                  PROPOSED CHANGES

Evaluation Cycle                                                  Evaluation Cycle

Probationary professional Staff - Every Year           Probationary Professional Staff - Every Year

4+ Professional Staff - Every 3 years (Triennially)    4+ Professional Staff - Every other Year (Biennially)

Teacher Observation process                             Teacher Observation Process

1 Pre-Observation Conference                         1 Pre-Observation Conference

2 Observation: Scripting of the lesson                      2 Observation: Rating of specific performance objectives  derived from the LA Components of Effective Teaching

3 Post-Observation Conference                              3 Post-Observation Conference

Principal Observation Process                            Principal Observation Process

1 Pre-Observation Conference                         1 Pre-Observation Conference

2 Observation: Scripting of Activity                         2 Observation: Rating of specific performance objectives derived from the Standards for School Principals in LA

3 Post-Observation Conference                              3 Post-Observation Conference

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Suire, 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 50.34 percent.

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

Mr. Sherman Wilson addressed the Board regarding the work of the Acadia Parish School Board homeless liaison, Carol Malbrough.  All recent evacuees are considered ”r;homeless.”  Ms. Malbrough enrolled nearly 700 student evacuees as the result of recent hurricanes.  She was commended for the excellent job.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, at 5:53 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned.

______________________________

Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent