CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

JANUARY 9, 2006

 

            The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 9th day of January 2006, 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)         Reverend Jason Carter, Pastor of Forest Park Church of Christ, led the prayer.

 

3)         Amber Tilton, a student at South 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 Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by adding Opening Item 7 (RECOGNIZE CADE LEJEUNE, STATE FFA PRESIDENT).

 

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

Reading of the minutes of the December 5, 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.

 

6)         Recognize Ms. Mona Dore, librarian, South Crowley Elementary, recipient of a ”r;Read Across America” grant

Ms. Mona Dore was recognized and she spoke of the”Read Across America” $5,000 grant she received for library books at South Crowley Elementary School.  She was commended by the Board.

 

7)         Recognize Cade LeJeune, State FFA President.

Mr. Gene Daigle introduced Cade LeJeune of Mermentau and told of his many achievements and travels as President of the Louisiana FFA.  Speaking to the Board, Mr. LeJeune, shared his experience as state leader and asked the Board to continue its support of agricultural education in Acadia Parish.

 

ACTION ITEMS:            There were no action items to address.

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)         Consider revision to farmers’ agricultural leases.

The proposed addendum to agricultural leases was discussed and approved.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, farmers will be required to declare their intention to farm APSB land for the 2007 year by a specified date (September 15, 2006).

 

2)         Consider the Superintendent’s recommendation for a bus driver for a route in the Fifth Ward.

Superintendent Bourque reported that Ms. Tracy Guidry was the only applicant  for bus driver in the Fifth Ward and he recommended her for the position.  Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Ms. Guidry was named bus driver for the Fifth Ward route.  She was congratulated by the Board.

 

3)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for a bus driver for Rayne Head Start route.

Superintendent Bourque reported that there were four applicants for bus driver for Rayne Head Start route and he recommended Mr. Glenn Carriere for the position.  Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Carrier was named bus driver for the Rayne Head Start route.  He was congratulated by the Board.

 

4)         Consider approval of Internal Dispute Resolution (Impasse) Policy for Head Start and Board shared decision making.

There were no changes from last year’s policy.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Internal Dispute Resolution (Impasse) Policy for Head Start and Board shared decision making was approved as submitted.

 

5)         Consider a request from the APPJ for a bridge replacement right-of-way on Perchville Road.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved a request from the APPJ for a bridge replacement right-of-way on Perchville Road.

 

6)         Consider setting dates for monthly school board and committee meetings.

Superintendent Bourque expressed the need to address setting (ratify) dates for board and committee meetings each month, due to occasional changes.  He recommended that committee meetings be held Wednesday, January 18, 2006, followed by a board planning goals meeting (in the Media Center), and the regular Board meeting will be held Monday, February 6, 2006.  Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the meeting dates as recommended for January and February 2006.

 

7)         Correspondence

Superintendent Bourque called attention to correspondence from IRS.  The reimbursement for travel has changed from 48.5 cents to 44.5 cents per mile.  He again called attention to registration for the 2006 LSBA Convention scheduled for March 9-11, 2006, in Baton Rouge.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  

 

1)         Discuss proposed revisions to job descriptions for principals and paraprofessionals.

Mrs. Ellan Baggett reported a change designation on the job description for principals.  The job description for para professionals needs to be changed so qualifications will match ”r;No Child Left Behind” requirements.  This will be an Action Item at the February board meeting.

 

2)         Discuss change in procedures regarding substitute applications.

Mrs. Ellan Baggett stated that the cost for background checks for substitute applicants is $50 each.  Forty-two substitute applications have been processed from August 31, 2005 through December 31, 2005, at a cost of $2,100 to the Board.  Out of 42 applicants only half  have worked, the others have never worked or have substituted only one time.  She proposed that substitute applicants be required to pay for the background check and reimburse them after they substitute five times.

 

CONSENT ITEMS:

 

Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Daigle, 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 47.91 percent.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

 

Superintendent Bourque congratulated Mr. Sheeny Gauthreaux, bus driver, on his retirement.  He announced that the Career Expo will be held January 31, 2006, at the Rice Festival Building and he encouraged everyone to take part in this event.  Dr. Proctor added that support of all is greatly appreciated.  Mr. Bourque reported that South Rayne Elementary received the Civic Beatification Award from Rayne for the month of January.  Also,  he called attention to information on Federal Law regarding battery on a bus driver.  There was an incident last Friday.  The Board will proceed to the maximum penalties possible for battery of this nature.  He stated that the Social Studies Fair is scheduled for  Tuesday, January 24, 2006, at the Rayne Civic Center.  The Science Fair will be held Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at the Rayne Civic Center.

 

Dr. Proctor announced that in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, a celebration of the arts will be held at the MLK Center, Sunday, 15, 2006.  Also, on Sunday, January 15, 2006, at the Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church there will be a Martin Luther King musical.  Dr. Proctor stated that these activities are centered around the youth and invited the public to attend.

 

CLOSING:

 

There being no other business to come before the Board, at 5:42 p.m., upon motion by Dr. Proctor, 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