CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

FEBRUARY 6, 2006

            The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 6^th day of February 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)         Ms. Dana Redlich, a teacher at Church Point Elementary School, led the prayer.

3)         Ms. Peggy Ford, an Assistant Technology Strategist in the Special Populations Department, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

There were no changes to the agenda, therefore, it was accepted as submitted.

5)         Read and approve minutes of the January 9, 2006, meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the January 9, 2006, 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 Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

ACTION ITEMS:

1)         Consider employee revisions to job descriptions for principals and paraprofessionals.

Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, employee revisions to job descriptions for principals and paraprofessionals were approved as presented (copies were made available to board members prior to the meeting).

The job description for PRINCIPAL changed to reports to Appropriate Supervisor.  Previously was (reports to Supervisor of Elementary or Secondary Education Designated Level).

The job description for PARA PROFESSIONALS changed from must have a High School diploma or GED and two years of college to:

 Must have accomplished at least ONE of the following:

Passed the Educational Testing Service )ETS) Para-Pro Assessment [ETS Para-Pro Assessment (#0755) passing score of 450]; or

Completed two years of full-time student (48 semester credit hours, 9 hours must be ELA, 6 hours must be Math) from a state approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education; or

Earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree from a state approved or regionally accredited institution of higher education.

2)         Consider change in procedures regarding substitute applications.

Currently, background checks for substitute teachers are paid for by the Acadia Parish School Board.  Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a change in procedures regarding substitute applications were approved as presented (copies were made available to board members prior to the meeting).

Substitute teacher applicants pay the $50 for the background check (cash or money order) at the time the application is made.  Once that person is approved and has substituted on five separate days, that person will be reimbursed the $50 for the back ground check.  This will be done on a quarterly basis.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider employee pay increases from MFP Level 2 anticipated funding.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation to raise employees’ pay for next year from MFP sources in the amount of $900 for professionals and $500 for support personnel.

2)         Consider authorization and funding for construction on permanent classrooms at Mire Elementary School.

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for bids for construction on permanent classrooms at Mire Elementary School.

3)         Consider the use of matching funds to construct additional restrooms at Mire Elementary School.

Mire Elementary School is in need of additional restrooms for increased enrollment and convenience of the students.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized the Superintendent to advertise for construction of additional restrooms at Mire Elementary School.  Approximately $20,000 has been raised by the Mire PTC for this project and this amount will be contributed from the matching funds.

4)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding a request from Bayou Des Cannes-Nezpique Drainage District to lease property on Section 16, Township 9 South, Range 2 West.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, to proceed with an intergovernmental agency agreement with the Drainage District with bayou Des-Cannes-Nezipque Drainage District to lease property on Section 16, Township 9 South, Range 2 West with terms negotiated by the Superintendent and legal counsel, carried by a unanimous voice vote.  Mr. Caswell, attorney, will report back to the Board with specifics at the March 6, 2006, meeting of the Board.

5)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding adoption of the budget preparation calendar for the 2006-07 fiscal year.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the budget preparation calendar for the 2006-07 fiscal year was adopted.

2006-2007 BUDGET PREPARATION CALENDAR

Wednesday     Feb 15, 2006     5:30 p.m.                   Initial Meeting     

Wednesday     Mar 15, 2006    5:30 p.m.                   Budget Committee Meeting

Wednesday     Apr 19, 2006     5:30 p.m.                   Budget Committee Meeting

Wednesday     May 17, 2006    5:30 p.m.                   Final Budget Meeting

Thursday         May 18, 2006                                     Budget made available for public inspection

Monday          June 05, 2006    4:30 p.m.                   Public Hearing for budget

Monday          July 03, 2006     5:00 p.m.                   Adoption of budget by School Board

Friday             July 28, 2006                                      Budget filed with Legislative Auditor

6)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding a request from Head Start for a supplemental grant to attend the Hispanic Institute.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved a request from Head Start for a supplemental grant for $2000 to send two persons to the Hispanic Institute.

7)         Consider performance contract for Mr. Robert Allen, assistant principal, Rayne High School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mr. Robert Allen, assistant principal at Rayne High School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

8)         Consider performance contract for Mrs. Ellan K. Baggett, supervisor, personnel.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mrs. Ellan K. Baggett, supervisor of personnel at the APSB central office, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

9)         Consider performance contract for Ms. April Briscoe, assistant principal, Church Point High School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Ms. April Briscoe, assistant principal at Church Point High School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

10)              Consider performance contract for Mr. Daryl Broussard, assistant principal, Midland High School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mr. Daryl Broussard, assistant principal at Midland High School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

11)       Consider performance contract for Mr. Keith Cahanin, principal, Branch Elementary School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mr. Keith Cahanin, principal at Branch Elementary School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

12)       Consider performance contract for Mr. Paul DeRousselle, principal, Church Point Middle School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mr. Paul DeRousselle, principal at Church Point Middle School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

13)       Consider performance contract for Mr. Robert Gates, principal, South Crowley Elementary School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mr. Robert Gates, principal at South Crowley Elementary School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

14)       Consider performance contract for Ms. Dianna Guidry, supervisor, adult and community education.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Ms. Dianna Guidry, supervisor of adult and community education, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

15)       Consider performance contract for Ms. Carola Jolivette, assistant principal, Church Point Middle School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Ms. Carola Jolivette, assistant principal at Church Point Middle School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

16)       Consider performance contract for Mr. Steve Jones, supervisor, secondary education.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote a two year performance contract was granted to Mr. Steve Jones, supervisor of secondary education, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

17)       Consider performance contract for Mrs. Johnette LeLeux, principal, Estherwood Elementary School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mrs. Johnette LeLeux, principal at Estherwood Elementary School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

18)       Consider performance contract for Dr. Paul G. Miller, principal, Morse Elementary School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Dr. Paul G. Miller, principal at Morse Elementary School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

19)       Consider performance contract for Mrs. Mary Robbins, supervisor, media and technology.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mrs. Mary Robbins, supervisor of media and technology at the APSB central office, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

20)       Consider performance contract for Dr. Diane Wakefield, principal, North Crowley Elementary School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Dr. Diane Wakefield, principal at North Crowley Elementary School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

21)       Consider performance contract for Mrs. Linda Wilkerson, principal, Ross Elementary School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mrs. Linda Wilkerson, principal at Ross Elementary School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

22)       Consider performance contract for Mr. James Young, principal, Alternative School.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a two year performance contract was granted to Mr. James Young, principal at Alternative School, as recommended by Superintendent Bourque.

23)       Receive and consider approval of the annual Head Start program self assessment report.

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board received and approved the annual Head Start program self assessment report.

24)       Consider going into executive session to discuss the workers compensation case of Jimmy Melancon.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into executive session to discuss the workers compensation case of Jimmy Melancon, at 5:24 p.m.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened at 5:36 p.m.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized Mr. Gerard Caswell, board attorney, to handle this matter as discussed in executive session.

25)       Consider setting dates for monthly school board and committee meetings

Superintendent Bourque stated that the next board meeting will held on Monday, March 6, 2006, at 5:00p.m., and the next committee meetings will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2006, at 5:00 p.m.

7)         Correspondence

Superintendent Bourque called attention to correspondence from DeSoto Parish regarding a sales tax distribution resolution, a letter to the Lafayette Diocese regarding LEAP testing of non-public students who are interested in transferring to Grade 5 or Grade 9 in public schools, and a newspaper article about the minimum amount of money that board policy calls for in reserve money that has no specific designated purpose.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:       There were no discussion items to address.

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, 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 40.89 percent.

4)         Granted a request to Jackie LeBlanc, teacher at Mermentau Elementary, for sabbatical leave for the 2006-07 school year, for professional development.

5)         Granted a request to Elizabeth Shipp, food service technician at South Crowley Elementary, for leave without pay due to family illness.

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

Superintendent Bourque thanked the Board for making a commitment to employees’ pay for next year. He reported that schools are gearing up for testing.  Mrs. Melanie Venable thanked the Board for approval to build permanent classrooms and restroom additions at Mire Elementary School.  Dr. Proctor thanked the Board and staff for the Career EXPO held recently in Crowley.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m.,            

______________________________

Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, President

ATTEST:

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Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent