CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
OCTOBER 2, 2006
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2nd day of October 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. Stephanie Istre, Head Start Policy Council member, led the prayer.
3) Ms. Melise Trahan, FINS Coordinator, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.
There were no changes to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the September 11, 2006, board meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the September 11, 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 Dr. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
ACTION ITEMS:
1) Consider recommendation the Budget/Finance Committee regarding a policy to allow the board president and superintendent authority to resolve time-sensitive settlements.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board authorized the Superintendent and board president to resolve time sensitive settlements, without prior approval by the Board, as outlined in proposed changes to policy.
Proposed change to the CASUALTY INSURANCE - CLAIMS MANAGEMENT policy is the following sentence: Time-sensitive settlements in excess of this amount may be authorized if, in the opinion of the Superintendent, Board Attorney, and Board president or Vice-President, it is in the best interest of the school system.
Proposed change to the WORKERS’ COMPENSATION - SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS policy is the following sentence: Time-sensitive settlements in excess of this amount may be authorized if, in the opinion of the Superintendent, Board Attorney, and Board president or Vice President, it is in the best interest of the school system.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Receive presentation on Parent Internet resources.
Mrs. Jill Doga demonstrated the new ”r;Parent Command Center” and ”r;On Course” programs now on the internet and available to parents to use to monitor their students’ progress and grades. This information may also be accessed by parents through computers at parish public libraries.
2) Hear a report on teacher certification requirements under consideration by BESE.
Mrs. Ellan Baggett reviewed teacher certification requirements currently under consideration by a BESE committee.
3) Recognize the week of October 9-13, 2006 as National School Lunch Week.
Mrs. Ruth Miller addressed the Board regarding activities associated with National School Lunch Week. Nutrition education and wellness will be emphasized. Mrs. Miller invited Board members to visit school cafeterias during this week. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the week of October 9-13, 2006, as National School Lunch Week.
4) Recognize the week of October 15-21, 2006 as National School Bus Safety Week.
Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the week of October 15-21, 2006, will be recognized as National School Bus Safety Week.
5) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding the automation and upgrade of library and food service hardware and software.
Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved implementation of library software throughout the parish at an estimated cost of $221,614, and also approved upgrading of hardware and software for Acadia’s cafeterias at an estimated cost of $180,000, as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees.
6) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding the implementation of laser fiche data storage and retrieval system.
The business department is currently in the process of implementing the laser fiche data storage and retrieval system. Training is ongoing and plans are to expand this technology to other areas, including curriculum, media center, food service, Title I and other departments. Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the implementation of the laser fiche data storage and retrieval system at an estimated cost of approximately $30,000, as recommended by the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees.
7) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding the renewal of agricultural leases.
These farmers have performed satisfactorily and their current contract will expire in November of 2006. Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Suire abstained), the Board renewed agricultural leases with Garber Farms, Reese and Benjamin Guillot, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.
8) Consider changing the October committee meeting date from October 18 to October 25, 2006.
Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the October committee meetings will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2006.
9) Correspondence
There was no correspondence to present.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
There were no Discussion items to address
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Vige’, 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 0.55 percent.
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:
Superintendent Bourque invited board members to visit schools and recognize the efforts of teachers and school administrators.
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 5:47 p.m.
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Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, President
ATTEST:
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Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent