CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

NOVEMBER 6, 2006

            The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 6^th day of November 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. Gene Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige’, Dr. Robert L. McManus, and Superintendent John E. Bourque, Secretary-Treasurer.   Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux was absent.

2)         Mr. Dewitt Villejoin led the prayer.

3)         Acadia Parish Teachers of the Year, Ms. Edna Dugas, Ms. Elizabeth Carroll, and Ms Pamela Hillman, 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 October 2, 2006, board meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the October 2, 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. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6)         Recognize Teachers of the Year.

Mrs. Ellan Baggett introduced Teachers of the Year from throughout Acadia Parish.  They were honored earlier today at a luncheon in Rayne.

7)         Hear a report on School-Wide Positive Behavior Support.

Mr. Charlie Hayes presented information on the School-Wide Positive Behavior Support program, started in Acadia Parish in 2004.  Ms. Marlene Courvelle shared the implementation process at Armstrong Middle School, where the program is in its third year.  She answered questions of the Board.

ACTION ITEMS:

There were no Action Items to address.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding the request from Land Resources Inc. for a mineral lease on Section 16, Township 10 South, Range 2 East.

Minerals in Section 16, Township 10 South, Range 2 East are owned jointly by Acadia, Vermilion, and Lafayette parishes.  The Budget/Finance Committee recommended authorizing the State Mineral Board to advertise for the lease of Section 16, Township 10 South, Range 2 East.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board agreed to authorize the State Mineral board to advertise for the lease of Section 16, Township 10 South, Range 2 East, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, containing 657.11 acres, LESS AND EXCEPT 37.90 acres, more or less, situated within the confines of the BOL M "A" RB SUA, as shown on that plat of survey dated July 13, 2001, accompanying Unit Order No. 448-H-8, leaving a balance of 619.21 acres, more or less, all as more particularly outlined on a plat on file in the Office of Mineral Resources, Department of Natural Resources.  All bearings, distances and coordinates are based on Louisiana Coordinate System of 1927, (North or South Zone), as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

2)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids received for canned and frozen fruits and vegetables.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board awarded bids for canned and frozen fruits and vegetables as tabulated by the Child Nutrition Program and recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee

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3)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding bids received for frozen and chilled meats.

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board awarded bids for frozen and chilled meats as tabulated by the Child Nutrition Program and recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

4)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding the selection of tenant farmers for school board land.

After reviewing farming history and the resume of several applicants, the Budget/Finance Committee recommended Mr. Kim Frey for the half section north of Iota and Mr. Jarrod Breaux for the section south of Eunice.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee and named Mr. Kim Frey to farm the half section north of Iota and Mr. Jarrod Breaux to farm the section south of Eunice, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

5)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding the drilling of an irrigation well on Section 16, township 7 South, Range 1 West.

The Budget/Finance Committee recommended taking proposals to drill an irrigation well on the section south of Eunice.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to take proposals to drill an irrigation well on the section south of Eunice, and upon completion, the Board will cash rent the well to the tenant farmer, who will supply the power unit and fuel tank.

6)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding itemized budgets for Head Start one-time funds.

The Budget/Finance Committee reviewed detailed budgets for one-time grants for Head Start.  These grants will provide funding for new buses, hurricane evacuees, air conditioning the gym, and technology.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved budgets for Head Start one-time funds, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

7)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding the recommendation to proceed with various maintenance projects.

The Budget/Finance Committee reviewed time lines for projects previously approved.  After hearing updates on other maintenance needs throughout Acadia Parish, they recommended proceeding with the sewer treatment improvements at Midland High and Mire Elementary, the softball field and weight room at Church Point High, the vinyl siding and four new classrooms at Branch Elementary, six new classrooms at Crowley Kindergarten (this was not discussed at committee, but approved by the Board), and air conditioning of gymnasiums at Church Point Middle School, Richard Elementary, Estherwood Elementary and South Rayne Elementary.

8)         Hear an update on parish-wide test scores.

Ms. Dianna Guidry went over parish-wide test results of School Performance Scores recently released by the State.

9)         Hear an update on status of a high-deductible health insurance plan.

Mr. Mike Leonards went over the current status of health insurance coverage.  Active employees will be offered the option of changing to the high-deductible plan in January 2007, to coincide with the calendar year deductible.

10)       Consider going into an executive session to discuss pending workers compensation claim - Emma DeRousselle vs. Acadia Parish School Board, docket No: 06-00685 District 4.

Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into an executive session at 5:40 p.m.

Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened at 5:46.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted the legal counsel’s recommendation on the further handling of this claim.

11)       Correspondence

Superintendent Bourque called attention to a list of recommendations of the June 30, 2006, audit, from Mr. Robert Carter, CPA.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 1)        Consider the Personnel/Insurance Committee’s recommendation regarding recommended changes to policies as the result of new legislation adopted by the state.

Mrs. Ellan Baggett went over policy revisions necessary as the result of changes in state legislation.  Changes will affect tobacco use on school grounds, disclosure of sexual misconduct (authorizing release of information from previous employers), purchase of a bus from retiring bus drivers, employment of family members, notification of drug-related convictions, application to attend professional meetings, suspension of students for assault and battery, and use or recommendation of drugs by students to modify their behavior.  She answered question of the Board.

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 20.90 percent.

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

Superintendent Bourque commended the staff on their efforts to improve discipline and academic performance.  Various maintenance projects are improving the learning environment throughout Acadia Parish.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.

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Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, President

ATTEST:

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Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent