CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

DECEMBER 4, 2006

 

            The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 4th day of December 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)         Rev. James W. Proctor, past principal of Rayne High School, led the prayer.

 

3)         Mr. Douglas LaCombe, Acadia school board member elect, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

At this time, Mr. Banks Pruitt presented musical students who sang the Star-Spangled Banner and then played Christmas melodies.

Mr. Roland Boudreaux introduced Ms. Edna Dugas, a teacher at Rayne High School, who introduced three students from Rayne High who attended the meeting as part of the STAR Program.

 

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 Routine Item 8a (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD PRESIDENT TO AWARD BIDS FOR REWIRING RAYNE HIGH SCHOOL), Routine Item 8b (CONSIDER SETTING DATES FOR DECEMBER COMMITTEES AND JANUARY BOARD MEETINGS), Consent Item 4 (CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM DIANE B. VENABLE, TEACHER, RICHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR A SABBATICAL FOR THE 2006-07 SPRING SEMESTER AND THE 2007-08 FALL SEMESTER, FOR MEDICAL REASONS), and Consent Item 5 (CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM ANNA D. WASHINGTON, TEACHER, MARTIN PETITJEAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, FOR A SABBATICAL FOR THE 2006-07 SPRING SEMESTER FOR MEDICAL REASONS). 

 

5)         Read and approve minutes of the November 6, 2006, board meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the November 6, 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.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

 

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

Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved changes to policies as the result of new legislation adopted by the state.

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)         Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the Parish tax Assessor to engage legal counsel to resolve ongoing issues regarding assessment valuation of pipelines.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the Parish Tax Assessor to engage legal counsel to resolve ongoing issues regarding assessment valuation of pipelines.

 

                                                                     RESOLUTION

WHEREAS,     there is ongoing litigation over the assessment and ad valorem taxation of certain pipeline property located in Acadia Parish; and

WHEREAS,     the Assessor of Acadia Parish is in the process of reassessing the properties for the referenced taxpayers pursuant to Judgment issued by the 19th Judicial district Court; and

WHEREAS,     the referenced have lodged the following appeals with the Louisiana Tax commission challenging the assessor’s reassessed valuation for the referenced years;

TAXPAYER:                           LTC DOCKET NO:    TAX YEARS:

ANR Pipeline Company           06-22001-001             1994-2003

Tennessee Gas Pipeline             06-22001-003             2000-2003

WHEREAS,     as this litigation proceeds it has become necessary for the Assessor to defend the assessments in legal proceedings;

WHEREAS,     such a defense will necessitate the Assessor contracting with legal counsel;

WHEREAS,     in an effort to limit the costs of such legal counsel, which cost is ordinarily borne proportionately by the ad valorem taxing bodies in Acadia Parish, the Assessor intends on engaging legal counsel on a contingency fee basis, with any fees coming only from any additional taxes collected as a result of the new assessments of the above referenced tax payers; and

WHEREAS,     the Acadia Parish School Board will benefit from the collection of any additional ad valorem taxes collected with the assistance of the legal counsel contracted by the Assessor.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Acadia Parish School Board in a duly called open meeting does hereby authorize the assessor to engage legal counsel for its benefit on a contingency fee basis, not to exceed 10% of the additional taxes, interest and penalties collected for its benefit pursuant to the decision of the Louisiana Tax Commission in the above referenced proceedings or by judgment of a reviewing Court and does hereby obligate and encumber an amount not to exceed 10% of the additional taxes, interest and penalties collected for its benefit for the payment of said legal fees.

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Acadia Parish School Board that the Assessor and/or the Ad Valorem Tax Collector of Acadia Parish be and are hereby authorized to pay said legal fees to the legal counsel contracted by the Assessor to provide legal services in the above referenced matters prior to or contemporaneously with the disbursal of any additional taxes, interest and penalties to the it.

 

2)         Consider bids received for athletic tracks at Crowley High School and Rayne High School.

Two bids were received.  Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board awarded base bid only of $333,920, to Glenn Lege Construction, for renovation of athletic tracks at Rayne High School.

 

Rayne High School Track Renovations:

BIDDER                                  BASE BID       ALT 1              ALT 2 

Glenn Lege Construction           333,920           25,000             86,400

Hellas Construction                   380,615           46,720             26,000

 

Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the bids for Crowley High track renovations were rejected, due to excessive costs.  These projects will be discussed and reconsidered at the next Budget/Finance Committee meeting.

 

Crowley High School Track Renovations:

BIDDER                                  BASE BID       ALT 1              ALT 2 

Glenn Lege Construction           402,375           26,010             90,600

Hellas Construction                   448,820           26,000                ----

 

3)         Consider bids received for permanent classrooms at Richard Elementary School.

 

Five bids were received.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Vige’, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the low bid and alternate in the amount of $282,020 from E. L. Habetz for permanent classrooms at Richard Elementary School.

 

BIDDER                                BASE BID        ALT 1              TOTAL

E. B. Feutch                             298,800           9,200               308,000

E. L. Habetz                             268,040           13,980             282,020

F. Phillips                                 276,000           17,000             293,000

L. K. Breaux                            281,680           10,150             291,830

Fruge Lumber                           289,750           15,000             304,750

 

4)         Consider criteria for distribution of sales tax supplemental pay for January.

Superintendent Bourque went over proposed supplemental pay to be made January 10, 2007.  He explained the process used to compute this supplement, based on funds available.  He recommended that the Board adopt this process to be used in future distributions.  Mr. Leonards answered questions of the Board.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the criteria for distribution of sales tax supplemental pay for January 2007.

 

5)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding proposals received for an irrigation well on Section 16, south of Eunice.

Three proposals were received for an irrigation well on Section 16, south of Eunice.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the recommendation of the Budge/Finance Committee and accepted the proposal from Maxim Well Service in the amount of $48,725.

 

Company                                     Proposal                           Supply Well (if needed)

Maxim Water Well Service            $48,725                                    $2,000

M. E. Amy Drilling Company          $52,300                                   $4,000

Griner Drilling Service                     $49,500                                   $3,000

 

6)         Receive the annual audit report for the 2005-06 fiscal year.

Mr. Vige’ went over the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, providing financial highlights and mentioning that there were no management points in the report this year.  Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board received the annual audit report for the 2005-06 fiscal year.

 

7)         Consider the Budget/Finance Committee’s recommendation regarding fund balance reserves.

 Upon motion by Mr. Vige’, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved adding $3,000,000 to reserves for the purpose of using the earnings to make the annual payments to retire the QZAB debt, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

 

8)         Hear a report on the upcoming implementation of GASB 45.

Mr. Vige’ went over the upcoming requirements of GASB 45, which will require the Acadia Parish School System to compute and begin funding the cost of post employment benefits (retiree insurance).  It will represent a substantial cost to the school board in future years.

 

8a)       Consider authorizing the Superintendent and Board President to award bids for rewiring Rayne High School.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent and Board President were authorized to award bids for rewiring Rayne High School.  The bids will be opened December 13, 2006.

 

8b)       Consider setting dates for December committees and January board meeting.

Upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, committee meetings will not be held in December and the Board meeting will be held on Monday, January 8, 2007.

 

9)         Correspondence

 

There was no correspondence to report.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

 

There were no discussion items to address.

 

CONSENT ITEMS:

 

Upon motion by Mr. Suire,  seconded by Mr. Shamsie, 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 26.40 percent.

4)         Granted a request to Diane B. Venable, teacher, Richard Elementary School, for a sabbatical for the 2006-07 Spring semester and the 2007-08 Fall semester for medical reasons.

5)         Granted a request from Anna D. Washington, teacher, Martin Petitjean Elementary School, for a sabbatical for the 2006-07 Spring semester for medical reasons.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS:

 

Superintendent Bourque reflected on the accomplishments over the past several years.  He thanked school employees for their combined efforts.  He then presented plaques to outgoing school board members, Mr. Shirley Vige’, Dr. Robert McManus, Dr. Ezora Proctor, and Mr. Lyle C. Johnson.

 

CLOSING:

 

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Dr. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Vige, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.

 

______________________________

President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Mr. John E. Bourque, Superintendent