CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

DECEMBER 3, 2007

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 3rd  day of December 2007, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux  presiding.  Members present were Mr. Israel G. Syria, Mr. Douglas J. LaCombe, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. Gene I. Daigle Mr. James Higginbotham, Mr. Milton R. Simar, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque.

2)         Mr. Israel Syria led the prayer.

3)         Mr. Simar 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 November 5, 2007, Board meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the November 5, 2007, 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. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6)         Recognize National Certified Educational Diagnostician.

Mrs. Carol Tall, supervisor, recognized three pupil appraisal staff members, who have recently been designated National Certified Educational Diagnosticians.

7)         Recognize Max Fontenot from Rayne High School FFA.

Mr. Max Fontenot, Ag. Teacher, from Rayne High School, presented students who recently won state land judging contest.

ACTION ITEMS:      There were no action items to address.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding the audit report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

The committee received the annual report from Rob Carter, CPA.  He reviewed the financial reports and went over findings and recommendations with the committee.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted the annual audit report, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

2)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding unrestricted donation from the Rayne Boosters' Club, Inc.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux abstained), the Board approved the unrestricted donation from the Rayne Boosters Club, Inc.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding installation of underground irrigation on school board property.

On both sections of school board property, Mr. Leonards indicated that cost sharing from the FSA is available.  The school boards' cost will be recovered by increasing the annual cash rent on the irrigation well by 5% of the APSB cost.  He also provided additional information showing the cost for the farm north of Iota, and that cost estimates are not yet available on the property near Evangeline.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved installation of underground irrigation on school board property, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.

4)         Receive information regarding Sales Tax pay supplement for all employees on January 10, 2008.

Pay supplement to all employees from Sales Tax collections will be made on January 10, 2008, in the amount of $802 for professional employees and $571 for support personnel.  This is the third year of distribution, with a slight increase each year.  The Board received the information.

5)         Consider dates for the next committee and board meetings.

Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board cancelled the committee meeting for December.  The next board meeting will be January 14, 2008.

6)         Correspondence

Superintendent Bourque presented the salary schedule ranking and he reminded board members of the upcoming LSBA Convention.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:        

1)         Discuss ongoing negotiations for a pipeline right-of-way with Kinder-Morgan Louisiana Pipeline.

Mr. Gerard Caswell, attorney, updated the Board on negotiations with Kinder-Morgan for a pipeline right-of-way.  He reviewed recent correspondence from the pipeline attorney stating their position.  The Board discussed the situation further.  No action was taken.

Representatives from Kinder-Morgan pipeline addressed the Board, stating their interest in this right-of-way, approximately 61/2 acre of permanent easement.  Negotiations will continue.  The matter will be reconsidered at the January board meeting.

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, 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 retirement notification of employees.

3)         Received the Sales Tax report showing a year-to-date increase of 11.87 percent.

4)         Granted a request to Sandra Hebert, teacher, to extend a medical sabbatical leave from one semester to a full year.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:

Superintendent Bourque commented on the audit report.  He mentioned progress in curriculum. He commented on the good fortunes of being able to give out supplements in December  and January.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:54 p.m.

______________________________

Roland J. Boudreaux, President

ATTEST:

______________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent