CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
FEBRUARY 11, 2008
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 11th day of February 2008, 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. Shamsie led the pledge of allegiance.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by adding Routine Item #29a (CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF CHURCH POINT BUS DRIVER) Routine Item #29b, (CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF RAYNE AREA BUS DRIVER), Routine Item #31a (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM ORBIT ENGERGY FOR SEISMIC PERMITS ON FOUR SECTIONS OF SCHOOL BOARD PROPERTY). Deletion of Routine Item #16 (CONSIDER CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR LINDA WILKERSON, PRINCIPAL, MORSE ELEMENTARY), Routine Item #21 (CONSIDER CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR DARRYL BROUSSARD, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, MIDLAND HIGH), Routine Item #23 (CONSIDER CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR KEITH CAHANIN, PRINCIPAL, BRANCH ELEMENTARY), and correction of Routine Item #28 to read (CONSIDER CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR CHAD LEMELLE, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, CROWLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL).
5) Read and approve minutes of the January 14, 2008, board meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the January 14, 2008, board meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6) Recognize the Acadia Parish Career Connections Expo.
Dr. Ezora Proctor addressed the board on behalf of the Career Connections Expo. She thanked the board for their support and extended an invitation to the 10th annual Career Expo to be held February 19, 2008.
7) Recognize bus drivers Beverly Klumpp and Jennifer Johnson.
Mr. Steve Jones recognized bus drivers Beverly Klumpp and Jennifer Johnson for their extraordinary efforts in protecting children while on their bus routes. They were commended by the school board for their life saving efforts of the children of Acadia Parish.
ACTION ITEMS: NONE
1) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance/Curriculum Committee regarding changes to the student dress code.
Ms. Melanie Venable updated and answered board questions to the proposed changes. It was determined that each school could wear navy or their school color shirt. Alternative School is to wear navy only. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, opposed by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved changes to the student dress code.
2) Consider recommendations of the Personnel/Insurance/Curriculum Committee regarding policy changes due to legislative mandates.
Mrs. Ellan Kay Baggett, Personnel Supervisor, explained the changes in policy due to new state laws. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote the Board approved policy changes due to legislative mandates as listed.
JGCE - DEFINITIONS
● Caretaker means any person legally obligated to provide or secure adequate care for a child, including a parent, tutor, guardian, legal custodian, foster home parent, an employee of a public or private day care center, an operator or employee of a registered family child day care home, or other person providing a residence for the child.
GBRA - EMPLOYEE CONDUCT
PROHIBITED SEXUAL CONDUCT
● Employees shall be prohibited from engaging in any form of sexual conduct with students. In particular, it is a violation of criminal statutes for any educator, which includes any administrator, coach, instructor, teacher, paraprofessional, teacher aide, or student aide, to engage in sexual conduct, as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:81.4 with a student who is seventeen (17) years of age or older, but less than nineteen (19) years of age.
Not withstanding any claim of privileged communication, any educator, having cause to believe that prohibited sexual conduct has occurred between another educator and a student, shall be required by state law to immediately report such conduct to a local or state law enforcement agency.
3) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance/Curriculum Committee regarding changes in job description for Superintendent’s Secretary.
Mrs. Ellan Kay Baggett, Personnel Supervisor, presented the modifications to the Superintendent’s secretary job description. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved changes in job description for Superintendent’s secretary.
4) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance/Curriculum Committee regarding changes in eligibility for Head Start enrollment.
Mrs. Sondra Myers presented eligibility enrollment details of the APSB Head Start program. Upon motion by Mr. Daige, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the enrollment eligibility of the APSB Head Start program.
5) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance/Curriculum Committee regarding Head Start Internal Dispute Resolution Policy.
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Head Start Internal Dispute Resolution Policy.
6) Consider recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance/Curriculum Committee regarding updates to the ”Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Material” form.
Mrs. Jill Doga, Supervisor, explained the update which allows any citizen to ask the school board to reconsider any instructional material in the parish. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the updates.
7) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding renewal of audit contract.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the renewal of the audit contract for the next three years.
8) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding contracting with an actuarial firm to satisfy the requirements of GASB 45.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved contracting with an actuarial firm, Milliman, at a cost of $15,000.
9) Consider renewal of contract for third party administration of workers compensation claims.
Mr. Michael Leonards, Business Director, went over a comparison of proposals for third party administration of workers compensation claims previously submitted to the Budget/Finance committee. He recommended renewal of this service with FA Richard for three years. Mr. Lolly Leger of Trinity addressed the board citing the benefits of his company. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved renewal of three year contract with FA Richard.
10) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding mid-year budget revisions.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the revisions regarding mid-year budget.
11) Consider recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee a request by Iota High School to purchase a sign.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved Iota High’s request to purchase a sign.
At this time , upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, consideration of performance contracts (Routine Items 12 through 28, with Items 16, 21, and 23 deleted and correction to Item 28 to read Crowley Middle) expiring June 30, 2008 were taken in globo. Each name and position was read aloud by President Boudreaux. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the contract renewals.
12) The performance contract for Marie Janise, Principal, Evangeline Elementary, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
13) The performance contract for Johnette Leleux, Principal, Estherwood Elementary, was renewed for two years, beginning July 2, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
14) The performance contract for Ellan K. Baggett, Personnel Supervisor, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
15) The performance contract for Carola K. Jolivette, Assistant Principal, Church Point Middle, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
16) This item was deleted from the agenda since Mrs. Wilkerson is working on an interim basis, not under contract.
17) The performance contract for April Briscoe, Assistant Principal, Church Point High, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
18) The performance contract for Dianna Guidry, Supervisor, Adult & Community Ed./Testing, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
19) The performance contract for Diane Wakefield, Principal, North Crowley Elementary, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
20) The performance contract for Robert Gates, Principal, South Crowley Elementary, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
21) This item was deleted from the agenda since Mr. Broussard is working on an interim basis, not under contract.
22) The performance contract for Thomas Sonnier, Principal, Ross Elementary, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
23) This item was deleted from the agenda since Mr. Cahanin is working on an interim basis, not under contract.
24) The performance contract for Steve Jones, Supervisor, Maintenance/Transportation, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
25) The performance contract for Debbie Siebert, Principal, Iota Middle, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
26) The performance contract for Neal Young, Assistant Principal, Iota High, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
27) The performance contract for Joe Jacobi, Principal, Church Point Elementary, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
28) The performance contract for Chad Lemelle, Assistant Principal, Crowley Middle, was renewed for two years, beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010.
29) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal, Midland High.
Mr. Bourque recommended Mr. Clyde Briley, Principal, Midland High. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation.
29a) Consider appointment of bus driver in Rayne area.
The Superintendent recommended bus driver Donald Bearb to replace Reno Leblanc in the Rayne area. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation.
29b) Consider appointment of bus driver in Church Point area.
The Superintendent recommended bus driver Sophie Joseph to replace Pat Daigle in the Church Point area. Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation.
30) Consider assignment of garbage collection contract.
Mr. Leonards indicated the desire by Cajun Environmental Services to assign their garbage collection contract to IESI under the same terms and conditions through its contract expiration of October, 2008. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Daige, and carried by a unanimous voice vote (Mr. LaCombe abstained), the Board approved garbage contract to IESI.
31) Update on parish wide property tax renewals.
Mr. Bourque informed the Board and the press of the upcoming March 8th property tax renewal to the Board and the press and encouraged everyone to vote.
31a) Consider request from Orbit Energy for seismic permits on four sections of school board property.
Mr. Leonards presented a proposal from Orbit Energy to conduct a 3-D seismic survey on four sections in the Northwest part of the parish at $25 per acre. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board voted to consider this proposal. At this time, Mr. Shamsie made a motion to authorize Mr. Caswell, Board attorney, to negotiate the Orbit Energy contract to protect the interest of the School Board and the farmers, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the negotiation of the survey.
32) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, committee meetings will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, and the Board meeting will be held on Monday, March 3, 2008.
At this time, upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item 32a (DISCUSS ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL) was added to the agenda.
32a) Discuss Principal at the Alternative School.
Mr. Bourque announced the resignation of Alternative School Principal, Mr. Charles Young. He requested approval to appoint an interim Principal for the remainder of the school year. Advertisement for a permanent Principal would be made in the near future. Mr. Bourque announced that he would make his request for interim Principal at the February 20, 2008 Personnel/Insurance/Curriculum committee meeting. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s request to recommend an interim Principal at the Alternative School.
33) Correspondence
Mr. Bourque informed the Board that information for the upcoming February 28 – March 1, 2008 Louisiana School Board’s Association convention was made available to each attending in their committee packet.
Mr. Steve Jones invited the Board to attend the grand opening of the new Softball field at Church Point High School on Saturday, February 16, 2008.
DISCUSSION ITEMS: There were no discussion items to address.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, 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 5.43 percent.
4) Granted a request to Katherine D’Aquin, teacher, Ross Elementary, for a leave without pay.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
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 6:36 p.m.
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Roland J. Boudreaux, President
ATTEST:
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John E. Bourque, Superintendent