CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

MAY 5, 2008

 

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 5th day of May 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. Simar led the pledge of allegiance.

 

4)         Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the agenda was revised by adding Opening Item #5a (HEAR REPORT REGARDING MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM), and adding Routine Item #12a (CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING THE REQUEST FOR A RIGHT-OF-WAY ON SECTION 16 SOUTH OF EUNICE).

 

5)         Read and approve minutes of the April 7, 2008, board meeting.

 

Reading of the minutes of the April 7, 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. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

 

5a)       Hear report regarding Mosquito Control program.

 

Mr. Stokes addressed the Board regarding the parish-wide mosquito abatement program.  He pledged to spray our campuses as needed and offered educational material for all grades regarding mosquito control.

 

6)                  Recognize Church Point High Power Lifting State Championship Team.

 

Lee Ward Bellard, Principal, Church Point High introduced the coach, Eddie Bergeron and the powerlifting team.  Mr. Bergeron introduced each player and the team posed for a picture.  The team was congratulated by the board.

 

7)                  Recognize FBLA National Championship Conference participants.

 

            Mrs. Margaret Jones introduced the FBLA Championship Conference participants from Iota High School and Church Point High School.  The students were congratulated by the board and took pictures with board members.

 

8)                  Recognize Superintendent’s Gallery participants.

 

Dr. Doug Chance indicated that, in response to legislative efforts, several Acadia Parish students have submitted art projects at the state level.  Their work now resides in the State Department of Education building in Baton Rouge as part of the Superintendent’s Gallery.

 

9)                  Recognize Student’s of the Year.

 

Mrs. Ellan Kaye Baggett introduced parish-wide students of the year.  Elementary student of the year was Gabrielle Hebert, Evangeline Elementary 5th grade, Middle School student of the year was Chelsea Lejeune, Richard Elementary 8th grade, and Secondary student of the year was Rose Mary Tweedel, Church Point High 12th grade.  The students were presented a plaque and gift certificates from local merchants.  The Board congratulated the students and took pictures.

 

10)              Recognize Sidney Fontenot, 6th grade student, Mire Elementary, Award of Merit at the State Science Fair.

 

Ms.Melanie Venable, Principal, Mire Elementary introduced Sidney Fontenot.  Sidney won the award of merit at the State Science Fair.  Ms. Venable also recognized Whitney Fontenot, sister of Sidney, for her accomplishments in the parish and regional science fairs.

 

11)              Recognize May 2, 2008 as SCHOOL NURSE DAY in the State of Louisiana.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board adopted a proclamation by Governor Bobby Jindal recognizing May 2, 2008 as SCHOOL NURSE DAY in the State of Louisiana.

 

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS,               the School Nurse, and invaluable member of the educational team and an experienced professional, is responsible for monitoring the overall well-being of each child and recognizing their health and safety needs that are crucial to their growth, development, and their educational success; and

 

WHEREAS,               the School Nurse enhances the educational process by helping children to meet their individual healthcare needs through assessments, delivery of intervention services, providing emergency care, and by appropriately managing acute and chronic illnesses; and

 

WHEREAS,               the School Nurse conducts health screenings, health education, prevention programs, environmental health and safety promotion, health counseling, and reviews and complies with state immunization requirements; and

 

WHEREAS,               the School Nurse is a dedicated healthcare professional who works in collaboration with school personnel, families, and communities to establish a plan of action to ensure optimal health, academic success, and life-long achievements; and

 

WHEREAS,               the efforts of the School Nurse are worthy of recognition for their compassion, dedicated service, and professional expertise in their contributions to the health of our children;

 

ACTION ITEMS:      There were no action items to address.

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)                  Consider board authorization to withdraw funds from the Education Excellence Fund.

Upon motion by LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the the withdrawal of funds from the Education Excellence Fund for after school tutoring.

 

2)                     Authorize Superintendent to advertise for the following administrative positions:  Principal, Crowley Middle School, Assistant Principal, Crowley Middle School, Principal, North Crowley Elementary, Parish wide Reading Facilitator, and Middle School Supervisor.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Lacombe,  and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved authorizing the Superintendent to advertise for Principal, Crowley Middle School, Assistant Principal, Crowley Middle School, Principal, North Crowley Elementary, Parish wide Reading Facilitator, and Middle School Supervisor.

 

3)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding a request from Kermit Allen for zoning variance near Crowley Kindergarten.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved a request from Kermit Allen for zoning variance near Crowley Kindergarten.

 

4)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding assignment of lease with the Welcome House.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Boudreaux abstained, the Board approved assignment of lease with the Welcome House.

 

5)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding bids received by Child Nutrition program for small equipment and paper and cleaning supplies.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the bids received by Child Nutrition program for small equipment and paper and cleaning supplies.

 

7)         Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding long term lease of land adjacent to Evangeline Elementary.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved long term lease of land adjacent to Evangeline Elementary.  The board attorney was authorized to prepare the necessary documents for this lease agreement.

 

8)         Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding proposed pay supplement in June and December.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, Mr. LaCombe abstained, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved proposed pay supplements in June and December.  June supplements will be $500 for support workers and $700 for professionals.  December will be $500 for support workers only.

 

9)         Consider bid tabulations received for teaching and duplicating supplies and janitorial supplies.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bid tabulations received for teaching and duplicating supplies and janitorial supplies.

           

10)       Consider a resolution in support of legislation for the reform of the worker’s compensation system.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board adopted a resolution in support of legislation for the reform of the worker’s compensation system.

 

11)       Consider a resolution in opposition to the centralized collection of local sales tax by the State of Louisiana.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board adopted a resolution in opposition to the centralized collection of local sales tax by the State of Louisiana.

12)              Consider a resolution in opposition to legislation regarding the purchase and repair of school buses.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board adopted a resolution in opposition to legislation regarding the purchase and repair of school buses.

12a)     Consider recommendation of Budget and Finance committee regarding the request for a right-of-way on section 16 south of Eunice.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved a request from SLEMCO for a right-of-way on Section 16 south of Eunice to provide electricity to an irrigation well.

 

13)              Hear report on Mosquito Control program.

 

This item was moved to Opening Item #5a.

 

14)       Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar and carried by a unanimous voice vote, May 21, 2008 will be the next committee meetings and June 2, 2008 will be the next board meeting.

 

11)              Correspondence

 

            Superintendent Bourque mentioned the Teacher Fair to be held Jun 4, 2008.  He also mentioned the Accountability Rewards and NSBA Southern Regional Conference.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:   There were no discussion items to address.

 

CONSENT ITEMS:

 

1)         Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved assignments and changes of professional employees.

 

2)         Consider retirement notification of employees.

 

            NONE

 

3)         Receive Sales Tax Report.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the sales tax report.

 

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:

 

            Mr. Bourque talked about certified teacher trends and comparisons and the exceptional label Acadia Parish received from the state.  He commented on textbook adoption and the positive change it will have on our children.  He also reminded the board that testing will be 2 weeks later next year.

 

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 5:53 p.m.

____________________________

Roland J. Boudreaux, President

ATTEST:

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent