CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

JUNE 2, 2008

 

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2nd day of June 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.

 

There were no changes to the agenda.

 

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

 

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

 

6)         Recognize schools receiving School Performance Growth Flags.

 

Mrs. Margaret Jones recognized five schools for academic achievement in 2007.  Richard Elementary, Midland High, Morse Elementary, Central Rayne Kindergarten, and Martin Petitjean Elementary received financial awards and a flag in recognition of this honor.  Mrs. Jones commented on the Reading program inservice day recently held parish-wide introducing the SRA material.

 

7)      Recognize Frances Miller, Egan Elementary Pre-K teacher selected as 2008 Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.

 

Mrs. Frances Miller, Pre-K teacher at Egan Elementary was recognized as the Farm Bureau – Louisiana Ag in the classroom Teacher of the Year.

 

8)      Recognize Elementary, Middle, and High School Principal’s of the Year.

 

Dr. Doug Chance introduced the 2007-2008 Acadia Parish Principal’s of the Year.  Elementary Principal of the Year was Mrs. Linda Wilkerson, Morse Elementary, Middle School Principal of the Year was Mr. Paul Derousselle, Church Point Middle, and Secondary Principal of the Year was Mr. Lee Ward Bellard, Church Point High.

 

9)      Recognize Richard Elementary Turn on to Learning Laptop Intiative.

 

Mrs. Jill Doga presented the results of the Learning Laptop Initiative program at Richard Elementary showing significant academic improvements.  Richard Elementary teachers Jeannette LeJeune and Christy Higginbotham commented on the positive effects and motivational benefits of students using these laptops in the classroom and at home.

 

ACTION ITEMS:      There were no action items to address.

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)                  Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, and Curriculum committee regarding renewal of Group Health Insurance Policy.

 

Upon motion by Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the renewal of the Group Health Insurance Policy

 

2)                     Consider renewal of property and casualty insurance for 2008-2009.

 

Mr. Leonards went over the property and casualty insurance renewals.  Based on premiums quoted and the recommendation of insurance consultant, Mr. Dwight Collier,  Upon motion by Mr. Shamise, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted casualty coverage from PCAL and property coverage from Dupre, Carrier, and Godchaux.

 

3)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding bids received for meat and frozen food items.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved bids received for meat and frozen food items.

 

4)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding general fund budget revisions for 2008-2009.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved budget revisions for 2008-2009.

 

5)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding bids received for the official journal for 2008-2009.

 

There were two bids received for an official journal.  Rayne Acadian Tribune at 4.50 per legal square and The Rayne Independent at 1.00 per legal square.  Upon motion by Suire , seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the low bid of 1.00 per legal square was awarded to The Rayne Independent.

 

6)         Consider request from Dr. Doug Chance to have the following parents serve on the 2008 Pupil Progression Plan committee.  Ms. April Briscoe, Ms. Susan Broussard, Ms. Melissa Chaisson, Ms. Gretchen Dregin, and Ms. Kelly Klein.

           

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the request from Dr. Doug Chance to have Ms. April Briscoe, Ms. Susan Broussard, Ms. Melissa Chaisson, Ms. Gretchen Dregin, and Ms. Kelly Klein serve on the 2008 Pupil Progression Plan committee.

 

7)         Consider swap of land with Community Outreach Corporation.

 

Mr. Gerard Caswell indicated that he is currently working on the documentation necessary to formalize the exchange of real estate with the Community Outreach Corporation. The matter will be acted upon at a later time.

 

8)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Middle School Supervisor.

 

Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation of Mr. Gerald Hardy for Middle School Supervisor.  Mr. Hardy was recognized by the Board and he thanked the Board for their support.  Mr. Hardy pledged to continue working with principals to improve academics throughout the parish.   

 

9)         Consider the Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal, Richard Elementary.

           

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation of Mr. Ken LeJeune for Principal at Richard Elementary.

 

10)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal, Crowley Middle School.

           

Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation of Mr. Chad Lemelle for Principal at Crowley Middle School.  Mr. Lemelle was recognized by the Board and he thanked the Board for this opportunity.

 

10a)     Authorize Superintendent to advertise for Assistant Principal at Crowley Middle School.

           

            Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Syira, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, item 10a was added to the agenda.

           

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized Superintendent to advertise for Asssitant Principal at Crowley Middle School.

 

11)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal, North Crowley Elementary.

           

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation of Mrs. Pam Dequeant for Principal at North Crowley Elementary.  The Board recognized Mrs. Pam Dequeant and she thanked the Board and her staff for their support.

 

12)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Assistant Principal, Crowley Middle School.

           

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation of Mrs. Pauline Gilbert for Assistant Principal at Crowley Middle School.

 

13)       Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Reading Facilitator.

 

Upon motion by LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation of Mrs. Brenda Benoit for Reading Facilitator.

 

13a)     Authorize Superintendent to advertise for Principal at South Rayne Elementary.

           

            Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, item 13a was added to the agenda.

           

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized the Superintendent to advertise for Principal at South Rayne Elementary.

 

14)       Consider authorizing Superintendent to advertise for Principal, Alternative School.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Daigle and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved authorizing Superintendent to advertise for Principal, Alternative School.

 

15)              Consider bus driver on two routes.

 

            Upon motion by Simar, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved Mr. Danny Wimberley, bus driver for the Eunice route and Mrs. Sherry Terro, bus driver for the Notre Dame route.  It was noted that all support employees are hired on a 6 month probationary basis.

 

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

 

           Upon motion by LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, June 18, 2008 will be the next committee meetings, July 7, 2008 will be the next board meeting, June 18, 2008 will be a special session at 5:00 p.m. and June 18, 2008 will be a budget hearing at 4:30 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  

 

1)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, and Curriculum committee regarding revisions to the Local Personnel Evaluation Policy Manual.

 

            There was discussion to change the transfer period to the last two weeks in April instead of the first two weeks in May.  This would provide us with a better opportunity to retain and hire qualified teachers.  This item will be brought to the full board as an action item at the July meeting.

 

2)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, and Curriculum committee regarding revisions to the Home School Liaison job description.

 

            There was discussion to change the job description for Home School Liaison to report to one person instead of two.  This item will be brought to the full board as an action item at the July meeting.

 

CONSENT ITEMS:

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by an 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)      Granted a request to Darla Thibodeaux, teacher, South Crowley Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters.

4)      Received the Sales Tax report showing a year-to-date increase of 5.53 percent.

 

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:

 

            Mr. Bourque talked about the May 26th inservice and how well the newly adopted reading program will be.  He also reminded everyone of the upcoming job fair to be held at Crowley High on June 4, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

 

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 6:14 p.m.

____________________________

Roland J. Boudreaux, President

ATTEST:

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent