CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

 JULY 7, 2008

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 7th day of July,  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. Daigle 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, Routine Item #4a was added to the agenda.

5)                  Read and approve minutes of the June 7, 2008, board meeting and the June 18, 2008 Special Session.

Reading of the minutes of the June 7, 2008 board meeting and the June 18, 2008 Special Session were dispensed (copies of the minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

ACTION ITEMS:

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

            Mrs. Baggett explained the changes to the board.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, revisions to the Local Personnel Evaluation Policy Manual were adopted.

PERSONNEL TRANSFER

VOLUNTARY TRANSFER

The Personnel Office shall identify and post all known vacancies during the first two weeks in May,  last two weeks in April including positions currently held by non-certified teachers, positions that have been temporarily filled during the school year, and newly created positions.  During this time period, only Acadia Parish tenured, certified teachers may apply.  The principal shall post the list of vacancies at the sign-in area in each school.  No teacher on intensive assistance shall be eligible to apply.  Transfer forms must be submitted and eligibility approved by the Personnel Office prior to an interview of any applicant.  (The time period identified shall be reviewed annually by the Personnel/Insurance Committee).

Vacant positions within a school may be filled by certified personnel on staff at that school at the discretion of the principal without regard to this policy.  If these positions are not filled in this manner, the principal must interview all other interested, eligible applicants for an available position during the two week interview period.  The principal, with the approval of the Superintendent, will make a selection to fill the vacancy.

During the months of May and June, available positions shall be posted on the Central Office bulletin board and website.  These positions are available to any certified applicant.  Voluntary transfers shall not be permitted after June 30 except for positions vacated for extenuating circumstances or displacement of current employees due to program changes.  Transfers in these cases shall be granted at the discretion of the Superintendent.

The Superintendent shall make all recommendations for voluntary transfers for Board approval.

INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER

The Acadia Parish School Board may transfer any administrator, teacher, or other employee upon the recommendation of the Superintendent from one position, school or grade, to another by giving written notice of such intention to transfer.  Such transfer shall be without loss of status or violation of contract and shall not be for political or personal reasons.  The Board may transfer any teacher only in accordance with applicable state law.

At the discretion of the Superintendent, a teacher may be transferred for the following reasons:

1.      To move a teacher into the proper field of certification

2.      To meet enrollment changes

3.      To overcome friction with principal, other school employees, or the community

4.      Due to financial limitations or the discontinuance of special programs or projects

When a transfer is to be made during the session, a conference of the employees concerned shall be held either with the Superintendent or his/her designee.  A teacher who is unsatisfied with the transfer may refer to the grievance policy.  The Board reserves the right to transfer teachers within a school or to other schools within the system provided certification requirements are the same.  Involuntary transfers may be made after the Superintendent and Supervisor of Personnel have met to determine staffing needs in specific teaching areas.

When involuntary transfers are warranted due to reasons 2 (to meet enrollment changes) and 4 (Due to financial limitations or the discontinuance of special programs or projects), the teacher(s) transfer from one school/grade/position to another shall be accomplished using the information listed below in the order in which it appears:

1.      Teachers who have Temporary Authority to Teach (TAT)

2.      Teachers who have Temporary Emergency Permit (TEP)

3.      Practitioner Teachers (PT)

4.      Teachers with Out of Field Authority to Teach who are Non-Tenured (OFAT-T)

5.      Properly Certified Teachers (teaching in their certified areas) who are Non-Tenured (PC-NT)

6.      Teachers with Out of Field Authority to Teach who are tenured (OFAT-T)

7.      Properly Certified Teachers (teaching in their certified areas) who are Tenured (PC-T)

When transfers are to be considered from within one specific category and there is a choice to be made between two (2) or more teachers, the determination of who is transferred shall be made on the basis of length of service in the Acadia Parish School System.  Board approved leave with pay will count toward seniority.  Board approved leave without pay will not count toward seniority.

Classified employees may be transferred for the following reasons:

1.      To meet enrollment changes

2.      To overcome friction with the principal, other school employees, or the community

3.      Due to financial limitations or the discontinuance of special programs or projects

When involuntary transfers are warranted, the transfer shall be accomplished using the information listed below:

1.      Recommendation of immediate supervisor

2.      Seniority within classified position categories, ie., clerical, food service, bus drivers, aides, labor force, and classified management level positions

3.      Seniority, defined as total years of employment in the Acadia Parish School System

4.      Academic or other qualifying preparation (when acceptable)

5.      Regularity of attendance, not including appropriate use of sick leave

6.      By lot, if all other factors are the same

The Superintendent shall make a recommendation to transfer persons when it is determined to be in the best interest of the school system.

Revised:  October, 2003

Ref:  La. Rev. Stat. Ann §§17:42.3, 17:441, 17:442, 17:443, 17:444

          Board minutes, 6-6-94, 7-7-97, 4-5-99, 7-7-03

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

            Mrs. Baggett explained the revision in the job description to the Home School Liaison.  The Home School Liaison will report to one supervisor listed instead of two.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board accepted the revision to the Home School Liaison job description.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)                  Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the pipeline right-of-way agreement with Egan Hub partners.

Mr. Caswell indicated that the agreement with Egan Hub Partners is still being negotiated.  He does not anticipate any problems with finalizing these arrangements. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the pipeline right-of-way agreement with Egan Hub Partners, giving Mr. Caswell the authority to conclude this matter.

2)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding budget adoptions for 2008-2009.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board accepted budget adoptions for 2008-2009.

3)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for bread, dishwasher chemicals, milk and juice.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved bids received for bread, dishwasher chemicals, milk and juice.

4)                     Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding the acquisition of video camera equipment on school buses.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved acquisition of video camera equipment on  twenty school buses.

4a)        ADD:  Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, and Curriculum committee regarding banked time for inservice purposes.

              Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved banked time for inservice purposes.

5)                     Consider request from SLEMCO for powerline right-of-way on Section 16, Township 10 South, Range 2 East (South of Rayne) to provide power to an irrigation well for tenant farmer.

Upon motion by Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the request from SLEMCO for powerline right-of-way.

6)         Consider bids received for construction of new cafeteria in Estherwood.

            Mr. Bill Ackal reviewed the bids and recommended the low bid from L.K. Breaux & Associates of $474,500.00 to construct a new cafeteria in Estherwood.  Upon motion by Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid of 474,500.00 from L.K. Breaux & Associates.

7)         Consider bids received for construction of new classrooms and other improvements in the fourth ward.

Mr. Bill Ackal reviewed bids and recommended low bid of $1,860,000.00 from L.K. Breaux & Associates for construction of new classrooms and other improvements in the fourth ward.  Upon motion by Mr. SImar, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid of $1,860,000.00 from L.K. Breaux & Associates.

8)         Consider entering into contractual agreement with Acadiana Marine Institute (AMI).

            Mr. Leonards briefed the board on previous discussions with AMI regarding an agreement between the Acadia Parish School Board and AMI to transfer MFP money to their facility for students attending their facility.  Mr. Caswell has reviewed and approved the agreement.  Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Higginbotham abstained, the board approved entering into contractual agreement with AMI.

9)         Consider agreement with Community Outreach Corporation regarding exchange of property.

            Mr. Caswell indicated that the documentation has been completed and is seeking board approval at this time.  The agreement will be an even exchange of one acre adjacent to our current location.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Boudreaux abstained, the board approved agreement with Community Outreach Corporation for exchange of property.

10)       Consider request from Orbit Energy for seismic permit on 141.68 acres on Section 16, Township 7, South Range 1 East, Perchville.

            Mr. Leonards went over request from Orbit Energy seismic permit on 141.68 acres on Section 16, Township 7, South Range 1 East, Perchville at $25.00 per acre.  Mr. Caswell reviewed and approved the request.  Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the request from Orbit Energy for seismic permit.

11)       Consider request from ENTERGY for powerline right-of-way on Section 16, Township 8 South, Range 1 East

            Mr. Leonards went over request from ENTERGY for powerline right-of-way.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, the motion failed by a roll call vote of 5 to 2.

            YEAS:  Mr. Gene Daige and Mr. James Higginbotham.

            NEAS: Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. Douglas LaCombe, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. John Suire, and Mr. Milton Simar.

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

           Upon motion by LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, July 16, 2008 will be the next committee meetings, August 4, 2008 will be the next board meeting.

13)           Correspondence

           Mr. Bourque addressed the board on the Ethics Board regarding financial disclosures of elected officials.  He also informed the board that the fiber optic work should be completed by tomorrow July 8, 2008.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:      NONE

CONSENT ITEMS:

1)                  Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Higginbotham abstained, the board approved assignments and changes of professional employees.

2)                  Consider retirement notification of employees.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved retirement notification of employees.

3)                  Consider request from Marcilene Moore, teacher, Crowley Kindergarten, for a leave without pay from August 2008 through May 2009.

      Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Marcilene Moore, teacher, Crowley Kindergarten, for a leave without pay from August 2008 through May 2009.

4)                  Consider request from Danielle LeDay, teacher, Crowley Middle, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2008 semester.

            Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Danielle Leday, teacher, Crowley Middle, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2008 semester.

5)                  Consider request from Carrie Hoffpauir, teacher, Church Point Elementary, for a leave without pay from August 2008 through May 2009.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Carrie Hoffpauir, teacher, Church Point Elementary, for a leave without pay from August 2008 through May 2009.

6)                  Consider request from Rachel H. Cart, teacher, Branch/Richard Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters.

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Rachel H. Cart, teacher, Branch/Richard Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters.

7)                  Consider request from Anne Credeur, teacher, Branch/Richard Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters.

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Anne Credeur, teacher, Branch/Richard Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters.

8)                  Receive Sales Tax Report.

            Sales Tax showed a YTD increase of 5.26%.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:

            Mr. Bourque commented on May inservice.  He mentioned that the teachers are excited about the new reading program and have been working hard during the summer.  Mr. Bourque also commented that Mr. Leonards had a complete audit on all schools in the parish.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m.

____________________________

Roland J. Boudreaux, President

ATTEST:

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent