CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

DECEMBER 8, 2008

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 8th day of December,  2008, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with Vice President Mr. Gene Daigle 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.  Absent, Mr. Roland Boudreaux.

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. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item #6a was added to the agenda.

5)                  Read and approve minutes of the November 3, 2008 meeting.

      Reading of the minutes of the November 3, 2008 board meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, correction made to Mr. Boudreaux being absent and Mr. Daigle presiding over the meeting.

6)         Recognize Midland High’s Academic Achievement.

Margaret Jones indicated that Midland High School is one of only five schools in the state which has shown academic growth in each of the past six years.  She introduced Dr. Doug Chance, High School Supervisor, and Mr. Clyde Briley, Principal.  Mr. Briley informed the board of the schools success in this achievement.  Mr. Bourque and the board commended Mr. Briley and his school on this achievement.

7)      Hear presentation from Jackie Broussard, Counselor, Armstrong Middle, on counseling program being submitted for recognition by the American School Counseling Association.

This item was deleted because Mrs. Broussard was not present.

ACTION ITEMS:      NONE

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider proposals received for underground irrigation on 16th section near Evangeline.

            Upon motion by LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the low bid from Aucoin’s trucking.

2)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the audit report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the audit report for fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the acquisition of additional bus cameras.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved acquisition of 20 additional bus cameras at a cost of $20,000.

4)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding a pilot program for establishing an at-risk class for over aged students.

            Mr. Bourque provided detailed information about the pilot program, as well as potential benefits.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved a pilot program for over aged at-risk students.

5)         Consider going into executive session regarding the expulsion of Crowley High student.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into executive session at 5:35 p.m. regarding the expulsion of Crowley High student.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened at 6:07 p.m.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent’s recommendation for expulsion was upheld.

6)         Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

            Upon motion by LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, there will be no committee meetings in December and January 12, 2009 will be the next board meeting.

6a)       Consider recommendation for land clearing on Section 16 North of Iota.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. SImar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved a contract with Frey Dirt Works to clear and remove 2400 feet of fence and trees, stack, burn and bury the debris.

7)         Correspondence.    

            There was no correspondence.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:      NONE

CONSENT ITEMS:

1)         Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.

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

            Upon motion by Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following items were taken in globo.

2)                  Consider retirement notification of employees.

3)                  Consider request from teacher, Tiffany Shreve, Ross Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Spring 2009 and Fall 2009 semesters.

4)                  Consider request from teacher, Connie A. Miller, South Crowley Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Spring 2009 semester.

5)                  Receive Sales Tax Report.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS: 

            Mr. Bourque informed the board that he would recognize academic achievement of other schools in future months.  He thanked the board for their support in continuing pay supplements for employees.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m.

____________________________

Roland J. Boudreaux, President

ATTEST:

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent