CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

FEBRUARY 18, 2009

The Acadia Parish School Board met in SPECIAL SESSION on this the 18th day of February, 2009, at 5:00 p.m., at Crowley, Louisiana, with President Mr. Lynn Shamsie presiding, pursuant to the following notice given in writing to each and every member thereof and duly posted in the manner required by law, viz.

February 13, 2009

Dear Board Member:

By virtue of the authority vested in me by law by reason of the fact that it is deemed necessary, advisable, and to the public interest that the Acadia Parish School Board is called to a SPECIAL SESSION; therefore, I, Lynn Shamsie, President of the Acadia Parish School Board, do hereby give notice that a special meeting of the said Board will be held at its domicile in the City of Crowley, Louisiana, at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 18, 2009, for the purpose of discussing, and, if deemed advisable, acting upon the following proposition(s), to wit:

SPECIAL SESSION ITEMS:

1.      CONSIDER RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD LIMIT THE AUTHORITY OF SCHOOL BOARDS.

CONSENT ITEMS:

1.      CONSIDER PERSONNEL CHANGES.

Sincerely,

s/s Lynn Shamsie, President

Acadia Parish School Board

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(Copies sent to Central Office Staff Members, Principals, News Media)

1)         President Shamsie called the meeting to order.  Members present were Mr. Israel G. Syria, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. Gene I. Daigle, Mr. Milton R. Simar, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque.  Members absent were Mr. James Higginbotham and Mr. Douglas LaCombe.

2)         Mr Syria led the prayer.

3)         Mr. Simar led the pledge of allegiance.

            4)    Reading of the letter calling for Special Session.

Mr. Mike Leonards read the letter calling for a special session.

SPECIAL SESSION ITEM:

1)         Consider resolution in opposition to proposed legislation which would limit the authority of school boards.

Mr. Leonards provided some information on this topic then read a proposed resolution in opposition to recommended changes by the State Superintendent of Education.  After some discussion, it was instructed to immediately send this resolution  to the LSBA as an emergency resolution to be considered at their upcoming convention.  Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved resolution in opposition to State Superintendent of Education’s proposal to legislation.

RESOLUTION

Whereas         the Acadia Parish School Board has existed for the past 122 years for the sole purpose of providing an appropriate education to the children of this parish.

Whereas         the Board Members are elected from the citizens of their districts, representing all facets of the respective communities.  This freedom to choose representation is the cornerstone of our democracy.

Whereas         elected board members are vested with the duties and responsibilities of overseeing our system of public education.  Prominent among these tasks is the selection of a superintendent and establishing appropriate policies.

Whereas         the Board Members are provided with timely information and updates necessary to make informed decisions.  They also have access to the Superintendent and his administrative staff to discuss any issues that might arise.  Additionally they are in compliance with existing professional development guidelines.

Therefore be it resolved

that the Acadia Parish School Board does oppose and reject any recommendations by the State Superintendent of Education, the Louisiana Department of Education, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or any other agency to change or diminish the rights, duties, and responsibilities of local school boards to manage the educational process of the children they represent.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution will be sent to our legislative delegation, the Louisiana Department of Education, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Louisiana School Board Association for inclusion in their annual meeting as an emergency resolution.

Whereupon, this resolution was declared and adopted on February 18, 2009.

__________________________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent/Secretary

CONSENT ITEMS:

1)         Consider personnel changes.

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

ADJOURNMENT:

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.

____________________________

Lynn Shamsie, President

ATTEST:

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent