CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
MARCH 2, 2009
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2nd day of March 2009, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President Mr. Lynn Shamsie presiding. Members present were Mr. Douglas J. LaCombe, Mr. Roland Boudreaux, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. Gene I. Daigle Mr. James Higginbotham, Mr. Milton R. Simar, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque.
2) Mr. Syria led the prayer.
3) Mr. LaCombe 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. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Opening Item #5a , Routine Item #1a, and Consent Item #2a were added to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the February 2, 2009 meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the February 2, 2009 board meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the February 2, 2009 minutes were approved.
5a) Hear presentation from Mr. Clyde Holloway, Candidate for Public Service Commissioner.
Mr. Clyde Holloway, candidate for Public Service Commissioner addressed the board, asking for their support in the upcoming election.
6) Recognize Ms. Pat Miers, LTC Acadian Campus.
Mr. Roland Boudreaux introduced Ms. Pat Miers from the Louisiana Technical College in Crowley. Ms. Miers invited the board to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Louisiana Technical College. She gave a description of the some of the programs and thanked the board for their ongoing support.
ACTION ITEMS: NONE
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Hear report from Pupil Progression Plan committee
Dr. Doug Chance presented a roster of members named to the Pupil Progression Committee.
1a) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal at Morse Elementary.
Mr. Bourque recommended Mrs. Linda Wilkerson for Principal at Morse Elementary. Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Superintendent’s recommendation was approved.
2) Consider amendment to Investment Agreement with State Treasury to withdraw Education Excellence Fund.
Mr. Leonards addressed the board regarding the Investment Agreement with the State Treasury to withdraw the Education Excellence Fund. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, approval was given to withdraw the Education Excellence Fund from the State Treasury and allow the Superintendent authorization to sign documents necessary for withdrawal.
3) Consider bids received for hunting lease on Section 16 southeast of Eunice.
Mr. Leonards presented bid tabulations received for hunting lease on Section 16 southeast of Eunice. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bid from Mr. Keith McDaniel for $1,278 a year subject to contract terms.
4) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding the Internal Resolution Policy with Head Start.
The committee reviewed the Internal Dispute Resolution Policy from Head Start. A copy was distributed to each member for review. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved the Internal Resolution Policy with Head Start.
5) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the approval of the 2009-2010 Head Start budget and program changes.
The committee heard an update from Mrs. Myers, outlining Head Start’s budget for the upcoming year. Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the 2009-2010 Head Start budget and program changes.
6) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the adoption of the budget preparation calendar for 2009-2010.
The committee reviewed a proposed timeline for the preparation of next year’s budget. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the adoption of the budget preparation calendar for 2009-2010.
7) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding mid-year budget revisions.
The committee was provided with a copy of the mid-year budget revisions. Mr. Leonards discussed some of the significant changes. A copy of this booklet is available for review by interested parties. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved mid-year budget revisions.
8) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids for large equipment received by the School Lunch program.
Mrs. Miller provided the committee with bids received for large equipment. Mrs. Miller answered questions of the committee. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board approved bids received for large equipment by the School Lunch program.
9) Consider recommendation of the Budget and Finance committee regarding the status of various maintenance projects.
Mr. Steve Jones briefed the committee on several major upcoming projects, including running a gas line for a generator at the Food Service warehouse, roof repair/replacement at the Rayne High Stadium and Midland High, and the condition of the library at South Crowley. Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the maintenance projects were approved.
10) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding adjustments to school allocations.
Mr. Leonards recommended to the committee that e-rate eligible pone charges for the current year be waived, thereby making those funds (approximately $30,500) available for other needs at the school, including janitorial supplies. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adjustments to school allocations requesting priority be made to use funds for janitorial supplies.
11) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, the next committee meeting will be on March 18, 2009 and Board meeting will be on April 6, 2009.
12) Correspondence.
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS: NONE
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Items 1 – 3 were taken in globo.
1) Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, 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.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved retirement notification of employees.
2a) Consider request from teacher, Monica Dailey, Iota Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters for professional development.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved sabbatical leave from teacher, Monica Dailey, Iota Elementary, for professional development.
3) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Sales tax report for the month showed an increase of 0.67%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commented on the stimulus package for education. He commented that there are still many unknown factors. It does not appear that we will receive any funds for maintenance and construction.
Mr. Bourque commented on other educational initiatives happening in our state, including high school redesign, accountability program and limiting of local school board authority.
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 6:05 p.m.
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Lynn Shamsie, President
ATTEST:
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John E. Bourque, Superintendent