CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

MAY 4, 2009

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 4th day of May 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. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Action Item #1, Routine Item #1a and Routine Item #11a was added to the agenda, Routine Item #1 was deleted.

5)         Read and approve minutes of the April 6, 2009 meeting.

      Reading of the minutes of the April 6, 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. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the April 6, 2009 minutes were approved.

6)         Recognize participants in the Young Author’s Contest winners at the parish, regional, and state levels.

            Mrs. Brenda Benoit introduced winners of the Young Authors Contest from schools throughout the parish.  They were presented with a certificate acknowledging this achievement and were commended by the board.  The composition of a state level winner was read by Caleb Bruce.

ACTION ITEMS:     

1)                  Consider authorizing Superintendent to advertise for principal at Branch Elementary.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved authorizing the Superintendent to advertise for principal at Branch Elementary.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider recommendation of the Personnl, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding mandatory drug testing for all worker’s compensation claims.

Item deleted.

1a)       Consider bids received for teaching and duplicating supplies, and janitorial supplies.

            Mr. Leonards presented a summary of bids received for janitorial, teaching, and duplicating supplies.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bids received were approved.

2)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding implementation of the Read 180 program.

            Mr. Bourque recommended the Read 180 program for our middle schools to be paid for with Special Education funds.  The program will be piloted at Armstrong Middle, Crowley Middle, and Church Point Middle schools.  Estimated cost is $222,800.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved implementation of the Read 180 program.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding the expansion of the SRA reading program.

            Mrs. Brenda Benoit provided samples of SRA reading kits and answered questions of the committee.  Mr. Bourque commented on how these kits are being used effectively in our schools.  After some discussion, it was recommended that this program be expanded into the high school grades.  Estimated cost is $65,000.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the expansion of the SRA reading program into high school grades.

4)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding Boys Town training.

            Carol Tall discussed the need to provide additional training to staff members using the Boys’ Town model.  This will enhance discipline and positive behavior in our schools.  Estimated cost is $19,000.  Upon motion by Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Boys’ Town training.

5)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for large cafeteria equipment, small equipment, paper and cleaning supplies.

            The committee reviewed tabulations of bids received by the School Nutrition Department for large equipment, small equipment, paper and cleaning supplies.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bids received for large cafeteria equipment, small equipment, paper and cleaning supplies.

6)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding June pay The committee confirmed the issuance of pay supplements in June with the base amount of $500 for support personnel and $700 for professionals to be annualized and indexed as in prior years.  Total cost is estimated to be approximately $1,000,000.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. LaCombe and Mr. Higginbotham abstained, the board approved issuance of pay supplements in June.

7)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding contract for physical therapy services.

            Mr. Bourque indicated that physical therapy services for high school athletics will be increasing next year by $4,500.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved contract for physical therapy services.

8)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding supplemental grants for Head Start COLA and ARRA funds.

            Mrs. Sondra Myers presented information regarding supplemental grants for Head Start COLA and ARRA stimulus funds.  She explained how these funds will be used in next year’s budget, including the possibility of supplemental payments to employees with bachelor’s degrees.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved supplemental grants for Head Start COLA and ARRA funds.

 9)        Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding schools supplies for students in Pre-K through grade 3.

            Mr. Bourque discussed budget priorities for next year, including the possibility of providing classroom school supplies for the start of school to students in grades Pre-K through 3.  Estimated cost would be approximately $135,000.  Mr. Wilson commented on this matter, commending the board for this action, whereby children will not be required to purchase any supplies to start the upcoming school year in grades Pre-K through 3.  Plans are to fund this for the next two years with stimulus money.  Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved budget for school supplies for grades Pre-K through 3.

10)       Consider proclamation declaring the week of May 4th through May 8th, 2009 Child Nutrition Employee’s Appreciation Week.

            Mr. Shamsie read the proclamation commending the school food service employees.  Mrs. Ruth Miller reminded the board that we have over 140 employees who serve approximately 11,000 meals each day.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board adopted the week of May 4-8 as Child Nutrition Employee’s Appreciation Week.

CHILD NUTRITION EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEK

OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION

            WHEREAS                  nutritious meals at school are an essential part of the school day; and

            WHEREAS                 the Acadia Parish Child Nutrition staff and support personnel are committed to providing appetizing, nutritious meals to our students; and

            WHEREAS                  the employees who prepare and serve school meals help nurture our students through their daily interaction and support; and

            WHEREAS                  the week of May 4-8, 2009 is Child Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week;

            NOW THEREFORE   be it resolved that the Acadia Parish School Board expresses its deep appreciation to these valuable employees and commends their dedication and excellent work on behalf of our students.

11)       Consider proclamation declaring Wednesday, May 6, 2009 School Nurse Day.

            Proclamation of the governor declaring Wednesday, May 6, 2009 School Nurse Day was presented to the board.  Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board adopted Wednesday, May 6, 2009 as School Nurse Day.

11a)     Consider proclamation declaring the week of May 3-8, 2009 as Teacher Appreciation Week.

            Mr. Shamsie read the proclamation declaring the week of May 3-8, 2009 as Teacher Appreciation Week.  Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board adopted the week of May 3-8, 2009 as Teacher Appreciation Week.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS,   today’s teachers mold our future citizens through their guidance and education, and

WHEREAS,    today’s teachers encounter students of widely different backgrounds and abilities, and

WHEREAS,   our society expects public education to provide quality education services to all children, not matter what their backgrounds or abilities, and

WHEREAS,   our country’s future depends, in large measure, upon the education our youth receive today, and

WHEREAS,     teachers spend countless hours outside their classrooms preparing lessons, evaluating process, counseling, and coaching students and performing community service, and

WHEREAS,    our community recognizes that its teachers are providing quality education services to our children,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT the ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, designates the week of May 3-8, 2009 as Teacher Appreciation Week in this community, and

BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT the Acadia parish School Board calls on the community to join with it in personally expressing appreciation to our teachers for a job well done.

12)       Consider request from Walter Oil & Gas for mineral lease on property in Crowley.

            Mr. Leonards presented the request from CINCO Land and Exploration, Inc. to lease .892 acre of property from the school board in Crowley.  We have the option to refer this matter to the State Mineral board to handle this mineral lease.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following resolution was adopted regarding this matter:

RESOLUTION

The Acadia Parish School Board hereby authorized the State Mineral Board to advertise, accept bids, and execute a lease for the tract, hereafter referred to as Exhibit A, on behalf of the Acadia Parish Board.  This tract of .892 acres has been Nominated for lease by CINCO Land and Exploration, Inc. and is further identified as tract 2A on the attached plat included in Exhibit A.

Furthermore, Superintendent John E. Bourque and/or President Lynn Shamsie are hereby authorized to sign any documents regarding this transaction on behalf of the Acadia Parish School Board.

EXHIBIT A

MINERAL LEASE DESCRIPTION

ACADIA PARISH, LOUISIANA

April 29, 2009

That certain tract of land containing 0.892 acres, more or less, Section 29, T9S-RIE, Acadia Parish, Louisiana, as more particularly outlined in the attached plat in red, and being a portion of that certain tract of land purchased on COB Y-55, Page 204, under Entry No. 649754, and recorded in the Acadia Parish Clerk of Courts Office, Acadia

                  Parish, LA.

13)       Consider resolution in support of House Bill 745 regarding the use of sales tax auditors.

            Mr. Leonards discussed some of the background regarding HB 745, to clarify the laws regarding the use of contract sales tax auditors. 

14)       Consider recommendations for repairs of track at Rayne High School.

            Mr. Caswell asked the board to authorize the Superintendent to resolve this matter, along with input from the board attorney.  They will formalize the proposal currently pending with the contractor to repair the track.  Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, board approved authorizing Superintendent to resolve this matter.

15 )      Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, the next committee meeting will be on May 20, 2009 and Board meeting will be on June 1, 2009.

16)              Correspondence. 

            None 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:      NONE

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Items 2a and 2b were added to the agenda.  Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, Items 1 – 3 were taken in globo.

1)         Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.

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

2)            Consider retirement notification of employees.

            Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees were approved

2a)       Consider request from Christina Richard Regan, teacher, Egan Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2009 semester for professional development.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, LaCombe abstained, request from Christina Richard Regan was approved.

2b)       Consider request from Roxanne Miller, paraprofessional, Iota Elementary, for a leave without pay for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters.

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, LaCombe abstained, request from Roxanne Miller was approved.

3)                  Receive Sales Tax Report.

               Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed an increase of 0.67%.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS: 

            Mr. Bourque commented on the pay supplement in June.  He also commented on enhancements to the reading programs and school supplies for students.

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 6:14 p.m.

____________________________

Lynn Shamsie, President

ATTEST:

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent