CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
JUNE 1, 2009
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 1st day of June 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. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Opening Item #6a, Consent Items #4a and 4b was added to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the May 4, 2009 meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the May 4, 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 May 4, 2009 minutes were approved.
6) Recognize schools receiving flags for exemplary and recognized growth.
Mrs. Margaret Jones recognized seven schools in the parish for achieving exemplary or recognized academic growth which were Crowley Kindergarten, Crowley High, Iota Middle, Estherwood Elementary, South Rayne, and Martin Petitjean. The principal of each school briefly addressed the board and accepted the flags representing this honor.
6a) Recognize Kaylin Nero, Rayne High student for Superior at State Speech rally.
Mr. Bobby Hamlin, principal of Rayne High, introduced Kaylin Nero, honored recently at the state speech contest. Kaylin recited her speech to the board. She was congratulated by the board for her achievement.
7) Recognize 2008-2009 Bus Driver of the Year.
Mr. Steve Jones introduced Frannie Deshotel, bus driver of the year for Acadia Parish. She was honored with a plaque and jacket. She thanked the school and administrators for this honor.
ACTION ITEMS: NONE
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids for a generator at the food service warehouse.
The committee reviewed the three bids received for purchase and installation of a natural gas generator at the food service warehouse. They recommended the low bid from Guidry’s Electric in the amount of $38,450. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, low bid from Guidry’s Electric for $38,450 was accepted.
2) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for fruits, vegetables, and meats.
The committee reviewed bid tabulations for meats, fruits, vegetables, and meats for the upcoming school year. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bids received for fruits, vegetables and meats.
3) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for the official journal for 2009-2010.
The committee reviewed bid tabulations from several parish newspapers for the official journal for 2009-2010. The committee recommended the low bid of $.99 cents per legal square from Rayne Acadian Tribune. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid from Rayne Acadian Tribune for 2009-2010 official journal.
4) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding student meal prices for 2009-2010.
The committee considered the proposed meal price increases as calculated by Mr. Leonards. After some discussion, it was recommended that the general fund absorb this anticipated price increase for 2009-2010, estimated to be $138,000. Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved student meal prices for 2009-2010.
5) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance and Curriculum committee regarding renewal of group insurance policy for 2009-2010.
The committee reviewed the proposed health insurance rates for the upcoming year. The renewal showed no increase in health insurance premium and only a small increase in the basic life insurance premium. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. SImar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of group insurance policy for 2009-2010.
6) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding renewal of property and casualty insurance for 2009-2010.
The committee reviewed property and liability renewal quotes for the upcoming year. Two companies have provided quotes and another is pending. Based on the information provided, the committee recommends the renewal of liability and fleet coverage with PCAL and property coverage with Dupre, Carrier & Godchaux. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. SImar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of property and casualty insurance for 2009-2010.
7) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding the request from Iota High School for a locally initiative elective course.
Margaret Jones presented a request from Iota High School for a locally initiated elective ”r;Creative Writing” course. The request has been sent to the state where approval is pending. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved locally initiative elective course ”r;Creative Writing” for Iota High School.
8) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for new bus driver assignments,
Mr. Bourque recommended Jackie Falcon to replace Gadric Fontenot, Mire route. He also recommended Sigrid Donatto to replace George Francois, Richard route, Denise Gaspard to replace Sigrid Donatto, Mire route, and Tracy Crochet to replace Denise Gaspard, Iota route. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bus driver assignments.
9) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal at Branch Elementary.
Mr. Bourque recommended Mr. Keith Cahanin for Principal at Branch Elementary. Upon motion by Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Mr. Keith Cahanin, Principal, Branch Elementary.
10) Consider bids received for construction of new library at South Crowley Elementary.
The recommended low bid from E.L. Habetz base bid of $214,180, less alternate #2 $3,000, totaling $211,180. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to allow Bill Ackal the discretion to decide if the post tension slab (alternate #2) is suitable for this project.
11) Consider bids received for re-roofing at Midland High School.
Two bids were received and the recommended low bid of $221,800 from E.L. Habetz was recommended. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid of $221,800 from E.L. Habetz.
12) Consider bids received for re-roofing at North Crowley Elementary.
Five bids were received and the recommended low bid of $184,483 from E.L. Habetz was recommended. Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid of $184,483 from E.L. Habetz.
13) Consider request from Pride Oil and Gas for pipeline right of way on Section 16, Township 8 South, Range 2 West.
Additional information was provided based on questions raised by the committee. Mr. Caswell has reviewed the request, formal document is pending. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to allow the Superintendent and Mr. Caswell to negotiate the terms of this pipeline right of way.
14 ) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be on June 17, 2009 and Board meeting will be on July 6, 2009.
15) Correspondence.
Mr. Shamsie read correspondence in regards to the Acadia Parish teacher fair on June 3, 2009 at Crowley High. He also read the letter from Julie Miers thanking the board for the supplemental pay in June.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Mr. Leonards went over proposal changes to policy regarding the type of drug test to be conducted on employees. Mr. Caswell recommended that the employers option of drug testing methods be disclosed in the new policy wording. It was also recommended that every employee be informed of this policy change and sign an acknowledgement indicating they are aware of the change.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, Items 1 - 5 were taken in globo.
1) Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, 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. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees were approved
Consider request from Cheryl F. Turner, teacher, Iota Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from teacher, Cheryl F. Turner, for a sabbatical leave was approved.
3) Consider request from Dean Patrick Ardoin, teacher, Evangeline Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2009 semester for professional development.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from teacher, Dean Patrick Ardoin, for a sabbatical leave was approved.
4a) Consider request from Jacquelin Broussard, teacher, Armstrong Middle, for a sabbatical leave for the Fall 2009 semester for professional development.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from teacher, Jacquelin Broussard, for a sabbatical leave for professional development was approved.
4b) Consider request from bus driver, Vivian ”r;Annette” Gaspard, for a leave without pay for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters for a medical leave.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from bus driver, Vivian ”r;Annette” Gaspard, for a medical leave without pay for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters was approved.
5) 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 0.51%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commented on the Memorial Day inservice recently held. He complimented the board for their continuing support and their foresight in handling and planning for the long term.
Mr. Boudreaux mentioned that HB 851 is being discussed in Baton Rouge on tomorrow.
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 7:00 p.m.
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Lynn Shamsie, President
ATTEST:
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John E. Bourque, Superintendent