CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
JULY 6, 2009
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 6th day of July 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 #4a, Routine Item #8a and Consent Item #3a was added to the agenda.
4a) Recognize retirees.
The board recognized the retirees and thanked them for their service.
5) Read and approve minutes of the June1, 2009 meeting and June 17, 2009 Special Session.
Reading of the minutes of the June 1, 2009 board meeting and June 17, 2009 Special Session were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the June 1, 2009 and June 17, 2009 minutes were approved.
1) Consider policy changes regarding mandatory drug testing for all workers’ compensation claims.
Mrs. Baggett explained the new policy regarding drug testing for workers’ compensation claims. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, policy regarding mandatory drug testing for all workers’ compensation claims was approved.
2) Consider the approval of recommended changes to the ”r;Acceptable Use of Internet and District Network Resources” policies for students and employees.
Mrs. Jill Doga reviewed the revisions to the ”r;Acceptable Use of Internet and District Network Resources” policy for students and employees. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the ”r;Acceptable Use of Internet and District Network Resources” policies for students and employees were approved.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding the use of bank time in schools.
Mrs. Margaret Jones requested to continue the use of bank time schedule adjustments at various schools. This permits early dismissal on certain days to allow for teacher inservice. She recommended expanding this practice to other schools in the parish. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, bank time schedule adjustments in schools was approved.
2) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee LEADS Data Clerk position.
Mr. Bourque suggested that we add a clerical position to assist with LEADS, PEP, and JPAMS reporting to the state. This person would work with Bryan Alleman and all of the schools to enter and report this data. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved LEAD Data Clerk position. At this time a roll call vote was taken:
YEAS: Mr. Syria, Mr. Shamsie, Mr. Suire, Mr. Boudreaux, Mr. Daigle, Mr. Higginbotham, and Mr. Simar
NAYS: Mr. LaCombe
3) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for bread, milk and juice.
Mr. Leonards went over bids received bread, milk and juice. After some discussion, bids were taken under advisement, pending more information regarding the milk and juice bid. Information was received and there had been an error with the milk and juice bid. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bids received for bread, milk and juice.
4) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding approval of Head Start grant for teacher training.
Mrs. Myers notified the committee of the availability of one-time funding for Head Start teacher training in the amount of $55,103. Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Head Start grant for teacher training.
5) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding adoption of final budget revisions for 2008-2009.
Mr. Leonards presented the proposed final budget revisions for the current year. It shows the anticipated results of operation for 2008-2009 and is the starting point for next year’s budget. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adoption of final budget revisions for 2008-2009.
6) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the allocation of funds for maintenance projects.
Mr. Bourque recommended allocating $1,000,000 for special maintenance projects throughout the parish in the upcoming fiscal year. As before, these funds will be allocated by ward and will be based on enrollment at each respective school. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved allocation of funds for maintenance projects.
7) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the renewal of contract with AMI.
Mr. Leonards indicated that the contract with AMI in Branch will expire on June 30, 2009. They have contacted us and wish to renew this agreement for another year under the same terms and conditions. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of contract with AMI. Mr. Higginbotham abstained.
8) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding proposed budgets for 2009-2010.
Mr. Leonards went over the proposed general fund for next year, commenting on expected reductions in state and local revenues. Staffing continues to be monitored closely and insurance costs are expected to remain stable. Several new educational initiatives will be implemented, some to be funded with economic stimulus grants. A public hearing was held to receive public input into the budget process. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved proposed budgets for 2009-2010.
8a) Consider change order #2 on construction for Estherwood cafeteria.
Mr. Leonards went over change order regarding walkways at the Estherwood cafeteria. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved change order on construction for Estherwood cafeteria.
9) Adopt the millage rates for the tax year 2009.
The committee reviewed millages for the 2009 tax year. Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adoption of the millage rates for the tax year 2009.
10) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for bus driver assignments.
Mr. Bourque recommended the following bus driver assignments: Denise Gaspard replaced Sigrid Donatto (Mire route), Brittney Jasman replaced Jackie Falcon (Rayne route), Kathy Thevis replaced Traci Crochet (Iota/Crowley SPED route), Sheila Tarter replaced Kathy Thevis (Crowley/Rayne/SPED route), Arnold Broussard replaced Roland Leleux (Ward 5/Crowley route), Trevin Savoy replaced Arnold Broussard (East Crowley route), and Ray Vasseur replaced Trevin Savoy (Rayne route). Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Superintendent’s recommendation for bus driver assignments.
11) Consider adoption of Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adoption of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
12) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be on July 15, 2009 and Board meeting will be on August 2, 2009.
15) Correspondence. NONE
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Consider changes to the Superintendent’s evaluation form.
Mrs. Baggett went over Superintendent’s evaluation form with board. After some discussion and suggestions, the board suggested that changes be made and brought to the next committee meeting.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, Items 1 - 4 were taken in globo.
1) Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, assignments and changes of professional employees were approved.
2) Consider retirement notification of employees.
3)
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees were approved
3) Consider request from Karen Murphy, paraprofessional, Richard Elementary, for leave without pay from August 2009 to June 2010.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from paraprofessional, Karen Murphy, for a leave without pay from August 2009 to June 2010 was approved.
3a) Consider request from Debra Cormier, teacher, Estherwood Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters for medical reasons.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from teacher, Debra Cormier, for a sabbatical leave was approved.
4) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed an increase of 0.71%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commented on summer school and how well it went. He thanked the retirees for their years of service.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.
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Lynn Shamsie, President
ATTEST:
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John E. Bourque, Superintendent