The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 3rd day of August 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. Simar 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. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Consent Items #4a, 4b, and 4c were added to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the July 6, 2009 meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the July 6, 2009 meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the July 6, 2009 minutes were approved.
ACTION ITEMS: NONE
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Receive report concerning board member CLU’s.
Mrs. Baggett reviewed the board member CLU’s and all have met the 4 hour requirement of training.
2) Consider bank time for Crowley area schools.
Mrs. Margaret Jones indicated that details have been worked out to allow Crowley schools bank time to provided additional opportunity for staff development. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bank time for Crowley area schools.
3) Hear update on immunization requirements.
Mrs. Carol Tall updated the board on the new immunization requirements, as discussed at the previous committee meeting. She provided more details regarding documentation and exceptions pertaining to this new requirement. The superintendent and board discussed some possible issues that may arise when school begins in a few weeks, and how to resolve such issues.
4) Hear report on career diploma.
Mr. Bourque went over the details of the proposed career diploma being considered at the state level. He cited some problems with the current proposition, suggesting that changes are needed to make this process beneficial for ore students. Board members voiced their concerns, suggesting that more details be worked out before implementation. Mr. Bourque has applied for a waiver for career diploma’s for the current school year. Upon motion by LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved waiver for career diploma’s for the 2009-2010 school year.
5) Hear update on new flood zone classifications.
Mr. Leonards went over a list of schools currently listed in high-risk flood zones. Seven sites are at risk. Cost estimates for flood insurance will be sought and brought to the next committee meeting for further consideration.
6) Consider recommendation of the Personnel & Insurance committee regarding proposed changes to Kindergarten report card.
Brenda Benoit went over proposed changes to the report card for kindergarten classes. She and Mr. Bourque explained the rationale for these changes, using it as a tool to enhance the instructional process. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved proposed changes to the Kindergarten report card.
7) Consider recommendation of the Personnel & Insurance committee regarding updates to the Pupil Progression Plan for 2009-2010.
Dr. Chance went over the Pupil Progression Plan for 2009-2010, highlighting changes from the previous year. He discussed these changes with the committee and answered their numerous questions. The committee commended many folks who worked on the Pupil Progression Plan. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved updates to the Pupil Progression Plan for 2009-2010.
8) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding proposed budgets for ARRA economic stimulus funds.
Mr. Bourque provided details showing proposed expenditure of ARRA stimulus funds provided through the Title I and Special Education programs over the next two years. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved proposed budgets for ARRA economic stimulus funds.
9) Consider recommendation of policy council committee representatives for Head Start.
Mrs. Sondra Myers presented the board with a list of community representatives as follows; Board Liaison - Israel Syria, Community Business Representative - Sherrie Handy, Education Services Representative - Leola Woods, and Health/Family Representative - Denise Caswell. Upon motion by Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved policy council representatives for Head Start.
10) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be on August 19, 2009 and Board meeting will be on September 14, 2009.
15) Correspondence. NONE
16)
DISCUSSION ITEMS: NONE
CONSENT ITEMS:
1) Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, 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. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees were approved
3) Consider request from Cecil James Hebert, Ag Teacher, Church Point High, for a medical sabbatical leave from August 12, 2009 to January 8, 2010.
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from teacher, Cecil James Hebert, for a medical sabbatical leave from August 12, 2009 to January 8, 2010 was approved.
4) Consider request from Angie Gautreaux Bourgeois, teacher, Central Rayne Kindergarten, for a medical leave for the Fall 2009 semester.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from teacher, Angie Gautreaux Bourgeois, for a medical leave for the Fall 2009 semester was approved.
4a) Consider request from Nancy H. Myers, teacher, Morse Elementary, for a medical sabbatical leave for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from teacher, Nancy H. Myers, for a medical sabbatical leave for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters was approved.
4b) Consider request from Annette Stelly, Counselor, Crowley High, for a return to work requirements of sabbatical be waived.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from counselor, Annette Stelly, for a return to work requirements of sabbatical waiver was approved.
4c) Consider request from Anne Credeur, Librarian, Branch/Richard Elementary, for a return to work requirements of sabbatical be waived.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, request from Anne Credeur, Librarian, for a return to work requirements of sabbatical waiver was approved.
4) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed an increase of 0.46%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commented on the August 12, 2009 training at Crowley High and invited board members to attend. He also mentioned QSAB funds have not been released.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
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Lynn Shamsie, President
ATTEST:
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John E. Bourque, Superintendent