The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 14th day of September 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. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Opening Item #6 and Routine Item #2 was deleted. Routine Item #6a was added to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the August 3, 2009 meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the August 3, 2009 meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the August 3, 2009 minutes were approved.
6) Hear report from Danielle Edwards, Partnership Specialist, Census 2010.
Danielle Edwards, Partnership Specialist, Census 2010, addressed the board offering assistance and encouraging participation in the upcoming national census. They are providing educational programs in our schools to educate our students about this important task.
7) DELETE: Introduction of New Head Start Policy Council members and recognition of October as Head Start month.
8) Recognize federal EETT Competition Grant award of $100,000 to Acadia Parish School District.
Dana Leger informed the board about a grant awarded to the APSB in the amount of $100,000. She explained the benefits of this program and introduced the teachers who will be involved in this Math learning initiative.
ACTION ITEMS: NONE
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Receive information regarding the KID ID program.
Mr. Gerald Hardy provided information to the board regarding the KID ID program. It would allow us to better identify children through electronic fingerprinting. A grant is available to cover the cost of the ID program (grades Pre-K through 6). This program is voluntary and parents may opt out of participation. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved implementation of the KID ID program.
2) DELETE: Hear presentation about the EETT Connect Tech grant.
3) Consider substantial completion of various construction projects throughout the parish.
Mr. Bill Ackal informed the board on the completion of projects and Estherwood Elementary cafeteria, Egan Elementary classrooms, Evangeline Elementary parking, Iota Elementary classrooms, Iota Middle classrooms, Iota High classrooms, and Iota High cafeteria renovations. He asked for input from the board members and schools as he prepares a list of items that need to be addressed before final payment will be made. He also commented on the progress of other projects which are ongoing. (Midland High roof and South Crowley library). Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved getting a list of items that needs addressed before final payment.
4) Consider resolution authorizing the sale of bonds under the Qualified School Construction Bond (ASCB) program.
Mr. Leonards indicated to the board that the resolution prepared for the sale of QSCB bonds should not be approved at this time, as the bank had informed him shortly before the meeting of their desire to re-consider the terms of the agreement previously discussed. The board expressed concern about last minute notice from the bank and suggested that we seek financing from other financial institutions. If this can be done in the next few weeks, we may still be able to meet the deadline for the October State Bond commission meeting.
5) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding renewal of worker’s compensation excess insurance coverage.
The committee reviewed quotes for reviewing our excess worker’s compensation insurance coverage for 2009-2010. Several options were considered, and a recommendation was made to stay with Midwest for the upcoming year, with a premium of $81,976. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of worker’s compensation excess insurance coverage for 2009-2010.
6) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding sales tax exemptions on construction projects.
Mr. Leonards went over the guidelines which allow contractors to get a sales tax exemption for school board construction projects. He indicated that we need to be more consistent in disclosing this fact when advertising and dealing with contractors. Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved sales tax exemptions on construction projects.
6a) ADD: Consider Superintendent’s request to attend Superintendent’s Leadership Summit.
Mr. Bourque requested to attend a Superintendent’s workshop in New York. He is seeking approval of the board to take this educational trip to be paid for by Scholastic, Inc. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Superintendent’s request to attend workshop in New York.
7) Consider out of state requests from Rayne High and Church Point High FFA to attend National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 19-24, 2009.
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved out of state requests from Rayne High and Church Point FFA to attend National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 19-24, 2009.
8) Consider out of state request from Crowley High agriscience teachers, Scott Comeaux and Jude Sitig to attend the NAAE Convention in Nashville, TN from November 16-21, 2009.
Upon motion by Mr. Lacombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Crowley High agriscience teachers to attend the NAAE Convention in Nashville, TN from November 16-21, 2009.
9) 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.
10) Correspondence.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Head Start Policy Council meeting on September 15, 2009.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unimous voice vote, Consent Items 1 through 3 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
3) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed an increase of 0.49%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commented on the smooth start of the school year. He also mentioned the new Calendar Math, Read 180 and SRA going well.
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 5:56 p.m.
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Lynn Shamsie, President
ATTEST:
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John E. Bourque, Superintendent