The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 5th day of October 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. John A. Suire, Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. Gene I. Daigle Mr. James Higginbotham, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque.  Absent:  Mr. Roland Boudreaux and Mr. Milton SImar

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. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item #8a was added to the agenda.

5)         Read and approve minutes of the September 14, 2009 meeting.

      Reading of the minutes of the September 14, 2009 meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the September 14, 2009 minutes were approved.

6)         Introduction of new Head Start Policy Council and recognition of October as Head Start month.

            Mrs. Myers introduced the new Head Start Policy council members, Denise Caswell, Sherrie Handy, Leola Woods-Young, and Israel Syria.  She also asked the board to recognize the month of October as Head Start month.  The board thanked the committee for their service.

ACTION ITEMS:      NONE

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding work experience for newly hired classified employees.

Mrs. Baggett reviewed the potential number of employees who may be affected by re-visiting this policy and the potential cost.  Mr. Bourque suggested that we allow related experience for employees who worked in other accredited school districts.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved work experience for newly hired classified employees effective July 1, 2009.

2)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding digital fingerprinting.

            Mrs. Baggett has explored the possibility of electronic fingerprinting for new employees and applicants.  This would give us faster response to criminal background checks.  In lieu of purchasing the equipment at a cost of approximately $25,000, she has discussed the possibility of using similar equipment currently used by the sheriff’s department.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board recommended gathering more information and referring back to the committee.

            3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding QSCB funding,

            Mr. Leonards compared the cost issuing $3 million in QSCB bonds to using our existing funds.  After discussing the options, it was recommended that we proceed to make arrangements with the Bank of Commerce at the rate of .80%.  Mr. Leonards was authorized to continue working with the bonding attorney and bank to secure these funds.  Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved securing QSCB funds with the Bank of Commerce. 

4)         Consider resolution authorizing the sale of bonds under the Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) program.

            The QSCB resolution was reviewed and upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the QSCB resolution as follows:

5)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the request for local sales tax exemption on crawfish bait.

            Representatives of local crawfish produces addressed the committee, seeking local sales tax exemption on the purchase of crawfish bait.  After hearing their request, the committee agreed to consider this exemption, but only after other taxing jurisdictions have also agreed to the change.  Mr. Leonards was asked to confirm this with the other taxing bodies and provide update at the next board meeting. 

6)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the replacement of a spare bus.

            Mr. Steve Jones addressed the committee, making a request to replace a 17 year old bus with a newer one.  He can purchase a 9 year old bus for $13,400.  He indicated that it is cost prohibitive to repair the blown engine on the old bus.    Upon motion by  Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the purchase of a spare bus.

7)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the request from Church Point High to purchase a new student ID system.

            The committee considered the request from Church Point High school to purchase a new student ID system to replace their outdated equipment.  The cost is estimated to be $6,000 and will be paid with available school funds.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the purchase of a new student ID system at Church Point High.

8)         Consider request from Midland High for out of state travel to Houston, Texas, NASA, Johnson Space Center.

            Upon motion by Mr. Lacombe, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Midland High for out of state travel to Houston, Tx, NASA, Johnson Space Center.

8a)       ADD:  Consider out of state travel request from Iota High, Randy Miller, Ag teacher, to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana from 10/19/09 to 10/24/09.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request for out of state travel from Iota High, Randy Miller, Ag teacher, to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana from 10/19/09 to 10/24/09.

9)         Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be on October 21, 2009 and Board meeting will be on November 2, 2009.

10)              Correspondence.    

11)               

Margaret Jones went over the results of end of course testing, comparing our results with other surrounding parishes.  She went over the testing requirements and the gradual implementation of this computer based testing program.  Our parish is showing steady improvements in these test results.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  

CONSENT ITEMS:

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

3)         Receive Sales Tax Report.

            Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed an increase of 0.68%.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS: 

            Mr. Bourque commented on the test score trends.  He also mentioned the school performance scores would be out next week.

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 5:33 p.m.

____________________________

Lynn Shamsie, President

ATTEST:

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent