CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

NOVEMBER 2, 2009

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2nd day of November 2009, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President Mr. Lynn Shamsie presiding.  Members present were Mr. Roland Boudreaux, Mr. Milton Simar,  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. 

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. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item #5a, 10a and Consent Item #2b were added to the agenda.

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

      Reading of the minutes of the October 5, 2009 meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the October 5, 2009 minutes were approved.

6)         Recognize Sara Habetz, State Counselor of the Year.

            Mr. Melvyn Smith, Principal, Mermentau Elementary, introduced Mrs. Sara Habetz, Elementary State Counselor of the Year.  He commended her for her hard work and dedication to the children of Mermentau Elementary.  Mrs. Habetz thanked the board, her principal, and coworkers for their support.  The board thanked and applauded her for her outstanding dedication.

ACTION ITEMS:      NONE

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider resolution for fund approval of Qualified School Construction Bonds.

Mr. David Henderson of Foley Judell (Bonding Attorney) addressed the board, reviewing the terms of the QSCB bonds in the amount of $3 million.  A roll call vote unanimous approved to adopt resolution for fund approval of Qualified School Construction Bonds.

Yeas:  Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. Douglas LaCombe, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. John Suire, Mr. Roland Boudreaux, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. James Higginbotham, and Mr. Milton Simar.

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2)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding prior work experience for new classified employees.

            The committee received recommendations from Ellan Baggett, Personnel Supervisor, outlining how new classified employees will be given credit for previous work experience.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board recommended gathering more information and referring back to the committee.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding update on digital fingerprinting.

            Ellan Baggett updated the committee on the potential cost to implement a digital fingerprinting program.  Pending formal bids, the estimated cost is $20,000 for the initial purchase and $3,300 per year for maintenance.  The process would significantly improve the response time for getting the results of criminal background checks.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the purchase of digital fingerprinting. 

4)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for fruits, vegetables, and meat products.

            The committee reviewed bid tabulations compiled by the food service department.  Mr. Leonards briefly reviewed the bid results.  The committee took this information under advisement and will make a formal recommendation at the next board meeting.

5)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee soliciting an Attorney General’s opinion on the taxability of propane for farm dryers.

            Mr. Leonards indicated the need for an interpretation from the Attorney General regarding conflicting legislation as it relates to sales tax exemption for propane used in farm dryers.  Mr. Caswell has recommended that the school board formally request this opinion, which would clear the way for local taxing jurisdictions to consider this exemption.   Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved soliciting an Attorney General’s opinion on the taxability of propane for farm dryers.

5A)      Consider request for exemption of local sales tax on crawfish bait.

            Mr. Leonards informed the board that other cities and public bodies have approved the exemption of local sales tax on crawfish bait.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the exemption of local sales tax on crawfish bait.       

6)         Consider substantial completion on various construction projects.

            Mr. Bill Ackal updated the board on several projects and asked for substantial completion on Iota Elementary classroom additions which are completed, new South Crowley Library and roofing at Midland High school which will be completed in a few weeks.  He asked for immediate approval for Iota and contingent approval on the other two, subject to review by Mr. Jones, maintenance supervisor and the respective board members.  It was suggested to allow the Budget & Finance committee to approve substantial completion at their meeting on the 18th.  Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to grant substantial completion for all projects upon final approval by Bill Ackal and Steve Jones.

7)         Hear report on test scores.

            Diana Guidry presented the results of parish wide testing, favorably comparing our scores to other school districts in the state.  She answered questions of the board, explaining how schools are ranked based on academic progress

8)         Consider substantial completion for installation of generator at food service warehouse.

            Mr. Steve Jones updated the board confirming that the generator at the food service warehouse has been completely installed and tested.  Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved substantial completion for installation of generator at food service warehouse.

9)         Consider budget revision for pay supplement.

            Mr. Bourque went over the proposal to add another pay supplement for all employees in December, at a cost of approximately $1,066,100.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Higginbotham and Mr. LaCombe abstained, the board approved budget revision for pay supplement for all employees in December.

10)       Consider request from Melanie Thompson, Golden Girls sponsor, Iota High, for out of state request to Orlando, Florida for dance performance at Walt Disney World in March, 2010.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Lacombe abstained, the board approved Iota High Golden Girls out of state travel to Orlando Florida.

10A)    Review Superintendent’s contract.

            Mr. Caswell went over the requirement that the Superintendent’s contract be considered at this time.  The contract does not expire until next year (March 10, 2010).  Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the authorization of the Board President, Vice President and attorney to negotiate with the Superintendent for a three year renewal.

11)              Consider dates for the next committee and board meeting dates.

Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be on November 18, 2009 and Board meeting will be on December 7, 2009.

10)              Correspondence.    

Mr. Bourque mentioned the 2010 Louisiana School Board convention to be held in March 2010 in Monroe.  He mentioned the copies of the Technology power point presentation that had been presented by Rogers Pope in their packets.

Margaret Jones presented Mr. Bourque with a plaque for being recognized as State Superintendent of the Year.  Mr. .Shamsie commended Mr. Bourque for his efforts as Superintendent in Acadia Parish.  Mr. Bourque thanked the board and all employees for their support.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous 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 approve

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 0.70%.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:   NONE

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.

____________________________

Lynn Shamsie, President

ATTEST:

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent