CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

JANUARY 11, 2010

 

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 11h day of January 11, 2010 at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President Mr. Lynn Shamsie presiding.  Members present were 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.  Mr. Roland Boudreaux was absent.

 

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. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Items #5a and #6a, Consent Item #2a was added to the agenda and Routine item #2 was moved to an Action item.

 

5)         Read and approve minutes of the December 7, 2009 meeting.

      Reading of the minutes of the December 7, 2009 meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the December 7, 2009 minutes were approved.

 

ACTION ITEMS:     

 

1)         Consider new policies as the result of legislative action.

 

           Mrs. Baggett briefed the board on policy changes which are necessary because of new state legislation.  After some discussion and upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved new policies as the result of legislation action.

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)         Consider Head Start’s request to apply for expansion funds.

 

Mrs. Sondra Myers asked for permission to apply for a grant for expansion of the Head Start program in our parish.  She would request one-time funds for building construction and ongoing operational funds.  Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe,  seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board requested this item back to January Budget & Finance committee.

 

2)         Consider new policies as the result of legislative action.

            Moved to Action Item.

           

3)         Consider approval of District Technology Plan.

           

Jill Doga presented a revised Technology plan for the board to consider.  She mentioned that board approval was necessary for her to apply for e-rate funds.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the District Technology Plan.

 

4)         Consider changes to contract with board attorney.

           

Mr. Leonards made the recommendation for an increase in the board attorney’s hourly rate by twenty five dollars effective immediately.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved an increase in the board attorney’s hourly rate by twenty five dollars effective immediately.

 

5)         Consider approval for new classroom construction at Branch Elementary, Mire Elementary, and Evangeline Elementary.

           

Mr. Leonards presented a list of proposed classroom additions as follows:

            Location                      Project                        Architect                     Funding Source

            Branch Elem.                2 classrooms                Abell Crozier                QSCB

            Mire Elem.             2 classrooms                      Ackal                           QSCB

            Evangeline Elem.           4 classrooms                Ackal                           Iota Maintenance Funds

    

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved new classroom construction at Branch, Mire and Evangeline Elementary schools.

 

5a)       Consider going into executive session to hear expulsion appeal.

 

              Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved going into executive session to hear expulsion appeal at 5:32 p.m.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved going back into regular session at 5:45 p.m.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board moved to overturn the expulsion to a five day suspension.

 

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

 

Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be on January 20, 2010 and Board meeting will be on February 1, 2010.

 

  1. Correspondence.   

Mr. Steve Jones distributed maintenance reports.

 

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 was taken in globo.

1)         Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, assignments and changes of professional employees were approved.
 

  1.       Consider retirement notification of employees.

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

 

2a)       Add:  Consider request from Cecil J. Hebert, for an extension of sabbatical leave from January 11, 2010 through May 28, 2010.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request for extension of sabbatical leave from January 11, 2010 through May 28, 2010 from Cecil J. Hebert.

 

3)         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 0.63%.

 

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:   NONE

CLOSING:

 

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

____________________________

Lynn Shamsie, President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent