CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
MAY 3, 2010
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 3rd day of May, 2010 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, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque. Mr. James Higginbotham was absent.
2) Mr. Syria led the prayer.
3) Estherwood Elementary Pre-K students led the pledge of allegiance.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, no changes were made.
5) Read and approve minutes of the April 12, 2010 meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the April 12, 2010 meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the April 12, 2010 minutes were approved.
6) Recognize winners of the Young Author’s contest.
Mrs. Brenda Benoit introduced and recognized six schools and their students who participated in the Young Author’s contest. These students placed on the parish level and at the council level and were awarded a certificate for this achievement. Two of the students who placed at the state level read their short stories. The board complimented and congratulated the students for their achievement.
7) Recognize Rayne High School Boy’s Wrestling team.
Dr. Doug Chance and Mr. Bobby Hamlin introduced Coach Chevallier and the Rayne High wrestling team, who recently placed third in state competition. They were congratulated by the board for their accomplishment.
8) Recognize Crowley High Girls Power Lifting team.
The Crowley High coach introduced the Crowley High Girls Power Lifting team. The girls were runners-up at state compettion.
9) Recognize Teachers of the Year, Elementary-Carla Lambousy (Crowley Kindergarten), Middle-Michael Johnson (Armstrong Middle), Secondary-Donna Meaux (Crowley High).
The Teachers of the Year were recognized by not in attendance.
10) Hear presentation from “Branch Elementary Rocks with Technology”.
Jill Doga introduced 2nd and 4th grade students from Branch Elementary. The students made a presentation on their use of technology in the classroom. The 4th grade students gave testimonials regarding the effectiveness of technology in their classrooms. Funding for this equipment was provided through an economic stimulus grant.
ACTION ITEMS: NONE
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal at Branch Elementary.
Mr. Bourque recommended Marlene Courville for Principal at Branch Elementary. She thanked the board for their confidence of support. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the recommendation of Marlene Courville as Principal of Branch Elementary.
2) Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for Principal at Egan Elementary.
Mr. Bourque recommended Neal Young for Principal at Egan Elementary. Mr. Young thanked the board for their confidence of support. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the recommendation of Neal Young for Principal at Egan Elementary.
At this time and motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board added item #2a and 2b.
2a) Consider authorizing Superintendent to advertise for Assistant Principal at Iota High School.
Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved authorizing Superintendent to advertise for Assistant Principal at Iota High.
2b) Consider authorizing Superintendent to advertise for Assistant Principal at Armstrong Middle School.
Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved authorizing the Superintendent to advertise for Assistant Principal at Armstrong Middle School.
3) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for new classrooms at Mire Elementary.
The committee received bids submitted by six contractors for the construction of two new permanent classrooms, and recommended the low bid of $249,900 from Fruge Lumber. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid of $249,900 from Fruge Lumber for new classrooms at Mire Elementary.
4) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for new classrooms at Evangeline Elementary.
Bids were submitted by six contractors for the construction of four new permanent classrooms at Evangeline Elementary. Low bid from Magellan Construction in the amount of $502,232.69 was recommended. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid from Magellan Construction in the amount of $502,232.60 for new classrooms at Evangeline Elementary.
5) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for food service small equipment, paper and cleaning supplies.
Mr. Leonards reviewed bids received by Child Nutrition program for small equipment and supplies. After reviewing this information, the committee recommended awarding the lowest bids which met specification and preferred items as indicated. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bids received for Child Nutrition small equipment and supplies
6) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding replacement of fire alarms at several schools.
Mr. Leonards presented a list of needs for the maintenance department for next year, including trucks, a forklift, and fire alarms at several schools. After some discussion, those items given the highest priority were recommended for inclusion in next year’s budget, estimated cost of $106,525. The other needs may be considered at a later date. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved replacement of items of highest priority, estimated cost of $106,525. After some discussion Mr. Boudreaux made a substitute motion to include fire alarms at other schools as well, estimating costs of $151,856, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous vote, the board approved adding fire alarms at the other schools as well.
7) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum regarding 12 month employee calendar.
Mr. Bourque presented the proposed 12 month employee calendar to the committee. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved 12 month employee calendar.
8) Consider recommendation of Personnel Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding Louisiana Virtual School student fees for 2010-2011
Margaret Jones presented changes to the LVS program for next year, including a fee of $150 per student. LVS is used primarily to teach foreign languages at the high school level. This new schedule fee is expected to cost approximately $42,600 next year. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Louisiana Virtual School fees for 2010-2011.
9) Consider bids received for new construction of classrooms at Branch Elementary.
Bids were received from six contractors for two new permanent classrooms at Branch Elementary. The recommended low bid of $294,000 from E.L. Habetz was proposed. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid received from E.L. Habetz in the amount of $294,000 for construction of two new permanent classrooms at Branch Elementary.
10) Consider adjustment to school lunch prices for 2010-2011.
Mr. Leonards went over proposed meal price increases for next school year. He also provided figures showing participation trends in our cafeterias for the past several years, comparing them to state figures. Several board members commented on the merits at increasing meal prices at this time. Mr. Bourque announced an initiative to reduce the amount of processed meat served in our schools. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a roll call vote of 4 to 2, the board approved school lunch price increases for next year.
YEAS: Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. John Suire, Mr. Roland Boudreaux, and Mr. Gene Daigle.
NAYS: Mr. Doug LaCombe and Mr. Milton Simar
11) Consider going into executive session to discuss pending litigation. (Claudia Handy vs. APSB, docket #82925).
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board went into executive session at 6:05 p.m.
At 6:19 p.m. a motion was made to go back into regular session by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved accepting legal councils recommendation regarding this matter.
12) Consider June pay supplement.
Mr. Bourque recommended distributing June pay supplements to all employees which would include $700 for professional and $500 for support employees. The total cost would total $1.1 million dollars. Upon motion by Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved June pay supplements for all employees. Mr. LaCombe, abstained from voting.
13) Consider providing school supplies for Pre-K through grade 3.
Mr. Bourque indicated that supplies would be provided for children starting school in grades Pre-K through grade 4. The supplies would be paid through Title I federal funds. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved provided school supplies for grades Pre-K through grade 4.
14) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be on May 19, 2010 and Board meeting will be on June 7, 2010.
17) Correspondence.
Mr. Bourque notified the board members of correspondence in their packets regarding 9.8% increase in health insurance. The board’s total cost would estimate $740,000.
DISCUSSION ITEMS: NONE
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Syria, 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. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, 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. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees was approved.
3) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed an increase of 0.67%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commended on the student recognition and awards, school supplies for next year, National Teacher Appreciation Week, and pay supplements. He also mentioned that the employee turnover was very low.
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 6:30 p.m.