CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
AUGUST 2, 2010
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2nd day of August, 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, Mr. James Higginbotham and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque.
2) Mr. Syria led the prayer.
3) Mr. Doug LaCombe led the pledge of allegiance.
4) Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item #1a was added to agenda and Routine Item #2 was deleted.
5) Read and approve minutes of the July 5, 2010 meeting and June 16, 2010 Special Session.
Reading of the minutes of the July 5, 2010 meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the July 5, 2010 minutes were approved.
6) Hear report from AMI.
The board heard testimonials from several students currently enrolled at AMI in Branch. They were commended for sharing their stories with the board and encouraged to continue to improve their lives
ACTION ITEMS: NONE
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider adoption of audit compliance questionnaire.
Audit compliance questionnaire was completed by Mr. Leonards and requires board approval each year. This is done in conjunction with our annual audit. The auditors will verify these responses during the course of their field work. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the adoption of the audit compliance questionnaire.
1a) Consider recommendation for replacement of bus driver positions.
Mr. Jones requested the replacement of Mr. Al Meyers Sr. by Mr. Al Meyers, Jr.; Mr. Al Meyers, Jr. replaced by Mr. Gayla Catanese; and Mr. Chris Allen replaced by Steven Moore. Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the replacement of bus drivers.
2) DELETE: Consider bus driver of Head Start.
3) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding renewal of property leases for Head Start centers in Rayne and Church Point.
Sondra Myers reviewed the renewal of terms of property leases for Head Start centers in Rayne and Church Point. The rent will increase by $50 per month in Rayne and decrease by $50 per month in Church Point, with Head Start picking up the cost of garbage collection. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of property leases for Head Start centers in Rayne and Church Point.
4) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received by Child Nutrition program for frozen and chilled meats.
Mr. Leonards presented bid tabulations for meat products for the upcoming year, recommending the low bidders. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bids received for frozen and chilled meats.
5) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding nationally certified teachers pay.
Ellan Baggett updated the committee on the status of funding for nationally certified teachers. The current law requires us to pay only for nationally certified teachers and counselors, but not for other positions. The state is eliminating all funding for nationally certified teachers in the upcoming year. After some discussion, it was recommended to the full board that we continue our policy of paying only those positions mandated by law, plus any state provided funding we may receive for other positions. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved certified teachers pay. Mr. Higginbotham abstained.
6) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding request from Egan Water Corporation to install antenna on water tower.
Mr. Leonards shared with the committee a request from the Egan Water Corporation to install an antenna on their water tower for the benefit of the Egan Volunteer Fire Department. Our lease with the Egan Water Corporation requires approval of any such sub-lease agreements. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Egan Water Corporation to install antenna on water tower.
7) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding recommendations for community representatives to serve on Head Start policy council.
Sondra Myers recommended Kelly Hanks and Amber Guilliam as new community representatives on the Head Start policy council. They have both served on the policy council as parents and will now fill the vacancies left by others whose term has expired. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Kelly Hanks and Amber Guilliam as new community representatives on the Head Start policy council.
8) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding revisions to Head Start personnel policies.
Sondra Myers went over proposed changes to Head Start personnel policies for the upcoming years. She discussed the various changes dealing with medical leave, teacher qualifications, training and job descriptions. After ample discussion, the committee favorably recommended most of the changes, except the item dealing with online degrees. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved revisions to Head Start personnel policies.
9) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding renewal of workers compensation insurance.
Michael Leonards went over renewal quotes for our excess workers compensation coverage. This information has been reviewed by Dwight Collier, Insurance Consultant, who recommended the quote by New York Marine which offers a two year guarantee. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of workers compensation insurance.
10) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding the report of Head Start activities of 2009-2010.
Sondra Myers presented an annual report of Head Start activities for the year. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved report of Head Start activities of 2009-2010.
11) Consider recommendation of Personnel Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding adoption of Pupil Progression Plan for 2010-2011.
Dr. Chance went over proposed changes to the Pupil Progression Plan for the upcoming school year. Upon motion by Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adoption of the Pupil Progression Plan for 2010-2011.
12) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be on August 18, 2010 and Board meeting will be on September 13, 2010.
13) Correspondence.
Mr. Bourque commented on correspondence in folders regarding a letter from Congressman Charles Boustany regarding a round table discussion concerning education on August 9, 2010.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Review reporting options regarding attendance as the result of new legislation.
Mr. Bourque asked board members to review this new legislation giving schools the option to turn over attendance data to DMV. This will be discussed further at the next committee meeting, at which time recommendations will be considered.
2) Consider Home School Athletic policy.
Mr. Lee Ward Bellard addressed the board on the matter of new legislation which allows a local option for home-schooled students to participate in high school athletics. He went over the details of this new law, which gives sole and final authority to allow participation to the principal. The board discussed many concerns regarding this subject. Mr. Bourque suggested that our high school principals consider this matter and bring him a recommendation.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, 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. Boudreaux, 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. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees was approved
3) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, 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 commended on the principals’ meeting on tomorrow. He also commended the AMI students. He spoke of the poverty inservice to held. He mentioned the end of course testing with good results. He congratulated Mr. Higginbotham for being appointed to the state panel in Washington, DC.
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 6:05 p.m.