CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

NOVEMBER 1, 2010

 

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 1ST day of November, 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)         Mr. Doug 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 Item #7 was moved to Item #1A, Item #6 was deleted and Consent Item #3A was added to the agenda.

 

5)         Read and approve minutes of the September 13, 2010 meeting.

 

      Reading of the minutes of the October 4, 2010  meeting  were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the October 4, 2010 minutes were approved.

 

ACTION ITEMS:      NONE

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding upgrading technology in our schools.

 

Julie Miers addressed the committee regarding the need to upgrade aging technology in schools throughout the parish.  She outlined a plan to phase in this upgrade, with input from the schools over the next few years.  She recommended funding at $100 per student to be provided over a three-year period.  Mr. Bourque suggested that instead of a three year plan, we implement all upgrades during the current year.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved upgrading technology in our schools during the current year.

 

1A)      Consider substantial completion of classrooms at Mire Elementary.

 

            Mr. Bill Ackal addressed the board, recommending substantial completion at this time.  He indicated that this job was completed on time with no change orders.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved substantial completion of classrooms at Mire Elementary.

 

2)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for replacement of athletic track at Crowley High,

 

            Steve Jones reviewed the specifications and bids received for refurbishing the athletic track at Crowley High.  Bids were received from four vendors, and he recommended the low bid and alternate from Texas Sports in the amount of $315,000.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved recommended low bid of $315,000 from Texas Sports for replacement of athletic track at Crowley High.

 

3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for food items by school lunch program.

 

            Mr. Leonards presented a bid tabulation for food products citing some exceptions to the low bid price and price differentials for imported versus domestic pears.   After some discussion and deliberation, the committee recommended acceptance of bids as indicated by the tabulations with the exception of canned pears.  Mr. Leonards  provided an update on the canned pears, and after some discussion, the committee recommendation of domestic pears and not imported was accepted.  Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the recommendation of bids received for food items by the school lunch program.

 

4)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding renewal of agricultural lease with Troy Fruge.

 

            Mr. Leonards brought up the renewal of agricultural contract with Troy Fruge.  His current contract expires November 30th.  After some discussion about Mr. Fruge’s farming operations, the recommended renewing this agreement for five more years.  Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the renewal of agricultural lease with Troy Fruge for five more years.

 

5)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding Head Start 2010 Self Assessment Process

 

            Sondra Myers reviewed the self-assessment process to be used by the Head Start  program.  It is subject to review and revision each year; however, no changes are recommended at this time.   This matter was recommended favorably to the full board.  Upon motion by Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Head Start 2010 Self Assessment Process.

 

6)         Receive updates to the 2010-2011 Pupil Progression Plan.

 

            DELETED

 

7)         Consider substantial completion of classrooms at Mire Elementary.

 

            MOVED TO ITEM #1A

 

8)         Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Simar and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the committee meeting will be November 17, 2010 and the board meeting will be December 6, 2010.

 

9)         Correspondence.    

 

            A notice of the the LSBA Convention in March 2011 was given to each board member.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  

  

1)         Consider policy changes as the result of new legislation.

 

            Mrs. Baggett presented new law which allows schools to report excessive absences and certain disciplinary infractions to the Office of Motor Vehicles which may result in the suspension of their driving privileges.  The board had a few questions concerning this and considered the options.  This will be referred back to the next committee meeting.

 

CONSENT ITEMS:

 

Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Consent Items 1 through 4 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.

 

2)         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 with the exception of Mr. Matthis.

 

2A)      Consider request from Kayla Henry, Richard Elementary, Pre-K teacher, for a sabbatical leave from January to May 2011 for medical reasons.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Kayla Henry, Richard Elementary, Pre-K teacher, for a sabbatical leave from January to May 2011 for medical reasons.

 

3)         Consider request from Kasey Guidry Guchereau, Mire Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the spring 2011 for medical reasons.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Kasey Guidry Guchereau, Mire Elementary, for a sabbatical leave for the spring 2011 for medical reasons.

 

4)         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  .76%.

 

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:           NONE

 

CLOSING:

 

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:39 p.m.

 

 ____________________________

Lynn Shamsie, President

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent