CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

MARCH 7, 2011

 

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 7th day of March, 2011 at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President Mr. Gene I. Daigle presiding.  Members present were Mr. Roland Boudreaux, Mr. Milton Simar, Mr. James Higginbotham, Mr. Douglas J. LaCombe, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque.   

 

Absent:  Mr. Israel Syria

 

2)         Mr. Doug LaCombe led the prayer.

 

3)         Mr. Milton Simar 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. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Opening Item #5A was added to the agenda.

 

5)         Read and approve minutes of the February 7, 2011 meeting.

Reading of the minutes of the February 7, 2011  meeting  were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the February 7, 2011 minutes were approved.

 

5A)      ADD:  Discuss tornado damage at Rayne High School.

 

            Mr. James Wallace, Insurance Agent, and Eric Lewis, Insurance Adjuster, addressed the board, updating them on the status of tornado damage and repairs at Rayne High School.  He provided a schedule of values for the building at Rayne High School and stated that our deductible is $50,000.  They will continue to evaluate the loss and ask for an advance of $150,000.  He suggested that the board officially declare a disaster to facilitate the bidding process.  He answered questions from the board and outlined the claims process, pledging to work quickly to make the necessary repairs.

            At this time a motion was made by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, to add Action Item 1 to the agenda.

 

ACTION ITEMS:

           

1)         Declare state of emergency with regard to tornado related repairs at Rayne High School.

 

            Mr. Hamlin, Rayne High Principal, updated the board on the progress of repairs at his school.  He plans to have the teachers come back on Wednesday to clean up and have students return to school on Thursday.  At this time a roll call vote was taken:

 

         YEAS:  Mr. Doug LaCombe, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. John Suire, Mr. Roland Boudreaux, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. James Higginbotham, Mr. Milton Simar

         NAYS:  NONE

         ABSENT:  Mr. Syria

 

         By a majority vote of 7 to 0, motion to declare state of emergency to tornado related repairs at Rayne High School was passed.

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding proposals for annual audit.

 

Proposals from two firms were provided at the previous board meeting.  After reviewing this information, the committee recommended the low bid from Broussard, Poche, Lewis and Breaux, for a one year contract.   Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the low bid from Broussard, Poche, Lewis and Breaux, for a one year contract for annual audit.

 

2)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding request from Orbit Energy to conduct seismic testing on school board property north of Iota and West of Evangeline.

 

            Mr. Leonards presented the request from Orbit Energy for permits to conduct a seismic survey on two school board sections (1,268 acres).  The committee referred this matter to the board attorney to negotiate on our behalf and be sure to include crop damages for farmers in any agreement.

 

3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding mid-year budget revisions.

 

            Mr. Leonards presented mid-year budget revisions to the committee, highlighting significant changes since the budget was adopted last summer.  We are now anticipating a deficit of approximately $2.8 million for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved mid-year budget revisions.

 

4)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding request from Keith McDaniel for renewal of hunting lease on Section 16 near Perchville.

 

            Mr. Leonards presented a request from Keith McDaniel for a three year hunting lease.  After some discussion, the committee recommended to maintain the current status of this agreement, subject to annual renewal every year.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Keith McDaniel for renewal of hunting lease on Section 16 near Perchville subject to annual renewal every year.

 

  1. Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for re-roofing at South Rayne Elementary.

 

            Architect Chad Abel presented a bid tabulation showing various bids from contractors on this project.  The committee reviewed this information and recommended the low bid of $187,684 from Ace Roofing.   Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid of $187,684 from Ace Roofing to re-roof South Rayne Elementary.

 

6)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding timber sale on Section 16 near Perchville.

 

            Mr. Leonards provided information to the committee regarding the proposals for harvesting timber on 45 acres near Perchville.  After an on-site inspection with the forestry service, he outlined their recommendations.  He asked the board to consider retaining a Forestry Consultant to advise and oversee the bidding and harvesting for a fee of 10% of the timber sale.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved retaining a Forestry Consultant to advise and oversee the bidding and harvesting of timber on Section 16 near Perchville for a fee of 10% of timber sale.

 

7)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding renewal of contract with workers compensation claims administrator.

 

            Mr. Leonards provided additional information requested by the committee regarding the proposed contract renewal with F. A. Richard for claims administration of the Workers Compensation program.  After reviewing this data, the committee favorably recommended a three year renewal to the full board.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved a three year contract renewal with F.A. Richard for claims administrator of the Workers Compensation program.

 

8)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding Head Start funding application for 2011-2012.

 

            Sondra Myers presented the Head Start funding application for 2011-2012, discussing budget priorities, including the reduction of enrollment in Estherwood.  Mr. Shamsie expressed concerns about the reduction of Head Start enrollment in Estherwood. Sondra Myers answered questions of the board, explaining the rationale for her budget recommendations.  Kelly Hanks, Policy Council President, addressed the board indicating their support of the Head Start budget proposal, including the enrollment reduction in Estherwood.  At this time a roll call vote was taken:

 

            YEAS:  Mr. John Suire, Mr. Roland Boudreaux, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. James Higginbotham

                        NAYS:  Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. Doug LaCombe, Mr. Milton Simar

                        ABSENT:  Mr. Syria

 

            With a roll call vote of 4 to 3, motion to consider Head Start funding application for 2011-2012 was approved.

           

9)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding budget preparation calendar for 2011-2012.

 

            Mr. Leonards presented a draft of the budget preparation calendar for 2011-2012, showing the relevant dates and timelines.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved budget preparation calendar for 2011-2012.

 

10)       Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding information regarding the science textbook adoption and the computer education/journey to careers option.

 

            Julie Miers briefed the committee on the textbook adoption process.  As a result of input from the teachers, she recommended adopting the science textbooks, but only purchasing for grades 3-12.  Estimated cost for next year is $465,644.  She also mentioned the possibility of issuing class sets for certain subjects in some grades, based on the preference of the school.  The committee asked if it was feasible to use the same publisher for Biology I and Biology II, more information will be provided concerning this matter.  Mr. Bourque announced that the committee has agreed to recommend the same publisher for Biology I and Biology II.  Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the science textbook adoption at an estimated cost of $465,644 and education/journey to careers option.

 

11)       Consider request for field trip from Iota High physics and calculus teachers to attend NASA in Houston, Texas on May 6, 2011.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved out of state field trip request from Iota High physics and calculus teachers to attend NASA in Houston, Texas on May 6, 2011.

 

12)       Consider position of Supervisor of Federal Programs.

 

            Due to recent loss of Mr. Sherman Wilson, Supervisor of Federal Program, Mr. Bourque asked to be allowed to advertise for the position of Supervisor of Federal Programs.  Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to advertise for the position of Supervisor of Federal Programs.

 

13)       Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the next committee meeting will be March 16, 2011 and the board meeting will be April 4, 2011.

 

24)       Correspondence.    

            Legislative meeting will be held on March 15, 2011 in Lafayette regarding education issues. Uniform grading policy and re-apportionment information from Charles King were given to board members

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS: 

 

              At this time, a motion was made by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote; Discussion Item #1 was added to the agenda.

 

1)         Consider changing current policy which prohibits parish or school level administrators from coaching to allow parish or school level administrators to hold a coaching assignment in an administrative position.

 

                  Mrs. Baggett presented a proposal for a change to the current policy which prohibits parish or school level administrators from coaching to a new policy allowing parish or school level administrators to hold a coaching assignment in an administrative position.

This item will be added as an action item at the April, 2011 board meeting.

 

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. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, 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. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees was approved.

 

3)         Receive Sales Tax Report.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed an increase of .81%.

            At this time, a motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, discussion item #1 was added to the agenda.

 

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:   

 

            Mr. Bourque spoke with Mr. Syria and said he was doing better from his hospitalization.  He mentioned that the School Board convention went well and was able to see the problems that other districts were facing.  He commented on the tremendous support from the community and staff at Rayne High School after the tornado.

 

CLOSING:

 

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.

____________________________

Gene I. Daigle, President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent