CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
November 7, 2011
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 7th day of November, 2011 at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with Vice-President presiding Mr. Douglas J. LaCombe. Members present were Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. John A. Suire , Mr. Milton Simar, Mr. James Higginbotham, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque. Members absent were Mr. Roland Boudreaux and Mr. Gene I. Daigle.
2) Mr. Israel Syria 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. Simar, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item #1A was added to the agenda and Consent Item #5 was revised.
5) Read and approve minutes of the October 3, 2011 meeting.
Reading of the minutes of the October 3, 2011, board meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the October 3, 2011 board meeting minutes were approved.
6) Recognize Mermentau Elementary.
Mr. Steve Duplechin introduced parents, faculty and staff from Mermentau Elementary, recognized as a high performing Title I school, and will represent the state on the national level. Melvyn Smith, principal, commended his staff and parents for their efforts in obtaining this honor. He was commended by the board and superintendent for this achievement.
ACTION ITEMS: NONE
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider bids received for canned/frozen fruits, vegetables, condiments & staple items and frozen and chilled meats.
Mr. Leonards went over bid tabulations received for canned/frozen fruits, vegetables, condiments & staple items and frozen and chilled meats. Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bid tabulations received for canned/frozen fruits, vegetables, condiments & staple items and frozen and chilled meats.
1A) Consider request from Orbit Energy for seismic permit on 10.97 acres in Iota.
Mr. Caswell updated the board on the negotiations with Orbit Energy for a seismic permit on school board property in Iota. He has reviewed the contract and recommends approval. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Orbit Energy for seismic permit on 10.97 acres in Iota.
2) Consider bids received for laptop and desktop computers.
Julie Miers went over bid tabulations for desktop and laptop computers. She recommended the bid from Insight Systems Exchange, although it was not the lowest bid. She cited excellent service and superior product with Insight. She answered questions of the board and comments from the board attorney. After more discussion and upon motion by SImar, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bids from System Liquidation.
3) Review E-Rate contract and renewal.
Julie Miers went over E-Rate program, comparing last year’s numbers to this year, showing a significant increase. With the help of an E-Rate consultant, we have greatly expanded our utilization of technology throughout the parish. She also recommended a two year extension of the contract with the consultant at a cost of $5,000 per year. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved E-Rate contract and renewal.
4) Consider Asbestos Inspection proposals.
Mr. Steve Jones presented a proposal for mandatory asbestos inspections. He presented price quotes from three vendors and recommended Air Environmental at a cost of $2,700 per year for three years. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved proposal received from Air Environmental at a cost of $2,700 per year for the three years.
5) Receive report on Highly Qualified teachers.
Mr. Bourque reviewed the trends on number of highly qualified teachers in Acadia Parish, showing a consistent positive trend.
6) Consider request from SLEMCO for right-of-way to install service to water well on school board property near Evangeline.
Mr. Leonards presented request from SLEMCO for right-of-way to install service to water well on school board property near Evangeline. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from SLEMCO for right-of-way to install service to water well on school board property near Evangeline.
7) Consider request from Brenda Myers, Midland High, to attend FCCLA National Cluster meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on November 18-20, 2011.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Brenda Myers, Midland High, to attend FCCLA National Cluster meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on November 18-20, 2011.
8) Hear update on student enrollment for 2011-2012.
Bryan Alleman presented enrollment trends in Acadia parish showing a modest increase over the past three years.
9) View graduation rates.
Dr. Chance presented facts and figures showing high school graduation rates in Acadia parish, comparing them to surrounding districts and to the state average. Over the past four years, we have shown consistent improvements in dropout trends in grades 7-12. Mr. Bourque commented on this achievement, pledging to continue in our efforts to provide a quality education to all students so that they may become productive citizens in our communities.
Margaret Jones addressed the board on the topic of parish-wide inservice which was held earlier today. She outlined all the topics covered and commended on the benefits of this additional training.
10) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the committee meetings will be November 15, 2011 and the board meeting will be December 5, 2011.
7) Correspondence.
Each school board member received information for the 2012 LSBA Convention to be held March 1-3, 2012.
DISCUSSION ITEMS: NONE
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Consent Items 1 through 6 was taken in globo.
1) Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, 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. Syria, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees was approved.
3) Consider request from Emily Rutherford, Special Education/Pupil Appraisal, for a sabbatical leave for the spring 2012 semester.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Emily Rutherford, Special Education/Pupil Appraisal, for a sabbatical leave for the spring 2012 semester.
4) Consider request from Anali Casanova, teacher, North Crowley Elementary, for a leave without pay from November 8, 2011 through January 17, 2012 and a sabbatical leave from January 2012 to May 2012.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Anali Casanova, teacher, North Crowley Elementary, for a leave without pay from November 8, 2011 through January 17, 2012 and a sabbatical leave from January 2012 to May 2012.
5) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Shamise, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed a year to date increase of 0.81%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commended Mermentau Elementary for their accomplishments and mentioned the increase trends in teacher qualifications and the overall positive in the parish.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. SImar, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.
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Gene I. Daigle, President
ATTEST:
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John E. Bourque, Superintendent