CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

May 7, 2012

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 12th day of May , 2012 at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President presiding Mr. Gene I. Daigle. Members present were Mr. Douglas J. LaCombe, Vice-President, Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. James Higginbotham, Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux, Mr. Milton Simar, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque.   

2)         Mr. Israel Syria led the prayer.

3)         Mr. Douglas LaCombe led the pledge of allegiance.

4)         Consider approval of a revised agenda, if there are any changes.

                        Upon motion by Simar, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Opening Item #8 was moved to #6 and Item #6 to #8 and Routine Item #1A and #8A was added to the agenda.

5)         Read and approve minutes of the April 10, board meeting and April 18, 2012 special seesion.

      Reading of the minutes of the April 10, 2012, board meeting and April 18, 2012 Special Session were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Syria, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the April 10, 2012 board meeting April 18, 2012 Special Session minutes as corrected were approved.

6)         Recognize Iota High Girls basketball and softball.

            Dr. Gibson Miller introduced Coaches Stan Baggett and Ms. Johnson and players from the Iota High girls basketball and softball teams.  They were recognized for their accomplishments throughout the season.

7)         Recognize students from Church Point high who participated in the 2012 Rube Goldgerg Competition – Multi-State Competition conducted in Houston, Texas.

            Ms. Gibbs, teacher, Church Point high, presented information about their school’s recent competition in Houston, Texas.  She showed a brief film which provided an example of the Rube Goldberg projects.  The students were commended for their accomplishment.

8)         Recognize students from Church Point High and Rayne High’s HOSA Chapter (Health Organization Students of America).

            Ms. Gibbs and Ms. Ancelet presented students from their HOSA (Health Organization Students of America).  Ms. Ancelet discussed the HOSA program at Rayne High and the upcoming competition at the national level.  The students were recognized and presented with certificates for their achievement.

8A)      Receive presentation from Midland High agricultural teacher, David Broussard.

            Midland High Ag teacher, David Broussard, showed a presentation of a project at this school.  They are constructing a 30x 30 building for a band room in Morse.  Linda Wilkerson, principal, Morse Elementary, thanked the board members, teachers and students for this new building.

ACTION ITEMS:     NONE

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider Proclamation of May 7-11, 2012 as “Child Nutrition Employee Week.”

            A proclamation received by Child Nutrition declaring May 7-11, 2012 as “Child Nutrition Employee Week” was read by Mr. Daigle.  Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved May 7-11, 2012 as “Child Nutrition Employee Week.”

1A)      Consider bus driver assignments.

            Mr. Bourque requested Ms. Linda Nugent to replace Mr. Cat Citizen for the Church Point area bus route.  Mr. Citizen retired on April 27, 2012.  Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Linda Nugent to replace Cat Citizen for the Church Point area bus route.

2)                  Consider bids received for re-roofing at Ross Elementary.

            Mr. Leonards presented the board with bids received for the re-roofing at Ross Elementary.  The low bid of $706,450 was received by Independent Roofing from Jackson, Mr. Bill Ackal answered questions of the board regarding this project, which will begin in June and should be completed by September.  Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bid of $706,450 received from Independent Roofing for re-roofing project at Ross Elementary.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding Cooperation Agreement with Wind Capital Group.

            Mr. Leonards presented a proposed agreement with Wind Capital Group to conduct a feasibility study on a school board section of land north of Iota.  This would be part of a parish-wide network of renewable energy.  The attorney has reviewed the agreement and gave his approval.   The farmer has some concerns which will be addressed if the project moves forward.   Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved agreement with Wind Capital Group.

4)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for Child Nutrition program for small equipment, paper & cleaning supplies.

            Mr. Leonards went over results of bids received for small equipment, paper and cleaning supplies received by the Child Nutrition program.  Exceptions to the lowest bid price were noted and the recommendations were sent favorably to the full board.  Ruth Miller mentioned the need to replace the kitchen exhaust hood at Iota Elementary, which will probably require us to take bids.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bids received for Child Nutrition program for small equipment, paper & cleaning supplies.

5)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for principal at South Crowley Elementary.

            Mr. Bourque recommended Mrs. Irma Trosclair for principal at South Crowley Elementary.   Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved recommendation of Mrs. Irma Trosclair for principal at South Crowley Elementary.  Mrs. Trosclair thanked the Superintendent and board for this opportunity.

6)         Consider Superintendent’s recommendation for principal at Estherwood Elementary.

            Mr. Bourque recommended Stan Baggett for principal at Estherwood Elementary.   Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved recommendation of Mr. Stan Baggett for principal at Estherwood Elementary.   Mr. Baggett thanks the board for this opportunity and commented on his past 12 years at Iota High.

7)         Consider parish-wide in-service in May 2012.

            Mr. Bourque recommended May 28, 2012 a parish wide in-service day.  Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved May 28, 2012 a parish wide in-service day.

8)         Consider going into executive session to discuss workers compensation claim.

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved going into executive session at 6:04 p.m.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved going back into regular session at 6:10 p.m.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to follow the advice of Mr. Caswell, attorney, regarding this claim.

9)         Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, committee meetings will be on May 16, 2012 and the board meeting will be June 4, 2012.

9)         Correspondence.   

            None

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  NONE

CONSENT ITEMS:

            Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, 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. Higginbotham, 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. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees was approved.

3)         Consider request for leave without pay from Belnda Bertrand, paraprofessional, Crowley Kindergarten.

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board request for leave without pay from Belinda Bertrand, paraprofessional, Crowley Kindergarten.

3)         Receive Sales Tax Report.

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed a year to date increase of .47%.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:   

            Mr. Bourque thanked Dr. Chance for his work in the high schools during the past five years.  He also commended the teachers and students who were presented tonight for their achievements.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire,  and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

                                                                                    ____________________________

Gene I. Daigle, President

ATTEST:

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John E. Bourque, Superintendent