CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
July 2, 2012
The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2nd day of July, 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. Roland J. Boudreaux, Mr. Milton Simar, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, and Secretary-Treasurer, Superintendent John E. Bourque, and Mr. James Higginbotham.
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 LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item #1A was added to the agenda.
5) Read and approve minutes of the June 4, 2012 board meeting and June 20, 2012 Special Session.
Reading of the minutes of the June 4, 2012 board meeting and June 20, 2012 Special Session were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the June 4, 2012 board meeting June 20, 2012 Special Session minutes were approved.
6) Recognize retirees.
Mrs. Baggett recognized retirees and thanked them for their service. A reception was held in honor of the retirees prior to meeting.
7) Recognition of the Acadia parish Slemco scholarship winners from Wayne Phillips with Slemco.
Wayne Phillips of Slemco addressed the board, recognizing Acadia Parish winners of their $2,000 scholarships to four students.
1) Consider policy changes as a result of legislation.
Mrs. Baggett presented policy changes to policy ABE which relate to the responsibilities of the Superintendent as the result of state legislation. Several board members expressed their concern and disappointment regarding these changes. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved ABE policy changes as a result of legislation.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Consider Injection Well resolution.
Mr. Daigle read the resolution in opposition to an injection well in the Branch area. Members of the community opposed to this project and commented on its negative impact and thanked the board for their support. Upon motion by LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Injection Well resolution.
1A) Consider acquisition of additional buses.
Mr. Bourque recommended we purchase five new buses to be located at the high schools as activity/spare buses. A resolution included a requirement that all schools dispose of their oldest activity bus, as insurance or maintenance will be discontinued. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved purchase of five new buses for activity/spare buses and disposal of oldest activity buses.
2) Consider bank time.
Margaret Jones presented requests for school bank time from schools throughout the parish. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved school bank time.
3) Consider resolution to join in LSBA lawsuit.
Mr. Bourque presented a request from LSBA that we join other parishes in a lawsuit against changes in the MFP funds which would divert funds from public education. Cost will be shared by all participating school districts. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved resolution to join in LSBA lawsuit.
4) Adopt millage rate(s).
Mr. Leonards presented the following millage rate(s) for 2012 to be adopted. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie and a roll call vote as follows, the adoption of millage rate(s) for 2012 were approved.
5) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding changes in personnel policies for Head Start.
Sondra Myers went over proposed changes to Head Start personnel policies for the upcoming year. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved changes in personnel policies for Head Start.
6) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding 2012-2013 Pupil Progression Plan update.
Dr. Chance presented the 2012-2013 Pupil Progression Plan, which is substantially the same as the current year. Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the 2012-2013 Pupil Progression Plan update.
7) Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding permanent authorization of locally initiated elective for Iota High school.
After several years as a provisionally approved course, it was recommended that Creative Writing become a permanent part of the curriculum at Iota High school. Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved permanent authorization of locally initiated elective Creative Writing for Iota High school.
8) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding renewal of agricultural lease with Jake Dore.
The committee reviewed the revenue from the School Board property farmed by Jake Dore for the past several years. It was recommended that his agricultural contract be renewed for five more years. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved five year agricultural lease with Jake Dore.
9) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding renewal of hunting lease with Joey Hebert.
Mr. Hebert requested a renewal of the hunting lease on Section 10, township 9 South, Range 2 West. The farmer on this section has had no problems with the hunters and is in favor of extending the hunting lease. It was recommended renewing the lease on 301 acres of another year. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of hunting lease with Joey Hebert on Section 10, township 9 South, Range 2 West for one year.
10) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding renewal of land lease with Lewis Flying Service.
Mr. Leonards presented the request from Lewis Flying Service to renew the 10 year lease on an airship near Basile. The current lease expires in the spring of 2013. The committee recommended sending this matter to Mr. Caswell to review and recommend a course of action. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved sending the renewal of land lease with Lewis Flying Service to Mr. Caswell for his review.
11) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
The Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire is completed annually in connection with our financial audit and requires approval of the board. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved annual Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
12) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received by Child Nutrition program for bread and dishwashing chemicals.
The committee reviewed bids compiled by the Child Nutrition department for dishwashing chemicals and bread products. After brief discussion, the low bids indicated were recommended. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved low bids received by Child Nutrition for bread and dishwashing chemicals.
13) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding renewal of leases for Head Start.
Sondra Myers went over the lease agreements for Head Start facilities in Church Point and Rayne. She highlighted a few minor changes to the committee. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved Head Start lease agreements for Head Start facilities in Church Point and Rayne.
14) Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding approval of budgets for 2012-2013.
Mr. Leonards presented the proposed budgets for 2012-2013 for all funds. He commented on the general fund deficit for next year and provided information regarding the trending of personnel and benefit costs. Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. LaCome, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved budgets for 2012-2013.
15) Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.
Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, committee meetings will be on July 25, 2012 and the board meeting will be August 6, 2012.
9) Correspondence.
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS: NONE
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Consent Items 1 through 2 was taken in globo.
1) Consider retirement notification of employees.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees was approved.
2) Receive Sales Tax Report.
Upon motion by Mr. LaCombe, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed a year to date increase of .60%.
SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:
Mr. Bourque commented on the two new principal appointments and recommended a disciplinarian at Rayne High instead of an assistant principal.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded Mr. LaCombe, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
____________________________
Gene I. Daigle, President
ATTEST:
____________________________
John E. Bourque, Superintendent