CROWLEY, LOUSIANA

April 8, 2013

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 8th day of April at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President presiding Mr. Douglas J. LaCombe. Members present were, Mr. James Higginbotham, Vice-President, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. Israel Syria, Mr. John Suire, Mrs. Janet Boudreaux, Mr. Milton Simar, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, and Secretary-Treasurer, and Superintendent John E. Bourque.

2)         Mr. Israel Syria led the prayer.

3)         Mr. Gene Daigle led the pledge of allegiance.

            At this time Mr. Bourque asked to watch a video of students from South Crowley Elementary school students singing “Proud to be an American” after reciting the pledge.  Mr. Bourque commended these students for their enthusiasm and love for their school.  Mr. Shamsie and Mr. Suire commented on the great job Mrs. Trosclair, Principal, and her staff are doing.  Mrs. Irma Trosclair, Principal, South Crowley Elementary, thanked the board and spoke of the different things she has been doing to motivate and recognize student achievement.

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

                        Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adding Routine Items 7A, 7B, and 7C to the agenda.

            5)         Read and approve minutes of the March 11, 2013 board meeting.

      Reading of the minutes of the March 11, 2013 board meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mrs. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the March 11, 2013 board meeting was approved.

6)         Introduction of District 5 newly elected board member.

            Mr. Lacombe introduced Mr. David Lalande, District 5 newly elected board member.  Mr. Lalande addressed the board and expressed his excitement and looking forward to working with the members.

7)                  Hear report on Network Support from Francis Touchet.

8)                 Mr. Francis Touchet, Department of Education, addressed the board and introduced the team of the Network Support, Mr. Larry Alexander, Deputy Network Leader and Karla Trahan, Acadia Parish liaison.  Mr. Touchet explained the role of the Network Support which is to mainly work with teachers, principals and administrators.  Mr. Touchet expressed to the board that from his experience with working with other boards Acadia Parish was very fortunate to have a Superintendent like Mr. Bourque.  Mr. Touchet expressed that Mr. Bourque was a natural leader.  Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Trahan said that the principals and administrators in Acadia Parish were very enthusiastic, well organized and receptive to the help and support.

ACTION ITEMS:    

            NONE

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Consider changes to the February 4, 2013 board meeting minutes.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the changes to the February 4, 2013 board meeting minutes.

2)                  Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding technology upgrades and PARCC Assessment.

            The Personnel, Insurance and Curriculum committee received a Projected Cost to prepare for PARCC Assessment report with an estimated cost of $278,000.00.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved technology upgrades and PARCC Assessment.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding supplementary resource materials and textbooks for 2013-2014.

            The Personnel, Insurance and Curriculum committee received a report regarding supplementary materials and textbooks for 2013-2014 with an estimated cost $244,127.00.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mrs. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved supplementary resource materials and textbooks for 2013-2014.

4)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding school calendars for 2013-2014.

            The Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee received and reviewed the proposed school calendar for 2013-2014.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, a substitute motion at this time was made by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Syria to amend the 12 month calendar not requiring 12 month employees to report to work the 2 extra days for Mardi Gras and 2 extra days for Thanksgiving.  Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried, the board approved to table until next committee meeting for review again.

5)         Consider receiving a report on Fourth Ward property.

Mr. Caswell met with property owner concerning property in 4^th Ward adjacent to Iota Middle school for purchase of $75,000.00 to be purchased with Fourth Ward funds.  He advised the board to enter into a purchase agreement with the owner, Michael Eudy, and purchase the property and authorize the Superintendent to execute any all documents to purchase property.  Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mrs. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to enter into a purchase agreement with Mr. Michael Eudy for the purchase of property adjacent to Iota Middle school for $75,000.00 with Fourth Ward funds and authorize Superintendent to execute any and all documents.

6)         Consider a Memorandum of Understanding for participation with the District Cooperative of Louisiana from Vermillion parish.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved granting the Superintendent authority to join the District Cooperative of Louisiana with Vermillion Parish and others through a Memorandum of Understanding to share information, expertise, and resources to foster the academic and social growth of the whole student.

7)         Consider receiving a report regarding the use of Rayne Area Funds to support, including a repayment schedule, the acquisition of band uniforms for Rayne High.

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board tabled item until April 24, 2013 special session.

7A)      Consider request from Crowley High, Spencer Stelly, to attend National Soils judging contest on April 30, 2013 – May 3, 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Crowley High, Spencer Stelly, to attend National Soils judging contest on April 30, 2013 – May 3, 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

7B)      Consider request from Rayne High, Kandice Dequeant, to attend National ProStart competition on April 18, 2013 – April 22, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Rayne High, Kandice Dequeant, to attend National ProStart competition on April 18, 2013 – April 22, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland.

7C)      Consider request from Reading Coaches Ruth Barbier, Renee Patin, and Adele Nunez to attend the International Reading Association for professional development in San Antonio, Texas on April 19, 2013 – April 23, 2013 to be paid for with Title II funds.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Reading Coaches Ruth Barbier, Renee Patin, and Adele Nunez to attend the International Reading Association for professional development in San Antonio, Texas on April 19, 2013 – April 23, 2013 to be paid for with Title II funds.

7D)      Consider request from Superintendent to advertise for Central Office Secondary Supervisor and Crowley High principal.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Superintendent to advertise for Central Office Secondary Supervisor and Crowley High principal.

8)         Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the committee meetings will be held on April 24, 2013 and the board meeting will be May 6, 2013.

33)       Correspondence.

            NONE

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  NONE

CONSENT ITEMS:

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Suire and carried by a unanimous voice vote, consent items 1 through 3 were approved to be taken in globo.

1)         Consider assignments and changes of professional employees.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mrs. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved assignments and changes of professional employees.

1)         Consider retirement notification of employees.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mrs. Boudreaux and carried by a unanimous voice vote, retirement notification of employees was approved.

2)         Receive Sales Tax Report.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mrs. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed a year to date increase of 0.78%.

            At this time a motion was made by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote to add Routine Item # 7D to the agenda.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:   

            Mr. Bourque thanked Francis Touchet with the State Department and his staff for their support.  He commended Mrs. Trosclair, Principal, South Crowley and the staff for doing an excellent job.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. HIgginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

                                                                                    ____________________________

Douglas J. LaCombe, President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent