CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

June 3, 2013

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 3rd day of June 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, Mr. David Lalande, Mr. Milton Simar, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, and Secretary-Treasurer, and Superintendent John E. Bourque.   Mr. Israel Syria was absent.

2)         Mr. Israel Syria led the prayer.

3)         Mr. 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. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adding Routines Items 1A and 21A to the agenda.

            5)         Read and approve minutes of the May 6, 2013 board meeting.

      Reading of the minutes of the May 6, 2013 board meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Higgnbotham, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, minutes of the May 6, 2013 board meeting was approved.

6)         Recognize Martin Petitjean.

            Kim Cummings, Principal, Martin Petitjean Elementary, gave a presentation to the board.  Martin Petitjean was awarded Lighthouse-Leadership in Me School.  Martin Petitjean is the first school in the State of Louisiana to be awarded.  Students read examples of their work and answered questions of the board.  The board congratulated Ms. Cummings and the students on their accomplishments.

ACTION ITEMS:    

            NONE

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)         Adopt millage rate(s).

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and a roll call vote 8 to 0, the following Millage Rate Resolution was adopted:

            YEAS:            Mr. Syria, Mr. LaCombe, Mr. Shamsie, Mr. Suire, Mr. Lalande, Mr. Daigle, Mr. Higginbotham, and Mr. Simar

            NAYS:      NONE

1A)      Consider substantial completion of the APEC roofing project.

            Mr. Bill Ackel gave a report on the roofing project at the APEC building and requested a substantial completion.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, substantial completion was approved for roofing project at the APEC building.

2)                  Consider request from Randy Miller, Iota High, to schedule an FFA Chapter trip to Moore, Oklahoma, to assist with tornado recovery.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Randy Miller, Iota High, to schedule an FFA Chapter trip to Moore, Oklahoma, to assist with tornado recovery.

3)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received for the official journal.

            Bids for the official journal were presented to the committee from Crowley Post Signal and Rayne Acadian Tribune.  Upon motion by Mr. Lalande, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bid from Rayne Acadian Tribune for $6 cost for legal square first insertion and $3 cost for all other insertions.

4)         Hear report on test score results.

            Ms. Guidry gave a report on test score results and answered questions of the board.

5)         Consider comments on the 2013-2014 general fund budget.

Dr. Chance gave an update on the details of the 2013-2014 general fund budget detailing some of the MFP concerns at the state level, a final projection of sales tax revenue, and greater details of new revenue from plants whose exemptions are expiring.

6)         Consider authorizing Dr. Paul Gibson Miller to sign USDA FSA documents.

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved authorizing Dr. Paul Gibson Miller to sign USDA FSA documents.

7)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the immediate cancellation, termination, and withdrawal of the Resolution to the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board and the Office of Mineral Resources that was approved on February 4, 2013 involving a nomination of Section 16, Township 7 South, Range 1 West containing some 38.21 acres.

            Dr. Chance gave a report on the previously approved Resolution to the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board and the Office of Mineral Resources.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to immediately cancel, terminate, and withdraw the previously approved Resolution addressing a nomination on Section 16, Township 7 South, Range 1 West, containing some 38.21 acres, further recommending to notify all parties with interest in the Resolution of the decision.

8)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding bank time calendar for 2013-2014.

            Mrs. Jones gave an update on the bank time calendar for 2013-2014.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bank time calendar for 2013-2014.

9)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, & Curriculum committee regarding adjustments to Head Start Parent Handbook.

            Mrs. Myers gave an update on the adjustments made to the Head Start Parent Handbook.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adjustments made to the Head Start Parent Handbook.

10)       Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding the Smile Louisiana program.

            A review of the Smile Louisiana Pilot program at Church Point Elementary was presented by Mr. Daigle to the committee.  Dr. Greg Folse gave comments on the success of the program to the board.  Upon motion by Daigle, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved making the Smile Louisiana program available to all schools in the parish.

11)       Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding the sequestration fund adjustments to the 2013-2014 Head Start budget.

            Mrs. Myers gave an update on the sequestration fund adjustments to the 2013-2014 Head Start budget to the committee.  Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the sequestration fund adjustments to the 2013-2014 Head Start budget.

12)       Consider the recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding bids received by the Child Nutrition program for fruits, vegetables, condiments, staple items, and frozen and chilled meats.

            Bids received by the Child Nutrition program for fruits, vegetables, condiments, staple items, and frozen and chilled meats were presented the committee.  Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bids received by the Child Nutrition program for fruits, vegetables, condiments, staple items, and frozen and chilled meats.

13)       Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the renewal of AMI contract.

            A renewal of the AMI contract for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 was presented to the committee.  Upon motion by Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the renewal of AMI contract.  Mr. Higginbotham abstained.

14)       Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding an Intergovernmental Agency Agreement for Fire Protection.

            As a result of the newly created Fire District north of the City of Crowley, the Crowley Fire Department service to Crowley High will cease effectively June 1, 2013.  In order to ensure fire protection service for Crowley High, it was recommended to request the board attorney to work with the City of Crowley to develop an Intergovernmental Agency Agreement for Fire Protection at Crowley High school wherein said document would be presented to the board for consideration.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the board attorney to work with the City of Crowley to develop an Intergovernmental Agency Agreement for Fire Protection at Crowley High.

15)       Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding leases in 16^th Sections.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of Joey Hebert’s hunting lease on Section 16, Township 9 South, Range 2 West, containing some 310 acres at $9.00 per acre for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, contingent upon all requirements being met by the lessee within 30 days of the renewal.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the release of Danny Richard from the farming lease on the North ½ of Section 16, Township 11 South, Range 1 East.  Mr. Richard submitted a request to be released with acceptable parameters of a release date of May 21, 2013, cattle removal date of August 1, 2013, an opportunity to negotiate with a new lessee for flood pipes, and a request for consideration of the cost of spraying.

            At this time a substitute motion was made by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, to grant release to Mr. Richard without reimbursement for the cost of spraying.

16)       Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding property insurance for 2013-2014.

            Dr. Chance presented a proposal submitted by Dupre, Carrier, and Godchaux for property insurance for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved proposal for property insurance for the period July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 from Dupre, Carrier, and Godchaux.

17)       Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the purchase of three used buses.

            A recommendation was made by the Budget & Finance committee to authorize the purchase of three 1998 GMC buses to be used for spares at a total sum of $4,500.00.  These buses have been in our fleet and have been provided by Ross Bus Sales at no cost.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the purchase of three 1998 GMC buses to be used for spares at a total sum of $4,500.00. 

18)       Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the purchase and/or lease of buses to replace owner operated buses, if needed.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to authorize staff to purchase and/or lease additional buses should the need arise as a result of owner-operators requesting a parish owned bus for the 2013-2014 school session.

19)       Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the Financial Risk Assessment report.

            The committee was presented with a report of an excellent Financial Risk Assessment report for 2012-2013 which was based primarily on 2011-2012 data.

20)       Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding the 2013-2014 calendar for 12 month employees.

            The committee recommended the 12 month employee calendar be the same as for other employees at Thanksgiving and Mardi Gras.  Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the 12 month employee calendar with 5 days off for Thanksgiving holiday and 3 days off for Mardi Gras. 

            The board went into a lengthy discussion with Mr. Daigle making his views on 12 month employees being off the same amount of time as teachers.  At this time, a roll call vote was taken to discontinue discussion as follows:

            YEAS:       Mr. Syria, Mr. Shamsie, Mr. Suire

            NAYS:      Mr. LaCombe, Mr. Lalande, Mr. Daigle, Mr. Simar

                              Mr. Higginbotham abstained

            By a roll call vote of 4 to 3 motion passed to discontinue discussion.

            At this time a roll call vote was taken to approve the 12 month employee calendar with 5 days off for Thanksgiving holiday and 3 days off for Mardi Gras as follows:

            YEAS:      Mr. Syria, Mr. Shamsie, Mr. Suire, Mr. Simar

            NAYS:     Mr. Lalande, Mr. Daigle

                            Mr. LaCombe and Mr. Higginbotham abstained.

            By a roll call vote of 4 to 2 motion passed to approve the 12 month employee calendar with 5 days off for Thanksgiving holiday and 3 days off for Mardi Gras.

21)       Consider request from Iota High varsity cheerleaders to travel to Orlando, Florida on April 21-28, 2014.

            Upon motion by Mr. SImar, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Iota High varsity cheerleaders to travel to Orlando, Florida on April 21-28, 2014.

21A)    Consider request from Iota High and Iota Middle 4-H to travel to Washington, DC  on July 11, 2013-July 21, 2013.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Iota High and Iota Middle 4-H to travel to Washington, DC on July 11, 2013-July 21, 2013.

21B)    Authorize Superintendent to advertise for Church Point Middle Principal and Crowley High Assistant Principal.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved authorizing Superintendent to advertise for Church Point Middle Principal and Crowley High Assistant Principal.

22)       Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the committee meetings will be held on June 19, 2013 and the board meeting will be July 1, 2013.

23)       Correspondence.   

            Board members were reminded of the job fair on June 5, 2013.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:  NONE

CONSENT ITEMS:

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

2)         Consider retirement notification of employees.

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

3)         Receive Sales Tax Report.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, 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 1.17%.

            Mr. Bourque introduced Mrs. Cindy Abshire, Principal, Iota High and Mr. Coby Wallace, Assistant Principal, Iota High.

            At this time, a motion was made by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, to add Item 21B to the agenda.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:   

            Mr. Bourque commented on May inservice day and commended teachers and staff for their positive attitudes concerning improving instruction.  Mr. Bourque thanked Mrs. Adrienne Vidrine for the meal provided for the inservice day.

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.

                                                                                    ____________________________

Douglas J. LaCombe, President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent