CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

May 5, 2014

 

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

 

2)         Mr. Syria led the prayer.

 

3)         Mr. Higginbotham led the pledge of allegiance.

 

4)         Consider approved of the revised agenda, if there are any changes.

 

                        No Changes.

 

5)         Read and approve minutes of the April 7, 2014 board meeting.

 

      Reading of the minutes of the April 7, 2014 board meeting were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, minutes of the April 7, 2014 board meeting were approved.

 

6)             Recognize winners of the Young Authors Contest.

 

Mrs. Brenda Benoit recognized winners of the Young Authors Contest from Branch Elementary and Rayne Catholic.  The winners were presented with certificates and medals.  The board congratulated the winners.

 

7)         Recognize 4-H students.

 

            Mrs. Dana Leger recognized the Acadia Parish 4-H club students of the 4-H shooting program.  She presented a short slide show of the program.  The board congratulated the 4-H students.

 

ACTION ITEMS:     

 

NONE

 

ROUTINE ITEMS:

 

1)         Hear and receive the Board President’s verbal announcement to wit:  a public hearing has been scheduled for 5:00 p.m., Monday, June 2, 2014 in the Board’s regular meeting room in order to receive public comment regarding the continuation of millage rates for tax year 2014, and after said hearing, adoption of the millage rates for tax year 2014 will be considered by roll call vote.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the Board President’s verbal announcement to wit:  a public hearing has been scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Monday, June 2, 2014 in the Board’s regular meeting room in order to receive public comment regarding the continuation of millage rates for tax year 2014, and after said hearing, adoption of the millage rates for tax year 2014 will be considered by roll call vote.

 

2)         Hear and receive the Board President’s verbal announcement to wit:  public comment regarding the proposed 2014-2015 general fund budget will be received at 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 2, 2014 in the board room.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the Board President’s verbal announcement to wit:  public comment regarding the proposed 2014-2015 general fund budget will be received at 4:30 p.m., Monday, June 2, 2014 in the board room.

 

3)         Receive a report on the Employee Group Health Insurance program.

 

            Dr. Chance gave a report on the Employee Group Health Insurance program showing a slight increase in premiums.

 

4)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, and Curriculum committee regarding the Do-Re-Me program.

 

            Mr. Bourque again went over the aspects of the Do-Re-Me program.  Questions and concerns were discussed regarding the program, cost, and results.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by unanimous voice vote, the board approved the Do-Re-Me program for a year.

 

5)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, and Curriculum committee regarding One-Acadia Partnership.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Lalande, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved partnership with One-Acadia Partnership.

 

6)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance, and Curriculum committee regarding changes to the Pupil Progression Plan for 2013-2014.

 

            State Department’s transitional waiver adjustments for students in 4th and 8th graders were recommended to the board for immediate inclusion in the 2013-2014 Pupil Progression Plan in order to permit the Superintendent to render a decision on the placement of students due to the lack of validation of the new tests.  Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the 2013-2014 Pupil Progression Plan changes.

 

            At this time, Ms. Guidry went over additional proposed revisions regarding 4th and 8th grade transition program.  Upon motion by Mr. Lalande, seconded by Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the amended revisions of the 2013-2014 Pupil Progression Plan.

 

7)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding Child & Nutrition bids received for small equipment #246 SL and paper and cleaning supplies #247 SL.

 

            Bids received for the Child & Nutrition program were presented for small equipment #246 SL and paper and cleaning supplies #247 SL.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the bids received for the Child Nutrition program for small equipment #246 SL and paper and cleaning supplies #247 SL.

 

8)         Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding Community Eligibility Program within the Child & Nutrition program.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, it was recommended that this item be referred back to the committee.

 

9)         Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, committee meetings will be May 21, 2014and the board meeting  will be June 2, 2014.

 

10)  Correspondence.   

 

      The board received information on school calendars in short form (Year-at-a-Glance) and a newspaper article of Mr. Bourque addressing teachers of Acadia Parish.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS:    NONE

 

CONSENT ITEMS:

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Items Consent Items 1-3 were taken in globo.

 

1)         Receive assignments and changes of professional employees.

 

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

 

2)         Receive retirement notification of employees.

 

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, 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. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed a year to date increase of 0.92%.

 

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS:   

 

Mr. Bourque commented on the number of students recognized at the board meeting tonight and how proud he is of the children.  He mentioned that Friday was 4-H Achievement Day at Midland High.

 

At this time a motion was made by Mr. Lalande, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice to proclaim May 5-9, 2014 Teacher Appreciation Week.

 

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Syria, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

____________________________

Douglas J. LaCombe, President

 

ATTEST:

 

____________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent