CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

JULY 13, 2015

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 13th day of July at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session at Crowley, Louisiana, with President presiding Mr. Douglas J. LaCombe. Members present were, Mr. Delo Hebert, Mr. Milton Simar, Mr. John Suire, Mr. David Lalande, Mr. Gene Daigle, Reverend James Proctor, Mr. James Higginbotham, and Secretary-Treasurer, and Superintendent John E. Bourque. 

2)         Reverend Proctor led the prayer.

3)         Mr. Daigle led the pledge of allegiance.

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

                        NONE

5)         Read and approve minutes of the June 1, 2015 board meeting and June 17, 2015 special session.

                        Reading of the minutes of the June 1, 2015 board meeting and June 17, 2015 special session were dispensed (copies of minutes were sent to member prior to this meeting) and upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, minutes of the June 1, 2015 board meeting and June 17, 2015 special session were approved.

6)         Hear comments from Mike Kreamer.

                        Mr. Mike Kreamer introduced himself, Candidate for BESE, District 7.  He spoke about the issues in education and asked for the communities support.

7)         Receive a report from Scott Richard, LSBA.

                        Scott Richard, LSBA Director, introduced himself and informed the board of issues on education that were voted on during the legislation session.  He thanked the board for their continued support and recognized Mr. James Higginbotham and Mr. Douglas Lacombe, members of the LSBA board.  The board recognized Mr. Richard with a plaque, showing their appreciation for his dedication to education.

8)         Recognize retirees.

                        Mrs. Baggett recognized retirees and mentioned that a reception was held prior to board meeting for them.  The board thanked the retirees for their hard work and dedication to the children and the Acadia Parish School Board.

ACTION ITEMS:

1)             Consider policy changes due to legislation.

Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried, this item was tabled until the following committee meeting.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)               Conduct the public hearing on the 2015-2016 budget.

              A public hearing was held on the 2015-2015 budget.  At this time, Mr. Douglas Lacombe asked for public comment.  There was no public comment.  Upon motion by Mr. Lalande, seconded by Rev. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the 2015-2016 budget.

2)         Consider the recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding adopting the 2015-2016 Budget Resolution and final budget revision for 2014-2015.

              Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the adoption of the 2015-2016 Budget Resolution and final budget revision for 2014-2015.

            At this time a roll call vote was taken as follows:

            YEAS:        Rev. James Proctor, Mr. Douglas Lacombe, Mr. Delo Hebert, Mr. John Suire, Mr. David Lalande, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. James Higginbotham, and Mr. Milton Simar

            NAYS:        NONE

            SEE ATTACHMENT A

3)         Consider the public hearing regarding the adoption of a resolution ordering and an election to be held in Fifth Ward School District No. 7 of Acadia Parish to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax, and thereafter, adopt said resolution.

            A public hearing was held regarding the adoption of a resolution ordering and an election to be held in Fifth Ward School District No. 7 of Acadia Parish to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax.  There being no public comment and upon motion by Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the adoption of a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in Fifth Ward School District No. 7 of Acadia Parish to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax,

            At this time a roll call vote was taken as follows:

            YEAS:        Rev. James Proctor, Mr. Douglas Lacombe, Mr. Delo Hebert, Mr. John Suire, Mr. David Lalande, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. James Higginbotham, and Mr. Milton Simar

            NAYS:        NONE

SEE ATTACHMENT B

4)         Conduct the public hearing regarding the adoption of a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in the Iota-Egan Oilfield Consolidated School District No. 8 of the Parish of Acadia to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax, and thereafter, adopt said resolution.

            A public hearing was held regarding the adoption of a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in the Iota-Egan Oilfield Consolidated School District No. 8 of the Parish of Acadia to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax.  There being no public comment and upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Rev. Proctor, and carried, the board approved adoption of a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in the Iota-Egan Oilfield Consolidated School District No. 8 of the Parish of Acadia to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax.

            At this time a roll call vote was taken as follows:

            YAYS:        Rev. James Proctor, Mr. Douglas Lacombe, Mr. Delo Hebert, Mr. John Suire, Mr. David Lalande, Mr. Gene Daigle, Mr. James Higginbotham, Mr. Milton Simar

            NAYS:        NONE

SEE ATTACHMENT C

5)         Conduct the public meeting regarding the adoption of a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in Church Point School District No. 6 of the Parish of Acadia to authorize the levy of an ad valorem tax, and thereafter, adopt said resolution.

            A public hearing was held regarding the adoption of a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in Church Point School District No. 6 of the Parish of Acadia to authorize the levy of an ad valorem tax.  There being no public comment and upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved renewal of adoption of a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in Church Point School District No. 6 of the Parish of Acadia to authorize the levy of an ad valorem tax.

            At this time a roll call was taken as follows:

            YAYS:        Rev. James Proctor, Douglas Lacombe, Delo Hebert, John Suire, David Lalande, Gene Daigle, James Higginbotham, and Milton Simar

            NAYS:        NONE

SEE ATTACHMENT D

6)         Consider going into executive session to receive a report from counsel regarding litigation resulting from the oil spill by the Oil Rig Deepwater Horizon, MDL NO. 2179 A.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved going into executive session to receive a report from counsel regarding litigation resulting from the oil spill by the Oil Rig Deepwater Horizon, MDL NO. 2179 A at 5:34 p.m.

            Upon motion by Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved going back into regular session at 5:44 p.m.

            At this time a motion was made by Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, to give permission to Superintendent and board president to sign and authorize documents regarding litigation resulting from the oil spill by the Oil Rig Deepwater Horizon, MDL, NO 2179 A.

7)         Consider bids for weight room for Crowley High.

            A bid was presented to board for weight room for Crowley High from Joe Picard for $310,000.  Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Rev. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bid received from Joe Picard for $310,000 for weight room for Crowley High.

8)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding the 2015-2016 contract renewal with AMIKids.

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the contract renewal with AMIKids for one year with a month-to month cancellation provision with AMIKids Acadiana contingent upon:  AMIKids student test scores will not be used in Acadia Parish School Board’s accountability calculation; only state provided MFP funds would be passed through to AMIKids Acadiana; and students served at the AMIKids Acadiana Branch facility must be assigned by Louisiana’s Juvenile Justice System.

9)         Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding the Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program.

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved continuing the Cooperative Agreement between the LSU AgCenter and the Acadia Parish School Board for the period July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2020; i.e., continuing the Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program Agreement.

10)        Consider recommendation of the Personnel, Insurance & Curriculum committee regarding AESSOP, a substitute teacher tracking system.

            Upon motion by Mr. Higginbotham, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the procurement of AESOP, a substitute teacher tracking system, to meet the requirements of the Affordable Health Care Act.

11)        Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding the Child Nutrition Program bid #250 SL, bread, and bid #254 SL, milk and dairy products and juice.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved bids received for bread, milk/dairy products and juice.

12)        Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding considering as surplus a 1998 International 71 passenger school bus, VIN #1HVBBAAPO1H375629, and as surplus, use it for parts (and thereafter, offer for sell that which remains).

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved declaring as surplus a 1198 International 71 passenger school bus with a blown engine and as surplus, use it for parts (and thereafter, offer for sell that which remains).

13)        Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding paying the 2014-2015 AUL for privatized bus drivers.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Lalande, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved paying the 2014-2015 AUL for privatized bus drivers in a lump sum payment of $274,163.02.

14)        Consider recommendation of the Budget & Finance committee regarding a hunting lease of 142 acres in Section 16, T7S, R1E.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved to withdraw the offer of awarding a hunting lease on 142 acres in Section 16, T7S, R1E, due to insurance issues, and re-advertise for bids.

15)        Consider adopting the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire Resolution.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved adopting the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire Resolution.

16)        Consider request from Iota High School Varsity Cheerleaders to attend and perform in Orlando, FL., Walt Disney World on January 16-22, 2016.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved request from Iota High School Varsity Cheerleaders to attend and perform in Orlando, FL., Walt Disney World on January 16-22, 2016.

17)        Consider dates for next committee and board meetings.

            Upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Higginbotham, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, committee meetings will be July 22, 2015 and the board meeting will be August 3, 2015.

18)  Correspondence.   

      Board members were given correspondence regarding Board Doc’s training to be held in August.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:    NONE

CONSENT ITEMS:

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

3)         Receive Sales Tax Report.

            Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Simar, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board received the sales tax report which showed a year to date increase of 1.31%.

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS: 

            Mr. Bourque introduced Sheila Reed, Principal, Morse Elementary and David Schultz, Representative of STS.  He echoed Scott Richard’s comments and thanked Scott for his dedication to education.  He mentioned that he was looking forward to the new school year.

            There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Simar, seconded by Mr. Suire and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:04 p.m.

____________________________

Douglas J. LaCombe, President

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

John E. Bourque, Superintendent