CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
JANUARY 5, 1998
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 5th day of January 1998, at 5:00 p.m., in regular session, with President Myron Clark Hoffpauir presiding. Members present were Lyle C. Johnson, Kitty M. Valdetero, Wadie H. Bias, Woody M. Marceaux, John A. Suire, Lynn Shamsie, John H. Quebodeaux, Sr., Nolton J. Senegal, Sr., Roland J. Boudreaux., Rodney J. Trahan, Johnnie L. Smith, Charles F. Daigle, Shirley F. Vige', Dr. Robert McManus, Lynn Miller, and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Marietta W. James.
2&3) Dr. James led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
4) The agenda was revised by adding Routine Item la (CONSIDER RENEWAL OF PERFORMANCE CONTRACT FOR LEEWARD BELLARD, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CHURCH POINT HIGH.) upon motion by Mr. Daigle and seconded by Mr. Smith. Routine Item 5a (CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION FROM THE BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE TO HIRE ADDITIONAL HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND TEACHERS) was added, upon motion by Mr. Daigle and seconded by Mr. Vige'. Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, Routine Item 7a (CONSIDER ASSIGNMENT OF MINERAL LEASE) was added. Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal Consent Item 7a (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM PRINCIPAL AT CROWLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON D.C., JAMESTOWN AND WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA, 5-5-98 TO 5-8-98). All motions were approved by a unanimous voice vote.
5) Reading of the minutes of the December 1, 1997, meeting was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and approved as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Senegal and seconded by Mr. Boudreaux.
6) Yvonne Mills announced that the APSB Early Childhood Parent Education Program has been recognized as an exemplary program in Louisiana. Parent educators recognized and presented certificates were Marjorie DuBose, Linda Stewart and Vicky Citizen.
7) Regina Leonard of Crowley High and Bradley Leger of Midland High, participants of Farmer-to-Farmer Program in Russia, were recognized. Both told of experiences of their trip to Russia, and thanked the board for their support.
8) Bradley Leger introduced Emily Abshire and Joseph Badeaux, Midland High FFA Chapter members. They were chosen as FFA ambassadors for Acadia Parish.
9) Margaret Jones introduced Pamela Domingues and Linda Harvey, recipients of Quality in Science and Mathematics grants of $750. They were commended for their efforts.
DISCUSSION ITEMS: There were no discussion items to address.
1) The Transportation/Facilities Committee recommended that no changes be made to the existing policy for vandalism and/or theft. Mr. Johnson asked if enforcement of the policy would require board action. He also requested that an item be added to the February board meeting to discuss how we should handle vandalism damages. Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the existing vandalism and/or theft policy will remain.
VANDALISM AND/OR THEFT POLICY The Acadia Parish School Board:
1. Offers a standing reward of $100 for information leading to the apprehension of those responsible for committing vandalism and/or theft in excess of $100 to or upon school premises;
2. Directs school principals/designees to file charges against such students;
3. Directs the expulsion of such students for the remainder of the school term if they are enrolled in any school under the jurisdiction of the Acadia Parish School Board; and
4. Directs that arrangements must be made for restitution before the student is re-admitted to school.
2) Dr. James introduced Mayor Delahoussaye and Alice Whiting, and recommended that the APSB provide feeding for Crowley's summer camp program. The program will serve 500 to 700 children, ages 8 to 14 at two sites. Questions were raised about insurance arrangements and if "open enrollment" will be used. Other arrangements have not yet been finalized. Mr. Marceaux asked if the City of Crowley would consider handling the feeding portion of a summer camp. Ruth Carboni, supervisor, addressed the board, explaining the role of APSB cafeterias and personnel in preparing meals. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and passed by a roll call vote of 11 to 4, the summer feeding program with the City of Crowley as an enrolled program was approved.
YEA: Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Miller
NAY: Johnson, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Mr. Senegal motioned to grant a 4 year renewal of the Superintendent's contract with salary at $75,000. Mr. Shamsie seconded the motion. Mr. Boudreaux motioned and Mr. Quebodeaux seconded to table consideration of the Superintendent's contract until next month. The motion to table failed by a roll call vote of 8 to 8.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Suire, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith
NAY: Hoffpauir, Bias, Shamsie, Senegal, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Miller
Discussion followed among the board members. Liz Harson, representative of AAE, indicated that her organization was not in support of the renewal as proposed. Mr. Smith moved to go into executive session. Mr. Marceaux offered a substitute motion to grant a 2 year contract with a 3 % annual raise.Ms. Valdetero seconded the substitute motion. Mr. Suire offered an amendment to the substitute motion to grant a 4 year contract with a 3 % annual increase. Dr. McManus seconded the amended substitute motion by Mr. Suire, the motion passed by a roll call vote of 9 to 6, and Dr. James's contract was renewed for 4 years with a 3 % annual salary increase.
YEA: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Miller
NAY: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan
1a) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the performance contract for Lee Ward Bellard, assistant principal at Church Point High, was renewed for 4 years. Mr. Bellard was recognized and commended.
2) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board awarded low bid for re-roofing Church Point High School to EMC in the amount of $99,000.
BIDDER BASE BID
Ferguson Roofing 112,000
EMC Construction 99,000
Lundin Roofing 156,200
Atlas Roofing 123,800
3) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board awarded low bid for re-roofing Crowley Middle School to EMC in the amount of $35,000.
BIDDER BASE BID
Ferguson Roofing 43,000
EMC Construction 35,000
Lundin Roofing 67,900
Atlas Roofing 46,800
4) The new cafeteria at Church Point Elementary will have four serving lines instead of two, which will necessitate the hiring of additional personnel. Two clerks and an assistant manager were requested and approved by the Budget/Finance and Personnel/Insurance Committees'. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved additional labor for Church Point Elementary Cafeteria.
5) Mr. Senegal cited the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to hire a Technology Instructional Assistant and a Computer Technician. Glenn Mayard addressed the board, explaining his job responsibilities. Mr. Marceaux motioned and Mr. Daigle seconded to hire an additional technician now, and re-consider the need for a Technology Instructional Assistant.
Mr. Johnson cautioned against hiring another person without considering information he distributed.
Mr. Daigle motioned and Mr. Senegal seconded to table Routine Item 5 Consider Budge/Finance & Personnel Insurance Committees' recommendation regarding hiring a Technology Instructional Assistant and a Computer Technician and refer it back to the Technology/Instructional/Federal Programs Committee. Ms. Barrett, teacher at Crowley High, mentioned ongoing problems with technology in her department. The motion to table passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Miller, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board took a break at 6:50 p.m.
Upon motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board reconvened at 7:02 p.m.
Dr. McManus motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to remove Routine Item 5 from the table, in light of a pending grant. Mrs. Mary Robbins explained how the cost of this position would be covered by a grant for the remainder of this year and the next fiscal year. The motion to remove from the table passed by a roll call vote of 13 to 2.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Miller
NAY: Boudreaux, Trahan
Dr. McManus offered a substitute motion to hire a technology assistant for one and one-half years with salary based at 10/9 of a teachers' pay schedule, to be funded with grant money. Ms. Bias seconded the substitute motion. Ronald Doguet, representative of the Acadia Principals' Association, suggested instead of hiring an instructional assistant, allow teachers to provide this training. Mr. Johnson offered a substitute to the substitute motion to re-write the grant in such a way to allow teachers at each school to provide the necessary training. Mr. Boudreaux seconded the motion which passed by a majority voice vote. Mrs. Mary Robbins was instructed to re-write the grant to accommodate this motion.
5a) The Budget/Finance Committee recommended hiring an additional Hospital/Homebound teacher, due to excessive caseloads. Discussion followed. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Trahan opposed), the board approved hiring an additional Hospital/Homebound teacher.
6) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for mineral lease on Section 16, Township 11 S, Range 2W, in Vermilion Parish.
7) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee was authorized to receive and act on mineral lease bids to be received on January 15, 1998.
7a) Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, assignment of mineral lease from Enserch to Total Minatome was approved.
8) Rex Mills, chairman of the Student Uniform Policy Committee, briefly addressed the board, summarizing the work of the committee. He was commended for his efforts. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Students' School Uniform Policy was approved.
ACADIA PARISH SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY
Beginning with the 1998-99 school year, students in all parish elementary and middle schools are required to wear the official school uniform. For the 1999-2000 school year, all students in all schools will be required to wear uniforms. The official school uniform will consist of the following:
BOYS navy polo-type shirt - long or short sleeve khaki pants or shorts - twill or denim GIRLS navy polo-type shirt - long or short sleeve khaki or designated plaid pants, shorts, box-pleated skirt, bib skirt or jumper - twill or denim Pants and shorts must have a waist band. A waist band with elastic on the sides and/or back of the garment is also acceptable. Shorts and skirts must be no more than 2 inches above the knees. Uniforms will be available for purchase from local and area merchants.
9) Upon motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the policy revision regarding bid advertisement to allow the Superintendent to advertise for items already budgeted was approved.
10) Michael LeBlanc, supervisor, announced the retirement of six persons from the Special Education Advisory Council. He requested nominations from the board. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item was tabled until the February meeting.
11 The board meeting in April will be during the time of the NSBA Convention. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a majority voice vote, the board will meet Tuesday, April 14, 1998, instead of Monday, April 6.
12) A building purchased with Title I funds is being used at Church Point High School for a non-Title I class due to overcrowded conditions at the school. In order for this building valued at $3,000 to continue being used for this purpose, it must be purchased from Title I. Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved purchase of the Title I Building at Church Point High for $3,000.
13) Upon motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the audit report for fiscal year ending 6-30-97 was received and will be discussed next month, if necessary.
14) Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the internal school audits for 1997 (previously send to each board member) were approved.
15) Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board will meet in Special Session on Monday, January 26, at 5:00 p.m., to discuss the Alternative School.
16) Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board went into executive session at 7:48 p.m., to consider length of an expulsion for a South Rayne Elementary student.
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board reconvened at 7:54 p.m.
Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the principal's recommendation regarding the length of the expulsion was approved.
17) Dr. James reported that Ms. Johnnie was seeking board members to serve on the Alternative School Task Force. Mr. Boudreaux and Mr. Marceaux volunteered.
Mr. Boudreaux provided information about proposed legislation regarding educational funding by Foster Campbell.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Miller, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the following items:
1 Authorized the Board President and Superintendent to pay monthly bills.
2 Personnel assignments and changes, since the December 1, 1997, meeting.
3 Sales Tax Report.
4 Request for change of maternity leave from Angel M. Dupuis, aide, Rayne head Start.
5 Request for release of contract from Angela Domingue, teacher, Church Point Elementary, effective 1-9-98.
6 Request for leave without pay from Keri N. Lucas, teacher, Iota High, effective from 11-7-97 to 6-2-98 (medical).
7 Request from principal at Morse Elementary for students to travel to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Saturday, 5-16-98.
7a Request from Crowley Middle School students to travel to Washington D.C., Jamestown and Williamsburg, Virginia, 5-5-98 to 5-8-98.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Miller,
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
ATTEST:
Dr. Marie to W. James, Superintendent