CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
NOVEMBER 2, 1998
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2nd day of November 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) Lindsey Blanchard, a student at Estherwood Elementary, delivered the prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4) The agenda was revised by adding Opening Item 10 (RECOGNIZE JO CART WHO WILL PRESENT THE EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND GRANTS TO ACADIA PARISH TEACHERS.); Routine Item la (CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATION FOR PERFORMANCE CONTRACT FOR DARRYL BROUSSARD, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL.); and Consent Item 10 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM CAL SIMAR PRINCIPAL, IOTA HIGH SCHOOL, FOR NINE FFA CHAPTER MEMBERS TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, 11-8-98 THROUGH 11-15-98.); upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
5) Reading of the minutes of the October 5, 1998, 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, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6) Mr. Rodney LaFosse introduced Acadia Parish winners in the U.S. Senate Youth Program. Jerri Kay Brown represented Iota High, Mary Jane Chariot, Church Point High; Gabriel Aymond, Rayne High; Christy Dawn Redlich, Midland High; and Quincy D. Spencer, Crowley High. Jerri Kay Brown was selected as one of two outstanding students to represent Louisiana in Washington.
7) Mrs. Adele Can recognized Acadia Parish Teachers of the Year. Each briefly addressed the Board. Tammy Guidry, Iota Elementary School; Genita Domingue, Armstrong Middle School; and Ray Blum, Rayne High School were honored as Teachers of the Year for 1998.
8) Mr. John Lennox of Entergy presented a grant award to Branch Elementary School on behalf of Mrs. Ezora Proctor of the National Association of University Women. Mrs. Proctor explained the role of her organization, NAUW, in assisting schools in Acadia Parish. She expressed thanks to the Board for their support. Dr. James announced that Mrs. Proctor has recently been named national president of NAUW, and commended her for her community work. Mr. Keith Cahanin, principal at Branch Elementary, thanked Mrs. Proctor for her untiring efforts.
9) Ms. Brenda Francis presented parish-wide winners of the Red Ribbon poster contest in various grade categories. They were presented certificates for their accomplishments. Winning posters are on display in the lobby of the school board office.
10) Mrs. Jo Cart presented Educational Endowments to four teachers in Acadia Parish. Tammy Guidry received $500, Jacqueline Broussard received $528, Elizabeth Ball and Dana Leger received $400, and Tom Petitjean received $958.
At this point, Mr. Daigle motioned and Dr. McManus seconded, to add Routine Item 18a (CONSIDER PREPARING A RESOLUTION THANKING THE EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF EDUCATION IN ACADIA PARISH.). The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
ACTION ITEMS:
1) Mr. Mike LeBlanc distributed information listing non-complex medical procedures currently being performed in Acadia Parish, showing those presently handling these responsibilities. He suggested that APSB continue with the current services. Mr. Johnson motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to remove the non-complex medical procedures clause from the teacher aide job description. Mr. Johnson suggested having different job descriptions and pay differential for those who perform these procedures. Others suggested grand-fathering existing aides and holding new hires to the revised job description. Mr. Boudreaux offered a substitute motion, seconded by Mr. Senegal, to not require existing aides to perform non-complex medical procedures. They would be grand-fathered in to the old job description. New hires would be required to handle these tasks.
DeDe Chatlin, LAE representative, addressed the Board on the matter. She provided background information and training requirements for non-complex medical procedures. Others suggested that more nurses (LPN) be hired to perform non-complex medical procedures. Ms. Chatlin had other suggestions regarding Acadia Parish job descriptions. Mr. Johnson motioned to refer this matter to committee and stipulate that the non-complex medical procedure clause be removed. The motion did not receive a second.
Mr. Kenneth Privat suggested that APSB not consider grand-fathering existing aides and suggested a pay increment for those who agreed to perform the procedure. Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Ms. Bias, and carried by a unanimous majority voice vote, Mr. Boudreaux opposed, (Corrected at the 12-7-98 meeting.), this matter was tabled and referred to a special committee for further consideration. The committee will be appointed meeting, by Mr. Hoffpauir, board president.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Superintendent James reported that there were two applicants for the position of Executive Director of Curriculum/Instruction, and she recommended Mrs. Margaret Jones for the position. Mr. Senegal motioned and Mr. Trahan seconded to accept the Superintendent recommendation and appoint Mrs. Jones to the position of Executive Director of Curriculum/Instruction. Mrs. Valdetero suggested that this appointment be deferred until next school year. Mr. Boudreaux concurred with Ms. Valdetero. After more discussion the question was called and passed by a majority voice vote. The main motion carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson and Ms. Valdetero opposed), and Mrs. Margaret Jones was appointed to the position of Executive Director of Curriculum/Instruction. Mrs. Jones was commended by the Board.
1b) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for the position of Vocational Ed'. Supervisor. Mrs. Jones will maintain position of Vocational Ed. Supervisor until a replacement is named.
la) The Superintendent's recommendation for performance contract renewal for Darryl Broussard, assistant principal at Midland High School, beginning. November 6, 1998 through June 30, 2002 was approved, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
2) The Superintendent's recommendation that Vickie Blanchard be named to the position of Fifth Ward bus driver to replace Eugene Blanchard was approved, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
3) Dr. James recommended that, in the implementation of the new pay scale, employees (Corrected at the Dec. 7 meeting).be transferred to the new scale with credit for years of service. After employees are placed into the new system, pay increases will be based on evaluations. She suggested implementation become effective January 1, 1999. Mr. Trahan motioned, and Mr. Senegal seconded to accept the Superintendent's recommendations. Mr. Johnson suggested that this item be tabled to give more time to study recommendations received tonight. Others felt action needed to be taken at this time. Some board members were concerned about salary increases of some positions. Question was called by Mr. Miller and passed by a majority voice vote. The main motion carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson opposed).
4) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried by a unanimous voice vote, agricultural leases on school board land were renewed for Larry LeJeune, Mike Pousson, John Hoffpauir, Dale and Shelton Pousson, Linus Regan, J. D. Sittig, and Danny Richard.
5) Mr. Rodney LaFosse announced that APSB received a LEARN grant for teacher training in the amount of $136,803.
6) Mr. Smith motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to accept the Personnel/Insurance Committee's recommendation that bus drivers be appointed administratively, as all other classified employees. After some discussion, a substitute motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Trahan, to leave the policy as it exists, carried by a majority voice vote. Bus driver appointments will continue to be brought to the full board.
7) Mr. Smith motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to accept the recommendation of the Technology/Instruction/Federal Programs and Personnel/Insurance Committees to employ a technology instructional assistant with funding provided by the technology grant at an estimated salary of $36,000. After some discussion, question was called by Ms. Bias and passed by a Mr. Senegal motion and Dr. McManus seconded to accept recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees to increase the salary for Computer Technician II, by $4 per hour, or approximately $7,000 annually. Questions were raised about the status of networks in the parish, as well as additional work being done by APSB staff after hours. Mr. Bill LaCalle addressed the Board. He indicated that their department is understaffed. A majority voice vote. The main motion carried by a majority voice vote. (Mr. Boudreaux opposed in the area of computer technicians. The motion carried by a majority voice vote.
9) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote, the recommendation from the Budget/Finance Committee to collaborate with the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Department regarding COPS grant was approved. APSB share of the cost is approximately $7,000 per year per officer.
10) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to provide additional funding for technology improvements at Richard Elementary School was approved. Estimated cost is $15,000.
11) It was moved by Mr. Senegal and seconded by Mr. Boudreaux to approve the Title I budget revisions. Mr. Johnson offered an amended motion, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, if additional costs are incurred as a result of the new pay structure, then Title I will be held harmless and any additional costs will be paid by the General Fund for the 1998-99 school year. The main motion as amended passed by a unanimous voice vote.
12) Mr. Trahan motioned and Mr. Smith seconded to accept the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to match funding for instructional software at Crowley Middle School, Church Point Middle School, and Armstrong Middle- School at an estimated cost of $37,500. Several board members expressed concern that hardware was purchased with grant money with no provisions for software. A substitute motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Senegal, to provide this software to middle schools with the general fund paying the entire cost of $75,000. Question was called by Mr. Quebodeaux. The substitute motion failed by a majority voice vote. The main motion carried by a unanimous voice vote.
13) Mr. Quebodeaux motioned and Mr. Trahan seconded to approve the recommendation of the Technology/Instruction/Federal Programs Committee to install underground fiber optic cabling at the central office complex at an estimated cost of $16,000. A substitute motion offered by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, that this job be completed only after all school networks are up and running, failed by a roll call vote of 8 to 7.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan
NAY: Bias, Suire, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Miller
The main motion passed by a majority voice vote (Johnson and Valdetero opposed).
14) This item to consider replacing board member chairs was tabled, upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by unanimous voice vote.
15) Ms. Valdetero motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to approve the recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities Committee to approve a ten-year lease of a one acre water well site to John Hoffpauir. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Kenneth Privat was authorized to develop a lease for this well site. Several board members questioned the irrigation well arrangements on other school board property.
16) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a resolution denying students who have not passed the Graduate Exit Exam from participating in graduation exercises was approved.
RESOLUTION - (GRADUATION EXERCISES)
WHEREAS, House Concurrent Resolution 64 of the Regular Session of the State Legislature directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, with assistance from the State Department of Education, to adopt a uniform state policy permitting students who have not passed the Graduation Exit Exam to participate in high school graduation exercises on an equal basis with students who have successfully passed the Exam, and; WHEREAS, concurrent resolutions of the Legislature are advisory only while the policies of BESE have the force and effect of law, and;
WHEREAS, heretofore, local school districts have adhered to the State Board's local option policy concerning graduation exercises and have found this to be a highly desirable solution to the many issues inherent in local high school commencement exercises, and;
WHEREAS, with the local option policy, as with all other BESE policies allowing flexibility at the local level, school boards have faithfully followed the general intent and dictates of the State Board,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the preference of the Acadia Parish School Board for the local option policy allows this system to permit participation in graduation exercises only by those students who have successfully passed the GEE, that such graduation is a privilege and an honor as well as a prestigious accomplishment, and as such is consistent with the intent and purpose of BESE's established graduation requirements, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Acadia Parish School Board does hereby request that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education allow its local option policy regarding high school graduation exercises to remain as it is currently written and HCR 64 be treated as a legislative "urge and request" rather than as a directive for policy amendment
17) Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a resolution opposing legislation to require newly hired employees to contribute to social security was adopted.
RESOLUTION - (SOCIAL SECURITY)
WHEREAS, mandatory social security coverage for all newly hired Acadia Parish School Board personnel would seriously threaten the financial well-being of our sound, secure and long-standing retirement systems in Louisiana, and;
WHEREAS, we are told by the General Accounting Office (GAO) representatives that this massive undertaking would extend the solvency of social security no more than two additional years, and; WHEREAS, mandatory coverage levies a new tax and places an unfunded mandate on the Acadia Parish School Board and the Louisiana State Legislature, and;
WHEREAS, the Acadia Parish School Board would be compelled to remit to the Office of Social Security 6.2 of the salary of each newly hired employee in addition to the employer's contribution currently being paid to the Louisiana Retirement Systems, and;
WHEREAS, such new fees would constitute a double tax' on the citizens of Louisiana who are currently paying social security taxed on their own salaries and also would be funding the new mandated tax for Louisiana Public Employees forced into social security, now;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Acadia Parish School Board goes on record as opposing any effort to mandate social security coverage for all newly hired school board personnel, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Acadia Parish's Congressional Delegation, its Local Legislative Delegation and the Louisiana School Board Association.
18) Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a resolution regarding volunteers at Midland High was adopted.
RESOLUTION - (MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL)
WHEREAS, the community of Midland, and in particular Midland High School, suffered significant damage as a result of a tornado on the afternoon of Friday, September 11, 1998, and; WHEREAS, an extreme amount of clean-up was necessary in order to reopen the school as soon as possible, and;
WHEREAS, a sense of collaboration and cooperation by the citizens of Ward V is pervasive, and; WHEREAS, as a result of the generous contributions of time, effort, and materials, Midland High School reopened only three school days after the disaster occurred,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Acadia Parish School Board acknowledges and applauds the efforts of those students, parents, school staff, community members, and local businesses who volunteered their time and effort in the wake of the September 11 disaster, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Acadia Parish School Board considers these acts of volunteerism as admirable examples of cooperation by a community in support of public education.
18a) Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a resolution acknowledging the contributions of the Educational Endowment Fund will be written.
19) Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into executive session at 7:20 p.m. to discuss litigation of a Crowley Middle School student.
Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened into regular session at 7:30 p.m.
The Board agreed that no action was needed as this matter will be handled as discussed in executive session.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
There were no discussion items.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following action was taken by the Board:
1 Approved personnel assignments and changes since the last meeting.
2 Received Sales Tax Report showing a year-to-date decrease of 5.56 %.
3 Approved request from Ms Lee Ethel DuPont, principal at Crowley Middle School, for band and chorus students to participate in competition at San Antonio, Texas, May 5-7, 1998.
4 Approved request from Donna Guidry, receptionist at Central Office, for change of maternity leave,effective 7-16-98 through 10-2-98.
5 Approved request from Connie Quebedeaux, aide at Rayne Head start, for leave without pay for medical reasons, effective 10-7-98 to 11-7-98.
6 Approved request from Tremayne D. Welter, aide at Mire Elementary, for maternity leave, effective 1-12-99 through 2-12-99.
7 Approved request from Lisa F. Duplechain, teacher at North Crowley Elementary for maternity leave effective 2-23-99 through 6-4-99.
8 Approved request from Debra A. Cavalier, teacher at Branch Elementary, for sabbatical leave, rest and recuperation, for the second semester of the 1998-99 school year.
9 Approved request from Ronald Doguet, principal, for Church Point High School Science Club members to visit NASA Space Center in Houston, Texas, March 30, 1999.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Miller, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Myron Clark Hoffpauir, President
ATTEST:
Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent