CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
DECEMBER 7, 1998
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 7th day of December 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', and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Marietta W. James. Dr. Robert McManus and Lynn Miller were absent.
2&3) Jeri Kay Brown, a senior in the honors program at Iota High School, 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.); Routine Item 3a (CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATION TO FILL BUS DRIVER VACANCY IN RAYNE AREA), 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.); Consent Item 7 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM CARL LEJEUNE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TO HIRE LETITIA S. QUEBODEAUX, RETIRED TEACHER, TO TEACH SCIENCE AT CHURCH POINT HIGH SCHOOL); Consent Item 8 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM RACHAEL CART, TEACHER AT BRANCH AND RICHARD ELEMENTARY, FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER OF 1998-99, FOR REST AND RECUPERATION); Consent Item 9 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM VANESSA PRIMEAUX, CENTRAL OFFICE TRANSPORTATION/MAINTENANCE SECRETARY, FOR LEAVE WITHOUT PAY FROM NOVEMBER 19, 1998, TO NOVEMBER 18, 1999, FOR MEDICAL REASONS); Consent Item 10 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM ALMA BIEBER, TEACHER, CENTRAL RAYNE KINDERGARTEN, FOR LEAVE WITHOUT PAY FROM DECEMBER 18, 1998, TO JANUARY 4, 199), TO CARE FOR INFANT CHILD); delete Routine Item 6 (CONSIDER CHANGES IN OBJECTIVE CRITERIA POLICY), upon motion by Mr. Smith, and seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item 15 was moved to Routine Item 1, Routine Item 12 to Routine Item la, and Routine Item 1 to Routine b.
5) Reading of the minutes of the November 2, 1998, meeting was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and approved as corrected on page 380 paragraph 1 to record Mr. Boudreaux voting no, and on page 381 paragraph 7 to record Mr. Boudreaux opposing, upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Mr. Van Landry addressed the board, indicating that I-Acadia recently completed another successful year of operations. He also indicated that they have reviewed the school board's recently adopted five-year plan. His organization will embark upon a similar study, emphasizing long-term strategic planning for public education in Acadia Parish.
7) Mrs. Yvonne Mills announced the award of an Even Start Program grant in the amount of $107,000. This program emphasizes early childhood development and adult education.
8) Mrs. Margaret Jones introduced the Teacher Cadet Class at Crowley High School. Ms. Janie Chappelle addressed the board and discussed the program in more detail. Some of the cadets shared their experiences with the Board and audience.
9) Mr. Rodney LaFosse and Mrs. Brenda Savoie recognized Mrs. Julaine Stark, alternative school teacher, recipient of a $750 Quality in Science and Math Grant.
10) Mrs. Sondra Myers introduced Head Start Policy council members and officers. Mr. Kenneth Richard, policy council president, briefly addressed the board. He recognized several teachers who assisted in his education in elementary school. He was a member of one of the early Head Start classes in Acadia Parish in 1964.
11) Mrs. Margaret Jones introduced Mrs. Brenda Savoie who recognized Mr. Edwin Ray, recipient of a School-to-Work grant in the amount of $1,911. He plans to develop a career resource center with these funds.
ACTION ITEMS: There were no action items.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) (This item was formerly item 15.) Dr. James presented the recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance and Budget/Finance Committees regarding teacher aide job description to include: 1) remove non-complex medical procedure wording from job description, 2) add a statement which states that lifting over 50 lbs shall be done with assistance, 3) continue to handle non-complex medical procedures through volunteers, or hire a licensed practical nurse to perform these procedures. Upon motion by Mr Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance Committee regarding the teacher aide job description was approved. (Corrected at the 12-6-99 meeting.)
la) (This item was formerly item 12.) Mr. Senegal motioned and Mr. Daigle seconded to approve the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to reduce from 1.63 to 1.60 the salary index of incoming supervisors. Questions were raised about other indexes which will not be affected at this time. Title changes will be made at this time (executive directors, supervisors, coordinators) to correspond with the new organizational structure. Dr. James answered questions of board members regarding this reorganization. Discussion followed concerning the relative responsibilities of principals versus parish-level administrators. Ms. Valdetero called for question which passed by a majority voice vote. The main motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Daigle, to approve the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to reduce from 1.63 to 1.60 the salary index of incoming supervisors, carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux opposed).
b) (Formerly item 1.) Superintendent James reported that there were four applicants for the position of Supervisor of Vocational Education and recommended Ms. Lee Ethel DuPont for the position. Mr. Senegal motioned and Mr. Daigle seconded to approved the Superintendent's recommendation to appoint Mrs Lee Ethel DuPont to the position of Supervisor of Vocational Education. Mr. Boudreaux suggested that board members be privy to the resume of all applicants. Mr. Quebodeaux brought out the fact that a relatively new Louisiana law, Act 42 amending RS 17:81A (in effect April 24, 1998) would prevent the board from making another recommendation without first rejecting the superintendent's recommendation. Discussion followed. Question was called by Mr. Trahan and passed. The main motion passed by a roll call vote of 12 to 1, and Ms. Lee Ethel DuPont was appointed to the position of Supervisor of Vocational Education beginning December 8. 1998, through June 30, 2000. Ms. DuPont was recognized and congratulated by the Board.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Boudreaux, Smith, Daigle, Vige'
NAY: Trahan
ABSENT: McManus, Miller
Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Smith opposed), Routine Item I c (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR THE PRINCIPALSHIP AT CROWLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, & HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMEND AT LEAST THE TWO TOP CANDIDATES.), was added to the agenda.
lc) Mr. Marceaux motioned and Mr. Johnson seconded to authorize the Superintendent to advertise for a principal at Crowley Middle School, and have the Superintendent recommend at least the top two candidates. Method of selecting administrators was discussed. Currently, the APSB Objective Criteria is being used. Mr. Senegal opposed the recommendation of more than one candidate, as it conflicts with the intent of the new legislation. Others thought that Board members should have more input in making these selections. It was pointed out that the Board has the authority to supercede recommendations of the Superintendent. Questino was called by Mr. Daigle and passed by a unanimous voice vote. The main motion failed by a roll call vote of 7 to 7 with President Hoffpauir casting the tying vote.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan
NAY: Bias, Suire, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', Hoffpauir
ABSENT: McManus, Miller
Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for a principal at Crowley Middle School. The objective criteria will still be used in the selection of top candidates for this principalship.
2) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Hoffpauir's recommendation to appoint Becky Istre to the Personnel/Insurance Committee was approved.
3) Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Hoffpauir's recommendation to appoint Dr. Diane Wakefield to the Technology/Instructional/Federal Programs Committee was approved.
3a) Mr. Todd Meche was the only applicant for the position of bus driver in the Rayne area. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Meche was appointed to that position.
Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following resolution requesting the State Department of Transportation install lights and/or necessary safety measures to make Highway 13 and Hensgens Road intersection safe for student, faculty, parents, and others traveling Highway 13, was adopted.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Crowley High School has approximately 900 students and 105 faculty and support staff; and WHEREAS, the entrance to Crowley High School is located on Hensgens Road and this road intersects with LA 13; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of traffic, including 20 school buses, to and from Crowley High School travels on LA 13; and
WHEREAS, there is at the present time no safety precautions other than warning signs; and WHEREAS, this intersection-is dangerous and even more so in inclement weather; and
WHEREAS, the Acadia Parish School Board is seeking assistance for the protection and safety of all who travel this highway and are now approaching a dangerous school intersection without sufficient warning; and
WHEREAS, the Acadia Parish School Board is in legal session on this Seventh Day of December, 1998; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Acadia Parish School Board petitions and formally requests that the State Department of Transportation take whatever action is necessary to place flashing lights and/or other adequate means of notification of the approaching school zone intersection and reduced speed area at the intersection of LA 13 and Hensgens Road; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the Governor; the State Department of Transportation; and to all members of the Acadia Parish Legislative delegation.
5) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, general fund budget revisions update was received.
6) This item was deleted from the agenda.
7) Mr. Marceaux motioned, seconded by Mr. Daigle, to accept the proposal by Forethought, Inc. to devise a codification system for APSE Policy Manual. Mr. Smith questioned the estimated cost of $12,815. Mr. Carl LeJeune indicated that this codification would speed up the implementation and dissemination of new and changed policies. Mr. Smith implied that this service could be handled by LSBA. A substitute motion to include wording that time lines be adhered to and prepare the policy manual in format that is adaptable by the APSE (in the event Forethought, Inc., discontinue this service) was offered by Ms. Valdetero and seconded by Mr. Trahan. Discussion followed. Question was called by Ms. Valdetero and passed by a unanimous voice vote. The substitute motion failed by a roll call vote of 4 to 8.
YEA: Valdetero, Quebodeaux, Daigle, Vige'
NAY: Johnson, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith ABSTAIN: Bias
ABSENT: McManus, Miller
The main motion failed by a roll call vote of 4 to 9.
YEA: Valdetero, Bias, Daigle, Vige'
NAY: Johnson, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith
ABSENT: McManus, Miller
8) Mr. Rex Mills presented proposed changes in the uniform policy as recommended by the Uniform Committee at their last meeting. The major change would allow skorts to be worn for the 1999/2000 school year. More discussion followed between the Board and Mr. Mills. Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote the recommended changes to the uniform policy (underlined) were approved.
UNIFORM POLICY FOR ACADIA PARISH
Students will wear khaki or parish-approved plaid pants, shorts, box-pleated skirts, A-Line skirts, bib skirts or jumpers. Skorts may be worn, but because the skorts tend to run shorter than skirts, the 2" hem rule will be strictly enforced. Khaki denim shorts and pants are also acceptable. Shirts/blouses are to be navy polo (golf) shirts, either short or long sleeves, with two or three buttons and a collar. Emblems/insignias, or monograms on shirts or sweaters are prohibited.
The uniforms will be the classic, traditional style - no baggy or oversized clothes, no pockets on lower legs, etc. Pants can have pleated or straight front. All pants and shorts must have a front waistband and belt loops. Shirts must be worn tucked into pants, shorts, skorts or skirts. Students may wear either a black, blue or brown belt. PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS MAY WEAR PULL-ON PANTS, BUT THEY MUST HAVE A FRONT WAISTBAND.
Elastic will be allowed only on the back and/or sides of the pants. Hems are to be no more that 2" above the knee when the student is kneeling. Girls may wear shorts under their skirts as long as the shorts are not visible. Tights that match the uniform may be worn with or without socks. Navy sweatshirts may be worn over polo shirts during cold weather. Navy turtlenecks maybe worn under polo, but polo cannot be taken off during the school day. White undershirts may be worn under the polo.
9) Mrs. Sondra Myers presented a training to the Board about the proposed Head Start Federal review scheduled for the week of January 25, 1999. She outlined steps to be taken by the review team.
10) Mrs. Sondra Myers presented plans for the Head Start program. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Head Start program's plans were approved.
11) The Budget/Finance Committee recommended that an interpreter for a deaf student at Midland High be hired at an estimated cost of $15,000 to be funded by the general fund. Mr. Marceaux posed the possibility of having to provide this service to other deaf students. Mr. Mike LeBlanc will develop a job description for an interpreter. After more discussion, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved hiring an interpreter for the Midland High student.
12) (This item was moved to la.)
13) Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to standardize coordinator pay was approved.
14) Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to allocate funds for electrical/safety improvements of the north gym at Rayne High was approved.
15) (This item was moved to 1.)
16) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Personnel/Insurance & Budget/Finance Committees' recommendation that APSB ) pay 5 of the 6 % rate increase of Blue Cross Insurance was approved. The remaining 1 % would ) be paid by employees/retirees.
17) Mr. Smith motioned and Mr. Senegal seconded to accept the Personnel/Insurance Committee's recommendation for changes in the transfer policy. Discussion followed. Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item was tabled until the January meeting.
18) Mr. Quebodeaux cautioned the board about the potentially high cost of maintaining a fleet of vehicles. Mr. Shamsie motioned and Mr. Senegal seconded to accept the Transportation/Facilities & Budget/Finance Committees' recommendation to purchase three additional APSB vehicles, two for the maintenance department and one for central office, at an estimated cost of $24,000.
A substitute motion to purchase only two vehicles for the maintenance, and none for the central office was made by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and passed by a roll call vote of 7 to 6, then failed by a roll call vote of 7 to 7, (Corrected at the 12-6-99 meeting.)with Mr. Hoffpauir casting the tying vote.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith
NAY: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Daigle, Vige', Hoffpauir
ABSENT: McManus, Miller
The main motion to purchase three vehicles, two for maintenance and one for central office, passed by a roll call vote of 8 to 5.
YEA: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige'
NAY: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan
ABSENT: McManus, Miller
19) Mr. Steve Jones presented an estimated cost of $5,000 to purchase new chairs for board members. A motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Daigle, to purchase new chairs for board members, failed by a majority voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, at 7:25 p.m. the board took a recess of five minutes and then went into executive session to discuss possible litigation regarding Mire Elementary parent concerns. Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Vige' and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board reconvened into regular session at 8:03 p.m.
Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Kenneth Privat, attorney, was authorized to handle this matter.
20) There was no correspondence.
DISCUSSION ITEMS: There were no discussion items.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Trahan, 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 4.80 %.
3 Approved request from Mr. Eric Stutes, principal, for Crowley High School choir members to compete in national competition in Atlanta, Georgia, April 30, 1999.
4 Approved request from Mr. Cal Simar, principal, for Iota High School Golden Girls Dance Line to compete in the 1999 Showcase International National Dance Championship in Galveston, Texas, February 26 and 27, 1999.
5 Approved request from Mr. Donald Amy, principal, for Iota Elementary students to travel to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, January 22, 1999.
6 Approved request from Shirley LeJeune, secretary, Richard Elementary, for leave without pay for medical reasons, from October 1, 1998 to June 4, 1999.
7 Approved request from Carl LeJeune, executive director of personnel, to hire Letitia S. Quebodeaux, a retired teacher, to teacher science at Church Point High School.
8 Approved request from Rachel Cart, teacher at Branch and Richard Elementary, for sabbatical leave for the spring semester of 1998-99, for rest and recuperation.
9 Approved request from Vanessa Primeaux, central office transportation/maintenance secretary, for leave without pay from November 19, 1998, to November 18, 1999, for medical reasons.
10 Approved request from Alma Bieber, teacher, Central Rayne Kindergarten, for leave without pay from December 18, 1998, to January 4, 1999, to care for infant child.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Myron Clark Hoffpauir, President
ATTEST:
.............
Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent