CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
JANUARY 25, 1999
The Acadia Parish School Board met in SPECIAL SESSION on this the 25th day of January 1999, at 5:00 p.m., in Crowley, Louisiana, with President Myron Clark Hoffpauir presiding, pursuant to the following notice given in writing to each and every member thereof and duly posted in the manner required by law, viz.:
January 19, 1999
Dear Board Member:
By virtue of the authority vested in me by law by reason of the fact that it is deemed necessary, advisable, and to the public interest that the Acadia Parish School Board be called to special session; therefore, I, Myron Clark Hoffpauir, president of the Acadia Parish School Board, do hereby give notice that a special meeting of the said Board will be held at its domicile in the City of Crowley, Louisiana, on MONDAY, JANUARY 25. 1999, at 5:00 p.m., for the purpose of discussing, and, if deemed advisable, acting upon the following propositions, to wit:
1. CONSIDER RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE CROWLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 OF ACADIA PARISH, LOUISIANA, ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1999, TO AUTHORIZE THE INCURRING OF DEBT AND ISSUANCE OF BONDS AND THE LEVY OF A SPECIAL TAX THEREIN;
and to transact any other business that may properly come before the Board. Sincerely,
s/s Myron Clark Hoffpauir, President
Acadia Parish School Board
jm
(Copies sent to Central Office Staff Members, Principals, News Media)
1) Members present for the special meeting were Myron C. Hoffpauir, Kitty Valdetero-, Wadie Bias, Woody Marceaux, John Suire, Lynn Shamsie, John Quebodeaux, Nolton Senegal, Roland Boudreaux, Rodney Trahan, Charles Daigle, Shirley Vige', Robert McManus, Paul K. Bellon. Lyle Johnson and Johnnie Smith were absent.
2&3) Mr. Senegal led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
4) President Hoffpauir read the letter calling for a special meeting.
SS1) Mr. Kenny Privat announced the official results of Crowley's recent bond election. There were 577 in favor and 4,050 opposed to the bond proposition, and 590 in favor and 4,054 opposed the maintenance proposition. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the official results were accepted and will be published in the Rayne Acadian Tribune, the APSB official journal.
Mr. Hoffpauir asked that the Board consider moving the date of the next board meeting from February 1, to Monday, February 8, 1999. Two board members, Mr. Senegal and Mr. Smith would be attending an National School Boards Association convention in Washington, D.C. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this matter was added to the agenda.
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the February meeting date was changed to Monday, February 8, 1999.
Ms. Valdetero requested that the Board recognize Ms. Janie Chappelle. Ms. Chappelle presented the following statement and made some comments on behalf of AAE's executive committee regarding the election results.
PUBLIC STATEMENT ISSUED FROM THE ACADIA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS
A majority of the executive committee met and urges the Acadia Parish School Board to heed the voice of the people. It is a shame that it had to come to a dirty media battle.
From the vote and from statements made, it is very obvious that the vote was not just against individual schools.
We encourage the Acadia Parish School Board to do everything possible to restore the community's trust, fiscal responsibility and integrity in this elected body of officials.
Several Board members discussed these comments further with Ms. Chappelle. They all expressed concern about the lack of unity and the public perception of the School Board.
Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
Dr. Marietta W. James, Secretary-Treasurer