CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

FEBRUARY 8, 1999

The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 8th day of February 1999, 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, Nolton J. Senegal, Sr., Roland J. Boudreaux, Rodney J. Trahan, Johnnie L. Smith, Charles F. Daigle, Shirley F. Vige', Dr. Robert McManus, Paul K. Bellon, and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Marietta W. James.

2&3)         Jamie Gandy, a student at Rayne High School, delivered the prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

At this time, Mr. Hoffpauir called for a moment of silence in memory of Mr. Wilfred Broussard, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.

4)              The agenda was revised by adding Routine 5 (CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION FROM THE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA COMMITTEE; REMOVE REFERENCE TO SUB-COMMITTEE), Routine 8a (CONSIDER 1997-98 AUDIT REPORT), add to Routine 22 (MIRE ELEMENTARY TO THE SEISMIC PERMIT), Consent Item 13 (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM JANE BOUDREAUX, TEACHER, FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE FOR THE 1999 SPRING SEMESTER FOR REST & RECUPERATION), and delete Routine 26 (CONSIDER REQUEST FOR APPEAL OF EXPULSION OF AN ARMSTRONG MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT), upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote, Routine Items 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 were moved from Routine Items to Discussion Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

At this point, Dr. McManus noted that Mr. Paul Bellon, new board member, was a third generation board member in Acadia Parish.

5)              Reading of the minutes of the January 4 and 25, 1999, meetings 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. Shamsie recognized Ms. Ethel Thibodeaux, retired teacher aide at Estherwood Elementary School and thanked her for her many years of service in the Fifth Ward area. She was presented a token of appreciation. Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and approved by a unanimous voice vote, Ms. Thibodeaux will be commended by the Board in the form of a resolution.

7)              Ms. Lee Ethel DuPont introduced Mr. Bradley Leger and Dr. Gibson Miller, who introduced FFA students and teachers who recently traveled to Russia. They spoke about their trip to Russia and gave a brief slide presentation showing the highlights of their journey. They thanked the Board for the opportunity to travel and learn abroad. Mr. Shamsie expressed thanks to Mr. Leger and Dr. Miller for taking the students on this trip to Russia.

8)              Mrs. Antoinette Pete introduced Mrs. Leola Woods and Mrs. Amy Pearson, teachers from Crowley Middle School, who were awarded grants from the Acadiana Arts Council. The grants involve students' participation in music and the performing arts; $2,500 for instrumental music enrichment, and $2,020 for connecting art to the curriculum.

9)              Ms. Dianna Guidry and Ms. James Etta David discussed the role of school counselors in Acadia Parish schools. They asked the Board to recognize this week as School Counselors' Week.

ACTION ITEMS: There were no action items.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

1)              Dr. James recommended Mr. Eric Stutes for the position of Acting Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Eric Stutes was appointed to the position of Acting Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. Dr. James asked that the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance position be made permanent instead of acting, in the wake of the death of Mr. Wilfred Broussard. Mr. Boudreaux asked if this could be done legally. Mr. Kenneth Privat, attorney, suggested that this position be re-advertised. Meanwhile, Mr. Stutes would occupy the position as Acting Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. A motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, to add Routine Item la to the agenda (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR SUPERVISOR OF CHILD WELFARE AND ATTENDANCE), was approved by a unanimous voice vote. Mr. Stutes was recognized and commended. No action was taken regarding replacement of principal at Crowley High School.

la)             Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for the position of Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.

2)              Dr. James recommended Ms. Deborah Arnold for the assistant principal position at Crowley Middle School. Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation was approved and Ms. Arnold was appointed as assistant principal at Crowley Middle School, effective February 9, 1999, to January 30, 2001.

3)              Dr. James recommended that duties of the testing specialist be assigned to Ms. Dianna Guidry, adult education coordinator, in the absence of Mrs. Elizabeth Broussard who is on sabbatical leave. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation was approved.

4)              Mr. Carl LeJeune presented recommendations of a sub-committee of the Personnel/Insurance Committee regarding changes in the APSB transfer policy. Three previous policies were combined into two policies. Mr. Trahan motioned and Mr. Johnson seconded to table this item pending further study. Mr. Kenneth Privat, attorney, will look into the legality of these proposed changes and reveal his findings at next month's meeting.

5)              Mr. Marceaux commented that he was unaware that the Objective Criteria Committee had met since the last Board meeting. Carl LeJeune indicated that he was under the assumption that the Objective Criteria Committee was a sub-committee of the Personnel/Insurance Committee which is a standing committee of the Board. Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson opposed), an announcement was made stating that the Objective Criteria Committee would meet with the Personnel/Insurance Committee on Wednesday, February 10, 1999, at 5:00 p.m. This committee will hear the recommendations of the Objective Criteria Committee at this time.

6)              Ms. Dianna Guidry discussed a draft version of test security policies as recommended by the State Department of Education. She highlighted the changes required by the state. After some discussion with Ms. Guidry, upon motion by Mr. Senegal and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the matter was approved by a majority voice vote (Ms. Valdetero opposed).

7)              Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson opposed), the policy impasse resolution between APSB and Head Start Policy Council was adopted.

8)              Mrs. Sondra Myers discussed recent community assessment needs with the Board. This is done each year to address changing needs in Acadia Parish communities. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the 1999 Community Assessment for Head Start was received. Ms. Valdetero and Mr. Daigle commended Mrs. Myers on the recent positive evaluation of the Head Start program. Ms. Bias added her accolades.

8a)            Greg Milton of Broussard, Poche, Lewis and Breaux discussed the audit report (this document was distributed to each board member at the January board meeting). Questions were raised about the tagging of equipment. Update on fixed assets progress will be made at next month's meeting. Mr. Johnson asked if the audit report could be delivered earlier next year. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Ms. Valdetero abstained), the audit report was accepted.

                Earlier in this meeting, Routine Items 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 were changed to Discussion Items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

14)            Mr. Steve Jones provided a detailed report on renovations to the boardroom, central office, and media center. Mr. Marceaux asked about the sale of the old chairs from the boardroom. Mr. Leonards indicated that the old chairs were sold to a principal, not at a public sale. Other questions were raised about the propriety of making renovations to the media center (a federal building). It was disclosed that all expenditures reported were within the approved budget.

15)            Mr. Glynn Mayard presented a report showing trends in enrollment by school and grade during the past years. He answered questions from the Board regarding the enrollment comparison report. Others asked questions concerning the timing of disclosing this information and how it affected the budgeting process. Board members suggested that they be provided enrollment trend updates throughout the year.

At this time, it was announced that Mr. Mayard would be relieved of hearing officer duties, which would be assumed by the supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.

16)            Mrs. Brenda Savoie discussed the arrangement of housing the D.A.R.E. officer at the alternative school. Only space will be provided; furnishings will be provided by the City of Crowley. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Crowley regarding the D. A. R. E. officer was approved. Mrs. Savoie then gave a report showing the number of students currently and previously enrolled at the alternative school. She answered many questions of the Board, and was thanked for this report.

17)            Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board adopted the following proclamation designating the week of February 14-20, 1999, as Vocational Education Week.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Acadia Parish has designed the week of February 14-20, 1999, as Vocational Education Week; and

WHEREAS, the theme for Vocational Education Week is "Connecting Education and Careers"; and

WHEREAS, vocational education provides our country with a dynamic, well-trained, and educated work force, which increases productivity in business and industry and strengthens America's leadership in the international marketplace; and

WHEREAS, trained vocational educators are vital to the continuing economic development of our state; and NOW, THEREFORE, the Acadia Parish School Board does proclaim the week of February 14-20, 1999, VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK in the parish of Acadia and urge all citizens to become more familiar with the services and opportunities offered by our vocational education programs and work to support these programs.

18)            Mr. Carl LeJeune requested that a Computer Tech II in lieu of a' Computer Tech I be hired. Previous interviews for a Tech I were not successful in finding a replacement. He indicated that, at current pay levels for Tech I positions, it will remain difficult to find competent computer repair personnel. After more discussion, a motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Ms. Bias, passed by a majority voice vote, another Tech II position was authorized.

19)            Mr. Michael LeBlanc reported that four hospital/ homebound teachers serve sixty-eight students and are not able to achieve the recommended three hours of student contact per week. Another hospital/ homebound teacher would ease the current burden. The estimated cost for the remainder of the school year for an additional hospital/homebound teacher is $12,500. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a roll call vote of 12 to 3, an additional hospital/homebound teacher will be hired to help meet this need.

YEA:    Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Boudreaux, Smith, Daigle McManus, Bellon

NAY:   Johnson, Trahan, Vige'

20)       The Transportation/Facilities & Budget/Finance Committees recommended an expense compensation increase of $2,025 per driver per year in expense pay for bus drivers as a base pay adjustment for mileage, effective at the beginning of the 1999-2000 school year. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this recommendation was approved.

21)       The Transportation/Facilities & Budget/Finance Committees recommended that the Board continue to use a driver-owned bus to transport hearing impaired students to Lafayette, not buy a bus for this route, and to hire a driver in the traditional fashion. Dr. James pointed out the potential savings of $46,000 by using a school board owned bus. Mr. Doughty pointed out that the APSB currently has 81 contract owner drivers. Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a majority voice vote, this bus route will be replaced with a contract driver providing his own bus.

22)       Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities Committee regarding a request from Eagle Geophysical for a seismic permit to cross property at Church Point High School and Mire Elementary School was tabled pending review by the board attorney.

23)       Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to adopt the budget calendar for 1999-2000 was accepted.

24)       Upon motion by Mr. Vige', seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to accept mid-year budget revisions was approved.

25)       Mr. Donald Broussard, bus driver, asked for a waiver of the requirement to purchase a sixty-five passenger bus. He would like to replace his damaged bus with a sixty-passenger bus which is five years newer than his current model. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a majority voice vote, this request was denied.

26)       This item was deleted earlier.

27)       Mr. Smith presented information he and Mr. Senegal received at the Federal Relations Network of the NSBA. He outlined several topics which are emerging educational issues on the national level; such as, vouchers and social security. He will update the board periodically as information becomes available. Mr. Senegal added his comments regarding their open dialog with Louisiana Representative in Washington.

Mr. Shamsie responded to recent inaccurate information, written by Mr. Marceaux and printed in a local newspaper regarding construction activity in the Fifth Ward school district. Question was raised whether this was proper discussion for the Board. Mr. Hoffpauir, chair, ruled that this was proper, and a roll call vote of 8 to 7 upheld the chair's decision and allowed discussion to continue.

YEA:    Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY:   Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Daigle

Mr. Shamsie continued to state facts regarding construction projects in the Fifth Ward. Ms. Valdetero suggested, and Mr. Shamsie concurred, that in the future this type of comments be added to the agenda.

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, an item to consider appointment of a bus driver for a Lafayette route for hearing impaired students was added to the agenda.

Mr. Carl LeJeune indicated that one application was received and Dr. James recommended Ronald Richard for the Lafayette route. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Richard was appointed as bus driver for this route. He was congratulated by the Board.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1)         Mr. Johnson suggested that the board size be reduced to eight members and follow Acadia Parish Police Jury lines. Mr. Smith agreed on reduction, but not to the size of eight, and he suggested doing this after the 2000 census. Mr. Suire suggested reducing to eleven members. Mr. Daigle agreed with reduction but not to any particular number. Dr. McManus also suggested waiting until after the census. Mr. Trahan and Mr. Boudreaux suggested that reduction be pursued. As point of information, Mr. Boudreaux asked for a roll call so that each school board member could announce their police juror. (Johnson- Lacombe, Hoffpauir -Johnson, Valdetero -Lacombe, Bias - Johnson, Marceaux - Humble, Suire - Broussard, Shamsie - Humble, Quebodeaux - Broussard, Senegal - Petitjean, Boudreaux - Petitjean, Trahan - Petitjean, Smith - Labbe, Daigle - Bihm, Vige' - Bihm, McManus - Courville, Bellon - Courville). Mr. Senegal commented on the Board's previous efforts to reduce size, including a 1996 attorney general's opinion. Mr. Quebodeaux suggested having a lower but odd number of board members. He felt this could be done at the board level, without going back to the public. Dr. McManus spoke in favor of maintaining representation of citizens in the rural areas of the parish. Ms. Bias stated that citizens of each district should have reasonable access to their elected officials, and she suggested a logical approach to board reduction.

Ms. Lee Anna Thibodeaux addressed the Board and supported a reduction in the size of Board members. Mr. Kenneth Privat related the board size to the recent tax election and other related issues. He suggested waiting until after the next census. Mr. Shamsie spoke in opposition of reduction in board members. Mr. Senegal cited all of the legal requirements necessary to re-apportion school board member districts. The next election at which board size could be reduced is in the fall election of 2002. The reduced board would be seated January 2003. More discussion took place, regarding board member pay.

2)             No discussion on this item, but it will be an Action Item at next month's meeting.

3)             No discussion on this item, but it will be an Action Item at next month's meeting.

4)             Mr. Johnson felt that not having walls at Crowley High School is a design flaw and it was time to remedy this matter in order to provide a better learning environment for the students. Mr. Privat provided some historical reference regarding construction problems at Crowley High School. Teachers from Crowley High School addressed the Board, restating problems relating to the learning environment. Discussion continued.

Mr. Johnson suggested that $3.2 million dollars instead of five million, be taken out of general funds and allocated among the various schools. Mr. Quebodeaux suggested allocating a portion of the fund balance for this purpose, as ample surplus is available. Mr. Vige' suggested that the Board proceed with caution, and consider funds presently generated by the fund balance. Dr. James mentioned several budget priorities already suggested for next year. More discussion followed regarding assessed value of property and millages throughout the parish.

Mr. Ted Carmichael addressed the Board, stating that the Board was unorganized, incompetent, and did not deserve the respect of the public. Resenting Mr. Carmichael's negative words, several board members responded to his comments. Mr. Privat cautioned the Board about having unbridled discussion, instead of conducting a public meeting.

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, 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 4.38 %.

3          Granted request to Joel T. LaFosse, teacher, Crowley High School, for release of contract, effective January 13, 1999.

4          Granted request to Elizabeth M. Broussard, coordinator, Central Office, for sabbatical leave for rest and recuperation for the 1999 spring semester.

5          Granted request to Kathy G. Eichelberger, teacher, Martin Petitjean Elementary School, for sabbatical leave for rest and recuperation for the 1999 spring semester.

6          Granted request to Gretchen L. Faulk, teacher, North Crowley Elementary School, for maternity leave effective March 19, 1999, (one day).

7          Granted request to Cindy Habetz, teacher, Martin Petitjean Elementary School, for leave without pay from January 1, 1999, to June 4, 1999.

8          Granted request to Mary S. Vincent, cafeteria worker, Estherwood Elementary School, for leave without pay effective December 9, 1998, to December 18, 1998.

9          Granted request to Mr. Richard Lavergne, principal, Rayne High School, for physics students to participate in Physics Day at Astroworld in Houston, Texas, April 16, 1999.

10        Granted request to Dr. Gibson Miller, principal, Morse Elementary School, for cheerleaders to participate in Astroworld Cheerfest `99, in Houston, Texas, March 27-28, 1999.

11        Granted request to Mrs. Antoinette Pete, principal, Crowley Middle School, to allow several students to travel to Washington D.C., Jamestown, and Williamsburg, Virginia, May 4-7, 1999.

12        Granted request to Mrs. Antoinette Pete, principal, Crowley Middle School, to allow students to travel to NASA Space Center in Houston, Texas, May 28, 1999.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.

ATTEST:

Dr. Marietta v. James, Superintendent