CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
JUNE 7, 1999
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 7th day of June 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) Meagan Young a fifth grade student at South Rayne Elementary, delivered the prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Meagan was selected as Student of the Year for South Rayne Elementary, she placed first in Black History Essay competition, and she participated in the Quiz Bowl. She is manager of the girls' basketball team, a member of Girl Scouts and the library club. Meagan is the daughter. of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Woods, Jr.
4) The agenda was revised by deleting Routine items 5, 6 and 7; adding Routine Item 17 (CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION FROM THE BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR A FREEZER/COOLER FOR SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE WAREHOUSE), Routine Item 17b (CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF THE BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING MEAL PRICES AND WAREHOUSE STAFF), Routine Item 17C (CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF THE BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE REGARDING BIDS RECEIVED FOR LARGE CAFETERIA EQUIPMENT). Deleted (DANA S. PHILLIPS) from Routine Item 9, added Consent Item 27. (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM CONNIE M. DOUGHTY, FOR SABBATICAL LEAVE FOR THE 1999-2000 FALL SEMESTER FOR REST AND RECUPERATION) upon motion by Mr. Senegal,seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
5) Reading of the minutes of the May 3, 1999, 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 Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
6) Mr. Carl LeJeune recognized outstanding support personnel from all schools in the parish. Each was presented with a certificate in recognition of this accomplishment. Acadia Parish winners were Leanna Miller, Mire Elementary; Jessica LeJeune, Alternative School; and Linda Savoy, Church Point High School.
ACTION ITEMS: There were no action items.
ROUTINE ITEMS
1) Dr. James reported that there were two applicants for the assistant principal position at Crowley High School and she recommended Mr. Alton Allen for the position. Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige', and carried by a majority voice vote (several opposed), the Superintendent's recommendation was approved and Mr. Alton Allen was appointed assistant principal at Crowley High School. Mr. Allen was recognized and commended by the Board.
2) Dr. James reported that there were two applicants for the principalship at Iota High School. She recommended Mr. Ronald Doguet for the position. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation was approved and Mr. Ronald Doguet was appointed principal of Iota High School for years beginning July 1, 1999. Mr. Doguet was recognized and commended by the Board.
2a) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following item was added to the agenda. (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR PRINCIPAL AT CHURCH POINT HIGH SCHOOL). Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for principal at Church Point High School.
3) Dr. James reported that Mrs. Diane Brown was the only applicant for the position of principal at Iota Middle School, and she recommended her for the position. Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation was approved and Mrs. Diane Brown was appointed principal of Iota Middle School. Mrs. Brown was recognized and commended by the Board.
4) Dr. James recommended Jackie Clement for bus driver of route in Crowley. Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation was approved.
5, 6, 7) These items were deleted.
8) Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee was approved and ENTEX was granted right of way and servitude at North Crowley Elementary to relocate a gas regulator.
9) Mr. Shamsie motioned and Mr. Trahan seconded to accept the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation for a .10 index pay raise for principals and assistant principals. Mr. Daigle spoke in support of a pay increase for principals and assistant principals, but not a .10 index increase as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.
A substitute motion by Mr. Marceaux to increase the pay index by .05 was seconded by Mr. Daigle. Figures were presented showing anticipated salaries for 1999-2000 for all principals and assistant principals, both with and without state teacher pay raises. Discussion followed. Mr. Johnson offered an amendment to the substitute motion that any future state teacher pay increases not be indexed. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Boudreaux.
Mr. Quebodeaux motioned and Mr. Senegal seconded to table this item, pending the outcome of MFP funding. The motion to table failed by a roll call vote of 10 to 5.
YEA: Bias, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Smith, Bellon
NAY: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Boudreaux, Trahan, Daigle, Vige', McManus
Mr. Smith reminded the Board that it is not likely that the MFP will be fully funded this year, and urged caution. Mr. Marceaux called for question on the motion to amend. A roll call vote on the amended substitute motion failed by a vote of 8 to 7.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith, Daigle, Vige'
NAY: Bias, Marceaux, Suite, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, McManus, Bellon
The substitute motion passed by a roll call vote of 8 to 7.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Suite, Boudreaux, Daigle, Vige'
NAY: Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Trahan, Smith, McManus, Bellon
Mr. Milton Simar thanked the Board for their support of principals, but commented that some board members are not aware of what principals are doing and urged them to spend more time in the schools.
10) Until Crowley High School is out of debt, the Budget/Finance Committee recommended tabling the matter regarding opinions of the Attorney General and Board of Ethics opinions concerning supplemental pay for employees. Mr. Kenneth Privat provided background information on coaching supplements paid in Acadia Parish. Mr. Johnson questioned the acceptance of restricted contributions. Mr. Marceaux motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to allow booster clubs to continue to offer coaches a pay supplement up to the limit of the coaching supplement provided by the parish provided that the funds are unrestricted and subject to the approval of the Board. An amendment to the main motion to make this provision available to all schools in the parish was offered by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Boudreaux. Discussion followed. Ms. Valdetero called for question to end debate. The amendment to the main motion passed by a majority voice vote. The main motion as amended passed by a majority voice vote.
11) The Budget/Finance Committee recommended that there be no changes in the procedure nor the budget for staff travel. Ms Valdetero provided additional information relative to staff travel for instructional enhancement. She cited the many additional staff positions, especially instructional assistants added in the schools over the past few years and related these to test scores. Mr. Daigle motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to accept the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding staff travel. Discussion followed regarding additional emphasis on test scores. Mr. Johnson suggested setting a maximum number of days which teachers could be out of school for staff development each year. Mr. Johnson offered an amendment, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, to establish a limit of the number of days a teacher could be out of the classroom each year. The amendment to the main motion failed by a roll call vote of 9 to 6.
YEA: Johnson, Marceaux, Quebodeaux, Smith, McManus, Bellon
NAY: Valdetero, Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Boudreaux, Trahan, Daigle, Vige'
The main motion to accept the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee that no changes be made for staff travel passed by a majority voice vote.
12) The Budget/Finance Committee recommended approval of the class size reduction program. With these funds, nine classroom teachers will be hired in grades 1-3, three curriculum facilitators will be funded, and $20,000 will be used for grants for ten selected seniors in the college of education with their assurance that they will teach in Acadia Parish for three year.
General fund monies will not be needed to supplement this budget. Upon motion by Mr. Bellon, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to approve the budget for class size reduction was accepted and approved.
13) Board members were previously provided a draft of the proposed budgets for all funds budgeted for FY 1999-2000. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by a majority voice vote, the Board received proposed budgets for next year. They will review them and take action regarding adoption of the budgets next month.
*14) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to not approve pay increases for facilitators, add two additional 10 month crisis intervention teachers, and hire a visually impaired assistant on salary in lieu of a contract was accepted and approved. *(This item was revisited prior to item 19)
15) Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to accept budgets for Title I, II, III, IV and VI for 1999-2000 was accepted and approved.
16) Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation to table this item regarding the donation of property in Church Point was accepted and approved.
17) Mr. Don Breaux, architect, provided an overview of the proposed construction at Crowley High School for permanent classroom walls. Four bids were received. His recommendation to the Budget/Finance Committee was to award low bid of $598,200 to E. L. Habetz. Discussion continued regarding the method of proposed construction of the interior walls. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Daigle opposed), the Budget/Finance Committee's recommendation was accepted and E. L. Habetz Construction was awarded low bid of $598,200 for construction of permanent classroom walls at Crowley High School.
BIDDER BASE BID
Bulliard Construction 699,600
E. L. Habetz Builders, Inc. 593,200
Fruge' Lumber Co., Inc. 666,000
P. Phillips Construction 644,000
17a) Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item to advertise for cooler/freezer at School Food Services warehouse was postponed until after Discussion Item 1.
**17b) Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson opposed), the recommendation from the Budget/Finance Committee regarding meal prices and staffing at School Food Services warehouse was accepted. **(This item was revisited after item 18)
BREAKFAST Present charge Proposed charge LUNCH Present charge Proposed charge
Full price (Elem) 0.30 0.50 0.40 0.65
Reduced price (Elem) 0.15 0.25 0.20 0.35
Full price (High) 0.40 0.60 0.50 0.75
Reduced price (High) 0.20 0.30 0.25 0.40
Adult 0.80 1.30 1.00 1.50
At cost 1.60 2.00 2.00 2.50
ENTREES -- -- 0.40 0.50
OTHER EXTRAS -- -- 0.20 0.25
17c) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, large cafeteria equipment bids were approved, as recommended by the Budget/Finance Committee.
18) Ms. Lee Ethel Dupont, supervisor, provided details regarding the Real Skills program (copies were provided to Board members prior to this meeting). This program will provide training of high school seniors in the field of computer repair at an estimated cost of $29,500, to be implemented at Crowley High School. She then answered questions of the Board. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a majority voice vote, the recommendation of the Budget/Finance and Technology/Instructional/Federal Programs Committee to approve this program was approved for the next school year (1999-2000).
**17b) At this time, Mr. Marceaux questioned Routine Item 17b regarding meal prices and School Food Services warehouse staffing. He requested more information and clarification of this matter. Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item 17b was reconsidered. Ms. Ruth Miller, supervisor, explained the financial position of the school lunch fund over the past few years. She reviewed in detail the proposed price changes in meal prices made since last week's Budget/Finance Committee meeting, which were presented to the Board. Discussion followed. Mr. Quebodeaux called for question to end debate.
A motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, to table this item and refer it back to the Budget/Finance Committee, failed by a majority voice vote. Discussion continued regarding school food service operations.
Mr. Senegal motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to accept the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee as adjusted tonight by Mrs. Miller. A substitute motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, to make no changes in meal prices, failed by a majority voice vote. The main motion passed by a roll call vote of 11 to 4.
YEA: Valdetero, Bias, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon
NAY: Johnson, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie
At this time (7:27 p.m.), a motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Trahan to recess for five minutes, carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board returned to regular session at 7:38 p.m.
*14) At this time, Mr. Quebodeaux motioned and Ms. Valdetero seconded to revisit Routine Item 14 for clarification and to ascertain that minutes properly document the matter regarding IDEA 2000 budget, carried by a unanimous voice vote. It was noted that the Budget/Finance Committee did not recommend approving pay raises for pupil appraisal facilitators, teacher trainer facilitator, and transition facilitator. The committee did recommend changing the assistant for visually impaired from contract services to full-time employment with benefits and that two ten-month crisis intervention teachers be hired.
19) Ms. Mary Robbins, supervisor, asked the Board to adopt the Internet Acceptable Use Policy (copies were provided to Board members prior to this meeting), as it had been provisionally adopted for one year. As there were no particular problems, it was readopted for use until further changes are needed. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, and seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommendation of the Technology/Instructional/Federal Programs Committee to approve the Internet Acceptable Use Policy was approved.
20) Mr. Rodney LaFosse, supervisor, discussed changes in the Pupil Progression Plan for 1999-2000 (draft copies were provided to members prior to this meeting). Upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Pupil Progression Plan revisions for 1999-2000 were approved.
21) Mr. Michael Leonards presented an overview of final budget revisions for the 1998-99 fiscal year and provided an addendum to the budget draft provided earlier. He indicated that some figures have changed over the past few weeks and some newer grants were not included in the original draft. He highlighted the projected deficit of $1,775,703 in the general fund. When asked how to manage these deficits, he suggested that the Board not commit to major expenditures too early in the budgeting process, as occurred this year. Considering the uncertainty of state funding and declining local revenues he urged that the Board act very cautiously regarding all budgets, especially recurring costs. He also noted a more frequent occurrence of major cost for facility expansion, improvement and renovations from the general fund. Upon motion by Mr. Vige', seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, final budget revisions for FY 1998-99 were approved.
22) Local personnel evaluation manual revisions (copies were previously provided to board members) were approved, upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
23) Discipline Policy revisions for school year 1999-2000 (copies were previously provided to board members) were approved, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
24) Attendance Policy revisions for school year 1999-2000 (copies were previously provided to board members) were approved, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
25) Medication Policy revisions for school year 1999-2000 (copies were previously provided to board members) were approved, upon motion by Mr. Quebodeaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
26) Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a majority voice vote, the Board waived R.S. 17:1187 (requirement to return to work after sabbatical leave) for Mrs. Elizabeth Broussard.
27) Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into executive session at 8:20 p.m. to hear appeal of an expulsion of a Rayne High School student as requested.
At 8:56 p.m., the Board returned to regular session, upon motion by Mr. Bellon, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Quebodeaux, and carried by unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation for expulsion of the student from Rayne High School was upheld.
28) Dr. James reported that Ms. Bias was recognized by the Lafayette Daily Advertiser as one of the women putting her stamp on America.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Mr. Johnson suggested that the APSB seek a declaratory judgment from the court regarding the APSB's occupancy and use of the old Wal-Mart building. Others stated that there is currently no legal action against the APSB using the property as it wished. Mr. Kenneth Privat, attorney, briefed the Board on the legal requirements of a declaratory judgment. This Board would have to initiate such action. Discussion continued among board members. Questions were raised regarding the lease of space in the old Wal-Mart building to a cable company.
(Mr. Privat's statement verbatim) "May I qualify something to make sure you'll understand that the assumption I told you'll without seeking the thing is that the money has been spent. Now, I don't want it to come back and the legal opinion told you'll don't take any action, because I am not saying-telling you. The lawyer in me, if you are going to spend if there is any significant amount of money to be spent, as lawyer I am going to tell you to get a declaratory judgment. But, I mean, if the thing is spent and it is there, then, you know, a practical side, maybe not a legal answer, is to wait for the other shoe to fall."
17a) (Earlier this item was postponed to be addressed at this time.)
A motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Smith, to authorize the Superintendent to advertise for a cooler/freezer for school food services warehouse, failed by a roll call vote of 6 to 6.
YEA: Hoffpauir, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus
NAY: Johnson, Marceaux, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan
ABSTAIN: Valdetero, Suire, Bellon
Mrs. Ruth Miller asked for direction to take regarding the School Food Service warehouse, as the authority to advertise for a cooler/freezer was not approved.
2) Mr. Quebodeaux suggested that the Board setup a goals meeting to consider measurable goals for the Superintendent and central office staff. Ms. Valdetero suggested that principals be included in this goal setting session.
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 the sales tax report showing a year-to-date decrease of 5.75 % .
3. Granted request to Kenneth E. Wilkerson, teacher, Crowley High School, for sabbatical leave for the 1999-2000 school year for professional development.
4. Granted request to Majorie Wild, teacher, Central Rayne Kindergarten, for sabbatical leave for the 1999-2000 school year, for rest and recuperation.
5. Granted request to Kayln Stutes, teacher, Central Rayne Kindergarten, for sabbatical leave for the Fall 1999 semester, for rest and recuperation.
6. Granted request to Jackie Herpin, accountant, Central Office, for maternity leave from June 4, through June 30, 1999.
At this time, Mr. Quebodeaux motioned and Mr. Marceaux seconded to move Discussion Item 1 to an Action Item at tonight's meeting. The motion failed for lack of a unanimous voice vote.
Mr. Johnson motioned to move Discussion Item 1 to a Routine Item which does not require a unanimous vote.
In lieu of this motion Mr. Smith motioned to call a special meeting on Monday, June 21, meeting 1999, to appoint a principal at Church Point High School and to act on the matter of declaratory judgment of the Wal-Mart property, and consider purchase of a cooler/freezer for School Food Service. The motion was seconded by Mr. Boudreaux and carried a unanimous voice vote. Mr. Privat suggested that the Board retain an attorney to represent them regarding the concerns over occupancy and use of the Wal-Mart building.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
Myron Clark Hoffpauir, President
ATTEST:
Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent