June 21, 1999

CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

JUNE 21, 1999

The Acadia Parish School Board met in SPECIAL SESSION on this the 21st day of June 1999, at 5:00 p.m., in Crowley, Louisiana, with President John H. Quebodeaux 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.:

June 16, 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. JUNE 21. 1999. at 5:00 p.m., for the purpose of discussing, and, if deemed advisable, acting upon the following propositions, to wit:

1. CONSIDER SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR CHURCH POINT HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL;

2. CONSIDER CHANGES IN POLICY FOR ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL;

3. CONSIDER ACTING ON THE MATTER OF DECLARATORY JUDGMENT OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL/SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE PROPERTY;

4. CONSIDER PURCHASE OF COOLER/FREEZER FOR SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE;

and to transact any other business that may properly come before the Board. Sincerely,

s/s Myron Clark Hoffpauir, President

Acadia Parish School Board

(Copies sent to Central Office Staff Members, Principals, News Media)

1) Members present for the special meeting were Lyle C. Johnson, Ezora J. Proctor, Kitty M. Valdetero, Wadie H. Bias, Woody Marceaux, John A. Suire, Lynn Shamsie, John H. Quebodeaux, Nolton J. Senegal, Roland J. Boudreaux, Rodney J. Trahan, Johnnie L. Smith, Charles F. Daigle, Shirley Vige', Robert L. McManus, Paul K. Bellon..

2&3) Mrs. Ezora Proctor led the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

4) President Quebodeaux read the letter calling for a special meeting.

The agenda was revised by adding Item la (CONSIDER CHANGING DATE OF JULY BOARD MEETING FROM THE 5th TO THE 19th) and Item 1 b (CONSIDER CHANGING POLICY REGARDING ELECTION OF BOARD OFFICERS), upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

SS1) Superintendent James reported that there were two applicants for principal of Church Point High School. She recommended Mr. Lee Ward Bellard for the position. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Bellard was appointed principal of Church Point High School. Mr. Bellard was recognized and commended by the Board.

Corrected at 7-1-99 meeting.

At this time, upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Item IC (CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ADVERTISE FOR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT CHURCH POINT HIGH SCHOOL) was added to the agenda.

SS1a) Mr. Senegal motioned and Mrs. Proctor seconded to move the July 5' meeting to July 19'^h. Mr. Daigle offered a substitute motion, seconded by Mr. Senegal, to suspend the rules and do away with the July meeting. Discussion followed with other dates being suggested. Mr. Suire offered another substitute motion to have the meeting on July 1⁵`. The motion was seconded by Mr. Johnson and passed by a unanimous voice vote.

SS1b) President Quebodeaux read the following policy regarding election of APSB officers.

The Board shall elect from among its number a President and Vice-President. The President shall be elected for a two-year term and shall be allowed to succeed himself/herself once. The President shall not be elected Vice-President immediately following his/her term. The Vice-President shall be elected for a two-year term and shall be allowed to succeed himself/herself once. He/she may be elected President immediately following his/her term. Should the presidency or vice-presidency become vacant, there shall be an election to fill the unexpired term. The Superintendent shall serve as secretary and treasurer to the Board in according to R.S. statute 17:91 and 95. The president will have the authority to appoint a parliamentarian to serve at board meetings. (Reference Louisiana R.S. 17:54 and board minutes of June 1, 1998).

Ms. Valdetero motioned and Mr. Vige' seconded to approve the new policy for electing board officers. Mr. Johnson offered an amendment to the motion to alter the proposed policy and limit the term of officers to two-years (one term). This was discussed further by the Board. The amendment to the motion failed by a roll call vote of 10 to 5.

YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan

NAY: Proctor, Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

Mr. Johnson offered another amendment to the main motion that the Vice President and the president shall be elected prior to the Vice-President. The amendment received a seconded from Mr. Vige' and passed by a majority voice vote.

The main motion to adopt this policy as amended was approved by a unanimous voice vote.

SS1c) Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for assistant principal at Church Point High School.

SS2) Mrs. Brenda Savoie distributed information regarding proposed changes in policy for the Alternative School. She briefly reviewed changes with the Board, for their consideration to adopt at next month's meeting. The changes were discussed further by the Board. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, proposed changes in policy for Alternative School were received.

SS3) Mr. Johnson motioned and Mr. Boudreaux seconded to seek a declaratory judgment regarding the use of the Alternative School building for educational purposes, including the an alternative school, school food service warehouse, and administrative offices. Several board members discussed the merits of seeking this judgment. Mr. Privat indicated that questions could be raised regarding the use of this property for up to two years after occupancy.

Dr. McManus suggested that an out-of-parish attorney be retained to provide legal guidance in this matter. Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, an amendment to the main a substitute (Corrected at 7-1-99 meeting.) motion was offered. More discussion followed and questions were raised regarding the cost currently obligated on the acquisition/renovation. Mr. Leonards indicated that approximately $1.5 million has been obligated. The amendment to the main substitute (Corrected at 7-1-99 meeting.) motion to hire an out-of-parish attorney to advise the Board on this matter passed by a roll call vote of 11 to 4.

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

NAY: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux

Mr. Smith and Mr. Senegal recommended Robert Hammonds of Hammonds and Sills in Baton Rouge to represent the APSB in this matter.

Dr. McManus recommended the firm of Onebane, Donahue, and McNamara.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson opposed), the Board went into executive session at 6:10 p.m. to discuss and select an out-of-parish law firm.

Upon motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board reconvened into regular session at 6:34 p.m.

A substitute motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, carried by a unanimous (Corrected at the July 1 meeting) voice vote, and the president, superintendent, and Mr. Senegal were authorized to contact and negotiate with the firms mentioned to see if they could handle this matter and represent the APSB.

Mr. Tommy Cart, representing The Rayne Independent, stated that he felt that the executive session was convened in violation of the open-meetings law. Mr. Privat disagreed with Mr. Cart, because attorneys would be discussed.

SS4) A motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to table the consideration of purchasing a cooler/freezer for School Food Service, failed by a roll call vote of 10 to 5.

YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan

NAY: Proctor, Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mrs. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent was authorized to advertise for bids for a cooler/freezer for School Food Service.

Mrs. Ruth Miller gave a projected time line for the acquisition and installation of a cooler/freezer at a new site.

Mr. Leonards presented information regarding rental of space in the former Wal-Mart building and asked the Board if they had any questions concerning this matter. The Board received his report and had no questions at this time.

Ms. Valdetero asked that agenda items not be added at the last minute. Mr. Quebodeaux asked all Board members to submit request for agenda items at least seven days prior to each Board meeting.

Mr. Senegal, Mr. Suire, and Mr. Quebodeaux were recognized for completion of their required continuing education.

Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

John H. Quebodeaux, President

ATTEST:

Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent