CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
August 2, 1999
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 2nd day of August 1999, at 5:00 p.m., in regular session, with President John H. Quebodeaux presiding. Members present were Lyle C. Johnson, Ezora Proctor, Kitty M. Valdetero, Wadie H. Bias, Woody M. Marceaux, John A. Suire, Lynn Shamsie; Nolton J. Senegal, Sr., Roland J. Boudreaux, Rodney J. Trahan, Johnnie L. Smith, Charles F. Daigle, Dr. Robert McManus, Paul K. Bellon, and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Marietta W. James. Mr. Shirley Vige' was absent.
2&3) Mr. Donald Amy, principal, introduced Adrian Granger, a student at Iota Elementary. She delivered the prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4) The agenda was revised by adding Routine 22a (CONSIDER REQUEST FROM BOARD ATTORNEY FOR ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT), Routine Item 23a (CONSIDER SETTING DATE OF TENURE HEARING FOR RAYNE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER), Consent Item 6 (CONSIDER REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF CONTRACT FROM MICHELLE D. GREEN, TEACHER AT CROWLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL), Consent Item 7 (CONSIDER REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF CONTRACT FROM JOEY MOUTON, TEACHER AT IOTA HIGH SCHOOL), Consent Item 8 (CONSIDER REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF CONTRACT FROM PAMELA J. WINKLER, TEACHER AT ARMSTRONG MIDDLE & BRANCH), Consent Item 9 (CONSIDER REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF CONTRACT FROM CLEM HENDERSON, TEACHER AT CROWLEY HIGH SCHOOL),upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
5) Reading of the minutes of the July 1, 1999, meeting was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and approved as corrected to record four members opposing on Item 16, and Item 17 being tabled until the next scheduled meeting, upon motion by Mr. Senegal, and seconded by Ms. Valdetero.
6) Mr. Dale Bayard, candidate for District 7 BESE seat, briefly addressed the Board. He asked for support in the upcoming election.
7) Ms. Lee E. Dupont introduced Mr. Bradley Leger who was selected by the Association for Career and Technical Education to receive the 1999 Outstanding Service Award. This award will be presented at a special session December 14, 1999, during the ACTS Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida. This award is given to recognize educators who have made meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and progress of career and technical education. Mr. Leger will be taking a sabbatical leave to work on his doctorate degree. He thanked the Board and administration for their past support and encouragement.
ACTION ITEM
1) (Corrected at the 9-13-99 meeting.)Mr. Johnson distributed and read the following motion he prepared: "This Board does in regards to the lease agreement with TCA Cable, hereby formally reprimand Dr. Marietta James for: 1) Violating the "USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES" policy adopted by this Board on June 6, 1994. 2) Violating Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:81:B - "Each school board may permit school buildings to be used outside of regular school hours for academic purposes including but not limited to tutoring and study hall. The board shall adopt rules and regulations governing the terms and conditions, including fees if any, under which such buildings shall be used. " 3) Not being forthright with this Board and the Public when this issue was first called to the Board's attention. This Board does require that this reprimand be recorded in Dr. Marietta James' permanent record and fully recorded in the minutes of this meeting. This Board does also require that Dr. Marietta James place a letter of reprimand in the permanent record of Mr. Mike Leonards, Business Director, for the same incident. " The motion was seconded by Mr. Marceaux.
Mr. Daigle and Mr. Senegal felt that this action was unnecessary. A substitute motion to take no action against the Superintendent and Business Manager regarding this matter and to table it indefinitely was offered by Ms. Bias and seconded by Mr. Shamsie. Mr. Johnson suggested that this was improper use of a table. The substitute motion to take no action against the Superintendent and Business Manager and to table this matter indefinitely passed by a roll call vote of 9 to 5.
YEA: Proctor, Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, McManus, Bellon
NAY: Johnson, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan ABSENT: Vige'
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) There were two applicants for the Basile area bus route and Dr. James recommended Ms. Jennifer Johnson for the position. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation to appoint Ms. Jennifer Johnson as bus driver for the Basile area was approved. Ms. Johnson was recognized and congratulated by the Board.
2) Ms. Margaret Jones addressed the Board and suggested that a team of instructional supervisors work on curriculum guidelines and report to the Transportation/Instructional/Federal Programs Committee. She answered other questions of the Board, particularly regarding timing
of submitting this information to the state. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Curriculum Policy (previously submitted by Mrs. Jones to each board member) was approved.
3) Superintendent James recommended that the duties of purchasing for the Child Nutrition Program be combined with the current secretary's duties as suggested by the Compensation Committee. Because one person would be responsible for both secretarial and purchasing responsibilities, she recommended the person employed in this position be classified as Purchasing Clerk, and compensated within the 240 pay grade. Warehouse Supervisor I was recommended for the person employed to work in the Child Nutrition Program warehouse. Drafts of pay grades were distributed to board members. Ms. Valdetero asked why the compensation was not higher for the Purchasing Clerk if the jobs of secretary and purchasing were to be combined. Mr. Johnson asked if the Compensation Committee meeting were subject to the open meetings law. Mr. Privat concurred that the compensation committee was subject to the open meetings law. This created a question about the group of supervisors appointed previously to study curriculum. There was more discussion about previously approved matters. Mr. Smith motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to sent this matter back to the Compensation Committee. Mrs. Ruth Miller addressed the Board. She restated the chronology of events relating to her request for these positions, and her opinion that the recommended compensation was inadequate: for the purchasing clerk position. A substitute motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Dr. McManus to table this matter failed by a roll call vote of 8 to 7.
YEA: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, McManus, Bellon
NAY: Johnson, Proctor, Valdetero, Marceaux, Quebedeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Daigle ABSENT: Vige'
Mr. Christian Earles, attorney, addressed the Board on behalf of Mrs. Cara Martien, secretary in the Child Nutrition Program. He expressed concerns about Mrs. Martien's job security.- Mr. Boudreaux asked that action taken earlier by the Budget/Finance Committee and Board be reconsidered. Mrs. Martien briefly addressed the Board with her concerns. A motion by Mr. Suire to have two positions, a Purchasing Clerk at pay grade of 240 and the current Secretary, instead of combining the positions into one was seconded by Mr. Bellon. More discussion followed. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried, this matter was tabled for one week to be considered again by the Compensation Committee.
4) Dr. James reported that Ms. Dianna Guidry, adult education coordinator, temporarily assumed the responsibilities of testing specialist while Mrs. Liz Broussard was on sabbatical leave last semester. She recommended that Ms. Guidry assume these duties permanently since Mrs. Broussard has retired. Her salary for the combined position would be $54,128, an increase of $2,368. Combining the positions would eliminate a position; therefore, a savings of approximately $51,760 would be realized.
Mr. Rex Mills expressed concern that this position was not advertised and made available to other principals. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux , and carried a roll call of 8 to 5, this matter was reconsidered.
Mr. Boudreaux motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to combine these positions, with the title of Adult Education/Testing Coordinator at an index of 1.60. Mr. Mills again expressed concern on behalf of the principals. A substitute motion offered by Mr. Marceaux to advertise for this new combined position at an index of 1.60 and designate it as a supervisor was seconded by Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson suggested that a policy be developed which would determine how to handle these situations when positions are combined. A motion by Mr. Boudreaux to table this matter for one week, and meanwhile develop policy to address this matter, was seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and failed by a roll call vote of 7 to 8.
YEA: Johnson, Valdetero, Bias, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Smith
NAY: Proctor, Marceaux, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Daigle, McManus, Bellon ABSENT: Vige'
The substitute motion to advertise for this new combined position at an index of 1.60 and designate it as a supervisor was passed by a majority voice vote. Ms. Valdetero abstained, everyone else voted favorably.
5) Mr. LeJeune indicated that he hired 74 teachers since the end of the school year. He has had to hire board waivered teachers at the elementary level. Approximately 15 positions are still not filled. Competitive pay is making it more difficult to find teachers. He provided a report which compared APSB salary with surrounding parishes. He discussed this dilemma at length with the Board. Several board members suggested significant increases in teacher pay. Mr. Johnson suggested the possibility of such increase being funded by additional sales tax. Mr. Quebodeaux asked Mr. LeJeune and the Personnel/Insurance Committee to prepare a plan that would make APSB salaries more competitive with surrounding parishes and make a presentation
to the Board within the next three months.
At 7:05 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board recessed for a break.
At 7:12 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board returned to regular session.
6 &7) Mr. Michael Leonards presented proposed millages for 1999-2000. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following parish wide millage and debt service millage for 1999 were adopted.
ACTUAL 1998 PROPOSED 1999
Constitutional 5.13 5.13
School Maintenance 5.00 5.00
Special School Tax 15.89 15.00
26.02 25.13
DEBT SERVICE FUNDS MAINTENANCE FUNDS
1998 1999 1998 1999
Crowley 0 0 0 0
Rayne 0 0 0 0
Church Point 36.0 36.0 0 0
Fifth Ward 37.0 37.0 12.29 12.29
8) To clarify wording in the APSB student school uniform policy, Dr. James, asked that "undergarments" be changed to "undershirt" as stated in the original policy. Upon motion by Ms.Valdetero, seconded by Ms. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote undershirts was reinstated in the APSB student school uniform policy.
9) Dr. James reported that space in the Farmers State Bank building has been rented for adult education classed for several years. Because of a decrease in adult education funding, the bank has agreed to lower the rent from $600 to $400 per month. With the approval of the bank, a church pays $150 per month to adult education to use the same space on weekends for their
church service. Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Daigle abstained), rental of this space for adult education at $400 per month was approved.
Upon motion by Ms. Proctor, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a sub-lease of this same space to a church in Church Point at $150 per month was approved.
10) This item was deleted from the agenda.
11) Dr. James reported that Mayor delaHoussaye requested that a parcel of APSB property on Cherokee Road be annexed into the City of Crowley. Mr. Privat and City Attorney Tom Regan were contacted to provide details at this meeting. Mr. Privat requested that this item be tabled as he needed more information. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this matter was tabled to afford Mr. Privat to obtain more information.
12) Dr. James' recommendation for community representatives for Head Start Policy Council was approved as follows, upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Ms. Proctor, and carried by a unanimous voice vote: Father Butler, clergy; Mr. Nolton Senegal, school; Ms. Lois Andrus, education; Ms. Latanya Threats, health; and Ms. Dorothy Cole, business.
13) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the September board meeting will be held on the 13"' instead of the 6th (Labor Day).
14) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, President Quebodeaux's recommendation was approved and the following appointments were made to fill vacancies: Mr. Joe Bellon to serve on the Transportation/Facilities Committee, Mrs. Ezora Proctor to serve on the Technology/Instructional/Federal Programs Committee, and Mr. Woody Marceaux to serve on the Budget/Finance Committee.
15) Ms. Dianna Guidry presented information showing school results of Iowa and LEAP `21 test scores. After discussing this with the Board, Mrs. Margaret Jones presented plans for school improvement, including support, staff development, monitoring, evaluation, and new programs. She discussed this with the Board and answered questions. Comments were made regarding more accountability from the school level.
16) Mr. Don Breaux indicated that construction work is progressing satisfactorily on the new permanent classroom walls at Crowley High School. The permanent walls will soon be in place on the south side of the school.
17) Mr. Don Breaux reported that substantial completion was achieved on July 17, at the Alternative School. Some exterior drainage work still needs to be done in the back. Fire Marshall approval is expected later this week. There were no increased change orders on this job. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote, Routine Item 17a (CONSIDER SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL), was added to the agenda.
17a) Mr. Steve Jones indicated that since the walk-thru last week most of the punch list items have been completed. Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote (Trahan opposed, Johnson and Boudreaux abstained), substantial completion of the Alternative School was approved.
18) Mr. Senegal motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to replace visitors' bleacher seats at Church Point High School football stadium at an estimated cost of $47,950. Mr. Boudreaux expressed concern about spending funds on athletic facilities when teachers' salaries are so low. The motion was approved by a majority voice vote (Boudreaux and Marceaux opposed, Johnson abstained).
19) Mr. Senegal motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to approve the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee to purchase cafeteria chairs at Alternative School. Mr. Boudreaux asked why the Board was acting on this when the chairs have already been purchased. The motion passed by a majority voice vote (Valdetero, Johnson, Marceaux, Boudreaux opposed).
20) Ms. Adele Carr presented a report regarding reading assessment of students in grades 1, 2, and 3. Testing modes have significantly changed during the past year.
21) Mr. Shamsie reported that the recommendation from the committee to consider the board size was to leave the board at (16) sixteen. Mr. Shamsie motioned and Mr. Senegal seconded to accept this recommendation. Mr. Johnson offered a substitute motion regarding a binding referendum which was seconded by Ms. Valdetero, "to determine and comply with the will of the
people, the Acadia Parish School Board will take all necessary steps to place a binding referendum before the citizens' of Acadia Parish to ask if the Acadia Parish School Board should reduce in number to no less than 7 (seven) members, nor more than 12 (twelve) members, understanding that a yes vote will mandate that the APSB resist any attempts to prevent this reduction from taking place." Discussion followed about the merits of a smaller board size.
Mr. Marceaux offered another substitute motion to reduce the Board to (12) twelve and appoint a committee to come up with three proposals for district lines. This substitute motion received a second from Mr. Boudreaux. Mr. Privat indicated that the referendum suggested could not be made binding. Question was called and failed by a majority voice vote. Discussion continued. The substitute motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux failed by a roll call vote of 8 to 6.
YEA: Johnson, Proctor, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan
NAY: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, McManus, Bellon ABSENT: Vige'
A substitute motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Bellon, to wait until after the 2000 census results to consider the necessity of reducing the size of the board, failed by a roll call vote of 9to5.
YEA: Proctor, Suire, Boudreaux, Trahan, Daigle
NAY: Johnson, Valdetero, Bias, Marceaux, Shamsie, Senegal, Smith, McManus, Bellon ABSENT: Vige'
The substitute motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, regarding a binding referendum, failed by a roll call vote of 9 to 5.
YEA: Johnson, Proctor, Valdetero, Marceaux, Trahan
NAY: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Senegal, Boudreaux, Smith, Daigle, McManus, Bellon ABSENT: Vige'
The main motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Senegal, to leave the APSB at the size of (16) sixteen, passed by a roll call vote of 9 to 6.
YEA: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Quebodeaux, Senegal, Smith, Daigle, McManus, Bellon
NAY: Johnson, Proctor, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan ABSENT: Vige'
22) A grant has been received by the Sheriff's Department to hire a COPS resource officer. The Board had previously approved an expenditure of $7,000 to assist with this project. Dr. James recommended that this officer be placed at Rayne High School on a full time basis for the 1999-2000 school year. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Boudreaux, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Superintendent's recommendation was approved.
22a) Ms. Valdetero motioned and Mrs. Proctor seconded to allocate funds up to $1,500 per year for Board Attorney's professional development. Mr. Johnson moved that this amount be taken from board members' and superintendent's travel, but did not receive a second. Question was called. The motion was approved by a majority voice vote (Mr. Shamsie opposed).
23) Dr. James distributed information regarding the recommendation to dismiss Ms. Patricia Gayle, a non-tenured teacher at Crowley Middle School. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board dismissed Ms. Patricia Gayle from her teaching position at Crowley Middle School.
23a) Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, a tenure hearing for a French teacher at Rayne High School will be held Monday, August 30, 1999, at 5:00 p.m.
At this time, upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item 23b (HEAR RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT REGARDING SUSPENSION OF MRS. MIRIAM CLOUTIER WITH PAY), was added to the agenda.
23b) Dr. James recommended that Mrs. Coultier be suspended with pay until the time of the hearing. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board upheld the Superintendent's recommendation and Mrs. Cloutier was suspended with pay until the time of the hearing (August 30, 1999).
24) Mr. Privat provided information to the Board regarding potential litigation concerning an incident at Mire Elementary. Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board went into executive session at 9:40 p.m. to discuss this matter.
Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board reconvened into regular session at 10:00 p.m.
Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Privat's report was accepted.
25) Dr. James announced that there will be a special Budget/Finance Committee meeting on August 5. She also informed the Board that copies of the declaratory judgment regarding the purchase of the vacant Wal-Mart property will be provided upon request.
25a) Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Routine Item 25a (CONSIDER GRAND-FATHERING IN ELECTIVES ALREADY BEING IMPLEMENTED THIS FALL), was added to the agenda. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, grand-fathering electives already being implemented was approved.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Senegal, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote (Mr. Boudreaux opposed on Item 5), 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 3.96%.
3 Granted request to Christine H. Privat, teacher, North Crowley Elementary, for leave without pay from August 17, to June 2, 1999.
4 Granted request for release of contract to Pamela C. Jones, teacher, Ross Elementary.
5 Granted request for sabbatical leave for rest and recuperation to Debra A. Cavalier, teacher, Branch Elementary, for 1st` semester of the 1999-2000 school year.
CLOSING:
There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried, the meeting adjourned at 10:04 p.m.
s/
John H. Quebodeaux, President
ATTEST:
s/
Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent