October 4, 1999

CROWLEY, LOUISIANA

OCTOBER 4, 1999

1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 4th day of October 1999, at 5:00 p.m., in regular session, with President John H. Quebodeaux presiding. Members present were Lyle C. Johnson, Bill Pinac, Kitty M. Valdetero, Wadie H. Bias, Woody M. Marceaux, John A. Suire, Lynn Shamsie, Nolton J. Senegal, Sr., Roland J. Boudreaux, Rodney J. Trahan, Charles F. Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige', Dr. Robert McManus, Paul K. Bellon, and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Marietta W. James. Johnnie L. Smith was absent.

2&3) Lacey Bertrand, an eighth grade student from Evangeline Elementary led in the prayer and pledge of allegiance.

4) The agenda was revised by adding Routine 13a (CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION OF THE PERSONNEL/INSURANCE & BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEES TO AUTHORIZE HEAD START PROGRAM TO HIRE AN ADDITIONAL CAFETERIA WORKER AT RAYNE HEAD START CENTER AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HOURS FOR CUSTODIAN AT ROSS HEAD START CENTER), and Routine Item 17a was moved to Routine Item l a, upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote. Routine Item 17 was moved to Routine Item 5a, upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

5) Reading of the minutes of the September 13, 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 Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6) Ms. Lee Ethel Dupont introduced Ms. Debbie Burkhieser, facilitator for Acadia Heartland School-to-Work program. She presented grants to six teachers at Rayne High School and Branch Elementary. The grants are designed to make students more aware of career opportunities.

7) President Quebodeaux recognized and commended Mrs. Ezora Proctor for her service as interim board member from District 2 over the past few months.

8) Mrs. Sondra Myers introduced Head Start Policy Council members for the upcoming year. They will be inducted into office on Thursday and then elect a slate of officers.

9) Mrs. Sondra Myers gave background on Head Start regional nominees from Acadia. Mr. Kenneth Richard and Ms. Natalie Andrus will compete at a regional meeting in a few weeks.

ACTION ITEMS:

1) President Quebodeaux re-stated earlier discussion regarding abolishing the Compensation Committee as well as other ad hoc groups not appointed by the board. Discussion followed regarding the merits of maintaining the Compensation Committee. Several board members expressed concern regarding, how the recent Bingham study is being implemented, highlighting the fact that annual step increases have been eliminated.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Daigle opposed), this item was tabled until additional written policy regarding the Compensation Committee and other ad hoc committees not appointed by the board is available for review by the board.

ROUTINE ITEMS:

la - Was 17a) This item was moved to be addressed at this time.

Mr. Ronnie Aymond of Reliant Energy Entex requested a right-of-way and servitude for a regulator station and natural gas pipeline at Midland High School. The request was reviewed and approved by the board attorney. Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this request was approved.

1) Mr. Glynn Mayard provided information showing student enrollment to be 10,018 as of October 1, 1999. He reviewed information of students who are eligible for MFP funding and will now begin the process of verifying and confirming these figures over the next few months. Mr. Leonards provided up-to-date figures, adjusting projected MFP numbers to reflect current enrollment and the latest state budget circulars. Although the MFP is now fully funded, other changes at the state level and the decline in APSB student enrollment combine to have a significant negative impact on the budget.

2) Ms. Dianna Guidry reported on recently released school performance scores for Acadia Parish schools in grades K - 8. She answered questions of the board while Margaret Jones and Carl LeJeune provided other factors which may have influenced school performance, such as teacher turnover. It was suggested that anonymous employee exit interviews be considered. Ms. Jones discussed strategies to encourage continued academic growth at schools throughout the parish. The matter of teacher inservice was also discussed. The board will further review school scores and follow-up later if necessary.

3) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Senegal, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following proclamation declaring October as Child Net/Child Search Month in Acadia Parish was adopted.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, early intervention is the first step in realizing Acadia Parish's educational goal that every child is ready for school, benefits from education, and becomes a productive citizen; and

WHEREAS, early intervention is beneficial in promoting the development of children with special needs

while minimizing their potential for development delay; and

WHEREAS, early intervention is helpful in reducing the educational costs to our parish by minimizing the need for special education and; related services, and the likelihood of institutionalization of individuals with disabilities, thereby maximizing the potential for independent living; and

WHEREAS, the only appropriate way to identify and provide early intervention services for children with special needs and their families is through interagency coordination; and

WHEREAS, intervening with coordinated health, social, and educational services during 'the first three years of life increases developmental gains for the child, improves family function, and reduces costs of special education; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Education, Health and Hospitals, and Social Services of the state of Louisiana, the Louisiana Interagency Co-ordinating council, and public and private providers are working together under the auspices of Child Net to implement a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multi disciplinary, interagency program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with special needs and their families; and

WHEREAS, each year, in Acadia Parish, some children will need special help in reaching their potential and in gaining an education commensurate with their abilities; and

WHEREAS, early identification is the key to helping Acadia Parish's children overcome their developmental and learning problems as well as developing their talents and academic abilities in order to gain an education; and

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Child Search Project, the Division of Special Populations within the Department of Education, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the public schools of Acadia Parish are working to offer our children special help so that they can obtain an appropriate education. NOW, THEREFORE, 1, John H. Quebodeaux, President of the Acadia Parish School Board, do hereby proclaim the month of October 1999, as Child Net/Child Search Awareness Month in the parish of Acadia.

3a) Mr. Eric Stutes presented a draft of a proposed jacket policy at Crowley High School.Board members expressed concern about the school administration not returning calls to parents, and the timing of the implementation of this policy. Mr. Stutes addressed the concern regarding uniforms and jacket policies throughout the parish. He cited these actions as necessary to insure the safety of students. He read a petition submitted by students of the school regarding the jacket and uniform policy.

Mr. Senegal left the meeting at this time.

A motion to table this item because it was not handled in the proper procedure was made by Mr. Suire, seconded by Dr. McManus, and failed by a roll call vote of 8 to 5.

YEA: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, McManus, Bellon

NAY: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Daigle, Vige' ABSENT: Senegal, Smith

Mrs. Helen Schmaltz; principal at Crowley High School, addressed the board. She provided a chronology of events surrounding the recent controversy regarding the jacket policy there. Ms. Valdetero motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to allow school administrators to address dress code matters which are beyond the parish-wide uniform policy. A concerned parent expressed concern about the apparent lack of input from students and parents regarding the jacket policy. Mr. Lee Bellard, principal at Church Point High School, addressed the board indicating how he is handling the matter of jackets at this school.

A substitute motion was offered by Mr. Marceaux and seconded by Mr. Johnson, to take no action regarding jacket policies until next year, with the exception of trench coats. An amendment to the substitute motion to allow school administrators discretion regarding oversize jackets, but waive any color requirements for the current year was offered by Mr. Boudreaux and seconded by Mr. Pinac. More discussion followed.

A motion by Mr. Pinac to table this matter was seconded by Mr. Suire, and failed by a majority voice vote. After more discussion, question was called. The amendment to the substitute motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Pinac, failed by a roll call vote of 5 to 8.

YEA: Johnson, Pinac, Marceaux, Shamsie, Boudreaux

NAY: Valdetero, Bias, Suire, Trahan, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon ABSENT: Senegal, Smith

The substitute motion by Mr. Marceaux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, failed by a majority

voice vote.

The main motion by Ms. Valdetero to allow school administrators to address dress code matters which are beyond the parish-wide uniform policy, which was seconded by Mr. Shamsie, carried by a majority, voice vote (Mr. Johnson and others opposed).

4) Upon motion by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board approved the recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/Finance Committees and denied a request for APSB to assist with asphalt repair along West Jefferson Davis Avenue in Rayne by the Head Start Center.

5) Superintendent James asked that the item concerning use of e-rate funds for technology be tabled. Upon motion by Mr. Pinac, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item was tabled.

5a -Was 17) Item 17 was addressed out of order at this time.

Upon motion by Mr. Suire, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board took a break at 7:27 p.m. and then went into Executive Session at 7:35 p.m. The board returned from Executive Session at 7:50 p.m., upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.

6) Mr. Vige' motioned and Mr. Bellon seconded to approved the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee and increase by $200,000, subsidy to the Child Nutrition program. Prior to the roll call vote, it was decided that 11 votes (two-thirds of the membership) were needed to pass this motion. Ms. Valdetero called for question to end discussion. The main motion passed by a roll call vote of 11 to 3,

YEA: Pinac, Valdetero, Bias, Suire, Quebodeaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY: Johnson, Marceaux, Shamsie

ABSENT: Senegal, Smith

7) Mrs. Ruth Miller discussed bids received for a cooler/freezer. She indicated that $7,352 of the total bid of $142,172 was for a specialized slab to be paid by the general fund. Mr. Vige' motioned and Mr. Shamsie seconded to decrease the Child Nutrition budget for large equipment by $50,000.

A substitute motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, to reconsider the amount of this transfer passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson and Mr. Suire abstained), the additional subsidy to the Child Nutrition Program fund was reduced from $200,000 to $143,000.

The recommendation of the Budget/Finance committee to award low bid of $142,172 to Scardina for the purchase of a cooler/freezer for the Child Nutrition Program warehouse was approved, upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a roll call vote of 7 to 4.

YEA: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY: Johnson, Pinac, Marceaux, Trahan ABSTAIN: Valdetero

ABSENT: Senegal, Smith

8) Ms. Valdetero gave background on the need for rewiring business labs at Crowley High School. Mrs. Mary Robbins asked that computer technicians look over the portion of this change order which relates to network wiring. Upon motion by Mrs. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Vige' opposed), the recommendation of the Transportation/Facilities and Budget/finance Committees to approve a change order to provide for rewiring business labs at Crowley High School was accepted. Mr. Don Breaux, architect,, waived his fee on this change order, estimating cost to be $59,000.

9) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Dr. McManus, the recommendation of the Compensation, Personnel/Insurance, and Budget/Finance Committees regarding placement of new hires from 1-4-99 through 9-2-99 on the classified pay scale was approved (list of new employees was sent to members prior to this meeting).

10) A motion to table the item regarding converting bus driver and bus attendant pay scales to the same format as other classified employees was made by Ms. Valdetero and seconded by Mr. Suire. It was questioned if bus drivers' step increases were eliminated as were all other classified employees. Dr. James indicated that she felt that the study addressed all classified employees. After more discussion, the matter was tabled by a unanimous voice vote, until more information is gathered.

11) Dr. McManus motioned and Mr. Bellon seconded to establish a pay grade for maintenance employees with trade license or special certification. Mr. Steve Jones presented his request for new pay grade 605 for technically licensed maintenance technicians. There was discussion regarding properly licensed tradesmen, and specific types of licenses that would qualify for this pay grade. Mr. Jones suggested adopting state-awarded licenses for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trades. Dr. McManus re-worded his motion to establish new pay grade 605 for maintenance employees who have a state and/or federally awarded licenses, Mr. Bellon seconded, and the motion carried by a majority voice vote.

12) Mr. Steve Jones recommended reclassification of Brandon LeDoux, maintenance employee with HVAC trade license, at pay grade 605, level 12 (mid-point). Upon motion by Mr. Bellon, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a majority voice vote, Brandon LeDoux was reclassified at pay grade 605, level 12.

13) Superintendent James re-stated the need for a textbook clerk. Mr. Pinac asked if present employees could handle this task. Presently, this job is being handled by a part-time employee. Mr. Daigle motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to accept the recommendation of the Compensation, Personnel/Insurance, and Budget/Finance Committees to employ a textbook clerk, funded with Title I funds, at pay grade 210, and level to be determined later. A motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded Ms. Valdetero, to table this matter until a job description is obtained, failed by a roll call vote of 7 to 6.

YEA: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Shamsie, Boudreaux, Trahan

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

13a) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the recommendation of the Personnel/Insurance & Budget/Finance Committees to authorize the Head Start program to hire an additional cafeteria worker at Rayne Head Start Center and provide additional hours for custodian at Ross Head Start Center was approved.

13 revisited) At this point, upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Bellon, Item 13 was removed from the table, by a roll call vote of 8 to 5.

YEA: Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Boudreaux, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon

NAY: Johnson, Pinac, Valdetero, Marceaux, Trahan ABSENT: Senegal, Smith

Dr. McManus motioned and Mr. Bellon seconded to approve adding a textbook clerk position, advertise this position within the system (APSB), and fund it with Title I funds. There was discussion concerning this matter. Mr. Pinac called for question which passed by a majority voice vote. The main motion passed by a roll call vote of 7 to 6.

YEA: Valdetero, Bias, Suire, Shamsie, Daigle, McManus, Bellon

NAY: Johnson, Pinac, Marceaux, Boudreaux, Trahan, Vige' ABSENT: Senegal, Smith

14) Superintendent James stated the recommendation of the Budget/Finance Committee regarding the purchase of additional textbooks for the current year. After ample discussion regarding funding of textbooks, a motion to accept the recommendation of the TIF Committee to only obligate those funds which are readily available ($50,000 previously budgeted for Technology Instructional assistant and $32,836 pending from e-rate rebates) and that any additional e-rate funds be spent only after they are received, with the total textbook budget not to exceed $967,500, was made by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Vige' abstained).

15) President Quebodeaux recommended Mr. Bill Pinac for member of the Technology/ Instructional/Federal Programs Committee in the capacity of chairman. Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried, President Quebodeaux's recommendation was accepted and Mr. Pinac was appointed to the TIF Committee as chair.

At this time, 9:20 p.m., Mr. Marceaux departed.

16) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board granted a request to Mr. Bob Gates, principal of South Crowley Elementary, for a group of LEAP gifted students to travel to Philadelphia, PA, and Washington, D.C., from April 25 through April 29, 2000.

17) Taken out of order as Routine Item 5a.

17a) Taken out of order before Routine Item 1.

18) Superintendent James distributed to members for their review a letter from BESE regarding age of school buses.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Mr. Daigle motioned and Ms. Bias seconded to table Discussion Items 1-6 until the next board meeting. The motion failed by a roll call vote of 7 to 5.

YEA: Pinac, Valdetero, Bias, Daigle, Vige'

NAY: Johnson, Suire, Shamsie, Boudreaux, Trahan, McManus, Bellon

ABSENT: Senegal, Smith, Marceaux

1) The policy regarding policy development deals with selection of discipline committee members.

2) The policy regarding prayer in school allows students to initiate, on a voluntary basis, verbal prayer instead of just silent prayer.

3) Mr. Carl LeJeune reviewed policy revisions regarding sabbatical and sick leave. These revisions were necessary due to legislative changes regarding sabbatical and sick leave.

4) Mrs. Mary Robbins reviewed the new policy regarding Internet acceptable use, previously submitted to board members.

5) Mr. Eric Stutes highlighted necessary policy changes to APSB policy (previously sent to board member), due to legislative changes.

6) Mr. Johnson suggested considering a trimester level for grades K-3 . The logic is that after twelve weeks, the teacher can determine if the student will be successful.

Mr. Quebodeaux polled the board to see who would be able to attend the goals meeting on Wednesday, October 6. Due to anticipated poor turnout, this meeting was postponed.

Mr. Jeff Calogie, LAE representative, addressed the board regarding school performance scores. He indicated that several of the poor performing schools were scheduled for a meeting on Wednesday to address their performance. Several teachers have contacted him regarding this matter, and are opposed to these procedures. He suggested that they develop a dialogue with teachers in an effort to improve students achievement instead of this procedure.

CONSENT ITEMS:

Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, 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 sales tax report showing a year-to-date decrease of 3.09%.

3 Granted request to Margaret Meche, cafeteria worker at Rayne High, for leave without pay from September 1, 1999, to June 2000.

CLOSING:

There being no other business to come before the Board, upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

John H. Quebodeaux, President

ATTEST:

Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent