CROWLEY, LOUISIANA
November 1, 1999
1) The Acadia Parish School Board met on this the 1st day of November 1999, at 5:00 p.m., in a regular session, with President John H. Quebodeaux presiding. Members present were Mr. Lyle C. Johnson, Mr. Bill Pinac, Ms. Kitty M. Valdetero, Ms. Wadie H. Bias, Mr. Woody M. Marceaux, Mr. John A. Suire, Mr. Lynn Shamsie, Mr. Roland J. Boudreaux, Mr. Rodney J. Trahan, Mr. Johnnie L. Smith, Mr. Charles F. Daigle, Mr. Shirley Vige', Dr. Robert McManus, Mr. Paul K. Bellon, and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Marietta W. James. Mr. Nolton J. Senegal, Sr. was absent.
2&3) Amanda Arceneaux, an eighth grade student from Mire Elementary School led in the prayer and pledge of allegiance. Amanda is the daughter of Troy and Trisha Arceneaux.
4) The agenda was revised by deleting Routine Item 18 (duplicate of Routine Item 17), upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
5) Reading of the minutes of the July 12 and October 4, 1999, board meetings was dispensed with (copies of minutes were sent to each member prior to this meeting) and adopted as submitted, upon motion by Mr. Boudreaux, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Mr. Johnson reported that Routine Item 1, in minutes of December 7, 1998, did not reflect action taken by the board. He asked that the minutes be amended to show motion, second, and action. President Quebodeaux stated that this would be handled as a routine item at next month's meeting.
6) Ms. Adele Carr introduced Acadia Parish teachers of the year and presented each a certificate of recognition. The winner in the Elementary category was Tracy Kibodeaux, a teacher at Mire Elementary; the winner in the Middle School category was Stephanie Robin, a teacher at Egan Elementary; and Magnolia Hollier, an Alternative School teacher, was chosen in the Secondary category. Each briefly addressed the board with comments and appreciation for this recognition. The board commended the winners.
ACTION ITEMS:
1) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the item regarding Open Meetings Law and the development and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee and other ad hoc committees was tabled until the next board meeting due to lack of information.
2) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following policy regarding policy development was adopted as previously submitted.
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
The School Board shall formulate policies to guide the action of those to whom it delegates authority. These guides shall constitute the policies governing the operation of the school district. They shall be recorded in writing and made a part of the official School Board Policy Manual.
The formulation and adoption of Board policies shall constitute one method by which the Board shall exercise its leadership in the operation of the school district. The study and evaluation of reports concerning the execution of its written policies shall constitute the basic method by which the Board shall exercise its control over the operation of the school district.
The policies of the Board are meant to be interpreted in terms of Louisiana laws, rules and regulations of the'` State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and all other regulatory agencies within the local parish, state, and federal levels of government.
The operation of policy or section of policy not established by law or contract may be temporarily suspended by a majority vote of Board members present and voting at a regular or special meeting.
POLICY ADOPTION
The Board recognizes policy adoption as a major responsibility. For a policy to be adopted by the Board, it must receive a simple majority vote of the Board members present and voting. A policy recommended to the Board shall not be adopted until a subsequent meeting. . This practice provides Board members time to study the proposed policy and to give interested parties an opportunity to react.
The formal adoption of Board policies shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board. The official minutes shall constitute the authority for any change made in the Policy Manual.
The Board is recognized as the legal body authorized to approve policies for the School District, and shall not delegate or relinquish that authority to another party or group. The Board welcomes comments and suggestions on local policy matters, and will comply with all laws addressing proper involvement of other parties in the policy process.
POLICY REVIEW
The Board shall periodically direct the systematic review of its policies. The Superintendent shall appropriately involve representative groups of administrators, teachers, supervisors, students, support personnel and lay citizens relative to policies affecting each group.
The Board shall appoint a discipline policy review committee, whose selection of members shall be neither discriminatory nor arbitrary in nature. The purpose of the discipline policy review committee shall be to annually review discipline policies of the Board to assure consistency with state law, receive input into the effectiveness of established policy, and make recommendations to improve policy provisions. A public hearing shall be held on the recommendations before the Board considers revising any of the discipline policies. State law also requires the administrators, teachers, and parents of each public school to meet annually and develop or review the discipline regulations for their school and assure compliance with Board policy and state law.
POLICY DISSEMINATION
The Board shall direct the Superintendent to establish and maintain an orderly plan for disseminating School Board policies and administrative rules and regulations.
School Board policies and administrative rules and regulations shall be made accessible to all employees of the School District directly or indirectly affected by those policies. Board policies and administrative rules and regulations shall also be made accessible to members of the Board, students, and members of the community served by the School District.
ADMINISTRATION IN ABSENCE OF POLICY
In cases where action must be taken within the school system where the Board has no formalized policy statement, the Superintendent shall have the power to act. His or her decisions, however, shall be subject to review by action of the Board at its regular meeting. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to inform the Board promptly of such action and of the need for policy if in his or her best judgement, a need for such policy exists.
3) Upon motion by Mr Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following policy regarding prayer in schools, was adopted as
PRAYER IN SCHOOLS
The School Board shall permit school authorities of each school to allow an opportunity, at the start of each school day, for those students and teachers desiring to do so to observe a brief time in prayer or meditation. Public schools shall be prohibited from adopting or using any official or standard prayer. Voluntary, student-initiated, student-led prayer in accordance with the religious views of the student offering the prayer may be permitted, however. No student attending the school shall be required to participate in any religious activity at school.
No law, rule, or policy shall deny to any student attending a public elementary or secondary school the right ` to participate in voluntary, student-initiated, student-led prayer during school or on school property, before or after school or during free time. Athletic teams shall not be prohibited in engaging in voluntary, student-initiated, student-led prayer.
No law, rule, or policy shall prevent any student who attends a public elementary or secondary school and who is responsible for or presiding over a meeting of a school organization or assembly from calling upon a student volunteer to offer an inspirational quotation or statement, offer a voluntary prayer, or lead in silent meditation, at the sole option of the student volunteer.
A student organization shall not be denied recognition or any privilege or benefit solely because it is religious in nature, has a religious affiliation, or has no religious affiliation.
School officials shall be prohibited from censoring for religious content the speech of a high school student invited to speak at a commencement ceremony at the school he is attending.
When student volunteers are called upon to offer an inspirational quotation or statement, offer a prayer, or lead in silent meditation, such students shall be selected at random by a student from among student volunteers without respect to their individual religious beliefs or lack thereof. No student shall be called upon to offer an inspirational quotation or statement, offer a voluntary prayer, or lead in silent meditation unless the student has volunteered to do so.
4) Mr. Carl LeJeune explained that a policy regarding sabbatical and sick leave which follows newly passed state laws was adopted. Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following policy regarding sabbatical and sick leave was adopted as previously submitted.
SABBATICAL LEAVE
The Acadia Parish School Board shall grant sabbatical leave for the purpose of professional or cultural improvement or for medical leave to all teaching personnel in accordance with statutory provisions. Teaching personnel shall include any person employed by the Board who holds a valid teaching certificate issued by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and any social worker or school psychologist employed by the Board who holds a valid professional ancillary certificate in school social work or school psychology issued by the State Department of Education.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
A teacher is eligible for sabbatical medical leave if the teacher's regular sick leave balance is twenty-five (25) days or less at the time leave is set to begin. The application shall be accompanied by a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the leave is medically necessary.
If the Board, upon review of the application, questions the validity or accuracy of the certification, the Board may require the applicant, as a condition for continued consideration of the application, to be examined by a licensed physician selected by the Board. In such a case, the Board shall pay all costs of the examination and any tests determined to be necessary. If the physician selected by the Board finds a medical necessity, the leave application shall be granted.
If the physician selected by the Board disagrees with the certification of the physician selected by the applicant, then the Board may require the applicant, as a condition for continued consideration of the application, to be examined by a third licensed appropriate physician whose name appears next in the rotation of physicians on a list established by the local medical society for such purpose and maintained by the School Board. All costs of an examination and any required tests by a third physician shall be paid by the Board. The opinion of the third physician shall decide the issue.
The opinion of all physicians consulted shall be submitted to the Board in the form of a sworn statement. All information contained in any statement from a physician shall be confidential and shall not be subject to the public records law.
SABBATICAL LEAVE FOR PROFESSIONAL OR CULTURAL IMPROVEMENT
Every person on sabbatical leave for the purpose of professional or cultural improvement, shall, during each semester of leave, pursue a program of study, earning at least nine (9) undergraduate credit hours, provided such hours directly improve the person's skills and knowledge as a teacher, or six (6) graduate credit hours, or be certified as a full‑time student at an institution of higher learning accredited by the respective State Board of Education or territorial board in which such institution is located. If less than fifteen (15) weeks is spent as specified above, the number of weeks less than fifteen (15) shall be spent in either of the two (2) alternatives specified below:
(1) Pursue a program of independent study, research, authorship or investigation which involves an approximately equivalent amount of work and which is approved by the Board.
(2) Engage in travel which is so planned as to be of definite educational value and which has been approved by the Board.
ELIGIBILITY
Sabbatical leave may be granted on the ratio of two (2) semesters for twelve (12) or more consecutive semesters of active service within the employ of this Board or one (1) semester for six (6) or more consecutive semesters of such service.
At no time may more than five percent (5%) of the total number of teachers employed in a school system be on leave. Selection of employees among those who qualify for sabbatical leave must be based on years of continuous service and other criteria as specified by statute.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION
A. Application for sabbatical leave shall be made on a form provided by the Superintendent of Schools. Applications shall be sent to the Superintendent by registered mail at least sixty (60) days preceding the beginning of the semester of the scholastic year for which leave is requested, with the following exception; if a teacher or other professional employee has become sick during a semester and requests sabbatical medical leave, it shall be sufficient to mail said application to the Superintendent thirty (30) days prior to the date upon which the requested leave is to commence.
The Superintendent shall inform the teacher of the approval or denial of sabbatical leave at least thirty (30) days preceding the beginning of the semester of the school year for which the leave is requested, except that, where a teacher has become sick during a semester and has requested sabbatical medical leave, the Superintendent shall inform the teacher of approval or denial of such leave as soon as possible after receipt of his/her request for leave.
B. Whenever in accordance with statutory provisions some of the applications cannot be granted, from among those which would otherwise be granted, those to be granted shall be determined in the following manner:
(1) Preference in every case shall be given to the applicant who has rendered active service in the school system for the greatest number of consecutive semesters immediately preceding the period for which leave is requested.
(2) Where any two (2) applicants rank equally in point of continuous service, preference in every case shall be given to the applicant who has rendered service in the school system for the greater total number of semesters.
(3) Where any two (2) applicants rank equally in both point of continuous service and in point of total service, preference in every case shall be given to the applicant whose date of birth is earlier.
(4) In cases where all factors are equal, the tie shall be broken by the drawing of lots in the presence of the employees.
C. Applicants whose applications are filed in the first thirty (30) days of the semester shall be given a preference over those who seek sabbatical leave under the special provision relating to sickness during a school semester.
D. Every application for sabbatical leave shall specify all of the following:
(1) The period for which leave is requested;
(2) Whether leave is requested for the purpose of professional or cultural improvement, or for the purpose of medical leave;
(3) The precise manner, in so far as possible, in which such leave, if granted, shall be spent;
(4) The semesters spent in active service in the parish school system from which leave is requested; and
(5) The date of birth of the applicant.
The application shall contain a statement, over the signature of the applicant, that he/she shall agree to comply with all sabbatical leave provisions.
COMPENSATION
A teacher granted sabbatical leave shall be paid compensation at the rate of sixty-five percent (65%) of the person's salary at the time the sabbatical leave begins. A teacher on sabbatical leave with pay must continue his/her retirement contribution. Time spent on such leave is considered as active service for retirement purposes.
CONDITIONS OF SABBATICAL
A. Each person granted sabbatical leave as a condition of the leave shall be prohibited from being employed during the sabbatical leave by any public or private elementary or secondary school in Louisiana or any other state.
B. Every person on sabbatical medical leave shall be prohibited from undertaking any gainful employment during such leave unless all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The teacher can demonstrate that he/she will be working not more than twenty (20) hours a week in a part-time job that he/she has been working for not less than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the beginning of such leave.
(2) The doctor who certifies the medical necessity of the leave indicates that such part-time work does not impair the purpose for which the leave is granted.
(3) The Board authorizes such part-time work.
Violation of the part-time work provisions shall result in the sabbatical medical leave being rescinded.
C. Each person granted sabbatical leave shall sign an agreement or contract as specified with the Board stipulating that, as a condition of sabbatical leave and in order to be eligible for compensation during such leave, he or she will return to service for one (1) semester for each semester of leave upon completion of the sabbatical leave. Said service shall ordinarily be performed in this School District. No person who, upon the expiration of his/her sabbatical leave, immediately begins employment with a state-operated educational agency, city or parish school board, department, school, college or university instead of returning to the school system which granted him/her such leave, shall be required to forfeit that portion of compensation paid to him/her by the State while he/she was on such leave. However, such person shall be required to reimburse the school system any salary paid to him/her by the Board while he/she was on leave, unless the Board opts to exercise the waiver provision as explained herein.
As per statutory requirement, any employee taking sabbatical leave who fails to return to service in this District upon expiration of the leave as specified above for any reason other than incapacitating illness as certified by two (2) physicians, shall forfeit all salary compensation received during the leave period. The Board shall have the authority to waive this requirement in accordance with its pre-published criteria, as noted below, if it deems such to be in the best interest of the School District, provided that such a waiver shall not be of a discriminatory nature against any employee or applicant because of his or her job description, age, race, or sex.
D. An employee on professional sabbatical leave shall observe the above stipulations concerning graduate or undergraduate credit hours to be earned and/or alternatives such as productive research or travel. The Superintendent shall have the authority to require written reports of work done and work to be done at any time during the period of leave, and shall apprise the Board periodically concerning such reports. In addition, written reports are required within thirty (30) days after the beginning of each semester of leave and within thirty (30) days after the end of leave.
E. Any employee who fails to comply with statutory provisions may have his/her leave terminated by the Superintendent at any time.
F. Every person on sabbatical leave shall notify the Superintendent of his/her intention to return to work not less than thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the semester in which he/she expects to return.
An employee who has been granted sabbatical leave shall, upon expiration of the leave, be returned to the same position in the same school held at the time of said sabbatical leave was granted unless otherwise agreed to by the individual.
GUIDELINES FOR WAIVING INTENTION TO RETURN TO SERVICE CLAUSE
The return to service provision, as stated in Conditions of Sabbatical, Item C above, may be waived by the Board, after careful review and recommendation of the Superintendent, in any of the following instances:
A. Any person whose spouse is transferred to another city or state at least fifty (50) miles from school to which the teacher is assigned.
B. Any person who receives a position to the State Department of Education, to another public school system within the State of Louisiana, or to a state-operated educational agency. In such instances, the person granted sabbatical leave, upon the expiration of leave, shall be permitted to retain that portion of compensation paid by the state while he/she was on leave. However, such person shall be required to reimburse the Board any compensation paid by the Board while on leave.
C. Incapacitating illness, as certified by two physicians.
D. Incapacitating illness of member of immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife, child), as certified by two (2) physicians, wherein employee must remain at home to care for said family member, within one year immediately following termination of the sabbatical.
E. Approved leave of another type.
F. Hardship cases may be submitted to the Acadia Parish School Board.
G. Whenever, in the Board's opinion, such a waiver would be in the best interest of the school system.
ILLNESS
SICK LEAVE
The School Board shall grant all employees hired for the school year or longer a minimum of ten (10) days absence per year because of personal illness or other emergencies without loss of pay. Such leave, when not used, shall be allowed to accumulate to the credit of the employee without limitation. However, upon initial employment, a teacher employed by the Board shall not be allowed any sick leave until he reports for duty and actually performs work. The minimum of ten days of sick leave for an employee shall be based on the employee beginning work at the beginning of the school year. In the case of an employee beginning work in the first month of the school year, ten days sick leave shall be allowed. If an employee begins work in the second month of the school year, nine days of sick leave shall be allowed. If an employee begins work in the third month of the school year, eight days of sick leave shall be allowed; if an employee begins work in the fourth month of the school year, seven days of sick leave shall be allowed; and the number of days of sick leave shall continue to be prorated for an employee who begins work until the eighth month of the school year, when only three days of sick leave shall be allowed. The Superintendent shall be responsible for developing and maintaining pertinent regulations and procedures governing sick leave.
An employee who is absent for six (6) or more consecutive days shall be required to present a certificate from a physician certifying such absence upon return to work.
Upon the retirement of any teacher, bus operator, or school employee, or upon the teacher's, bus operator's, or school employee's death prior to retirement, the School Board shall pay the teacher, bus operator, or school employee or his/her heirs or assigns, for any unused sick leave, not to exceed twenty-five (25) days. Such pay shall be at the daily rate of pay paid to the employee at the time of his/her retirement or death.
If an employee is absent from duty under circumstances in which he/she is not entitled to any kind of leave, such employee shall be considered to be in violation of his/her contract, and is not entitled to be paid for the days of unauthorized absence and non-performance of duties.
SICK LEAVE FOR EMERGENCIES
Emergencies for sick leave purposes shall be defined by the Board as:
1. Illness or death within the immediate family - husband, wife, children and their spouses, parents, brothers and sisters and their spouses; spouse's parents, brothers and sisters and their spouses; grandparents and grandchildren (including step-relations); or a person living and being cared for under the same roof as that of the employee;
2. The death of a person other than those listed in part 1 up to a maximum of three (3) days;
3. Marriage of the employee (3 days);
4. Attendance at the wedding of a relative listed in 1 above (1 day);
5. Weather conditions - hurricane, tornado, snowstorm, flood, accident, when approved by the Superintendent or designee;
6. Court summons; or
7. Emergencies not covered above, to conduct business or to cope with emergencies that could not be handled outside the regular school day. If there is doubt as to whether an absence constitutes a valid emergency, the Superintendent shall rule on the matter.
Note: If an employee disagrees with ruling of the Superintendent on any emergency, the employee's case may be presented to the Acadia Parish School Board, whose decision will be final in the matter.
EXTENDED SICK LEAVE
The Board shall permit each teacher and bus driver to take up to ninety (90) days of extended sick leave in each six-year period of employment which may be used for personal illness or illness of an immediate family member at any time the teacher or bus driver has no remaining regular sick leave balance at the time the extended sick leave is set to begin. Immediate family member means a spouse, parent, or child of the teacher or bus driver.
Unused days during any six-year period of employment shall not cumulate or carry forward into the next six-year period of employment. The balance of days of extended sick leave available shall transfer with the teacher or bus driver from one public school employer to another without loss or restoration of days.
Interruptions of service between periods of employment with a public school employer shall not be included in any calculation of a six-year period. Any employment with any public school employer, regardless of when it occurs, shall be included in any determination of the balance of days of extended sick leave available to the teacher or bus driver.
Any teacher or bus driver on extended sick leave shall be paid sixty-five percent (65%) of the salary paid the teacher or bus driver at the time the extended sick leave begins. Except for extenuating circumstances, a doctor's certificate shall be presented upon return to work.
Gainful Employment Permitted
A teacher or bus driver may undertake additional gainful employment while on extended sick leave, provided all of the following conditions are met:
1. The teacher or bus driver can demonstrate that he/she will be working not more than twenty (20) hours a week in a part-time job that the teacher or bus driver has been working for not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the beginning of any period of extended sick leave.
2. The physician who certifies the medical necessity of the leave indicates that such part-time work does not impair the purpose for which the extended sick leave is required.
Any violation of the provisions regarding gainful employment may require the teacher or bus driver to return to the Board all compensation paid during any week of extended sick leave in which the teacher or bus driver worked more than twenty (20) hours and to reimburse the Board all related employment costs attributable to such period as calculated by the Board, without any restoration of leave days.
Application Process
On every occasion when a teacher or bus driver uses extended sick leave, a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the leave is medically necessary for the teacher or bus driver or that the immediate family member's illness is serious and requires the presence of the teacher or bus driver shall be presented prior to extended sick leave being taken, whenever possible.
1) If the Board, upon review of the application, questions the validity or accuracy of the certification, the Board may require the teacher, bus driver, or the immediate family member, as a condition for continued extended sick leave, to be examined by a licensed physician selected by the Board.
2) If the Board selected physician disagrees with the original medical certification, then the employer may require the teacher, bus driver, or immediate family member, as a condition for continued extension of sick leave, to be examined by a third licensed physician, whose name appears next in the rotation of physicians on a list established by the local medical society and maintained by the Board. All costs of an examination and any required tests by a third doctor shall be paid by the Board. The opinion of the third physician shall decide the issue.
3) The opinion of all physicians consulted in determining medical necessity of the extended sick leave shall be submitted to the Board in the form of a sworn statement. All information contained in any statement from a physician shall be confidential and shall not be subject to the public records law.
SICK LEAVE FOR ASSAULT OR BATTERY
Any employee of the public schools who is injured and disabled while acting in his/her official capacity as a result of an assault or battery by any student or person shall receive sick leave without reduction in pay, and without reduction in accrued sick leave days while disabled as a result of such assault and battery. The employee shall be required to provide a certificate from a physician certifying such injury and incapacitation. The sick leave authorized shall be in addition to all other sick leave authorized herein, shall not be accumulated from year to year, nor shall such additional sick leave be compensated for at death or retirement, or compensated for in any manner except as set forth above.
SICK LEAVE FOR PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH A STUDENT
Any teacher or school employee, but not a bus operator, who is injured or disabled while acting in his official capacity as a result of physical contact with a student while providing physical assistance to a student to prevent danger or risk of injury to the student, shall receive sick leave for a period of up to ninety (90) days without reduction in pay and without reduction in accrued sick leave days while injured or disabled as a result of rendering such assistance. The teacher or employee shall be required to present a certificate from a physician certifying such injury or disability. The Board may extend the period of sick leave beyond ninety (90) days at its discretion.
SICK LEAVE/WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Should any teacher become injured or disabled while acting in his official capacity, other than by assault, the teacher shall be entitled to appropriate worker's compensation benefits and/or sick leave benefits, at the teacher's option, for the period of time while injured or disabled. Any benefits received, however, shall not exceed the total amount of the regular salary the teacher was receiving at the time of injury or disability. The teacher shall be required to present a certificate from a physician certifying such injury or incapacitation.
VESTING OF SICK LEAVE
All sick leave accumulated by a teacher or school employee, but not a bus operator, shall be vested in the teacher or school employee by whom such leave has been accumulated. In the event of the transfer of a teacher or school employee from one school system to another in Louisiana, or upon the return of such teacher or school employee to the same school system within five (5) years or such longer period that may be approved by the Board to which the teacher or school employee returned, regardless of the dates on which the leave was accumulated or the date of transfer or return of the teacher or school employee, such vested leave shall be transferred, returned to, or continued by the Board and shall be retained to the credit of the teacher or school employee.
5) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the policy regarding Internet acceptable use policy was adopted was previously submitted.
INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE
Each teacher who plans to use the Internet will have six hours of inservice on the Acadia Parish School Board intranet and the Internet use policy. That teacher will then sign an Internet use agreement. He or she will inservice each class on the acceptable use of the Internet in Acadia Parish schools. Each student and his or her parent/guardian will sign an acceptable use agreement. It will be the responsibility of the teacher/librarian to insure that only students with signed agreements use the Internet. Students whose parents refuse to sign an agreement will not be penalized in their classwork. Alternative assignments will be given from more traditional references.
Students will have assignments when accessing the Internet. Surfing, whether in the library or classroom, wastes valuable time and keeps other students from using the computer to finish assignments. Students without assignments may be asked to allow other students to use the computer.
Each trained teacher will have two E-mail addresses, one personal and one for class use. (Jane, Smith will receive mailbox jsmith@xxxxxx for personal use and jsmiths@xxxxxx for class use. Sam LeJeune will receive slejeune@xxxxxx for personal use and slejeunes@xxxxxx for class use.) At no time will mailboxes be considered private. They will be accessible by the Network Administrator at any time. Information about Internet usage and appropriate forms will be sent home to each student in a class which will use the Internet.
INTRODUCTION
The Internet is a tool for lifelong learning.
The Acadia Parish School Board is pleased to offer its students access to the Internet. The Internet is an electronic highway connecting hundreds of thousands of computers and millions of individual users all over the world. This computer technology will help propel Acadia Parish schools through the communication age by allowing students and staff to access and use resources from computers, communicate and collaborate with other individuals and groups around the world, and significantly expand their available information base.
Acceptable use of these resources shall be consistent with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Acadia Parish School Board.
Families should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive to some people. In addition, it is possible to purchase certain goods and services via the Internet which could result in unwanted financial obligations for which a student's parent or guardian would be liable.
The School Board shall incorporate the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block access or exposure to any harmful materials or information, such as sites that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material.
Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited. However, the School Board does not prohibit authorized employees or students from having unfiltered or unrestricted access to Internet or online services, including online services of newspapers with daily circulation of at least 1,000, for legitimate scientific or educational purposes approved by the Board.
While the District's intent is to make Internet access available to further educational goals and objectives, students may find ways to access other materials as well. Even should the District institute technical methods or systems to regulate students' Internet access, those methods could not guarantee compliance with the District's Internet use policy. That notwithstanding, the District believes that the benefit of access to the Internet exceeds any disadvantages. Ultimately, however, parents and guardians of students are responsible for setting and conveying the standards that their children should follow when using media and information sources.
NETIQUETTE
Users shall be expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Be polite. Do not write or send abusive messages to others.
• Use appropriate language.
• Do not reveal personal addresses or phone numbers.
• Note that electronic mail (E-mail) is not guaranteed to be private. People who operate the system do have access to all mail. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities must be reported to the authorities.
• Anything pertaining to illegal or inappropriate articles is expressly forbidden and shall be reported to the appropriate authorities.
• Do not use the network in such a way that would limit or disrupt the use of the network by others.
SECURITY
Any user who knowingly allows another to use the ID assigned to him or her will immediately lose access privileges, and may be subject to further disciplinary action. Attempts to fraudulently log on any network as a system administrator or another user shall result in immediate cancellation of user privileges and the offender may be subject to further disciplinary action.
Any user identified as a security risk, or having a history of problems with other computer systems, may be denied access to the service.
VANDALISM
Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges or other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any attempted or actual harm or destruction of the date of another user or other network connected to the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses, attempts to tamper with any programs, applications, files, etc.
6) Upon motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Marceaux opposed), the recommendation of the Discipline Committee regarding policy for student conduct, discipline, suspension, and expulsion was accepted and adopted as previously submitted.
7) Mr. Johnson suggested that consideration for teaching on a trimester level for grades K-3 come from the teachers and administrators in the parish. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, this item was tabled and may be reconsidered at a later time.
ROUTINE ITEMS:
1) Mr. Eric Stutes announced the installation of a "School Hot Line" at the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Department which would allow anonymous input from students to alert the authorities regarding potential problems. Dr. James indicated that her idea for this program came from a similar program in Rapides Parish. She commended Mr. Stutes and Colonel Millet for making the necessary arrangements. The board formally accepted the program.
2) Mr. Stutes briefed the Board regarding changes in the APSB medication policy, previously submitted to each member. Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the following revisions in the medication policy were approved.
11) f. Non-Prescription drugs (over-the-counter) will only be given if medical certification of extenuating circumstances and prescription is obtained.
12) Questions - related to the school medication policy should be directed to the school principal/designee.
3) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board endorsed Project Read as the program of choice for at-risk and dyslexic students, as recommended by the Technology/Instruction/Federal Programs Committee. Mr. Boudreaux asked Superintendent James to find out what types of reading programs were being used by private learning centers.
4) Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Shams ie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board commended Ross Elementary and South Crowley Elementary for their participation in the School Analysis Model.
5) Mr. Charles Daigle presented results of a recently conducted parish-wide teacher survey where ten items were ranked in order of priority. Five hundred eighty-seven surveys were returned and compiled by Ms. Linda King. Ms. King provided a categorized graphic representation of the results. Mr. Daigle indicated that these results would be considered at the next Personnel and Insurance Committee meeting. Mr. Boudreaux suggested having a joint meeting with the Budget/Finance Committee. Ms. Valdetero expressed concern regarding the ability to fund any of these items. Mr. Boudreaux asked Mr. Carl LeJeune for a breakdown of teachers by years of experience and degrees. Mr. Vige' raised questions regarding classroom size. Mrs. King was commended for compiling this in formation.
6) Considering the condition of the old gymnasium located behind the Acadia Parish Library and the potential cost to repair it, the Transportation/Facilities Committee recommended that the Board not modify the lease with the APPJ by accepting the return of the building. Mr. Kenneth Privat, attorney, agreed to this and suggested that the APSB contact the APPJ to see about dismantling the building. Mr. Boudreaux asked Mr. Privat if the lease included provisions for maintenance. Mr. Privat will look into this. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Smith, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson abstained), the Board agreed not to
modify the lease with the APPJ regarding the old gymnasium behind the Acadia Parish Library.
7) Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Bellon, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board agreed not to sell timber on Section 16, Township 7 South, Range 1 East (SE of Eunice), at this time, due to poor market conditions, but will wait a few more years. 8) Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Johnson and Mr. Boudreaux opposed), the Board agreed not to change policy regarding transporting students to daycare centers. Any deviations to this policy will be considered individually by the Board. The matter of additional cost was discussed, and daycare centers will be required to pay any incremental costs associated with such transportation.
9) Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Dr. McManus, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized the purchase of a portable building, with special education funds, to be placed at Crowley Kindergarten. This is done in lieu of renovations to space at the Ross Head Start Center.
10) Upon motion by Mr. Daigle, seconded by Ms. Bias, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, placement of new classified employees hired since September 3, 1999, was approved as recommended by the Compensation Committee (a schedule was provided showing hew hires their placements).
11) Dr. James gave background on pay for bus drivers, indicating that they were not included in the study for support personnel. Mr. Trahan reported that other classified employees have contacted him regarding the fact that they have not received step increases. This matter will be a discussion item at next month's meeting. Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the Board authorized payment of bus drivers' step increases, retroactive for the 1999-2000 year.
12) Mrs. Mary Robbins provided information showing technology plans for the current year that included projects planned by schools and funding sources. Classroom-Based Technology funds are tied to the tobacco settlement, and while funding is approved, reimbursement will not occur until the next fiscal year. The approved grant is $158,958. The E-rate program was explained to and discussed with the board. Possible restrictions regarding the use of E-rate discounts were discussed. Guidance is currently being sought from the State Department of Education to clarify how E-rate must be used. Mrs. Robbins asked the board to consider authorizing the general fund to front $158,958 for Classroom-Based Technology Grant.
Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a majority voice vote (Mr. Trahan, and Mr. Marceaux opposed), the Board authorized funding of $158,958 from the general fund for Classroom-Based Technology Grant.
13) The Rayne Booster Club requested permission to make an unrestricted donation to the APSB of $200 per month (copies were submitted to board members in their packets). A motion to table this item until the next meeting was made by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Marceaux, and failed by a majority voice vote. Discussion followed concerning supplements for coaches and teachers. Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Mr. Vige', and passed by a roll call vote of 11 to 2, disposition of the unrestricted donation from Rayne Booster Club, Inc. was approved. YEA: Johnson, Pinac, Bias, Marceaux, Suite, Boudreaux, Smith, Daigle, Vige', McManus, Bellon NAY: Shamsie, Trahan ABSTAIN: Valdetero ABSENT: Senegal
14) Mr. Smith motioned and Dr. McManus seconded to approve the seven-steps procedure for evaluation of classified employees, as recommended and previously submitted to the board. The question was raised whether or not bus drivers will be part of the evaluation process. Upon motion by Mr. Johnson motioned, seconded by Mr. Shamsie, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the seven-steps procedure for evaluation of classified employees will be referred the Personnel/Insurance Committee.
15) Mr. Privat indicated that he is currently working with other property owners to develop a standard agreement regarding a request from AT&T for amendment to a right-of-way agreement on APSB property north of I-10 near Egan. He asked permission to negotiate with AT&T regarding this matter and then report back to the board. Upon motion by Ms. Valdetero, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Privat was authorized to negotiate with AT&T regarding this matter.
16) Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board granted permission to Mr. Donald Amy, principal at Iota Elementary, for a group of students to travel to NASA/Johnson Space Center-:in Houston, Texas, on March 3, 2000.
17) Upon motion by Dr. McManus, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board granted permission to Ronnie Doguet, principal at Iota High School, for a group of students to travel to Plantersville, Texas, for the Texas Renaissance Festival on November 13, 1999.
In the future, requests to travel out-of-state will be considered as consent items.
18) This item was deleted.
At 7:05 p.m., Mr. Suire motioned for a ten-minute break followed by executive session to hear the attorney's status report on arbitration regarding construction at Morse Elementary and Midland High, to hear litigation involving APSB and principal at Mire Elementary, and to consider a worker's compensation settlement. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pinac and carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Upon motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Daigle, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, the board reconvened into a regular session at 7:34 p.m.
19) Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Pinac, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Privat's status report on arbitration regarding construction at Morse Elementary and Midland High was accepted.
20) Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Trahan, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Privat's report regarding litigation involving APSB and principal at Mire Elementary was accepted.
21) Upon motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Valdetero, and carried by a unanimous voice vote, Mr. Privat was authorized to handle the matter of a worker's compensation settlement.
22) There was no correspondence.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1) Considering budget limitation, Mr. Johnson will suggest limiting travel to that which is properly authorized and to also limit out-of-state travel. Dr. James indicated that much of the travel is funded by sources other than the general fund. Board members discussed the merits of limiting travel and reviewed a list of those requesting travel this month. They asked for more details regarding the cost of travel by various funds.
2) Mr. Marceaux presented information indicating why he wanted to discuss the matter of authorizing the Board President to enter into negotiations with the Superintendent for termination of her contract. Dr. James chose to discuss this matter in an open session instead of an executive session. She read the following statement indicating a previous offer by the board president and board attorney. Mr. Quebodeaux indicated that he and the attorney made an informal offer to the superintendent for a partial buy out of her contract. When she asked for this offer in writing, he felt the need to bring the matter to the full board. Mr. Shamsie asked by what authority did the president and attorney tender this offer. Mr. Privat, attorney, explained this role and discussions with President Quebodeaux regarding this offer. He felt that it was proper for him and the board president to make this offer. Mr. Suire felt that such an offer was premature, as the entire board had not deliberated the matter. Ms. Bias was alarmed that this topic had already been mentioned in the newspaper, before the board had a chance to discuss it. Mr. Daigle suggested ceasing this discussion, because Mr. Senegal was not present. Mr. Johnson indicated that he felt that President Quebodeaux had acted in an effort to provide a graceful exit and resolve a delicate matter. Dr. McManus indicated that the superintendent should be given the opportunity to review written information which had been provided by Mr. Marceaux at this meeting. Mr. Privat suggested that this discussion item be tabled for a while until all members are present and allow the superintendent time to review the material received tonight.
Mr. Johnson motioned and Mr. Boudreaux seconded to hold a special meeting next week to consider termination of the superintendent's contract. A substitute motion to schedule a special meeting when all board members are able to attend was offered by Mr. Daigle and seconded by Mr. Shamsie. Ms. Valdetero suggested specifying a date for the special meeting. Mr. Daigle and Mr. Shamsie withdrew their substitute motion and offered another substitute motion to table this matter until the next regular board meeting (December 6, 1999). The motion passed by a majority voice vote.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Upon motion by Mr. Shamsie, seconded by Mr. Suire, 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.
New Appointments: Christine Melancon, Morse Elementary, 5th grade, effective 11-1-99; Susan Schexnayder, Ross Elementary, 1st grade, effective 11-1-99
Resignations: Rebecca S. Breaux, Morse Elementary, 5th grade, effective 10-29-99; Jonathan Matteson, Church Point High, Mathematics/Computer Literacy, effective 10-29-99; Gary Nicar, Church Point Middle, PE, effective 10-20-99; Donna Romine, Church Point Middle, Science, effective 11-3-99
Transfers: Lisa Summers, Ross Elementary, 15t grade, to Church Point High, English, replacing Ashlee Sanders, effective 11-1-99
2. Received sales tax report showing a year-to-date decrease of 2.23 % .
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 8:20 p.m.
John Quebedeaux, President
Dr. Marietta W. James, Superintendent