SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Lizzie Ned, Michael Lacombe, Van Kojis, and Cynthia “Cindy” Hill.
Absent: None.
An Invocation was offered by Board Member Lizzie Ned.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by President James Gauthier.
1. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented a plaque to outgoing Vice-President Michael Lacombe and outgoing President James Gauthier for serving for the period of January 3, 2012 through January 7, 2013. Mr. Lacombe and Mr. Gauthier expressed their thanks to the Board and Superintendent for their assistance and cooperation in serving as Vice-President and President of the Board.
2. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine advised the Board that the terms of office for the President and Vice-President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board had expired. He thanked outgoing President James Gauthier and outgoing Vice-President Michael Lacombe on an outstanding job this past year. He then called for nominations for the office of President.
Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas placed the name of Freeman Ford in nomination for the office of President. The nomination was seconded by Lizzie Ned.
Ms. Cindy Hill placed the name of Michael Lacombe in nomination for the office of President. The nomination was seconded by Darrell Wiley.
On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Board agreed to close nominations. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine requested that the Board members cast their votes for those nominated.
The vote was as follows:
Board members voting for Mr. Freeman Ford: Freeman Ford, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, and Lizzie Ned.
Board members voting for Mr. Michael Lacombe: Michael Lacombe, Cindy Hill, Darrell Wiley, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, and Van Kojis.
By a vote of 6-3, Mr. Michael Lacombe was declared President of the Board for a one-year term.
Mr. Michael Lacombe thanked the Board, Superintendent, and audience for their support and stated he looks forward to working with the Board to move the whole parish forward.
3. President Michael Lacombe called for nominations for the office of Vice-President. The motion was seconded by James Gauthier.
Mr. Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr. placed the name of Darrell Wiley in nomination for the office of Vice-President. The nomination was seconded by James Gauthier.
On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board agreed to close nominations. President Michael Lacombe requested that the Board members cast their votes by a show of hand.
The vote was as follows:
Ayes: Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Darrell Wiley, Michael Lacombe, Van Kojis, and Cindy Hill.
Nays: Freeman Ford, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, and Lizzie Ned.
By a vote of 6-3, Mr. Darrell Wiley was declared Vice-President of the Board for a one-year term.
4. A motion was offered by Van Kojis, seconded by Cindy Hill, to adopt the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, December 4, 2012, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, Van Kojis, and Cindy Hill.
Nays: Shelia Blackman-Dupas.
5. Mr. Darrell Wiley, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Roland LaBorde former School Board Member.
On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Roland LaBorde. MOTION CARRIED.
6. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine recognized Richanda Scott and Khalil Roy, students at Bunkie New Tech. Mr. Lemoine stated that Richanda and Khalil each won $300, which is the highest amount for the Project Director’s Challenge for Louisiana Gear Up.
7. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine recognized the Students of the Month. Mr. Lemoine presented a plaque to each student. Also, each Board Member read a short biography detailing accomplishments of each student.
The Students of the Month included: Jim Bowie, Bunkie Elementary School; Zoe Lacombe, Cottonport Elementary School; Kaitlyn Deglandon, Lafargue Elementary School; Janelle Eroja, Marksville Elementary School; Rashawn Williams, Plaucheville Elementary School; Catlin Cole, Riverside Elementary School; Jed Lemoine, Avoyelles High School; Dontavion Smith, Bunkie High School; Kelsey Williams, LaSAS; and Valerie Bordelon, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the students on their accomplishments.
8. On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation by United States of America in connection with Avoyelles Parish School Board versus Elderwood Properties, Mr. Paul Arnouville, and United States of America (Case Action Number 08-1374 - Western District Court); and also for the purpose of rendering a legal opinion on how to avoid potential ethics concerns. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Cindy Hill, the Board reconvened in regular session at approximately 5:45 p.m.
A motion was offered by Freeman Ford, seconded by Lizzie Ned, that the Board approve the tentative settlement offer in the litigation involving access to Section 16 property, as discussed in Executive Session. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Mr. Howard Desselle, Citizen of Marksville, addressed the Board. He offered the use of his land for emergency purposes,
10. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of November, 2012 totaled $664,073,53. Mr. Ducote said that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $569,272.37 and the 0.25% generated $94,801.16. .
11. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Transportation Supervisor, presented a transportation data report for the month of December, 2012.
12. Mr. Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:
Finance Committee Report
December 11, 2012
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman; Van Kojis, Michael Lacombe, James Gauthier, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Mrs. Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford and Lizzie Ned, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Finance Committee recommended to approve requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Board Member, addressed the Finance Committee regarding a funding source for the Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy Gymnasium.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Finance Committee recommended to utilize up to $270,000 of contingency funds to supplement the Board’s original Seven Year Plan to construct a multipurpose building at a cost of $499,000 and to send this item back to the Needs Assessment Committee. MOTION CARRIED.
The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman
Finance Committee
On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Mayeux. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Mr Van Kojis, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
December 11, 2012
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Van Kojis, Chairman; Lizzie Ned, Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Ms. Cindy Hill was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., and Michael Lacombe, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine and Maintenance Supervisor Steve Marcotte discussed the permanent location of the transition building.
Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by James Gauthier, the Building and Lands Committee recommended that the Board approve the modular transition building being permanently located at the Avoyelles High School campus, per Judge Dee Drell’s approval.
The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Van Kojis, Darrell Wiley, and James Gauthier.
Nays: Lizzie Ned.
2. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented an update on the oil leasing of Section 16 properties.
The committee did not take any action on this matter.
The Building and Lands Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Van Kojis, Chairman
Building and Lands Committee
A motion was offered by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., that the Board approve the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Kojis.
The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Van Kojis, and Cindy Hill.
Nays: Shelia Blackman-Dupas and Lizzie Ned.
14. Mr. Freeman Ford, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:
Executive Committee Report
December 18, 2012
The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Freeman Ford, Chairman; Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Cindy Hill, Michael Lacombe, James Gauthier, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Also present were Van Kojis, Board Member; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Demetria Alexander, Supervisor of Federal Programs; and Rene Stansbury.
1. Ms. Rene Stansbury (with the Department of Health and Hospitals - AHEC) addressed the Executive Committee for the purpose of reviewing policies, to implement tobacco-free policies, as follows:
(a) File: GAMA Employee Tobacco Use
(b) File: EB Buildings and Grounds Management
(c) File: IDFA Interscholastic Athletes
(d) File: JCDAA Student Tobacco Use
(e) File: IDBB Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug, and Substance
Upon motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Cindy Hill, the Executive Committee recommended to approve File: GAMA - Employee Tobacco Use as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
Upon motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Executive Committee recommended to approve File: EB - Buildings and Grounds Management as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
The Executive Committee recommended no changes for File: IDFA - Interscholastic Athletes.
Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Executive Committee recommended to approve File: JCDAA - Student Tobacco Use, with the following revision to the first sentence which will read as follows:
“Students shall not be permitted to have tobacco, tobacco products, or smoking object/device in their possession or to smoke on any school grounds or School Board property, or in school or Board facilities during the school day, or at school activities held in school facilities after school hours, or when riding school buses.” The committee recommended to delete the words, “to and from school or a school function away from school”.
The Executive Committee recommended no changes for File: IDBB - Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug, and Substance Abuse Education Program.
The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Freeman Ford, Chairman
Executive Committee
On motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Board approved the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Ford. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
15. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Appointment of Hollie A. Torres, Kindergarten teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through May 28, 2013; revision of contract: Appointment of Ian P. McCusker, teacher, effective October 31, 2012 through December 21, 2012; and re-appointment of Ian P. McCusker, teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through January 31, 2013.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Transfer/appointment of Brad Moreau, adaptive physical education teacher, from Riverside Elementary School, effective October 1, 2012 through May 22, 2013; and resignation of May Bell Young, food service technician, effective November 1, 2012, for the purpose of retirement.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Vickie L. Fowler, teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through May 22, 2013; and resignation of Nellie Dauzat, food service technician, effective January 2, 2013.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Valerie Chesne, teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through January 31, 2013; and re-appointment of Alicia Williams, teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through May 22, 2013.
BUNKIE HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Sarah M. Abbott, teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through January 31, 2013; appointment of Craig Normand, teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through May 22, 2013; appointment of Rochelle Hall, In-School Suspension teacher (TAT), effective January 7, 2013 through May 22, 2013; and resignation of Tiffany Gotreaux, teacher, effective at the end of the day December 21, 2012.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Appointment of Charles Robinson, (retired) teacher, effective December 19, 2012 through December 21, 2012; re-appointment of Charles Robinson, (retired) teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through May 22, 2012; and resignation of Sarah Dean Townsend, teacher, effective at the end of the day January 8, 2013.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Chariss Stevenson, guidance counselor, effective January 7, 2013 through June 5, 2013; re-appointment of Yuliana Johnson, teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through January 31, 2013; resignation of John Gagnard, half-time guidance counselor, effective at the end of the day December 21, 2012; and resignation of Susan Dekle, school secretary, effective January 5, 2013, for the purpose of retirement.
AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Resignation of Kathy DeCuir, teacher, effective January 7, 2013, for the purpose of retirement.
ADDENDUM(S)
1/8/2013
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Howard Jeansonne, (retired) special education teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through May 22, 2013 (school base budget).
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Transfer/appointment of Angie Champ, teacher, from Marksville High School, effective January 14, 2013 through May 22, 2013, replacing Clarisse Dugas who retired.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Re-appointment of Dan Soldani, (retired) teacher, effective January 7, 2013 through May 22, 2013.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Kyle J. Lacore, teacher, effective January 14, 2013 through May 22, 2013.
AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Transfer/appointment of Rachel Magee, from school psychologist to Special Education Discipline Coordinator, effective January 9, 2013 through January 9, 2015 (11 months), replacing Brenda Sampson who retired.
There being no further business, on motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by James Gauthier, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Resolution Number 13
January 8, 2013
Mr Van Kojis, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
December 11, 2012
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Van Kojis, Chairman; Lizzie Ned, Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Ms. Cindy Hill was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., and Michael Lacombe, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine and Maintenance Supervisor Steve Marcotte discussed the permanent location of the transition building.
Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by James Gauthier, the Building and Lands Committee recommended that the Board approve the modular transition building being permanently located at the Avoyelles High School campus, per Judge Dee Drell’s approval.
The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Van Kojis, Darrell Wiley, and James Gauthier.
Nays: Lizzie Ned.
2. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented an update on the oil leasing of Section 16 properties.
The committee did not take any action on this matter.
The Building and Lands Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Van Kojis, Chairman
Building and Lands Committee
A motion was offered by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., that the Board approve the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Kojis.
The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Van Kojis, and Cindy Hill.
Nays: Shelia Blackman-Dupas and Lizzie Ned.
***********************
STATE OF LOUISIANA
PARISH OF AVOYELLES
I, Dwayne Lemoine, the duly qualified, acting and empowered Secretary of the Avoyelles Parish School Board of Marksville, Louisiana, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true, correct and complete copy of Resolution Number 13, said resolution having been adopted by the Avoyelles Parish School Board, Marksville, Louisiana, at a regular meeting held on the 8th day of January, 2013.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my hand and the corporate seal of said Avoyelles Parish School Board of Marksville, Louisiana, on this 10th day of January, 2013.
_____________________________________
Dwayne Lemoine
Secretary-Treasurer