SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Michael Lacombe, President; Darrell Wiley, Vice-President; Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Lizzie Ned, and Van Kojis.
Absent: Cynthia “Cindy” Hill.
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 Vice-President Darrell Wiley.
1. A motion was offered by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Lizzie Ned, to adopt the minutes of the special Board meeting held Monday, March 4, 2013, 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, and Van Kojis.
Nays: Shelia Blackman-Dupas.
2. President Michael Lacombe read a resolution of respect to the late Lucille Dufour Couvillion, former teacher.
On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Lucille Dufour Couvillion. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine recognized the Students of the Month for the months of March and April. 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 for the months of March and April respectively included: Joseph Bonaventure and Telisha Hamilton, Bunkie Elementary School; Tylen Price and Ayden Guidry, Cottonport Elementary School; Landon Bordelon and Lauralee Sayes, Lafargue Elementary School; William Marshall and Dauntavios Greenhouse, Marksville Elementary School; Kiley Payne and Brianna Robertson, Plaucheville Elementary School; Katie Duhon and Sierra Marcotte, Riverside Elementary School; Madelyn Peavy and Tara Wilson, Avoyelles High School; Hollie Stickells and Connor Descant, Bunkie High School; Hannah Kelly and Lorantz Rogers, LaSAS; and Krista Laborde and Blair Barton, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the students on their accomplishments.
4. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine recognized and commended Mr. Brent Deshautelle and Mr. Trevor Rushing, teachers at LaSAS, for receiving NCCER certification (from the National Center for Construction Education and Research).
5. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of February, 2013 totaled $579,157.71. Mr. Ducote said that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $496,617.50 and the 0.25% generated $82,540.21. .
6. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Transportation Supervisor, presented a transportation data report for the month of March, 2013.
7. Mr. Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:
Finance Committee Report
March 12, 2013
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present
Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman; Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Van Kojis, Freeman Ford, Michael Lacombe, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Also present were Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier; Cindy Hill, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine reviewed the 2013-2014 MFP letter with the committee noting many changes in special education funding and also noted that Avoyelles receives less than the state average per pupil.
2. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, reviewed a revised contract with Norris Insurance Consultants to add workers’ compensation services. She explained that this service may result in Board savings in future premiums.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the revised contract with Norris Insurance Consultants for an increase of $2000 for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, discussed funding projects which were recently approved by the Federal Judge. She explained that the funding for the projects totaled $1,010,000 from the Seven Year Plan. She explained that these projects may be completed prior to the funding and recommended that the Board borrow from the contingency fund until all projected revenues are collected.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Finance Committee recommended to utilize contingency funds to complete the projects until the Seven Year funds are collected. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Upon motion by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended to approve requests for overnight travel, as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
The Finance Committee respectfully requests the adoption of this report.
Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman
Finance Committee
Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by James Gauthier, the Board approved the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Mayeux. MOTION CARRIED.
8. Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
March 12, 2013
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Van Kojis, Chairman; Darrell Wiley, Cindy Hill, Michael Lacombe, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Mrs. Lizzie Ned was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Shelia Blackman-Dupas, and James Gauthier, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Cindy Hill, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to advertise to lease farmland near Avoyelles High School. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mr. Steve Marcottte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a bid-opening committee report on janitorial supplies, paint, light bulbs, and air conditioner for the public schools for the 2013-2014 school year.
Upon motion by Cindy Hill, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to accept the low bid for janitorial supplies, paint, light bulbs, and air conditioner for the public schools for the 2013-2014 school year. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a bid-opening committee report on roof replacements at Bunkie Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.
Upon motion by Cindy Hill, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to award the low bid of Brazos Industries in the amount of $991,358.95 for roof replacements at Bunkie Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine discussed a plan of action for the sale of portable buildings no longer in use at the schools.
Upon motion by Cindy Hill, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended that the Superintendent have all portable buildings at Avoyelles High School and Bunkie New Tech High School appraised and advertised for sale, pending Federal Court approval. MOTION CARRIED.
The Building and Lands Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Van Kojis, Chairman
Building and Lands Committee
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Board approved the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Kojis, MOTION CARRIED.
9. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:
Education Committee Report
March 19, 2013
The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
James Gauthier, Chairman; Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Michael Lacombe, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas and Ms. Lizzie Ned were absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, and Cindy Hill, Board Members; Susan Welch, Supervisor of Secondary Education; Randy Littleton, Supervisor of Elementary Education; Luke Welch, SIS Coordinator; and Celeste Voinche, Principal.
1. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented a report on the Summer School Program for 2013.
Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Education Committee recommended that the Board approve the Summer School Program for 2013. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented a report on (a) the number of certified teachers present for the week of February 18-22, 2013; (b) the number of day-by-day substitutes for the week of February 18-22, 2013; and (c) the number of substitutes called to substitute for teachers during the week of February 18-22, 2013.
The committee did not take any action.
3. Mrs. Susan Welch, Supervisor of Secondary Education, presented a report on the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Compliance Monitoring for fiscal year 2011-2012.
On behalf of the committee, Chairman Gauthier commended the central office staff for an outstanding job in securing the Carl Perkins grant.
The committee did not take any action.
The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
James Gauthier, Chairman
Education Committee
On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED.
10. Mr. Freeman Ford, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:
Executive Committee Report
March 19, 2013
The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Freeman Ford, Chairman; Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Cindy Hill, Darrell Wiley, Michael Lacombe, and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Also present were James Gauthier, Board Member; Debbie Bain, Susan Welch, Randy Littleton, and Sharon Hargis, Supervisors; Luke Welch, SIS Coordinator; and Celeste Voinche, Principal.
1. Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Cindy Hill, the Executive Committee recommended to approve a request for an extended sick leave for Gloria Andrews, food service technician at Lafargue Elementary School, for the school days of February 13, 14, and 15, 2013; and February 20, 21, and 22, 2013. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Upon motion by Cindy Hill, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Executive Committee recommended to approve a request for an extended sick leave for Robin Jouglard, teacher at Marksville Elementary School, for the school days of February 28 and March 1, 2013. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mr. Luke Welch, SIS Coordinator, presented proposed school calendars for the 2013-2014 school years, as follows:
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR
District-Wide Staff Development August 6, 2013
School-Based Staff Development August 7-8, 2013
First Day of School August 9, 2013
Labor Day Holiday September 2, 2013
Mandatory Progress Report
(1/2 day for students) September 11, 2013
Staff Development (12:00-3:00)
End of 1st 9 week period October 10, 2013
Report Card Night (3:30-6:30) October 17, 2013
Staff Development (8:00-11:00)
Holiday for Students October 18, 2013
Fall Retest GEE and LAA 2 October 21-25, 2013
Veterans Day Holiday November 11, 2013
Mandatory Progress Report
(1/2 day for students) October 13, 2013
Staff Development (12:00-3:00)
Thanksgiving Holidays November 25-29, 2013
EOC Exams December 2-18, 2013
High School Final Exams December 19-20, 2013
End of 2nd 9 Weeks/Semester December 20, 2013
End of Term 1 for Block December 20, 2013
Christmas Holidays December 23-31, 2013
January 1-3, 2014
Beginning of 2nd Semester/Term January 6, 2014
Report Cards Sent Home January 10, 2014
Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday January 20, 2014
Progress Report Night (3:30-6:30)
(1/2 day for students) February 6, 2014
Staff Development (12:00-3:00)
Mardi Gras Holiday March 3-4, 2014
GEE, LAA2 and Explore 8 Tests March 10-14, 2014
End of 3rd 9 week period March 11, 2014
Report Cards Sent Home
Explore 9 Plan and ACT Tests
Phase 1 LEAP March 18, 2014
iLEAP Test April 7-10, 2014
ITBS Test April 7-9, 2014
LAA 2 Test April 7-15, 2014
Mandatory Progress Report
(1/2 day for students) April 16, 2014
Staff Development (12:00-3:00)
Staff Development (8:00-11:00) April 17, 2014
Holiday for Students
Easter Holidays April 18-25, 2014
EOC Tests April 25-30, 2014
EOC Tests May 1-21, 2014
Senior Final Exams May 2-7, 2014
HS Final Exams May 20-21, 2014
End of 4th 9 weeks May 21, 2014
End of Semester May 21, 2014
End of Term 2 for Block May 21,2014
End of School Year May 21, 2014
Teacher Records Day May 22, 2014
Report Cards Sent Home May 22, 2014
Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Executive Committee recommended to approve the School Calendar for the 2013-2014 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Welch also presented the 2013-2014 school calendar for the Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy, as follows:
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR - BELA
School-Based Staff Development July 10-11, 2013
Classes Begin July 12, 2013
District-Wide Staff Development August 6, 2013
Mandatory Progress Report (3:30-6:30) August 15, 2013
Labor Day Holiday September 2, 2013
One-Half Day for Students
Staff Development Day (12:00-3:00) September 11, 2013
End of 1st 9 week period September 13, 2013
Staff Development (no students) September 20, 2013
Report Card Night (3:30-6:30) September 24, 2013
Instructional Intercession September 23-27, 2013
Instructional Intercession October 1-4, 2013
Intercession Break (No School) October 7-11, 2013
Staff Development (8:00-11:00)
Holiday for Students October 18, 2013
Mandatory Progress Reports October 29, 2013
Veterans Day Holiday November 11, 2013
One-Half Day for Students
Staff Development Day (12:00-3:00) November 13, 2013
Thanksgiving Holidays November 25-29, 2013
End of 2nd 9 weeks December 10, 2013
Instructional Intercession December 16-20, 2013
Christmas Holidays December 23-31, 2013
through January 3, 2014
Instructional Intercession January 6-10, 2014
Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday January 20, 2014
Progress Report Night (3:30-6:30)
½ day for students
Staff Development (12:00-3:00) February 6, 2014
Mardi Gras Holiday March 3-4, 2014
End of 3rd 9 week period March 13, 2014
LEAP Phase I Writing March 18, 2014
Staff Development (8:00-11:00) March 21, 2014
Holiday for Students
Instructional Intercession March 24-28, 2014
LEAP/iLEAP Testing April 7-11, 2014
Mandatory Progress Report
½ day for students
Staff Development (12:00-3:00) April 16, 2014
Intercessional Break (no students) April 17, 2014
Easter Holidays April 18-25, 2014
Early Release Days May 27-29, 2014
End of 4th 9 weeks
End of school year May 29, 2014
Teacher Records Day
Report Cards Sent Home May 30, 2014
Upon motion by Cindy Hill, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the 2013-2014 school calendar for the Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine addressed the Executive Committee regarding the development of a policy for the sale of surplus computers to the students.
Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Cindy Hill, the Executive Committee recommended to adhere to File: DFN - Sale of Surplus Equipment and Supplies as approved by the Board at its January 24, 2013 meeting. MOTION CARRIED.
5. Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Executive Committee recommended to approve a request for a leave without pay for Monique Harris-Gaspard, Assistant Principal at LaSAS, effective March 19, 2013 through May 24, 2013. MOTION CARRIED.
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 adopted the Executive Committee Report as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
11. Mr. Howard Desselle, Citizen of Marksville, addressed the Board regarding future plans of the Board for the 2013-2014 school year.
12. The next item on the agenda regarding bids for portable buildings was stricken from the agenda because it was already covered in the Building and Lands Committee Report.
13. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented personnel changes for the Board’s review.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Appointment of Mildred Jackson, (retired) teacher, effective March 18, 2013 through May 28, 2013, replacing Sharonda R. Randall who resigned.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Alexis Leger, teacher, effective March 4, 2013; Resignation of Michelle B. Millsap, teacher, effective May 23, 2013; and Correction in funding source: Appointment of Lisa Descant, paraprofessional, funded by special education funds.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Charissa Lemoine, teacher, effective May 23, 2013, for the purpose of retirement; and Resignation of Rhonda Goudeau, teacher, effective May 23, 2013, for the purpose of retirement.
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Darcie C. Lartigue, teacher, effective March 7, 2013, for the purpose of retirement.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Valerie Chesne, teacher, effective March 1, 2013 through April 30, 2013; and Appointment of Marcie Carmouche, full-time teacher, effective March 21, 2013 through May 22, 2013, replacing Ilie St.Romain.
BUNKIE HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Sarah Abbott, teacher, effective March 1, 2013 through April 30, 2013; Resignation of Annette Richard, teacher, effective March 12, 2013; and Appointment of Sarah Howard, food service technician, from Cottonport Elementary School, effective April 2, 2013.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Yuliana Johnson, teacher, effective March 1, 2013 through April 30, 2013.
14. On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing an appeal to an expulsion.
On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 6:45 p.m.
On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Board upheld the expulsion of the student discussed in Executive Session.
The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, Freeman Ford, James Gauthier, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., and Van Kojis.
Nays: Shelia Blackman-Dupas and Lizzie Ned.
There being no further business, on motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by James Gauthier, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Michael Lacombe, President
Dwayne Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer