SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, September 3, 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, Van Kojis, and Robert Dunbar.
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 Vice-President Darrell Wiley.
1. On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, August 6, 2013, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED.
2. President Michael Lacombe read a resolution of respect to the late Christine Knight, former paraprofessional.
On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Christine Knight. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mr. James Gauthier, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Mary Dufour, former teacher.
On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Mary Dufour. MOTION CARRIED.
4. 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 the accomplishments of each student.
The Students of the Month included: Hailey Blood, Bunkie Elementary School; Brendon Smith, Cottonport Elementary School; Jace Pierite, Lafargue Elementary School; Brianna White, Marksville Elementary School; Kylie Malveaux, Plaucheville Elementary School; Jayda Wright, Riverside Elementary School; Derrick Foti, Avoyelles High School; Joseph Murray, Bunkie High School; Madeline Dauzat, LaSAS; and Allison Deglandon, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the students on their accomplishments.
5. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented an award to Mr. Kirby Roy, JAG Coordinator, for the outstanding performance he is doing with the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program in the parish.
6. Ms. Barbara Jones was slated to address the Board regarding The Kennedy Center, but she was unable to attend the meeting tonight, therefore, this item will be placed on next month’s meeting agenda.
7. Mr. Howard Desselle, Citizen of Marksville, addressed the Board and the audience, stating it would be beneficial if there were higher enrollment in the schools and reduced dropout rates. He encouraged parents and students to make education a priority, set higher goals for themselves, push forward to achieve those goals, and never stop learning. He emphasized that welfare is not a way of life, and everyone can be successful and productive - education is the key. President Michael Lacombe pointed out that none of the parish’s schools are rated “F” at this time, which is an improvement, and that the Board will continue to strive to make education better in Avoyelles Parish for all children.
8. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of July, 2013 totaled $720,760.95. Mr. Ducote said that of this amount the 1.5% sales tax generated $617,799.39 and the 0.25% sales tax generated $102,961.56.
9. Mr. Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report, and he asked that the Board vote on each item separately:
Finance Committee Report
August 20, 2013
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, August 20, 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 James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, Darrell Wiley, and Robert Dunbar, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Finance Committee recommended to approve requests for overnight travel as submitted by Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine. MOTION CARRIED.
2. The Finance Committee discussed a funding source for athletic trainers.
Ms. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, explained that she and Mrs. Mary Bonnette met with athletic directors concerning a job description and funding source for athletic trainers at each high school. The consensus of the committee was that a part-time trainer could be paid with a combination of each school’s based budget and athletic funding.
Upon motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended continued stipends and to contact physical therapists to find out if services and funding would be provided.
The motion was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Van Kojis, and Michael Lacombe. Nays: Shelia Blackman-Dupas and Freeman Ford.
3. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented a copy of a contract with Fontenot Benefits and Actuarial Consulting for the committee’s review. She explained that the contract is for compliance with GASB 45 in calculating the OPEB contribution.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended to contract with Fontenot Benefits and Actuarial Consulting for a two-year period at a cost of $7,500. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Robert Dunbar, the Board adopted Items 1, 2, and 3 of the Finance Committee report as presented by Chairman Mayeux. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented a list of upcoming funding needs for the committee’s approval, as follows:
a. Bunkie Hailstorm: $157,798
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the funding need for the Bunkie Hailstorm in the amount of $157,798, using contingency funds. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted Item 4a of the Finance Committee report as presented by Chairman Mayeux. MOTION CARRIED.
b. Avoyelles High School: Nurses’ Building Renovation (to provide an office for displaced nursing program): $30,000, using contingency funds.
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the funding to renovate the nurses’ building at Avoyelles High School in the amount of $30,000, using contingency funds. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Board adopted Item 4b of the Finance Committee report as presented by Chairman Mayeux. MOTION CARRIED.
c. Marksville Elementary School: Repair rotting roof decking: $10,000 (estimated)
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the funding to repair rotting roof decking at Marksville Elementary School at an estimated cost of $10,000, using contingency funds. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Robert Dunbar, the Board adopted Item 4c of the Finance Committee report as presented by Chairman Mayeux. MOTION CARRIED.
d. Marksville High School: Bleacher repair, $36,000; Bleacher replacement, $77,000.
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the funding to replace bleachers at Marksville High School in the amount of $77,000 using contingency funds. The motion was adopted by the following vote: Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Van Kojis, and Freeman Ford. Nays: Michael Lacombe.
A motion was offered by Freeman Ford, seconded by Van Kojis, that Item 4d of the Finance Committee report as presented by Chairman Mayeux be amended to be contingent upon Judge Drell’s approval. The motion was adopted as amended by the following vote:
Ayes: Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Lizzie Ned, Darrell Wiley, Van Kojis, Robert Dunbar.
Nays: Michael Lacombe.
5. Mayor Mike Robertson addressed the Finance Committee regarding a sales and use tax exemption consideration from the City of Bunkie for the Industrial Park. Mayor Robertson explained that a large business is requesting this exemption for materials used in the construction of buildings on this property.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the request to grant this exemption contingent upon legal approval as to the tax exemption for this project. MOTION CARRIED.
Assistant District Attorney Anthony Salario was present at this point in the meeting and stated that, legally, the School Board cannot grant the exemption. Therefore, the Board took no action on Item 5 of the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Mayeux.
10. Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
August 20, 2013
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Van Kojis, Chairman; Lizzie Ned, Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier, Michael Lacombe, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., and Robert Dunbar, Board Members; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve a change order for the Marksville Elementary School roof in the increased amount of $7,798. MOTION CARRIED.
2. The Building and Lands Committee discussed the funding source for renovation of the nurse’s building at Avoyelles High School.
Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the funding source of contingency funds for the renovation of the nurse’s building at Avoyelles High School. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a bid-opening report on the sale of portable buildings at Avoyelles High School and Bunkie High School, as follows:
Report of the Bid-Opening Committee
Sale of used Portable Buildings at
Avoyelles High School and Bunkie High School
A bid-opening committee met at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2013, to receive bids for the sale of used portable buildings at Avoyelles High School and Bunkie High School.
Members of the committee were Michael Lacombe, Board President; Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Board Member; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
The committee acknowledged receipt of one bid, as follows:
Hayes House Moving, Lafayette, Louisiana
Avoyelles High School Building Bid Price
Number 1 $150.00
Number 2 $150.00
Bunkie High School Building Bid Price
Number 1 $300.00
Number 2 $300.00
Number 3 $300.00
Number 4 $300.00
Number 5 $300.00
The bid-opening committee respectfully submits this report.
Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended that the Board obtain a legal opinion from Assistant District Attorney Anthony Salario to determine whether the Board may sell the portable buildings for $300 each plus moving costs. MOTION CARRIED.
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 Darrell Wiley, that the Board adopt the Building and Lands Committee Report, as presented by Chairman Kojis. The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, Van Kojis, Robert Dunbar.
Nays: Lizzie Ned.
11. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:
Education Committee Report
August 20, 2013
The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
James Gauthier, Chairman; Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Lizzie Ned, Michael Lacombe, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Mrs. Shelia Dupas was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, Van Kojis, and Robert Dunbar, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.
1. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, presented a staffing report to the Education Committee. Ms. Prater advised the committee that there are two vacancies at Cottonport Elementary School; one at Avoyelles High School; three at Bunkie New Tech High School; and three at Marksville High School.
2. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, presented a report on exit interviews. She provided information to the committee regarding various reasons teachers resigned from the Avoyelles Parish school system. The report was reviewed by the committee. The committee did not take any action.
3. Mrs. Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, reviewed the cell phone policy with the Education Committee.
The Education Committee recommended to reconvene the Discipline Committee back into session to consider the cell phone issue.
4. Mrs. Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, addressed the committee regarding In-School Suspension students. The report was reviewed by the committee. No action was taken.
The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
James Gauthier, Chairman
Education Committee
On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED.
12. On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board granted approval to accept a grant agreement with The Rapides Foundation for the 2013-2015 Healthy Behaviors Grant in the amount of $33,500.00. MOTION CARRIED.
13. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Bridget Nall, (new) teacher, effective August 12, 2013 through May 30, 2014.
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/BUNKIE HIGH SCHOOL/LASAS: Transfer/appointment of Philip Ortego, adaptive physical education teacher, from Avoyelles High School, effective August 14, 2013 through May 30, 2014.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Ashley L. Dubea, teacher, effective August 5, 2013; appointment of Eunice Mouton, (retired) Title I Pre-K teacher, effective August 16, 2013 through October 31, 2013, replacing Vickie Mayeux; appointment of Christina Coker, (new) (TAT) teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through December 20, 2013; and transfer/appointment of Yolanda Evans, custodian, from Bunkie High School, effective August 26, 2013.
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Transfer/appointment of Casey Dupuis, teacher, from Title I CSR to School Base Budget, effective August 6, 2013 through May 22, 2014; transfer/appointment of Kelly Juneau, teacher, from School Base Budget to Title I, effective August 6, 2013 through May 22, 2014; and appointment of Ronald Roy, (retired) teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through October 4, 2013, replacing Katherine Prestridge while on leave.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Joyce Michael, (new) teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through September 6, 2013; and appointment of Allyson R. Moreau, (new) speech therapist, effective September 3, 2013 through May 22, 2014, replacing Lillie Armand.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Craig Normand, (TAT) (new) teacher, effective August 20, 2013 through January 10, 2014; Correction in date: resignation of Rhonda Rabalais, effective May 23, 2013, for the purpose of retirement; and resignation of Beverly Boatner, teacher, effective August 8, 2013.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Bernadette Goody, (retired) teacher, effective August 9, 2013 through September 27, 2013, replacing Kelsey Osman while on leave; appointment of Anne Dorgant, (retired) French teacher (part-time- 5/8), effective August 6, 2013 through December 20, 2013; Correction in appointment date: appointment of Richard L. Hinton, Jr., teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through May 22, 2014; Correction in appointment: appointment of Betty Bordelon, (retired) part-time teacher, (from 5/8 to 3/4), effective August 6, 2013 through August 22, 2013; and resignation of Betty Bordelon, part-time teacher, effective at the end of the day August 22, 2013.
BUNKIE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Nicholas C. Pujol, (new) teacher, effective August 8, 2013 through May 22, 2014; appointment of Amy Cole, Principal, effective August 15, 2013 through June 30, 2014; appointment of David Moreau, Assistant Principal, effective August 19, 2013 through August 19, 2015; resignation of Rosario G. Lubanga, teacher, effective August 19, 2013;
Correction in appointment: appointment of Caleb Lea, teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through May 22, 2014; and transfer/appointment of Melvin Jackson, In-School Suspension teacher to middle school physical education teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through May 22, 2014, to be paid with district funds.
BUNKIE HIGH SCHOOL/LASAS: Appointment of Patricia Walker, (retired) French teacher, effective August 14, 2013 through December 20, 2013.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Correction in appointment: Appointment of Carolyn Roy Aranyosi, (new) teacher, from half-time to full-time, effective August 6, 2013 through May 22, 2013; and resignation of Craig M. Ratcliff, teacher, effective August 5, 2013.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Lisa J. Edgerson, (new) (TAT) teacher, effective August 7, 2013 through December 20, 2013; Correction in appointment: appointment of Leslie Davis, teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through May 22, 2014; and resignation of Benjamin J. Wood, band director, effective August 15, 2013.
AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Appointment of Catherine Diane Tyler, (retired) part-time Early Childhood Itinerant Teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through December 20, 2013.
ADDENDUM(S)
9/3/2013
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Correction in appointment date: Appointment of Lance J. Oubre, (new) teacher, effective August 6, 2013 through December 20, 2013.
BUNKIE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Melissa Stacey, (new) teacher, effective September 3, 2013 through May 20, 2014.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Suzanne Wright, (new) teacher, effective September 4, 2013 through May 22, 2014.
AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Appointment of Kathleen Rabalais, Educational Diagnostician, effective September 9, 2013 through June 5, 2014.
14. In miscellaneous business, discussion was held on the status of the supply of AEDs and Epi-Pens in the schools. The AEDs have been ordered and should be delivered soon and the Epi-Pens are being provided by Dr. Don Hines at no charge.
Also, the exterior doors for Bunkie Elementary School have been ordered. They are presently under construction and should be ready by the third week of September.
In light of the recent threat which occurred on the campus of Marksville High School on Friday, August 30, 2013, President Michael Lacombe commended the staff of Marksville High School as well as Marksville Elementary School on a job well done during and after the incident. He stated that the lockdown went smoothly per protocol, no one was injured, and all children safely returned home. He did note that a committee will be re-enacting the situation from the beginning of the threat until the children left school in order to determine where improvements can be made in protocol and/or what procedures can be changed or improved in case future incidents occur such as this.
There being no further business, on motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Van Kojis, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Michael Lacombe, President
Dwayne Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer