SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

            The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in special session Tuesday, November 19, 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 John Gagnard.

            Absent:   None.

            An Invocation was offered by Rev. Arthur Lovall.

            The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board Member Shelia Blackman-Dupas.

            1.         Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine stated that Maintenance Supervisor Steve Marcotte will discuss proposed reductions that Contractor Brent Scallan is offering for the Board’s consideration for the modular building at Avoyelles High School.  

                        Mr. Steve Marcottte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board regarding consideration of potential value engineering changes to the Avoyelles High School modular classroom building.  Mr. Marcotte explained cost saving measures that could reduce the price of the project, as follows:

                        (A)        Remove 11 HVAC package units from classrooms. The installation only will be done by the contractor.  The condensation drain is to be installed by owner.  This would result in a savings of $63,785.00.

                        (B)        Plumbing of modular classroom building: (1) Lavatory faucets are changes from motion sensor to push handled delayed flow stop facets, (2) Water coolers supplied by owners, (3) Remove stainless steel wall guard at janitors’ sinks, (4) Change two stainless steel sinks (same brand) and faucet to a more competitive model (same size), (5) Remove backflow preventer and hot box from bid, (6) Marker and tackboard supplied by owner, and (7) Switch plumbing piping from copper to Pex where possible.  This would result in a savings of $75,605.

                                    In addition, Mr. Marcotte stated that Contractor Scallan would spend $1800 on the wind columns if the Board agrees to the original roof which results in another savings of $1800 for the Board.  Also, Architect Jim Guillory agrees to reduce his cost by $1800.  Mr. Marcotte further stated that this would result in an a total reduction in the project to $683,089, however, there would be a shortfall in the projected amount of $298,089, contingent upon the Board accept these value engineering numbers. 

                        A motion was offered by Carlos A.Mayeux, Jr., seconded by James Gauthier, that the Board accept the modification of Sections A and B for the Avoyelles High School project as proposed by Scallan Contractors for a contract reduction of $755,605, thus reducing the contract price to $683,089 which includes a reduction in $1800 in architect’s fees.

                        The motion was adopted by the following vote:

                        Ayes: Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.

                        Nays: Freeman Ford, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, and Lizzie Ned.

            2.         On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation (Holmes versus Avoyelles Parish School Board bearing Civil Action 12,721 on the docket of the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana).

                        The Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 6:30 p.m.

                        On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Board reconvened the meeting in open public session.  MOTION CARRIED.

                        There being no further business, on motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the meeting was adjourned.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Michael Lacombe, President

Dwayne Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer