SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, December 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., Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
Absent: Shelia Blackman-Dupas and James Gauthier. Ms. Dupas was absent due to illness.
An Invocation was offered by Mr. Dexter Compton, Principal of Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board Member Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr.
1. On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, November 5, 2013, and the special Board meeting held Tuesday, November 19, 2013, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED.
President Michael Lacombe announced that the 76th Annual LSBA Convention will be held in Baton Rouge on January 20-23, 2014. He also noted that the Board’s annual Christmas party is set for December 16.
2. Mr. Van Kojis, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Walter Brister, Jr., former teacher and coach.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Walter Brister, Jr. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mr. Van Kojis, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Patricia Feeney, former teacher.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Patricia Feeney. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Mr. John Gagnard, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Lucille M. Schwartzenburg, former teacher and principal.
On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Lucille M. Schwartzenburg. MOTION CARRIED.
At this point in the meeting, President Michael Lacombe recognized Mr. John Lemoine, Mayor of Marksville, in the audience tonight.
5. 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: Rylie Ferguson, Bunkie Elementary School; Arianna Casson, Cottonport Elementary School; Allanah Dauzat, Lafargue Elementary School; Ella Carmouche, Marksville Elementary School; Natalie Rabalais, Plaucheville Elementary School; Nickolas Jeansonne, Riverside Elementary School; Destanie Guillot, Avoyelles High School; Madison Hukins, Bunkie High School; Hunter Bordelon, LaSAS; and Courtney Couvillion, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the students on their accomplishments.
Ms. Lizzie Ned, Board Member, arrived at this point in the meeting. Also at this time, President Michael Lacombe recognized Colonel Charles Jones, President of the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury, in the audience tonight.
6. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine and Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month. Mr. Lemoine presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Jessica Juneau, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Angela Blanchard, Cottonport Elementary School; Jennifer Rogers, Lafargue Elementary School; Lisa Laborde, Marksville Elementary School; Pamela Rabalais, Plaucheville Elementary School; Kristi Cochran, Riverside Elementary School; Stephanie Marino, Avoyelles High School; Shelly Hall, Bunkie New Tech High School; Carolyn Roy, LaSAS; and Leslie Davis, Marksville High School.
At this time, Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine announced that the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has put a freeze on the Common Core Curriculum and teacher assessments for the next two years and will be implementing changes to the accountability laws in the state.
7. Mr. Walter Rogers, Temporary Director of The Kennedy Center, addressed the Board. Mr. Rogers presented an update report to the Board.
8. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of October, 2013 totaled $683,166.21. Mr. Ducote stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $586,218.41 and the 0.25% sales tax generated $96,947.80.
9. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Transportation Supervisor, presented a bus transportation report for the month of November, 2013. Mr. Ducote stated that no students parish-wide were suspended from school buses during this month.
10. Ms. Aloysia Ducote, CPA, Ducote and Company, presented a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013. Ms. Ducote stated that their firm issued an unqualified opinion for fiscal year audit 2012-2013, and she stated there were no material instances of non-compliance with government auditing standards.
Mrs. Ducote commended the Board as well as the staff for maintaining sound fiscal management practices.
11. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, addressed the Board regarding permission to begin the E-Rate process for the 2014-2015 school year.
On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Board granted permission for the Superintendent and his staff to begin the E-Rate process for the 2014-2015 school year. MOTION CARRIED.
12. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board regarding the LaSAS gymnasium floor. The contractor, Migues Deloach, had conducted moisture content testing on the floor and has proposed to install a floating floor at no cost to the Board.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board hereby authorizes Mr. Anthony Salario, Board Attorney, to accept the proposal from Migues Deloach and grant permission to proceed with installation of the floating floor, as per the specifications, at no cost to the Board. MOTION CARRIED.
13. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine reviewed the Seven-Year Plan and expenditures for each school. This report, along with Dr. William Gordon’s facilities analysis as well as the report by facilities expert Mr. Frank Brewer, will be presented to the Justice Department on Thursday, December 5, 2013 by Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine and District Attorney Charles Riddle.
14. Mr. Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:
Finance Committee Report
November 12, 2013
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Van Kojis, Freeman Ford, Michael Lacombe, and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance; James Guillory, Architect; and Brent Scallan, Contractor.
1. Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended to approve requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Lemoine. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mrs. Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, addressed the Finance Committee regarding the cost to implement the Crisis Taskforce.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended to move items forward to the Needs Assessment Committee. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, discussed the LaSAS budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the LaSAS budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Mr. Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Chairman of the Finance Committee, addressed the committee regarding the funding source for resource officers. The committee noted that the funding source for resource officers will be derived from the general fund.
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.
15. Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
November 12, 2013
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Van Kojis, Chairman; Lizzie Ned, James Gauthier, Darrell Wiley, Michael Lacombe, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., and John Gagnard, Board Members; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. The Building and Lands Committee acknowledged a proposal from Mr. Howard Desselle regarding a proposed land swap.
2. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented an update on the LaSAS gymnasium floor.
Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to ask an attorney to contact Migues Deloach to install the floating floor, as per the specifications, at no cost to the Board. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented an update on Section 16 lands. 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
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Kojis. MOTION CARRIED.
16. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
12/3/2013
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Gene Normand, bus driver, effective December 4, 2013, replacing Deidre Bonton who transferred to another route.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Tyronnica C. Mingo, (TAT) Title I Pre-K teacher, effective November 7, 2013 through December 20, 2013, replacing Vickie Mayeux while on leave; appointment of Teresa C. Gauthier, teacher, effective October 24, 2013 through December 20, 2013, replacing Rebecca Gremillion who resigned; transfer/appointment of Deidre Bonton, bus driver, effective December 4, 2013, replacing Christy Tassin who transferred to another route; appointment of Bernice M. Knott, food service technician, effective December 2, 2013; appointment of June A. Mayeaux, food service technician, effective December 2, 2013; and appointment of Clofer E. Johnson, food service technician, effective December 2, 2013.
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Katherine Bunn, teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014, replacing Deree Vicknair while on leave; transfer/appointment of Christy Tassin, bus driver, effective December 4, 2013, replacing Jamie Barbry who transferred to another route; and transfer/appointment of Jamie Barbry, bus driver, effective December 4, 2013, replacing Linda Gagnard who resigned.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Gertrude Milligan, (retired) Kindergarten teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Gail Harvey, (retired) In-School Suspension Teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; and appointment of Melissa K. Wiley, food service technician, effective December 2, 2013.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Bessie Bannister, (retired) In-School Suspension teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Marjorie Gaines, (retired) Media Specialist/Interventionist, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Susan Ussery, (retired) Pre-K LA 4 teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Craig Normand, teacher, effective January 13, 2014 through May 22, 2014; and re-appointment of Cecelia Clark, (TAT) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014.
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Josephine Stevenson, (retired) teacher,
effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Jonathan Gardner, teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014, replacing Rene Corley while on leave; re-appointment of Lance Oubre, teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Anne Dorgant, (retired) part-time French teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Janine Mury, (retired) Severe Profound teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; appointment of Debby L. Lawrence, teacher, effective November 12, 2013 through December 20, 2013, replacing Stephanie Rogers while on leave; and transfer/appointment of Alis Chaudoir, Severe Profound teacher, effective December 2, 2013 through May 22, 2014.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Re-appointment of Dan Soldani, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Charlotte Kelly, (retired) French teacher (1/2 day), effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Megan Anderson, Family and Consumer Science Teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; and re-appointment of Bonnie Leduc, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Corey Bannister, (TAT) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; transfer/appointment of Cherrie Callahan, (retired) Severe Profound teacher, effective December 2, 2013 through December 20, 2013; and re-appointment of Cherrie Callahan, (retired) Severe Profound teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014.
AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Appointment of Lillie D. Armand, speech therapist, effective November 4, 2013 through May 22, 2014, replacing Anna Barnes who resigned;
and re-appointment of Catherine D. Tyler, (retired) Early Childhood Itinerant (part-time), effective January 6, 2013 through May 22, 2014.
ADDENDUM(S)
12/3/2013
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Peggy Joshua, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 30, 2014; and resignation of Janet Bledsoe, teacher, December 2, 2013.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Christina Coker, (TAT) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Lauren Ducote, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Mae Pearl Gaines, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Howard Jeansonne, (retired) special education teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Queen Alexander, (retired) special education teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through February 6, 2014; re-appointment of Teresa Gauthier, teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through February 6, 2014; and re-appointment of Tyronnica Mingo, (TAT) Title I Pre-K teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through February 6, 2014, replacing Vickie Mayeux.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Jonathan W. Gardner, teacher, effective December 2, 2013.
BUNKIE HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Matt Murdock, (retired) Dean of Discipline teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Phyllis Morris, (retired) special education teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014; re-appointment of Samana Davis, (TAT) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through April 15, 2014; and re-appointment of Melissa Stacey, (TAT) teacher, effective January 6, 2014 through May 22, 2014.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Kimberly Diaz, teacher, effective at the end of the day December 20, 2013.
At this point, Ms. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, announced that a job fair will be held on Monday, December 9, 2013.
17. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented a request for approval of a lease agreement by the National Health Institute for the use of the Hessmer school site for the purpose of conducting research for a nationwide nutrition and health survey.
On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Board hereby approves the lease agreement between the Avoyelles Parish School Board and the National Health Institute to lease the Hessmer school site for a period of three months. MOTION CARRIED.
18. On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation (Omni Care versus Avoyelles Parish School Board); and for the purpose of discussing an appeal to an expulsion.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 7:19 p.m.
A motion was made by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., that the Board uphold Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine’s recommendation for expulsion. The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Freeman Ford, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Michael Lacombe,
Darrell Wiley, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
Nays: Lizzie Ned.
There being no further business, on motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Michael Lacombe, President
Dwayne Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer