SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Darrell Wiley, President; Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Vice-President; Freeman Ford, James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Lizzie Ned, Michael Lacombe, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.

            Absent:   None.

An Invocation was offered by Board Member Michael Lacombe.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Miss Cheyanne Brittain, Marksville High School Student of the Month.

1.         On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Thursday, March 6, 2014, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board.  MOTION CARRIED.

2.       Mr. John Gagnard, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Audrey Bordelon, former teacher.

            On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Audrey Bordelon.  MOTION CARRIED.

3.         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: Taylor Moras, Bunkie Elementary School; Aeris Dauzat, Cottonport Elementary School; Zachary Daigrepont, Lafargue Elementary School; Christopher Williams, Marksville Elementary School; Chloe Crawford, Plaucheville Elementary School; Symphoni Vaughn, Riverside Elementary School; Bailey Dauzat, Avoyelles High School; Jerrion Henry, Bunkie High School; Elise Turner, LaSAS; and Cheyanne Brittain, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Darrell Wiley commended the students on their accomplishments.

4.         Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine and Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month.  Mr. Lemoine presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:

Datis Christophe, Sr., Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Melice Newton, Cottonport Elementary School; Carol Simon Daranda, Lafargue Elementary School; Kristy Lonidier, Marksville Elementary School; Lisa Deshautelle, Plaucheville Elementary School; Lauren Hyman, Riverside Elementary School; Renee’ Bell, Avoyelles High School; Caleb Lea, Bunkie New Tech High School; Bonnie Leduc, LaSAS; and Corey Bannister, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Darrell Wiley commended the teachers on their achievements.

5.       Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine recognized Ms. Alicia Williams who has been awarded a LATM travel grant in the amount of $500 to offset costs to attend the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics on April 9-12, 2014.

6.         Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of February, 2014 totaled $529,452.37.  Mr. Ducote stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $453,818.53 and the 0.25% sales tax generated $75,633.84.

7.         Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Transportation Supervisor, presented the bus transportation report for the month of March, 2014.  Mr. Ducote reported that there were two students suspended from the bus in March.  He stated that both students are black females who attend Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy.

8.         Mr. Michael Lacombe, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:

Finance Committee Report

March 18, 2014

The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Michael Lacombe, Chairman; Freeman Ford, Van Kojis, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Darrell Wiley, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent.  Also present were James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, and John Gagnard, Board Members; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Irma Andress, Director of Federal Programs; Becky Spencer, Tech Coordinator; and Richard Robinson, Network Administrator.

1.         Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended to approve requests for overnight travel.   MOTION CARRIED.

2.         Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Finance Committee recommended to advertise for bids on supplies and equipment; non-hazardous waste and disposal; grease trap maintenance; milk, milk products, and juice; bread and bakery products; staple foods; and produce for the 2014-2015 school year.  MOTION CARRIED.

3.         Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended to advertise for a 2013-2014 financial auditor.  MOTION CARRIED.

4.         Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Finance Committee recommended to advertise for fiscal agent for a four-year contract.  MOTION CARRIED.

5.         Mrs. Becky Spencer, Tech Coordinator, presented a report on RFP review for PARCC Technology - Desktop and Labtop Computers.

Report of the Bid-Opening Committee

On February 11, 2014, the Avoyelles Parish School Board issued an RFP to seven computer companies (CDI Computers, Intech, Detel, Howard, CDWG, Dell, and HP) requesting a proposal for laptop and desktop computers.  The RFP was for 363 laptops and 393 desktops that meet all PARCC requirements.  These computers are to be used to satisfy the state’s recommendations for PARCC readiness.

On March 11, 2014, the Avoyelles Parish School Board received three proposals.  The proposals were reviewed by Richard Robinson, Mary Bonnette, Becky Spencer, and Irma Andress in the Board Room at 1:30 p.m.  The review committee recommends DETEL’s proposal.  DETEL is the only company whose proposal met all of the RFP requirements.

Company Name                   Total Cost      Total Cost      Total Cost      Installation Costs

                                                                  Desktops       Laptops

DETEL

Baton Rouge                          $691,746       $350,163       $341,583       Included in the price

CEDI

Canada                                  $509,838       $274,707       $217,437       $17,695

Insight

New Orleans                         $677,553.06  $361,144.35  $316,408.71  Included in the price

            Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended to award the bid to DETEL in the total amount of $691,746 to be funded with oil lease revenues.  MOTION CARRIED.

6.         Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended to include the bid for safety consultant for 2014-2015 in advertisement for insurance bids.  MOTION CARRIED.

7.         Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine discussed the Charter School Application and consideration of a third party review.

Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Finance Committee recommended to hire a third party reviewer and funds are to be derived from the general fund budget.  MOTION CARRIED.

            The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                            Michael Lacombe, Chairman

                                                            Finance Committee

On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by James Gauthier, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Lacombe by the following vote:

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

                        Nays:              Shelia Blackman-Dupas. 

9.         Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:

Building and Lands Committee Report

March 18, 2014

                        The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Van Kojis, Chairman; Michael Lacombe, James Gauthier, Shelia  Blackman-Dupas, Darrell Wiley, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent.  Also present were Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Freeman Ford, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; and Charles Riddle III, District Attorney. 

1.         Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding maintenance items at Bunkie Elementary School’s Pre-K Building.

            The Building and Lands Committee did not take any action on this matter.

2.         Mayor Kenneth Pickett and Councilman Gaon Escude of Mansura addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding an update on the Mansura School.

            The Building and Lands Committee did not take any action on this matter.

3.         Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to grant permission for CLECO to reroute a right-of-way at Bunkie High School.  MOTION CARRIED.

4.         Mr. Charles A. Riddle, III, District Attorney, discussed indemnity lands discovered by Argent that belong to the Avoyelles Parish School Board.

            The Building and Lands 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 Freeman Ford, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee as presented by Chairman Kojis.

10.       Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:

Education Committee Report

March 18, 2014

                        The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

James Gauthier, Chairman; John Gagnard, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Darrell Wiley, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent.  Also present were Freeman Ford, Michael Lacombe, and Van Kojis, Board Members; and Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.  

1.         Ms. Joann Derbonne, Director of Community Services, Christus Cabrini Hospital, addressed the Education Committee regarding a Dental Program for Avoyelles Parish public schools.

                        Upon motion by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, seconded by John Gagnard, the Education Committee recommended that the Board accept the Dental Program as presented by Ms. Derbonne of Christus Cabrini Hospital.  MOTION CARRIED.

2.         Mrs. Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented a discipline report from all schools which include number of write-ups over the past two months, percentage of write-ups actually prosecuted, number of in-school suspensions per month, number of expulsions, and primary reasons for write-ups.

                        The Education Committee did not take any action on this matter.

            The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                            James Gauthier, Chairman

                                                            Education Committee

On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier.  MOTION CARRIED.

11.       Mr. Freeman Ford, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:

 Executive Committee Report

March 25, 2014

                        The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Freeman Ford, Chairman; Lizzie Ned, John Gagnard, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Darrell Wiley, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent of Schools.  Also present were James Gauthier, Michael Lacombe, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance; and Luke Welch, SIS Coordinator.

1.         Mr. Luke Welch, SIS Coordinator, presented a report on the 2014-2015 district calendar.

Report of the 2014-2015 School Calendar

The Calendar Committee met on February 20, 2014 to develop a basic calendar for the 2014-2015 school year.  Four proposals were voted on by the school administrators and the calendar committee.  The two proposals receiving the most votes are presented for your consideration.

                                    Similarities:

<        176 student days - 88 student days per term/semester

<        Starting date (8/11/2014) and ending date (5/20/2015) are the same

<        Parent Nights (3:30-6:30) will be held on EITHER the Progress Report date OR the Report Card date in each term. Schools must indicate which dates they will be having Parent Nights prior to the beginning of the school year with the Superintendent’s approval.

<        Staff Development

          Three Staff Development days before school.

          Two Parent/Teacher Conferences (dates differ by proposal)

          One Staff Development Day after the Christmas Break

          One Staff Development Day at the end of the year

<        All Holidays are the same except for Mardi Gras and Easter

                                    Proposal A

                                    Mari Gras Holiday - February 16-17 (2 days)

Easter Holiday - March 30 - April 6 (6 days). This is the entire week before Easter and the Monday after Easter.  Testing is 7 days later.

                                    Proposal B

                                    Mardi Gras Holiday - February 13-17 (3 days)

Easter Holiday - April 1- 7 (5 days).  This begins the Wednesday before Easter through the Tuesday after Easter.  Testing is 6 days later.

A motion was offered by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by John Gagnard, to adopt Proposal B.  The motion failed by the following tie vote: Ayes: Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr. and John Gagnard.  Nays: Lizzie Ned and Darrell Wiley.  Absent:  Freeman Ford.

Upon motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Executive Committee recommended to adopt Proposal A for the 2014-2015 School Calendar.  The motion was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Lizzie Ned, Darrell Wiley, and Freeman Ford.  Nays: Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr. and John Gagnard.  MOTION CARRIED.

2.         Mrs. Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, requested approval of the 2014-2015 Student Handbook.   Mrs. Bain reviewed changes to the handbook, as follows:

                                    a.  Types of Grades:

1.         Daily grades shall be recorded either as numbers or letters and converted to a letter grade on the report card.

2.         If a teacher uses number grades, a “O” may be assigned only under the following conditions: (a) student cheating on a test, and (b) student making no attempt to take the test (i.e. only signing his/her name and turning it in).  REMEMBER A STUDENT WHO IS SUSPENDED IS ALLOWED TO MAKE-UP HIS/HER WORK, INCLUDING TESTS.

The lowest numerical “F” recorded on reasonably attempted work shall be a “50" for honors and a “60" for non-honors.

Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended that the Board adopt the policy as presented. MOTION CARRIED.

3.         Mrs. Debbie Bain, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated, as follows:

(a)       File: GAMG               Dangerous Weapons

(b)       File: GAMEB             Employee Alcohol and Drug Testing Commercial Drivers’ Licenses Holders

(c)       File: GAMEA             Alcohol and Drug Testing - General Employees

(d)       File: ECA                   Use of Equipment

(e)       File: EBCA                Vandalism, Theft, and Arson

Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Executive Committee recommended to adopt all policy revisions as presented.  MOTION CARRIED.

4.         Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, addressed the Executive Committee regarding Bancorp South Insurance Services, Incorporated to provide health care reform consulting services.

Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by John Gagnard, the Executive Committee recommended that the Board approve consulting services from Bancorp South Insurance Services, Incorporated to provide health care reform consulting services in the amount of $4800 per year.  MOTION CARRIED.

The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                            Freeman Ford, Chairman

                                                            Executive Committee

On motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Board adopted the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Ford.  MOTION CARRIED.

12.       Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:

PERSONNEL CHANGES

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Re-appointment of Mildred Jackson, (retired) teacher, effective March 10, 2014 through April 10, 2014, replacing Sarah Armand while on leave; resignation of Vernon Ducote, bus driver, effective at the end of the day May 31, 2014, for the purpose of retirement; and resignation of Lorraine Eggins, food service technician, effective February 11, 2014          

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Angela Blanchard, teacher, effective at the end of the day May 23, 2014, for the purpose of retirement.

LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Carol E. Simon, teacher, effective May 24, 2014, for the purpose of retirement.

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Robyn Desotell, (TAT) teacher, effective March 10, 2014 through May 23, 2014, replacing Jenise Borrel; resignation of Ann Jenise Borrel, teacher, effective April 11, 2014, for the purpose of retirement; resignation of Robin Jouglard, teacher, effective March 24, 2014; and resignation of Catherine Brouillette, Principal, effective June 30, 2014, for the purpose of retirement.

RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Kenneth Maillet, (retired) Dean of Students, effective March 24, 2014 through May 23, 2014.

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Carlos Pennywell, (TAT) teacher, effective March 17, 2014 through May 23, 2014, replacing Marc Blake.

LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Resignation of Mary Lucille Guillory, R.N., effective May 23, 2014.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Thomas Roy, (retired) Itinerant teacher, effective March 17, 2014 through May 23, 2014, replacing Houston Brewer while on leave.

AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Resignation of Gilda Compton, Gifted Teacher, effective at the end of the day May 27, 2014, for the purpose of retirement.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CENTRAL OFFICE:  Resignation of Linda Sayer, food service secretary, effective at the end of the day June 30, 2014, for the purpose of retirement; and resignation of Connie C. Ducote, secretary of Federal Programs, effective at the end of the day June 30, 2014, for the purpose of retirement.

ADDENDUM(S)

4/1/2014

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Teresa Gauthier, teacher, effective April 14, 2014 through May 23, 2014; and re-appointment of Queen Alexander, (retired) special education teacher, effective April 14, 2014 through May 23, 2014.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL DISTRICT: Renewal of administrative contract for Luke Welch, SIS/JPAMS Coordinator, effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2016.

13.       President Darrell Wiley announced that the Avoyelles Parish School Board will meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the School Board Office, 221 Tunica Drive West, Marksville, Louisiana to levy the 2014 millage rates.

There being no further business, on motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Freeman Ford, the meeting was adjourned.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Darrell Wiley, President

Dwayne Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer