SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Darrell Wiley, President; Freeman Ford, James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, Michael Lacombe, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
Absent: Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Vice-President; and Shelia Blackman-Dupas.
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 Board Member James Gauthier.
On behalf of the Board, President Darrell Wiley congratulated Ms. Lizzie Ned in her re-election to the School Board for District 6. President Wiley also recognized newly-elected Board Member Chris Lacour from District 3.
1. On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by James Gauthier, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, October 7, 2014, and Tuesday, October 14, 2014, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mr. Michael Lacombe, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Frankie Gauthier, former teacher.
On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Frankie Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mr. John Gagnard, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Clarence Jones, former teacher.
On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by James Gauthier, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Clarence Jones. MOTION CARRIED.
Board Member Freeman Ford entered the meeting at approximately 5:09 p.m.
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 include: Damarion Alfred, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Donovan Williams, Cottonport Elementary School; Trinity Johnson, Lafargue Elementary School; Ethan Pitre, Marksville Elementary School; Harmony Tassin, Plaucheville Elementary School; Jervez Wright, Riverside Elementary School; Mallory Coco, Avoyelles High School; Emily Prudhomme, Bunkie New Tech High School; Ethan Mayeux, LaSAS; and Johnathan Ebey, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Darrell Wiley commended the students on their accomplishments.
5. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine and Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month. Mr. Lemoine presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Michelle Spikes, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Sandra Smith, Cottonport Elementary School; Renee Turner, Lafargue Elementary School; Quintin Demouy, Marksville Elementary School; Lindsay Gremillion, Plaucheville Elementary School; Yvonne Saucier, Riverside Elementary School; Stephanie Marino, Avoyelles High School; Carla Moreau, Bunkie New Tech High School; Liza Jacobs, LaSAS; and Joshua Haston, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Darrell Wiley commended the teachers on their achievements.
6. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of September, 2014 totaled $619,545.82. Mr. Ducote stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $531,039.46 and the 0.25% sales tax generated $88,506.36.
7. On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board approved the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire and System Survey. MOTION CARRIED.
8. On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Board approved the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire and System Survey for LaSAS. MOTION CARRIED.
9. Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, presented the following report:
Ad Hoc Committee Report
October 22, 2014
The Ad Hoc Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at 4:50 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present: Van Kojis, Chairman; Freeman Ford, James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, and Michael Lacombe. Also present were John Gagnard, Board Member; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent.
The Ad Hoc Committee met to establish the timeline and procedures for hiring a superintendent.
The district will advertise for three (3) weeks in the following newspapers:
(a) Baton Rouge Advocate
(b) Alexandria Town Talk
(c) Daily Advertiser of Lafayette
(d) New Orleans Times-Picayune
(e) Shreveport Times
(f) Local newspapers: The Weekly News, The Avoyelles Journal, and The Bunkie Record
Sundays only advertisement for the dates of:
November 2, 2014
November 9, 2014
November 16, 2014
November 23, 2014
(Dates amended due to required adoption of timeline/procedures by Board)
The Vacancy Notice will also be posted on the Avoyelles Parish School Board website along with a copy of the application.
Applications are due by noon on Friday, December 19, 2014. Applications will be submitted to Board President Darrell Wiley, and applicants’ certification will be verified by Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent.
The term of the contract is negotiable.
First round of interviews will be conducted on January 13, 2015. Each applicant will present a brief introduction in front of the entire Board.
The Board will interview a maximum of five (5) applicants per night. Interviews will be scheduled alphabetically.
After all applicants have been interviewed, the Board will notify each applicant of their status in the selection pool. The Board will narrow the selection to three (3) candidates. The Board will then vote on the top three (3) candidates.
February 3, 2015 is the date scheduled to vote for and appoint the next superintendent.
Upon motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Ad Hoc Committee recommended to accept the timeline and procedures for hiring a superintendent. MOTION CARRIED.
Meeting adjourned.
On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Ad Hoc Committee meeting was adjourned.
Van Kojis, Chairman
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted the Ad Hoc Committee meeting report with amended advertisement dates as presented by Chairman Kojis. MOTION CARRIED.
10. Ms. Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, presented a Wellness Report to the Board.
11. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine addressed the Board regarding Act 570, which governs tenured teacher termination. Mr. Lemoine also requested permission from the Board to name Attorneys Douglas L. Bryan and Danielle S. Ryland as hearing officers for the Avoyelles Parish School Board as per Act 570.
On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Board granted permission to name Attorneys Douglas L. Bryan and Danielle S. Ryland as hearing officers for the Avoyelles Parish School Board as per Act 570. MOTION CARRIED.
12. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated for the Board’s approval, as follows:
File: ABCC Term of Office
File: BCBB Notification of Board Meetings
File: BCBD Agenda Preparation and Dissemination
File: BCBH Minutes of School Board Meeting
File: BCBK Executive Sessions
File: EDD School Bus Scheduling and Routing
File: GBRJ Substitute Personnel
File: ID Curriculum
File: JBC School Admission
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board approved the policies as presented by Superintendent Lemoine. MOTION CARRIED.
13. Mr. Michael Lacombe, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:
Finance Committee Report
October 21, 2014
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 21, 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 and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and other personnel.
1. Upon motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended to approve requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Lemoine. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, addressed the Finance Committee regarding investments with Capital One.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., the Finance Committee recommended to participate in an investment program with Capital One Bank and to allow the Finance Director to make necessary investments as approved by the Superintendent. MOTION CARRIED.
The Finance Committee respectfully requests 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. MOTION CARRIED.
14. Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
October 21, 2014
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Van Kojis, Chairman; Michael Lacombe, James Gauthier, Darrell Wiley, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Mrs. Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Freeman Ford, and John Gagnard, Board Members; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented an appraisal for an easement to run a water line on Pecan Drive (Spring Bayou) on Section 16 properties.
Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Building and Lands Committee recommended that the Board grant the easement to run a water line on Little
River Road on Section 16 properties in the amount of $1600. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Upon motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by James Gauthier, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve a right of entry and temporary drainage agreement with the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury on a parcel of property located in Section 45, Township 1 North, Range 3 East, Southwestern Land District, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. MOTION CARRIED.
The Building and Lands Committee respectfully requests the adoption of this report.
Van Kojis, Chairman
Building and Lands Committee
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Kojis. MOTION CARRIED.
15. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:
Education Committee Report
October 21, 2014
The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
James Gauthier, Chairman; John Gagnard, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., Darrell Wiley, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Michael Lacombe, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Irma Andress, Director of Federal Programs.
1. Mrs. Irma Andress, Director of Federal Programs, presented a report on REAP Grants. The Education Committee did not take any action on this report.
2. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented an update on district performance scores to the Education Committee. The Education Committee did not take any action on this matter.
The Education Committee respectfully requests the adoption of this report.
James Gauthier, Chairman
Education Committee
On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED.
16. Mr. John Gagnard, Chairman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:
Bus Committee Report
October 28, 2014
The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
James Gauthier, Michael Lacombe, Lizzie Ned, Darrell Wiley, President; and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent. Mr. John Gagnard, Chairman, was absent. Also present were Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr. and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Wilfred Ducote, Transportation Supervisor.
1. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Transportation Supervisor, addressed the Bus Committee regarding Act 654 which deals with bus drivers and their routes.
The Bus Committee recommended to study this matter and not take any action at this time.
The Bus Committee respectfully requests the adoption of this report.
Darrell Wiley, President
On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gagnard. MOTION CARRIED.
17. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater presented personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Scotty P. Dauzat, bus driver, effective October 13, 2014; and Resignation of Priscilla S. Whittington, food service technician, effective at the end of the day October 8, 2014.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Tonya M. Guillory, teacher, effective October 19, 2014; and Resignation of Porsha Bradley, special education teacher, effective December 1, 2014.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Anne Lemoine, band director, effective October 6, 2014 to November 7, 2014; and Appointment of Bernadette Goody, (retired) teacher, effective October 7, 2014 through November 17, 2014.
BUNKIE NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Valerie Chesne, teacher, effective October 20, 2014 through November 21, 2014; Re-appointment of Candi Williams, (TAT) teacher, effective October 20, 2014 through November 21, 2014; and Re-appointment of Brandi Williams, (TAT) teacher, effective October 20, 2014 through November 21, 2014.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Vincent Normand, (TAT) Journey to Careers teacher, effective September 15, 2014 through December 19, 2014; and Resignation of Dolly Rousseau, teacher, effective October 27, 2014.
ADDENDUM(S)
11/5/2014
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Jeremy P. Mayeux, teacher, effective November 10, 2014 through May 21, 2015, replacing Dolly Rousseau.
18. Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine announced that Sheriff Doug Anderson will be closing the prison in Simmesport, possibly within the next thirty (30) days; thus, the school will be vacated.
19. On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter; and for the purpose of discussing pending litigation (Avoyelles Parish School Board versus United States of America, United States Department of the Interior for the Use and Benefit of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, et al, Docket Number 08-1374). MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 6:36 p.m.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board approved amending Louisiana legislation in reference to Section 16 lands inside and outside of Avoyelles Parish. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business, on motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Van Kojis, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Darrell Wiley, President
Dwayne Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer