SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, December 2, 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 Lizzie Ned.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board Member Michael Lacombe.

             1.          On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by James Gauthier, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Wednesday, November 5, 2014, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board.  MOTION CARRIED.

             2.          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: Callie McKnight, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Tatiana Francisco, Cottonport Elementary School; Madison Bordelon, Lafargue Elementary School; Tristen Tassin, Marksville Elementary School; Josiah Fountain, Plaucheville Elementary School; Edgar Stevenson, Riverside Elementary School; Phillip Augustine, Avoyelles High School; Akshay Patel, Bunkie New Tech High School; Shehava Fulton, LaSAS; and Deondre Pierite, Marksville High School.

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

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

                           Ilene Murdock, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Michelle Ciudadano, Cottonport Elementary School; Linda Gagnard, Lafargue Elementary School; Teodocia Magday, Marksville Elementary School; Casey Foret, Plaucheville Elementary School; Wanda Brown, Riverside Elementary School; Kaitlyn Glorioso, Avoyelles High School; Reginald Davis, Bunkie New Tech High School; Julie Humble, LaSAS; and Kaitlin Cassity, Marksville High School. 

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

             4.          Dr.  Scott Baldridge of Louisiana State University addressed the Board regarding Eureka Mathematics.  He is the lead author and mathematician of the Eureka Math curriculum.  Dr. Baldridge presented examples of math problems and their solutions in order to explain and simplify this math program which many parents, teachers, and students are struggling with.  He answered questions from the Board and audience for an insightful presentation. 

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

Finance Committee Report

November 12, 2014

                           The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

                           Michael Lacombe, Chairman; Freeman Ford, Van Kojis, and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent.  Mr. Darrell Wiley, President; and Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr. were absent.  Also present were James Gauthier and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Chris Lacour, Board Member-Elect.

                           1.          Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Freeman Ford, 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 approval of electronic check stubs.

                                        Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Van Kojis, the Finance Committee recommended approval to contract with National Payment Corporation after the first of the year to provide electronic check stubs and W-2 forms commencing 2015.  MOTION CARRIED.

                           The Finance Committee respectfully requests the adoption of this report.

                                                                  Michael Lacombe, Chairman

                                                                  Finance Committee

                           On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Lacombe.  MOTION CARRIED.

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

Building and Lands Committee Report

November 12, 2014

                           The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

                           Van Kojis, Chairman; Michael Lacombe, James Gauthier, and Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent.  Mr. Darrell Wiley, President; and Mrs. Shelia Blackman-Dupas were absent.  Also present were  Freeman Ford and John Gagnard, Board Members; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.

                           1.          Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a report of the bid-opening committee for repairs for the Marksville High School Auditorium.

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

                           2.          Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding entering into an intergovernmental agreement with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for maintenance of a wildlife management road.

                                        Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Building and Lands Committee recommended that the Board enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for maintenance of a wildlife management road.  MOTION CARRIED.

                           The Building and Lands Committee respectfully requests the adoption of this report.

                                                                                Van Kojis, Chairman

                                                                                Building and Lands Committee

                           On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Board awarded the bid for repairs for the Marksville High School Auditorium to Scallan Contractors, not to exceed $220,000.  MOTION CARRIED.

                           On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Freeman Ford,  the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Kojis.  MOTION CARRIED.

7.          Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine presented personnel changes for the Board’s

review, as follows:

PERSONNEL CHANGES

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Re-appointment of Datis Christophe, (TAT) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Josie Green, (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015;  Re-appointment of Doris Leary, (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Diana Sheppard, (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Shelia Waddy, (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015;  Re-appointment of Peggy Joshua, (retired) Kindergarten teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; and Re-appointment of Shea Jeansonne, (TAT) Adaptive physical education teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015.

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Lauren Ducote, (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Amanda Gauthier, (TAT) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Sandra Smith, (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Lontage Woods, (TAT) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Casey Nastasi, (TAT) Kindergarten teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; and Re-appointment of Howard Jeansonne, (retired) Self-contained teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015.

LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Lucy Jacobs, food service technician, effective October 27, 2014.

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Robyn Desotell, (TAT) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through March 25, 2015; Re-appointment of Curtis Bertrand, (TAT) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Gertrude Milligan, (retired) Kindergarten teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; and  Re-appointment of Gail Harvey, (retired) Dean of Students, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015.

PLAUCHEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Marjorie Gaines, (retired) Media Specialist/Interventionist, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Luis Ramirez, (TAT) Physical education teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Bessie Bannister, (retired) In-School Suspension teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Appointment of Tiffany C. Rabalais, special education teacher, effective December 1, 2014 through May 21, 2015, replacing Porsha Bradley; and Resignation of Kelly L. Secrist, teacher, effective December 1, 2014.

RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Josephine Stevenson, (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015;  Re-appointment of Vanessa Batiste (TAT) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; and Resignation of Amy Ryan, teacher, effective  at the end of the day November 21, 2014.   

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Mackenzie Foreman, (TAT) teacher, effective October 27, 2014 through December 19, 2014. Re-appointment of Anne Lemoine, band director, effective November 10, 2014 through December 19, 2014; and Re-appointment of Janine Mury, (retired) Severe profound teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015.

BUNKIE NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Phyllis Morris, (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015;  Re-appointment of Valerie Chesne, teacher, December 1, 2014 through December 19, 2014; Re-appointment of Candi Williams, teacher, effective December 1, 2014 through December 19, 2014; Re-appointment of Brandi Williams, teacher, effective December 1, 2014 through December 19, 2014; and Re-appointment of Matthew Murdock, (retired) Dean of Students, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015.

LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Resignation of Melissa Williams, teacher, effective at end of day November 12, 2014; Re-appointment of Kendall Ryland (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015;  Re-appointment of Brandon Sostand, (TAT) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through March 28, 2015; Re-appointment of Bonnie Leduc (retired) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Change in appointment status: Appointment of Wayne Lemoine, from JAG teacher to Mathematics teacher, effective November 17, 2014 through December 19, 2014, replacing Melissa Williams; Appointment of Charles Robinson, (retired) JAG teacher, effective November 17, 2014 through December 19, 2014, replacing Wayne Lemoine; and Re-appointment of Wayne Lemoine (retired) JAG teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Dennis K. Sanders, Jr., band director, effective November 5, 2014; Resignation of Syril L. Jackson, teacher, effective at the end of the day November 7, 2014; Resignation of Dan Murphy, teacher, effective at the end of the day November 21, 2014; Re-appointment of Catherine Wittenberg, (TAT) teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Vincent Normand, (TAT) Journey to Careers teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Cherrie Callahan (retired) Mild/moderate self-contained teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Re-appointment of Thomas Roy, (retired) Mild/moderate itinerant teacher, effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; Correction in appointment: Appointment of Jeremy Mayeux, teacher, effective November 10, 2014 to May 21, 2015, replacing Syril J. Jackson; Appointment of Tralanya Wilson, teacher, effective November 10, 2014 through December 19, 2014, replacing Dolly Rousseau; and Appointment of Mia C. Lamkin, teacher, effective December 1, 2014 through May 21, 2015, replacing Daniel Murphy.

AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Re-appointment of Ronald Roy, (retired) Gifted and talented teacher (part-time), effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015; and Re-appointment of Catherine D. Tyler, (retired) Early Childhood Itinerant teacher (part-time), effective January 5, 2015 through May 21, 2015.

             8.          On motion by Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., seconded by John Gagnard, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session to discuss a discipline appeal and to discuss 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.)  MOTION CARRIED.

                           On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 6:36 p.m.

                           A motion was made by James Gauthier, seconded by Van Kojis, that the Board accept Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine’s recommendation that the student discussed in Executive Session be expelled.  The motion was adopted by the following vote:

                           Ayes:                 Darrell Wiley, Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr., James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Lizzie Ned, Michael Lacombe, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.

                           Nays:                 Freeman Ford.

                           On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Board named Dr. Percy Bates as mediator for the Avoyelles Parish School Board desegregation case at the request of Judge  Dee Drell.  MOTION CARRIED.

             9.          In miscellaneous business, President Darrell Wiley thanked Vice-President Carlos A. Mayeux, Jr. for serving the public through the Avoyelles Parish School System for so many years.  Several Board Members also thanked Mr. Mayeux for his wisdom and guidance in serving on the School Board and wished him well in his retirement.  Mr. Mayeux stated he was honored to serve and will continue his work in helping the school system.  Also, he wished Mr. Chris Lacour well as his successor on the Board, and he commended Superintendent Dwayne Lemoine for his leadership over the years.

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

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Darrell Wiley, President

Dwayne Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer