SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Michael Lacombe, President; Darrell Wiley, Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Lizzie Ned, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
Absent: Freeman Ford.
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 Chris LaCour.
1. On motion by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, March 3, 2015, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED.
2. President Michael Lacombe called for nominations for the office of Vice-President of the Board.
Board Member Van Kojis placed the name of Darrell Wiley in nomination for the office of Vice-President of the Board. Board Member John Gagnard seconded the nomination.
There were no other nominations
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the nominations were closed. Darrell Wiley was elected Vice-President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board without opposition.
3. Board Member Van Kojis read a resolution of respect to the late Patricia Lacombe, former paraprofessional.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Patricia Lacombe. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Josephine Seales, former paraprofessional.
On motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Josephine Seales. MOTION CARRIED.
5. Mr. Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent, recognized the Students of the Month for April. Mr. Dauzat 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: Patrick Redmond, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Tayron Jacobs, Cottonport Elementary School; Madison Dauzat, Lafargue Elementary School; Londyn Brister, Marksville Elementary School; Caden Devereaux, Plaucheville Elementary School; Zaylin Sherman, Riverside Elementary School; Jada Owens, Avoyelles High School; Dyllon Gauthier, Bunkie New Tech High School; Sara Flynn, LaSAS; and Kamryn Guilbeau, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the students on their accomplishments.
6. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, recognized the Teachers of the Month for April. Mrs. Prater presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Shannon Jeansonne, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; April Book, Cottonport Elementary School; Michelle Gauthier, Lafargue Elementary School; Judy Mathews, Marksville Elementary School; Britnee Daranda, Plaucheville Elementary School; Kayla Bordelon, Riverside Elementary School; Kelsey Osman, Avoyelles High School; Jill Tasssin, Bunkie New Tech High School; Virginia Laborde, LaSAS; and Sabrini Washington, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the teachers on their achievements.
7. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented training certificates to Board Members for the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 from the Louisiana School Boards Association. Certificates were issued to Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier, Michael Lacombe, Van Kojis, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Lizzie Ned, and John Gagnard.
8. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of February, 2015 totaled $546,143.56. Mr. Ducote stated that of this amount the 1.5% tax generated $468,123.10 and the 0.25% tax generated $78,020.46.
Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of March, 2015 totaled $573,377.32. Mr. Ducote stated that of this amount the 1.5% tax generated $491,466.36 and the 0.25% tax generated $81,910.96.
9. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a bid-opening committee report on janitorial supplies, air conditioner filters, paint, supplies and equipment, and light bulbs.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board accepted the bid-opening committee’s report for the 2015-2016 school year. MOTION CARRIED.
10. President Michael Lacombe addressed the Board regarding review of the appraisal of Section 16 lands and cost of user permits. Many concerned citizens in the audience urged the Board to have another appraisal done by a different appraiser and voiced their opinions about the unfairness of the original land appraisals, especially since improvements to the properties were paid for by the camp owners themselves. Several people questioned the much higher cost of a new appraisal by a different appraiser and having to wait 3-6 months before it could occur. Others were concerned about people on fixed incomes who make their homes on the leased land. President Michael Lacombe stated that the issue regarding cost of user permits would be referred back to the Ad Hoc Committee for further review.
Board Member John Gagnard offered a motion, seconded by Chris LaCour, that the original appraiser review the leases of the Section 16 lands, recalculate the appraisals using a 4-tier method (Tier 1–those with waterfront with utilities and road access; Tier 2–those without waterfront but with utilities and road access; Tier 3–those with utilities but no road access; Tier 4–those without utilities and no road access).
The motion failed by the following tie vote:
Ayes: John Gagnard, Chris LaCour, Van Kojis, and Michael Lacombe.
Nays: James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Darrell Wiley, and Lizzie Ned.
11. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat stated that he was in receipt of a letter from the Department of Transportation and Development regarding construction of turning lanes at Lafargue Elementary School, LaSAS, and Bunkie New Tech High School. Unfortunately, this task is nearly impossible due to the cost being approximately $2 million and the issues of not having enough space for the turning lanes and the complication of obtaining right-of-ways, etc. He stated, however, the Board could possibly revisit this issue in the future.
12. Mrs. Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, presented a report on the Food Service Desk Audit and stated that the Administrative Review went very well.
13. Mr. Michael Lacombe, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:
Finance Committee Report
March 10, 2015
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Michael Lacombe, Chairman; Freeman Ford, John Gagnard, Chris LaCour, Van Kojis, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Darrell Wiley, Lizzie Ned, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Wilfred Ducote, Transportation Supervisor/Sales Tax Collector; and Jaimie Lacombe, Accountant.
1. Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by John Gagnard, the Finance Committee recommended approval of requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Dauzat. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, reviewed revisions to the 2014-2015 General Fund Budget.
Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Finance Committee recommended to adopt the revisions of the 2014-2015 General Fund Budget as presented by Mrs. Bonnette. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Board Member, addressed the Finance Committee regarding reorganization of the Finance Department.
Mrs. Ned questioned whether the reclassification of the Chief Accountant/Sales Tax Supervisor should be advertised.
Mr. Charles Riddle, the Board’s attorney, assured the Finance Committee that since positions are combined, it is not the filling of a new position nor is it filling a vacancy.
The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Michael Lacombe, Chairman
Finance Committee
A motion was offered by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Van Kojis, that the Board adopt the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Lacombe. The motion was adopted as follows:
Ayes: Michael Lacombe, Van Kojis, Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Darrell Wiley, and John Gagnard.
Nays: Lizzie Ned.
14. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
March 10, 2015
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
James Gauthier, Chairman; Michael Lacombe; Shelia Blackman-Dupas; Darrell Wiley; Van Kojis, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, Lizzie Ned, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; and Charles A. Riddle, III, District Attorney.
1. Chairman James Gauthier addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding the purchase of the Simmesport School.
Upon motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to authorize Maintenance Supervisor Steve Marcotte to proceed with an appraisal of the former Simmesport Elementary School property for possible sale. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented an invoice in the amount of $4,476.73 for the committee’s approval. Mr. Marcotte explained that this was the cost to appraise the Pomme de Terre Section from Peters Forest Resources.
Upon motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to authorize the payment to Peters Forest Resources in the amount of $4,476.73, from the general fund, for the appraisal of the Pomme de Terre Section. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Chairman James Gauthier presented a “Report of the Ad Hoc Committee”.
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee
The recommended lease for camp sites (100 feet by 100 feet) will be $1500 for sites not on the water and $1800 for sites on the driveable waterfront. These leases would be for a duration of five years with a 10% increase after the first five years and 10% increase after each five years thereafter. Lease payments would be paid yearly.
Hunting (user) permits would be issued at a price of $200 per person for those age 21 and older, and those less than 21 years old would be free if they are accompanied by an adult with a permit.
A fine would be assessed to any leaseholder who brings other hunters without permits for the first offense, with a possible termination of lease on the second offense.
Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to accept the Ad Hoc Committee Report as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Upon motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Building and Lands Committee granted permission to advertise for bids to sell six (6) portable buildings at Avoyelles High School. MOTION CARRIED.
The Building and Lands Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
James Gauthier, Chairman
Building and Lands Committee
On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED.
15. Mr. Darrell Wiley, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:
Executive Committee Report
March 31, 2015
The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Darrell Wiley, Chairman; Freeman Ford, John Gagnard, Lizzie Ned, Van Kojis, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Michael Lacombe, and Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Board Members; Wilfred Ducote, Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; and Anthony Salario, Assistant District Attorney.
1. The Executive Committee discussed services offered by Volunteers of America. Mr. Anthony Salario recommended that the Board open the bidding process to all providers.
Upon motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Executive Committee recommended to table the discussion and direct Superintendent Dauzat to freeze sending home forms provided by Volunteers of America. MOTION CARRIED.
The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Darrell Wiley, Chairman
Executive Committee
On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board adopted the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Wiley. MOTION CARRIED.
16. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:
Bus Committee Report
March 24, 2015
The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman; James Gauthier, Michael Lacombe, Chris LaCour, Van Kojis, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Wilfred Ducote, Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; and Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor.
1. Mr. Brent Whiddon, 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.
President Van Kojis stated that he had contacted Representative Neil Abramson regarding amending Act 654. Mr. Kojis said that Representative Abramson forwarded him a copy of revisions to Act 654 for consideration in the upcoming legislative session.
2. Mr. Darrell Wiley, Board Member, discussed the possibility of providing some gravel to bus drivers who keep buses at their homes.
The Bus Committee recommended that the Superintendent prepare a cost estimate report and present the report to the Board.
3. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Bus Committee regarding the matter of continuing the purchase of buses.
Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Bus Committee recommended to move forward with the purchase of 10 buses (one handicapped bus and nine regular education buses). MOTION CARRIED.
The Bus Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman
Bus Committee
On motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Ned. MOTION CARRIED.
17. President Michael Lacombe addressed the Board regarding school start times. He voiced his concern that some elementary students board buses before 6:00 a.m. and suggested that schools could possibly start 30 minutes later. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat countered that this might cause some students to arrive home after dark. Board Member Chris LaCour pointed out that it is a higher risk for those waiting early in the morning because they are standing on the side of the road in the dark for a length of time, whereas in the afternoons, they get off the bus and go into their home. President Lacombe will appoint a committee to study this issue and report their findings to the Board.
18. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater presented personnel changes for the Board’s review:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Patricia Jacobs, food service technician, effective March 16, 2015, replacing June Mayeux.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Bessie Bannister, (retired) teacher, effective May 21, 2015; Resignation of Marjorie D. Gaines, (retired) teacher, effective May 21, 2015; Resignation of Cheryl Armand, R.N., School Nurse, effective August 3, 2015, for the purpose of retirement; Transfer/appointment of June Mayeux, from Cottonport Elementary School, food service technician, effective March 16, 2015, replacing Brenda Wilson who retired; and Resignation of Brenda Wilson, food service technician, effective at the end of the day March 13, 2015, for the purpose of retirement.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Renewal of administrative contract for Jennifer Dismer, Assistant Principal, effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017; Appointment of Sandra Parker, food service technician, effective March 9, 2015, replacing Barbara Bordelon who transferred to school secretary at Riverside Elementary School; and Change of funding source: Appointment of Kathy L. Lemoine, teacher, from Title II CSR teacher to General Fund School Based Teacher, effective March 2, 2015 through May 21, 2015.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Renewal of an administrative contract for Monique Gaspard, Assistant Principal, effective June 7, 2015 through June 6, 2017; and Re-appointment of Brandon Sostand, agriculture teacher, effective March 30, 2015 through June 30, 2015.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CENTRAL OFFICE: Appointment of Brent Whiddon, Supervisor of Transportation, effective March 23, 2015 through March 22, 2017, replacing Wilfred Ducote who retired; Renewal of an administrative contract for Wendy Marchand, Data/Instructional Coordinator, effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017; Renewal of an administrative contract for Rebecca Spencer, Tech/CLU Coordinator, effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017; Transfer/appointment of Wanda Christophe, from Accounts Payable Clerk to Sales Tax Clerk, effective May 1, 2015, replacing Brenda Lemoine who is retiring; and Transfer/appointment of Jaimie Lacombe, from Accountant to Accountant/Sales Tax Supervisor, effective May 1, 2015, replacing Wilfred Ducote who is retiring.
19. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented an update report to the Board to keep everyone informed of current events in the schools. He praised each of the four high schools for having at least one student place first overall at the recent Central Louisiana Literary Rally and qualify for State Rally. He stated that the first week of PARCC testing went very smoothly. Superintendent Dauzat also said that the elementary students are enjoying PBIS basketball, and the last game will be held on April 18 at Marksville Elementary School. He announced that the Louisiana Department of Education’s recent Pre-K Program audit was spotless. Lastly, Louisiana’s high school graduation rates are at an all-time high, and the rates in our district have increased for three straight years. He commended all schools, not only the high schools but also the elementary schools, for this achievement.
There being no further business, on motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Van Kojis, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Michael Lacombe, President
Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer