SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Michael Lacombe, President; Darrell Wiley, Vice-President; Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
Absent: Freeman Ford 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 John Gagnard.
1. On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board adopted the minutes of the special Board meeting held Tuesday, April 14, 2015, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mr. Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent, recognized the Students of the Month for May. 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: Jacques Beverly, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Taley Price, Cottonport Elementary School; Brooke Marsh, Lafargue Elementary School; Sienna Laborde, Marksville Elementary School; Chaz Jones, Plaucheville Elementary School; Edward Watson, Riverside Elementary School; Lena Lemoine, Avoyelles High School; Ryan Nelson, Bunkie New Tech High School; John Guillory, LaSAS; and Marla Daigrepont, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the students on their accomplishments.
3. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, recognized the Teachers of the Month for April. Mrs. Prater presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Debbie Bubenzer, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Lisa Breaux, Cottonport Elementary School; Karen Skursky, Lafargue Elementary School; Gertrude Milligan, Marksville Elementary School; Tiffany Rabalais, Plaucheville Elementary School; Josephine Stevenson, Riverside Elementary School; Scott Balius, Avoyelles High School; Jackie Socia, Bunkie New Tech High School; Michelle Roy, LaSAS; and Sarah Ducote Dupont, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the teachers on their achievements.
4. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized students who competed at District Rally at Louisiana College. Mr. Dauzat stated that the students earned a superior rating, allowing them to go on to compete at the State Rally at Louisiana State University. He stated that at State Rally, they again scored a superior rating (first place) in their division. Furthermore, he stated that this is the first time in Avoyelles High School history that this has ever been done.
Individual students included Lena Lemoine, who scored a superior at both district and state in Original Oratory. Otis Jacobs and Melissa Messer scored a superior at the district level in Oral Interpretation of Drama. Both students went on to state and competed. Otis went on to score an excellent in Oral Interpretation of Drama.
The following students competed at Louisiana College in Pineville at the speech rally on Friday, March 20, 2015:
Speech I students: Markeisha Alexander, Amber Barnes, William Barr, Breanna Bordelon, Jade Bordelon, Alex Dufour, Brittany Juneau, Katelyn Laborde, Zayira Quiroz Parraga, Te’Andrea Reed, and Matthew Shallington.
Speech II students: Kristen Dupont, Logan Firmin, Otis Jacobs, Lena Lemoine, Larry Martin, Melissa Messer, Shamar Pierite, and Connor Gauthier.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the students on this outstanding achievement.
5. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized Ms. Felicia Armand, teacher at Marksville Elementary School, for being selected to attend the Mickelson Exxon Mobil Teachers’ Academy in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 27-31, 2015.
6. Mr. Wilfred Ducote, Sales Tax Collector, reported that sales tax collections for the month of April, 2015 totaled $710,877.37. Mr. Ducote stated that of this amount, the 1.5% tax generated $609,456.34 and the 0.25% tax generated $101,421.03.
7. The following resolution was offered by Darrell Wiley and seconded by Lizzie Ned:
RESOLUTION
A resolution approving an Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement between the Parish School Board of the Parish of Avoyelles, State of Louisiana and Municipal Capital Markets Group, Incorporated, in a principal amount not to exceed $781,968 for the acquisition of school buses, authorizing the execution of said Agreement, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
WHEREAS, the Parish School Board of the Parish of Avoyelles, State of Louisiana (the “Lessee”), is acquiring Blue Bird School buses which are urgently needed to provide adequate transportation for the students of the Parish of Avoyelles, State of Louisiana (the “ Project”);and
WHEREAS, in order to pay the cost of the Project, the Issuer intends to enter into an Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement with Municipal Capital Markets Group (the “Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Lessee wishes to enter into the Agreement to provide funding for the acquisition of the Project; and
WHEREAS, it is the further desire of the Issuer to authorize the execution of the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of Avoyelles, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority of the Parish of Avoyelles, State of Louisiana, for school purposes, that:
SECTION 1: Under the authority of the Constitution and statutes of the State of Louisiana, the Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement by and between the Lessee and Municipal Capital Markets Group (the “Agreement”) is hereby authorized and approved, said Agreement to be substantially in the form which is on file with the Director of Finance of the Issuer, which such changes as the President and the Secretary of the School Board may deem appropriate, either of their signatures to the Agreement evidence of the approval of such changes. The Agreement provides for the financing of a principal amount not exceeding $781,968, with interest thereon at a rate exceeding 2.56% per annum and final payment to be due not later than 5 years from the date of the Agreement, said principal and interest to be from the sources and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Agreement. The funds received by the Lessee under the Agreement will be used by the Issuer to acquire said school buses pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Agreement.
SECTION 2. The President and/or the Secretary of the Issuer are authorized to execute the Agreement on behalf of the Issuer and to execute and provide any and all certifications and documents required in connection therewith.
SECTION 3. The Lessee’s obligation under the Agreement shall be subject to annual appropriation by the Lessee as set forth in the Agreement, and the Lessee’s obligation under the Agreement shall constitute neither a general obligation nor a debt of the Lessee under the Constitution and statutes of the State of Louisiana.
SECTION 4. The Issuer covenants and agrees that, to the extent permitted by the laws of the State of Louisiana, it will comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any amendment thereto (the “Code”) in order to establish, maintain and preserve the exclusion from “gross income” of interest on the Agreement under the Code. The Issuer further covenants and agrees that it will not take any action, fail to take any action, or permit any action within its control to be taken, or permit at any time or times any of the proceeds of the Agreement or any other funds of the Issuer to be used directly or indirectly in any manner, the effect of which would be to cause the Agreement to be an “arbitrage bond” or would result in the inclusion of the interest on any proceeds of the Agreement in gross income under the Code, including, without limitation, (i) the failure to comply with the limitation on investment of proceeds of the Agreement or (ii) the failure to pay any required rebate of arbitrage earnings to the United States of America or (iii) the use of the proceeds of the Agreement in a manner which would cause the Agreement to be “private activity bond”.
The Executive Officers are hereby empowered, authorized and directed to take any and all action to execute and deliver any instrument, document or certificate necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Section.
SECTION 5. The Agreement is designated as a “qualified tax-exempt obligation” within the meeting of Section 265 (b) (3) (B) of the Code. In making this designation, the Issuer finds and determines that:
(a) the Agreement is not a “private activity bond” within the meaning of the Code; and
(b) the reasonably anticipated amount of qualified tax-exempt obligations which will be issued by the Issuer and all subordinate entities in calendar year 2015 does not exceed $10,000.00.
SECTION 6. This Board finds and determines that a real necessity exists for the employment of special counsel in connection with the Agreement, and accordingly, the employment of the law firm of Foley and Judell, L.L.P., of New Orleans, Louisiana, as special counsel to the Board for the performance of comprehensive legal and coordinate professional work with respect to the Agreement, including rendering a legal opinion in connection therewith, is hereby ratified and approved. The fee of Foley and Judell, L.L.P., in connection therewith shall be computed at an hourly rate not exceeding the amount provided by the guidelines for such services as approved by the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
SECTION 7. Effective Date: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
The foregoing Resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
Member Yea Nays Absent Abstaining
Van Kojis _X__ ____ _____ _______
Darrell Wiley _X__ ____ _____ _______
Chris LaCour _X__ ____ _____ _______
James Gauthier _X__ ____ _____ _______
Shelia Blackman-
Dupas ___ ____ __X__ _______
Lizzie Ned _X__ ____ _____ _______
Michael Lacombe _X__ ____ _____ _______
Freeman Ford ___ ____ __X__ _______
John Gagnard _X__ ____ _____ _______
And this resolution was declared adopted on this, the 5th day of May, 2015.
/s/ Blaine Dauzat /s/ Michael Lacombe
Superintendent President
8. Mr. Howard Desselle, Citizen of Marksville, addressed the Board regarding future plans of the Board for the 2015-16 school year.
9. Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:
Finance Committee Report
April 21, 2015
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Van Kojis, Chairman; Freeman Ford, John Gagnard, Chris LaCour; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were James Gauthier, Darrell Wiley, and Lizzie Ned, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance.
1. Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Finance Committee approved requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Dauzat. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, introduced representatives with PCAL. Representatives from PCAL, North American Solutions, reviewed the longstanding and successful relationship with the Avoyelles Parish School Board. They shared claims data as well as dividend payments.
3. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented a resolution for the committee’s consideration opposing any changes to the inventory tax.
Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to adopt the following resolution opposing any changes to the inventory tax, as follows:
A Resolution by Avoyelles Parish School Board
Opposing any Changes to the Inventory Tax
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has a budget deficit of $1.6 billion; and
WHEREAS, any bill that proposes reductions or repeal of the inventory tax would be detrimental to Avoyelles Parish’s economy by $214,000; and
WHEREAS, Avoyelles Parish Inventory Tax received contributes to the overall operation of Avoyelles Parish Schools and other taxing authorities’ operations; and
WHEREAS, reducing or repealing this local revenue stream would cause substantial decline to the quality of the public school system, local health care system, law enforcement authority including 911 Call Center, and transit services; and would exhaust supportive service programs, i.e., Head Start Programs, Elderly Services, Youth Programs, etc., maintenance of levees, roads, and public works projects, maintenance of water treatment plants, the ability of Emergency Management and Preparedness to respond to emergencies, and other local government supported programs and services; and
WHEREAS, Avoyelles Parish school employees’ salaries and benefits account for approximately 85% of the operating budget, a repeal of any reduction to the inventory tax received by the Avoyelles Parish School Board would make it virtually impossible to maintain a low pupil/teacher ratio; and
WHEREAS, Avoyelles Parish’s current unemployment rate (8.4%) is above the state (6.2%) and national (5.6%) unemployment rates; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes to reduce or repeal the inventory tax would threaten an enormously higher rate of unemployment in Avoyelles Parish, contributing to a loss of jobs in local employment; and
WHEREAS, by supporting any changes to reduce or repeal the inventory tax would mean dwindling the local economy and creating economic hardships on many families in Avoyelles Parish and further impose barriers on the local government’s sustainability;
Now, Therefore, Avoyelles Parish School Board and Superintendent urge State Senators and State Representatives to find alternative measures in balancing the state budget deficit without any reduction or repeal of the inventory tax that local governments rely on for operations.
The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Van Kojis, Chairman
Finance Committee
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Kojis. MOTION CARRIED.
10. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
April 21, 2015
The Building and Lands Committee met on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
James Gauthier, Chairman; Van Kojis, Darrell Wiley; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, Lizzie Ned, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Mr. Tom Hudson from Norris Insurance Consultants addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding campsite insurance reimbursements by Norris Insurance Consultants. Mr. Hudson explained to the committee that campsite owners have been charged $100 per year to offset the Board’s insurance cost; however, this does not provide coverage for camps, only School Board property. The committee members agreed to consult with the District Attorney for further clarification.
2. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between The State of Louisiana, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Youth Services, Office of Juvenile Justice and the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the lease of the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences.
Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Van Kojis, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences lease as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Board Member, addressed the committee regarding a report/list of all approved projects by the Board for 2014 that have been completed and the projects that have not been completed.
Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a report to the committee.
4. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding Campsite Number 3-180 regarding the amount to charge. The committee recommended to refer this item to the Board’s legal counsel and report back to the Board.
5. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman, addressed the committee regarding hunting permits on Section 16 properties.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to accept the Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation, as follows:
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee
Avoyelles Parish School Board Recreational Permits
Anyone on Section 16 land outside camp/home site leases, age 21 and older, is required to have a Recreational Permit which allows said person the right to use Section 16 land for hunting purposes. Cost of this permit will be $200. Camp/home site lessees will receive two such passes at no extra charge. The permit must have the person’s name on it as well as their picture identification. Background checks will be required.
Penalties for misuse of the permit are as follows:
By Lease Holder:
(1) A $50 fine for misuse of permit, i.e., allowing someone else to use their permit.
(2) A $50 fine for not having their permit on hand.
(3) Subject to termination of lease for second violation of either offense.
By Non-Lease Holder:
(1) A $50 fine for misuse of permit - using someone else’s permit.
(2) A $50 fine for not having permit on hand.
(3) Arrested for trespassing for a second violation for either offense and subject to loss of recreational use on Section 16 land.
(4) Access to Section 16 by non-lease holders will be by ATV/UTV only.
Passing through a Section 16 property with a gun which is not loaded is allowed, access by ATV or UTV.
Passing through a Section 16 property with a loaded gun requires a permit.
Pomme DeTerre, Gin Lake, Vick Farm Lands, and Grassy Lake do not come under these regulations because they are leased by a private owner.
50% of permit fee will be used for up-keep of roads and parking areas on Section 16 properties. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and the Sheriff’s Office will enforce the regulations.
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 Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED.
11. Mr. John Gagnard, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:
Education Committee Report
April 21, 2015
The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
John Gagnard, Chairman; James Gauthier, Chris LaCour; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Mr. Mike Lacombe, President, and Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas were absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Susan Welch, Supervisor of Secondary Education; and Walter Rogers.
1. Mr. Walter Rogers, Director of The Kennedy Center, presented an update report to the Education Committee.
Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Education Committee recommended to allow the Kennedy Center Summer Camp. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Mrs. Susan Welch, Supervisor of Secondary Education, addressed the Education Committee regarding the Rapides Foundation grant for 2015-2016.
3. Mrs. Susan Welch, Supervisor of Secondary Education, addressed the Education Committee regarding Summer School for 2015.
The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
John Gagnard, Chairman
Education Committee
On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gagnard. MOTION CARRIED.
12. Mr. Darrell Wiley, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:
Executive Committee Report
April 28, 2015
The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, April 28, 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; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance.
1. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, addressed the Executive Committee regarding File: DJD - Expense Reimbursement. Mrs. Bonnette reviewed proposed changes to the policy.
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by John Gagnard, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the change to File: DJD - Expense Reimbursement, as follows:
Out-of-Parish Travel (In and Out of State) ACTUAL RECEIPTS REQUIRED
Add Letter “H”: Reimbursement requests shall be submitted within 90 days of trip. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of funds.
2. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented proposed changes to File: DFI - Lease of School Lands.
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended to accept changes to File: DFI - Lease of School Lands with one addition, as follows:
PUBLIC USE REGULATIONS
Campsites and Homesites
“Campsite and homesite leases may be executed between the School Board and private individuals for camp sites on uncleared School Board owned lands. Campsites and homesites leases shall be executed for a period of five (5) years and the rates shall be set and adjusted by the School Board on a five-year basis.”
3. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Executive Committee regarding teacher incentive/bonus plan to help staff high-poverty, lower-achieving schools.
Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Executive Committee recommended to accept the New Teacher Incentive Plan, as follows:
Proposed
New Teacher Incentive Plan
2015-2016
1. New teachers at the following schools will receive a $3000 signing supplement: (a) Lafargue Elementary School, (b) Plaucheville Elementary School, and (c) LaSAS.
This supplement requires a three (3) year commitment.
2. New teachers at the following schools will receive a $5000 signing supplement: (a) Avoyelles High School, (b) Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; (c) Bunkie New Tech High School, (d) Cottonport Elementary School, (e) Marksville Elementary School, (f) Marksville High School, and (g) Riverside Elementary School.
This supplement requires a two (2) year commitment.
As in the past, those signing supplements will be paid from the general fund.
Justification: The three (3) schools listed in number 1 are our lowest poverty, highest achieving schools. The seven (7) schools listed in number 2 are higher poverty, lower achieving schools. We are trying to give more of an incentive for a new teacher to go to work at these schools, as they are harder to staff.
A “new teacher” is defined as a certified teacher with 0-3 years of teaching experience.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Upon motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Executive Committee recommended to accept the Teacher Transfer Incentive Plan, as follows:
Proposed
Teacher Transfer Incentive Plan
2015-2016
1. Schools are ranked in order of highest need. Three statistics are used: (1) Poverty Rate, (2) School Performance Score, and (3) Difficulty in Staffing.
2. Ranking is as follows: (1) Lafargue Elementary School, (2) Plaucheville Elementary School, (3) LaSAS, (4) Marksville High School and Avoyelles High School, (5) Bunkie New Tech High School, (6) Riverside Elementary School, (7) Cottonport Elementary School, (8) Marksville Elementary School, and (9) Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy.
3. If a teacher voluntarily transfers from a school with a higher ranking to a school with a lower ranking, they will be eligible to receive a $4000 supplement. This will require a two (2) year commitment. If a teacher transfers “up” in ranking, they will not be eligible to receive the supplement. (Note: No transfer in to schools 1-3 are eligible for the supplement.)
4. Schools 1-3 can lose a maximum of four (4) teachers to be paid the supplement. Schools 4-8 can lose a maximum of two (2) teachers. (Marksville and Avoyelles High are tied, so transfers between those two schools are NOT eligible for the supplement.)
5. Justification: The higher the poverty rate and the lower the school’s performance score, we usually have more trouble staffing those schools. The higher a school is in the rankings, the less trouble that school has replacing/filling vacancies.
6. All teachers applying for this supplement must be certified/highly qualified in the area they will teach at the school they are transferring into and have been rated effective the previous school year.
7. These transfer supplements will be paid from Federal Funds.
The motion was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Darrell Wiley, Freeman Ford, John Gagnard, and Lizzie Ned; Nays: Michael Lacombe.
The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Darrell Wiley, Chairman
Executive Committee
A motion was made by Darrell Wiley, seconded by John Gagnard, that the Board adopt the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Wiley.
Discussion ensued among Board Members and teachers in the audience regarding the definition of “new” teacher, the unfairness of these plans to teachers at the lowest ranking schools, and how these plans apply to retired teachers coming back into the school system.
Mr. Wiley withdrew his motion.
On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board adopted Items 1 and 2 and tabled Item 3 of the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Wiley. MOTION CARRIED.
13. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:
Bus Committee Report
April 28, 2015
The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman; James Gauthier, Van Kojis, Chris LaCour; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Wilfred Ducote, Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance 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.
2. Mr. Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor, presented an update report regarding providing gravels to bus drivers who keep buses at their homes.
Mr. Whiddon advised the Bus Committee that it is state law that public agencies cannot provide gravels to bus drivers who keep buses at their homes.
3. Mr. Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor, requested permission to advertise for bids to conduct semi-annual bus inspections at a designated area.
Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Bus Committee recommended to advertise for bids to conduct semi-annual bus inspections at a designated area. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ms. Lizzie Ned updated the Board that Ross Bus and Equipment Sales, Incorporated will provide bus inspections at no cost to the Board.
The Bus Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman
Bus Committee
On motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Ned. MOTION CARRIED.
14. On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board granted permission to accept proposals for official journal of the Board for the period July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. MOTION CARRIED.
15. On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board agreed to schedule the regular School Board meeting on June 1 rather than June 2, 2015 due to Board-approved travel for the Superintendent and administrators. MOTION CARRIED.
16. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, presented personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Denise Sayes, Principal, effective at the end of the day June 30, 3015, for the purpose of retirement; and Resignation of Brenda C. Crooks, Instructional Coach, effective June 28, 2015, for the purpose of retirement.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Gertrude Milligan, (retired) teacher, effective at the end of the day May 21, 2015; Resignation of Gail Harvey, (retired) teacher, effective at the end of the day May 21, 2015; and Resignation of Gale Gaspard, food service technician, effective April 30, 2015.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Change in date of resignation: Resignation of Cheryl Armand, R.N., school nurse, effective at the end of the school day May 21, 2015; and Resignation of Lyman E. Hayes, (retired) teacher, effective at the end of the day May 21, 2015.
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Josephine Stevenson, (retired) teacher, effective at the end of the school day May 21, 2015.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Sonya Durand, teacher, effective May 22, 2015, for the purpose of retirement; Resignation of Alyssa Anderson, teacher, effective May 22, 2015; and Resignation of Matthew C. Deshotel, teacher, effective September 9, 2015, for the purpose of retirement.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Megan Barnett, teacher, effective at the end of the day May 21, 2015; and Renewal of administrative contract of Frank Palermo, Assistant Principal, effective May 29, 2015 through May 28, 2017.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CENTRAL OFFICE: Change in date of resignation: Resignation of Dwayne Lemoine, Superintendent of Schools, effective April 30, 2015, for the purpose of retirement; Appointment of Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education, effective June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2017; and Appointment of Kristy Gremillion, Grant Accountant, effective May 12, 2015,
ADDENDUM(S)
5/5/2015
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Resignation of Debra LeBlanc, teacher, effective at the end of the day May 21, 2015, for the purpose of retirement.
17. In his monthly update report, Superintendent Blaine Dauzat announced that Bunkie New Tech High School, LaSAS, and Marksville High School all had students place first and second in academics at the State Rally. Dual enrollment through LSU-A will continue in the 2015-16 school year. Graduation is coming up next week for LaSAS on Thursday, Marksville High on Friday, then Avoyelles High on the following Monday, and Bunkie New Tech High on Tuesday. The last day of school for all public schools will be Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
18. On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session: (1) for the purpose of finalizing Superintendent Blaine Dauzat’s contract, (2) for the purpose of discussing 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.); and (3) for the purpose of discussing pending litigation on sale of Section 16 land (as introduced in the Legislative session). MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 7:40 p.m.
A motion was made by John Gagnard, seconded by Van Kojis, that the Board accept the final addendums of the Superintendent’s Contract. The motion was accepted by the following vote:
Ayes: James Gauthier, Van Kojis, Chris LaCour, Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, and John Gagnard.
Nays: Lizzie Ned.
A motion was made by Van Kojis, seconded by Darrell Wiley, that, assuming a settlement is reached in the pending litigation (Holmes versus Avoyelles Parish School Board) discussed in Executive Session, the Board will accept a three-year (3-year) look-back period, if needed, for negotiation purposes. The motion was accepted by the following vote:
Ayes: Van Kojis, James Gauthier, Chris LaCour, Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, and John Gagnard.
Nays: Lizzie Ned.
A motion was made by James Gauthier, seconded by Lizzie Ned, that the Board terminate Dr. William Gordon’s contract as of today, May 5, 2015, due to completion of his work and his services no longer being needed by the Board.
Discussion ensued, and Mr. Gauthier rescinded his motion.
A motion was made by James Gauthier, seconded by Lizzie Ned, that Dr. William Gordon be notified that the Avoyelles Parish School Board does not require him to attend court on Monday, May 11, 2015, but if he so chooses to attend, it will be at his own expense except for his airfare which has already been paid. The motion was accepted by the following vote:
Ayes: Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
Nays: Michael Lacombe and Darrell Wiley.
Abstained: Lizzie Ned.
There being no further business, on motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
MICHAEL LACOMBE, President
BLAINE DAUZAT, Secretary-Treasurer