SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, December 8, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Michael Lacombe, President; Darrell Wiley, Vice-President; Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
Absent: Shelia Blackman-Dupas.
An Invocation was offered by Reverend Charles Guillory.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Vice-President Darrell Wiley.
1. On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Board Member John Gagnard read a resolution of respect to the late Hazel Greenhouse, former custodian.
On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Hazel Greenhouse. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Board Member Chris LaCour read a resolution of respect to the late Edward “Eddie” Rabalais, former School Board Member.
On motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Edward “Eddie” Rabalais. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized the Students of the Month for December. 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: Aaron Clayton, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Brayden Fontenot, Cottonport Elementary School; Kadence Ducote, Lafargue Elementary School; Ethan Pitre, Marksville Elementary School; Jaylee Jacobs, Plaucheville Elementary School; Laisia Taylor, Riverside Elementary School; Jacolby Gipson, Avoyelles High School; Katelyn Blanchard, Bunkie New Tech High School; Morgan Thornhill, LaSAS; and Derrall J. Pitre, III, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the students on their accomplishments.
5. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, recognized the Teachers of the Month for December. Mrs. Prater presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Meredith Melancon, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Vickie Mayeux, Cottonport Elementary School; Linda Gagnard, Lafargue Elementary School; Quinten Demouy, Marksville Elementary School; Jennifer Young, Plaucheville Elementary School; Sarah Reech, Riverside Elementary School; Kaitlyn Glorioso, Avoyelles High School; Phyllis Morris, Bunkie New Tech High School; Krysten Cannatella, LaSAS; and Kaitlin Cassity, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Michael Lacombe commended the teachers on their achievements.
6. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized prior and current Federal Programs Director for Avoyelles Parish, as follows:
Clarence Robin,Vernon Butler, Burnell Lemoine, Keith Morrow, Walter T. Rogers, James Armand, Thelma Prater, and Irma Andress.
Also recognized were past Federal Programs supervisors which included Charles Guillory, Arnold Michel, Craig Foster, Carlos Mayeux, Mary Brown, and Demetria Alexander.
7. Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:
Finance Committee Report
November 10, 2015
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Van Kojis, Chairman; Freeman Ford, John Gagnard and Chris LaCour, committee members; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Darrell Wiley and James Gauthier, board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; and Richard Robinson, Network Administrator.
1. Mrs. Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented the sales tax report for the month of October, 2015. Mrs. Lacombe stated that sales tax revenues for the month of October totaled $677,166.68. She stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $580,507.93 and the 0.25% sales tax generated $96,658.75.
2. Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Finance Committee recommended to approve requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Dauzat. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. The Finance Committee discussed constructing a fire wall at the Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy janitor’s storeroom as mandated by the State Fire Marshall.
Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Finance Committee recommended to install a fire wall at the Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy janitor’s storeroom at a cost of up to $7500 using reserve funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a report on estimates to renovate the Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy pre-kindergarten restroom.
Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended to use up to $30,000 of Reserve Funds to renovate the Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy pre-kindergarten restroom. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, reviewed the Avoyelles Parish School Board general fund and LaSAS budgets for 2015-2016.
The proposed revisions to the general fund and LaSAS budgets are as follows:
General Fund LaSAS
Revenues $40,411,254 $3,048,297
Expenditures $41,597,152 $2,655,639
Proposed Deficit $ 1,185,898 $ 956,278
Ending Fund Balance $6,154,992 $1,348,936
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by John Gagnard, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the revisions to the 2015-2016 general fund budget. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the revisions to the 2015-2016 LaSAS budget. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, discussed funding for the Seven-Year Plan.
Upon motion by Chris Lacour, seconded by John Gagnard, the Finance Committee recommended to use surplus dollars budgeted on the Marksville Elementary School main building for extra projects in the Seven-Year Plan. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. President Michael Lacombe discussed purchasing a video camera to record all Board meetings and upload to the School Board’s website.
Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended to accept the bid quote in the amount of $1,231.00. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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 UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
November 10, 2015
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
James Gauthier, Chairman; Van Kojis and Darrell Wiley, committee members; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Mrs. Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, Lizzie Ned, and John Gagnard, board members; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.
1. Mr. Arthur Lovall of Bunkie was unable to attend the Building and Lands Committee as he had requested; therefore, no action was taken.
2. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, stated that he was contacted by a representative of the Academy of Excellence Youth and Activity Center to lease the former Bunkie Middle School Gymnasium.
The committee did not take any action on this matter.
3. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding a change order at Cottonport Elementary School.
Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Van Kojis, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve a change order at Cottonport Elementary School. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, discussed findings at the Gar Fish section.
Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Van Kojis, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to allow Supervisor Steve Marcotte to hire a surveyor to locate the northeast corner of the section, as long as the cost is less than $4000. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, discussed rules for hunting permit holders.
The committee did not take any action.
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 Van Kojis, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Mr. Darrell Wiley, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:
Executive Committee Report
November 19, 2015
The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Thursday, November 19, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Darrell Wiley, Chairman; Freeman Ford, John Gagnard and Lizzie Ned, committee members; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, and Van Kojis, board members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor.
1. Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended to approve a policy - File: JDD Suspension - submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended to add an item to the agenda addressing the Corporal Punishment Policy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Upon motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by John Gagnard, the Executive Committee recommended to send an addendum to students’ homes and to send the form home again. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Upon motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by John Gagnard, the Executive Committee recommended to add an item to the agenda discussing the District Attorney’s representation at all board and committee meetings. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Executive Committee recommended authorizing the Superintendent to notify the District Attorney to have representation at every board meeting and every committee meeting. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Darrell Wiley, Chairman
Executive Committee
On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Wiley. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:
Bus Committee Report
November 19, 2015
The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Thursday, November 19, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman; Van Kojis , James Gauthier, and Chris LaCour, committee members; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Darrell Wiley, Freeman Ford, and John Gagnard, board members; and Brent Whiddon, Supervisor of Transportation.
1. Mr. Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor, presented an update of bus incident reports.
The Bus Committee did not take any action on this matter.
The Bus Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman
Bus Committee
On motion by Lizzie Ned, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Ned. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, presented personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Re-appointment of Kayla Bordelon Neal, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Kaitlyn J. West, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Vetria L. Veal, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Desaree Schexnyder, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of LeAnn Randall, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Appointment of Shelia M. Waddy, (retired) teacher, effective November 9, 2015 through December 18, 2015; Re-appointment of Shelia M. Waddy, (retired) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Mark P. Vidrine, ( TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Peggy Joshua, (retired) Kindergarten teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; and Resignation of Ashley Dubroc Robinson, Assistant Principal, effective at the start of the day January 4, 2016.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Lauren Ducote, (retired) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Jennifer D. Dupont, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Sandra Smith, (retired) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Howard Jeansonne, (retired) Autism teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Appointment of Sydney Lemoine Newton, teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Appointment of Corrie C. Wilson, food service technician, effective November 30, 2015, replacing Patricia Jacob who resigned.
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Rose M. Roy, Interventionist, effective at the end of the day December 18, 2015, for the purpose of retirement.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Gertrude Milligan, (retired) Kindergarten teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Gail Harvey, (retired) Dean of Students, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Resignation of Rachel Broussard, (retired) teacher, effective at the end of the day October 31, 2015; Resignation of Phedeline Tanis, teacher, effective at the end of the day November 30, 2015;
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Kourtny K. Bordelon, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Ronisha M. Coppage, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Luis Ramirez, (TAT) physical education teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; and Re-appointment of Lyman Hayes, (retired) Inclusion teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016.
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Jessica G. Lemoine, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; and Resignation of Joseph P. Murray, Jr., effective October 26, 2015.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Hali H. Wanersdorfer, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Jake B. Howard, (TAT) Agriculture teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through June 30, 2016; Re-appointment of Clarisse Dugas, (retired) mild-moderate special education teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Janine Mury, (retired) severe profound special education teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Appointment of Shawn P. Reiszner, special education teacher, effective November 16, 2015 through December 18, 2015 (new position); Appointment of Janice Coco (retired) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016, replacing Angela Dixon who resigned; and Appointment of Ashley Dubroc Robinson, teacher, effective at the start of the day January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016.
BUNKIE NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Doris S. Leary, (retired) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Daniel Greenhouse, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Taylor D. Greenhouse, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Michael Sumner, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Katelyn B. Hines, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Kenneth Marsh, (retired) high school JAG teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Matthew Murdock, (retired) Dean of Students, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Phyllis Morris, (retired) special education teacher, content mastery, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Re-appointment of David E. Dyson, (retired) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Judith Williams, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; and Re-appointment of Bonnie Leduc, (retired) Business teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Catherine Wittenberg, (TAT) TFA teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Joseph Greenhouse, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Jessica Pellegrin, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Raven S. Hayes, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Mary C. Cockerham, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016;Re-appointment of Darryl Honor, (TAT) Journey to Career teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016;
Appointment of Marilou Garin, special education content mastery teacher, effective November 2, 2015 through May 20, 2016, replacing Maria Eroja; Re-appointment of Cherrie Callahan, (retired) mild-moderate self contained teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; and Re-appointment of Thomas Roy, (retired) mild-moderate itinerant teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016.
AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Re-appointment of Catherine D. Tyler, (retired) part-time Early Childhood teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CENTRAL OFFICE: Resignation of Carolyn DeCuir, Purchase Order Secretary, effective at the end of the day June 30, 2016, for the purpose of retirement.
12. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat announced that students’ last day of classes before the holiday break will be Thursday, December 17, 2015. Three Professional Development Days for teachers will be held as follows: Friday, December 18, 2015; Monday, January 4, 2016; and Tuesday, January 5, 2016. Students will return to classes on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Mr. Dauzat also notified the Board and public that he will have a telephone conference with the State Department on December 15 to obtain the letter grades/school performance scores. He will also meet with Ms. Susan Welch and Ms. Celeste Voinche, instructional supervisors, to outline strategies that affect these scores, and he will present an update report to the Board at a later date.
13. On motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter as well as 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). MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 6:27 p.m.
A motion was made by Chris LaCour, seconded by James Gauthier, that the Board give authority to the District Attorney’s Office to make a final offer to Mr. Edward Larvadain for settlement in the amount recommended by District Attorney Charles Riddle.
A motion was made by Freeman Ford, seconded by Lizzie Ned, that the Board add an additional $20,000.00 to the amount recommended by the District Attorney as full and final settlement.
The motion, as amended, failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Freeman Ford and Lizzie Ned.
Nays: Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Michael Lacombe, Darrell Wiley, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
The original motion failed by a tie vote as follows:
Ayes: Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Van Kojis, and John Gagnard.
Nays: Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, Michael Lacombe, and Lizzie Ned.
There being no further business, on motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Michael Lacombe, President
Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer