2016-01-05

SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Darrell Wiley, President; John Gagnard, Vice-President; Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Lizzie Ned, Michael Lacombe, and Van Kojis.

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. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented a plaque to outgoing President Michael Lacombe and outgoing Vice-President Darrell Wiley for serving for the period January 6, 2015 through December 31, 2015.

2. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat advised the Board that the terms of office for the President and Vice-President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board have expired. He then called for nominations for the office of President.

Board Member Chris LaCour placed the name of Darrell Wiley in nomination for the office of President. The nomination was seconded by Van Kojis.

There were no other nominations. Board Member Van Kojis moved that the nominations for the office of President be closed. This motion was seconded by James Gauthier.

Superintendent Blaine Dauzat requested that the Board members cast their votes. The vote was as follows:

Ayes: Chris LaCour, Van Kojis, Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, Michael Lacombe, and John Gagnard .

Nays: Shelia Blackman-Dupas.

By a vote of 8-1, Mr. Darrell Wiley was elected President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the 2016 school year.

3. President Darrell Wiley called for nominations for the office of Vice-President.

Board Member James Gauthier placed the name of John Gagnard in nomination for the office of Vice-President. The nomination was seconded by Van Kojis.

There were no other nominations. Board Member Chris LaCour moved that nominations for the office of Vice-President be closed. This motion was seconded by Michael Lacombe.

President Darrell Wiley requested that the Board members cast their votes. By a unanimous vote of 9-0, Mr. John Gagnard was elected Vice-President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the 2016 school year.

4. On motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized the Students of the Month for January, 2016. 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: Najiar Dixon, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Ke’Eranice Dupas, Cottonport Elementary School; Kadince Wiley, Lafargue Elementary School; America Michelle Ocegudea, Marksville Elementary School; Carlos Bazert, Jr., Plaucheville Elementary School; Seth Watson, Riverside Elementary School; Alexis Ferguson, Avoyelles High School; Keisha Jacobs, Bunkie New Tech High School; Roark Gaspard, LaSAS; and Nijah Carter, Marksville High School.

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

6. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, recognized the Teachers of the Month for January. Mrs. Prater presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:

Vetria Veal, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Tyronnica Mingo, Cottonport Elementary School; Margaret Garnett, Lafargue Elementary School; Zachary Breland, Marksville Elementary School; Erin LaCour, Plaucheville Elementary School; Mary Allen, Riverside Elementary School; Daniel Mayer, Avoyelles High School; Jill Tassin, Bunkie New Tech High School; Brandon Sostand, LaSAS; and Kaitlin Hodnett, Marksville High School.

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

7. Mrs. Irma Andress, Director of Federal Programs, and Mrs. Demetria Alexander, Supervisor of Federal Programs, presented a report on Early Childhood Coordinated Funding.

On motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board approved the Early Childhood Coordinated Funding. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

8. Mr. John Gagnard, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:

Education Committee Report

December 15, 2015

The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

John Gagnard, Chairman; James Gauthier; Chris LaCour; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Darrell Wiley, Lizzie Ned, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Susan Welch, Supervisor of Secondary Education; and Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education.

1. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented a report on school performance scores. The committee did not take any action.

2. Mrs. Susan Welch, Supervisor of Secondary Education; and Mrs. Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education; addressed the Education Committee regarding English/Language Arts and Mathematics Professional Development. The committee did not take any action.

The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

John Gagnard, Chairman

Education Committee

On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gagnard. MOTION CARRIED.

9. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:

Building and Lands Committee Report

December 15, 2015

The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at 4:50 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 Blakman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, Lizzie Ned, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.

1. Mr. Arthur Lovall addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding use of the former Bunkie Middle School. No action was taken by the committee.

2. Mr. Andre Destin addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding the possibility of renting/leasing one of the buildings located at the former Mansura Middle School.

Upon motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by Van Kojis, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to have the former Mansura Middle School appraised. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, discussed the renewal of a contract with Stevens Forestry Service, Incorporated. No action was taken by the committee.

Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to refer the matter of the Garfish Section to the District Attorney. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Chairman James Gauthier addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding School Board property in Fifth Ward.

Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to appraise the 1.56 acres where the fire station is located and have the District Attorney check to ensure that the lease is valid. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Chairman James Gauthier discussed hunting permits.

Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to attend Avoyelles Parish Police Jury meetings in order to request that the Jury enact an ordinance pertaining to the permits. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

6. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat discussed concerns of vandalism at the Marksville High School Baseball Field. No action was taken by the committee.

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 Chris LaCour, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

10. Mr. Van Kojis, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:

Finance Committee Report

December 15, 2015

The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Van Kojis, Chairman; John Gagnard; Freeman Ford; Chris LaCour; Michael Lacombe, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Darrell Wiley, Lizzie Ned, and James Gauthier, Board Members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor; and Charles Riddle, District Attorney.

1. Mrs. Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented the sales tax report for the month of November, 2015. Mrs. Lacombe stated that sales tax revenues for the month of November totaled $598,286.53. She stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $512,817.97 and the 0.25% sales tax generated $85,468.56.

Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Finance Committee recommended to accept the sales tax report as presented by Supervisor Lacombe. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by John Gagnard, the Finance Committee recommended to approve requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Dauzat. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Mrs. Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, presented a report on school food service reimbursement. Mrs. Welch stated that Avoyelles Parish School Food Service reimbursement for the 2014-2015 school year was $188,782.82, over reimbursement for the 2013-2014 school year. Currently, School Food Service is $104,467.84 over reimbursement from the previous year for July through November. She further reported that the average daily participation is also up approximately 5% in breakfast and lunch. All students have access to breakfast, lunch, and soon to be super snack at no cost to the household.

4. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented a report on the Ten Year Plan. As per the report presented, Mrs. Bonnette informed the committee that the Marksville Elementary School main building project will have a savings of approximately $112,265 with the intent of using the projected savings on ten-year projects and other projects as needed not to exceed the 10% limit.

Mr. Riddle will send this information to Judge Dee Drell.

The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Van Kojis, Chairman

Finance Committee

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

11. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:

Bus Committee Report

December 15, 2015

The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 15, at 5:55 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 and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; 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 Freeman Ford, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Ned. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

12. Mr. Darrell Wiley, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:

Executive Committee Report

December 15, 2015

The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at 6:02 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 James Gauthier, and Van Kojis, Board Members; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent.

1. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Board regarding the Food Service Supervisor’s job description.

Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Executive Committee recommended to amend the job description for Food Service Supervisor. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended to approve policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated, as follows: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

(a) File: BH School Board Ethics

(b) File: EBBG Hazardous Substances

(d) File: IDCH Home Study Program

(e) File: IFA Instructional Materials

(f) File: IFAA Textbook Selection and Adoption

(g) File: IH Academic Achievement

The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Darrell Wiley, Chairman

Executive Committee

A motion was made by James Gauthier, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, that the Board vote on the items of the Executive Committee Report separately. The motion passed by the following vote:

Ayes James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, Darrell Wiley, John Gagnard, and Lizzie Ned.

Nays: Michael Lacombe and Van Kojis.

After discussion regarding the qualifications and requirements for the position of Food Service Supervisor, Item Number 1 of the Executive Committee Report failed to be adopted by the following vote:

Ayes: Freeman Ford, Darrell Wiley, Michael Lacombe, and Van Kojis.

Nays: Chris LaCour, James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, John Gagnard, and Lizzie Ned.

Regarding Item Number 2, the Board adopted Item Number 2 of the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Wiley. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

13. Mrs. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, presented the personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:

PERSONNEL CHANGES

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Resignation of Margaret Vidrine, (retired) teacher, effective December 31, 2015.

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Cicely Johnson, teacher, effective January 4, 2016; Resignation of Josie Green, (retired) teacher, effective at the end of the day December 18, 2015; Appointment of Josephine Stevenson (retired) special education inclusion teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016, replacing Josie Green; and Appointment of Nicole L. Lowery, lab paraprofessional, effective January 6, 2016.

LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Reagan Rushing, teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016, replacing Rose Roy who retired.

PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Sherryl Novo, bus driver, effective at end of day December 18, 2015.

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Shawn P. Reiszner, teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016; Re-appointment of Aaron Greenhouse, special education paraprofessional, effective January 4, 2016; and Resignation of Rebecca Clark, teacher, effective January 4, 2016.

BUNKIE NEW TECH HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Jodie S. Dauzat, teacher, effective January 11, 2016 through May 20, 2016, replacing Clyde Blackman.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Meghan McFarland, teacher, effective January 3, 2016; and Appointment of Timothy A. Daigle, (TAT) physical education teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016.

ADDENDUM(S)

1/5/2016

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Transfer/appointment of Sarah Armand, from regular education teacher to Title I Pre-K teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016, replacing Margaret Vidrine; and Appointment of Cynthia Duncan, teacher, effective January 5, 2016 through May 20, 2016, replacing Sarah Armand.

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Elaine Hudson, paraprofessional, effective January 6, 2016 (IDEA-B funding).

LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Appointment of Ronald C. Chamberlain, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2016 through May 20, 2016.

14. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat announced that the past two days of Professional Staff Development have been very productive with many resources and ideas presented. Mr. Dauzat further stated that students will be returning to school tomorrow, January 6, 2016. Also, te Superintendent’s Annual Evaluation will be coming up soon for the Board Members.

15. On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by James Gauthier, an item was added to the agenda to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation regarding Algood versus Avoyelles Parish School Board, et al. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

16. On motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation regarding Section 16 right-of-ways as well as discussing pending litigation regarding Algood versus Avoyelles Parish School Board, et al. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board reconvened in open session at approximately 6:38 p.m.

17. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Board regarding scheduling the Board meeting/committee meetings during the month of February.

On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by James Gauthier, all committee meetings for the month of February will be held consecutively on February 23, 2016, beginning at 4:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

There being no further business, on motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Van Kojis, the meeting was adjourned.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Darrell Wiley, President

Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer