2016-11-01

SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, November 1, 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 Vice-President John Gagnard.

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

1. On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Vice-President John Gagnard read a resolution of respect to the late Dorothy Goux, former teacher.

On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Dorothy Goux. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat announced that school holidays begin next week: Election Day holiday will be Tuesday, November 8, Veterans’ Day holiday will be Friday, November 11, and then Thanksgiving holidays will be November 21-25. District and school performance scores will finally be released by the State during the week before Thanksgiving. The Federal Programs department, the School Board, and the United Way will be sponsoring “Reading on the Square” to be held on December 3 from 9 a.m. -12 p.m. at the Marksville Courthouse Square. This event is made possible in part by receipt of a Literacy Grant. Santa will be making an appearance, free books will be distributed, and everyone is invited to attend. Also for the public, the Fourth Annual Veterans’ Day program will be held at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 9, at Marksville Elementary School.

4. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized the Students of the Month for November. 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: Julius “Trae” Wallace, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Triston Kyle, Cottonport Elementary School; Reese Laborde, Lafargue Elementary School; Noah Bordelon, Marksville Elementary School; Larencia James, Plaucheville Elementary School; Stan’Quajah Brue, Riverside Elementary School; Jacob Van DeVanter, Avoyelles High School; Madison Juneau, Bunkie Magnet High School; Hailey Ducote, LaSAS; and Kennade Whittington, Marksville High School.

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

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

Megan Brown, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; LeeAnn Mingo, Cottonport Elementary School; Karen Laborde, Lafargue Elementary School; Linda Voinche, Marksville Elementary School; Amber Andrus, Plaucheville Elementary School; Sherry Reech, Riverside Elementary School; Abigail Schnibbe, Avoyelles High School; Isaac Adams, Bunkie Magnet High School; Robin Moreau, LaSAS; and Mary Cockerham, Marksville High School.

6. Dr. Gary Jones and Mr. Michael Johnson presented the annual report on the desegregation plan.

7. Mr. Howard Desselle, citizen of Marksville, addressed the Board.

8. Mrs. Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education, presented an overview of The Rapides Foundation Strategic Solutions Grant.

On motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Board adopted a resolution to enter into a contract with The Rapides Foundation to accept the Strategic Solutions Grant in the amount of $232,757. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

9. On motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board approved the Louisiana Compliance and System Survey. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

10. On motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board approved the Louisiana Compliance and System Survey for LaSAS. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

Finance Committee Report

October 18, 2016

The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Van Kojis, Chairman; John Gagnard, Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, Darrell Wiley, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Michael Lacombe, and Lizzie Ned, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; Susan Welch, Supervisor of Secondary Education; and Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education.

1. Mrs. Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented the sales tax report for the month of September, 2016. Mrs. Lacombe stated that sales tax revenues for the month of September totaled $647,348.68. She stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $369,921.18, the 0.25% sales tax generated $92,466.91, and the building maintenance fund generated $184,960.59.

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. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, reviewed grants for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

Expenditures were as follows:

Title I, $2,697,944; Title II, $364,183; Carl Perkins, $65,573; IDEA B, $1,293,578; Rapides Foundation, $100,582; JAG, $179,733; and Adult Education, $133,391.

4. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, reviewed investment earnings for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Mrs. Bonnette stated that demand deposit accounts currently earn 0.5% interest while investments earn 1% interest.

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.

12. Mr. James Gauthier, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:

Education Committee Report

October 18, 2016

The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 4:20 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

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

1. Mrs. Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education, presented an overview of The Rapides Foundation Strategic Solutions Grant.

The Education Committee did not take any action on this matter.

The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

James Gauthier, Chairman

Education Committee

On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

13. Mr. Michael Lacombe, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:

Building and Lands Committee Report

October 18, 2016

The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Michael Lacombe, Chairman; Van Kojis, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, James Gauthier, Darrell Wiley, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Chris LaCour, John Gagnard, and Lizzie Ned, Board Members; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor.

1. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented cost estimates for field track reconstruction at Avoyelles High School, Bunkie Magnet High School, and Marksville High School.

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

2. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding the new Pre-K building at Marksville Elementary School.

3. Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Darrell Wiley, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to add Mr. Arthur Lovall to the agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by James Gauthier, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to advertise for bids for the old Bunkie Middle School Gymnasium. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

Michael Lacombe, Chairman

Building and Lands Committee

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

14. Mr. Chris LaCour, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:

Executive Committee Report

October 25, 2016

The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Chris LaCour, Chairman; Freeman Ford, John Gagnard, Lizzie Ned, Darrell Wiley, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were James Gauthier, Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Michael Lacombe, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; and Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor.

1. Chairman Chris LaCour addressed the Executive Committee regarding permission to advertise for bids to sell a used school bus.

Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by John Gagnard, the Executive Committee recommended to advertise for the sale of used school buses with the number of buses to be determined by Maintenance Supervisor Steve Marcotte. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat discussed changes to the Mental Health Agreement, as follows:

Proposal for Enrollment Procedures

Mental/behavioral health providers shall coordinate with other providers to present to the Avoyelles Parish School Board a program to provide mental/behavioral health services to Avoyelles Parish School Board students. The programs shall be presented to the Avoyelles Parish School Board at the July meeting of the Avoyelles Parish School Board prior to each school year. A list will be presented at that meeting of all agencies which will provide services for the first semester of the school year. Any provider not included in the listing provided/presented to the Avoyelles Parish School Board at the July meeting will not be included as a provider for that semester.

Any agency wanting to petition to be included in the second semester shall do so prior to the November School Board meeting of said school year. Any agencies which do not meet the deadlines set forth shall not be allowed to provide services and shall have to wait until the following period to petition to be included in the program.

Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended to accept the changes/additions to the mental health agreement. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated, as follows:

(a) File: DJE Purchasing

(b) File: EBBH Use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

(d) File: IDDF Education of Students with Exceptionalities

Upon motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the policies as submitted by Mr. Prescott. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Chris LaCour, Chairman

Executive Committee

A motion was offered by Chris LaCour, seconded by Freeman Ford, that the Board adopt the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman LaCour.

The motion was adopted by the following vote:

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

Nays: Shelia Blackman-Dupas.

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

Bus Committee Report

October 25, 2016

The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, at 4:50 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Lizzie Ned, Chairwoman; Michael Lacombe; Shelia Blackman-Dupas; Chris LaCour; Darrell Wiley, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were James Gauthier, John Gagnard, and Van Kojis, 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 John Gagnard, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Ned. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

16. At this time, a representative with Community Support Services was to address the Board but did not attend the meeting. Therefore, this item was removed from the agenda.

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

PERSONNEL CHANGES

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Amy M. Adams, teacher, effective October 17, 2016 through May 25, 2017.

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Change of appointment status on Stacy Bordelon, teacher, from Early Interventionist to regular education Pre-K teacher, effective October 1, 2016 through May 25, 2017; Appointment of Pam S. Laborde, teacher, effective October 17, 2016 through May 25, 2017 (new position); and Resignation of Faye Juneau, (retired) teacher, effective at the end of the day October 7, 2016.

PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Change funding source for Alice Virgin, paraprofessional from Title I to LA 4, effective October 1, 2016.

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Lovinia A. Martin, bus driver, effective April 1, 2017, for the purpose of retirement; and Resignation of Penny Toledo, paraprofessional, effective October 10, 2016.

BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Jacqueline Brown, financial secretary, effective October 26, 2016 through January 25, 2017; Resignation of Bruce Webb, teacher, effective at the end of the day December 21, 2016, for the purpose of retirement; and Resignation of Vera Lee, teacher, effective October 14, 2016.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CENTRAL OFFICE: Renewal of an administrative contract for Demetria Alexander, Supervisor of Federal Programs, effective November 20, 2016 through November 19, 2018.

ADDENDUM(S)

11/1/2016

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Laurie Lonidier, teacher, effective at the end of the day November 4, 2016.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Minnie L. Lafargue, teacher, effective December 20, 2016, for the purpose of retirement.

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

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Darrell Wiley, President

Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer