SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

             The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in Special Session on Thursday, December 15, 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, Michael Lacombe, and Van Kojis.

             Absent:   Shelia Blackman-Dupas and Lizzie Ned.

             1.          Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Board regarding approval to enter into a voluntary agreement for registration and collection of Louisiana local sales/use tax with Amazon.com.

                          On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board granted approval to enter into an agreement for registration and collection of Louisiana local sales/use tax with Amazon.com.  MOTION CARRIED.

             2.          President Darrell Wiley addressed the Board regarding negotiations with Red River Charter Academy.  Mr. Wiley acknowledged that Board Members representing Red River Charter Academy, headed by Ms. Pat Ours, were in attendance.

                          Discussion ensued regarding the following topics:

                          1)  Student selection (random lottery, 56 students per grade, opening in Fall, 2018);

                          2)  Curriculum (Red River Charter Academy would have full control of the courses offered);

                          3)  Staff selection (Red River Charter Academy would not take more than two faculty members per Avoyelles Parish school per year);

                          4)  Transportation (formula would be the same as is current with Avoyelles Public

Charter School);

                          5)  Facilities (options include but are not limited to possibly purchasing the Mansura Middle campus or leasing the Hessmer campus);

                          6)  Grade configuration (Red River Charter Academy would like to open with grades 6-8, adding one grade per year; Avoyelles Parish School Board would prefer they open with grades 7-8, adding one grade per year).

                          Both the Avoyelles Parish School Board and the Red River Charter Academy Board understand and acknowledge that all tentative agreements between both Boards are subject to the approval of Judge Dee Drell.  Another meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. between both Boards’ negotiating teams.

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

                                                                 AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

                                                                 Darrell Wiley, President

                                                                 Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer