2017-12-04

SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Monday, December 4, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

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

Absent: Freeman Ford.

An Invocation was offered by Mr. Dexter Compton, Secondary Supervisor of Instruction.

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 Darrell Wiley, seconded by Shelia Blackman-Dupas, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, November 7, 2017, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Mr. James Gauthier, Board Member, read a resolution of respect to the late Susan Wilkes Blanchard, former secretary at the Central Office.

On motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Susan Wilkes Blanchard. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized the Students of the Month for December. Mr. Dauzat and BESE President Dr. Gary Jones 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: A’aliyah Dixon, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Ke’eranice Dupas, Cottonport Elementary School; Aaron Peltier, Lafargue Elementary School; Alaura McGlory, Marksville Elementary School; Cara Daigrepont, Plaucheville Elementary School; Nickolas Jeansonne, Riverside Elementary School; Jesse Armand, Avoyelles High School; Arian Alexander, Bunkie Magnet High School; Jessica Fall, LaSAS; and Hannah Broussard, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Chris LaCour commended the students on their accomplishments.

4. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for November. Ms. Prater and BESE President Dr. Gary Jones presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:

Shuranda Lockwood, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Lauren Ducote, Cottonport Elementary School; Kelley Juneau, Lafargue Elementary School; Noel Rambo, Marksville Elementary School; Nikki Clark, Plaucheville Elementary School; Josephine Stevenson, Riverside Elementary School; Nicole Bordelon, Avoyelles High School; Doris Leary, Bunkie Magnet High School; Cheyenne Guillory, LaSAS; and Rochelle Baldoz, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Chris LaCour commended the teachers on their accomplishments.

5. Dr. Gary Jones and Mr. Michael Johnson presented their annual report on the desegregation plan. Dr. Jones and Mr. Johnson stated that everything has run smoothly, all green factors have been accomplished, and unitary status has been achieved. There will be one final report issued in late spring, and then shortly afterwards, if all goes well, the desegregation suit should be able to be dismissed.

6. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat announced that December EOC/LEAP 2025 testing has begun in the high schools. He also introduced Mr. Blake Guillot as the new Network Administrator. Superintendent Dauzat then wholeheartedly thanked all supporters, individuals and businesses alike, for the passage of the millage renewals, a necessary source of funding for the parish school system’s upkeep and maintenance.

7. President Chris LaCour addressed the Board regarding the Superintendent’s evaluation. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat received an overall 3.584 out of 4.000 score (highly effective) from the Board members. Board Member Michael Lacombe and President Chris LaCour stated that Superintendent Dauzat is a great leader, and the Board members support Mr. Dauzat’s vision for education, his dedication, and his excellent rapport with staff and students. However, there is always room to grow and areas for improvement, but Mr. Dauzat is on the right track. Superintendent Dauzat thanked the Board for their vote of confidence, and he gave credit to the fact that the Board, faculty, and central office personnel all work well together. He pledged to continue placing the students first and strive to progress for the betterment of the public school system.

8. Dr. Karen Williams, Supervisor of Special Services, presented the results of the State IDEA Monitoring. Dr. Williams stated that the district has made improvements in all areas. In particular, she noted that the dropout rate of students with disabilities has reduced from 53.3% in 2014 to 40% in 2016, while the graduation rate has more than doubled from 18.8% to 43.8% for the same time period.

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

Finance Committee Report

November 14, 2017

The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

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

1. Mrs. Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Collector, presented the sales tax report for the month of October, 2017. Mrs. Lacombe stated that sales tax revenues for the month totaled $678,107.06. She stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $387,543.22, the 0.25% sales tax generated $96,792.23, and the building maintenance fund generated $193,771.61.

Upon motion by Freeman Ford, seconded by James Gauthier, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the sales tax report for the month of October, 2017 as presented by Mrs. Lacombe. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented requests for overnight travel.

Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the requests for overnight travel as presented. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a monthly maintenance spending report, as follows:

∙ Floyd’s Construction, Marksville Elementary School, roof repairs, $1575.00

∙ Floyd’s Construction, Marksville High School, roof repairs, $3500.00

∙ Floyd’s Construction, Central Office, roof repairs, $4500.00

4. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented 2017-2018 General Fund Budget Revisions.

Upon motion by Michael Lacombe, seconded by Freeman Ford, the Finance Committee recommended approval of the 2017-2018 General Fund Budget Revisions, as follows:

Estimated Revenues $37,811,262

Estimated Expenditures $39,179,547

Estimated Current Year Deficit ($ 1,368,285)

Estimated Ending Fund Balance $ 8,495,022

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.

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

Education Committee Report

November 14, 2017

The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 4:15 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

James Gauthier, Chairman; Lizzie Ned, John Gagnard, Darrell Wiley, Chris LaCour, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Michael Lacombe, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education; Dexter Compton, Secondary Supervisor of Education; and Jennifer Dismer, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.

1. Ms. Kim Dennis addressed the Education Committee regarding school visitations.

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

2. Ms. Jennifer Dismer, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, addressed the Education Committee regarding excessive absences.

The Education Committee did not take any action on this matter. The committee requested to place this item on the Executive Committee agenda.

3. Mrs. Lizzie Ned, Member of the Education Committee, addressed the committee regarding school performance scores.

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 Darrell Wiley, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

11. Mr. John Gagnard, Chairman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:

Bus Committee Report

November 28, 2017

The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

John Gagnard, Chairman; Freeman Ford, Michael Lacombe, Chris LaCour, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent of Schools. Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent. Also present were Darrell Wiley, James Gauthier, Lizzie Ned, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Jennifer Dismer, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance; Becky Spencer, Tech Coordinator; Derek Manuel and Jenny Donaghey Beckham, Assistant District Attorneys.

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.

John Gagnard, Chairman

Bus Committee

On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairman Gagnard. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

Executive Committee Report

November 28, 2017

The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at 4:10 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

Darrell Wiley, Chairman; Lizzie Ned, James Gauthier, Van Kojis, Chris LaCour, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Also present were Freeman Ford, Michael Lacombe, and John Gagnard, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Jennifer Dismer, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance; Becky Spencer, Tech Coordinator; Derek Manuel and Jenny Donaghey Beckham, Assistant District Attorneys; and the Honorable William Bennett, Twelfth Judicial District Judge.

1. Ms. Jennifer Dismer, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, addressed the committee regarding a continued discussion on excessive absences. Ms. Jennifer D. Beckham and Mr. Derek Manuel, Assistant District Attorneys, as well as Judge William Bennett also addressed the committee.

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

2. Ms. Becky Spencer, Technology Coordinator, addressed the Executive Committee regarding granting authorization for the Superintendent to apply for E-Rate for the 2018-2019 school year.

Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended to grant authorization for the Superintendent to apply for E-Rate for the 2018-2019 school year. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

(a) File: EB Buildings and Grounds Management

(b) File: GAMA Employee Tobacco Use

(d) File: KG Use of School Facilities

Upon motion by James Gauthier, seconded by Lizzie Ned, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the policies as presented by Superintendent Dauzat. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

4 Ms. Jennifer Dismer, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented a revision of File: JDE-P2 - Procedures for Review of Expulsions taken from the Avoyelles Parish School Board policy manual for the committee’s consideration.

Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by James Gauthier, the Executive Committee recommended to accept the changes to File: JDE-P2 - Procedures for Review of Expulsions as presented. 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 James Gauthier, the Board adopted the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Wiley. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ms. Shelia Blackman-Dupas, Board Member, left the Board meeting at this time.

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

PERSONNEL CHANGES

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Re-appointment of Vetria L. Veal, teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; Re-appointment of Amie C. Clark, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; Resignation of Megan Brown, teacher, effective November 13, 2017; Resignation of Vanessa Batiste, teacher, effective November 24, 2017; and Resignation of LaNell Alletag, teacher, effective November 15, 2017.

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Jessica G. Lemoine, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; and Appointment of Cicely F. Jacob, teacher, effective November 28, 2017 through February 8, 2018, replacing Nikki Guidry while on leave.

PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Valerie A. Chesne, teacher, effective December 8, 2017 through January 5, 2018.

RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Amber C. Voiselle, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018.

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Bailey M. Gauthier, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; Re-appointment of Logan G. Lemoine, (TAT) business teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; and Resignation of Cassandra Gaspard, teacher, effective November 13, 2017.

BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Mallory A. Ogea, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; Re-appointment of Bianca M. Harvey, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; Re-appointment of Dylan J. West, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; Re-appointment of Laure’ A. Tubre, (TAT) teacher, content mastery teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; Resignation of Jeremy Richardson, teacher, effective at the end of the day November 17, 2017; and Resignation of Kaycie Ross, teacher, effective at the end of the day December 1, 2017.

LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Re-appointment of Bryan Jones, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through February 2, 2018.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Re-appointment of Alana M. Pate, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; Re-appointment of Brandon Horne, (TAT) teacher, effective January 4, 2018 through May 24, 2018; and Extension of contract for Eric Dauzat, Acting Principal, effective November 28, 2017 through January 8, 2018, replacing Marvin Hall while on leave.

ADDENDUM(S)

12/4/2017

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CENTRAL OFFICE: Appointment of Blake Guillot, Network Administrator, effective December 4, 2017 through December 3, 2019, replacing Richard Robinson.

15. On motion by Darrell Wiley, seconded by John Gagnard, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session at approximately 5:56 p.m. for the purpose of discussing pending litigation (Stephan Michael “Duke” Allgood versus Roch Bordelon and Avoyelles Parish School Board.) MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

On motion by John Gagnard, seconded by Michael Lacombe, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 6:06 p.m.

The Board did not take any action on the item discussed in Executive Session.

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

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Chris LaCour, President

Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer