SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

            The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

            Lynn Deloach, President; Robin Moreau, Vice-President; Latisha Small, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, Van Kojis, and Aimee Dupuy.

            Absent:   Chris LaCour.

            An Invocation was offered by President Lynn Deloach.

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

            1.         On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, September 3, 2019, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            2.         Board Member Rickey Adams read a resolution of respect to the late Margaret Dalgo, former teacher.

                        On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Margaret Dalgo.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            3.         Vice-President Robin Moreau read a resolution of respect to the late Evans Lambert, former teacher.

                        On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Evans Lambert.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            4.         Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized the Students of the Month for October.  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:   Isela Callegari, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Randy Orange, Cottonport Elementary School; Mya Lavalais, Lafargue Elementary School; Brooklyn Frank, Marksville Elementary School; Shermira Bell, Plaucheville Elementary School; Jarrell White, Riverside Elementary School; Ava Gremillion, Avoyelles High School; Jordyn Davis, Bunkie Magnet High School; Jasmine Soniat, LaSAS; and Jadon Lacour, Marksville High School.

                        On behalf of the Board, President Lynn Deloach commended the students on their accomplishments.

            5.         Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for October.  Ms. Prater commended the teachers and presented a plaque to each student, as follows:

                        Malcolm Smoot, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Kelly Steele,  Cottonport Elementary School; Christy Guillot, Lafargue Elementary School; Cicely Jacob, Marksville Elementary School; Vicki Dufour, Plaucheville Elementary School; Amber Voiselle, Riverside Elementary School; Ryan Gremillion, Avoyelles High School; McKenzie Bienvenu, Bunkie Magnet High School; Virginia Laborde, LaSAS; and Jimmie Hillman, Marksville High School.

                        On behalf of the Board, President Lynn Deloach commended the teachers on their accomplishments.

            6.         Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences and Cottonport Elementary School for being named two of America’s Healthiest Schools throughout the Alliance for Healthier Generations.

            7.         Superintendent Blaine Dauzat announced that school has been in session for seven weeks, and reports indicate that all is progressing well.  There has been mostly positive feedback.  All schools are almost fully staffed with only one or two vacancies.  Mr. Dauzat further reported that today marks the October 1^st enrollment count, and there are 202 less students in the Avoyelles Parish school system today than on October 1, 2018.  There are a total of 5098 total students enrolled.  Board Member Rickey Adams suggested that, moving forward, the School Board survey parents to determine the reasons for withdrawing their students from the public schools.

            8.         President Lynn Deloach addressed the Board regarding distributing a portion of the 2018-2019 surplus to Avoyelles Parish School Board employees.

                        A motion was made by Van Kojis, seconded by Latisha Small, that the Board grant a one-time stipend as discussed at the last regular meeting–namely, $1000 to each certificated teacher and $500 to each support personnel–with the stipulation that the teachers must have taught in both the 2018-2019 school year and the 2019-2020 school year. 

                        The motion was adopted 6-2 by the following vote:

                                    Ayes:               Van Kojis, Latisha Small, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chris Robinson, Lynn Deloach, and Aimee Dupuy.

                                    Nays:               Robin Moreau and Rickey Adams.

            9.         Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Board regarding the Marksville Park/Sports Complex.  This land, named Edwin Edwards Park, encompasses the Marksville High softball field and the Marksville High tennis court.  Mr. Dauzat stated that per mutual agreement dating back to 1976, the School Board owns the property, and the City of Marksville maintains said property.

                        Mr. John Lemoine, Mayor of Marksville, also addressed the Board regarding the park/sports complex.

            10.       Mr. Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:

Education Committee Report

September 17, 2019

                        The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

                        Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman; Latisha Small, Aimee Dupuy, Chris LaCour, Lynn Deloach, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent.  Also present were Robin Moreau, Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Dexter Compton, Supervisor of Secondary Education;  Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education; Dawn Pitre, Supervisor of Special Services; and Becky Spencer and Chris Lemoine, Coordinators.

                        1.         Mrs. Dawn Pitre, Supervisor of Special Education, presented an update report on Functional Living Classrooms.

                                    The Education Committee did not take any action.

                        2.         Mr. Dexter Compton, Supervisor of Secondary Education, addressed the Education Committee on the Jump Start Summer Program.

                                    The Education Committee did not take any action.

                        3.         Mr. Andre Destin, Owner of Global Trucking Academy, addressed the Education Committee regarding a possible high school CDL Program.

                                    The Education Committee did not take any action.

                        The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                            Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman

                                                            Education Committee

                        On motion by Stanley Celestine, Jr., seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Celestine.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            11.       Mr. Robin Moreau, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:

Executive Committee Report

September 17, 2019

                        The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at approximately 4:57 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

                        Robin Moreau, Chairman; Chris Robinson, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Rickey Adams, Lynn Deloach, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent.  Also present were Latisha Small, Chris LaCour, Van Kojis, and Aimee Dupuy, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jaimie Lacombe, Dexter Compton, Celeste Voinche, Dawn Pitre, Brent Whiddon, and Steve Marcotte, Supervisors; and Becky Spencer and Chris Lemoine, Coordinators.

                        1.         Mrs. Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education, addressed the Executive Committee regarding a request for approval to purchase licenses for Burst Reading Intervention, Amplify, and mCLASS DIBELS.

                                    Upon motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Executive Committee recommended to grant permission to purchase licenses for Burst Reading Intervention, Amplify, and mCLASS DIBELS.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

                        2.         Upon motion by Stanley Celestine, Jr., seconded by Rickey Adams, the Executive Committee recommended to grant approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Louisiana Department of Education and the Avoyelles Parish School Board regarding implementation of the ACT Assessment Series.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

                        3.         Upon motion by Stanley Celestine, Jr., seconded by Chris Robinson, the Executive Committee recommended to approve a policy submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated, as follows: File: JS - Student Fees, Fines and Charges.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

                        4.         Chairman Robin Moreau addressed the Executive Committee regarding the status of cameras at the schools.

                                    Mrs. Becky Spencer, Technology Coordinator, and Mr. Chris Lemoine, Network Administrator, gave an update on the upgrade and monitoring of the cameras across the district.

                        The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                            Robin Moreau, Chairman

                                                            Executive Committee

                        On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairman Moreau.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            12.       Mrs. Aimee Dupuy, Chairwoman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:

Finance Committee Report

September 17, 2019

                        The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 5:15 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:  Aimee Dupuy, Chairperson; Robin Moreau, Chris LaCour, Rickey Adams,  Lynn Deloach, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent.  Also present were Latisha Small, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chris Robinson, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent;  Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor.

                        1.         Mrs.  Jaimie  Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented the sales tax report for the month of August, 2019.  Mrs. Lacombe stated that sales tax revenues for the month totaled $642,805.61.  She stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $367,317.68, the 0.25% sales tax generated $91,829.09, and the building maintenance fund generated $183,658.84.           

                                    Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the sales tax report as presented by Supervisor Lacombe.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

                        2.         Superintendent Blaine Dauzat advised the Finance Committee that there were five maintenance spending expenditures above $5,000 for the month of August, 2019, as follows:

Stafford Deshotel, $5376.00, for painting and electrical work at Bunkie Magnet High School

Interface Security Systems, $6470.00, for a fire alarm in the stage area at Bunkie Magnet High School

Tri-Steel Metals, $6792.80, for a catwalk at Bunkie Magnet High School

Perry Laborde, $16,500.00, for painting several areas at Marksville High School

Perry Laborde, $23,050.00, for painting around campus at Marksville Elementary School

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

                        4.         Upon motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Finance Committee recommended to donate $500.00 each to eight (8) students from the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences to attend the National Agriculture Science Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana, from  October 30 to November 2, 2019, as follows:  Austin Spencer, Gabrielle Bonaventure, Jasmine Soniat, Olivia Gagnard, Caroline Spencer, Heidi Gauthier, Tyler Mayeux, and William Manuel.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

                        5.         Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Finance Committee granted permission for issued request for proposal for internet and WAN services including a bundled firewall for all sites for the 2020-2021 school year.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

                        6.         Ms. Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, presented the School Food Service Budget for 2018-2019.

                        7.         Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, reviewed the 2018-2019 LaSAS Financial Budget.

                                    Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the 2018-2019 LaSAS Financial Budget as presented by Director Bonnette.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 

                        The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                                        Aimee Dupuy, Chairwoman

                                                                        Finance Committee

                        On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Dupuy.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            13.       Mr. Rickey Adams, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:

Building and Lands Committee Report

September 17, 2019

                        The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 5:36 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

                        Rickey Adams, Chairman; Robin Moreau, Chris Robinson, Van Kojis, Lynn Deloach, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent.  Also present were Latisha Small, Chris LaCour, Stanley Celestine, Jr., and Aimee Dupuy,  Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent;  Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and Brent Whiddon, Dexter Compton, and Celeste Voinche, Supervisors.

                        1.         Mr. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, presented a report on the appraisal for the rental of the former Bunkie Detention Center.

                                    Upon motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Van Kojis, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to advertise for public bid the rental of the former Bunkie Detention Center.   MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

                        2.         Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Bunkie and the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the use of “John’s Field.”

                                    Upon motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Van Kojis, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to enter into an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Bunkie and the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the use of “John’s Field.”

                                    The motion was adopted by the following voter: Ayes: Rickey Adams, Robin Moreau, Van Kojis, and Lynn Deloach.  Nays: None.  Abstained: Chris Robinson.

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

                                                                        Rickey Adams, Chairman

                                                                        Building and Lands Committee

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

            14.       Mr. Chris Robinson, Chairman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:

Bus Committee Report

September 17, 2019

                        The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at approximately 6:05 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:

                         Chris Robinson, Chairman; Aimee Dupuy, Latisha Small, Chris LaCour, Lynn Deloach, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent.  Also present were Stanley Celestine, Jr., Robin Moreau, Rickey Adams, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; and Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor.

                        1.         Mr. Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor, presented an update of bus incident reports.  The Bus Committee did not take any action on this matter.

                        2.         Committee Member Aimee Dupuy addressed the Bus Committee regarding the hot temperatures on the school buses.  Supervisor Brent Whiddon discussed options for the committee’s consideration.

                        3.         Chairman Chris Robinson recognized and commended the bus attendants/aides throughout the school district.  Mr. Robinson stated that the attendants and aides are performing an outstanding job in handling bus incidents.  He commended all of the attendants and aides for a job well done.

                        The Bus Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                                        Chris Robinson, Chairman

                                                                        Bus Committee

                        On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairman Robinson.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

PERSONNEL CHANGES

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Appointment of Patricia J. Riche, teacher, effective October 15, 2019 through December 20, 2019; and Transfer/appointment of Shelley Fontenot, bus driver, from Bunkie Magnet High School, effective August 6, 2019.

LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Change in date of appointment of Catherine D.  Tyler, (retired) teacher, effective August 6, 2019 through October 4, 2019, replacing Susan L. Gates.

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:  Change in funding source for Kayla D. Lemoine, teacher, from school base budget to Title I CSR, effective August 6, 2019 through May 21, 2010.

PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:  Change in funding source for Ashley Ducote,  teacher, from Title I CSR to school base budget, effective August 6, 2019 through May 21, 2020;

and Change in funding source for Cecelia Clark, teacher,  from school base budget to Title I CSR, effective August 6, 2019 through May 21, 2020.

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL:  Appointment of Michelle Andries, (TAT) teacher, effective September 3, 2019 through December 20, 2019; and Transfer/appointment of Sara Gaspard, bus driver, from Plaucheville Elementary School, effective August 6, 2019.

BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL:  Resignation of Hannah McGuire, teacher, effective at the end of the day September 26, 2019; Transfer/appointment of Shirley Alexander, food service technician, from Lafargue Elementary School, effective September 4, 2019; Transfer/appointment of Andria Brouillette, bus driver, from Cottonport Elementary School, effective August 6, 2019;

Transfer/appointment of Amanda Martin, bus driver, from Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy, effective August 6, 2019; and Transfer/appointment of Carleen Kelly, bus driver, from Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy, effective August 6, 2019.

LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Resignation of Davani C. Tassin, teacher, effective at the end of the day September 16, 2019.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL:  Transfer/appointment of Gene Normand, bus driver, from Marksville Elementary School, effective August 6, 2019.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CENTRAL OFFICE:  Resignation of Lynn Moreau, maintenance foreman, effective at the end of the day October 11, 2019, for the purpose of retirement.

AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER:  Transfer/appointment of Paula M. Mills, paraprofessional, from Plaucheville Elementary School, effective August 6, 2019, funded by IDEA-B.

ADDENDUMS

10/1/2019

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL:  Resignation of Andrew Dufour, teacher, effective at the end of the day September 26, 2019. 

BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL:  Appointment of Dana V. Blood, teacher, effective October 1, 2019 through May 21, 2020. 

AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Resignation of Monique P. Mayeux, Educational Diagnostician, effective at the end  of the day October 14, 2019.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD LEARNING CENTER:  Resignation of Sheila A. Saucier, Title I teacher, effective October 2, 2019, for the purpose of retirement.

                        In miscellaneous business, Superintendent Blaine Dauzat announced that Report Card Night, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, October 17, has been moved to Tuesday, October 15, 2019.  This is due to homecoming festivities being held that week.  Consequently, the committee meetings for the School Board will be moved to Tuesday, October 22, 2019.

                        There being no further business, on motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the meeting was adjourned.

                                                                        AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

                                                                        Lynn Deloach, President

                                                                        Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer