SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, November 5, 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, Chris LaCour, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, Van Kojis, and Aimee Dupuy.
Absent: None.
An Invocation was offered by Supervisor Dexter Compton.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Vice-President Robin Moreau.
1. On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, October 1, 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 Chris Robinson read a resolution of respect to the late Alice Sue Jacob, former teacher.
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board adopted a resolution of respect to the late Alice Sue Jacob, former teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. 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: Maziah Smith, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Ja’Layah Friels, Cottonport Elementary School; Katie Lachney, Lafargue Elementary School; Chavez Jacobs, Marksville Elementary School; Aubri Gauthier, Plaucheville Elementary School; Jayda Cooper, Riverside Elementary School; Michah Barnes, Avoyelles High School; Jalica Funches, Bunkie Magnet High School; Ethan Mayeux, LaSAS; and Gabe Norrmand, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Lynn Deloach commended the students on their accomplishments.
4. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for November. Ms. Prater commended the teachers and presented a plaque to each student, as follows:
Connie Ducote, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Sandra Smith, Cottonport Elementary School; Jessica Dauzat, Lafargue Elementary School; Kenneth Ford, Marksville Elementary School; Sara Wallace, Plaucheville Elementary School; Mary Allen, Riverside Elementary School; Cameron Adams, Avoyelles High School; Amanda Fontenot, Bunkie Magnet High School; Ward Bordelon, LaSAS; and Alana Pate, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Lynn Deloach commended the teachers on their accomplishments.
5. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat recognized Ms. Becky Spencer, Technology Coordinator, who was named the Region VI Leader of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE). Also, Mr. Dauzat congratulated Austin Spencer, student at LaSAS, for placing second in the entire nation in the Agriculture Science Fair at the FFA National Convention.
Superintendent Dauzat announced that the School Performance Scores will be officially released to the public at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow. However, he did state that the Avoyelles Parish school system did perform better in seven out of eight components of the score compared to last year. He stated that the district showed the third most growth in the entire state of Louisiana; and the district has ranked higher in growth overall in the state each year for the past five years.
6. Mr. Chris Robinson, Chairman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:
Bus Committee Report
October 22, 2019
The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 4:30 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, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; and other supervisors.
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.
Chris Robinson, Chairman
Bus Committee
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairman Robinson. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Mr. Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:
Education Committee Report
October 22, 2019
The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 22,2019, at approximately 4:33 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, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Dexter Compton, Supervisor of Secondary Education; Celeste Voinche, Supervisor of Elementary Education; Dawn Pitre, Supervisor of Special Services; and other supervisors.
1. Committee Member Latisha Small addressed the Education Committee regarding an update on the Avoyelles Virtual Alternative Program (AVAP).
Mrs. Jennifer Dismer, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, presented a report indicating performance results for the Avoyelles Virtual Alternative Program.
The Education Committee did not take any action on this matter.
The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman
Education Committee
On motion by Stanley Celestine, Jr., seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Celestine. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Mr. Robin Moreau, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:
Executive Committee Report
October 22, 2019
The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at approximately 4:40 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present:
Robin Moreau, Chairman; Chris Robinson, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Lynn Deloach, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Mr. Rickey Adams was absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Chris LaCour, Van Kojis, and Aimee Dupuy, Board Members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jaimie Lacombe, Dexter Compton, Celeste Voinche, Dawn Pitre, Brent Whiddon, and Steve Marcotte, Supervisors.
1. Upon motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Executive Committee granted approval of a contract for professional services between the Avoyelles Parish School Board and Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood in the amount of $10,560 funded by Title I. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Upon motion by Stanley Celestine, Jr., seconded by Chris Robinson, the Executive Committee granted approval of two contracts between the Avoyelles Parish School Board and Amplify in the total amount of $28,800 funded by Redesign. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Upon motion by Stanley Celestine, Jr., seconded by Chris Robinson, the Executive Committee granted approval of policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. with Forethought Consulting, Incorporated, as follows: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
File: EBBB School and Student Safety
File: EBBC Emergency/Crisis Management
File: JCDAG Threats of Terrorism or Violence
The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Robin Moreau, Chairman
Executive Committee
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, 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
October 22, 2019
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at 4:48 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present: Aimee Dupuy, Chairperson; Robin Moreau, Chris LaCour, Lynn Deloach, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Mr. Rickey Adams was absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chris Robinson, and Van Kojis, Board Members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; and other supervisors.
1. Mrs. Jaimie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented the sales tax report for the month of September, 2019. Mrs. Lacombe stated that sales tax revenues for the month totaled $694,928.92. She stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $397,102.23, the 0.25% sales tax generated $99,275.58, and the building maintenance fund generated $198,551.11.
Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Lynn Deloach, 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 three (3) maintenance spending expenditures above $5,000 for the month of September, 2019, as follows:
(1) Louisiana Special Systems, Incorporated, at Bunkie Magnet High School, $18,012.76, for replacement of intercom and bell system
(2) Acme Refrigeration of Alexandria, at Marksville Elementary School, $33,000.00, for air conditioning units for cafeteria
(3) Bordelon Electric, Incorporated, at Riverside Elementary School, $7,644.37, for repairs and maintenance of air conditioner units
3. Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the requests for overnight travel, as presented by Superintendent Dauzat. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat addressed the Finance Committee regarding the remaining 2018-2019 surplus.
The Finance Committee did not take any action on this matter.
5. Mr. Brent Whiddon, Supervisor of Transportation, addressed the Finance Committee regarding purchasing new buses through the Volkswagen Grant.
Upon motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Finance Committee recommended to grant authorization to Supervisor Brent Whiddon to apply for the Volkswagen Grant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented the Needs Assessment Budget for 2019-2020.
The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Aimee Dupuy, Chairwoman
Finance Committee
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Dupuy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
13. Mr. Lynn Deloach, President, presented the following report:
Building and Lands Committee Report
October 22, 2019
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at 5:13 p.m. at the School Board Office with the following members present: Robin Moreau, Chris Robinson, Van Kojis, Lynn Deloach, President; and Blaine Dauzat, Superintendent. Chairman Rickey Adams was absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Chris LaCour, Stanley Celestine, Jr., and Aimee Dupuy, Board Members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; and supervisors.
1. Upon motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to grant permission to advertise for the sale of used surplus junk vehicles. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Upon motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Van Kojis, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to grant approval of the final change order for the Bunkie Magnet High School stage in the increased amount of $10,207. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Committee Member Robin Moreau addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding the appraisal of Section 16 and Old River properties.
Upon motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to lower lease prices to the amount of each existing site’s NEW appraisal and extend all leases to 10 years, effective July 1, 2020.
The motion was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Robin Moreau, Chris Robinson, and Lynn Deloach. Nays: Van Kojis.
4. Committee Member Robin Moreau addressed the Building and Lands Committee regarding the length of a lease on School Board property and the cost of hunting permits.
Upon motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to lower permits to $75 and the individual pays for his own background check.
The motion was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Robin Moreau, Chris Robinson, and Lynn Deloach. Nays: Van Kojis.
The Building and Lands Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Lynn Deloach, President
On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report, except for Item Number 3, as presented by President Deloach. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Regarding Item Number 3: A motion was made by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, that the Board lower lease prices to the amount of each existing site’s NEW appraisal and extend the length of all NEW leases to 10 years, effective July 1, 2020. The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Robin Moreau, Chris Robinson, Latisha Small, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Lynn Deloach, and Aimee Dupuy.
Nays: Chris LaCour and Van Kojis.
Abstained: Rickey Adams
15. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater presented personnel changes for the Board’s review, as follows:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Cora D. Trattles, Title I paraprofessional, effective October 29, 2019, replacing Sarah C. Ducote who resigned; and Resignation of Sarah C. Ducote, paraprofessional, effective October 1, 2019.
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Darien J. Maten, special education paraprofessional, effective October 29, 2019 (new position); and Resignation of Shalane A. LaBorde, bus driver, effective at the end of the day October 7, 2019, for the purpose of retirement.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Theresa D. Carmouche, Early Interventionist special education paraprofessional, effective October 22, 2019 (new position).
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Elizabeth L. Goza, teacher, effective October 15, 2019 through December 20, 2019, replacing Andrew Dufour; Appointment of Chelsea M. Garin, teacher, effective October 29, 2019 through December 20, 2019; Resignation of Samantha Chapin, teacher, effective at the end of the day October 30, 2019; and Resignation of Keith Coco, Jr., custodian, effective at the end of the day October 23, 2019.
BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL: Appointment of Michael F. Johnson, custodian, effective October 22, 2019, replacing Rodney Spears; Appointment of Jennifer G. Dauzat, special education bus attendant, effective October 22, 2019, replacing Sharon Gonzales; and Resignation of Brent W. Sanders, teacher, effective at the end of the day October 8, 2019.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES: Appointment of Joni L. Meche, (TAT) teacher, effective October 15, 2019 through December 20, 2019.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Chance Daigre, teacher, effective at the end of the day October 4, 2019.
AVOYELLES PARISH PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER: Appointment of Janine Mury, (retired) part-time Educational Diagnostician, effective October 9, 2019 through December 20, 2019.
16. On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board agreed to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter (April Bordelon versus Avoyelles Parish School Board). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 5:55 p.m.
Board Members Chris LaCour and Van Kojis were not present at this point in the meeting.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board granted permission to its attorneys to negotiate a settlement with the plaintiff in the amount discussed in Executive Session. The motion was unanimously adopted by a 7-0 vote.
There being no further business, on motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Lynn Deloach, President
Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer