SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. at the Marksville High School Auditorium, Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:
Robin Moreau, President; Rickey Adams, Vice-President; Latisha Small, Chris LaCour, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chris Robinson, Van Kojis, and Aimee Dupuy.
Absent: Lynn Deloach.
An Invocation was offered by Board Member Stanley Celestine, Jr.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board Member Chris Robinson.
1. On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 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 LaCour read a resolution of respect to the late Marigayle Lacour, former teacher.
On motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Marigayle Lacour. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat stated that the meal box delivery was held again today, and approximately 4700 boxes were distributed. He said that three more delivery dates have been scheduled: May 26, June 10, and June 24. Secondly, the Avoyelles Parish School Board will move into Phase I of reopening business. The School Board office is still closed except by appointment. Principals will be at their respective schools from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Assistant principals and counselors will be there every other day. Report cards and final grades will be available next week. Parents are advised to call their child’s school to arrange pick up or request that it be mailed to them. Lesson packets will be available next week and will continue all summer. Superintendent Dauzat announced that the School Board committee meetings will be skipped again in May. The next regular school board meeting will be held on June 9. Finally, Superintendent Dauzat encouraged anyone who has any questions, comments, or concerns to contact him via email at blaine.dauzat@avoyellespsb.com.
4. On motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board granted permission to advertise for bids for the sale of moveable properties on Lots 15 and 21 at Old River in Mansura. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Mrs. Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, presented a bid-opening committee report on milk and milk products, grease trap removal, and supplies and equipment for the 2020-2021 school year.
On motion by Chris LaCour, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board awarded the bids for milk and milk products, for grease trap removal, and for supplies and equipment for the 2020-2021 school year to the lowest bidders. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, reported that sales tax collections for the month of March, 2020 totaled $571,226.32. She stated that of this amount, the 1.5% sales tax generated $326,415.03, the 0.25% sales tax generated $81,603.78, and the building maintenance fund generated $163,207.51.
On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board accepted the sales tax collection report as presented by Mrs. Bonnette. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board granted permission to renew a contract with EDLIO, which is a renewal of the schools’ and district’s website. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board granted approval of a contract for E-Rate Category One with Conterra for internet services for the 2020-2021 school year. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board granted approval of a contract for E-Rate Category Two with DETEL for technology products and services for the 2020 school year. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board approved the 2020-2021 District Parent and Family Engagement Policy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. President Robin Moreau addressed the Board regarding an update on the 2020 high school graduations. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat stated that he surveyed all senior students and their parents to determine their vote between a virtual graduation in May or an in-person graduation later in the summer. He announced that “individual” graduation ceremonies will be held where the student will walk down the aisle, present his/her speech if applicable, and accept his/her diploma. Each student will be videotaped, and then all videos for each school will be combined onto a DVD for the students to keep. Students will be allowed to have six (6) family members present during their ceremony. Graduation ceremonies are scheduled as follows: Bunkie Magnet High on May 14-15, LaSAS on May 15, Marksville High on May 19-20, and Avoyelles High on May 20.
12. President Robin Moreau addressed the Board regarding school registrations for the 2020-2021 school year. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat announced that Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten registration is ongoing now at all elementary schools. LaSAS will hold registration for seventh graders on June 2-3 and for eighth - twelfth graders on June 9-10. The remainder of schools will hold registration in July.
13. President Robin Moreau discussed the Student Handbook regarding vaping.
A motion was made by Chris Robinson, seconded by Van Kojis, that vaping be added as a Level IV infraction to current policy. The motion was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Chris Robinson, Van Kojis, Latisha Small, Chris LaCour, Robin Moreau, Rickey Adams, and Aimee Dupuy.
Nays: Stanley Celestine, Jr.
14. President Robin Moreau addressed the Board regarding the selection of an Ad Hoc Committee. This committee is being formed to research different types of alternative program options, meet monthly, and report their findings to the full Board in October. The members selected for this committee are as follows: Aimee Dupuy, Chairperson; Stanley Celestine, Jr.; Rickey Adams, Lynn Deloach, and Chris Robinson.
15. Board Member Chris Robinson addressed the Board regarding a time line on the expulsion process. No action was taken by the Board.
16. On motion by Van Kojis, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board granted permission to request proposals for the official journal of the Board for the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
17. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented the monthly maintenance spending report to the Board. Mr. Dauzat advised that bookkeeping records indicated that there were no maintenance expenditures above $5000 during the month of March, 2020.
18. On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Chris LaCour, the Board approved requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Blaine Dauzat. MOTION CARRIED.
19. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented an update report on bus insurance. No action was taken by the Board.
20. On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Van Kojis, the Board approved a contract for the financial audit with Kolder, Slaven and Company, LLC. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
21. Mrs. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented a report of the year-to-date 2019-2020 General Fund Revenues and Expenditures in comparison to prior year and budget revision.
22. Superintendent Blaine Dauzat presented personnel changes for the Board’s review.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY: Resignation of Peggy Joshua, (retired) teacher, effective May 22, 2020.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Appointment of Brandi Williams, teacher, effective March 19, 2020 through April 17, 2020; Appointment of Brandi Williams, teacher, effective April 21, 2020 through May 21, 2020; Resignation of Ruby L. Hawkins, (retired) special education teacher, effective at the end of the day May 21, 2020; and Resignation of Sandra A. Smith, (retired) teacher, effective May 22, 2020.
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Change in date of resignation of Caitlin Pitre, teacher, effective August 1, 2020; and Resignation of Vanessa Ducote, teacher, effective August 1, 2020.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Judy Rivers, (retired) teacher, effective May 22, 2020.
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Resignation of Yvonne S. Bassett, (retired) teacher, effective May 22, 2020.
BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Elizabeth Willis, (retired) teacher, effective May 22, 2020.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Resignation of Deborah Sue Wiley, (retired) teacher, effective May 22, 2020.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CENTRAL OFFICE: Appointment of Darlene Knott, Transportation Secretary, effective April 22, 2020, replacing Priscilla Ducote who is retiring.
24. President Robin Moreau advised the Board that the deadline to turn in the evaluation instrument for the Superintendent is May 30, 2020.
There being no further business, on motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Van Kojis, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Robin Moreau, President
Blaine Dauzat, Secretary-Treasurer