2022-01-11

SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office, in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:

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

Absent: Chris Lacour.

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

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Vice-President Jill Guidry.

1. Superintendent Karen L. Tutor addressed the Board with a proclamation declaring January 2022 as School Board Members Recognition Month.

2. Superintendent Karen L. Tutor presented a plaque to outgoing President Stanley Celestine, Jr. and outgoing Vice President Jill Guidry for their service and dedication to the Board for the period January 5, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

3. Superintendent Karen L. Tutor advised the Board that the terms of the offices of President and Vice President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board have expired. She then called for nominations for the office of President.

Board member Stanley Celestine, Jr. placed the name of Aimee Dupuy in nomination for the office of President. Board member Jill Guidry seconded this nomination.

No other nominations were made.

Board member Jill Guidry moved that nominations for the office of President be closed. The motion was seconded by Lynn Deloach.

Superintendent Karen L. Tutor requested that the Board members cast their votes.

YAYS: Lynn Deloach, Robin Moreau, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.

NAYS: Latisha Small.

By a vote of 7-1, Aimee Dupuy was elected as President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the 2022 school year.

4. President Aimee Dupuy called for nominations for the office of Vice President.

Board member Latisha Small placed the name of Chris Robinson in nomination for the office of Vice President. Board member Jill Guidry seconded this nomination.

No other nominations were made.

Board member Rickey Adams moved that nominations for the office of Vice President be closed. The motion was seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr..

Superintendent Karen L. Tutor requested that the Board members cast their votes.

YAYS: Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Robin Moreau, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.

NAYS: None.

By a unanimous vote, Chris Robinson was elected as Vice President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the 2022 school year.

At this time, Board member Robin Moreau left the meeting.

5. On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

6. President Aimee Dupuy read a resolution of respect to the late Steve Sayer, retired maintenance crew employee.

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Steve Sayer, retired maintenance crew employee. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

7. Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for December, 2021. Each Board member read a short biography detailing the accomplishments of each student. Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each student, as follows:

Zoey Lavalais, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Troy Belanger, Jr., Cottonport Elementary School; Luke Dauzat, Lafargue Elementary School; Kamarion Smith, Marksville Elementary School; Illiana Dauzat, Plaucheville Elementary School; Caleb Laprairie, Riverside Elementary School; Brylan St. Romain, Avoyelles High School; Dexter Compton, Jr., Bunkie Magnet High School; Jervez Wright, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Angel Moss, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Aimee Dupuy commended the students on this outstanding achievement.

8. President Aimee Dupuy recognized the Teachers of the Month for December, 2021. She presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:

Peggy Joshua, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Keonte Wells, Cottonport Elementary School; Linda Gagnard, Lafargue Elementary School; Rebecca Jones, Marksville Elementary School; Bailey Lemoine, Plaucheville Elementary School; Williams Beebe, Riverside Elementary School; Ryan Gremillion, Avoyelles High School; Reagan Lemoine, Bunkie Magnet High School; Bonnie Leduc, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Daniel Murphy, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Aimee Dupuy commended the teachers for their exceptional dedication.

9. Board Member Chris Robinson recognized the students who were selected to the Class 2A All-State Football Team. Each athlete was presented with a certificate for this remarkable accomplishment.

10. Aimee Dupuy, Chairwoman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

DECEMBER 14, 2021

The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 4:33 p.m. at Marksville High School with the following members present:

Aimee Dupuy, Chairwoman; Lynn Deloach, Robin Moreau, Latisha Small; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. President Stanley Celestine, Jr., was absent. Also present were Chris Robinson and Jill Guidry, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jamie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.

Chairwoman Aimee Dupuy requested to add line items 4 and 5 to the Executive Committee agenda.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Executive Committee agreed to add line items 4 and 5 to the agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

1. Chairwoman Aimee Dupuy addressed the Executive Committee for discussion of the 10-Year Plan.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Executive Committee recommended to vote on the 5-Year Plan at the March 2022 meeting. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Chairwoman Aimee Dupuy addressed the Executive Committee with a review of Policies—File: BCB - Board Meeting Procedures and File: BCBD - Agenda Preparation and Dissemination.

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

3. Superintendent Karen L. Tutor addressed the Executive Committee with a request for approval of policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr., of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Executive Committee recommended approval of policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr., of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated, as follows:

(a) File: GBRHA Sabbatical Leave

(b) File: GBRIB Sick Leave

(d) File: JQE Expectant and Parenting Students

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

4. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Executive Committee for approval of a rental agreement for Red River Charter.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Executive Committee recommended to extend the lease with Red River Charter School for an additional 5 years (to add to the already agreed upon 45-year lease) for a total of 50 years. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Executive Committee for approval of a contract for participants in the degree program at REACH University.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Latisha Small, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the contract for participants in the degree program at REACH University. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Aimee Dupuy, Chairwoman

Executive Committee

On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board adopted the Executive Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Dupuy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

11. Jill Guidry, Chairwoman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

DECEMBER 14, 2021

The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at approximately 5:01 p.m. at Marksville High School with the following members present:

Jill Guidry, Chairwoman; Aimee Dupuy, Chris Robinson; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Rickey Adams and President Stanley Celestine, Jr., were absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, and Robin Moreau, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jamie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.

1. Mrs. Jamie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented an actual sales tax report for the month of November, 2021. She stated that sales tax collections totaled $829,159.40. Mrs. Lacombe said that of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $473,805.45, the 0.25% sales tax generated $118,451.22, and the building and maintenance fund generated $236,902.73.

2. Committee member Robin Moreau presented the monthly maintenance report on expenditures for the committee’s review.

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

3. Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, addressed the Finance Committee with the monthly General Fund 2021-2022 Year-to-Date Report with comparisons.

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

4. Assistant Superintendent Thelma J. Prater presented the Finance Committee with requests for overnight travel.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Finance Committee approved the overnight travel requests. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

5. Demetria Alexander, Supervisor of Federal Programs, addressed the Finance Committee with an update on ESSER Funds.

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

The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Jill Guidry, Chairwoman

Finance Committee

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairwoman Guidry. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

12. Robin Moreau, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, was not present at the meeting at this time; therefore, Building and Lands Committee member Lynn Deloach presented the following report in his absence:

BUILDING AND LANDS COMMITTEE REPORT

DECEMBER 14, 2021

The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at approximately 5:22 p.m. at Marksville High School, with the following members present:

Robin Moreau, Chairman; Lynn Deloach, Jill Guidry; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Chris Lacour and President Stanley Celestine, Jr., were absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Chris Robinson, and Aimee Dupuy, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jamie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.

1. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with the bid opening results for the cafeteria roof at Cottonport Elementary School.

On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the bid by Dixie Roofing in the amount of $143,795 for the Cottonport Elementary School cafeteria roof repair to be funded with Reserve Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with the bid opening results for the HVAC and roof replacement at Cottonport Elementary School.

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to accept the bid by ACA Air, Heating, and Mechanical in the amount of $987,000.00 for the Cottonport Elementary School HVAC and roof replacement for the main building and two-story buildings. This project is to be funded by ESSER Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

Robin Moreau, Chairman

Building and Lands Committee

On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Committee Member Deloach. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

13. Chris Robinson, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:

EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT

DECEMBER 14, 2021

The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 5:26 p.m. at Marksville High School the following members present:

Chris Robinson, Chairman; Lynn Deloach, Aimee Dupuy, Latisha Small; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. President Stanley Celestine, Jr., was absent. Also present were Jill Guidry and Robin Moreau, Board members; Jamie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.

1. Dexter Compton, Supervisor of Secondary Education, addressed the Education Committee with an update on ROTC.

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

2. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Education Committee with thoughts about next year’s virtual school.

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

3. Chairman Chris Robinson addressed the Education Committee to welcome the student representatives from each Avoyelles Parish School. The students presented updates on activities in both their schools and their feeder schools.

The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Chris Robinson, Chairman

Education Committee

On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Robinson. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

14. Lynn Deloach, Chairman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:

BUS COMMITTEE REPORT

DECEMBER 14, 2021

The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at approximately 5:38 p.m. at Marksville High School with the following members present:

Lynn Deloach, Chairman; Robin Moreau; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Chris Lacour, Rickey Adams, and President Stanley Celestine, Jr., were absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Chris Robinson, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy, Board members; Jamie Lacombe, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors, coordinators, and principals.

1. Mr. Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor, presented an update report on bus incidents in the school district.

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

The Bus Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Lynn Deloach, Chairman

Bus Committee

On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairman Deloach. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

15. Superintendent Karen L. Tutor presented personnel changes for the Board’s review.

PERSONNEL CHANGES

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING

ACADEMY Resignation of Rebecca Clark, teacher, effective December 31, 2021.

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Appointment of Elizabeth O. Gaspard, financial secretary, effective January 6, 2022.

LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Discontinuance of Active Employment Status of Monda Laborde, teacher, effective at the end of the day on December 17, 2021.

Appointment of Angela M. Tyler, school- based budget regular education paraprofessional, effective January 10, 2022, replacing Darien Maten.

Resignation of Hollie Torres, teacher, effective January 4, 2022.

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Appointment of Alexandrea S. Simon, special education paraprofessional, effective January 10, 2022.

Appointment of Faye L. Juneau, (retired) special education teacher, effective January 10, 2022 through March 4, 2022, replacing Nikki Guidry while on leave.

Appointment of Anessa R. Sauseda, teacher, effective January 10, 2022 through May 27, 2022, replacing Nichole Cole.

Appointment of David E. Kirk, custodian, effective January 4, 2022, replacing Kane Normand.

PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Transfer/Appointment of Paula Dauzat, financial secretary, from Cottonport Elementary, effective January 6, 2022.

Transfer/Appointment of Amanda Plauche, from paraprofessional to secretary, effective January 6, 2022.

RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Resignation of Wanda Brown, special education teacher, effective at the end of the day on December 17, 2021, for the purpose of retirement.

Appointment of Kayleen M. Jenkins, food service technician, effective January 10, 2022.

Resignation of Karli Kelone, teacher, effective at the end of the day December 17, 2021.

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL Appointment of Taylor K. Lambert, (TAT) teacher, effective January 10, 2022 through May 27, 2022.

Appointment of Marion K. Lemoine, (retired) teacher, part-time, effective January 10, 2022 through May 27, 2022.

BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL Appointment of Joyce A. Deal, bus driver, effective December 7, 2021.

Appointment of Kimberly L. Phillips, vocational agriculture teacher, effective January 4, 2022 through June 30, 2022.

Appointment of Richard I. Clark, business teacher, effective January 10, 2022 through May 27, 2022.

Resignation of William Vanderlick, agriculture teacher, effective at the end of the day on January 7, 2022.

LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES Appointment of Heather A. Dauzat, secretary, effective January 6, 2022.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Appointment of Aytia K. Hill, secretary, effective December 14, 2021.

Appointment of Dillon M. Juneau, (TAT) teacher, effective January 10, 2022 through May 27, 2022.

Appointment of Valerie Carmouche, food service technician, effective January 10, 2022.

Resignation of John Hill, physical education teacher, effective at the end of the day January 5, 2022.

Resignation of Bryan P. Bernard, bus driver, effective at the end of the day on December 17, 2021, for the purpose of retirement.

16. On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board entered into Executive Session at approximately 5:41 p.m. to discuss a student matter. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 5:56 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

17. Superintendent’s Comments: Superintendent Karen L. Tutor encouraged everyone to continue wearing masks to lessen the spread of illnesses. The numbers of Covid cases are expected to rise with students returning to school tomorrow, January 12, 2022, but will eventually go back down. The Board Retreat for tomorrow has been cancelled for now but will be rescheduled at a later date. The January committee meetings will be held on Tuesday, January 18, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Avoyelles High School. Lastly, the audit report is now ready if any Board member would like to review it.

There being no further business, on motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the meeting was adjourned.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Aimee Dupuy, President

Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent

Secretary/Treasurer