SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

 

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office, in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:

 

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

 

Absent: Chris Lacour, Rickey Adams, and Jill Guidry.

 

An Invocation was offered by Board member Lynn Deloach.

 

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board member Robin Moreau.

 

A motion was made by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, to remove Item #8 (discussion of concern for lack of Covid days for 2021-22 school year) from the agenda; also to add an item to the agenda (request for permission to bid out bread, milk, supplies, grease trap, garbage disposal, and food); and also to add Executive Session to the agenda (for discussion of a potential settlement of Muscle Lake Road).  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

1.         On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

           

2.         Board Member Robin Moreau read a resolution of respect to the late Emery LaGrange, retired custodian.

 

            On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Emery LaGrange, retired custodian.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

3.         Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for January, 2022. Superintendent Tutor 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 at each school are as follows:

 

            Paige Woodall, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Ariana Armand, Cottonport Elementary School; Brayden Sayer, Lafargue Elementary School; Kauai’Makyi Voorhies, Marksville Elementary School; Caden Romero, Plaucheville Elementary School; Aariauna Wallace, Riverside Elementary School; Bailee Battiste, Avoyelles High School; Rylie Hernandez, Bunkie Magnet High School; Lindy Aney, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Lavarion Palmer, Marksville High School.

 

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

 

4.         Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for January, 2022. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:

 

            Victoria Clark, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Shirley Mamou, Cottonport Elementary School; Valerie Bordelon, Lafargue Elementary School; Judy Rivers, Marksville Elementary School; Nikki Clark, Plaucheville Elementary School; Aslyn Dennie, Riverside Elementary School; Cameron Adams, Avoyelles High School; Elizabeth Mayeaux, Bunkie Magnet High School; Shea Jeansonne, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Morgan Thornhill, Marksville High School.

 

            On behalf of the Board, President Aimee Dupuy congratulated the teachers on this outstanding achievement.

 

5.         Jessica Gauthier, SIS Coordinator, recognized the 8th and 12th grade Students of the Year 2022, as follows:

 

8th Grade:  Akina Jenkins, Avoyelles High School; Cain Milligan, Bunkie Magnet High School; Aubree Patterson, LaSAS; and Jacey Merrell, Marksville High School.  *District Winner:  Cain Milligan, Bunkie Magnet High School.

 

12th Grade:  Anna Gautreaux, Avoyelles High School; Bryce Juneau, Bunkie Magnet High School; Layla Armand, LaSAS; and A’veiona Francisco, Marksville High School. *District Winner:  Anna Gautreaux, Avoyelles High School.

 

6.         Committee Reports      

 

(a)   Due to Chairman of the Bus Committee Rickey Adams’ absence,  President Aimee Dupuy presented the following report:

 

BUS COMMITTEE REPORT

JANUARY 18, 2022

 

            The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at approximately 4:30 p.m. at Avoyelles High School with the following members present:

 

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

 

            There were not enough Committee members present to constitute a quorum.

 

                                                                        Rickey Adams, Chairman

                                                                        Bus Committee

 

            Upon motion by Stanley Celestine, Jr., seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board hereby voids the Bus Committee Report due to the failure to meet a quorum at the Bus Committee Meeting on January 18, 2022.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

(b)   Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

JANUARY 18, 2022

 

            The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 4:35 p.m. at Avoyelles High School with the following members present:

 

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

 

            Chairman Stanley Celestine, Jr., requested to add an item to the agenda.  On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Executive Committee approved the addition of Item #8 (redistricting) to the agenda.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            1.         Committee member Lynn Deloach addressed the Executive Committee to announce his resignation from the Board, effective February 28, 2022.

 

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

 

            2.         Superintendent Karen L. Tutor addressed the Executive Committee regarding a recommendation that the Board grant authority to Superintendent Tutor to sign all contracts approved by the Avoyelles Parish School Board on behalf of the Avoyelles Parish School Board for 2022.

 

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Executive Committee recommended to grant Superintendent Karen L. Tutor the authority to sign all contracts approved by the Avoyelles Parish School Board on behalf of the Avoyelles Parish School Board for 2022. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            3.         Superintendent Tutor addressed the Executive Committee with a recommendation to approve the Learning Extension Budget Plan that is included in ESSER projects.

 

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the Learning Extension Budget Plan that is included in ESSER projects. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            4.         Superintendent Tutor addressed the Executive Committee in regards to changing the date of the Regular Board meeting in March due to the Mardi Gras holiday.

 

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Executive Committee recommended to change the March 1st Regular Board Meeting to March 3rd. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            5.         Superintendent Tutor addressed the Executive Committee with a recommendation to review the bid opening results for virtual curriculum and approve the contract between Edmentum and the Avoyelles Parish School Board, funded with ESSER-3 up to $699,042.00.

 

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the bid opening results for virtual curriculum and approve the contract between Edmentum and the Avoyelles Parish School Board, funded with ESSER-3 up to $699,042.00.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            6.         Dawn Pitre, Supervisor of Special Services, addressed the Executive Committee with a recommendation to approve the contract between Deaf Education Network, LA, LLC and the Avoyelles Parish School Board, funded with General Funds not to exceed $200,000.00.

 

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the contract between Deaf Education Network, LA, LLC and the Avoyelles Parish School Board, funded with General Funds not to exceed $200,000.00. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            7.         Dawn Pitre, Supervisor of Special Services, addressed the Executive Committee with a recommendation to approve the Parish MOU for Transition Services between Louisiana Rehabilitation Services and the Avoyelles Parish School Board/Division of Special Populations.

 

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the Parish MOU for Transition Services between Louisiana Rehabilitation Services and the Avoyelles Parish School Board/Division of Special Populations.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            8.         Superintendent Tutor addressed the Executive Committee with information regarding a plan for Strategic Demographics Redistricting Services.

 

            The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

 

                                                                        Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman

                                                                        Executive Committee

 

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

 

(c)   Robin Moreau, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

JANUARY 18, 2022

 

            The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at approximately 5:12 p.m. at Avoyelles High School with the following members present:

 

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

 

1.         Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, presented an actual sales tax report for the month of December, 2021.  She stated that sales tax collections totaled $784,595.43.  Mrs. Lacombe stated that of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $448,340.17, the 0.25% sales tax generated $112,085.17, and the building and maintenance fund generated $224,170.09.  

 

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

 

            2.         Chairman 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.         Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance, addressed the Finance Committee with the Special Revenue Budget Revision.

 

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Finance Committee recommended to table this item until the March 3, 2022 Regular Board meeting.

 

            5.         Nicholas Fowlkes with Kolder, Slaven and Company addressed the Finance Committee with a presentation of the Financial Audit Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.

 

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

 

            6.         Assistant Superintendent Thelma J. Prater addressed the Finance Committee with requests for overnight travel.

 

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the overnight travel requests. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

 

                                                                        Robin Moreau, Chairman

                                                                        Finance Committee

 

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Moreau.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

(d)   Due to Chairwoman of the Building and Lands Committee Jill Guidry’s absence,  Committee member Robin Moreau presented the following report:

 

BUILDING AND LANDS COMMITTEE REPORT

JANUARY 18, 2022

 

            The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at approximately 5:36 p.m. at Avoyelles High School, with the following members present:

 

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

 

            1.         Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with information on the quarterly report of Johnson Controls.

 

                        The Building and Lands Committee did not take any action on this matter.

 

            2.         Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a recommendation to approve professional services with JGA for the Bunkie Magnet High School additions.

 

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve professional services with JGA for the Bunkie Magnet High School additions, funded with ESSER funds with a lump sum fee of $39,300.00.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            3.         Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a recommendation to approve the professional service contract for the resubmittal of plans and specs for AVAP to the fire marshal.

 

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the professional service contract for the resubmittal of plans and specs for AVAP to the fire marshal, to be funded with General funds in a lump sum fee of $5,000.00.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

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

 

                                                                        Jill Guidry, Chairwoman

                                                                        Building and Lands Committee

 

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Committee member Robin Moreau. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

(e)   Lynn Deloach, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:

 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT

JANUARY 18, 2022

 

            The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at 5:51 p.m. at Avoyelles High School with the following members present:

 

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

 

1.         Committee member Chris Robinson addressed the Education Committee to welcome the Student Reps from each Avoyelles Parish School. The students presented updates on activities in their schools and also their feeder schools.

 

                        The Education Committee did not take any action at this time.

 

            2.         Committee member Chris Robinson addressed the Education Committee with information on Black History Month programs and activities around the district.

 

                        The Education Committee did not take any action at this time.

 

The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

 

                                                                        Lynn Deloach, Chairman

                                                                        Education Committee

 

On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report as presented by Chairman Deloach.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

7.         Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater presented personnel changes for the Board’s review.

 

PERSONNEL CHANGES

 

COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL              Appointment of Alana M. Pate, teacher, effective January 11, 2022 through February 11, 2022.

 

LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                  Appointment of Ihlam Sarameth Harrell, bus driver, effective January 14, 2022, replacing Melanie Carrier.

 

                                                                         Resignation of Samantha Carter, food service technician, effective at the end of the day January 11, 2022.

 

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL               Transfer/Appointment of Melanie Carrier, bus driver, from Lafargue Elementary School, effective January 14, 2022.

 

                                                                         Transfer/Appointment of Brenda St. Romain, from regular education bus driver to special education bus driver, effective January 14, 2022.

 

                                                                         Resignation of Tyler Redmond, paraprofessional, effective at the end of the day on January 7, 2022.

 

                                                                         Resignation of Irma Ford, bus driver, effective at the end of the day January 30, 2022, for the purpose of retirement.

 

PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL         Transfer/Appointment of Crystal Dukes, bus driver, from Riverside Elementary School, effective January 14, 2022, replacing Angela Greenhouse.

 

                                                                         Resignation of Joanne Taylor, paraprofessional, effective at the end of the day January 31, 2022, for the purpose of retirement.

 

                                                                         Resignation of Shannon Beran, teacher, effective January 19, 2022.

 

BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL                       Resignation of Erica F. Juneau, paraprofessional, effective at the end of the day February 28, 2022, for the purpose of retirement.

 

AVOYELLES PARISH CENTRAL OFFICE          Transfer/Appointment of Leigh Cole Lejene, from teacher to AWARE 2-Program Manager (based at AVAP), effective January 12, 2022 through June 8, 2022.

 

Addendum(s)

2/1/2022

 

PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL             Appointment of Nancy L. Plauche, school-wide paraprofessional, effective February 1, 2022.

 

 

8.         Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, addressed the Board to request permission for the school food service to bid out bread, supplies, food, grease trap, and garbage disposal; and to extend the contract for milk products with the current provider.

 

            On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board granted approval for the school food service to bid out bread, supplies, food, grease trap, and garbage disposal; and granted approval to extend the contract for milk products with the current provider. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

9.         On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board entered into Executive Session at approximately 5:39 p.m. to discuss a potential settlement of the Muscle Lake Road issue.  MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board reconvened in open public session at approximately 5:55 p.m. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

            The Board did not take any action in this matter.

 

10.        Superintendent’s Comments: Superintendent Karen L. Tutor announced that Dr. Luke Laborde from LSU will tour all parish high schools on February 3-4 and will introduce our new 4-H agents.  Dr. Laborde is the interim Vice President for Agriculture and Dean of the College of Agriculture. Superintendent Karen L. Tutor also reminded the board that Dannie Garrett with Strategic Demographics will be here on Friday, February 4, 2022 to meet with the board members at their scheduled times.

 

Board President Aimee Dupuy read a letter of thanks from the family of Gerard Moreau.  Also, she reminded everyone that the next regular Board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, due to the Mardi Gras holiday. 

 

There being no further business, on motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the meeting was adjourned.

 

                                                            AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

 

                                                            Aimee Dupuy, President

 

                                                            Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent

                                                            Secretary/Treasurer