SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, October 4, 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, Chris LaCour, Robin Moreau, Stanley Celestine, Jr., and Jill Guidry.
Absent: Rickey Adams.
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.
1. On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, and the Special Board meeting held on September 20, 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 Jill Guidry read a resolution of respect to the late Thomas Bryan Roy, retired principal.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Thomas Bryan Roy, retired principal. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for September, 2022. She 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:
Johnny Clayton, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Raiya Dobbins, Cottonport Elementary School; Luke Luneau, Lafargue Elementary School; Hunter Vead, Marksville Elementary School; Bentley Dixon, Plaucheville Elementary School; Carmelo Reed, Riverside Elementary School; Ella Deshotel,Avoyelles High School; Kane Ricaud, Bunkie Magnet High School; Jason Prater, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Jayden Moreau, 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 September, 2022. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Chrissy Grayson, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Stephanie Davis, Cottonport Elementary School; Terri Shannon, Lafargue Elementary School; Brandi Lee, Marksville Elementary School; Michel Morgan, Plaucheville Elementary School; Yvonne Bassett, Riverside Elementary School; Melissa Mayeaux, Avoyelles High School; McKenzie Bienvenu, Bunkie Magnet High School; Keri Desselle, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Dolly Rousseau, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Aimee Dupuy commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.
5. School Recognition: Lafargue Elementary School principal Kim Adams and Riverside Elementary School principal Tonenikea Wilson updated the Board regarding State Superintendent Cade Brumley’s visits to their schools.
6. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a recommendation that the Board’s attorneys proceed with swapping properties with the Town of Bunkie – specifically, property at Bunkie Middle School in exchange for both the boys’ baseball field and the girls’ softball field at Bunkie Magnet High School.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board granted authority to District Attorney Charles Riddle to proceed with the exchange of property with the Town of Bunkie – specifically, the whole Bunkie Middle School property from Avoyelles Parish School Board to the Town of Bunkie; and Bunkie Magnet High School boys’ baseball field and girls’ softball field from the Town of Bunkie to Avoyelles Parish School Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Steve Marcotte, Supervisor of Maintenance, addressed the Board requesting permission to advertise for bids to purchase a truck for central office mail and freight deliveries.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board granted permission to advertise for bids to purchase a new F-150 one-half ton pickup truck or equivalent, as per attached specification, for central office mail and freight deliveries. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Board member Chris Robinson addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the leasing of Section 16 at Muscle Lake that is landlocked.
A motion was offered by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jill Guidry, that the Board lease the remaining Section 16 property at Muscle Lake that is not under contract/lease. Discussion ensued. Board member Chris Robinson withdrew his motion.
A motion was made by Chris Robinson, seconded by Chris Lacour, that the Board table this matter until the next Board meeting to allow time for updated information from the district attorney to be obtained. The motion was approved by the following vote:
YEAS: Chris Robinson, Chris Lacour, Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Stanley Celestine, Jr., and Jill Guidry.
NAYS: Robin Moreau and Aimee Dupuy.
9. Committee Reports
(a) Lynn Deloach, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:
EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT
September 20, 2022
The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 4:27 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Lynn Deloach, Chairman; Chris Robinson, Latisha Small; Aimee Dupuy, President; and Karen L. Tutor, 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; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.
1. Jennifer Dismer, Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor, addressed the Education Committee for discussion of the Avoyelles Learns 2022-23 Covid Plan.
The Education Committee did not take any action on this matter.
2. Jennifer Dismer, Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor, addressed the Education Committee for discussion of the Proclamation of Attendance Awareness Month.
The Education Committee did not take any action on this matter.
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.
(b) Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented the following report:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
September 20, 2022
The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 4:40 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman; Jill Guidry, Robin Moreau, Lynn Deloach; Aimee Dupuy, President; and Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent. Also present were Latisha Small and Chris Robinson, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.
1. Becky Spencer, Network Supervisor, addressed the Executive Committee with a request to approve the E-Rate consulting contract with Teri Lawrence with Educational Professional Services for the 2022-2023 school year.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Executive Committee recommended to renew the E-Rate consulting contract with Teri Lawrence with Educational Professional Services for the 2022-2023 school year. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Becky Spencer, Network Supervisor, addressed the Executive Committee with a request to approve the 2022-2023 APSB Homeless Enrollment and Dispute Policy.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the 2022-2023 APSB Homeless Enrollment and Dispute Policy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor, addressed the Executive Committee with a request to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CRIMESTOPPERS, INC., Crimestoppers Safe School Louisiana App.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the MOU with CRIMESTOPPERS, INC., Crimestoppers Safe School Louisiana App. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Executive Committee with a recommendation to approve the policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated, as follows:
(a) File: GBDA Employment of Retired Personnel
(b) File: GBN Dismissal of Employees
(c) File: GBRIB Sick Leave
(d) File: GBRID Military Leave
(e) File: JGCE Child Abuse
(f) File: IDDFA Special Education Advisory Council
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the policies submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. of Forethought Consulting, Incorporated. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Dexter Compton, Supervisor of Instruction, addressed the Executive Committee with a recommendation to approve the 2022-2023 Pupil Progression Plan.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the 2022-2023 Pupil Progression Plan as presented by Mr. Compton. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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 Celestine. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(c) Robin Moreau, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
September 20, 2022
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at approximately 4:54 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Robin Moreau, Chairman; Stanley Celestine, Jr., Jill Guidry; Aimee Dupuy, President; and Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent. Committee member Rickey Adams was absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, and Chris Robinson, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.
1. Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented an actual sales tax report for the month of August, 2022. She stated that sales tax collections totaled $823,969.31. Mrs. Rachal stated that of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $470,839.67, the 0.25% sales tax generated $117,709.80, and the building and maintenance fund generated $235,419.84.
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. Superintendent Tutor 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 Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report as presented by Chairman Moreau. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(d) Jill Guidry, Chairperson of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:
BUILDING AND LANDS COMMITTEE REPORT
September 20, 2022
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at approximately 5:07 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Jill Guidry, Chairperson; Robin Moreau, Stanley Celestine, Jr.; Aimee Dupuy, President; and Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent. Committee member Chris Lacour was absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, and Chris Robinson, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, 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 a request to approve the bid results for door replacement at Bunkie Magnet High School.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to accept the bid from Pan American Engineers, LLC in the amount of $295,200 for door replacement at Bunkie Magnet High School. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a report on maintenance projects.
The Building and Lands Committee did not take any action on this matter.
3. Robin Moreau addressed the Building and Lands Committee for discussion on a meat processing facility at LaSAS.
The Building and Lands Committee did not take any action on this matter.
4. Chris Robinson addressed the Building and Lands Committee for discussion on the possibility of leasing Section 16 property at Muscle Lake that is landlocked.
The Building and Lands Committee did not take any action on this matter.
The Building and Lands Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Jill Guidry, Chairperson
Building and Lands Committee
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Chris Lacour, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairperson Guidry. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(e) Due to Rickey Adams, Chairman of the Bus Committee, being absent, President Aimee Dupuy presented the following report:
BUS COMMITTEE REPORT
September 20, 2022
The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at approximately 6:01 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Aimee Dupuy, President; Latisha Small, Chris Robinson; and Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent. Chairman Rickey Adams and committee member Chris Lacour were absent. Also present were Lynn Deloach, Robin Moreau, Stanley Celestine, Jr., and Jill Guidry, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Brent Whiddon, Transportation Supervisor; Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors, coordinators, and principals.
1. 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.
Aimee Dupuy, President,
for Rickey Adams, Chairman
Bus Committee
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Board President Aimee Dupuy. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater addressed the Board for approval of overnight travel requests.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the requests for overnight travel as presented by Assistant Superintendent Prater. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater presented personnel changes for the Board’s review.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING
ACADEMY Resignation of Quiana Harrell, teacher, effective September 12, 2022.
Appointment of Katelyn M. Lavalais, (TAT) teacher, effective August 29, 2022 through December 21, 222.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Appointment of Mallory C. Lemoine, (TAT) Kindergarten teacher, effective August 29, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
Appointment of Sharon Renee Smoot, (TAT) Special Education Pre-Kindergarten teacher, effective August 29, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
Change funding source for Chefondolyn Wade-Simon, from school-wide paraprofessional to special education paraprofessional, effective August 2, 2022.
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Transfer/appointment of Adrian Gauthier, bus driver, from Avoyelles High School, effective September 7, 2022.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Change funding source for Raven N. Van Gossen from Title 1 Pre-Kindergarten teacher to regular education, effective August 22, 2022.
Appointment of Lindsey E. Gagnard, (TAT) teacher, effective August 29, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
Change funding source for McKenzie Simmons, from regular education to Kindergarten, effective September 30, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
Resignation of Carolyn Ruth Daranda, special education paraprofessional, effective September 27, 2022.
Resignation of Barbara Aymond, food service technician, effective at the end of the day August 16, 2022.
Resignation of Danielle Higginbotham, Kindergarten teacher, effective at the end of the day October 1, 2022.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Change appointment date for Sandi Yates Moreau, teacher, effective October 4, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
Change funding source for Amanda Gauthier from Title 1 CSR Teacher to regular education, effective September 8, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
Change funding source for Cecelia N. Clark from regular education to Title 1 CSR teacher, effective September 8, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Change funding source for Yvonne S. Bassett, (retired), from regular education to Title I CSR teacher, effective August 2, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
Appointment of Shawnita Lee Scott, (TAT) teacher, effective August 29, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL Transfer/appointment of Julie Villemarette, bus driver from Lafargue Elementary, effective September 7, 2022.
BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL Appointment of Ashley D. Robinson, Assistant Principal, effective August 1, 2022 through June 9, 2024.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES Change school location for Monique H. Gaspard, Assistant Principal, from Bunkie Magnet High, effective September 13, 2022.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Resignation of Candace Guidroz Magalhaes, teacher, effective September 13, 2022.
Appointment of Khalil A. Roy, (TAT) teacher, effective August 29, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
Appointment of Tucker Lee Dauzat, (TAT) teacher, effective August 29, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
Appointment of Ja’Michael D. Taylord, (TAT) band director, effective August 29, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
CENTRAL OFFICE Appointment of Melissa Ann Gauthier, Grant Accountant, effective September 26, 2022, replacing Kristy Gremillion.
Renewal of Administrative Contract for Demetria Alexander, Supervisor of Federal Programs, effective November 20, 2022 through November 19, 2024.
Addendum(s)
10/04/22
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY Appointment of Magdalene V. Gradney, teacher, effective October 11, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Appointment of Alyce G. Bonnette, teacher, effective October 18, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
12. Superintendent’s Comments: Superintendent Karen L. Tutor extended an invitation to all Board members to join parents for lunch at Cottonport Elementary School in celebration of National School Lunch Week (October 10-14, 2022). Students will participate in essay writing contests, costume contests, and more. Superintendent Tutor also presented unofficial accountability scores to all Board members. These are just projections of the district’s growth numbers. The official results are forthcoming in the near future.
There being no further business, on motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Aimee Dupuy, President
Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent
Secretary/Treasurer