SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, November 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; Lynn Deloach, Robin Moreau, Stanley Celestine, Jr., Rickey Adams, and Jill Guidry.
Absent: Latisha Small and Chris Lacour.
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 Jill Guidry.
1. On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, and the Special Board meeting held on October 18, 2022, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. A. Board President Aimee Dupuy read a resolution of respect to the late Madeleine Dubea Sanders, retired secretary.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Madeleine Dubea Sanders, retired secretary. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Board member Chris Robinson read a resolution of respect to the late Ruth Tagliarino, retired secretary.
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Ruth Tagliarino, retired secretary.
3. Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for October, 2022. Mrs. Tutor presented a plaque to each student. Each corresponding Board member read a short biography detailing the accomplishments of each student.
The Students of the Month at each school are as follows:
Kea'Marii Augustine, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Payton Jeansonne, Cottonport Elementary School; Kiya Deshautelle, Lafargue Elementary School; La'niyia Eggins, Marksville Elementary School; Anna Dodge, Plaucheville Elementary School; Jayda Cooper, Riverside Elementary School; Luke Scallan, Avoyelles High School; Chelsie Dauzat, Bunkie Magnet High School; Blane Lacombe, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Travonna Augustine, 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 October, 2022. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Phyllis Morris, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Tomika Simmons, Cottonport Elementary School; Steve Turner, Lafargue Elementary School; Stacey Duncan, Marksville Elementary School; Kara Lemoine, Plaucheville Elementary School; Shawnita Scott, Riverside Elementary School; Cameron Adams, Avoyelles High School; Sabrina Washington, Bunkie Magnet High School; Summer Anderson, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Tina Anderson, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Aimee Dupuy commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.
5. School Recognition: The National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis, IN, and three FFA members from LaSAS placed in the Agriscience Fair. Principal Eric Dauzat and FFA advisor/ag teacher Summer Anderson recognized the following individuals: Gabrielle Thomas and Lawson Marchand placed 9th in Food Products and Processing Systems, and Austin Spencer placed 9th in Animal Systems. Each student was presented with a certificate for their exceptional accomplishments.
6. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve an Employer Services Agreement between Coal Creek Software, Inc. and the Avoyelles Parish School Board.
On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the Employer Services Agreement between Coal Creek Software, Inc. and the Avoyelles Parish School Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the Special Employment Agreement for welding instructor Bobby Williber at LaSAS.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board approved the Special Employment Agreement for welding instructor Bobby Williber at LaSAS, to be funded with ESSER funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve an MOU between LSUE and the Avoyelles Parish School Board.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Board approved the MOU between LSUE and the Avoyelles Parish School Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9. Board member Chris Robinson addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the leasing of Section 16 at Muscle Lake that is landlocked. He urged the Board to lease the remaining properties in this section to produce revenue "for the betterment" of the kids/students and the educational system.
A motion was offered by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jill Guidry, that the Board remove this item from the table. The motion died by the following 2-5 vote:
YEAS: Chris Robinson and Jill Guidry.
NAYS: Lynn Deloach, Robin Moreau, Aimee Dupuy, Stanley Celestine, Jr., and Rickey Adams.
10. Committee Reports
(a) Lynn Deloach, Chairman of the Education Committee, presented the following report:
EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT
October 18, 2022
The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 18. 2022, at 4:48 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Lynn Deloach, Chairman; Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, Latisha Small; Aimee Dupuy, President; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Also present were Robin Moreau and Stanley Celestine, Jr., 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. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Education Committee with a recommendation to approve the Supporting LASS's Accountability Proposal.
Upon motion by Latisha Small, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Education Committee recommended to approve the LASS's Accountability Proposal. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Leigh Lejeune addressed the Education Committee with an update on the Project AWARE 2 Mental Health Grant.
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
October 18, 2022
The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Stanley Celestine, Jr., Chairman; Robin Moreau, Lynn Deloach; Aimee Dupuy, President; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Committee member Jill Guidry was absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Chris Robinson, and Rickey Adams, 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 recommendation to approve a one-year extension of the internet contract between the Avoyelles Parish School Board and Detel Wireless/Conterra for all sites. This extension would begin on July 1, 2023, and expire on June 30, 2024.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the one-year extension of the internet contract between the Avoyelles Parish School Board and Detel Wireless/Conterra for all sites to begin on July 1, 2023, and expire on June 30, 2024. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Dawn Pitre, Supervisor of Special Services, addressed the Executive Committee with a recommendation to approve the new policy submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. of Forethought Consulting, Inc., File: IDDFC Cameras in Special Education Classrooms.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Executive Committee recommended to approve the new policy submitted by Mr. James Prescott, Jr. of Forethought Consulting, Inc., File: IDDFC Cameras in Special Education Classrooms. 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 Jill Guidry, 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
October 18, 2022
The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at approximately 5:07 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Robin Moreau, Chairman; Rickey Adams, Stanley Celestine, Jr.; Aimee Dupuy, President; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Committee member Jill Guidry 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 September, 2022. She stated that sales tax collections totaled $843,942.77. Mrs. Rachal said that of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $482,252.99, the 0.25% sales tax generated $120,563.28, and the building and maintenance fund generated $241,126.50.
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, presented the Monthly General Fund 20222023 Year-to-Date Report with Comparisons and the 2021-2022 General Fund Operations report.
The Finance Committee did not take any action on this matter.
4. Blake Knoll, owner of First Insurance, addressed the Finance Committee with an update on claims from Liberty Mutual.
The Finance Committee did not take any action on this matter.
3. Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, presented the 2021-2022 Food Service Financial Statement.
The Finance Committee did not take any action on this matter.
4. Assistant Superintendent Prater addressed the Finance Committee with requests for overnight travel.
On motion by Rickey Adams, 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 Rickey Adams, 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
October 18, 2022
The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at approximately 5:27 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Aimee Dupuy, President; Robin Moreau, Stanley Celestine, Jr.; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Chairperson Jill Guidry and Committee member Chris Lacour were absent. Also present were Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Chris Robinson, and Rickey Adams, 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 recommendation to approve the Professional Service Agreement with Pan American Engineers, LLC for reroofing of Plaucheville Elementary School.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the Professional Service Agreement
with Pan American Engineers, LLC for reroofing of Plaucheville Elementary School with the base engineering fee of $44,609. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a recommendation to approve the Professional Service Agreement with Pan American Engineers, LLC for reroofing of La School for the Agricultural Sciences.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the Professional Service Agreement with Pan American Engineers, LLC for reroofing of La School for the Agricultural Sciences, not to exceed the initial budget of $15,000. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Steve Marcotte, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a recommendation to approve the bid-opening committee report for the sale of school buses. There were no bids received.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Stanley Celestine, Jr., the Building and Lands Committee recommended to reopen for bids. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Building and Lands Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.
Aimee Dupuy, President
Building and Lands Committee
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report as presented by Chairperson Guidry. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(e) Rickey Adams, Chairman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:
BUS COMMITTEE MEETING
October 18, 2022
The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at approximately 5:30 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:
Rickey Adams, Chairman; Latisha Small, Chris Robinson; Aimee Dupuy, President; Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Committee member Chris Lacour was absent. Also present were Lynn Deloach, Robin Moreau, and Stanley Celestine, Jr., 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. 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.
Rickey Adams, Chairman Bus Committee
On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report as presented by Chairman Adams. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater addressed the Board for approval of overnight travel requests.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board approved the requests for overnight travel as presented by Assistant Superintendent Prater. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
12. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater presented personnel changes for the Board's review.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY Transfer/Appointment of Candace J. Guidroz, teacher, from Marksville High, effective October 11, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
Transfer/Appointment of Josephine Stevenson, (retired) teacher, from Plaucheville Elementary, effective October 18, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Resignation of Josephine Stevenson, (retired) teacher, effective October 21, 2022.
MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Appointment of Mary Normand Lindo, Kindergarten teacher, effective October 26, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
Appointment of MySherie A. Johnson, (TAT) teacher, effective November 15, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Resignation of Carolyn Daranda, paraprofessional, effective at the end of the day September 27, 2022.
Resignation of McKenzie Simmons, Kindergarten teacher, effective October 12, 2022.
Resignation of Raven Van Gossen, teacher, effective at the end of the day October 11, 2022.
Change appointment date for Lore M. Laborde, Kindergarten special education teacher, effective August 2, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL Change appointment date for Carrie Lee Ardoin, teacher, effective August 2, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
Change appointment date for Brianna P. Vaccaro, teacher, effective August 2, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
Change appointment date for Cameron M. Adams, teacher, effective August 2, 2022 through May 30, 2023.
BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL Resignation of Natiyone Tubbs, paraprofessional, effective at the end of the day October 28, 2022
Resignation of Dominita L. Drummer, custodian, effective October 7, 2022.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES Resignation of Tracy M. Armand, teacher, effective at the end of the day October 28, 2022.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Appointment of Anthony D. Jeansonne, Jr., (TAT) teacher, effective November 1, 2022 through December 21, 2022.
Change appointment date for Sheena R. Grote, agriculture teacher, effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Addendum
November 1, 2022
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Resignation of Helena Ellis, teacher, effective at the end of the day October 28, 2022.
13. Superintendent's Comments: Superintendent Karen L. Tutor announced that salary statements are being mailed out this week.
There being no further business, on motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Rickey Adams, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Aimee Dupuy, President
Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent Secretary/Treasurer