SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:

Robin Moreau, President; Rickey Adams, Vice-President; Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Jay Callegari, Chris Robinson, and Aimee Dupuy.

Absent: Jill Guidry.

An Invocation was offered by Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board Member Aimee Dupuy.

1.             On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2.             Board member Jay Callegari read a resolution of respect to the late Agatha Bordelon, retired teacher.

On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Keith Lacombe, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Agatha Bordelon, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.             Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for October, 2023. Mrs. 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:

Oliver Ducote, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Miles Steven, Cottonport Elementary School; Ariel Landor, Lafargue Elementary School; Charles Jacobs, Marksville Elementary School; Wyatt Guillory, Plaucheville Elementary School; Kyrstin Edwards, Riverside Elementary School; Catherine Lemoine, Avoyelles High School; Patrick Lemoine, Bunkie Magnet High School; Lee Dupuy, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Kaiden Pierite, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Robin Moreau commended the students on this outstanding achievement.

4.             Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for October, 2023. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:

Peggy Joshua, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Alexandrea Simon, Cottonport Elementary School; Steve Turner, Lafargue Elementary School; Nikki Guidry, Marksville Elementary School; Madison Juneau, Plaucheville Elementary School; William Beebe, Riverside Elementary School; Melanie Williams, Avoyelles High School; Dan Murphy, Bunkie Magnet High School; Brandy Hoyt, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Levon Minor, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Robin Moreau commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.

5.             Ann Soileau addressed the Board with a presentation on the 4-H Livestock shows.

6.             Rebecca Lemoine, FCSAC Grant Coordinator for Plaucheville Elementary School, addressed the Board with a recommendation to declare Smartboard 4065, Serial #M1021W48C3177, as surplus and donate it to the library in the Town of Plaucheville.

On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board agreed to declare Smartboard 4065, Serial #M1021W48C3177, as surplus and donate it to the library in the Town of Plaucheville. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

7.             Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the replacement of a rooftop AC unit at Lafargue Elementary School's existing cafeteria for $31,500 to be funded by ESSER III funds.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board approved the replacement of a rooftop AC unit at Lafargue Elementary School's existing cafeteria for $31,500 to be funded by ESSER III funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

8.             Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to award the LaSAS Parking Lot Expansion bid to Glendon Normand Contractors for the base of $258,884.00 funded by LaSAS Funds.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board awarded the LaSAS Parking Lot Expansion bid to Glendon Normand Contractors for the base (with concrete) of $258,884.00 funded by LaSAS Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

9.             Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to award the low bid, including Base Bid and Alternates # 1, 2, 3 and 4, to Coleman Roofing and Construction of Gonzales, LLC, in the amount of $843,000.00 for the Avoyelles High School and Riverside Elementary School reroofing and repair work projects, funded by ESSER III funds.

Superintendent Karen Tutor recommended that this item be tabled due to some issues that came up which need to be addressed further.

On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board agreed to table this item. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

10.          Assistant Superintendent Prater addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the contract for Professional Services between Soliant and the Avoyelles Parish School Board, funded by the Behavioral Health Nurse Grant.

On motion by Latisha Small, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board approved the contract for Professional Services between Soliant and the Avoyelles Parish School Board, funded by the Behavioral Health Nurse Grant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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11.          Superintendent Tutor addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between Bunkie Police Department and the Avoyelles Parish School Board to employ a school resource officer (SRO) at Bunkie Elementary School, funded by the General Fund, effective immediately.

On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board approved the Intergovernmental Agreement between Bunkie Police Department and the Avoyelles Parish School Board to employ a school resource officer (SRO) at Bunkie Elementary School, funded by the General Fund, effective immediately. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

12.          District Attorney Charles Riddle addressed the Board with a discussion of the Bay Sec boat launch. This was for informational purposes only, and no action was taken.

13.          COMMITTEE REPORTS

(a)        Aimee Dupuy, in Chairwoman Jill Guidry's absence, presented the following report:

EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT

October 17, 2023

The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

Jill Guidry, Chairwoman; Jay Callegari, Lynn Deloach; Robin Moreau, President; Karen Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Latisha Small was absent. Also present were Keith Lacombe, Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, and Aimee Dupuy, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor; Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.

1.             The Avoyelles 4-H item on the agenda was not addressed due to Ann Soileau not being able to attend the meeting.

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

2.             Board Member Chris Robinson addressed the Education Committee with an introduction of student advisory council members, as follows: Hunter Lemoine, Avoyelles High School; Molly Venable, Bunkie Magnet High School; Taley Price, LaSAS; and Aluara McGlory, Marksville High School. Each student gave an introduction about themself, and they talked about activities going on at their respective schools.

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

3.             Wendy Marchand, Curriculum Supervisor, addressed the Education Committee with a request to approve the state-funded contract with Canopy Ed REAL Tutoring Grant.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Education Committee recommended to approve the state-funded contract with Canopy Ed REAL Tutoring Grant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Jill Guidry, Chairwoman Education Committee

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board adopted the Education Committee Report via consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

October 17, 2023

The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 4:44 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

Lynn Deloach, Chairman; Aimee Dupuy, Keith Lacombe, Jay Callegari; Robin Moreau, President; Karen Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Also present were Rickey Adams, Chris Robinson, and Jill Guidry, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor; Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.

1.         Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor, addressed the Executive Committee with a school safety update, including bomb threat protocol.

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

The Executive Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Lynn Deloach, Chairman Executive Committee

On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board adopted the Executive Committee Report via consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

(c) Aimee Dupuy, Chairwoman of the Finance Committee, presented the following report:

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

October 17, 2023

The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at approximately 4:57 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

Aimee Dupuy, Chairwoman; Jill Guidry, Lynn Deloach, Rickey Adams; Robin Moreau, President; Karen Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Also present were Jay Callegari, Keith Lacombe, and Chris Robinson, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor; Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators.

1.            Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented an actual sales tax report for the month of September, 2023. She stated that sales tax collections totaled $929,463.98. Mrs. Rachal said that of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $531,122.51, the 0.25% sales tax generated $132,780.22, and the building and maintenance fund generated $265,561.25.

2.            Building and Lands Committee Chairman Rickey Adams 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 a monthly General Fund 2022-2023 Year-to-Date Report with Comparisons.

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

4.            Superintendent Tutor addressed the Finance Committee with a request to change the funding source for BusView Transportation Program from ESSER to General Fund.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Finance Committee recommended to change the funding source for BusView Transportation Program from ESSER to General Fund. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

5.            Assistant Superintendent Prater addressed the Finance Committee for discussion of the future bus purchasing plan.

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

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

On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Finance Committee recommended to approve the overnight travel requests. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Finance Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Aimee Dupuy, Chairperson Finance Committee

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board adopted the Finance Committee Report via consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

(d) Rickey Adams, Chairman of the Building and Lands Committee, presented the following report:

BUILDING AND LANDS COMMITTEE REPORT

October 17, 2023

The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on October, 17, 2023, at approximately 5:27 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

Rickey Adams, Chairman; Chris Robinson, Keith Lacombe, Aimee Dupuy; Robin Moreau, President; Karen Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Also present were Lynn Deloach, Jay Callegari, and Jill Guidry. Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor; Ray Carlock Maintenance Supervisor; other supervisors and coordinators. Latisha Small entered the Building and Lands Committee Meeting at 5:29 p.m.

1.             Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a discussion on the Plaucheville Elementary roofing project.

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

2.             Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a request to approve the Professional Service Agreement AIA Document with Coco & Company for the reroofing and repairs for the central office building and LaSAS school gymnasium, funded by ESSER III in the amount of $305,985.00.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the Professional Service Agreement AIA Document with Coco & Company for the reroofing and repairs for the central office building and LaSAS school gymnasium, funded by ESSER III in the amount of $305,985.00. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.             Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a request to approve the bids received to sell used/junk vehicles.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the bids received to sell used/junk vehicles. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

4.             Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a request to declare surplus and hold a sale on items listed on attachment.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the surplus and sale of items listed. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

5.             Committee member Aimee Dupuy addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a request to add verbiage to new leases, requiring Lessee to add Avoyelles Parish School Board as additional insured.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Building and Lands committee recommended to approve the added verbiage to new leases, requiring Lessee to add Avoyelles Parish School Board as additional insured. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

6.             Chairman Rickey Adams addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a request to create an AD Hoc Committee to discuss handling of the donated property in Bunkie and provide a recommendation to the Board.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to create an AD Hoc Committee to discuss handling of the donated property in Bunkie and provide a recommendation to the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

Rickey Adams, Chairman

Building and Lands Committee

On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board adopted the Building and Lands Committee Report via consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

(e) Keith Lacombe, Chairman of the Bus Committee, presented the following report:

BUS COMMITTEE MEETING

October 17, 2023

The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, October17, 2023, at approximately 5:09 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

Keith Lacombe, Chairman; Chris Robinson, Latisha Small, Jill Guidry; Robin Moreau, President; Karen Tutor, Superintendent; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Also present were Lynn Deloach, Jay Callegari, Rickey Adams, and Aimee Dupuy, Board members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor; Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor; supervisors, coordinators, and principals. Jill Guidry left the Bus Committee Meeting at 6:04 p.m.

1.             Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor, presented an update report on the bus incidents in the school district.

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

2.             Assistant Superintendent Prater addressed the Bus Committee for discussion of the bus route overview plan.

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

3.             Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor, addressed the Bus Committee for a discussion on the bus spreadsheet.

The Bus Committee did not take any action on this matter

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The Bus Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

Keith Lacombe, Chairman Bus Committee

On motion by Keith Lacombe, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board adopted the Bus Committee Report via consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

14.          Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater addressed the Board for approval of overnight travel requests.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board approved the requests for overnight travel as presented by Assistant Superintendent Prater. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

15.          Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater presented personnel changes for the Board's review.

16.           

PERSONNEL CHANGES

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY                                  Appointment of Beverly A. Boyd, food service technician, effective October 4, 2023.

BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING

ACADEMY/ COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                          Appointment of Sharicka D. McGlory, Social Worker, effective November 7, 2023 through June 30, 2024, ESSER III Funding Source.

LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                                                Resignation of Sheila Laborde, bus driver, effective at the end of the day November 30, 2023 for the purpose of retirement.

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                                             Resignation of Steve P. Turner, teacher, effective at the end of the day November 17, 2023, for the purpose of retirement.

Resignation of Rebecca L. Bordelon, paraprofessional, effective at the end of the day October 6, 2023.

Appointment of Rebecca L. Bordelon, bus driver, effective October 11, 2023.

Transfer/Appointment of Brittany Bordelon, from school-based budget to Title I CSR teacher, effective August 1, 2023 through May 24, 2024.

PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                                          Transfer/Appointment of Raquel M. Lemoine, from Food Service Technician to Food Service Manager, effective October 4, 2023.

Appointment of Victoria N. Soileau, food service technician, effective October 12, 2023.

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL                                                              Appointment of Philip Meche, Sr, custodian, effective October 30, 2023.

BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL                                                     Resignation of James R. Hawkins, Jr. , custodian, effective at the end of the day October 13, 2023.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL                                                              Transfer/Appointment of Morgan M. Moton, from Food Service Technician to Food Service Manager, effective October 4, 2023.

Resignation of Tambra Barbre, Counselor, effective at the end of the day October 6, 2023.

AVOYELLES VIRTUAL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM (AVAP)                Resignation of Angela B. Franks, regular education homebound teacher, effective at the end of the day December 28, 2023, for the purpose of retirement.

16.                    Superintendent's Comments: Superintendent Karen Tutor reminded Board members to check their emails regarding online School Board training in order to remain certified. She also announced that test scores will be in next week.

There being no further business, on motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jay Callegari, the meeting was adjourned.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD Robin Moreau, President

Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent Secretary/Treasurer