SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

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

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

Absent: Robin Moreau, President.

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 Jill Guidry.

1.             On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2.         A.         Vice-President Rickey Adams read a resolution of respect to the late Sylvia Marie Cottano, retired teacher.

            On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Sylvia Marie Cottano, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            B.         Board Member Jill Guidry read a resolution of respect to the late Charles Eugene Britton, retired coach, teacher, and Supervisor of Instruction.

            On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Charles Eugene Britton, retired coach, teacher, and Supervisor of Instruction. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.         Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for November,  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:

            S’Myrie McGlory, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Tayliana Taylor, Cottonport Elementary School; Kamdyn Creppel, Lafargue Elementary School; Kai Doty, Marksville Elementary School; Ava Carver, Plaucheville Elementary School; Jaliyah Batiste, Riverside Elementary School; Angel Grayer,Avoyelles High School; Za’Naya Hegger, Bunkie Magnet High School; Joseph Bonaventure, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Noah Volker, Marksville High School.

            The Board commended the students on this outstanding achievement.

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

            Patty Riche, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Mallory Clark, Cottonport Elementary School; Anna Bradshaw, Lafargue Elementary School; Brittany Bordelon, Marksville Elementary School; Mandy Guillory, Plaucheville Elementary School; Sherry Reech, Riverside Elementary School; Kellie Guilbeau, Avoyelles High School; Doris Leary, Bunkie Magnet High School; Julie Humble, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Nettie Jeansonne, Marksville High School.

            The Board commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.

5.         On behalf of Dawn Pitre, Special Services Supervisor, Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a request to approve the agreement with Presence Learning Master Services and the Avoyelles Parish School Board to employ Louisiana Certified School Psychologists to provide services via a virtual platform. The estimated annual program fee is $52,500.00 to be paid out of IDEA-B and General Funds.

            On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the agreement between Presence Learning Master Services and the Avoyelles Parish School Board to employ Louisiana Certified School Psychologists to provide services via a virtual platform with an estimated annual program fee of $52,500.00 to be paid with IDEA-B and General Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

6.         Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the agreement for services between Avenu Insights & Analytics, LLC and the Avoyelles Parish School Board.

            On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board approved the agreement for services between Avenu Insights & Analytics, LLC and the Avoyelles Parish School Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

7.         Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to declare five (5) used buses as surplus, advertise them for bids, and sell them.

            On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board approved the declaration as surplus, advertising for bids, and selling of five (5) used buses. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

8.         Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to bid for used buses.

            On motion by Keith Lacombe, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the request to bid for used buses. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

9.         Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve Change Order #1 in the amount of $109,760.00 to the Plaucheville Elementary School HVAC AC Replacement and Plumbing Project. The original contract price was $272,250.00; however, the change order will bring the new contract price to $382,010.00. This amount will be funded by ESSER III funds.

            On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board approved Change Order #1 to the Plaucheville Elementary School HVAC AC Replacement and Plumbing Project in the amount of $109,760.00, funded by ESSER III funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

10.        Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to accept the low bid, including Base Bid and Alternate #1, of Dixie Roofing and Sheet Metal of Pineville, LA in the amount of $448,755.00 for the Plaucheville Elementary Roof Replacement Project, funded by ESSER III funds.

            On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board accepted the low bid, including Base Bid and Alternate #1, of Dixie Roofing and Sheet Metal of Pineville, LA in the amount of $448,755.00 for the Plaucheville Elementary Roof Replacement Project, funded by ESSER III funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

11.        Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the expansion of the Garfish Bayou parking lot on Avoyelles Parish School Board property for $8,000. This is due to an increase in the number of leases and locking the gate during the wet season to prevent the road from being destroyed.

            A motion was offered by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Jill Guidry, that the Board approve the expansion of the Garfish Bayou parking lot on Avoyelles Parish School Board property at a cost of $8,000. The motion was approved by the following 6-2 vote:

            YEAS:              Aimee Dupuy, Jill Guidry, Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, and Rickey Adams.

            NAYS:  Chris Robinson and Jay Callegari.

12.        Board Vice President Rickey Adams addressed the Board to request approval of the Bunkie Property Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation.

            On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board granted approval for Maintenance Supervisor Ray Carlock and Transportation Supervisor Trent Young to research the Town of Bunkie’s zoning regulations and report back to the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

13.        Committee Reports

(a)           Jill Guidry, Chairperson of the Education Committee, presented the following report:       

EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT

November 14,  2023

            The Education Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 4:30  p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

            Jill Guidry, Chairperson; Jay Callegari, Lynn Deloach; Robin Moreau, President; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Latisha Small and Superintendent Karen Tutor were absent. Also present were Keith Lacombe, 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 and coordinators. Keith Lacombe entered the Education Committee Meeting at 4:33 p.m.

            On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Education Committee agreed to add line item: Discussion from the student advisory council members. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

            1.         Hunter Lemoine of Avoyelles High School, Molly Venable of Bunkie Magnet High School, and Aluara McGlory of Marksville High School gave updates about activities going on at their respective schools.

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

2.         School principals addressed the Education Committee with a discussion on the accountability results.

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

The Education Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                                        Jill Guidry, Chairperson

                                                                        Education Committee

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Latisha Small, 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

November 14, 2023

            The Executive Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 5:22  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; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent.  Superintendent Karen Tutor was absent. Also present were Rickey Adams and Jill Guidry, Board Members; Mary Bonnette, Director of Finance; Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor; Trent Young, Transportation Supervisor; Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor; supervisors and coordinators.

            1.         Chairman Lynn Deloach addressed the Executive Committee with a discussion on SRO officers at all of our schools.

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 Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the Executive Committee Report via consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

November 14, 2023

            The Finance Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at approximately 5:28 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

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

1.         Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented an actual sales tax report for the month of October, 2023. She stated that sales tax collections totaled $941,081.29. Mrs. Rachal said that of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $537,760.86, the 0.25% sales tax generated $134,440.00, and the building and maintenance fund generated $268,880.43.

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

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

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Rickey Adams, 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

November 14, 2023

            The Building and Lands Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on November 14, 2023, at approximately 5:31 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

            Rickey Adams, Chairman; Keith Lacombe, Aimee Dupuy; Robin Moreau, President; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Chris Robinson and Superintendent Karen Tutor were absent. 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; supervisors and coordinators.

            1.         Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Building and Lands Committee with a recommendation to accept the low bid, including Base Bid and Alternates #1, #2, #3 and #4 of Coleman Roofing and Construction of Gonzales, LLC, in the amount of $843,000.00 for the Avoyelles High School and Riverside Elementary School Re-Roofing and Repair Work Projects, funded by ESSER III Funds.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Building and Lands Committee recommended to approve the low bid, including Base Bid and Alternates #1, #2, #3 and #4 of Coleman Roofing and Construction of Gonzales, LLC, in the amount of $843,000.00 for the Avoyelles High School and Riverside Elementary School Re-Roofing and Repair Work Projects, funded by ESSER III Funds. 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

November 14, 2023

            The Bus Committee of the Avoyelles Parish School Board met on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at approximately 5:34 p.m. at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Office with the following members present:

            Keith Lacombe, Chairman; Jill Guidry; Robin Moreau, President; and Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent. Chris Robinson, Latisha Small, and Superintendent Karen Tutor were absent. 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.

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.

            The Bus Committee respectfully recommends the adoption of this report.

                                                                        Keith Lacombe, Chairman

                                                                        Bus Committee

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

14.        Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board for approval of overnight travel requests.

            On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the requests for overnight travel as presented by Superintendent Tutor. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

PERSONNEL CHANGES

LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                             Transfer/Appointment of Krystal Reynaud, K-2 Inclusion teacher to self-contained teacher, effective November 28, 2023 through May 24, 2024.

                                                                                    Transfer/Appointment of Denton Spinks, self-contained to K-6 PE teacher, effective November 28, 2023 through May 24, 2024, replacing Steve Turner.

                                                                                    Appointment of Lisa S. Russell, K-2 Inclusion teacher, effective November 28, 2023 through May 24, 2024.

MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                           Discontinuance of Active Employment Status for Mary Normand  Lindo, teacher, effective at the end of the day August 3, 2023.

                                                                                    Appointment of Kerry B. Smith, TAT teacher, effective November 28, 2023 through December 21, 2023.

RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL                             Resignation of Charlotte Wright, food service technician, effective at the end of the day November 30, 2023, for the purpose of retirement.

AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL                                        Resignation of Marcy G. Center, teacher, effective at the end of the day December 1, 2023.

BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL                                 Resignation of Diana L. Sheppard, (retired) teacher, effective December 21, 2023.

MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL                                       Appointment of Cornelius Harrison, Jr., custodian, effective November 1, 2023.

                                                                                    Appointment of Craig W. Foster, retired, part-time School Counselor, effective December 5, 2023 through December 21, 2023.

PUPIL APPRAISAL                                                       Transfer/Appointment of Lindsay Gremillion from Visually Impaired K-12/Child Search to 100%  IDEA-B Educational Diagnostician, effective November 28, 2023 through June 7, 2024.

CENTRAL OFFICE                                                        Appointment of Kayla D. Tassin, Accounts Payable / Sales Tax Processor, effective November 28, 2023.

16.        Superintendent’s Comments: Superintendent Karen Tutor reminded the Board and staff that the annual Christmas party will be held after the committee meeting on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Also, Superintendent Tutor stated she is almost caught up in the central office after having been out, so if there are any loose ends not addressed, please let her know.

There being no further business, on motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Latisha Small, the meeting was adjourned.

                                                            AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

                                                            Rickey Adams, Vice-President

                                                            Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent

                                                            Secretary/Treasurer