SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:
Lynn Deloach, President; Jill Guidry, Vice-President; Latisha Small, Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, Jay Callegari, Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, and Aimee Dupuy.
Absent: None.
An Invocation was offered by Dexter Compton. Supervisor of Secondary Education.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board Member Jay Callegari.
1. Update from the Student Advisory Council: Lance Mose, Marksville High School, and Taley Price, LaSAS, gave updates on their respective schools.
2. On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. a) Board Member Aimee Dupuy, read a resolution of respect to the late Deidri Ann Dupuy Brouillette, retired teacher.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board approved the resolution of respect to the late Deidri Ann Dupuy Brouillette, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b) Board Member Chris Robinson read a resolution of respect to the late Alice Faye Leger, retired food service technician.
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the resolution of respect to the late Alice Faye Leger, retired food service technician. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
c) Board Member Keith Lacombe read a resolution of respect to the late Leon Maurice Coco, retired teacher.
On motion by Keith Lacombe, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the resolution of respect to the late Leon Maurice Coco, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for February,2024, and 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:
Lauren Jones, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Jayce Augustine, Cottonport Elementary School; Za'Kyren Batiste, Lafargue Elementary School; Serenity Bordelon, Marksville Elementary School; Kendall Sampson, Plaucheville Elementary School; Tyteanna Brown, Riverside Elementary School; Kade Gauthier, Avoyelles High School; Jer'Tavian Rideaux, Bunkie Magnet High School; Therrie Forbish, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Lyric Leonard, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Lynn I)eloach commended the students on this outstanding achievement.
5. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for February, 2024. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Chrissy Grayson, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Nicki Pierite, Cottonport Elementary School; Denny Spinks, Lafargue Elementary School; Shantel Massey, Marksville Elementary School; Tiffany Lewis, Plaucheville Elementary School; Jamie Farnham, Riverside Elementary School; Jessica Harris, Avoyelles High School; Elizabeth Mayeaux, Bunkie Magnet High School; Carolyn Roy, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Judd Dupuy, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Lynn Deloach commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.
6. Amy Volentine, Testing/Media Manager, recognized the 2024 Student of the Year Winners. Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each winner, as follows:
5th Grade: Audrey Ducote, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Miles Stevens, Cottonport Elementary School; Benjamin Barnhart, Lafargue Elementary School; Lillian Guillot, Marksville Elementary School; Hailey Clark, Plaucheville Elementary School; Demetrius Alexander, Riverside Elementary School.
*District Winner: Lillian Guillot, Marksville Elementary School.
8th Grade: Gavin Wallace, Avoyelles High School; Anna Garrett, Bunkie Magnet High School; Ava Newsom, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Aniya Simon, Marksville High School.
*District Winner: Ava Newsom, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences.
12th Grade: Hunter Lemoine, Avoyelles High School; Maddie Milligan, Bunkie Magnet High School; Heidi Gauthier, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Lance Mose, Marksville High School.
*District Winner: Maddie Milligan, Bunkie Magnet High School.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
7. Wendy Marchand, Curriculum Supervisor, presented information about the DIBELS results from the beginning of the year (BOY) and middle of the year (MOY).
8. Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented the Sales Tax Report for the month of January, 2024. Sales tax collections totaled $1,144,925.48. Of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $654,243.42, the 0.25% sales tax generated $163,560.36, and the building and maintenance fund generated $327,121.70.
Ms. Rachal also presented the Sales Tax Report for the month of February, 2024. Sales tax collections totaled $844,835.61. Of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $482,804.40, the 0.25% sales tax generated $120,629.01, and the building and maintenance fund generated $241,402.20.
9. Board Member Aimee Dupuy and Sales Tax Supervisor Jessica Rachal presented the Board with the Sales and Use Tax Review:
a. Responsibility/role of business collecting the taxes;
b. Responsibility/role of APSB to collect payments;
c. Amount of delinquent sales and use tax due to APSB currently;
d. Policy/law for collecting delinquent debts.
10. The monthly maintenance report on expenditures was reported.
11. The monthly General Fund 2023-2024 Year-to-Date Report with Comparisons was reported.
12. Thelma Prater, Assistant Superintendent, presented personnel changes for the Board's review.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Appointment of Alexis K. Michot, special education paraprofessional, effective February 14, 2024, replacing Leola Morris.
Resignation of Katelyn Snyder, special education teacher, effective March 8, 2024.
LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Appointment of Victoria P. Brouillette, Pre-K paraprofessional, effective February 6, 2024, replacing Mattie Scroggs.
AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL Appointment of Ontario L. Watson, Plato paraprofessional, effective March 5, 2024.
BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL Resignation of Lakethia Smith, Dean of Students, effective January 31, 2024.
Transfer/Appointment of Teena R. Ponthier, from Financial Secretary to special education paraprofessional, effective March 1, 2024.
LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES Resignation of Eric Dauzat, Principal, effective February 16, 2024.
Transfer/Appointment of Michael Rachal, from Assistant Principal at AVAP to Interim Principal, effective March 1, 2024 through May 31, 2024.
MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Resignation of Chauntelle Normand, food service technician, effective February 16, 2024.
Transfer/Appointment of Morgan Thornhill, from part-time homebound teacher based at Pupil Appraisal to full-time (TAT) teacher, effective February 14, 2024 through May 24, 2024.
AVOYELLES VIRTUALALTERNATIVE PROGRAM (AVAP) Change appointment status for Craig W. Foster, retired regular education homebound teacher from part-time to full-time, effective March 1, 2024 through May 24, 2024.
Transfer/Appointment of Leigh LeJeune, from AWARE Program Manager to Interim Assistant Principal, effective March 1, 2024 through May 31, 2024.
13. Board Member Jay Callegari proposed the formation of a Budget Subcommittee to the Board.
CONSENT ITEMS:
14. Request to approve the Scholastic Education Solutions, funded by Title I in the amount of $92,691.55.
15. Request to approve the MOA between the Office of Cyber Readiness (OCR), the State of Louisiana, Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), and the Avoyelles Parish School District.
16. Request to approve the low bid of Hendry Electrical Services of Jena, LA, in the amount of $48,500 for the Marksville Elementary School Electrical Modifications Project, funded by ESSER III Funds.
17. Request to approve overnight travel.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board approved the listed items via consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ACTION ITEMS:
18. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve a Differentiated Compensation Plan.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the Differentiated Compensation Plan as presented by Superintendent Tutor. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
19. Board Member Rickey Adams addressed the Board with a request to approve a dress code for graduation, namely that students enlisted in the military may wear dress uniforms instead of a cap and gown if they choose as long as they have completed the requirements for high school graduation and military basic training, and they are active members of the Armed Forces.
On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board approved a dress code for graduation and to make a part of policy, namely that students enlisted in the military may wear dress uniforms instead of a cap and gown if they choose as long as they have completed the requirements for high school graduation and military basic training, and they are active members of the Armed Forces. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
20. Wendy Marchand, Curriculum Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to approve the purchase of curriculum material and PD, funded as listed on the attachment.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board approved the purchase of curriculum material and PD, funded as listed on attachment. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
21. Jenny Dismer, Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to approve the policy changes recommended by the dual reenrollment committee members and/or handbook committee members.
a) File: JS Student Fees, Fines and Charges
b) File: J13 Attendance
c) File: IDCI College/University Dual Enrollment
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the policy changes recommended by the dual reenroliment committee members and/or handbook committee members. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
22. Jenny Dismer, Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to approve the 2024-2025 School Calendar adopted by the Calendar Committee on March 14, 2024.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board approved the 2024-2025 School Calendar adopted by the Calendar Committee on March 14. 2024. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
23. Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the contract with Howard Technology Solutions for VERKADA Guest 3-Year Workplace License in the amount of $81,900.00, funded by Safety School Grant.
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board approved the contract with Howard Technology Solutions for VERKADA Guest 3-Year Workplace License in the amount of $81,900.00, funded by Safety School Grant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
24. Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to approve the replacement of a 12-ton rooftop unit at Bunkie Magnet High School in the amount of $16,960.00 to be funded by ESSER funds.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board approved the replacement of a 12-ton rooftop unit at Bunkie Magnet High School in the amount of $16,960.00, to be funded by ESSER funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
25. Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to approve the proposal for surveying the existing lots and new lots at Garfish and Saline Lake 16th Section campsite properties in the amount of $12,000.00.
A motion was made by Jill Guidry, seconded by Jay Callegari, to table this item until further information can be gathered and discussed. The motion failed by the following 4-5 vote:
YEAS: Jill Guidry, Jay Callegari, Chris Robinson, and Rickey Adams.
NAYS: Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, and Aimee Dupuy.
A motion was then made by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, to approve the proposal for surveying the existing lots and new lots at Garfish and Saline Lake 16th Section campsite properties in the amount of $12,000.00. The motion was adopted by the following 5-4 vote:
YEAS: Aimee Dupuy, Robin Moreau, Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, and Keith Lacombe.
NAYS: Jay Callegari, Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, and Jill Guidry.
Board Member Rickey Adams clarified that the only reason he voted against the proposal was because he would like to see all 16th Section campsite properties surveyed, not just the ones mentioned in the proposal.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
26. Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board for discussion of Lease Contract Renewals and Inspections.
27. Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, provided the Board with ESSER Project updates.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
28. On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board entered Executive Session at approximately 6:58 p.m.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Keith Lacombe, the Board reconvened in regular session at approximately 7:15 p.m.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board agreed to file suit for eviction due to unpaid rental fees, as discussed in Executive Session. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
There being no further business, on motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD