SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, October 15, 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 Rickey Adams.

1.         On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jay Callegari the Board adopted the minutes with the exception of Item #12 of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board agreed to rescind Item #12 — the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of Marksville and the Avoyelles Parish School Board, dividing the net revenue collected from electronic enforcement device citations in school zones on a 50/50 basis. The motion was approved by the following 7-2 vote:

YEAS:               Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, Jay Callegari, Lynn Deloach, Jill Guidry, Rickey Adams, and Aimee Dupuy.

NAYS:              Latisha Small and Chris Robinson.

Board President Lynn Deloach went on record as saying, "I have come to believe that photo tickets are illegal due to concerns about due process as written in Act 103. During a recent school board meeting, conflicting information was presented on the legality and lack of statutory authority with the appointment by the Mayor and/or the city council of an out-of-town attorney as a designee instead of the City Judge of Marksville. Furthermore, the law emphasizes the need for clear signage and proper notification to drivers as per SB No. 302, which is lacking. A total of nine (9) warning signs with an explanation of the placement of these are required. There is proof of purchase of one sign. The discrepancy between the school board's assertions and the legal framework suggests a need for further investigations and clarifications on this matter. It is crucial that we uphold the principles of transparency and justice in any enforcement measures; therefore, 1 am uncomfortable supporting this agreement at this time."

2.                A) Board Member Latisha Small read a resolution of respect to the late Priscilla Gilbert Jones, retired teacher.

On motion by Latisha Small, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Priscilla Gilbert Jones, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

B) Board Member Lynn Deloach read a resolution of respect to the late Errol Lynn Aymond, retired teacher.

On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Errol Lynn Aymond, retired teacher.

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

Christopher Dupre, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Aubrey Augustine, Cottonport Elementary School; Dalton Turnage, Lafargue Elementary School; Klay Wade, Marksville Elementary School; Londyn Coleman, Plaucheville Elementary School; Tate Gremillion, Riverside Elementary School; Ariana Greenhouse, Avoyelles High School; Tamia Desselle, Bunkie Magnet High School; Edgar Stevenson, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Zoey Cloud, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Lynn Deloach commended the students on this outstanding achievement.

4.                Vice President Jill Guidry recognized the Teachers of the Month for September, 2024. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:

Patty Riche, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Allison Lacombe, Cottonport Elementary School; Valerie Bordelon, Lafargue Elementary School; Kayla Lemoine, Marksville Elementary School; Sara Wallace, Plaucheville Elementary School; Yvonne Bassett, Riverside Elementary School; Abigail Sylvester, Avoyelles High School; Dana Blood, Bunkie Magnet High School; Khalil Roy, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Ashley Gonzales, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Lynn Deloach commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

5.                  The Sales Tax Report was presented for the month of September, 2024. Sales tax collections totaled $937,494.51. Of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $535,752.09, the 0.25% sales tax generated $133,866.37, and the building and maintenance fund generated $267,876.05.

6.                  The monthly maintenance report on expenditures was presented.

7.                  The 2023-2024 General Fund Financials were presented.

8.                  The 2023-2024 Food Service Financials were presented.

9.                  The monthly General Fund 2023-2024 Year-to-Date Report with Comparisons was presented.

10.                  Discussion was held regarding consequences for posting misinformation about campus lockdowns on social media.

11.                  Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, presented the Board with pictures of the remodeled Bunkie Magnet High School and LaSAS Cafeteria.

12.                  Discussion was held regarding High School Day at Grambling State University.

13.                  The following personnel changes were presented for the Board's review.

PERSONNEL CHANGES

CONSENT ITEMS:

14.                  Request to approve the 2024-2025 Pupil Progression Plan.

15.               Request to approve the 2024-2025 MOU for Public and Charter LEAs.

16.               Request to approve the Board Resolution to accept the Rapides Foundation Healthy Behaviors Grant and to give power of authority to Jenny Welch to perform all things necessary to implement, maintain, amend, or renew said documents with The Rapides Foundation.

17.              Request to approve revised policies, as follows:

a.       File: ABCB — Qualifications For School Board Members

b.      File: BBBC - School Board Member Continuing Education

c.       File: BCBB — Notification of Board Meetings

d.      File: GBA — Contracts and Compensation

e.       File: GBRIB - Sick Leave

f.        File: GBRIBB - Sick Leave Bank

g.      File: JBA — Compulsory School Attendance Ages

h.      File: JDA- Corporal Punishment

i.        File: JGCB - Immunizations

j.        File: JGCD — Administration of Medication

k.      File: JGCDA — Administration of Naloxone (Narcan)

l.   File: JGCFA — Behavioral Health Services For Students

18.            Implementation and Acceptable Use Request to approve the New Policy File: IFBGB — Artificial Intelligence (AI).

19.            Request to approve the renewal of N2Y software to be used as curriculum for students enrolled in alternate assessments in the amount of $18,064.55 funded by IDEA-B.

20.            Request to approve the contract between the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services and The Avoyelles Parish School Board to provide transportation to all foster care students when it is determined to be in the best interest of the students.

21.            Request to approve overnight travel.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Keith Lacombe, the Board approved the consent agenda items. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ACTION ITEMS:

22.            Board Member Chris Robinson addressed the Board with a request to rename the Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy School gym to Albert Dossman Gymnasium.

On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the renaming of the Bunkie Elementary School gym to Albert Dossman Gymnasium. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

23.            Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to accept the bid of $111,000 from Avoyelles Hospital in Marksville, LA for the purchase of Bunkie Detention Center located at 7807 Hwy. 115, Bunkie, LA. This property was advertised for sale in the local newspaper, and Central Bidding and the above bid from Avoyelles Hospital was the only bid received and is above the appraised value. The Board had approved to advertise the sale of Bunkie Detention Center for bids on August 20, 2024.

On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board accepted the bid of $111,000 from Avoyelles Hospital in Marksville, LA for the purchase of Bunkie Detention Center located at 7807 Hwy. 115, Bunkie, LA and granted the power of authority to Superintendent Karen L. Tutor to sign on behalf of the Avoyelles Parish School Board to execute all paperwork in this matter. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

24.            Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to declare surplus/salvage, advertise for bids, and sell twenty (20) used buses. Any buses not sold on the day the bids are opened will be sent to the salvage yard for recycling. Please see attached for bus numbers, year, make, and VIN numbers. These buses will be advertised in the newspaper for three (3) weeks, and bids will be opened at the Avoyelles Parish School Board Warehouse at 539 West Bontemps Street, Marksville, LA 71351.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board granted approval to declare as surplus/salvage, advertise for bids, and sell twenty (2) used buses. Any buses not sold on the day the bids are opened will be sent to the salvage yard for recycling. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Lynn Deloach, President