SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:

Lynn Deloach, President; Latisha Small, Keith Lacombe, Jay Callegari, Rickey Adams, and Aimee Dupuy.

Absent: Jill Guidry, Vice President; Robin Moreau, Chris Robinson.

An Invocation was offered by Michael Rachal, Administrator of Avoyelles Virtual and Alternative Program (AVAP).

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

1.                   On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Keith Lacombe, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, October 15,2024, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2.                   Board Member Aimee Dupuy read a resolution of respect to the late Don Patrick Husbands, retired teacher.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Don Patrick Husbands, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

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

Ilyria Marcotte, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Payton Jeansonne, Cottonport Elementary School; Andi Guilbeau, Lafargue Elementary School; Zyir Mouton, Marksville Elementary School; Sebastion Dupont, Plaucheville Elementary School; Nevaeh Bass, Riverside Elementary School; Rukaya Hamze, Avoyelles High School; Margaret Newton, Bunkie Magnet High School; Austin Rabalais, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Addyson Bordelon, Marksville High School.

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

4.                   Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for October, 2024. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:

Phyllis Morris, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Brandi Williams, Cottonport Elementary School; Casey Dupuis, Lafargue Elementary School; Skyler Williams, Marksville Elementary School; Jessica Ducote, Plaucheville Elementary School; William Beebe, Riverside Elementary School; Melanie Williams, Avoyelles High School; Kathy S. Boudreaux, Bunkie Magnet High School; Summer Anderson, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Jasmine Williams, Marksville High School.

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

5.                   Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized Tonenikea Wilson as the 2025 Principal of the Year. She is the principal of Riverside Elementary School, which increased their Mastery scores by 6 percentage points this year. Ms. Wilson accepted this honor on behalf of the whole staff of Riverside Elementary School as it was a team effort.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

6.                   Amy Volentine, Testing/Media Manager, recognized the winners of the 2024 Holiday Card Art Design Contest, as follows:

K — 2"^d grade winner:             S'Myrie McGlory, 2"^d grader

Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy

3rd      6^th grade winner:              Colton Tyler, 4^th grader

Lafargue Elementary School

7^th — 8^th grade winner:             Raleigh Bates, 8^th grader

Avoyelles High School

9th - 12^th grade winner:          Reagan Couvillion, 10^th grader

Avoyelles High School

Overall Winner:                       Quinn Smith, 12^th grader

La School for the Agricultural Sciences

7.                   Mary Bonnette, Sales Tax Director, presented the Sales Tax Report for the month of October, 2024. Sales tax collections totaled $961,602.97. Of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $549,487.49, the 0.25% sales tax generated $137,371.73, and the building and maintenance fund generated $274,743.75.

8.                   The monthly maintenance report on expenditures was presented by Board Member Rickey Adams.

9.                   Mary Bonnette, Sales Tax Director, presented the monthly General Fund 2024­2025 Year-to-Date report with comparisons.

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

PERSONNEL CHANGES

CONSENT ITEMS:

11.         Request to approve the lease agreement between Xerox Financial Services, LLC and Bunkie Magnet High School.

12.      Request to approve the contract renewal for gifted teacher Kathryn Gorsah in the amount of $69.50 per hour between Avoyelles Parish School Board and Sunbelt Staffing to begin August 1, 2024 and end May 27, 2025, funded by General Funds.

13.      Request to award the 2025-2029 E-rate leased lit WAN and internet access bid to Conterra. Funding for 2025-2029 will be obtained from Federal E-rate Funds (90%) and Technology Funds (10%).

14.      Request to approve the purchase of curriculum material and professional development, funded as listed.

15.      Request to approve the new policies as follows:

a.     File: BCBJ - Broadcasting and Taping of School Board Meetings

b.    File: GAMK — Use of Pronouns and Given Names

16.      Request to approve the revised policies as follows:

a.       File: BCBB — Notification of School Board Meetings

b.      File: CBD — Employment of Superintendent

c.       File: GAK —Personnel Records

d.      File: IDBA - Sex Education

e.       File: IDDF — Education of Students with Exceptionalities

f.        File: JGC — Student Health Services

g.      File: GBC — Recruitment

17.      Request to approve a full design contract with Palmer Hamilton for $14,100.00 to redesign the following school cafeterias: Riverside Elementary School, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy, Cottonport Elementary School, Plaucheville Elementary School, Marksville Elementary School, and Lafargue Elementary School with School Food Service funds.

18.      Request to approve overnight travel.

On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Keith Lacombe, the Board approved all of the consent agenda items. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ACTION ITEMS:

19.      Board Member Keith Lacombe addressed the Board with a recommendation to terminate the contract with the City of Marksville for camera tickets.

A motion was made by Keith Lacombe, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, that the Board terminate the contract with the City of Marksville for camera tickets. The motion was adopted by the following 5-1 vote:

YEAS:             Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Jay Callegari, Rickey Adams, and Aimee Dupuy.

NAYS:             Latisha Small.

20.           Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a request to authorize the Board President and Superintendent to begin discussion and planning for the partnership and development of the forthcoming education, sports, and recreation complex in the Bayhills area. Ad Hoc Committee: Lynn Deloach, Aimee Dupuy, Jay Callegari, and either Latisha Small/Chris Robinson.

On motion by Rickey Adams, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board granted authorization for the Superintendent and Board President to begin discussion and planning for the partnership and development of the forthcoming education, sports, and recreation complex in the Bayhills area. Ad Hoc Committee: Lynn Deloach, Aimee Dupuy, Jay Callegari, and either Latisha Small/Chris Robinson. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

21.           Assistant Superintendent Thelma Prater addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the LAPS Digital Fingerprint EYO Option 3: Private Enrollment Center Option Purchase Workstation, funded by General Fund in the amount of $19,230 ($16,616 + 3 years of support $2,613).

On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the LAPS Digital Fingerprint EYO Option 3: Private Enrollment Center Option Purchase Workstation, funded by General Fund in the amount of $19,230 ($16,616 + 3 years of support $2,613). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

22.           Ginger Knight, Principal of LaSAS, addressed the Board with a request to approve the camera drops and switches at LaSAS in the amount of $21,299.29, funded by the LaSAS Budget.

On motion by Keith Lacombe, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board approved the camera drops and switches at LaSAS in the amount of $21,299.29, funded by the LaSAS Budget. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

23.           Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to accept the bid from Jeansonne Lawn Services in the amount of $11,400 to restripe the Central Office parking lot and place wheel stops for parking spots. This is not the lowest price but is the best option for these services, per Mr. Carlock, and will be funded by Indirect Costs.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board agreed to postpone this request and defer to the Needs Assessment Committee/Meeting in January, 2025. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

24.          Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to accept the bid from Gibko in the amount of $26,537 to replace the tennis court lights and cross arms in Marksville, funded by Indirect Costs. This is not the lowest bid but is the best option at this time, per Mr. Carlock. The school district would solicit funds from the City of Marksville to share the cost of this project.

On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Rickey Adams, the Board agreed to postpone this request and defer to the Needs Assessment Committee/Meeting in January, 2025, and include other possible funding sources such as a Rapides Foundation grant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

25.       Board Member Keith Lacombe, addressed the Board with a recommendation was presented to the Board on accepting the low bid by Rusk Carpentry in the amount of $14,358.00 to replace the roof on the Fifth Ward Community Center, funded by Indirect Costs.

A motion was offered by Keith Lacombe, seconded by Rickey Adams, that the Board accept the low bid by Rusk Carpentry in the amount of $14,358.00 to replace the roof on the Fifth Ward Community Center, funded by Indirect Costs. The motion failed by the following 3-3 (tie) vote:

YEAS:             Keith Lacombe, Rickey Adams, and Lynn Deloach.

NAYS:             Latisha Small, Jay Callegari, and Aimee Dupuy.

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

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD