SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office, in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:
Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, Jay Callegari, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.
Absent: Latisha Small and Chris Robinson.
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 Lynn Deloach.
Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a proclamation declaring January 2025 as School Board Members Recognition Month.
Superintendent Karen Tutor presented a plaque to outgoing President Lynn Deloach and outgoing Vice President Jill Guidry for their services and dedication to the Board for the period January 9, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
Superintendent Karen Tutor advised the Board that the terms of the offices of President and Vice President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board have expired. She then called for nominations for the office of President.
Board member Jill Guidry placed the name of Rickey Adams in nomination for the office of President. Board member Aimee Dupuy seconded this nomination.
No other nominations were made.
Superintendent Karen Tutor requested that the Board members cast their votes.
YAYS: Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, Jay Callegari, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Latisha Small and Chris Robinson.
By a vote of 7-0, Rickey Adams was elected as President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the 2025 calendar year.
President Rickey Adams called for nominations for the office of Vice President.
Board Member Lynn Deloach placed the name of Robin Moreau in nomination for the office of Vice President. Board member Aimee Dupuy seconded this nomination.
No other nominations were made.
President Rickey Adams requested that the Board members cast their votes.
YAYS: Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, Jay Callegari, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Latisha Small and Chris Robinson.
By a vote of 7-0, Robin Moreau was elected as Vice President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the 2025 calendar year.
On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
At this time, Robin Moreau made a motion, seconded by Lynn Deloach, to add an item to the agenda regarding a contract between ProCare and the Avoyelles Parish School Board as Item #26. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for December, 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:
Brooklyn James, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Raelynn Francisco, Cottonport Elementary School; Jaxon Hooter, Lafargue Elementary School; Trevor Cazelot, Marksville Elementary School; Hadley Gaillard, Plaucheville Elementary School; Angel Cameron, Riverside Elementary School; Kirstyn Hudson, Avoyelles High School; Jaylee Jacobs, Bunkie Magnet High School; Reese Bernard, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Kennedy McDaniel, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Rickey Adams commended the students on this outstanding achievement.
Assistant Superintendent Thelma J. Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for December, 2024. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Lindsey Bertrand, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Regis Perry, Cottonport Elementary School; Sara Ducote, Lafargue Elementary School; Amanda Brulte, Marksville Elementary School; Sydney Newton, Plaucheville Elementary School; Amber Bordelon, Riverside Elementary School; Alisha Williams, Avoyelles High School; Abigail Turner, Bunkie Magnet High School; Carolyn Roy, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Daniel Scully, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Rickey Adams commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.
Williams Moreau recognized 8th grader Abby Tassin of the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences (LaSAS) who placed first in the Louisiana State FFA Leadership Contest in Prepared Public Speaking and will represent Louisiana this year at the 98th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN.
Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, for being awarded the School Business Administrator (SBA) Certificate from the Southeastern Association of School Business Officials (SASBO).
INFORMATION ITEMS:
Becky Spencer, Network Supervisor, gave an update on Parent and Family Engagement for families in the spring using Varsity Tutors (provides free tutoring for any/all students through 2030).
Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented the sales tax report for the month of December, 2024. Sales tax collections totaled $899,931.69. Of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $514,246.80, the 0.25% sales tax generated $128,561.49, and the building and maintenance fund generated $257,123.40.
President Rickey Adams presented the monthly maintenance report on expenditures.
Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, presented the monthly General Fund 2024-2025 Year-to-Date Report with Comparisons.
The following personnel changes were reported for the Board’s review:
PERSONNEL CHANGES
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BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY |
Reappointment of Phyllis Morris, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Reappointment of Gail B. Harvey, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Reappointment of Marissa T. Guillot, (TAT) teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Reappointment of Lauren Ducote, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Reappointment of Jessica A. Ducote, teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Reappointment of Yvonne S. Bassette, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL |
Reappointment of Kathy M. Lemoine, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL |
Reappointment of Elizabeth A. Willis, (retired) teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES |
Reappointment of Khalil A. Roy, Middle School Social Studies and Quest for Success teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL |
Reappointment of Rebecca E. Quick, teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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PUPIL APPRAISAL CENTER |
Reappointment of Sherrie K. Hodnet, (retired) part-time special education homebound teacher, effective January 6, 2025 through May 27, 2025. |
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CENTRAL OFFICE WAREHOUSE |
Transfer/Appointment of Kevin Johnson, custodian from Bunkie Magnet High School, effective November 1, 2024. |
Superintendent Karen Tutor presented the Board with sample policies to consider, as requested at the December meeting.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Request to approve the renewal for our website with SCHOOLinSITES in the amount of $13,205.00, funded by Technology Funds.
Request to approve the contract between PC BROCATO, LLC dba ABA School Consultants and the Avoyelles Parish School Board for the 2024-2025 school year in the amount of $140,000.00, funded by IDEA-B.
Request to approve overnight travel.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board approved the consent agenda items. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ACTION ITEMS:
Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a request to approve the Resolution of School Board Members Training. All school board members are required to attend at least six (6) hours of training annually. The following Board members were recognized for exceeding the minimum hours required:
Chris Robinson completed 27 hours;
Jill Guidry completed 29.5 hours;
Jay Callegari completed 30.5 hours;
Aimee Dupuy completed 33.5 hours.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the Resolution of School Board Members Training. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a request to approve the change of Board meeting days for the months of April, May, and June, 2025.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board adopted the meeting schedule changes as follows: April 22, May 27, and June 24, 2025. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a recommendation to adopt the list of approved Disciplinary Hearing Officers required by state law, including La. R.S. 17:443, La. R.S. 17:444, and La. R.S. 17:493.
On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the list of approved Disciplinary Hearing Officers required by state law, including La. R.S. 17:443, La. R.S. 17:444, and La. R.S. 17:493. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Avoyelles Parish Police Jury District 2 Representative Travis Franks and Avoyelles Litter Abatement Officer Barry Lemoine addressed the Board with a request that the Board work with the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury to implement a program in our schools in conjunction with the “Keep Louisiana Beautiful” (KLB) initiative to reduce litter in the parish.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board agreed to work with the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury to implement a program in our schools to reduce litter in the parish. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to approve the purchase of a 2016 F-450 flatbed truck with liftgate to be used for the non-congregate summer foods service program from Avoyelles Truck and Auto Sales in Marksville, LA, for the price of $19,350.00, funded by School Food Service Fund 01.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the purchase of a 2016 F-450 flatbed truck with liftgate to be used for the non-congregate summer foods service program from Avoyelles Truck and Auto Sales in Marksville, LA, for the price of $19,350.00, funded by School Food Service Fund 01. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to approve the purchase of a 20-foot trailer for the non-congregate summer food service program from Central Aire in Marksville, LA, for the purchase price of $6,000.00, funded by School Food Service Fund 01.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the purchase of a 20-foot trailer for the non-congregate summer food service program from Central Aire in Marksville, LA, for the purchase price of $6,000.00, funded by School Food Service Fund 01. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve termite treatment by Orkin in the main building of Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy in the amount of $17,105.00. This will include liquid and bait treatment for the main building.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved termite treatment by Orkin in the main building of Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy in the amount of $17,105.00. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the contract between ProCare Therapy and the Avoyelles Parish School Board for a contracted social worker for Marksville Elementary School and AVAP in the amount of $85 per hour to be funded 85% by AWARE and 15% by IDEA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
There being no further business, on motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jay Callegari, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Rickey Adams, President
Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent
Secretary/Treasurer