SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office, in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:
Rickey Adams, President; Robin Moreau, Vice President; Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Jay Callegari, Chris Robinson, and Jill Guidry.
Tardy: Latisha Small and Aimee Dupuy.
An Invocation was offered by Dexter Compton, Supervisor of Curriculum.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board member Jill Guidry.
Board member Latisha Small arrived at this point in the meeting at 5:02 p.m.
The following summer graduates were congratulated and recognized as follows:
Makailee Williams, Marksville High School
Benjamin Bennett, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences
Malashia Jacobs, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, and Special Board meeting held Monday, August 4, 2025, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Board member Keith Lacombe read a resolution of respect to the late Randal John Reech, retired teacher.
On motion by Keith Lacombe, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the resolution of respect io the late Randal John Reech, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
The Sales Tax Report was presented for the month of July, 2025. Sales tax collections totaled $1,054,160.09. Of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $602,376.58, the 0.25% sales tax generated $150,595.22, and the building and maintenance fund generated $301,188.29.
Board member Aimee Dupuy arrived at this point in the meeting at 5:l2 p.m.
The monthly maintenance report on expenditures was presented.
Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, addressed the Board with a report on the 2025-2026 Consolidated Budget.
Board member Chris Robinson addressed the Board for discussion on financial education. As a community partner, representatives from Red River Bank proposed ideas to assist senior students navigate financial issues in real-world scenarios, such as banking, credit cards, loans, credit scores, budgets, mortgages, investments, etc.
Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board for discussion of the Bus Turnaround Plan.
The personnel changes were reported for the Board's review.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
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BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY |
Transfer/Appointment of Mallory L. Clark, from Cottonport Elementary to 2nd grade teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through May 27, 2026. |
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COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Resignation of Cecilia T. Robinson, social worker, effective August 5, 2025. |
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LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Resignation of Marissa Guillot, teacher, effective August 1, 2025. |
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MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Resignation of Rayne Sellers, teacher, effective August 1, 2025. |
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PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Resignation of Bernice Knott, food service technician, effective September 4, 2025, for the purpose of retirement. |
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RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Appointment of Madyson R. Galland, teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through May 27, 2026. |
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AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL |
Resignation of Jessica A. Gauthier, special education paraprofessional, effective August 3, 2025, for the purpose of retirement. |
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BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL |
Resignation of Candice Hardy, assistant principal, effective July 21, 2025. |
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LOUISIANA SCHOOL FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES |
Transfer/Appointment of Khail A. Roy, from Career Quest to Success to social studies teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL |
Resignation of Keith Edwards, teacher, effective August 1, 2025. |
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AVOYELLES VIRTUAL ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM |
Appointment of Allyn E. Ducote, special education teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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NON-PUBLIC TITLE I |
Resignation of Millicent R. Arlinghaus Sons, Title I paraprofessional, effective August 1, 2025. |
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PUPIL APPRAISAL |
Transfer/Appointment of Brianna P. Vaccaro, from AHS, from special education resource teacher to IEP facilitator, IDEA-B Funding, effective August 4, 2025 through May 27, 2026. |
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CENTRAL OFFICE |
Transfer/Appointment of Melissa Gauthier, from grant accountant to grant manager, effective JulY 1, 2025. |
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board agreed to remove Item #17 from the Consent Agenda Items. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board agreed to remove Item #23 and Item #24 from the Consent Agenda items. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Request to approve the 2025-2026 ACT Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and supporting documents for the ACT and ACT WorkKeys administration.
Request to approve the contract with Attuned to continue working on strategic planning in the amount of $95,000, funded by Strong School System.
Request to approve the contract between the Avoyelles Parish School District and Educational Professionai Services for $10,000 per year for E-Rate Consulting to be paid with Technology Funds.
Request to approve the purchase of a new intercom system for LaSAS in the amount of $20,597 to be paid with School Funds.
Request to approve the recipients of the 2025-2026 Avoyelles Parish Cybersecurity Grant: $96,435.15 to HiTech and DELL for the server backups; and $111,399.82 to Avexon for vulnerability and management solutions. These total $207,835 which is the total commitment from the grant.
**Request to approve the MOA High School Dual Enrollment Agreement between Louisiana State University at Alexandria and the Avoyelles Parish School Board.
Request to approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between Central Louisiana Technical Community College and the Avoyelles Parish School Board from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, funded by SCA Funds.
Request to allow the Avoyelles Parish School District Child Nutrition Programs to piggyback on the Calcasieu Parish School Board Auto-Chlor Services, LLC bid.
Request to approve the Service Agreement between the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NEIT) Proposal of Services and the Avoyelles Parish School District for services for training and support during the 2025-2026 school year, funded by Redesign in the amount of $11,000, inclusive of travel.
Request to approve the contract with Cook Center for Human Connection and the Avoyelles Parish School District in the amount of $38,000, funded by AWARE.
Request to approve the MOU between Northwestern State University and the Avoyelles Parish School Board for an Undergraduate Education/Residency and Graduate Clinical Internship Program(s).
**Request to approve the Tuition Reimbursement Agreement to reimburse teachers for the cost of tuition on the following terms to work for the Avoyelles Parish School Board for three (3) years after they become certified and receive a Level-1 teaching certificate.
**Request to approve the Praxis Reimbursement Agreement to reimburse teachers for the cost of two (2) Praxis exams in each content area with an agreement to work two (2) years in Avoyelles Parish Public Schools after becoming certified with a Level-1 teaching certificate in his/her area.
Request to approve the revised Teacher Incentive Contract.
Request to approve the revised Avoyelles Parish School Board Coach/Sponsor Duty, Assignment & Compensation Agreement.
Request to approve the MOU between Crimestoppers, Inc. and the Avoyelles Parish School District for the Crimestoppers Safe Schools Louisiana app.
Request to approve overnight travel.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board approved all consent agenda items except Item #17, Item #23, and Item #24. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved consent agenda Item #17 by an 8-0 vote with Board Member Jay Callegari abstaining. MOTION CARRIED.
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved consent agenda item #23 with no changes. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board amended consent agenda Item #24 to state "...with an agreement to work three (3) years..." versus 2 years as originally stated. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ACTION ITEMS:
Superintendent Tutor addressed the Board with a request to approve a Power of Attorney (POA) document from the Avoyelles Parish School Board authorizing Marcus Guillory, as the project engineer, to prepare, sign, and submit all necessary permit documents on the Board's behalf.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the Power of Attorney (POA) document authorizing Marcus Guillory, as the project engineer, to prepare, sign, and submit all necessary permit documents on the Board's behalf. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the Louisiana Compliance and System Survey for the Avoyelles Parish School Board.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board approved the Louisiana Compliance and System Survey for the Avoyelles Parish School Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the Louisiana Compliance and System Survey for the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences (LaSAS).
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board approved the Louisiana Compliance and System Survey for the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences (LaSAS). MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the 2025-2026 Consolidated Budget.
On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board approved the 2025-2026 Consolidated Budget. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Dawn Pitre, Special Services Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the contract with A LaPrairie Art, DBA Gifted and Talented Art Services in the amount of $40 per hour to be paid from General Funds.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the contract with A LaPrairie Art, DBA Gifted and Talented Art Services in the amount of $40 per hour to be paid from General Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Jenny Welch, Food Service Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to accept the low bid by Rusk Construction, LLC, in the amount of $179,847 for the Child Nutrition Programs Warehouse addition, funded by Fund 135.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board accepted the low bid by Rusk Construction, LLC, in the amount of $179,847 for the Child Nutrition Programs Warehouse addition. funded by Fund 135. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a request to allow Central La. Technical Community College (CLTCC) to dig a drainage ditch and remove trees that are in the area of drainage improvements.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board granted approval for CLTCC to dig a drainage ditch and remove trees that are in the area of drainage improvements. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the purchase of an asbestos management plan for Fifth Ward School from Air Environmental Services for $5000.
A motion was offered by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, that the Board approve the purchase of an asbestos management plan for Fifth Ward School from Air Environmental Services for $5000. The motion was approved by the following 7-2 vote:
YEAS: Rickey Adams, Robin Moreau, Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.
NAYS: Jay Callegari and Chris Robinson.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve a LaSAS FRP project in eight (8) bathrooms in the amount of $29,000.00. This will be funded with LaSAS School Funds.
On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the LaSAS FRP project in eight (8) bathrooms in the amount of $29,000.00, funded by LaSAS School Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve Air Plus to replace a 20-ton A/C unit at LaSAS cafeteria in the amount of $58,600. This would be funded with LaSAS Funds.
On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board granted approval to Air Plus for the replacement of a LaSAS cafeteria 20-ton A/C unit in the amount of $58,600, funded with LaSAS funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the purchase of two (2) sets of 6080 metal doors and frames from Flynn Building Specialists in the amount of $5126.00 to replace the existing roll-up doors. This will be funded from the maintenance fund and installed by maintenance.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the purchase of two (2) sets of 6080 metal doors and frames from Flynn Building Specialists in the amount of $5126.00 to replace the existing roll-up doors, to be funded from the maintenance fund and installed by maintenance. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, requested permission from the Board to advertise for bids on a 2022 or newer used air-conditioned air-brake 7l-passenger gas buses and handicap-accessible-with-lift buses.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board granted permission to advertise for bids on a 2022 or newer used air-conditioned air-brake 71-passenger gas buses and handicap-accessible-with-lift buses. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve a 9-school termite treatment and warranty proposal with XTerminate of Plaucheville in the amount ot $91,000 (initial total) with $1500 annual renewal inspections per school, to be funded by Special Maintenance Funds.
A motion was offered by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jay Callegari, to table this item until the next meeting to obtain more information regarding this matter. The motion was approved by the following 8-1 vote:
YEAS: Rickey Adams, Robin Moreau, Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Jay Callegari, Chris Robinson, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.
NAYS: Latisha Small.
There being no further business, on motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jill Guidry, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Rickey Adams, President
Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent
Secretary/Treasurer