SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:
Rickey Adams, President; Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Jay Callegari, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.
Absent: Vice President Robin Moreau, Keith Lacombe, and Chris Robinson.
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 Latisha Small.
On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board adopted the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for August, 2025, 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:
Jenisha Prajapati, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Za'Marion Bradford, Cottonport Elementary School; Dakota Deason, Lafargue Elementary School; Aaron Landry, Marksville Elementary School; Anaiah Bonton. Plaucheville Elementary School; Johntrell White, Riverside Elementary School; Angel Crayer, Avoyelles High School; Amelia Mayeaux, Bunkie Magnet High School; Josiah Batiste, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Jolie Laborde, 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 August, 2025. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
Connie Ducote, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; Destiny Woodall, Cottonport Elementary School; Stacey Disotell, Lafargue Elementary School; Brittany Gentry, Marksville Elementary School; Vicki Dufour, Plaucheville Elementary School; Keithca Callihan, Riverside Elementary School; Melanie Williams, Avoyelles High School; Amanda Fontenot, Bunkie Magnet High School; Valerie Bandy, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; and Marla Drouin, Marksville High School.
On behalf of the Board, President Rickey Adams commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
Jessica Rachal, Sales Tax Supervisor, presented the Sales Tax Report for the month of August, 2025. Sales tax collections totaled $971,312.94 of this amount, the 1% sales tax generated $555,035.86, the 0.25% sales tax generated $138,759.15, and the building and maintenance fund generated $277,517 .93.
The monthly maintenance report on expenditures was presented.
Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, presented the Monthly General Fund 2025-2026 Year-to-Date Report with Comparisons.
Superintendent Karen Tutor introduced Karen Burlew, new 4-H agent in Avoyelles Parish.
Board member Jay Callegari was on the agenda to address the Board regarding a partnership with the Children & Youth Advisory Board of the 12th Judicial District Court to help promote work-based learning. However, this item is postponed until more information can be obtained.
Amy Volentine, Media/Testing Manager, addressed the Board regarding the Athletic Pass perk being extended to retired employees.
The following personnel changes were reported for the Board's review.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
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BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY |
Resignation of Kaylie McCoy, teacher, effective August 1, 2025. |
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COTTONPORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Appointment of Linda P. Carpenter, (retired) Grade 4th-6th High Needs teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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LAFARGUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Resignation of Stephanie Bordelon, teacher, effective at the end of the day September 17, 2025, for the purpose of retirement. |
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MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Appointment of Judy G. Rivers, (retired) teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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PLAUCHEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Resignation of Heather Barfield, food service technician, effective at the end of the day August 22, 2025. |
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RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
Appointment of Yvonne S. Bassett, (retired) teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL |
Appointment of Kathy M. Lemoine, (retired) teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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BUNKIE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL |
Appointment of Elizabeth A. Willis, (retired) teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL |
Appointment of Caylene E. Coco, (TAT) teacher, effective August 8, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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AVAP |
Appointment of Craig W. Foster, (retired) regular homebound teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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PUPIL APPRAISAL |
Appointment of Sherrie K. Hodnet, (retired) (parttime) special education homebound teacher, effective August 4, 2025 through December 19, 2025. |
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NON-PUBLIC TITLE I |
Appointment of Renee L. Brouillette, paraprofessional for St. Joseph and St. Mary School, effective September 16, 2025. |
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CENTRAL OFFICE |
Resignation of Bonnie G. Ponthier, accounts payable clerk, effective at the end of the day December 19, 2025, for the purpose of retirement. |
CONSENT ITEMS:
Request to approve the MOU between Tunica Biloxi Education Department and The Avoyelles Parish School Board.
Request to approve High Dosage Tutoring in the amount of $241,610, funded by High Dosage Tutoring Grant.
Request to approve Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood for the Creative Cuniculum for Pre-K in the amount of $54,470.00, funded by Title I/General Funds.
Request to approve the proposal/MOU for Career Compass to be funded by Orchard, Perkins and CTE Funds.
Request to approve the MOU between the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College on behalf of Louisiana State University Eunice (LSUE) and the Avoyelles Parish School District regarding students enrolling in LSUE Workforce Innovation and Continuing Education online noncredit course.
Request to approve the reimbursement (from General Fund) for teachers who have change of placement and need to take the Praxis to be certified in their new position.
Request to approve revised policies, as follows:
File: JBD - Student Absences and Excuses
File: JCDAF - Bullying and Hazing
File: JGCE - Child Abuse
File: IFA - Instructional Materials
Request to approve the Sunbelt Education Gifted Teacher Part-Time, Catherine Lemoine, at a rate of $70 per hour funded by General Funds.
Request to approve overnight travel.
On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the consent agenda items. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ACTION ITEMS:
Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the attached policies to fulfill the requirements of the GUMBO Projects, as follows:
FinancialManagement
Accounting/Budgeting
Property Standards
Record Retention
Annual Operating Budget
Period Budget Reconciliation
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the policies as listed above to fulfill the requirements of the GUMBO Project. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Becky Spencer, Network Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to retract the partial award ofthe cyber grant to HiTech and award the full amount to Avexon for a total of$207,835.00.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board approved the retraction of the partial award of the cyber grant to HiTech and award the full amount to Avexon for a total of $207,835.00. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve lhe Bus Turnaround form.
A motion was made by Jill Guidry, seconded by Jay Callegari, that the Board approve the Bus Turnaround form. The motion was adopted by the following 5-1 vote:
YEAS: Rickey Adams, Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Jay Callegari, and Jill Guidry.
NAYS: Aimee Dupuy.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the clearing of the FFA Old River Lot by Lambert Equipment in Mansura for $16,540.00, to prepare the lot for the construction of the FFA Camp House. This will be funded with FFA Funds.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the Board approved the clearing of the FFA Old River Lot by Lambert in the amount of $16,540.00 funded by FFA Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the construction of Bunkie Magnet High School Automatic Gate by Rusk Carpentry in the amount of $32,187. This will be funded by $50,000 School Safety Grant.
On motion by Latisha Small, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the construction of Bunkie Magnet High School Automatic Gate by Rusk Carpentry in the amount of $32,187, funded by $50,000 School Safety Grant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the construction of Bunkie Elementary Leaming Academy Automatic Gate by Rusk Carpentry in the amount of $32,355.00. This will be funded by a $50,000 School Safety Grant.
On motion by Latisha Small, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the construction of Bunkie Elementary Leaming Academy Automatic Gate by Rusk Carpentry in the Pamount of $32,355.00, funded by a $50,000 School Safety Grant. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the purchase of eleven (11) carpet cleaners from Economical Supplies for $21,730.50 which is the state contract price. These will be for all six (6) elementary schools funded with Maintenance Funds.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board approved the purchase of eleven (11) carpet cleaners from Economical Supplies for $21,730.50, which will be for all six (6) elementary schools, funded with Maintenance Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve cleanup of Riverside Elementary School Ball Field by Rusk Construction in the amount of $13,880.00. This will include removing fences, trees, tight poles, old buildings, shipping containers, tennis court poles and fence, and mowing the property. This will make the property ready for maintenance to maintain the grass.
On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Latisha Small, the Board approved the cleanup of Riverside Elementary School Ball Field by Rusk Construction in the amount of $13,880.00 to include removing fences, trees, light poles, old buildings, shipping containers, tennis court poles and fence, and mowing the property, funded by Maintenance Funds. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve a nine (9) school termite treatment and warranty proposal with Bayou Mosquito of Alexandria, LA, in the amount of $129,955.00 initial total, with $11,470.00 annual renewal inspection for all schools combined.
On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the nine (9) school termite treatment and warranty proposal with Bayou Mosquito of Alexandria, LA, in the amount of $129,955.00 initial total, with $11,470.00 annual renewal inspection for all schools combined. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
There being no further business, on motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Lynn Deloach, the meeting was adjourned.
AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Rickey Adams, President
Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent
Secretary/Treasurer