DATE,
TIME, PLACE OF MEETING
The
Calcasieu Parish School Board met in the Conference Room of the Calcasieu
Parish School Board located at 1732 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on
Tuesday, January 16, 2001, at 5:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Sheral A. LaVergne, President. The prayer was led by James W. Karr, Sr.;
Randy Armentor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL
CALL
The
roll was called and the following members were present:
Joe
A. Andrepont, Randall C. Armentor, Ricky Blackwell, Wilridge P. Doucet, Clara
F. Duhon, Jay L. Duhon, Carla C. Duplechin, John M. Falgout, L. J.
"Berk" Fontenot, James W. Karr, Sr., Sheral A. LaVergne, James W.
Pitre, Gregory P. Robert, Philip Tarver and Elray T. Victorian.
MINUTES
APPROVED
On
motion by Mr. Andrepont, seconded by Mr. Doucet and unanimously carried, the
minutes of the regular meeting of December 5, 2000, were approved as
presented.
J.
Duhon requested that Items VIII-E & F be heard immediately following Item
VI-C; he also requested that the Insurance Committee meeting report be heard
prior to the Budget/Fiscal Management Committee report in order that he might
leave to attend a community meeting to discuss a bond issue for District 11.
By
general consent of the Board, the request was approved.
Ms.
LaVergne recognized representatives present from the following schools: Moss
Bluff Elementary, Moss Bluff Middle, S. P. Arnett Middle, Sam Houston High and
Westlake High Schools.
PRESENTATIONS
Quality Management Team Update
David
Buller, Chair of the Calcasieu Parish Quality Management Team presented an
update to the Board on the activities of the Team. Mr. Buller thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak and
introduced members of the Team: Pam Quebodeaux, Dolby Elementary, Esther
Vincent, Ralph Wilson Elementary, Steve Hardy, Vinton Middle, Charlene
Chiasson, Public Information Officer, Keith Leger, School-to-Work Facilitator,
Bill Jongbloed, Administrative Director of High Schools, Bob Smith, Louisiana
Pigment and Tom Hatfield, PPG Industries.
Mr.
Buller stated that he had seen many programs come and go but that the Quality
Initiative was something that had been proven time and again and has been a
rewarding experience thus far. He said
it was a program
that
was needed by Calcasieu Parish School Board as an ongoing project. Mr. Buller further stated that Plant
Managers and CEO’s had warmly received the Team and that industry was eager to
work with them.
Mr.
Buller stated that in the spring, presentations would be offered for
administrators and that the program was strictly voluntary. Several points made by Mr. Buller were that
teachers have been taught specific instructional tools they could use, how to
properly conduct a meeting, motivational tools and how to gather data.
A
brief question and answer period followed with Mr. Doucet commending Mr. Buller
and the Quality Management Team for their work. He said he felt it would be a tremendous success.
Kent
Savoie, Candidate for Judge, District A
Ms.
LaVergne recognized Kent Savoie, candidate for Judge, District A.
Mr.
Savoie thanked the Board for the opportunity to appear, gave a brief summary of
his qualifications and asked for their support in the election for judge,
District A.
Chennault
International Airport Authority Update
The
Board heard a presentation by Max Jones, Director of the Chennault
International Airport Authority.
Mr.
Jones announced that Chennault had recently signed a contract with EADS, the
third largest aerospace company in the world.
He stated Chennault was fortunate to have this company in Lake Charles
and that they would bring a new dimension of aerospace to Lake Charles.
TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION
Resignation of Dick Gregory,
Chennault International Airport Authority Representative
On
motion by Mr. Karr, seconded by Mr. Andrepont and unanimously carried, the
resignation of Dick Gregory, Calcasieu Parish School Board Representative to
the Chennault International Airport Authority was approved.
Mr.
Gregory addressed the Board stating that he had enjoyed representing the School
Board on the Chennault International Airport Authority Board.
Select Calcasieu Parish School
Board Representative to the Chennault International Airport Authority
Mr. Fontenot moved to defer the
selection of a representative to the Chennault International Airport Authority;
Mr. Falgout seconded the motion.
Mr. Andrepont stated that the matter
should be discussed in executive session and so moved; Mr. Blackwell seconded
the motion. Motion was voted on and
carried unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board went into executive session
at 5:40 p.m. to discuss the Chennault International Airport Authority
Representative and personnel matters.
The Board resumed regular open session at 6:46 p.m.
TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION
Select Calcasieu Parish School
Board Representative to the Chennault International Airport Authority
Ms. LaVergne yielded the floor to
James Spruel, Legal Counsel.
Mr. Spruel stated for the record, the
reason for the executive session was to discuss personnel matters and
allegations of misconduct pertaining to the selection of a new representative
to the Chennault Board. He said there
was some question regarding whether there was a vacancy and when the vacancy
occurred. He stated that he had
reviewed the Intergovernmental Contract and the Local Services Agreement as
well as the statute that started Chennault.
Mr. Spruel stated that based upon the written resignation that the Board
accepted from Dick Gregory, the vacancy exists on the Authority beginning
January 16, 2001. The thirty days that
the Board has to make the replacement on the Chennault Board also begins
January 16, 2001. If the appointment is
not made within the thirty days, the Chennault Board may appoint an interim
successor until the School Board is able to make an appointment.
Mr. Falgout then moved to amend the
motion, seconded by C. Duhon, to state that there was a vacancy on the
Chennault Board and to defer the selection of the Calcasieu Parish School Board
Representative to the Chennault Board until the February 6, 2001 Board meeting,
to advertise for the position, with applications to be submitted on or before
January 26, 2001. Amendment to the
motion was voted on and carried unanimously.
Mr. Gregory then addressed the Board,
stating that he could not participate as far as any business transactions were
concerned for Chennault.
After further discussion, the motion
as amended was voted on and carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Employee
Benefits Committee – November 30, 2000
Jay
Duhon, Chair, reported that the Calcasieu Parish School Board Employee Benefits
Committee met on November 30, 2000; a quorum was present.
Mr.
Duhon announced that the committee would meet once a month. He stated the objective of the committee was
to make recommendations to the Board by a March 2001 deadline. The meeting was an informational/educational
meeting to assist the committee in understanding health issues. Mr. Duhon introduced Robert D. Taylor, Vice
President, Marsh USA, Inc., Insurance Consultant for the Calcasieu Parish
School System.
Mr.
Taylor made a presentation to the committee on current health care trends for
2000, provider issues, the impact of managed care, technical advances/disease
issues, the aging population, political/social/legal environment and emerging
trends. Benchmarking was also discussed
comparing Calcasieu Parish School Board with national and other school board
norms. He also spoke about loss
ratios, claims experience and the minimum premium funding. Mr. Taylor noted that the percentage of
retirees in the program (32%), increasing drug costs and utilization as
affecting the pricing of group health insurance.
After
a brief question and answer period between the committee and Mr. Taylor, Mr.
Duhon suggested that staff study structured premium options and plan design for
the upcoming committee meetings. He
announced that Allen Saba, Regional Sales Manager, Trustmark Insurance Company,
would be attending the December meeting to discuss the current group health
insurance plan insuring Calcasieu Parish School Board.
Employee
Benefits Committee – December 14, 2000
Jay
Duhon, Chair, reported that the Employee Benefits Committee met on December 14,
2000; a quorum was present.
Mr.
Duhon introduced Allen Saba, Senior Regional Manager for Trustmark Insurance.
Mr.
Saba explained the renewal process to be used by Trustmark regarding Calcasieu
Parish School Board group health insurance plan. He analyzed benefit review, PPO vs Non-PPO utilization and
options to review prior to the upcoming May 1, 2001 renewal date. Mr. Saba explained trending in the renewal
process in response to questions from the committee. Other discussion focused on the characteristics of the group
health plan currently in place for Calcasieu Parish School Board.
Mr.
Duhon announced that representatives from American Life Care would speak at the
next committee meeting about enrollment of non-network providers. He requested information regarding
structured premium options and benefit design possibilities for the next
meeting.
Budget/Fiscal
Management Committee
John
M. Falgout, Chair, reported that the Budget/Fiscal Management Committee met on
December 12, 2000; a quorum was present.
The
1999-2000 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report was the first item of
discussion. Karl Bruchhaus, Chief
Financial Officer, presented the report.
He stated that the 1999-2000 Audit Summary received an unqualified audit
opinion with good accountability for funds and reporting efficiency. Mr. Bruchhaus introduced Margie Williamson,
external auditor for Allen, Green & Company, who reviewed the external
audit report and the single audit portion of the report. Ms. Williamson commended the accounting
staff and stated the overall audit opinion was a clean, unqualified
report. She mentioned several areas
that could be improved upon including the placement of teachers funded by the
federal Class-Size Reduction Grant, reports available from the accounting
general ledger system, tagging of equipment purchased by schools with student
activity fund money and review of health claims above $50,000 by
Trustmark. Mr. Bruchhaus commended the
auditors for a thorough audit and Dennis Bent, Director of Budget and
Accounting, and the accounting staff for putting together an excellent
report. The Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report will be presented to the Government Finance Officers
Association and the Association of School Business Officials for national
awards.
By
a unanimous vote, the committee recommended acceptance of the Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report.
Mr.
Falgout moved, on behalf of the committee, to accept the Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report as presented. Motion
carried unanimously.
The
next item discussed was improvements to the T & I Facilities to determine
from where funding would be taken. Mr.
Bruchhaus discussed the current riverboat proceeds with the committee for a
possible funding source. The estimate
for the T & I Shop addition being considered for funding totaled $336,000.The
committee approved the funding of the T & I auto shop with restroom
totaling $336,000, to be taken from riverboat fund proceeds. Mr. Robert voted against the motion.
Mr.
Falgout moved, on behalf of the committee, to approve improvements to the T
& I Auto shop with restroom, for a total cost of $336,000, funds to be
taken from riverboat proceeds. After a
brief discussion, motion carried by majority vote. Mr. Robert voted nay, expressing his concern that there would be
a lack of funds that would remain for the funding of classroom pods.
Charles
Duhon, Internal Auditor, presented six school audits for the committee’s review
and acceptance. He reported that all
audits were in compliance and all exceptions had been handled.
The
committee approved the audits as presented.
Mr.
Falgout moved, on behalf of the committee to approve the school audits as
presented. Motion carried unanimously.
The
committee amended the agenda to go into executive session at 6:40 p.m. and
reconvened to regular session at 7:00 p.m.
TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION
Approve Extension of Lease on
DeQuincy High School Gym by the City of DeQuincy
Mr.
Bruchhaus reported that a request for the approval of the extension of a lease
by the City of DeQuincy on the DeQuincy High School Gym to December 2001, had
been received.
On
motion by Mr. Karr, seconded by Mr. Falgout and unanimously carried, the lease
on the DeQuincy High School Gym by the City of DeQuincy until December 2001,
was approved.
Resolution
Supporting Teacher Pay Raises
On
motion by Mr. Karr, seconded by Mr. Falgout and unanimously carried, the
following resolution in support of teacher pay raises was approved:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, teacher
salaries in Louisiana have long fallen short of the SREB average, and
WHEREAS,
exploring methods to secure the funding necessary to raise teacher salaries to
this regional average was a major objective of the School Finance Commission,
which was appointed by the governor and comprised of members of the Louisiana
Legislature, the business community, and educational groups at all levels, and
WHEREAS,
the Minimum Foundation Program Formula presented by the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education to the Louisiana Legislature for school year
2000-2001 originally incorporated the School Finance Commission’s
recommendation to increase teacher salaries, and
WHEREAS,
although the MFP finally adopted by the Louisiana Legislature for the 2000-2001
school year provided full funding for the first time, it did not include
additional money for teacher salaries, and
WHEREAS,
the proposed constitutional amendments which would have provided additional
state revenue designated to provide pay raises for K-12 and post-secondary
teaching personnel failed to gain voter approval on November 7, 2000, and
WHEREAS,
legislation has been introduced in recent legislative sessions to fund salary
increases for elementary and secondary school personnel by redirecting dollars
from within the MFP, and
WHEREAS,
redirecting existing MFP monies to fund teacher pay raises would seriously
strain local resources in many parishes, catastrophically for some, and
WHEREAS,
a well qualified, adequately compensated teaching corps is absolutely essential
to providing a quality education to our children thereby fulfilling our
educational mission.
THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Calcasieu Parish School Board, hereby urgently
requests the Louisiana Legislature to preserve the MFP as structured by the
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and to refrain from
redirecting funds within the MFP to fund teacher salary increases.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Calcasieu Parish School Board does hereby implore
Governor Foster and the Louisiana Legislature to actively pursue all funding
possibilities and provide the additional funds needed to raise teacher salaries
to the SREB average.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Murphy
J. “Mike” Foster, III, the members of the Louisiana Legislature and the members
of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
APPROVED
AND ADOPTED by the Calcasieu Parish School Board this 16th day of
January 2001.
CALCASIEU
PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
/s/Jude
W. Theriot
Jude
W. Theriot, Secretary
/s/Sheral
A. LaVergne
Sheral
A. LaVergne, President
DeQuincy
High School Band Trip to San Antonio, Texas
On
motion by Mr. Karr, seconded by Mr. Falgout and unanimously carried, the
request by the DeQuincy High School Band for a trip to San Antonio, Texas,
April 27, 28 and 29, 2001, was approved.
Sulphur
High School Band Trip to Orlando, Florida
On
motion by Mr. Blackwell, seconded by Mr. Andrepont and unanimously carried, the
request by the Sulphur High School Band for a trip to Orlando, Florida, April
5-8, 2001, was approved.
BID
REPORTS
Computer Software for Calcasieu
Parish School Board, Data Processing Department
Bids were received from the following
vendors for Computer Software for Calcasieu Parish School Board, Data
Processing Department, General (E-Rate) Funds: Accudata Systems, Inc., Exault
Company Software House International and Downingtown Government Enterprises
South, Inc., d/b/a “Softmart”.
The staff recommended accepting the
low bid for each item meeting specifications as follows:
VENDOR NAME BID PRICE
Software House International $39,000.00
(Somerset, NJ)
Accudata Systems, Inc. $16,519.00
(Houston, TX)
TOTAL $55,519.00
On motion by C. Duhon, seconded by
Mr. Doucet and unanimously carried, the low bid for each item meeting specifications
was approved as recommended by staff.
Contract Renewal for A/C Pleated
Filters for Calcasieu Parish School Board Maintenance Department
On motion by Mr. Falgout, seconded by
Mr. Victorian and unanimously carried, Contract #2000-26 with Acadiana Filters
Service, Renewal Bid Number 2001-31, for Air Condition Pleated Filters for
Calcasieu Parish School Board Maintenance Department; Contract Period from
February 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001, was approved.
The Contract is renewed on the following
contract terms:
Paragraph 5 –
Contract Agreement
Provisions
for Renewal: At the options
of either party, the bid and contract
may be renewed annually upon mutual agreement in writing by the vendor and the
Calcasieu Parish School Board. An annual
extension shall cover the period of January 1 through December 31 of each year.
Roof Replacement – Maplewood Middle
School – Phase IV – School District #23
The following bids were received on
the project: Roof Replacement – Maplewood Middle School – Phase IV; School
District #23 Bond Funds; Bid #20012-12PC:
CONTRACTOR
BASE
BID
Daughdrill GC & Roofing $889,540.00
Morgan Roofing $686,000.00
Ferguson Roofing $686,306.00
Vaughn Roofing $729,950.00
On motion by Mr. Blackwell, seconded
by Mr. Andrepont and unanimously carried, the bids were
taken under advisement.
Iowa Area Schools – Phase II – New
LeBleu Settlement Elementary School
The following bids were received for
the project: Iowa Area Schools – Phase II – New LeBleu Settlement Elementary
School; School District #25, Bond Funds; Bid #2001-13PC:
CONTRACTOR
BASE
BID ALT #1
ALT
#2 ALT #3
Bessette Development $4,550,000 $258,000 $188,000 $122,000
Hab Karam Const. $4,696,000 $212,000 $209,000 $
82,000
Lewing Construction $4,891,000 $252,000 $195,000 $
73,000
Miller & Associates $4,672.000 $215,000 $122,400 $217,000
Picheloup Const. $5,295,000 $216,281 $218,000 $123,403
Priola Construction $4,527,000 $225,365 $255,000 $122,000
On motion by Mr. Armentor, seconded
by Mr. Fontenot and unanimously carried, the contract was awarded to
Bessette
Development Corporation (Base Bid Plus Alternates #1 and #2) in the amount of Four
Million Nine Hundred Ninety Six Thousand and no/100---Dollars ($4,996,000.00), as the
lowest qualified bidder.
PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE
New John J. Johnson Elementary
School
On motion by C. Duhon, seconded by
Mr. Victorian and unanimously carried, permission to advertise for a new John
J. Johnson Elementary School; School District #31 Bond Funds; C. Gayle
Zembower, Architect, Inc., was approved.
New Moss Bluff Middle School
On motion by Mr. Fontenot, seconded
by Mr. Armentor and unanimously carried, permission to advertise for a new Moss
Bluff Middle School; Sales Tax District #3; Moss Architects, Designer, was approved.
Audio Visual Equipment for Vinton
Elementary, Title I, Resource Center Special Services and Elementary Department
of Calcasieu Parish School Board
On motion by Mr. Karr, seconded by
Mr. Andrepont and unanimously carried, permission to advertise for Audio Visual
Equipment for Vinton Elementary, Title I, Resource Center Special Services and
Elementary Department of Calcasieu Parish School Board, Bid #2000-33, was
approved.
Shop Equipment for Calcasieu Parish
School Board Automotive Classes at DeQuincy High, Westlake High and College
Street T & I of Calcasieu Parish School Board
On motion by Mr. Karr, seconded by
Mr. Andrepont and unanimously carried, permission to advertise for Shop
Equipment for Calcasieu Parish School Board Automotive Classes at DeQuincy
High, Westlake High and College Street T & I of Calcasieu Parish School
Board, Grant Funds; Bid #2001-38, was approved.
Band Instruments for Calcasieu
Parish Schools
On motion by Mr. Karr, seconded by
Mr. Andrepont and unanimously carried, permission to advertise for Band
Instruments for Calcasieu Parish Schools; General Funds; Bid #2001-43, was
approved.
CORRESPONDENCE
Recommendation
of Acceptance for the Project: Iowa High School Welding Shop
On motion by Mr.
Armentor, seconded by Mr. Victorian and unanimously carried, the Recommendation
of Acceptance for the Project: Iowa High School Welding Shop; General Funds;
Associated Design Group, Inc., Designer; Trouth A/C and Sheet Metal, was
approved.
Change
Order # 4 for the Project: Renovations to Iowa Area Schools – Phase I – Iowa
High School & J. I. Watson Middle School, Iowa Louisiana
On motion by Mr.
Armentor, seconded by Mr. Fontenot and unanimously carried, Change Order #4 for
the Project: Renovations to Iowa Area Schools – Phase I – Iowa High School and
J. I. Watson Middle School, Iowa, Louisiana, for an increase of $3,707 and 10
days; Moss Architects, Designer; John D. Myers & Associates, Contractor,
was approved.
Recommendation
of Acceptance for the Project: Renovations to Iowa Area Schools – Phase I; SD
#25 Bond Funds; Iowa High School & J. I. Watson Middle School
On motion by Mr.
Armentor, seconded by Mr. Falgout and unanimously carried, the Recommendation
of Acceptance for the Project: Renovations to Iowa Area Schools – Phase I; SD
#25 Bond Funds; Iowa High School & J. I. Watson Middle School; Moss
Architects, Designer; John D. Myers & Associates, Contractor, was approved.
Recommendation
of Acceptance for the Project: Sam Houston Chiller & Pumps Replacement.
On
motion by Mr. Fontenot, seconded by Mr. Armentor and unanimously carried, the
Recommendation of Acceptance for the Project: Sam Houston High School Chiller
& Pumps Replacement; General Funds; Associated Design Group, Inc.,
Designer; Sims Mechanical, Contractor, was
deferred
until the February 6, 2001 Board Meeting.
Recommendation of Acceptance for
the Project: 4 Classroom Pods – Phase II – F. K. White Middle, Oak Park Middle,
J. I. Watson Middle, Dolby Elementary and Vincent Settlement Elementary
On motion by Mr. Victorian, seconded
by Mr. Duplechin and unanimously carried, the Recommendation of Acceptance for
the Project: 4 Classroom Pods – Phase II – F. K. White Middle, Oak Park Middle,
J. I. Watson Middle, Dolby Elementary and Vincent Settlement Elementary, was
approved.
SUPERINTENDENT'S
REPORT
Office Depot “Free School Supplies for Schools”
Office
Depot has announced that Calcasieu Parish School District has been awarded a
total of $2,578.00 in free supplies.
(A list of schools and the amounts are included in your Board
packet.) In an effort to support the
local schools in their communities, Office Depot has designed the “Free Supplies for Your School” program,
through which they donate 5% of qualifying purchases back to the schools. It is their way of helping teachers, parents
and students help their neighborhood schools.
Urban Superintendents’ Association of America
Your Superintendent, Jude W. Theriot, was
recently elected Vice-President of the Urban
Superintendents’ Association of America. The association is affiliated with
the American Association of School Superintendents and is made up of
superintendents from the largest urban school districts. He is the first Louisiana school
superintendent to receive this honor.
Mr.
Theriot has been a scholarship recipient for the USAA Summer Superintendents’
Academy for the last four years.
School Nurse Day
Governor
M. J. “Mike” Foster, Jr., has designated Wednesday, January 24, 2001 as School
Nurse Day in Louisiana. The
honor is in recognition of the vital role of school nurses in the educational
process and in the health and well being of Louisiana school children.
LSBA/NSBA
Last call for names of
those who wish to attend the Louisiana School Boards Association Conference
and/or the National School Boards Association Conference. Registration for attendees must be sent in
now.
Community Learning Center Grant
The Calcasieu Parish Middle School Department has been
awarded a $660,000 grant from the U. S. Department of Education. The grant will fund a Community Learning Center – “Plant a Seed, Watch It Grow” at
Reynaud Middle School. The center will
provide a wide range of activities to accelerate learning as well as drug
awareness, conflict resolution, recreation, computer skills and cultural arts. These programs will be offered after school,
on Saturday and during the summer months.
There will also be programs and activities for adults in the community
offered at the school. The grant was
primarily written by Jimmy Newman and edited by Patrice Saucier.
School to Work
The State School to Work Council recently selected the
Calcasieu Career Center to receive one of thirteen “Lighthouse Site” awards in the state for the purpose of showcasing
effective practices for all Louisiana youth.
Thail Pete, Calcasieu Career Center Principal, announced that the award
totals $10,000. Mrs. Pete and Diane
Spurlock, WIA Program Coordinator, presented the key features and practices of
the Calcasieu Career Center for School to Work Council members. A brochure will be produced and distributed
throughout the state that will include the Career Center.
Funds
from the award will be used for staff development, character education,
mentoring programs and wilderness experience.
In order to communicate its effective youth practices the Career Center
will host an open house to be coordinated by the Career Center and the State
during the spring of 2001. More
information will be forthcoming; all board members are invited to attend.
Jake
Drost School
Rhonda
Duhon of the Sulphur WalMart SuperCenter presented Anne Davis of Jake Drost
Special School with a check for $2,425.59.
The money is funded by WalMart’s Charity Appeal, a program wherein
WalMart sets aside a percentage of its sales the first weekend of December for what
they consider a worthy cause. According
to Ms. Duhon, it is the largest donation of this kind that WalMart has given.
In
addition, Jake Drost School was presented a check in the amount of $1,096.50,
by the North Sulphur KC’s on January 11, 2001.
Other
donations received by Drost this year include:
Conoco -
$500.00
Sulphur
Kiwanis - $1,000.00
Carlyss KC’s -
$1,459.64
Sulphur KC’s –
$596.18
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS
Mr.
Karr requested a status report on the track at DeQuincy High School at the
February 6, 2001 Board meeting.
Mr.
Fontenot stated that a parishwide tax was on the ballot for a community center
in wards 4, 5, 6, and 7. He indicated
he would not be able to support such.
Mr.
Armentor reminded everyone of the Livestock Show and Rodeo and invited them to
attend.
Mrs.
Duplechin requested a letter of condolence to be sent to the Freida Romero
family, a thank you letter to Rosie Soileau who drove the bus in the funeral
procession; and a letter of condolence to be sent to Earline Romero on the loss
of her husband.
Mr.
Doucet requested a letter of condolence to Durlin Ancelet on the loss of his
father; to Henry Gervis Poole on the loss of his mother; and to Faith Blackburn
on the loss of her son-in-law.
Mr.
Blackwell urged all to get out and vote on Saturday.
Mr.
Andrepont requested that Risk Management inspect tracks at area schools to
determine damage and see if the school board had any recourse. He also stated that there was a need at
Vincent Settlement Elementary for fencing.
C.
Duhon requested a letter of condolence to be sent to Larry Edwards on the loss
of his wife. She asked that staff
consider an appropriate expression of sympathy to be given to family members of
Board employees in the event of a loss in their family. Mrs. Duhon asked that her name be removed
from the Curriculum and Instruction Committee member list due to a conflict on
meeting days and add her to the Insurance Committee. She announced that she would not be at the February 6, 2001 Board
meeting due her attendance at the NSBA Federal Relations Network Conference.
Mr.
Tarver suggested that Board members attend one school each month as a group in
order to become better informed as to what is happening in all schools. He invited the Board to Barbe High for lunch
on January 30, 2001 at 11:30 a.m. Mr.
Andrepont invited the Board to Sulphur High during the month of February, date
to be announced. Mr. Doucet invited
Board members to Westlake High in March, date to be announced. Mr. Tarver then asked that staff address the
overcrowding at S. J. Welsh Middle and stated he would like to see options and
alternatives for voters in that area to consider. He asked that on issues of bonding, construction and renovation
projects administrators be involved.
Mr.
Falgout moved to amend the agenda to address the removal of the Wildcat mascot
from Lake Charles Boston High School; Mrs. Duhon seconded the motion; motion
carried unanimously.
Mr.
Falgout then moved, was seconded by Mrs. Duhon, to have the Superintendent and
Legal Counsel draw up a resolution for the removal of the Wildcat Mascot from
Lake Charles Boston High School. Motion
carried unanimously.
Ms.
LaVergne requested a letter of condolence to be sent to Larry Edwards on the
loss of his wife; a letter to Esther Stills and Wanda Davis on the loss of
their sister.
SCHEDULE
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Curriculum
& Instruction – Thursday, January 18, 2001 – 4:45 p.m.
Ad
Hoc Insurance Committee – Thursday, February 8, 2001 – 4:45 p.m.
Budget/Fiscal
Management – Tuesday, February 13, 2001 – 4:45 p.m.
TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION
Personnel
On
motion by Mr. Doucet, seconded by Mr. Andrepont and unanimously carried, the
following personnel changes, including the supplemental agenda, were approved
as recommended by the Superintendent:
Resignations
Danielle
Robinson, Tutor, Fairview Elementary, effective January 12, 2001; Bryan
Perkins, Vinton Middle School, effective January 26, 2001; Debra Harmon,
Cafeteria Technician, Fairview Elementary, effective January 5, 2001; Rosemarie
Tapp, Teacher, Brentwood Elementary, effective December 20, 2000; Joseph
Narcisse, Teacher Aide, J. F. Kennedy Elementary, effective January 8, 2001;
Terriune Duncan Cafeteria Technician, Fondel/Combre Elementary, effective
December 22, 2000; Noelle Bosmans, French Immersion Teacher, Gillis Elementary,
effective January 3, 2001; Patricia Bass, Janitor, Starks High, effective
December 20, 2000; Toni LeDoux, Secretary, Maplewood Middle, effective December
20, 2000; Tiffany Duhon, Teacher, Gillis Elementary, effective December 20,
2000; Jolene Arsement, Teacher, Moss Bluff Middle, effective December 15, 2000;
Yvonne York, Teacher, Pearl Watson Elementary, effective December 7, 2000;
Sheila Pousson, Teacher, D. S. Perkins, effective January 11, 2001; Mary Brown,
Tutor, Henry Heights, effective December 20, 2000; Keisha Hicks, Tutor,
Fairview Elementary, effective January 3, 2001; Pam Hymel, School
Clerk/Bookkeeper, Henry Heights, effective January 5, 2001.
Retirement
Notifications
Leave
Without Pay
Ethel
Thibodeaux, Teacher Aide, Fondel/Combre Elementary, beginning January 16, 2001
until May 31, 2001; Pamela Spears, Teacher, DeQuincy High, beginning March 28,
2001 until May 31, 2001; Alice Woods, Cafeteria Technician, Moss Bluff Middle,
beginning October 10, 2000 until January 2, 2001; JoAnne O’Quinn, Bus Driver,
Pearl Watson Elementary, grant extension of leave without pay until May 31,
2001.
Rescind
Leave Without Pay
Rachelle
DeJean, Teacher, Maplewood Middle, rescind leave without pay effective December
5, 2000.
Maternity
Leave
Yolanda
Parrish, Teacher, Fondel/Combre Elementary, beginning January 4, 2001 until
February 16, 2001; Tevya O’Quinn, Teacher, Maplewood Middle, beginning March
198, 2001 until May 28, 2001; Pamela Spears, Teacher, DeQuincy High School,
beginning February 5, 2001 until March 28, 2001.
Professional
Development
Jill
Lavergne, Teacher, Gillis Elementary, 2001-2002 school session.
Medical
Sabbatical
Linden
Cox, Teacher, W. W. Lewis Middle, spring semester of the 2000-01 school
session; Christine Mandubourg, Counselor, LaGrange High, spring semester of the
2000-01 school session; Lucie Mesuch, Teacher, W. W. Lewis Middle, spring
semester of the 2000-01 school session; Rita Bredehoeft, Teacher, S. J. Welsh
Middle, spring semester of the 2000-01 school session
Performance
Contract Recommendation
On
motion by Mr. Pitre, seconded by Mr. Tarver and unanimously carried, a two-year
performance contract was issued to Sandra DeWitt, Acting Assistant Principal at
S. J. Welsh Middle School.
Meeting
Adjourned
On
motion by Mr. Robert, seconded by Mr. Victorian and unanimously carried, the
meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
/s/Jude W.
Theriot
/s/Sheral A. LaVergne
Jude
W. Theriot, Secretary Sheral A. LaVergne, President
|