| DC |
Annual Operating Budget |
| DC-AP |
Annual Operating Budget |
| DCH |
Periodic Budget
Reconciliation |
| DCH-AP |
Periodic Budget
Reconciliation |
| DCI |
Line Item Transfer Authority |
| DCI-AP |
Line Item Transfer Authority |
| DE |
Debt Limitation |
| DEA |
Debt Service Payments |
| DFA |
Local Tax Revenues |
| DFA-AP |
Local Tax Revenues |
| DFD |
Bond Election and Sales |
| DFE |
Short Term Notes |
| DFF |
Grants |
| DFF-AP |
Submission of Grant
Application |
| DFI |
Lease, Rental, and Royalty
Income |
| DFI-AP |
Lease, Rental, and Royalty
Income |
| DFK |
Gifts and Bequests |
| DFL |
Cash Management and
Investments |
| DFL-AP |
Cash Management and
Investments |
| DG |
Depository of Funds |
| DH |
Bonded Employees |
| DI |
Accounting and Reporting |
| DIA |
Accounting System |
| DIB |
Financial Reports and
Statements |
| DIB-AP |
Financial Reports and
Statements |
| DIC |
Fixed Asset Inventories |
| DID |
Audits |
| DIE |
Record Retention |
| DJ |
Expenditure of Funds |
| DJ-AP |
Expenditure of Funds |
| DJAA |
Authorized Signatures |
| DJAA-AP |
Authorized Signatures |
| DJCB |
Salary Deductions |
| DJCB-AP |
Salary Deductions |
| DJD |
Expense Reimbursements |
| DJE |
Purchasing |
| DJE-AP |
Purchasing of Equipment,
Materials, Supplies and Services |
| DJED |
Bids and Quotations |
| DJEH |
Change Orders |
| DL |
Cash In School Buildings |
| DO |
School Properties Disposal
Procedure |
| DO-AP |
School Property Disposal |
FILE: DC
Cf: DCH, DCI, DIB
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ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET
The School Board shall approve an annual budget
for the general fund and each special revenue fund for the fiscal year July 1 to
June 30, no later than September fifteenth of each year. The School Board shall
submit a copy of its adopted budget to the State Superintendent no later than
September thirtieth of each year, as well as a general summary of the adopted
budget. The summary shall include projected revenues and receipts, expenditures
and disbursements, beginning and ending fund and cash balances.
It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent and designated members of
his staff to prepare the operating budgets for submission to the Board. The
budgets shall be prepared on forms in accordance with such rules and regulations
as may be prescribed by statutes and by the State Superintendent of Education.
Said budgets shall be submitted to the Board for the purposes of revision and
approval prior to submission to the State Superintendent.
After the Board has reviewed the proposed budget and made desired changes, if
any, the Board shall cause to be published a notice in the official journal
stating that the proposed budget is available for public inspection no later
than fifteen (15) days prior to the beginning date for budget adoption. The
notice shall also state that a public hearing on the proposed budget shall be
held specifying the date, time and place of the hearing. The proposed budget
shall not be considered for adoption or otherwise finalized until at least one
public hearing has been conducted on the proposal. The Board shall also cause to
be published in the official journal a general summary indicative of the
proposed budget. The summary shall be published at least ten (10) days prior to
the date of the first public hearing and may be published in the same
advertisement as the notice of availability of the proposed budget and the
public hearing. The summary shall include:
- Information on estimated funds available and
anticipated disbursements; and
- Explanations of significant changes from the
prior year's budget.
The Board shall certify completion of all
action required by publishing a notice in the same manner as provided above.
No budget shall be approved where expenditures exceed the expected means of
financing. No items of expense may be incurred through the year except as
provided for in the approved budget unless a revision is adopted and approved by
the Board. The budget shall be reviewed periodically and such financial reports
as the Board directs shall be prepared and presented to the Board by the
Superintendent.
Revised: December, 1995
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:88, 17:89,
39:1301-1316.
FILE: DCH
Cf: DCH-AP
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PERIODIC BUDGET
RECONCILIATION
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to
reconcile and/or to recommend changes in the budget during the fiscal year,
provided the schools are operated for the minimum term according to the rules
and regulations of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Such
changes shall be subject to the approval of the Board, and in no event shall a
budget amendment be adopted proposing expenditures which exceed the total
estimated funds available for the fiscal year.
Each administrative position charged with budget authority shall be responsible
for the periodic review and analysis of assigned budgets. Should any adjustments
or corrections to any budgetary line item become necessary, such change should
be brought to the attention of appropriate finance personnel. Any change shall
require approval of the Superintendent or his designee.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:88, 39:1301-1314.
FILE: DCI
Cf: DCI-AP
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LINE ITEM TRANSFER AUTHORITY
The Board, Superintendent and his staff shall
continually evaluate the school district's budget and maintain required records
which support entitlement and disposition of public funds. Line items in the
budget may be changed, with Board approval, at any time during the fiscal year,
provided such change is consistent with existing laws and regulations of the
State of Louisiana. Any request for modification of a budgetary line item shall
be approved by appropriate supervisory personnel and submitted to the
Superintendent for consideration. The Superintendent may submit requests for
budgetary line item changes to the Board as deemed appropriate. The
Superintendent may approve transfers from one budget line item to another for
amounts less than $10,000. Any such changes shall be ratified by the Board.
Amounts of $10,000 or more shall be submitted to the Board for approval.
FILE: DE
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DEBT LIMITATION
For purposes of the issuance of bonded debt,
the Calcasieu Parish School Board may establish individual, geographically
separate School Districts. The School Board shall serve as the governing
authority of each School District, each of which will exist solely for the
purpose of the establishment of a taxing district for the issuance and payment
of bonds, and the levy and collections of such taxes as necessary and legally
authorized to meet principal and interest obligations on those bonds.
The Calcasieu Parish School Board may, as authorized by the Constitution and
laws of the State, borrow money, incur debt, and issue bonds with the approval
of the electorate and the consent of the State Bond Commission. The Board, as
governing authority of the individual School Districts, upon obtaining consent
and approval of the State Bond Commission, may incur debt and issue bonds for
the purposes of acquiring and/or improving lands, purchasing, erecting and/or
improving school buildings, and/or for other purposes allowed by state law
which, including the existing bonded debt of the individual School District for
such purposes, may exceed ten percent (10%), but shall not exceed thirty-five
percent (35%) of the assessed valuation of all property as ascertained by the
last assessment for the School District.
Notification to the State Bond Commission shall be required by the Board
whenever the transfer of funds required to be established by resolution
authorizing the incurrence of indebtedness or payment of principal or interest
on outstanding indebtedness have not been
made timely.
Revised: December, 1990
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:89, 17:1371,
39:471, 39:554, 39:562.
Concerned Business and Property Owners of DeSoto, Inc., et al v. DeSoto Parish
School Board, Sup. 1988, 531 SO.2d 436. Board minutes, 2-19-91.
FILE: DEA
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DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS
Timely payment of principal and interest due on
outstanding bonded indebtedness of the Calcasieu Parish School Board's
individual bond districts is of utmost priority and importance.
The Superintendent shall be directed and authorized to take action to ensure
that payments of debt service are timely made. Such action shall include, but
not be limited to , the transfer of General Fund monies not otherwise legally
restricted, to meet any shortages in funds available in a bond district's debt
service fund. In the event that such a transfer becomes necessary, it shall be
made by the Superintendent or his designee, reported to the Board at its next
regularly scheduled meeting, and reimbursed with interest by that bond
district's debt service fund upon receipt of additional subsequent tax
collections. If necessary, the subsequent year's millage levy within the bond
district shall be adjusted to the extent necessary to reimburse the General
Fund.
Ref: Board minutes, 6-4-91.
FILE: DFA
Cf: DFA-AP
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LOCAL TAX REVENUES
The Board shall annually adopt a resolution by
June 1, unless an extension is granted in writing by the Parish Assessor,
levying such ad valorem school taxes as may be authorized by the Constitution,
the laws of the State of Louisiana, and the voters of the parish, including such
taxes necessary to meet the principal and interest on outstanding bonds, and
shall forward such resolution to the assessor of Calcasieu Parish.
Special tax elections shall be called for the electors of the parish to vote on
renewal of existing taxes and/or for additional tax millage for school purposes
may be called as provided by state law.
On the date and at the hour and place specified in the notice of election, the
Board, in public session, shall examine and canvass the returns and declare the
result of the election. The result shall be promulgated by one publication in
the official journal of the Board.
Ref: La. Const. Art. VIII, Sec. 13(c); La. Rev.
Stat. Ann. §§17:1373, 33:2737, 47:1705.
FILE: DFD
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BOND ELECTIONS AND SALES
The Calcasieu Parish School Board shall call
tax elections to vote bond issues. The proposition placed on the ballot
submitted to the voters in any bond election shall state the kinds and sources
of revenues which shall be pledged to retire the bonds, should the proposition
be successful.
Every bond, tax, or other election at which a proposition or question is to be
submitted to the voters shall be held only on one of the dates set forth by
state law or upon proper application to and approval of the State Bond
Commission on a date not provided by statute.
On the date and at the hour and place specified in the notice of election, the
Board, in public session, shall examine and canvass the returns and declare the
result of the elections. The result shall be promulgated by one publication in
the official journal of the Board.
If approved by the electorate, the Board shall adopt a resolution providing for
the issuance of school bonds within a particular bonding district. Said issuance
of bonds shall prescribe the form and fix the maturities thereof, and provide
for the payment of said bonds in principal and interest.
Where securities of the Board are required by law to be sold at public sale upon
sealed bids after public advertisement, the notice calling for bids shall be
published two (2) times within a period of not less than five (5) days in a
newspaper of general circulation published in the parish. The first publication
will be at least seven (7) days in advance of the date scheduled for the
reception of bids for the securities. The notices shall also be published one
time in either a newspaper of general circulation or a financial journal or
newspaper containing a section devoted to municipal bond news published in
either the cities of New Orleans, Louisiana, or New York, New York, at least
forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the date scheduled for the reception of
bids for the securities.
Ref: La. Const. Art. VI, Sec. 33; La. Rev.
Stat. Ann. §§18:1281 et seq., 39:1421-1429.
FILE: DFE
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SHORT TERM NOTES
The Board, in accordance with state law, shall
have the authority during any fiscal year, upon recommendation of the
Superintendent, to borrow money in anticipation of current revenues for that
fiscal year and to pledge the current revenues for said fiscal year for the
payment of such loan or loans if funds on hand are not sufficient to meet
current expenses. The amount of borrowed funds shall not exceed one-half of the
anticipated revenue and such loans shall be due and payable not later than the
close of the current fiscal year. All such loans shall be approved by the Board
prior to negotiation and execution of the loan.
CERTIFICATE OF INDEBTEDNESS
The Board may issue certificates of indebtedness maturing not more than five (5)
years from the date of such certificates for the purpose of paying customary and
necessary benefits and/or services which will be available or provided to the
School Board under a multi-year contract of not less than two (2) years. Before
any certificate of indebtedness can be issued, the School Board must certify to
the State Bond Commission the purpose and need for any such certificates.
All notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the Board, unless specified
otherwise by law, shall be signed by the President and the Superintendent and
shall be limited as prescribed by law.
Revised: October, 1997
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:88, 17:89,
17:98, 33:2923, 33:2923.1, 39:1410.60.
FILE: DFF
Cf: DFF-AP
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SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
FOR STATE, FEDERAL,
INDUSTRIAL, AND/OR FOUNDATION GRANTS
In order to assure that all grants are
scrutinized for budgetary, liability and programmatic concerns while at the same
time not unduly burdening the Board with each and every grant application prior
to submittal, the following procedures shall be used for approving applications
prior to submittal to potential grantor agencies:
A. All applications involving over $50,000 will be submitted to the Board for
approval prior to being submitted.
B. Applications less than $50,000 may be
approved by the Superintendent after having been reviewed by the Grants
Coordinator, the Director of Accounting and Budgeting and the Risk Manager.
However, if grants under $50,000 involve: (1) the hiring of personnel, (2)
matching funds, or (3) possible future absorption by the General Fund, they
would also require Board approval prior to submission.
Once applications have been submitted, the
granting agency will either approve or reject the application. If the
application is rejected, no additional action is necessary. If the application
is approved, the Grants Coordinator will notify the Director of Accounting and
Budgeting and the Superintendent. The Superintendent will then report such
approval informally through the Superintendent's report portion of the Board
agenda unless the award is contingent on formal Board approval and
authorization. In this case, the item will be placed on the agenda under a
section requiring formal Board action.
All grant funds will be received and disbursed through the central office
accounting department.
Ref: Board minutes, 1-16-96.
FILE: DFI
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LEASE OF SCHOOL LANDS
The Calcasieu Parish School Board
may execute a lease of any of its school land. Leases for the production and
removal of minerals granted by or on behalf of the Board shall provide for a
minimum of royalties of one-sixth on all oil and gas, sulphur, potash, and other
minerals produced and saved and five percent (5%) on lignite and salt. All
mineral leases shall be advertised, received, opened and accepted/rejected by
the State Minerals Board. The State Minerals Board may reject any and all bids
that may be submitted or may lease a lesser quantity of property than advertised
and withdraw the rest.
Leases for the purposes of
trapping, grazing, hunting, agriculture/farming or any other legitimate purposes
other than for removal of oil, gas, or other minerals, may be executed on such
terms and conditions as are in the best interest of the School Board and in
compliance with state law. Such leases shall be awarded only after formal
advertisement for and receipt of bids as set forth by state law.
Leases of sixteenth section lands
on a share basis for the purpose of planting, cultivating, growing, and
harvesting of any agricultural crop, shall not be required to be let by public
bid.
The School Board shall require all
appropriate leases, as determined by the School Board's legal adviser, to
include the purchase of appropriate liability insurance by the individual or
organization leasing the property, which shall hold the School Board free from
any liability that may result directly or indirectly from the leased property's
usage.
GEOPHYSICAL OR SEISMIC SURVEY
PERMITS
The School Board may grant
permission for geophysical or seismic surveys to be conducted on School Board
property. For the privilege of conducting seismograph exploration over and
across lands owned by the School Board, application must be submitted to the
School Board seeking permission to conduct surveys. If said application is
approved by the School Board, the applicant shall be permitted to conduct its
seismographic operations in accordance with terms and conditions set forth in
the permit agreement for a minimum fee as set by the School Board. All
applications shall contain pertinent information to adequately evaluate the
proposed survey.
RIGHTS-OF-WAY
The Calcasieu Parish School Board
may grant rights-of-way on school lands upon formal written request. No
application for a right-of-way shall be considered unless certificate of
publication of due notice is on file in the office of the School Board, showing
advertisement of the pending application has been made two times within ten (10)
days in the official journal of the parish wherein the school lands are
situated. A fee may be charged for such privilege.
Revised: September, 2000
Ref: La. Const., Art. VII, Sec. 4(c); Art IX, Sec. 4(b); La. Rev. Stat. Ann.
''17:87, 17:87.1, 17:87.2, 17:87.3, 17:87.8, 30:121 et seq., 30:151 et seq.,
41:1211-1224; Board minutes, 4-3-01.
FILE: DFK
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GIFTS AND BEQUESTS
The Board may accept and administer any
donation that may be made to it for educational or literary purposes. The Board
as donee shall administer the property entrusted to them in conformity with the
directives contained in the act of donation and for that purpose the Board is
vested with all the necessary powers of administration.
GIFTS FROM VENDORS
Vendors shall be encouraged to benefit the
school district by such incentives as reduced prices rather than benefiting
individual employees by gifts. Employees of the Calcasieu Parish School Board
shall not be permitted to accept personal gifts.
SCHOOL FUND EXPENDITURES
School funds shall not be used to provide any form of gift to an employee, and
no employee shall accept such gift; except that which is dedicated for that
specific purpose.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:381, 17:382,
17:383; School Activity Fund Principles and Procedures Manual.
FILE: DFL
Cf: DFL-AP
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CASH MANAGEMENT AND
INVESTMENTS
SCOPE
It is intended that this policy cover all
financial assets under the direct authority of the School Board
except those Student Activity Funds which are governed by a separate Principals
and Procedures Manual.
This investment policy applies to all
transactions involving the financial assets and related activity of all the
aforementioned funds.
OBJECTIVES
- Safety of principal is the foremost
objective of the system, followed by liquidity and yield. Each investment
transaction shall seek to first ensure that capital losses are avoided,
whether they be from securities defaults or erosion of market value.
- Investment decisions should not incur
unreasonable risks in order to obtain current investment income.
- The System's investment portfolio shall
remain sufficiently liquid to enable the System to meet all operating
requirements which might be reasonably anticipated.
- The investment portfolio shall be designed
to attain a market average rate of return, taking into account the System's
investment risk constraints, the cash flow characteristics of the portfolio,
and state laws that restrict the placement of funds.
- The System will not allow trading or
speculation (such as anticipating an appreciation or capital through changes
in market interest rate) in any investments.
- The System shall adhere to the "prudent
person rule", which obligates a fiduciary to ensure that:
"...investments shall be made with the
exercise of that degree of judgement and care, under circumstances prevailing,
which persons of prudence, discretion and intelligence exercise in the
management of their own affairs, not for speculation but for investment,
considering the probable safety their capital as well as the probable income
to be derived."
- The investment portfolio shall be designed
with the objective of regularly attaining the average return (bond
equivalent basis) on 3 month U.S. Treasury Bills. This index is considered a
benchmark for riskless investment transactions and therefore, constitutes a
minimum standard for the portfolio's rate of return. The investment program
shall seek to augment returns consistent with risk limitations identified
herein and prudent investment principles.
- In managing its investment portfolio, the
System will specifically avoid any purchase of investments, or any
investment practices or procedures, not specifically authorized under the
terms of this document.
- The System will not pursue active portfolio
trading techniques that may involve a loss of principal (for example, swaps
and spreads) in an effort to enhance returns.
- All participants in the investment process
shall seek to act responsibly as custodians of the public trust. Investment
officials shall avoid any transaction that might impair public confidence in
the System's ability to govern effectively. Investment officials shall
recognize that the investment portfolio is subject to public review and
evaluation. The overall program shall be designed and managed with a
professionalism that is worthy of the public trust.
DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
The responsibility for conducting investment
transactions resides with the Board of Trustees.
Management responsibility for the investment program has been delegated through
the Superintendent to the Associate Administrator for Management and Finance who
shall establish written procedures for the operation of the investment program,
consistent with this investment policy. Such procedures shall include explicit
delegation of authority for all investment activities.
DEPOSITORY BANK
The Louisiana Revised Statutes (LRS) require
Parish and City School Boards to select a fiscal agent for purposes of receiving
on deposit funds of the System. The bank or banks selected as fiscal agent(s)
and the System shall make and enter into a fiscal agency contract or contracts,
or such other necessary instruments setting forth the duties, responsibilities,
and agreements pertaining to said fiscal agency. The fiscal agency bank(s), when
selected, shall serve for a term of three years and until its successor shall
have been duly selected and qualified, and shall pledge approved securities, as
provided for in the fiscal agency contract subject to the regulations under the
LRS.
PLEDGED SECURITIES
Funds on deposit with the Fiscal Agent Bank(s)
shall be collateralized by pledged "approved securities" as specified
by Chapter 7 of Title 39 of the LRS of 1950 as amended to adequately protect the
funds of the System. The System shall monitor from time to time the amount of
approved securities to assure that an amount not less than the balance of funds
on deposit with the depository bank from day to day, less any applicable Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance is pledged. The bank shall have
the right and privilege of substituting approved securities only upon obtaining
the prior written approval of the System. Such approval may be granted by
facsimile transmission which shall be subsequently confirmed by an original
document. The approved securities shall be valued at their market value.
Types of approved securities are enumerated
specifically in LRS 39:1221 and include:
- Bonds or other interest-bearing securities
of the United States, or any agency thereof, including but not limited to
the Federal National Mortgage Association, or bonds or other
interest-bearing obligations guaranteed fully or partially as to principal
and interest by the United States, or by any agency thereof; or bonds of any
possession of the United States; or unmatured bonds of this state, including
both direct and indirect obligations and also, including bonds or other
interest-bearing obligations whether supported by revenue or by the avails
of taxes, of the State of Louisiana or of any agency, board, commission,
department or division thereof or of any agency, public corporation or
authority created by or recognized by the State of Louisiana; or unmatured
bonds of any parish, municipality,
levee board, road district, school board or school district of this state;
or bonds of any parish, municipality, industrial district and industrial
board which are secured by a lease executed in accordance with the
provisions of Article XIV, Section 14, Paragraphs b.2 or b.3 of the
Constitution of the State of Louisiana for the year 1921 or R.S. 39:1001 et
seq. or R.S. 51:1151 et seq. as amended, and partially or fully guaranteed
by the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry in accordance with the
provisions of the Bond Lease Guarantee Act of the regular session of the
Louisiana Legislature of 1968.
- Certificates of indebtedness, including
paving certificates, of any subdivision of this state referred to in
Sub-section (1) of this Section.
- Promissory notes either of the authority
letting the deposits or of any other authority referred to in Sub-section
(1) of this Section, which notes must be either unmatured or payable on
demand.
- Evidence of participation in such promissory
notes issued by any bank, trust company, or recognized bank clearing house
association domiciled in this state.
- Notes representing loans to students which
are guaranteed by the Louisiana Higher Education Assistance Commission in
accordance with a contract agreement between the lender and the commission
under the provisions of R.S. 17:3021 et seq.
Pledged "approved securities" shall
be held either by an unaffiliated bank or trust company domiciled within the
State of Louisiana or with the Federal Reserve Bank for the account of the
Calcasieu Parish School Board.
SAFEKEEPING OF INVESTMENTS
The Certificates of Deposit issued by the depository bank to the System shall be
given to the System in receipt form and held by the System.
The U.S. Government securities are to be kept
by the depository bank and the System shall be given a safekeeping receipt
showing the dollar amount of par value of securities purchased by the System.
INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS
All System investments shall comply with LRS. The System shall limit its
investments to:
- Interest Bearing Accounts in the System's
Fiscal Agent Bank(s) for Operating Account, Payroll Account and any other
accounts as deemed necessary. Interest earned on Interest Bearing Accounts
will be accredited to these accounts.
- Certificates of Deposit, a fixed-rate
instrument issued by state and national banks against a time deposit, with
specific maturity dates and stated interest rates. The interest rates may
vary with different dates of purchase and maturity dates. The depository
bank shall issue a certificate in the name of the School Board and the fund
stating the purchase date, purchase price, rate of interest, number of days,
interest earned, maturity value and maturity date. Such certificates must
be:
- guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or its
successor; or
- secured by obligations that are
described in law that have a market value of not less than the principal
amount of the certificates.
- U. S. Government Securities that are direct
obligations of the U. S. Government. Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes and
Treasury Bonds may be purchased at auction through the secondary market or
through securities dealers. Investments of U. S. Government Securities can
include:
- Treasury Bills sold at a discount and
redeemable for full value at maturity - either 3, 6, or 12 months;
- Treasury notes that have original
maturities of one to 10 years; and
- Treasury Bonds that have original
maturities of 10 years or more.
All instruments will be in the name of the
School Board and the fund whose assets are being invested.
To protect against potential fraud and
embezzlement, the assets of the School Board shall be secured through
safekeeping procedures. Investment officials shall be bonded. Safekeeping
procedures shall be reviewed annually by the external auditor and by the
internal audit staff at such times as deemed necessary. The external or
internal auditors may conduct periodic surprise audits of safekeeping and
custodial systems.
A competitive bid process, utilizing a
minimum of three (3) verbal bids (if available) from local financial
institutions, shall be used to place government security purchases. This shall
include local government securities dealers which have a branch office located
in Calcasieu Parish.
Records will be kept of the bids offered, the
bids accepted, and a brief explanation of the decision which was made
regarding the purchase.
Based on annual evaluation, major financial
institutions will be dropped from or continued on the eligibility list. The
following criteria will be used in the annual evaluation:
- number of transactions won;
- prompt and accurate confirmation of transaction;
- efficient securities delivery;
- accurate marketing information; and
- account servicing.
D. Repurchase Agreements are simultaneous
purchase and sale of securities from a bank or dealer. Repurchase Agreements are
for the term of one day to seven days and the rate of interest is market
derived. Repurchase Agreements backed by obligations of the United States and
held by a third party may be acceptable.
With respect to Repurchase Agreements:
- No Repurchase Agreement shall be entered
into unless a Master Repurchase Agreement has been executed between the
System and its trading partners;
- The market value of the collateral shall
equal 102% of the cash value of the Repurchase Agreement;
- All securities purchased and a Repurchase
Agreement shall be held by the System's custodial safekeeping agent;
- The seller of Repurchase Agreement
securities shall be entitled to substitutesecurities upon authorization by
the System;
- "Retail" Repurchase Agreements
shall be avoided;
- Where Repurchase Agreements have been
entered into with the System's Fiscal Agent Bank(s), all confirmations and
safekeeping receipts shall be issued by the bank's trust department.
MATURITY
It is intended that investments in all funds
shall be managed in such a way that maturity rates will correspond to projected
cash flow.
Assets of the School Board shall be invested in
instruments whose maturities do not exceed two years at the time of purchase.
The portfolio's average maturity shall not exceed one year.
Revised: June, 1995
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:99, 33:2955,
39:1211, et seq., 39:1271; Board minutes, 3-7-95.
FILE: DG
Cf: DFL
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DEPOSITORY OF FUNDS
The School Board shall select a depository on a
biannual basis which shall provide the most efficient and otherwise desirable
services for the Board. All funds of the Board shall be deposited to the
account(s) of the Board in the official depository. The depository contract
shall run for a period of two years commencing on July 1 of each odd-numbered
year.
All monies retained in school buildings shall be safeguarded in secure areas at
all times. However, the Board shall not assume responsibility for funds lost in
a school unless it is determined or suspected that an employee has misused funds
for any purpose.
The Board requires that school funds shall be deposited on a daily basis.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:95, 39:1211, et
seq.
FILE: DH
Cf: BBBD
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BONDED EMPLOYEES
The Board shall furnish all persons authorized
to sign checks or warrants drawn against the school funds a surety bond in an
amount to be determined by the School Board, but which shall be not less than
fifteen thousand dollars, for the faithful performance of their duties.
The School Board treasurer shall give an indemnity bond in such sum as may be
determined by the Board, made in favor of the Governor or his successors in
office, and the Board shall pay the premium of said bond.
All bonds purchased by the School Board made in favor of the Board shall include
coverage for faithful performance of duties as well as coverage against loss
sustained by the Board through any fraudulent or dishonest act committed by any
of the bonded employees. All bonds purchased by the Board shall be from an
insurance company admitted and licensed to do business in Louisiana.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:95, 17:97.
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ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING
The School Board delegates to the
Superintendent the responsibility and authority for preparing any and all
financial reports and for preparing for the accounting of all Board and school
funds, as required by law or as required or requested by the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education or the Calcasieu Parish School Board.
The Board shall adhere to regulations prescribed by the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education for keeping of accounts and records and the
making of reports by or under the supervision of the School Board.
Said accounts and fiscal records shall be available during normal business hours
for inspection by the public.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:196; 24:514.
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ACCOUNTING SYSTEM
The School Board delegates to the
Superintendent, or his designee, the responsibility of maintaining complete,
accurate, and detailed records of all financial transactions in the school
district. These records shall be in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, as prescribed, and approved regulations of the State
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
SCHOOL BOARD FUNDS
The School Board shall require the
Superintendent, through the Office of Management and Finance, to provide the
necessary guidance and direction for the administrative implementation, review,
analysis, reporting, and modification of all budgeted activities as approved by
the School Board. All regulations developed and maintained governing the fiscal
responsibility of the Board and its personnel and resources shall be designed to
promote efficient management and sound fiscal accountability at every level of
the school system.
All School Board employees charged with receipt, handling, and/or disbursement
of any Board funds shall abide strictly by state and federal law, policies of
the School Board, and regulations and procedures developed by the Superintendent
or his designee.
SCHOOL FUNDS
The School Board shall require that uniform
procedures be applied throughout the school system to assure the proper
accounting for, and expenditure of, all funds under the control of each
individual school. Pertinent regulations and procedures, as outlined in the
Board's handbook, School Activity Funds, Principles and Procedures, shall be
maintained by the Superintendent and his staff. Such funds shall be subject to
regular audit by the internal audit department or as may otherwise be provided.
Adherence to and implementation of all regulations and procedures pertinent to
school funds shall be the responsibility of each school principal or his
designee.
The Board shall receive periodic reports from the Superintendent of all income,
expenditures, balances in the schools' various accounts, and such other data as
the Board may prescribe, in addition to regular financial reports. In every way
possible, the Board shall provide financial assistance relative to student
activity programs within each school.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:196, 24:515,
39:1301 et seq.; School Activity Funds Principles and Procedures.
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FINANCIAL REPORTS AND
STATEMENTS
The School Board shall make all financial
reports required by the State Superintendent and State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education and/or state law relative to the financial operation of the
school system. All financial reports and statements shall be prepared completely
and accurately and submitted to the State Department of Education by September
thirtieth of each year.
The Superintendent shall provide the Board with periodic statements of the
financial status of the Board and the school system. Other financial information
shall be provided as requested by the Board.
Revised: November, 1993
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:88, 17:92,
17:196.
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FIXED ASSET INVENTORIES
The School Board directs the Superintendent to
maintain a current itemized list of all land, buildings, improvements other than
buildings, equipment, and any other general fixed assets which were purchased or
otherwise acquired, for which the Board shall be accountable. The list shall
include information as to the date of purchase of the property or equipment if
known, the initial cost or estimated initial cost, the disposition, if any, the
reason for disposition, and the recipient of the property or equipment disposed
of, if applicable.
For property secured before January 1, 1980 for which exact costs cannot be
obtained, the estimated value shall be used.
The list shall be kept current and shall be made available to the auditor or
accountant at the time of the annual fiscal audit or at any such time as the
list may be requested.
An inventory audit shall be made periodically and shall be as comprehensive as
deemed necessary to assure that all fixed assets are properly accounted for as
required by law.
The principal of each school, and a designated individual at each central office
site are responsible for maintaining an accurate, detailed inventory at their
particular location in accordance with procedures set forth in the handbook,
Procedures Manual Fixed Assets.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §24:515; Procedures
Manual Fixed Assets.
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AUDITS
The School Board shall require all financial
records and accounts, including business transactions, of the school system and
each school to be audited. The audit of selected accounts shall be conducted by
the office of the Legislative Auditor of the State of Louisiana or an
independent certified public accounting firm in conformance with prescribed
standards and legal requirements. Said audits, upon completion, shall be
presented to the Board for examination within six (6) months after the close of
the fiscal year being audited.
Other financial audits shall also be made of appropriate accounts upon the
transfer, resignation, or dismissal of personnel responsible for receiving and
disbursing school funds, or whenever, in the opinion of the Board, a financial
audit is deemed advisable. Internal auditors, or a certified public accounting
firm shall conduct such audits as necessary.
All audits shall be conducted and filed in accordance with statutory provisions.
Should any error or discrepancies be found as a result of any audit, those
personnel found responsible for such error may be subject to disciplinary
action.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:196.
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RECORD RETENTION
Financial records, supporting documents,
statistical records and all other records pertinent to accounting and reporting
for sources and uses of funds shall be retained for a period not less than five
(5) years, with the following qualifications:
- If any litigation, claim or audit is started
before the expiration of the 5 year period, the records shall be retained
until all litigations, claims, or audit findings involving the records have
been resolved.
- Records for nonexpendable property,
including building additions and renovations, shall be retained for three
(3) years after its final disposition.
- All returns and reports filed with the Sales
and Use Tax Department shall be retained for a period of five (5) years from
December 31 of the year in which the tax to which the records pertain became
due; provided that these records shall not be destroyed in any case where
there is a contest relative to the payment of taxes or where a claim has
been made for a refund or where litigation with reference thereto is
pending. This qualification shall not apply to internally generated reports
used for the processing of tax information which shall be retained in
accordance with the general provisions of this policy.
- Payroll records shall be retained in
accordance with applicable federal requirements.
- Cancelled bonds and interest coupons shall
be retained for a period of ten (10) years from the date on which they
matured or were called.
- All documents involved in any procurement in
which collusion is suspected shall be retained for a minimum of six (6)
years or until the attorney general shall give written notice they may be
destroyed, whichever is longer.
- The chief procurement officer shall retain
all contracts made under the provisions of Sole Source Procurements and
Emergency Procurements as defined under Chapter 17 of Title 39 of Louisiana
Revised Statutes, for a minimum of six (6) years.
A microphotographic process may be utilized and
the resulting microform retained for storage in lieu of the original itself
unless specifically prohibited by law.
Ref: Office of Management and Budget Circular
A-102, Attachment C; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:196, 39:1597, 39:1598, 39:1626,
39:1627, 44:36.
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EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
In accordance with statutory provisions, the
Board shall direct the Superintendent to serve as treasurer for the School
Board, who shall receive, hold in custody, and expend all funds as directed by
the Board and in conformance with statutory accounting and budgetary
requirements. The Superintendent shall also maintain pertinent regulations and
procedures to assure the proper expending of Board funds.
No expenditure of funds shall be made where the expenditure would be more than
funds available, unless approved by the Board.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:97.
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AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES
The Board shall require, in accordance with
state law, the President and Superintendent, as secretary-treasurer, or any two
officers or persons designated by the Board, to review all expenditures and sign
any and all checks issued in payment of said expenditures. The Board authorizes
the use of a facsimile signature device for those persons designated to sign
checks. The Superintendent shall establish and maintain appropriate procedures
for assuring the proper issuance of all checks.
Contracts obligating the Board or school district shall be countersigned by the
President of the Board, the treasurer, and/or appropriate personnel.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:97.
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SALARY DEDUCTIONS
The Board maintains that salary deductions
which are considered statutory, including federal income tax, state income tax,
retirement, etc., shall be deducted in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations.
Any voluntary deductions desired by employees
may be authorized by the Superintendent or the Board, when such action is
determined to be in the best interest of the school system. Said request shall
be submitted in writing by the employee. The employee shall also sign a form
authorizing said salary deduction and verifying knowledge of all regulations
governing salary deductions. The Board does not assume any liability for
compliance with governing requirements and regulations.
The School Board no later than the following
school year, shall deduct and withhold from any employees earnings a specific
amount for the payment of regular dues to any organization so designated by the
employee. Before any deduction is made, however, fifty or more teachers or
employees or ten percent (10%) of the total number of employees, whichever is
less, shall have specifically requested and voluntarily authorized the deduction
in writing. Any amount shall be remitted to the organization designated on a
regularly scheduled basis as determined by the Board.
The Board shall only be responsible for making
approved salary deductions as requested in writing by any employee of the Board.
Under no circumstances shall special arrangements be made as to the commencement
or transaction of salary deductions.
Revised: December, 1992
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:437, 17:1184,
17:1202, 17:1315; Board minutes, 5-5-81, 4-20-93.
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EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
The Board shall reimburse employees and School
Board members for expenses incurred while on official Board business within
budgetary limitations. Such reimbursement shall be in accordance with the
following guidelines:
- Definitions:
- Official Domicile - The official domicile
for employees shall be the person's work place. For employees who work in
more than one location, the official domicile shall be determined by the
Superintendent or his designee. Every employee will be assigned an
official domicile, and no travel or subsistence expenses shall be allowed
at the place of official domicile except as authorized in section E,
Reimbursement for Transportation, Subsistence, and Other Expenses, below.
- Travel Period - The travel period shall be
a period of time between the time of departure and the time of return.
- In-Parish Travel - In-parish travel is all
travel within the borders of Calcasieu Parish or travel through adjacent
parishes between points within Calcasieu Parish when such is the most
efficient route.
- Out-of-Parish Travel - Out-of-parish
travel is all travel outside of Calcasieu Parish.
- Special Meals - Special meals are meals
for persons who are considered guests of the Calcasieu Parish School
system and for employees who are on official business with said guests.
All requests for reimbursement for special meals must be accompanied by a
receipt as authorized by section E, Reimbursement for Transportation,
Subsistence, and Other Expenses.
- Eligibility for Reimbursement of Travel
Expenses:
- Employees shall be eligible to receive
reimbursement for travel when away from the official domicile or in
accordance with section E, Reimbursement for Transportation, Subsistence,
and Other Expenses.
- Employees shall be reimbursed on an actual
expense basis for all reasonable travel expenses as outlined herein. The
request for reimbursement (travel voucher) must be accompanied by a
receipt or other supporting documentation for each item claimed, except
for:
- taxicab or local public transportation
less than $10.00.
- tips for baggage handling, $1.00 per bag
in and $1.00 per bag out of airport and hotel - 3 bag maximum.
- parking at self service lots when less
than $5.00 per day.
- meals as per section E, Reimbursement
for Transportation, Subsistence, and Other Expenses.
- Authority to Incur Traveling Expenses:
- All travel shall be authorized and
approved by the appropriate department head. Such approval authority may
be delegated as deemed appropriate by each department head.
- In-parish travel shall be limited to
necessary trips, and requests for reimbursement for in-parish travel shall
denote the date, destination, and mileage.
- Out-of-parish, but within the state,
travel shall be approved by the department head upon prior submission of
the "Application for Authorization of Professional Trip and/or
Out-of-Parish/Out-of-State Travel" form.
- All out-of-state travel shall have prior
approval of the Superintendent, and in the absence of the Superintendent,
an Associate/Assistant Superintendent or the Chief Financial Officer shall
render the decision. The "Application for Authorization of
Professional Trip and/or Out-of-Parish/Out-of-State Travel" form
shall be completed and submitted prior to the date of the requested trip.
Emergency situations may be approved by the Superintendent or his
designee.
- Transportation:
- Travel routes should be the most direct
and usually the basis of odometer readings or from point of origin to
point of return on the basis of the current official State Department of
Transportation and Highway Development highway map.
- Out-of-state travel shall be approved by
the Superintendent considering the purpose of the travel, benefit to the
System, number of personnel involved, and the frequency of travel. Among
the factors to be considered should be the length of travel time, cost of
operation of a vehicle, cost and availability of common carrier services,
etc.
- Calcasieu Parish School Board System-owned
vehicles must comply with the following regulations:
- All purchases made on Calcasieu Parish
School Board gasoline credit cards must be signed for by the employee
making the purchase, and the license number, the unit price, and the
quantity of the commodity purchases must be noted on the delivery ticket
by the vendor. Items incidental to the operation of the vehicle may be
purchased via Calcasieu Parish School Board gasoline credit cards only
when away from official domicile on travel status. In all instances
where a credit card is used to purchase items or services which are
incidental to the operation of a vehicle, the tissue copy of the credit
ticket along with a written explanation of the reason for the purchase
shall be attached to the travel voucher.
- No employee shall carry unauthorized
passengers in Calcasieu Parish School Board owned automobiles unless
their presence is for purposes relating to official Calcasieu Parish
School Board business.
- Any personal use of vehicles owned by
the Calcasieu Parish School Board is strictly prohibited. If the School
Board allows an employee to take a vehicle home, the personal usage
allowed is only to commute to and/or from work in the vehicle.
- Each Department Head which authorizes
Calcasieu Parish School vehicles to employees, shall notify the Payroll
Supervisor of any changes in the status of miles driven per year, the
type of vehicle driven, or a different employee who drives the vehicle
as soon as the change is initiated.
- Any employee who uses vehicles owned by
the Calcasieu Parish School Board in a reckless or careless manner or
for unauthorized personal use will be subject to disciplinary action.
- Personally owned vehicles shall be subject
to the following:
- When two (2) or more persons travel in
the same personally-owned vehicle, only the owner of the vehicle shall
be reimbursed the expenses for use of the vehicle.
- Employees with the rank of principal and
above, as well as other designated employees, shall maintain vehicles
for the purpose of conducting Calcasieu Parish School Board business
pursuant to the job assignment.
- Rented motor vehicles shall be subject to
the following:
- Written approval of the Superintendent
or his designee prior to departure shall be required for rental of
vehicles.
- Only the cost of rental of subcompact or
compact cars (models) shall be reimbursable, unless nonavailability is
documented, or the vehicle will be used to transport more than two (2)
persons or excessive amounts of baggage and equipment.
- The rental cost of buses or other
commercial carriers shall be reimbursable pursuant to the leasing
agreement approved by the department head but should not include any
ordinary passenger van with more than 10 seating positions as dictated
by safety standards.
- Physical damage insurance is required
and reimbursable when renting a vehicle. Liability insurance is not
necessary but may be reimbursed in special situations pre-approved by
the Superintendent or his designee.
- Reimbursement for Transportation,
Subsistence and Other Expenses:
- Transportation:
- Mileage driven by an employee in a
privately-owned vehicle while in the conduct of official Calcasieu
Parish School Board business shall be reimbursed on a per mile basis in
accordance with the standard mileage rate as established by the Internal
Revenue Service. When more than one employee is attending an
out-of-parish meeting or function, the department head will make every
effort to assure that the employees carpool to the greatest extent
practical. Reasons for not doing so must be documented prior to
reimbursement.
- Employees using motor vehicles on
official Calcasieu Parish School Board business shall be reimbursed for
storage and parking fees, ferry fares, road fares, and bridge tolls.
- Calcasieu Parish School Board owned
credit cards shall not be issued to employees for use in the operation
of privately-owned vehicles.
- The School Board is always interested in
the lowest fare available for airfare travel. Documentation of at least
2 pre-trip price quotations should be attached to a request for
reimbursement of airfare expenditures. Proof of trip taken at quoted
airfare price will be required for reimbursement of airfare. Attachment
of such proof should include a ticket receipt showing destination of
trip.
- When out-of-state travel is required,
air travel will be the normal mode of transportation. However, occasions
may arise where it is more economical or desirable to travel by motor
vehicle. In such cases, the mileage reimbursement shall not exceed the
cost of air travel which would have otherwise been incurred based on the
State Contract rate or the lowest of two quoted airfare rates by
airlines or travel agents based on coach class rates booked twenty (20)
days in advance. Additional meals/lodging costs incurred as a result of
driving rather than flying shall not be reimbursed.
- Meals:
- Employees will be reimbursed for meals
pursuant to the schedule herein, while traveling, as follows:
|
Regular Cost
Travel Areas |
High Cost
Travel Areas* |
| Breakfast |
$ 6.50 |
$ 8.50 |
| Lunch |
9.00 |
11.50 |
| Dinner |
14.50 |
18.00 |
| Total per day |
$30.00 |
$38.00 |
*High Cost Travel Areas: As listed and
updated from time to time in IRS Circular E.
- Employees will be reimbursed for special
meals. Documentation must be provided on the travel voucher indicating
the purpose of the special meal and why it is in the interest of the
Calcasieu Parish School Board. Additionally, the names of all persons
attending for which reimbursement is requested must be provided on the
travel voucher.
- Meals with set prices determined by
approved conference, seminar, or other function registration brochures
are reimbursable at the level identified in the brochure if approved by
the appropriate administrator.
- Lodging:
- Employees who have obtained prior
approval to attend a convention or conference will be reimbursed for
lodging expense at the single room convention or conference site rate
provided that upon request for reimbursement the original hotel/motel
receipts and convention or conference site verification are attached to
the travel voucher.
- Employees will be reimbursed, based upon
original hotel/motel receipts (single room rate), for lodging cost while
traveling not to exceed the limits presented herein, plus taxes.
Regular Cost
Travel Areas |
High Cost*
Travel Areas |
| $85.00 |
$100.00 |
*High Cost Travel Areas: As listed and
updated from time to time in IRS Circular E.
If reasonable lodging cannot be obtained
for these amounts, the Superintendent may authorize appropriate amounts
after being provided adequate documentation of efforts to secure lodging
within the stated amounts.
- Other Expenses:
The following expenses incidental to travel may
be reimbursed:
- communication expenses relative to official
Calcasieu Parish School Board business
- registration fees at conferences - receipts
required
- charges for storage and handling
- taxi or local public transportation fares
- tips for baggage handling
- limousine services to and from terminals or
stations
- vehicle parking cost
- vehicle rental, when documented and approved
as required in Section D, Transportation
- any personal mileage on a vehicle rented for
official Calcasieu Parish School Board business is not reimbursable.
- Requests for Reimbursement:
- All requests for reimbursement shall be
submitted on the approved travel voucher form.
- All travel vouchers shall be completed in
full, signed by the person requesting reimbursement, approved and signed by the
appropriate officer(s), and submitted to appropriate personnel prior to
reimbursement.
- Reimbursement for the prior month's expenses
shall be made as close to the tenth (10th) of the month as normal check
processing will allow when the travel voucher has been appropriately approved
and submitted on or before the third (3rd) working day of the month.
- Documentation including invoices for
registration fees, airline tickets, hotel receipts, etc., must be attached to
travel reimbursement request when submitted.
- Direct billing to the Calcasieu Parish
School Board shall be approved by the Superintendent or his designee prior to
the occurrence of the activity. When direct billing has been approved, the
person receiving said approval shall complete a travel voucher noting the direct
billing status and attach to the voucher copies pertinent thereto, such as
airline tickets, hotel receipts, conference registration, etc.
- Out-of-parish travel, involving a
significant amount, may be submitted anytime during the month; however, the
person so requesting reimbursement should not expect reimbursement prior to five
(5) working days after submission of the request.
- All requests for cash advances for
out-of-parish travel shall be submitted on the appropriate form to the
Superintendent or his designee for approval not less than ten (10) working days
in advance.
- Under extraordinary circumstances where the
best interest of the Calcasieu Parish School Board requires that travel be
undertaken not in compliance with this policy, approval after-the-fact may be
given by the Superintendent if appropriate documentation is presented promptly.
Revised: October, 1996
Revised: July, 1998
Revised: January, 2000
Revised: February, 2000
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:56, 32:861 et
seq., 32:900; Board minutes, 5-7-85, 1-19-88, 5-1-90, 5-21-96, 6-2-98, 12-7-99,
2-1-00.
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PURCHASING
Purchases of supplies, equipment, services and
major repairs (except construction/renovation) shall adhere to rules and
regulations set forth in Chapter 17 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised
Statutes (Short Title - "Louisiana Procurement Code"). Construction/renovation and other public works projects shall adhere to rules
and regulations set forth in Chapter 10 of Title 38 of the Louisiana Revised
Statutes.
It shall be the policy of the School Board that all purchasing for the school
system to be paid from Board funds shall be made by the Superintendent or his
designee in conformance with existing regulations and procedures of the Board
and the laws pertinent to state and federal agencies. All purchase orders shall
be properly signed by the Superintendent or his designee.
Purchases shall be made at the lowest possible cost to the school system
consistent with the system specifications of quality and service.
Each principal shall assure that purchases by the individual school shall be
made in accordance with regulations and procedures developed by the
Superintendent and staff, and as further detailed in the Board's handbook,
School Activity Funds, Principles and Procedures.
No employee, officer or agent of the Calcasieu Parish School Board shall
participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract if a
conflict of interest, real or apparent would be involved. Such a conflict would
arise when:
- The employee, officer or agent;
- Any member of their immediate family;
- His or her partner or business associate;
- An organization which employs, or is about to employ any of the above, has a
financial or other interest in the firm selected for award.
The Calcasieu Parish School Board's employees
shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors or anything of monetary
value from contractors, potential contractors, or parties to subagreements.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§38:2211, et seq.,
39:1551, et seq., School Activity Funds Principles and Procedures.
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BIDS AND QUOTATIONS
A. Public Works
The Board shall advertise and let by
contract, except in cases of extreme emergencies, all public work exceeding
$100,000 per project. The contract shall be awarded to the lowest
responsible bidder who has bid according to the contract, plan, and
specifications advertised, unless stipulated otherwise by the Board.
As an evidence of good faith, each bidder for public works project shall
attach to its bid, a bid bond, certified check, or cashier's check in an
amount equal to five percent (5%) of the bid amount.
In cases of extreme emergency when time is not sufficient to advertise for
bids, the Board is permitted by law to declare and publish a resolution that
a public emergency exists and may enter a contract for more than the sums
mentioned above without seeking bids; however, in such cases every effort
shall be made by the administration to secure competitive quotations through
negotiations or other means.
All advertisements for bids shall appear in the newspaper selected as the
official journal for the School Board, except in extreme emergencies as may
be declared by the Board. The advertisement, when published, shall appear
once a week for three (3) different weeks, the first advertisement to appear
at least twenty-five (25) days prior to the opening of bids. In addition,
the School Board may also publish an advertisement by electronic media
available to the general public. The first publication of the advertisement
shall not occur on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.
All bids shall be opened in public in the presence of one or more witnesses
at the time and place designated in the invitation for bids. Each bid,
together with the name of the bidder, shall be recorded and open to public
inspection. The Superintendent and/or other appropriate administrators shall
review, summarize and report bids to the Board with recommendations for
final action.
Contracts for public works aggregating $100,000 or less shall be subject to
the following:
(1) $10,000 - $100,000
i) Advertising will be at the
discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee provided that
written invitations for quotations are sent to at
least five (5) bona fide, qualified bidders if the advertising process
is not utilized.
ii) Written invitations for quotations shall contain complete
specifications, the quantity required, and any other information,
including the delivery point, which is necessary to make an acceptable
quotation.
iii) Quotations shall be publicly opened and read at a specified date,
time and location. Each bidder shall be notified of the date, time and
location.
iv) Award of the contract shall be made by the Superintendent or his
designee to lowest responsible responding contractor who has provided a
quote.
(2) $5,000.00 - $9,999.99 Award will be
made after obtaining no fewer than three (3) telephone or facsimile
quotations. A written confirmation of the accepted offer shall be obtained
and made part of the purchase file. If quotations lower than the accepted
quotation are received, the reasons for their rejection shall be recorded in
the purchase file.
(3) $0.00 - $4,999.99 Competitive quotations may be received at the
discretion of the Buyer.
B. Supplies, Materials and Equipment
The Board shall advertise and let by
contract all purchases of supplies, materials and equipment aggregating
$25,000 or more. All advertisements for bids shall appear in the newspaper
selected as the official journal for the School Board. The advertisement,
when published, shall appear at least ten (10) days prior to the date set
forth therein for the opening of bids. In addition, the School Board may
also publish an advertisement by electronic media available to the general
public. Notice shall also be given in writing to persons in a position to
furnish the supplies, materials and equipment as shown by the purchasing
department's records.
All bids shall be opened in public in the presence of one or more witnesses,
at the time and place designated in the invitation for bids. Each bid,
together with the name of the bidder, shall be recorded and open to public
inspection. The Superintendent and/or other appropriate administrators shall
review, summarize and report bids to the Board with recommendations for
final action.
The Board may require, as evidence of good faith that each bidder for the
purchase of supplies, materials or equipment, attach to its bid a bid bond,
certified check or cashier's check in an amount equal to five percent (5%)
of the bid amount.
Purchases of supplies, material and equipment aggregating less than
$25,000.00 shall be subject to the following:
(1) Purchases from $10,000 - $24,999.99
shall meet the same requirements as for purchases of $25,000.00 or more,
except:
(a) Advertisement will be at the
discretion of the Superintendent or his designee. In any event, written
invitations for bids shall be sent to at least five (5) bona fide
qualified bidders.
(b) Award of the contract shall be made by the Superintendent or his
designee to lowest responsible bidder who has bid according to the
specifications.
(2) Purchases of $5,000.00 or more, but
less than $10,000 shall be made by obtaining no fewer than three telephone
or facsimile quotations. A written confirmation of the accepted offers shall
be obtained and made part of the purchase file. If quotations lower than the
accepted quotation are received, the reasons for their rejection shall be
recorded in the purchase file.
(3) $0.00 - $4,999.99 Competitive quotations may be received at the
discretion of the purchasing department head.
Revised: November, 1987
Revised: November, 1997
Revised: November, 1989
Revised: August, 1999
Revised: December, 1991
Revised: October, 1999
Revised: December, 1992
Revised: December, 1999
Revised: June, 1995
Revised: November, 2001
Revised: December, 1995
Revised: June, 2002
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''38:2211, 38:2212, 38:2214, 38:2251, 39:1551 et seq.;
Board minutes, 10-17-89, 3-17-92, 3-7-95, 1-16-96, 5-7-02, 9-17-02.
FILE: DJEH
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CHANGE ORDERS
The Board, in order to increase or decrease the
amount of a contract after bids have been officially accepted by the Board,
shall require the approval of a change order. A change order shall be submitted
by the contractor to the project architect and upon his recommendation, such
change orders shall be submitted to the Superintendent for his recommendation of
action to be taken by the Board.
If approved by the Board, the Superintendent or designee, in consultation with
the architect, shall put the change order into effect and make it a part of the
official contract price.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §38:2212.
FILE: DL
Cf: DIA
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CASH IN SCHOOL BUILDINGS
It shall be the policy of the Board that
principals and other school personnel shall establish necessary precautions to
ensure the safekeeping of all monies under their control. The principal and/or
building treasurer shall make such bank deposits as necessary of all monies
collected on a daily basis. Principals and other personnel shall comply fully
with financial regulations established by the Superintendent or other
appropriate personnel, including but not limited to procedures set forth in the
Board's handbook, School Activity Funds Principles and Procedures.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:95.
FILE: DO
Cf: DIC, DO-AP
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SCHOOL PROPERTY DISPOSAL
The School Board is authorized to sell
property, real or personal, that has been determined to be of limited or of no
benefit to the school district. The sale of such property shall be conducted
through public advertisement and proper bid procedures, as required by state
law.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:87.6, Procedures
Manual Fixed Assets.
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