ST. MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

OCTOBER 5, 2005

BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA

MINUTES

The St. Martin Parish School Board convened on this day at 1:30 P.M. at the Breaux Bridge Instructional Center with the following members present: Messrs.

Mark Hebert, President, Floyd Knott, James Blanchard, Richard Potier, Rodney Ledoux,  and Mrs. Barbara Latiolais.

            ABSENT:        Mr. Steve Fuselier, Mr. Frederic Stelly, Mr. Paulma Johnson, and  Mr. Anthony Wiltz

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Mark Hebert, President.  Superintendent Haaga opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

St. Martin Parish A-Team students were presented with certificates and T-Shirts.  High school students received academic jackets or bars.  All A-Team students who maintained perfect attendance received a trophy.

Board President Mark Hebert declared a short recess.

Upon reconvening, on the motion of Mr. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and carried, the Board approved the minutes of the following meetings:

            a)         Regular Meeting of September 7, 2005, with corrections

            b)         Special Meeting of September 14, 2005

            OPPOSED:      Mr. Johnson

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, and unanimously carried, the Board approved disbursement of the October Salary Supplement in the amount of $400 for all professional and paraprofessional employees.

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Knott, and unanimously carried, the Board approved a waiver of sales tax penalty as recommended by administration for Bechtel Corporation, Inc.

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Stelly, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously

carried, the Board approved the request for permission to call for bids on tires.

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Fuselier, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and unanimously carried, the Board approved a resolution to grant an extension of time to file sales tax returns with St. Martin Parish for businesses operating in parishes affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as follows:

            WHEREAS, the Uniform Local Sales Tax Code of 2003 limits the collector’s ability to grant extensions to file sales and use tax returns, and in consideration of businesses that are required to file said returns with St. Martin Parish who have been affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. Martin Parish Sales Tax Collector is authorized to grant automatic sixty (60) day extensions to file parish sales and use tax returns due September 1 and October 1, 2005 for registered businesses in the following parishes:  Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Washington, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vermilion, and Iberia.

            BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that the Collector is authorized to grant an additional extension to the above parishes not to exceed sixty (60) days if a written request is received from the affected business.

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that businesses required to file with this parish that are located in any of the other areas declared a federal disaster may also request in writing a sixty (60) day extension of time to file sales and use tax returns for September 1, and October 1, 2005.

            Such authorization also permits the Collector to suspend the imposition of delinquent interest and penalties for late filing insofar as the delinquency is attributed solely to the inability of the business to meet its filing responsibility because of consequences arising from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the policy revisions regarding the Child Nutrition Program Management and Compulsory School Attendance Ages for inclusion in the St. Martin Parish School Board Policy Manual and tabled the policy revision regarding Suspension.

ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Knott, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the St. Martin Parish District Technology Plan Amendment.

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

The following St. Martin Parish Teachers of the Year were honored:

            Connie Latiolais, Parks Primary, Parish Teacher of the Year

            Wendy Baudoin, Cecilia Jr. High, Parish Teacher of the Year

            Christine Riley, Breaux Bridge High, Parish Teacher of the Year

            Tashona Hypolite, St. Martinville Primary

            Catherine Charles, St. Martinville Elementary

            Wilford Thomas, St. Martinville Junior High

            Danita Dupuis, St. Martinville Senior High

            Judd Judice, Catahoula Elementary

            Tiffany Thibodeaux, Early Learning Center

            Kayla Menard, Breaux Bridge Primary

            Lois Velasques, Breaux Bridge Elementary

            Albert Joseph, Breaux Bridge Junior High

            Brenda Davis, Cecilia Primary

            Trasima Richard, Teche Elementary

            Yvonne Narcisse, Cecilia High

            Karrie LeJeune, Stephensville Elementary

            Cheryl Landry, Parks Middle

            The Board recessed for five minutes.

Upon reconvening, on the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Potier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved procedures for disciplinary actions for neglect of duty and insubordination of bus drivers.  The Board recommended an additional consequence indicating if it is repetitive, it is grounds for termination.

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and carried, the Board approved continuance of oil stations for buses in the Cecilia and St. Martinville areas.

            FOR:    Mrs. Latiolais, Mr. Potier, Mr. Stelly, and Mr. Johnson

            OPPOSED:      Mr. Knott, Mr. Blanchard, and Mr. Ledoux

            ABSTAINED:       Mr. Fuselier

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Johnson, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following School Bus Safety resolution:

WHEREAS, St. Martin Parish School Board is dedicated to providing the children of the parish with safe school bus transportation to and from school and

WHEREAS, the National Association for Pupil Transportation sponsors School Bus Safety Week each year during the third week of October; and

WHEREAS, this is a good time to highlight school bus safety programs; and

WHEREAS, children should understand that riding on the bus is a privilege, that the bus is an extension of school, and they are expected to behave as well as they would in their classroom.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the St. Martin Parish School Board urges continued support for promoting school bus safety.

On the motion of Mrs. Latiolais, seconded by Mr. Potier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following proclamation for Red Ribbon Week,

October 23-31, 2005:

WHEREAS,           the National, State, and Parish Red Ribbon Campaign will be celebrated in every community in America ”r;I Believe In Me, I Am Drug Free!  Red Ribbon Week”, October 23-October 31, 2005, and 

WHEREAS,           the Children of St. Martin Parish shall serve as Honorary Chairpersons to provide this parish’s focus on a Drug Free America, and

WHEREAS,           business, government, law enforcement, schools, religious institutions, services organizations, youth, medical, senior citizens, military, sports teams, and individuals will demonstrate their commitment to drug free schools healthy lifestyles by wearing and displaying red ribbons during this week long campaign, and

WHEREAS,           the St. Martin Parish School Board further commits its Resources to ensure the success of the ”r;I Believe in Me, I Am Drug Free! Red Ribbon Week,”.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. Martin Parish School Board does hereby support October 23-October 31, 2005 as ”r;I Believe In Me, I Am Drug Free! Red Ribbon Week.” encourage its citizens to participate in drug awareness and drug education activities, making a visible statement that we are strongly committed to drug free, healthy lifestyles.

The Board discussed certification for administrative positions.

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, and unanimously carried, the Board went into Executive Session.

On the motion of Mr. Fuselier, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously carried, the Board came out of Executive Session.

            ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

The item relative to personnel matters was tabled until the Education Committee meeting.

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the settlement in the case of Marcella Alexander vs. Michael R. Castille and the St. Martin Parish School Board, Docket Number 68522-H in the amount of $13,500.00 plus all court costs.

ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

A motion was made by Mr. Knott and seconded by Mr. Johnson to approve the Professional Personnel Changes.

Mr. Johnson made an amendment to the motion, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, to approve the Professional Personnel Changes with the stipulation that the letter of retirement submitted by the Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Dr. Dianne Olivier, be removed.  The amendment was then voted on and unanimously carried.

APPOINTMENTS:

            Albert, Virginia, Kindergarten, Breaux Bridge Primary; effective September 19, 2005. (Certified)

            Alpough, Antinya, Mild/Moderate, Teche Elementary; effective September 13, 2005. (Certified)

            Champagne, Kayla, 4^th grade, Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective October 3, 2005. (PL)

            Duhe, Trayvonia, Math, St. Martinville Senior High; effective September 12, 2005. (Certified)

            Hawkins, Channel, Mild/Moderate, Parks Primary; October 3, 2005. (Certified)

            Hebert, Bonnie, Guidance Counselor, Breaux Bridge Senior High; effective September 8, 2005. (Certified)

            John, Betty, 5^th grade, Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective September 22, 2005. (Certified)

            Johnson, Edna, 5^th grade, Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective September 27, 2005. (Certified)

Leon, Darlene, 1^st grade, St. Martinville Primary; effective September 19, 2005. (Certified)

            Riley, Paula, 1^st grade, Parks Primary; effective September 13, 2005. (Certified)

            Saul, Yolanda, 1^st grade, St. Martinville Primary; effective September 13, 2005. (Certified)

            Theriot, Krystal, 6^th grade, Parks Middle; effective September 14, 2005. (Certified)

Walker, Shandal, Guidance Counselor, Breaux  Bridge Senior High; effective September 13, 2005. (Certified)

    Williams, Kristie, 4^th grade, St. Martinville Primary; effective September 13, 2005. (Certified)

    Williams, Terri, 5^th  grade, Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective September 15, 2005. (Certified)

TRANSFERS:

            Chadwick, Jodi, from the Even Start Coordinator at Breaux Bridge Primary to the Even Start Coordinator at the Early Learning Center; effective August 11, 2005.

            Bruce, Laura, from a Guidance Counselor to Pre-GED at Breaux Bridge Senior High; effective September 13, 2005.

            Burnham, Robin, from 5^th grade at Breaux Bridge Elementary to 2^nd grade at Cecilia Primary; effective September 15, 2005.

            Duplechin, Gay, from 5^th grade at Breaux Bridge Elementary to Kindergarten at Cecilia Primary; effective September 13, 2005.

            Foti, Rose, from 1^st grade to Physical Education at St. Martinville Primary; effective September 19, 2005.

            Sellers, Mary Leslie, from 2^nd grade at Breaux Bridge Elementary to 2^nd grade at Cecilia Primary; effective September 12, 2005.

MEDICAL LEAVES:

            Landry, Adrienne, Science, Breaux Bridge Junior High; effective September 13, 2005 through October 29, 2005.

            Lewis, Melissa, Behavioral Interventionist, Teche Elementary; effective September 28, 2005 through November 11, 2005.

MATERNITY LEAVES:

            Castille, Joy, Speech Therapist, St. Martinville Elementary; effective March 2, 2006 through April 13, 2006.

            Dronet, Nicole, 2^nd grade, St. Martinville Primary; effective December 12, 2005 through April 3, 2006.

            Huval, Frances, Mild/Moderate, Cecilia Senior High; effective December 19, 2005 through January 27, 2006.

            Landry, Cheryl, 6^th grade, Parks Middle; effective November 23, 2005 through January 5, 2006.

            Zehner, Havana, 4^th grade, Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective January 31, 2006 through March 14, 2006.

SABBATICAL LEAVE:

            Wiltz, Alicia, Math, Breaux Bridge Senior High; effective January 10, 2006 through May 27, 2006.

DROP/RETIREMENT PROGRAM:

            Bordelon, Montez, Pre-school Facilitator, Special Services; effective January 1, 2006.

            Hunter, Kathleen, Behavior Strategist, Special Services; effective January 17, 2006.

ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

A motion was made by Mr. Ledoux and seconded by Mr. Johnson to add the appointment of Ulysses Batiste as custodian at Breaux Bridge Junior High to the Paraprofessional Personnel Changes.

Mr. Ledoux withdrew his motion.

On the motion of Mr. Knott, seconded by Mr. Potier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following Paraprofessional Personnel Changes:

TRANSFER:

      Barras, Jennifer, from a Teacher Aide at Breaux Bridge Primary to a Teacher Aide at the Early Learning Center; effective August 11, 2005.

      Ledet, Beverly, from a Title I Aide at St. Martinville Junior High to a Special Education Aide at Parks Primary; effective September 13, 2005.

MEDICAL LEAVES:

      Allen, Flora, Food Services Technician, St. Martinville Elementary; effective September 7, 2005 through September 28, 2005.

      Babineaux, Rose, Bus Driver, Cecilia area; effective September 7, 2005 through October 7, 2005.

      Bertrand, Lamar, Bus Driver, St. Martinville area; effective September 19, 2005 through October 3, 2005.

      Guidry, Barbara, Teacher Aide, Cecilia Primary; effective September 15, 2005 through October 6, 2005.

      Latiolais, Melinda, Bus Driver, St. Martinville area; effective August 24, 2005 through October 7, 2005.

RESIGNATION:

      Jean-Batiste, Irving, Custodian, Breaux Bridge Junior High; effective September 23, 2005.

ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

Superintendent Haaga informed the Board that her recommendation is to table the appointment of Special Services Supervisor II until we have communication with the State Department of Education relating to finances.

On the motion of Mr. Knott, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and carried, the Board postponed the appointment of Special Services Supervisor II pending the receipt of additional information from the state/federal levels regarding the fiscal concerns of the state’s school districts and then a revisit.

FOR:    Mr. Knott, Mr. Fuselier, Mrs. Latiolais, Mr. Stelly, and Mr. Johnson

OPPOSED:      Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Potier, and Mr. Ledoux

ABSENT:        Mr. Wiltz

On the motion of Mr. Blanchard, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.

_____________________               ________________________

SECRETARY                                        PRESIDENT