ST. MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

JANUARY 10, 2007

BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA

MINUTES

The St. Martin Parish School Board convened on this day at 5:00 P.M. at the Breaux Bridge Instructional Center with the following members present:  Messrs., Floyd Knott, President, Mark Hebert, Steve Fuselier, Aaron Flegeance, James Blanchard, Richard Potier, Rodney Ledoux, Frederic Stelly, and Mrs. Barbara Latiolais and

Ms. Wanda Babin.

ABSENT:        None

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

Mr. Gregory Hardy, Attorney, swore in the existing and newly elected Board Members, as follows:

            Steve Fuselier, District I                                    Rodney Ledoux, District VI

            Wanda Babin, District II                                   Richard Potier, District VII

            Aaron Flegeance, District III                             Frederic Stelly, District VIII

            James Blanchard, District IV                             Floyd Knott, District IX

            Barbara Latiolais, District V                              Mark Hebert, District X

Board President Floyd Knott opened the floor for nominations for President of the Board.  On the motion of Mr. Fuselier, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, Mr. James Blanchard was nominated for President. 

On the motion of Mr. Fuselier, seconded by Mr. Ledoux, and unanimously carried, the nominations for the office of President were closed.

Mr. James Blanchard was elected President of the St. Martin Parish School Board for the year 2007. 

The newly-elected President of the St. Martin Parish School Board, Mr. James Blanchard, called for the acceptance of nominations for Vice-President of the Board.  On the motion of

Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, Mr. Mark Hebert was nominated for the office of Vice-President.

On the motion of Mrs. Latiolais, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the nominations for the office of Vice-President were closed. 

Mr. Mark Hebert was elected Vice-President for the St. Martin Parish School Board for the year 2007.

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Ledoux, and unanimously carried, consider and/or approve Procedures for Superintendent Interviews was added to the

agenda.

The item relative to Student School Fees was postponed.

Consider and/or approve raises for all employees was postponed until the Finance Committee Meeting scheduled on Wednesday, January 17, 2007.

The item relative to discussing the Zoning Policy and Procedures in Executive Session was removed from the agenda.

Board President James Blanchard made the following appointments:

                                Floyd Knott, Finance Committee Chairman

                                Mark Hebert, Finance Committee Co-Chairman

Aaron Flegeance, Education Committee Chairman

Wanda Babin, Education Committee Co-Chairman

Frederic Stelly, Maintenance Committee Chairman

Richard Potier, Maintenance Committee Co-Chairman

Steve Fuselier, Transportation Committee Chairman

Barbara Latiolais, Transportation Committee Co-Chairman

Rodney Ledoux, Insurance Committee Chairman

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 6, 2006.

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and carried, the Board approved the minutes of the Special Meeting of December 13, 2006.

ABSTAINED:              Mr. Fuselier

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the January Sales Tax Salary Supplement in the amount of $420 to professional employees and $300 to paraprofessional employees.

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mr. Knott, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request for permission to call for bids on School Nutrition Large Equipment.

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request for waiver of sales tax penalties, as recommended by administration, for Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations.

On the motion of Mrs. Latiolais, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the sale of surplus equipment:  10 Surplus School Buses and one ¾ ton Maintenance Truck.

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and unanimously carried,  the Board approved the 2007 Summer Drivers’ Education Program and the request for permission to secure a vendor for Drivers’ Education Cars.

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mr. Flegeance, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following resolution authorizing President and Vice-President to conduct transactions for and on behalf of the School Board:

WHEREAS, James Blanchard has been elected President of the St. Martin Parish School Board, and

WHEREAS, Mark Hebert has been elected Vice-President of the St. Martin Parish School Board.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that James Blanchard and Mark Hebert along with  current Secretary-Treasurer, E. R. Valerie Haaga, are hereby authorized to sign  checks for and on behalf of the St. Martin Parish School Board; checks will require two of these three signatures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the banks in the Parish be notified of these appointments.

On the motion of Mr. Knott, seconded by Mr. Ledoux, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following Pipeline Litigation resolution:

            WHEREAS, there is on-going litigation over the assessment and ad valorem taxation of certain pipeline property located in St. Martin Parish; and

            WHEREAS, the Assessor of St. Martin Parish is in the process of reassessing the properties for the referenced taxpayers pursuant to Judgment issued by the 19^th Judicial District Court; and

            WHEREAS, the referenced have lodged the following appeals with the Louisiana Tax Commission challenging the Assessor’s reassessed valuation for the referenced years:

            TAXPAYER:                       LTC DOCKET NO:                 TAX YEARS:

            ANR Pipeline Co.                 06-22099-001                            1994 - 2003

            WHEREAS, as this litigation proceeds it has become necessary for the Assessor to defend the assessments in legal proceedings;

            WHEREAS, such a defense will necessitate the Assessor contracting with legal counsel;

            WHEREAS, in an effort to limit the costs of such legal counsel, which cost is ordinarily borne proportionately by the ad valorem taxing bodies in this Parish, the Assessor intends on engaging legal counsel on a contingency fee basis, with any fees

coming only from any additional taxes collected as a result of the new assessments of the above referenced tax payers; and

            WHEREAS, the St. Martin Parish School Board will benefit from the collection of any additional ad valorem taxes collected with the assistance of the legal counsel contracted by the Assessor.

            NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Martin Parish School Board in a duly called open meeting does hereby authorize the Assessor to engage BRIAN A. EDDINGTON, Attorney at Law as legal counsel for its benefit on a contingency fee basis, not to exceed 10% of the additional taxes, interest and penalties collected for its benefit pursuant to the decision of the Louisiana Tax Commission in the above referenced proceedings or by judgment of a reviewing Court and does hereby obligate and encumber an amount not to exceed 10% of the additional taxes, interest and penalties collected for its benefit for the payment of said legal fees.

            BE IT FURHTER RESOLVED by the St. Martin Parish School Board that the Assessor and/or the Ad Valorem Tax Collector of St. Martin Parish be and are hereby authorized to pay said legal fees to the legal counsel contracted by the Assessor to provide legal services in the above referenced matters prior to or contemporaneously with the disbursal of any additional taxes, interest and penalties to it.

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following resolution designating Saturday, February 3,  2007 Dads’ for Children Symposium:

WHEREAS, the St. Martin Parish School Board is dedicated to the education, development and well-being of our school children; and

WHEREAS, the St. Martin Parish School Board recognizes ”r;Dads” as an integral part ofthe development of the child; and

WHEREAS, the St. Martin Parish School Board wishes to dedicate a day for all ”r;Dads” in the Parish to gather and interact with their children and for Dads to have an

opportunity to develop as well.

THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that Saturday, February 3, 2007, shall be known as ”r;Dad’s for Children Symposium” at Breaux Bridge High School.

A motion was made by Mr. Ledoux and seconded by Mr. Flegeance to table the reconfiguration of schools in the Cecilia area to have a more extensive study.

Mr. Flegeance withdrew his second.

A motion was made by Mr. Knott and seconded by Mr. Flegeance to approve the reconfiguration of schools in the Cecilia area, with implementation in August, 2008, with the understanding that in the event certain conditions are not met, we will revisit.

Mr. Ledoux made a substitute motion, seconded by Mr. Stelly, to table the reconfiguration of schools in the Cecilia area to do studies, schedule meetings, and get

more input from the community, with a revisit in two months.  The substitute motion was then voted on and carried as follows:

FOR:    Mr. Hebert, Mr. Potier, Mr. Ledoux, Mr. Stelly, and Ms. Babin

OPPOSED:      Mr. Fuselier, Mr. Flegeance, Mrs. Latiolais, and Mr. Knott

A motion was made by Mr. Hebert and seconded by Mr. Stelly to approve the Procedures for the Superintendent Interviews, as presented.

Mr. Potier made a substitute motion to interview applicants publicly on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, instead of Tuesday, January 23, 2007, appoint the Superintendent at a later time, and set the Superintendent’s salary at $110,000 per year.  The substitute motion died for lack of a second.  

The original motion was then voted on and carried as follows:

                FOR:        Mr. Hebert, Mr. Fuselier, Mr. Knott, Mr. Ledoux, Mr. Stelly, and Ms. Babin

OPPOSED:        Mr. Potier

ABSTAINED:         Mr. Flegeance

ABSENT:        Mrs. Latiolais

Mr. Ike Funderburk, Attorney, represented Ms. Cara Leslie Alexander, a non-tenured teacher (probationary).  A motion was made by Mr. Hebert and seconded by Mr. Knott to follow the recommendation of the administration regarding Ms. Cara Leslie Alexander and terminate her employment.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Potier and seconded by Mr. Ledoux to allow the non-tenured teacher (probationary) to return to work.  The substitute motion was then voted on and failed, as follows:

FOR:    Mr. Potier, Mr. Ledoux, and Mr. Stelly

OPPOSED:      Mr. Hebert, Mr. Fuselier, Mr. Flegeance, Mrs. Latiolais, and Mr. Knott

ABSTAINED:         Ms. Babin

The original motion was then voted on and carried.

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

ABSTAINED:         Ms. Babin

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

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Ledoux, and unanimously carried, the Board came out of Executive Session.

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approved the job description and adjustments in work hours regarding the employee discussed in Executive Session.

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Potier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following Professional Personnel Changes, excluding the appointments of Charles Campbell and Tina Duplechain:

APPOINTMENTS:

      Boudreaux, Teisha, Computer Lab, St. Martinville Primary; effective January 8, 2006.

      Calais, Malcolm, Math, Breaux Bridge Junior High; effective January 8, 2007. (Certified)

      Guidry, Ashlie, Special Education, Teche Elementary; effective December 18, 2006. (Certified)

      Guidry, Daniel, Computer Science, Cecilia Senior High; effective January 9, 2007. (Certified)

      Morris, Brenda, Special Education, Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective January 8, 2007. (Certifed)

      Spencer-Lee, Andrew, 8^th grade Math, Breaux Bridge Junior High; effective November 28, 2006.

ONE SEMESTER APPOINTMENTS:

Alvarez, Joseph, 7/8^th Math, St. Martinville Junior High; effective January 8, 2007 through May 25, 2007.

Leblanc, Kimberly, Special Education, Parks Primary; effective January 8, 2007, replacing Caroline Ward who has resigned.

Sloane, Grace, 1^st grade, Cecilia Primary; effective January 8, 2007 through May 25, 2007, replacing Melanie Taylor who has transferred.

Weems, Marissa,  5th grade, Catahoula Elementary; effective January 8, 2007 through May 25, 2007, replacing Tammy Hulin who is out on a sabbatical leave. (Certified)

TRANSFERS:

Culpepper, Richard, from Math at St. Martinville Junior High to 5^th grade at Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective January 8, 2007.

        Taylor, Melanie, from 1^st grade to Behavior Interventionist at Cecilia Primary; effective January 8, 2007.

MEDICAL LEAVES:

      Baudoin, Wendy, Reading, St. Martinville Junior High; effective November 17, 2006 through December 22, 2006.

      Kinler, Mary, Special Education, Early Learning Center; effective January 8, 2007 through January 26, 2007.

  Navvare, Andria, Behavioral Interventionist, Breaux Bridge Primary; effective November 30, 2006 through May 2, 2007.

  Warren, Ann, Physical Education, Cecilia Junior High; effective December 13, 2006 through December 22, 2006.

SABBATICAL LEAVES:

      Baudoin, Wendy, Reading, St. Martinville Junior High; effective January 8, 2007 through May 25, 2007.

  Domingue, Macklyn, Physcial Education, Cecilia Senior High; effective January 8, 2007 through May 25, 2007.

RESIGNATIONS:

Anoka, Evangeline, 4^th grade, Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective November 17, 2006.          

            Ward, Caroline, Special Education, Parks Primary; effective December 22, 2006.

RETIREMENTS:

      Eames, Mamie, French, Stephensville Elementary; effective December 23, 2006.

  Guidry, Daniel, Computer Science, Cecilia Senior High; effective December 23, 2006.

  Taylor, Mildred, Behavioral Interventionist, Cecilia Primary, effective December 23, 2006.

TERMINATION:

Alexander, Cara Leslie, Language Arts, St. Martinville Junior High; effective January 11, 2007.

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following Paraprofessional Personnel Changes, including the appointment of Susie Guidry:

APPOINTMENTS:

      Guidry, Suzie, Bus Driver, Breaux Bridge area; effective January 8, 2007, replacing Judy Blanchard who is retiring (See recommendation enclosure).

TRANSFER:

      Richard, Christy, from full-time to part-time LEP tutor, Cecilia Primary; effective  January 11, 2007.

MEDICAL LEAVES:

      Broussard, Judy, Teacher Aide, Cecilia Primary; effective November 21, 2006 through January 2, 2007.

      Joseph, Ethel, Teacher Aide, Parks Primary; effective December 1, 2006.

PERMANENT FULL-TIME SUBSTITUTE APPOINTMENT:

(See recommendation enclosure)

      Antoine, Ethel, Bus Driver; effective January 11, 2007

      Breaux, Amy, Bus Driver; effective January 11, 2007

      Kidder, Earl, Bus Driver; effective January 11, 2007

              Stelly, Donald, Bus Driver; effective January 11, 2007.

RETIREMENT:

            Blanchard, Judy, Bus Driver, Breaux Bridge area; effective December 23, 2006.

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the appointment of four (4) permanent substitute drivers, as follows:

Mr. Earl Kidder, Ms. Amy Breaux, Ms. Ethel Antoine, and Mr. Donald Stelly

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board approved payment of the Assistant Volleyball coaching stipend at Breaux Bridge Senior High.

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request for extra employment pay for Sera Centanni, Kim Palomarez, Catherine Guidry, Kimberly LeBlanc, Angela Toncrey, and Michell Carnell for the Parks Primary After-Care Program for the month of November.

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request from the employee requesting an unpaid leave.

On the motion of Mr. Flegeance, seconded by Mr. Potier, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.

_____________________________     ____________________________

SECRETARY                                                 PRESIDENT