ST. MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

APRIL 2, 2008

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., James Blanchard, President, Mark Hebert, Floyd Knott, Steve Fuselier, Aaron Flegeance, Rodney Ledoux, Frederic Stelly, and Ms. Wanda Babin and Mrs. Barbara Latiolais.

 

                ABSENT:               Mr. Richard Potier

 

                The meeting was called to order by Mr. James Blanchard, President.  Superintendent Lavergne opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

                Superintendent Lavergne presented Academic Growth awards for public display to five schools.

 

                On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and carried, discuss the use and abuse of extra teachers at the high school level was added to the agenda.

 

                OPPOSED:             Mr. Hebert

                ABSENT:               Mr. Potier

 

                On the motion of Mr. Fuselier, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the minutes of the following meetings:

 

a)                   Regular Meeting of March 5, 2008

b)                   Special Meeting of March 19, 2008

 

ABSENT:               None

 

On the motion of Mrs. Latiolais, seconded by Mr. Flegeance, and unanimously carried, the Board approved disbursement of the April Sales Tax Salary Supplement in the amount of $500 to professional employees and $357 to paraprofessional employees.

 

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Flegeance, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the denial of a request for a waiver of sales tax penalty for CDM Resource Management.

 

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request for permission to call for bids on flooring replacement at Cecilia High School and Breaux Bridge High School.

 

                On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the recommendation of the administration for the acceptance of bids on Janitorial Supplies to Economical Janitorial ($44,555.23), Unisource ($7,200.17), and Pyramid School Products ($8,024.33).

 

                On the motion of Mr. Knott, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the recommendation of the administration for the acceptance of bids on the re-roofing of Cecilia Junior High School to Miller Roofing in the amount of $419,960.00.

 

                On the motion of Mr. Fuselier, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the recommendation of the administration for the acceptance of bids on Playground Equipment for St. Martinville Primary to Total Recreation Products in the amount of $36,740.77.

 

                On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Stelly, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following resolution expressing opposition to proposed house bills 440, 442, and 453 of the Regular Session of the Legislature of the State of Louisiana of 2008:

 

WHEREAS, The Constitution of the State of Louisiana grants local governments the right to levy and collect local sales and use taxes; and

WHEREAS, Sales and use tax revenues for the St. Martin Parish School Board represents approximately 15% of our total annual operating funds; and

WHEREAS, Local administration and collection of sales and use taxes are the best means to protect a very important revenue source; and

WHEREAS, State Representative/Speaker of the House Jim Tucker and State Representative Nicholas J. Lorusso are proposing to have the State Department of Revenue collect, administer and enforce local sales and use taxes as enumerated in the pre-filed House Bills 440, 442, and 453 of the 2008 Regular Session.

NOW THEREFORE COMES THE ST. MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD and resolves as follows:

                BE IT RESOLVED, That the President and members of the St. Martin Parish School Board urge and request every member of the St. Martin Parish Legislative Delegation to vigorously OPPOSE legislation authorizing the State Department of Revenue to collect, administer and enforce sales and use taxes levied by any political subdivision in the state.

                BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution will be sent to the St. Martin Parish Delegation, to the Governor, to the Louisiana School Board Association, to all St. Martin Parish taxing authorities, and to the local media so that they will be made aware of our position on this matter.

 

                On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and carried, the Board approved rescinding the Act of Use Agreement with the Tiny Tot Daycare of Arnaudville.

 

                OPPOSED:             Mr. Ledoux

 

                On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and carried, the Board approved the appraisal and/or sale of the Arnaudville school property located on the west side of Bayou Teche, formerly the site of the Tiny Tot Daycare.

 

                OPPOSED:             Mr. Ledoux

 

                On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved a Geophysical Permit with Beta Land Services for the amount of $1,984.53.

 

                On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved Option 1 regarding the Thomas Built Buses with MBE 900 Engines, which will provide the user with one additional year of warranty.

 

                On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following proclamations:

 

a)                   National Library Week, April 13-19, 2008

 

WHEREAS, our nation’s school, academic, public and special libraries make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans, today, more than ever;

WHEREAS, librarians are trained professionals, helping people of all ages and backgrounds find and interpret the information they need to live, learn and work in the 21st century;

WHEREAS, libraries are part of the American Dream – places for opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning;

WHEREAS, library use is up nationwide among all types of library users, continuing a decade-long trend;

WHEREAS, libraries play a vital role in supporting the quality of life in their communities;

WHEREAS, libraries can help you discover a world of knowledge, both in person and online, as well as personal service and assistance in finding what you need, when you need it;

WHEREAS, libraries are a key player in the national discourse on intellectual freedom, equity of access, and narrowing the ”r;digital divide;”

WHEREAS, libraries, librarians, library workers and supporters across America are celebrating National Library Week with The Campaign for America’s Libraries.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the St. Martin Parish School Board does hereby proclaim National Library Week, April 13-19, 2008.  We encourage all residents to visit the library this week to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available and thank their librarians and library workers for making information accessible to all who walk through the library’s doors.  Join the circle of knowledge @ your library.

 

b)                   Violence Awareness Week, April 21-25, 2008

 

WHEREAS, St. Martin Parish School Board is dedicated to providing the children of the parish with a safe, healthy and Violence-Free environment to attend school; and

WHEREAS, Louisiana has implemented a successful Violence-Free program; and

WHEREAS, St. Martin Parish School Board has developed an exemplary program to steer children away from violence; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of St. Martin Parish want all students to succeed in a safe school; and

WHEREAS, business, government, law enforcement, religious institution, service organizations, medical, senior citizens, military, sports teams, and individuals have demonstrated their commitment to Violence-Free schools; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the St. Martin Parish School Board urges continued support and funding for the successful Violence-Free School Program.

 

The Board discussed the use and abuse of extra teachers at the high school level.

 

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

 

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

 

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and carried, the Board approved to follow the recommendation of the administration regarding Employee #1 and terminate his/her employment.

 

OPPOSED:             Mr. Flegeance and Mr. Potier

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously carried, the Board approved to follow the recommendation of the administration regarding Employee #2, which involves pursuing a tenure hearing.

 

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and carried, the Board approved to follow the recommendation of the administration regarding Employee #3, which involves two (2) days suspension without pay.

 

OPPOSED:             Mr. Potier

 

On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following Professional Personnel Changes:

 

APPOINTMENT:

 

 Castille, Eric, Acting Principal, Breaux Bridge Junior High; effective March 10, 2008 through June 9, 2008.

 

MEDICAL LEAVES:

 

Champagne, Teresa, Renaissance/Homebound, Breaux Bridge Elementary; effective March 25, 2008 through May 5, 2008.

Ray, Wanda, Science, Cecilia Senior High; effective January 1, 2008. 

Romagosa, Marie, Principal, Breaux Bridge Junior High; effective March 10, 2008 through June 10, 2008.

 

SABBATICAL LEAVE:

 

Angelle, Lana, 6/7th grade, Catahoula Elementary; effective August 6, 2008 through May 26, 2009. (Professional)

 

RESIGNATIONS:

 

Dumontier, Frederic, French, Teche Elementary; effective May 24, 2008.

Favreau, Yvan, French, Teche Elementary; effective May 24, 2008.

Knight, Cynthia, 6th grade, Teche Elementary; effective March 7, 2008.

 

DROP/RETIREMENT:

 

Potier, Rodney, Physical Education, Parks Middle; effective May 24, 2008.

 

RETIREMENTS:

 

Landry, Mavis, Librarian, Breaux Bridge Primary; effective May 24, 2008.       

Roberts, Johnnie, 6th grade, Teche Elementary; effective May 24, 2008.

 

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and carried, the Board approved the following Paraprofessional Personnel Changes:

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Dugas, Deidre, Bookkeeper I, Instructional Center; effective April 3, 2008.

Latiolais, Monica, Title I Pre-K Teacher Aide, Catahoula Elementary; effective March 17, 2008.

 

TRANSFER:

 

Trahan, Brandy, from Bookkeeper I to Bookkeeper II, Instructional Center; effective April 3, 2008.

 

MEDICAL LEAVE:

 

Huval, Annette, Food Services Manager, Catahoula Elementary; effective December 6, 2007. (Unpaid medical leave)

 

                RESIGNATION:

 

                        George, Edward, Custodian, Parks Middle; effective March 25, 2008.

 

            TERMINATIONS:

               

Guidry, Chris, Custodian, Cecilia Primary; effective February 21, 2008.

Johnson, Delanny, Bus Driver, St. Martinville area; effective April 3, 2008.

 

                RETIREMENTS:

 

Dore, Brenda, Secretary, Cecilia Junior High; effective June 10, 2008.

Roberts, John, Custodian, Teche Elementary; effective July 1, 2008.

 

RECUSED:             Mr. Hebert

 

On the motion of Mrs. Latiolais, seconded by Mr. Potier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request for extra pay for Mark Monette for Assistant Boy’s Basketball Coaching at Breaux Bridge Senior High School.

 

On the motion of Mr. Ledoux, seconded by Mr. Flegeance, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request for extra pay for Matt Berard for Assistant Boy’s Baseball Coaching at Breaux Bridge Senior High School.

 

On the motion of Mr. Potier, seconded by Mrs. Latiolais, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request for extra employment pay for Regina Guidry, Angela Toncrey, Catherine Guidry, and Theresa Blankenship for the Parks Primary After-Care Program for the month of February, 2008.

 

On the motion of Mrs. Latiolais, seconded by Mr. Fuselier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the request for permission to advertise for the Extended School Year Program (ESYP) for Special Services, tentatively from May 29, 2008 through July 24, 2008 with a Fourth of July holiday break from June 30, 2008 through July 04, 2008.

 

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

 

_______________________           ______________________

SECRETARY                                         PRESIDENT