ST. MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

SPECIAL MEETING

JULY 14, 2010 – 5:00 P.M.

BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA

M I N U T E S

The St. Martin Parish School Board met this day with the following members present: Messrs., Aaron Flegeance, President, Floyd Knott, Mark Hebert, James Blanchard, Rodney Ledoux, Frederic Stelly, and Ms. Wanda Babin.

ABSENT:             Mrs. Barbara Latiolais, Mr. Steve Fuselier, and Mr. Richard Potier

Superintendent Lavergne opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

On the motion of Mr. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Ledoux, and unanimously carried, the Board Member’s request to discuss filing charges on Attorney Ike Funderburk for littering on government property was tabled until the next meeting.

ABSENT:             Mrs. Latiolais, Mr. Fuselier, and Mr. Potier

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

On the motion of Ms. Babin, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, and unanimously carried, the Board came out of Executive Session.

ABSENT:             Mrs. Latiolais and Mr. Fuselier

On the motion of Mr. Blanchard, seconded by Ms. Babin, and unanimously carried, the Board approved to reinstate denied credits due to excessive absences for both students.

The Board proceeded with a Tenure Hearing for a School Bus Operator.   The attorney for the employee, Eddie Broussard, William Whately, advised that it was the desire of Eddie that the tenure hearing be conducted publicly.

 The President recognized its legal counsel, Bob Hammonds.  Eddie Broussard and his attorney, William Whatley of Marksville, Louisiana, were then recognized.  The Board Attorney, Mark Boyer, informed the Board of the procedures which would be followed during the hearing. 

After deliberation, the Board voted, by roll call vote, on each charge, as follows:

As to charge number 1 (Do you find that the Superintendent has proved by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts alleged are true?)

Voting yes were:  Mr. Knott, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Ledoux, Mr. Stelly, and Ms. Babin 

Voting no was:  Mr. Potier

Absent:  Mrs. Latiolais and Mr. Fuselier

As to charge number 2 (Do you find that Charge 1, as proven, constitutes willful neglect of duty on the part of Mr. Broussard?)

Voting yes were:  Mr. Knott, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Ledoux, Mr. Stelly, and Ms. Babin

Voting no was:  Mr. Potier

Absent:  Mrs. Latiolais and Mr. Fuselier

As to charge number 3 (On the basis of the findings of fact and conclusions of law made above, do you feel that Mr. Broussard should have disciplinary action taken against him?)

Voting yes were:  Mr. Knott, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Ledoux, Mr. Stelly, and Ms. Babin

Voting no was:  Mr. Potier

Absent:  Mrs. Latiolais and Mr. Fuselier

A motion was made by Mr. Hebert and seconded by Mr. Blanchard to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation for termination.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Potier and seconded by Mr. Ledoux to suspend the employee for three (3) months without pay, reassign to the JCEP route only, randomly drug/alcohol test for one (1) year monthly, participate in set of six (6) drug/alcohol classes, probation for one (1) year, and remove tenure for one (1) year.  The substitute motion as then voted on and carried, as follows:

FOR:                     Mr. Knott, Mr. Flegeance, Mr. Potier, Mr. Ledoux, Mr. Stelly, and Ms. Babin

OPPOSED:          Mr. Hebert and Mr. Blanchard

ABSENT:             Mrs. Latiolais and Mr. Fuselier

On the motion of Mr. Knott, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.

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SECRETARY                                                PRESIDENT