ST. MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA
MINUTES
The St. Martin Parish School Board convened on this day at 5:00 P.M. at the Administrative Office with the following members present: Messrs. Burton Dupuis, President, Steve Fuselier, Aaron Flegeance, James Blanchard, Russel C. Foti, Richard Potier, Frederic Stelly, Floyd Knott, Mark Hebert, and Ms. Wanda B. Vital.
ABSENT: None
The meeting was called to order by Burton Dupuis, President. Dr. Lottie P. Beebe, Superintendent, opened the meeting with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance.
Ms. Pam Hebert, Secondary Graduation Coach/Virtual Facilitator, was recognized as the August Employees of the Month sponsored by Southern Scripts.
Mr. John Schroder, a candidate for State Treasurer, introduced himself to the Board.
On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Potier, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following consent agenda items:
a) Minutes of the following meetings:
1) Finance Committee Meeting of August 2, 2017
2) Regular Meeting of August 2, 2017
3) Special Meeting of August 16, 2017
b) Request for waiver of sales tax penalties for Allemond Point Campground
c) Continuing the District Attorney’s Early Intervention Program and Truancy Assessment Service Center
d) Revised French Immersion Handbook and French as a Foreign Language Procedure Guide for the 2017-2018 school year
e) Memorandum of Understanding with the following Mental Health Rehabilitation Companies:
1) A New Day Counseling Center, LLC
2) A Plus Family and Community Service
3) Biltmore Health Services
4) Eckerd Youth Alternatives
5) HCO Behavioral Health Lafayette
6) Insight Guidance Group
7) Life Changing Solutions
8) New Approaches Mental Health Services
9) Rehab Services of Acadiana
10) Resource Management Services
11) Seaside Healthcare
f) Amendment to Affiliation Agreement between St. Martin Parish School District and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Department of Baccalaureate Nursing
g) Crisis Response Policy for the 2017-2018 School Year
h) Revisions to the Virtual Learning Policy
i) St. Martin Parish Seclusion and Restraint Policy (attached as Exhibit A)
j) Revisions to Policy: File JS: Student Fees, Fines and Charges
k) Donation of the old abandoned trailers behind Cecilia High School on a first come first serve basis
l) Waiving the insurance requirement for the Louisiana National Guard to use the wooded area behind the Armory Hall in Breaux Bridge for navigation training
m) Amending the lease of Mr. Robert Carrol to a smaller amount of land on his campsite lease in the Belle River Area
n) Highest bid for a campsite lease in the Belle River Area
o) Proclamations/Resolutions: (attached as Exhibit B)
1) Yellow Ribbon Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week, September 11-15, 2017
2) Character Counts Week, October 16-20, 2017
p) Resolution expressing the condolences of the entire school system to the families of Terry Roy, John Strauss, and Otis Lominick, Jr. (attached as Exhibit C)
q) Request for ticket sellers, assistant coaches, cafeteria & custodial workers for all sports at St. Martinville Sr. High for the 2017/2018 school year
r) Payment for Breaux Bridge Sr. High’s Assistant Softball Coach
s) Payment for Teche Elementary’s Summer Care Program for the month of July
On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Foti, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following Finance Committee recommendations:
a) Two sales tax supplements for 2017-2018 to be issued in November 2017 and May 2018; $1,000 for professionals and $715 for paraprofessionals.
b) Adoption of budget for general and special revenue funds for the year ending June 30, 2018
c) Authorizing A&E to proceed through Contract Documents and Advertising on the following reroofing projects. The projects are being funded by 2016 Bond Parishwide Roofing Funds.
1) CP – Cecilia Primary Building
2) TE – Teche Elementary Building H
3) SMHS – St. Martinville High Building B (weight room)
4) PP – Parks Primary Building A & B
5) PM – Parks Middle Building A
6) CE – Catahoula Elementary Classroom Building B
7) SE – Stephensville Elementary Building T
d) Authorizing the Superintendent, Board President and Board Vice- President to accept the low quote for Cecilia High School Oxidation Pond Reclamation project if the quote is under $150,000. Quotes are being received on September 12, 2017. The project is being funded by 2013 Bond Cecilia District Funds and 2016 CHS Construction Funds.
e) Awarding Cecilia High School Field House & Building B Renovations project to the low bidder, Steel Building Construction Company, with a base bid of $791,667.50 and $24,600 alternate #1, bringing their total to $816,267.50, if approved by the Cecilia area Board Members. The project is being funded by remaining 2013 Bond Cecilia District and Athletic Funds and Contingency.
f) Authorizing the Superintendent, Board President and Board Vice- President to accept the low quote for St. Martinville High School Softball Lighting project if the quote is under $150,000. Quotes are being received in September. Results will be presented at the October Board meeting. The project is being funded by 2016 Bond SMHS Construction Funds.
g) Awarding substantial completion for the following:
1) BBP – Breaux Bridge Primary Parking and Drives
2) BBE – Breaux Bridge Elementary Classroom Renovation (Partial)
3) CP – Cecilia Primary Parking & Bus Drive
4) SE – Stephensville Elementary AC Equipment Replacement
The Board heard from Ms. Shanese Lewis, Executive Director of St. Martin Council on Aging, regarding a millage proposal.
Mr. Stuart Gauthier, County Agent, and staff members presented the LSU AgCenter Annual Report to the Board.
On the motion of Mr. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Flegeance, and carried, the Board approved the following policy regarding bus stops for students:
Bus stops are to be two-tenths of a mile apart on major highways except in special cases such as when a stop is in a curve; there is no shoulder for busses to navigate to an existing stop; high traffic concerns; or when the age of a child is of concern.
On dead end streets with minimal traffic, students may walk up to two-tenths of a mile to an established bus stop. Exceptions may be made for inclement weather conditions including, but not limited to, heavy mist, drizzle, rain, sleet, or snow. Exceptions to this policy may be recommended by the transportation supervisor and superintendent with approval from the school board.
OPPOSED: Ms. Vital and Mr. Stelly
The Board heard a Citizen’s Request by LaDonna Hebert and Callie Bonin regarding bus stops for students.
On the motion of Mr. Foti, seconded by Mr. Blanchard, and unanimously carried, the Board went into Executive Session.
On the motion of Mr. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Potier, and unanimously carried, the Board came out of Executive Session.
No action was necessary for the following items discussed in Executive Session:
a) Pending litigation, Thomas v. St. Martin Parish School Board, Civil Action No. 11314 (W.D.La.).
b) Personnel Issues, including employee conduct and performance
On the motion of Mr. Flegeance, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.
_____________________________ _________________________________
SECRETARY PRESIDENT