LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, March 5, 2014, 5:30 P. M., Board Room

Hunter Beasley, Ph.D., President, Presiding

The School Board of the Parish of Lafayette, State of Louisiana, met in regular session at its meeting place, the Lafayette Parish School Board Administrative Building, Board Room, Lafayette, Louisiana, on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 5:30 P.M. pursuant to notice given in writing to every member.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shelton J. Cobb, President; Hunter Beasley, Vice-President; Tommy Angelle, Gregory Awbrey, Mark Babineaux, Kermit Bouillion, Tehmi Chassion, Mark Cockerham and Rae Trahan, Board Members; Dr. Pat Cooper, Secretary-Treasurer/Superintendent

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

I. MEETING OPENINGS

The meeting was called to order by Beasley and opened with a prayer by Bouillion. Cockerham led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Awbrey entered the meeting.

OPENING COMMENTS

Bouillion asked that agriculture programs not be eliminated from schools and that an entry level program be considered for 8th graders. Mr. Bouillion said that Lafayette Parish is fortunate to have the W. D. and Mary Baker Smith Career Center offering certification in many career options including welding, auto mechanics, carpentry and culinary skills.

Cobb offered condolences to the family of Ruth White-Jones, a longtime educator in the school system. He also congratulated Carencro High for being selected first in the technology challenge. Mr. Cobb recognized J. Wallace James Elementary for creating a Counselor Advisory Committee which will involve students, parents and community in the operations of their school.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion (Awbrey, Cobb) that the Board approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. Babineaux, Chassion and Trahan were absent.

II. RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS

None

III. CORRECTIONS AND/OR APPROVAL OF BOARD/COMMITTEE MINUTES

A. CORRECTIONS ON THE MINUTES OF:

1. Special Board Meeting of 2/19/14

Motion (Cobb, Bouillion) that the Board approve the minutes of the Special Board Meeting of February 19, 2014. Motion carried. Babineaux, Chassion and Trahan were absent.

2. Special Board Meeting of 2/27/14

Motion (Cockerham, Awbrey) that the Board approve the minutes of the Special Board Meeting of February 27, 2014. Motion carried. Babineaux, Chassion and Trahan were absent.

B. APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF:

1. Board Workshop of 2/19/14

Motion (Cockerham, Awbrey) that the Board receive the minutes of the Board Workshop of February 19, 2014. Motion carried. Babineaux, Chassion and Trahan were absent.

2. Joint Meeting of Board/Employee Insurance Advisory Committee of 2/25/14

Motion (Awbrey, Angelle) that the Board receive the minutes of Joint Meeting of Board/Employee Insurance Advisory Committee of February 25, 2014. Motion carried. Babineaux, Chassion and Trahan were absent.

IV. FINANCIAL INFORMATION/REPORTS

A. APPROVAL OF BILLS

None

B. OTHER FINANCIAL REPORTS

1. Sales Tax Collection Report for January 2014

Motion (Awbrey, Cobb) that the Board receive the sales tax collection report for the month of January 2014. Motion carried. Babineaux, Chassion and Trahan were absent.

Babineaux entered the meeting.

V. REPORTS/INFORMATION/INTRODUCTION ITEMS

A. INFORMATION REPORT

1. Status Report for Construction Fund 2012 Limited Tax Bond Fund

Kyle Bordelon, Director of Planning and Facilities presented the Status Report for Construction Fund 2012 Limited Tax Bond Fund.

2. Announcement of April 16, 2014 Board Meeting as the Meeting During Which the Board Will Adopt Its Millage Rates for the 2014 Tax Year

Billy Guidry, Chief Financial Officer, informed the Board that he was complying with Act 267 which requires that the Board make an announcement during a regularly scheduled board meeting that on April 16, 2014 a resolution to adopt its millage rates for the 2014 tax year will be presented. The Board meeting will take place in the Board room of its Central Office located at 113 Chaplin Drive, Lafayette, LA 70508.

3. Personnel Changes for March 5, 2014

New Employees
Name / Location / Position / Eff. Date / Fund / Note
Chaisson, Allison / Transportation Dept. / Operations
Clerk II / 02/26/14 / 01 / Replacing Pekeitha West
Depa, Anthony / Northside HS / Teacher – Math / 02/14/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / Replacing James Miller
deLaunay, Anna / Alice Boucher ES / Teacher – 4th / 02/17/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 /
Replacing Toniqua Ventroy
Francisco, Jessie / Charles Burke ES/Ridge ES / Custodian / 03/05/14 / 01 / Replacing Donald Denton
Guidry, Neal / Westside ES / Counselor / 02/27/14 / 01 / Replacing Leslie Mire
Hay, Celeste / Child Nutrition Dept. / Nutrition Program Coordinator / 02/24/14 / 70 / Replacing Amy Fremin
Leger, John / Judice MS / Teacher – Resource / 03/06/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / Replacing Charles Duncan
Lokey, Debbie / Plantation ES / Teacher – Gifted / 02/03/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / Replacing Mary Broussard
Mergist, Gwen / Broadmoor ES / Para-Educator – SPED / 02/25/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / Replacing Jessica Francis
Nixon, Joelle / Alice Boucher ES / Counselor / 03/18/14 / 25 / Replacing Latarro Hardy
Perry, Kristi / Ernest Gallet ES / Teacher – Vocal (Part-Time) / 02/18/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / Replacing Cynthia Lyons-Jackson
Pradier, Jacinta / Broadmoor ES / Para-Educator – SPED / 02/27/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / Replacing Jennifer LeBlanc
Reaux, Kathy / Prairie ES / Teacher – Kdgn. / 02/24/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / New Position – Due to Increase in Enrollment
Ristovv-Reed, Mona / Career Center / Teacher – Exiting Pathways Level II – Math / 03/06/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / Replacing John Hutchinson
Sonnier, Lindsey / Health Services / RN / 03/06/14 / 01 / Replacing Cher Soignier
Talbot, Susan / G. T. Lindon ES / Teacher – 3rd / 03/06/14 – 05/30/14 / 01 / Replacing Angel Meyers
Thibeaux, Valinda / Moss Prep / Custodian / 02/17/14 / 01 / Replacing Marlene Miller
Valliere, Kenneth / J. W. Faulk ES / Custodian / 02/17/14 / 01 / Replacing Denella Tezeno
Employee Transfers
Name / From/To / Eff. Date / Fund / Note
Batiste, Carolyn / Comeaux HS (Custodian) to Evangeline ES (Custodian) / 02/19/14 / 01 / Replacing Jasmine Edwards
Bruno, Pamela / Ossun ES (Custodian) to E. A. Martin MS (Custodian) / 02/25/14 / 01 / Replacing Artella Lindon
Champagne, Rosie / E. A. Martin MS (Custodian) to Ossun ES (Custodian) / 02/25/14 / 01 / Replacing Pamela Bruno
Edwards, Jasmine / Evangeline ES (Custodian) to Comeaux HS (Custodian) / 02/19/14 / 01 / Replacing Carolyn Batiste
Gobert, Ernest / Broussard MS (Para-Educator – SPED) to P. Breaux MS (Para-Educator – SPED) / 02/19/14 / 01 / Transferred with student
(Child Specific Para-Educator)
Gumbs, Rosalyn / Youngsville MS (Custodian) to Westside ES (Custodian) / 03/05/14 / 01 / Replacing Tamika Felix
Hale, Crystol / Evangeline ES (Teacher – 4th) to Evangeline ES (Data Analyst) / 01/07/14 / 50 / Not General Fund 01
Rougeau, Stacy / Prairie ES (Teacher – 5th) to Judice MS (Instructional Strategist) / 09/16/13 / 01 / Replacing Carmen Bourque
Taylor, Tanya / Alice Boucher ES (Clerical Assistant) to Alice Boucher ES (Secretary I) / 02/21/14 / 01 / Replacing Carol Parsons
Appointments & Reappointments
Name / Location / Position / Contract Term / Note
NONE
Other Action
Name / Location / Position / Eff. Date / Fund / Note
Lavergne, Terry / David Thibodaux STEM / SFS Technician / 02/22/14 – 05/30/14 / 70 / LWOP
Exiting Employees
Name / Location / Position / Eff. Date / Fund / Note
Bergeron, Mary / P. Breaux MS / Librarian / 05/30/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Bertrand, Ronald / Accounting Dept. / Accountant II / 03/31/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Burgess, Delilah / Maintenance Dept. / Secretary III / 02/28/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Carmouche, Kyle / Live Oak ES / Para-Educator - PE / 02/17/14 / 01 / Resignation
Calais, Clayton / Carencro Hghts. ES / Custodian / 02/18/14 / 01 / Resignation
Cunningham, Gloria / Northside HS / Para-Educator – SPED / 05/30/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Delafosse, Robert / Lafayette MS / ISS Facilitator / 05/30/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Felix, Tamika / Westside ES / Custodian / 02/25/14 / 01 / Resignation
Galvez, Chamaine / Broussard MS / Para-Educator – SPED / 03/07/14 / 01 / Resignation
Greig, Nancy / K. Drexel ES / Teacher – 3rd / 05/30/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Guidry, Sydney / Lafayette MS / Teacher – 7th/ELA / 02/12/14 / 01 / Resignation
Jurica, Lillie / Academics / Secretary I / 02/26/14 / 01 / Resignation
Lester, Shelly / Milton ES/MS / Teacher – 1st / 03/31/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Lopez, Linda / Health & Wellness / Social Worker / 02/28/14 / 01 / Resignation
Nelson, Karla / Acadiana HS / Teacher – BD / 05/30/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Perry, Rachel / Prairie ES / Teacher – Pre-K French Immersion / 02/28/14 / 01 / Resignation
Robinson, Genia / Acadiana HS / Para-Educator – SPED / 01/15/14 / 01 / Resignation
Schexnaider, Michael / Maintenance Dept. / Mechanic II / 02/18/14 / 01 / Resignation
Smith, Caleb / Northside HS / Teacher – SS / 02/17/14 / 01 / Resignation
Smith, Janet / Transportation Dept. / Bus Driver – Board Owned / 01/06/14 / 01 / Deceased
Smith, Keisha / Transportation Dept. / Bus Attendant / 01/13/14 / 01 / Resignation
Tabb, Danielle / Carencro HS / Teacher - Chemistry / 02/17/14 / 01 / Termination
Villery, Brenda / Charles Burke ES / Speech Therapist / 05/30/14 / 01 / Service Retirement
Vincent, Mary Ellen / Acadiana HS / Teacher / 03/07/14 / 01 / Resignation

*Retiree Returning To Work

Number of Full-Time, Active Employees by Funding Source as of February 27, 2014

General Fund (01) 3,669.5

2002 Sales Tax (15) 52

Special Revenues (20) 18.5

Other Grants (25) 20

Consolidated Adult Education (30) 9

Consolidated Other Federal Programs (35) 5

Special Education (40) 137

Self-Funded Construction (45) 2

IASA Title I (50) 165

Consolidated Other State (55) 7

GEARUP/Magnet Grant (57) 16

Child Development & Head Start (60) 63

IASA Titles II/III/IV/VI (65) 25

Child Nutrition (70) 279

Group Insurance Fund (85) 2

TOTAL 4,470

Total last meeting 4,476

Total year ago (03/06/13) 4,541

4. 2014-2015 Proposed Budget Recap and Timeline

Billy Guidry, Chief Financial Officer provided the Board with dates of proposed Budget Workshops, with the first one to begin on April 15 @ 4:00 p.m.

The Board President requested that the budget be delivered to the Board in its entirety prior to the first workshop.

5. Insurance Advisory Committee Members

Board President Beasley informed the Board that the appointed Board Members of the Insurance Advisory Committee are Mark Cockerham and Shelton Cobb.
He said that he serves as an ex-officio member and is not obligated to attend the meetings. Dr. Beasley also reported that Board Member Babineaux is no longer a member of the Insurance Advisory Committee.

6. Update and Justification for the use of a Public Relations Firm with a history of services already provided

Babineaux shared his concerns on the use of a public relations firm, and Angelle said he was not aware that the firm existed.

Angela Morrison, Director, Community Collaboration and Partnerships informed the Board since the school system does not have a public relations department it uses the services of BBR Creative.

Superintendent Cooper said he remembers during his Superintendent interview comments were made that there was not enough community involvement. He said Ms. Morrison has increased support of the community and the Chamber of Commerce, and until someone can be hired to do public relations, we are able to use the PR firm.

Bouillion and Cobb complimented Ms. Morrison on her public relations efforts.

Awbrey requested last year’s invoices on public relations.

Chassion entered the meeting.

7. Update on the new computer software being used by Human Resources in regards to payroll and how it is affecting net pay of employees in regards to their W-4 declarations

Babineaux asked for a point of clarification on W-4 forms.

Matt Dugas, Director of Finance informed the Board that the new software automatically will take exemptions following the IRS guidelines. Employees whose exemptions are different from the guidelines will need to complete a new W-4 every year.

8. LPSS 2014-15 and 2015-16 School and Administrative Calendars

Karen Williams, Director of Academics provided the Board with additional information on the LPSS 2014-15 and 2015-16 School and Administrative Calendars.

Comments were made by the public and Board members on the importance of additional face time with students.

Trahan entered the meeting.

B. INTRODUCTION ITEMS

1. Revisions to Policy File: DFA-E - Millage Rates General Fund. Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

2. Approval of Revisions to Policy File: IDDE-R Summer Driver Education Program. Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

3. Move Item(s) to Action Agenda - NONE

C. Other Reports

1. None

VI. APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEMS

1. Agreement for Professional Sales/Use Tax Auditing Services

That the Board approve the recommendation to enter into a professional services agreement for sales/use tax auditing services with the firm of Thomas L.Driskell & Associates, Inc.