2004-07-15

JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES

JULY 15, 2004 Jennings, Louisiana

The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board met in regular session at 203 East Plaquemine Street, Jennings, Louisiana, on Thursday, July 15, 2004, at 6 p.m., with the following School Board members in attendance: President Jason J. Bouley, Vice-President Ronald L. Hayes, Darryl Bertrand, Charles R. Bruchhaus, David S. Capdeville, Julius G. Caraway, Malon U. Dobson, Harry D. Gilbeaux, Michael J. Heinen, Richard R. McNabb, Robert W. Menard, and Joel C. Richert, James E. Segura. Absent: None.

The meeting was opened with a prayer, followed by the pledge of allegiance to the U. S. Flag.

Upon motion by Mr. Hayes, seconded by Mr. Menard and carried, the School Board minutes of the June 17, 2004 meeting were approved as submitted.

It was moved by Mr. Menard and seconded by Mr. Gilbeaux that the Board call for a 2/3 vote to take care of items of business not listed on the original agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

INFORMATION:

The Sales Tax Report was given by J. C. Blank, Tax Collector/Auditor, and accepted by the Board.

Senator Gerald "Jerry" Theunissen and Representative Dan "Blade" Morrish addressed the Board, reviewing issues pertaining to education during this current legislative session.

This Board Congratulates:

The State Rodeo Finalists:

1. Michelle Landry, daughter of Veronica Hammond & Dennis Landry, qualified for Nationals. She attends Lake Arthur High.

2. Bradley Pousson, son of Jennifer & Richard Pousson, qualified for Nationals. He attends Lacassine High.

3. Scotty Bertrand, son of Kathy & Darryl Bertrand, LA State finalist. He attends Lake Arthur High.

4. Amber LeFosse, daughter of Carmen & Ricky LaFosse, LA State finalist. She attends Lake Arthur High.

5. Alex Martin, son of Bernice Zaunbrecher & Albert Martin, LA State finalist. He attends Lacassine High.

6. Clay Fontenot, son of Donna Woods & Kevin Fontenot, LA State finalist. He attends Lake Arthur High.

7. Jake Ardoin, son of Monica & Kent Ardoin, LA State finalist. He attends Lacassine High.

8. Chance Dugas, son of Sharon & Craig Dugas, LA State finalist. He graduated from Welsh High.

Cindy Cart, a Hathaway High kindergarten teacher, was recently named the American Legion State Teacher of the Year.

REQUESTS FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE: The following motions were made by Mr. Hayes, Chairman of this Committee, and unanimously passed. That the School Board:

9. Approve a request from the LA Technical College, to contribute funding to support the addition of a counselor at that school to work with the high schools' principals and counselors in the area of recruitment, orientation, testing and procurement of financial assistance for interested and eligible students in our area schools. The Board will contribute up to $10,000.00 towards the counselor's salary providing that no programs are closed at the College that benefit our secondary students enrolled there. In addition, permission is granted to the Superintendent to execute the Memorandum of Understanding Agreement with the College. Motion seconded by Mr. Segura.

2. Approve the purchase of the Fast ForWord Program for Jennings High School, to cost $37,900.00. This pilot program will be used in the Options Program utilized by Parish students and will be funded through a Special Education grant from the State. Motion seconded by Mr. Capdeville.

3. Continue paying a supplement of 10 cents a mile for contract bus drivers for the 2004-2005 school year, to be paid from the General Fund. Motion seconded by Mr. Heinen.

4. Accept the best/lowest bids received for 2004-2005 Parish Food Service Bids as follows:

1. Milk & Milk Products - Awarded to Foremost Dairy, with a carton price of $.2799. Borden's bid was $.2950.

2. Ice Cream - Blue Bell (only bid), ice cream cups: $2.74 a dozen & holiday cups: $2.76 a dozen.

3. Bread - Cotton's Holsum, with a total of $15,000.60. Evangeline's bid was $17,388.00.

4. Juice, 4 ounce carton - Foremost Dairy: apple juice - .15 cents; grape juice - .16 cents; orange juice - .15 cents. Borden's bid was .21 cents for apple, .29 cents for grape, .29 cents for orange.

5. Rodent Eradication: J & J Exterminating was the only bid of $30.00 a month per school.

6. Pest Control to be handled by Parish Maintenance, after hours, to cost $25.00 per school.

7. Large Equipment: Boilerless Steamer/Stacked, awarded to Texas Food Service Equipment at a cost of $9,986.00. Other bids: Baker's Distributing - $13,534.00; LA Food Service Equipment - $10,475.00.

8. Milk Box awarded to Texas Food Service Equipment at $1,385.81. Other bids: Baker's Distributing $1,765.00; LA Food Service - $1,636.00; Buckelew's - $1,512.00.

9. Dish Machine/Pot & Pan, on a two year contract, to be purchased on State contract.

Motion seconded by Mr. Richert.

5. Approve a request from Jennings High to accept a $1,500.00 donation from the JHS Quarterback Club. These funds will be used towards the purchase of a Dixon 1950 commercial mower to help maintain the athletic fields. Motion seconded by Mr. Richert.

6. Approve the following changes that were reviewed by designated administrative staff and School Board members, effective July 1, 2004.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus:

• Accept the mandated State certificated pay raise for the 2004-2005 school year of $500 per certificated position subject to all appropriate indexes. The raise will be included in the first payroll check of the fiscal year as follows:

-9-month employees: September 30, 2004

-10 & 11-month employees: August 31, 2004

-12-month employees: July 31, 2004

• Adopt the administration's proposal for a local raise for all support employees of $400 per 9-month employee with pro rata adjustments for 10, 11, and 12-month employees. Part-time personnel will receive 2 of the raise. 6-hour cafeteria workers will receive 6/7 of the raise and 5-hour cafeteria workers will receive 5/7 of the raise. The raise will be included in the first payroll check of the fiscal year as follows:

-9-month employees: September 30, 2004

-10 & 11-month employees: August 31, 2004

-12-month employees: July 31, 2004

• Drop the General Maintenance pay scale and create a new Master Craftsman pay scale for one individual within each skill category (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry) that will serve as the lead troubleshooter for field decisions that need to be made on repair and maintenance projects. The pay scale will be that of the Skilled with License scale + $2,400. Individuals will be appointed as Master Craftsmen upon the recommendation of the Director of Auxiliary Services and the approval of the Superintendent.

• Convert the pay scale for the Maintenance Foreman to the equivalent of a 10-month teacher salary schedule.

• Re-name the Custodial Manager position to Coordinator of Custodial Services with a commensurate increase in index from a 12-month employee to a Coordinator.

• Promote the Supervisor of Federal Programs to the Director of Federal Programs.

• Promote the Coordinator of Title I to Supervisor of Title I.

7. Accept the proposal from Blackboard, Inc. to purchase the Blackboard Server and Software programs on a sole-source basis (see sole-source letter attached) for $29,030.00 as requested by the Educational Curriculum Technology Specialist. This item was previously approved in the 2004-2005 General Fund Technology budget. Motion seconded by Mr. Menard.

8. Grant permission to advertise for bids for a new Sales Tax Department computer software and hardware system, as requested by the Sales Tax Collector. Recent changes in the state sales tax collection procedures, including on-line sales tax return filing over the Internet, have rendered the current sales tax system unsuitable for the changes, and the current software provider is unwilling to re-program the system. Motion seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus.

9. Accept the bid of School Speciality, Inc. of $342,072.33, as the best bid for the new JHS Furniture & Furnishings bid that was opened on July 8, 2004, as recommended by the Director of Finance. The bid price includes all delivery, freight, installation, and training charges. There were no other bids for this project. Motion seconded by Mr. Gilbeaux.

10. Declare as surplus property, a 1982 Dodge and a 1984 GMC vehicle housed at the School Board Maintenance Warehouse and advertise the trucks for sale to the best bidder. Both vehicles have over 200,000 miles and are only used when the newer trucks are in the shop for repairs and general maintenance. The Board is also requested to approve advertising for two new trucks to replace these two vehicles. Motion seconded by Mr. Menard.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: The following motions were made by Mr. Gilbeaux, Chairman of this Committee, and unanimously passed. That the School Board:

1. Approve the purchase of one 65 passenger diesel-powered bus. A bid price was offered by $48,669.00 from Kent-Mitchell Bus Sales, of Hammond. This is an additional roll-over from the Calcasieu Parish bid #2004-45 which was opened 3/4/04 and satisfies the State bid law, confirmed by the Attorney General's Office which was contacted on 7/13/04. Motion seconded by Mr. Hayes.

2. Give permission to declare the 1989 EMC Activity Bus at Jennings High no longer reliable and too costly to maintain, and to advertise for sale to the highest bidder. Motion seconded by Mr. Menard.

REQUESTS FOR BOARD APPROVAL:

It was moved by Mr. McNabb, seconded by Mr. Heinen and carried, to approve the Superintendent's recommendation naming Evelyn Fontenot as a bus aide in the Welsh, Lacassine, Jennings, and Fenton area, effective 8/12/04. She will assist on the bus that transports Parish students assigned to the GAP, BD or Alternative Programs.

It was moved by Mr. Heinen, seconded by Mr. Capdeville and carried, to approve the following personnel changes:

APPOINTMENTS:

1. Verlena Freeman, West End Elementary 7 hour cafeteria tech., effective 8/12/04, re: Pattum transfer.

2. James Welch, Lake Arthur High social studies teacher/coach, effective 8/10/04, re: Anderson resignation.

3. Chad LeFleur, Lake Arthur High special education teacher/coach, effective 8/10/04, re: McZeal transferred.

4. Michelle Hibbitts, Ward Elementary and Fenton Elementary Reading Initiative Program for the 2004-2005 school year, effective 8/9/04, re: Riley transferred.

5. Jessica Hardy, Ward Elementary teacher for the 2004-2005 school year, effective 8/9/04, re: Carter resignation.

6. Bernadette Fruge, Northside Jr. High social studies teacher, effective 8/9/04, re: Oustalet resignation.

7. Barbara Flanagan Miller, Elton High teacher aide, effective 8/11/04, re: Shuff, deceased.

8. Erin Broussard, 2 time Lacassine/ 2 time Welsh Elementary K-3 Initiative Teacher, effective 8/9/04, re: Gary transfer.

TRANSFERS:

1. Lorraine McCown, from Welsh Elementary special education teacher's aide to Welsh Elementary Title I aide, effective 8/11/04, re: Hay, medical leave.

2. Ronald McZeal, from Lake Arthur High special education teacher/coach to Jennings High special education teacher/coach, effective 8/1/04, re: Demeritt resignation.

3. Charlene Hay, from Welsh Elementary Title I aide to Welsh Elementary special education teacher's aide, effective 8/11/04.

4. Diana Pattum, from West End Elementary 7 hr. cafeteria tech. to acting cafeteria manager at that school, effective 8/12/04, re: Gary resignation.

LEAVES:

5. Maternity Leave:

a. Shawn Brumfield, Jennings High, effective 8/30/04 through 10/11/04.

b. Julienne King, Northside Jr. High teacher, effective 9/4/04 through 10/12/04.

6. Family Emergency & Medical Leave:

a. Charlene Hay, Welsh Elementary Title I aide, from 8/25/04 through 10/21/04.

RESIGNATIONS:

1. Bart Anderson, Lake Arthur High teacher/coach, effective 7/22/04.

2. Ronald Shawn Demeritt, Jennings High teacher/coach, effective 6/28/04.

3. Ben Oustalet, Northside Jr. High teacher/coach, effective 7/6/04.

4. Linda Carter, Ward Elementary teacher, effective 6/1/04.

5. Ria Armentor, Parish special education aide for a hearing impaired student, effective 8/11/04.

It was moved by Mr. Richert, seconded by Mr. Dobson and carried to:

6. Approve the Pupil Progression Plan for the 2004-2005 school year and grant permission to the Board President and Superintendent to execute the Formal Submission Statement.

7. Adopt the 2004-2005 Schools' Handbooks, which have been reviewed for content and correctness by School Board Staff.

It was moved by Mr. McNabb, seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and carried, to approve the continuance of the Community Service Intervention Program for the 2004-2005 school year, and on an annual basis, as presented by Superintendent Smith. This is a joint endeavor with the 31^st District Court, the District Attorney's Office, the Sheriff and City Police Departments, and is to encourage expelled students to complete their education. The anticipated cost of $15,000.00, will be shared by the units participating.

It was moved by Mr. Gilbeaux, seconded by Mr. Richert and carried, to endorse the Mentoring Magic - Lunch Buddies and Study Buddies Program sponsored by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana for implementation in all of our Parish Schools, grades 4-8. We are currently sponsoring three programs with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and are very satisfied with the results.

It was moved by Mr. Richert, seconded by Mr. Dobson and carried, to accept the recommendation of the Sales Tax Collector to permit an additional outside contract sales tax auditing firm, Acadian Professional Services, LLC, of New Orleans, to perform contract audits on an assigned basis on companies headquartered in the eastern part of Louisiana. Currently, the School Board uses two sales tax auditing firms based in Houston for such work, and we have to pay high travel costs for the Houston firms to conduct New Orleans and Baton Rouge audits. The inclusion of a contract auditor based in New Orleans is considered to be more efficient and cost-effective.

EXECUTIVE SESSION at the request of parents concerning their minor children.

It was moved by Mr. Richert, seconded by Mr. Caraway and carried, that the Board retire into executive session.

It was moved by Mr. Caraway, seconded by Mr. Hayes and carried, that the Board reconvene in regular session.

Upon motion by Mr. McNabb, seconded by Mr. Menard and carried, the Board approved allowing two students to return to the regular school setting, under the probationary terms established by the Board, effective July 15, 2004.

There being no other business to be considered, it was moved by Mr. Dobson, seconded by Mr. Heinen and carried, that the Board adjourn.

/s/Jason J. Bouley, President

ATTEST:

/s/Tommy Lee Smith, Secretary