JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES

DECEMBER 16, 2004                       JENNINGS, LOUISIANA

The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board met in regular session at Fenton Elementary School, 509 First Street, Fenton, Louisiana, at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, December 16, 2004, with the following School Board members in attendance:  President Jason J. Bouley, Vice-President, Ronald L.  Hayes, Darryl W. Bertrand, Charles R.  Bruchhaus, David S.  Capdeville, Julius G. Caraway, Malon U. Dobson, Harry D. Gilbeaux, Michael J. Heinen, Richard R. McNabb and Robert W. Menard, Joel C. Richert, and 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. Caraway, seconded by Mr. Hayes and carried, the minutes of the November 18, 2004 meeting were approved as submitted.

It was moved by Mr. Gilbeaux and seconded by Mr. Menard 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.

The Board was welcomed to Fenton Elementary School by Delmar Bentley, the Principal.  Following this Nancy Marcantel's 2^nd grade class and Betsie Walker's 3^rd grade class presented the program, Christmas at the O.K. Corral.  After the formal Board meeting, those present were invited to tour the newly renovated school and enjoy the Christmas luncheon in the school cafeteria.

NEW BUSINESS:

Election of School Board Officers for January 1 through December 31, 2005

Board President, Jason Bouley, called for nominations for the office of School Board President.  Mr. Ronald Hayes was nominated by Mr. Charles Bruchhaus.  Mr. Richard McNabb was nominated by Mr.  Darryl Bertrand.  A motion was made by Mr. David Capdeville, seconded by Mr. Caraway and carried, that nominations cease.  A roll call vote was taken for the office of Board President, as follows:

IN FAVOR OF Mr. McNabb for President of the Board:  Mr. Bertrand, Mr. Caraway, Mr. Dobson, Mr. Heinen, Mr. McNabb, Mr. Richert, and Mr. Segura. (7). AGAINST: Mr. Bouley, Mr. Bruchhaus, Mr. Capdeville, Mr. Gilbeaux, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Menard.  (6)

Mr. Julius Caraway was nominated by Mr. Joel Richert for the office of Vice-President.  Mr. Jason Bouley nominated Mr. Charles Bruchhaus.  Mr. Bruchhaus declined the nomination.  Mr. Charles Bruchhaus nominated Mr. Ronald Hayes.  A motion was made by Mr. Mike Heinen, seconded by Mr. Charles Bruchhaus and carried, that nominations cease.  A roll call vote was taken for the office of Board Vice-President, as follows:

IN FAVOR OF Mr. Caraway for Vice-President of the Board:  Mr. Bertrand, Mr. Caraway, Mr. Dobson, Mr. Heinen, Mr. McNabb, Mr. Richert, and Mr. Segura.  (7). AGAINST: Mr. Bouley, Mr. Bruchhaus, Mr. Capdeville, Mr. Gilbeaux, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Menard.  (6)

It was moved by Mr. Heinen, seconded by Mr.  Caraway and carried, to use current signature plates as the signing authority on all checks and accounts until new plates are received.

Upon motion by Mr. Segura, seconded by Mr. Dobson and carried, the Board approved the Jefferson Davis Parish District Technology Plan addendum, which contains the updated local technology budget, the E-Rate funding, and a continuous mission to enhance communication speed as well as creating more access for students in all school sites will be added to the current parish technology plan to bring it up to date.  The addendum to the technology plan is following the guidelines of Schools and Library Division (E-Rate) as well as the state department of education as requested by Helen Atchison.

It was moved by Mr.  Richert and seconded by Mr. Dobson to adopt the following resolution, due to the fact that Attorney Bob Hammonds, Baton Rouge, LA, has been contacted by an attorney representing Jennings Concerned Citizens  regarding the closing of Jennings Ward Elementary School and other related issues.

                                                               R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS Louisiana Revised Statute 42:263 authorizes the retention of special counsel by any School Board upon a statement of reasons why such counsel is necessary and upon approval by the Attorney General; and

WHEREAS the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board needs special council in defense of Civil Action # 10902 RE: Marcus Gordon, et al versus Jefferson Davis Parish School Board

WHEREAS the District Attorney, acting as the School Board's general counsel, has suggested that special counsel be employed to advise, assist,  and prosecute on behalf of the Superintendent at litigation proceedings; and

WHEREAS Bob Hammonds and his firm, Hammonds and Sills, have represented numerous School Boards in School Law matters.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That Attorney Bob Hammonds of Hammonds and Sills, Quad One, Suite C, 1111 South Foster Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, be retained as special counsel for the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board, relating to all legal matters pertaining to the closure of Jennings Ward Elementary School and any other matters related to the moving of schools and personnel in the Jefferson Davis Parish Public School District, and that legal fees be paid from the School Board General Fund, at the State approved rate.

The above resolution having been put to a vote and having received the following vote:

YAYS: Mr. Bertrand, Mr. Bouley, Mr. Bruchhaus, Mr. Caraway, Mr. Dobson, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Heinen, Mr.  McNabb, Mr. Menard, Mr. Richert, Mr. Segura (11)        

NAYS: Mr.  Gilbeaux and Mr. Capdeville (2)

/s/Jason J. Bouley, President                              /s/Tommy Lee Smith, Secretary

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

APPOINTMENTS:

1.                   Kevin Guidry, Lake Arthur High band director, effective 1/11/05 through 5/30/05, re: Herpin sabbatical.

2.                   Candace Semar, Jennings High English teacher, effective 1/3/05, re: Robison resignation.  

LEAVES:

1.                   Kim Lessigne, Hathaway High teacher, extended medical leave, effective 11/29/04 to 1/3/05.

2.                   Lethia Harris, West End Elementary librarian, extended medical leave, effective 11/29/04 to 1/10/05.

3.                   Jenny Esthay, Pupil Appraisal team, medical sabbatical leave, effective 1/11/04 to 5/30/05.

RETIRING:

1.                   Mary Watkins, Lake Arthur Elementary teacher, effective 6/1/05, with 26 years of experience.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REQUESTS:

The following motions were made by Mr.  Hayes, chairman of the Finance Committee, that the School Board:

1.         To give permission to accept the best bid received from Elisa LaFleur of Elton, to clean and paint the interior halls at Elton High.  The cost for the materials and labor is $3,200.00, to be paid from Elton High Maintenance #22 funds.  The project is to be done during the Christmas recess.  Motion seconded by Mr.  Hayes and carried.

2.         To give permission to purchase three Dell 2200MP Projectors for Family & Consumer Science presentations, to be placed at three Parish high schools, with three more to be purchased next year.  The total cost of $2,983.92 ($994.64 each), is to be reimbursed by Tech Prep funds.  Motion seconded by Mr.  Bruchhaus, and carried.

3.         Grant permission to advertise to sell approximately two acres of surplus property in Fenton. Fenton District #5 will retain the mineral rights.  Motion seconded by Mr.  Menard, and carried.

4.         Approve the purchase of a Bard heat-cool unit to be installed at Elton Elementary School, to cost approximately $1,600.00.  The best quote was offered by Johnson Supply of Lake Charles and will be paid from Elton #22 contingency funds.  Motion seconded by Mr.  McNabb, and carried.

5.         Ratify the Superintendent's recommendation to reject the settlement proposal offered by the Louisiana Tax Commission and to contact the Louisiana School Boards Association advising the Board of this decision as soon as possible.  Motion seconded by Mr.  Bruchhaus, and carried.

INFORMATION:

1.         The 2005 LSBA Convention is scheduled for March 3-5, 2005, in the Alexandria Riverfront Center in Alexandria, LA.  Let Ms.  Freeland know if you plan to attend.

2.         Brian LeJeune, Lacassine High Principal, has been selected a 2005 Regional Finalist Principal of the Year.  The Board wishes him well in the State selection process in January. 

3.         The Sales Tax Report was presented to the Board by William Hebert, Director of Finance and accepted by the Board.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the Board adjourned.

/s/Jason J. Bouley, President

ATTEST:

/s/Tommy Lee Smith, Superintendent

Election of School Board Officers for January 1 through December 31, 2005

Board President, Jason Bouley, calls for nominations for the office of School Board President.  Mr.           nominated Mr.      .  It was moved by Mr.    , seconded by Mr.    and carried, that nominations cease.  Mr.    NEW MAN was elected unanimously. 

Mr.  NEW MAN called for nominations for the office of School Board Vice-President.  Mr.   nominated Mr.    .  It was moved by Mr.      , seconded by Mr.   and carried, that nominations cease.  Mr.  New Vice-President was elected unanimously.

It was moved by Mr.    , seconded by Mr.    and carried, to use current signature plates as the signing authority on all checks and accounts until new plates are received.