JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
DECEMBER 18, 2014
The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board met in regular session at the Educational Media Center, 720 E. Plaquemine Street, Jennings, LA 70546, on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., with the following School Board members in attendance: President, Donald E. Dees, Members, Philip Arceneaux, Jason Bouley, David S. Capdeville, David Doise, Julius Caraway, Malon Dobson, Richard R. McNabb, Robert Menard, Robert Miller and James E. Segura. Absent: Vice President, Gregory L. Bordelon, and David Doise.
The meeting was opened by President Dees, with an invocation by Lake Arthur High Freshman, Kayleigh Broussard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag recited in English and French, led by Lake Arthur High sophomore, Sydnie Ard.
Motion by Mr. Caraway, seconded by Mr. Capdeville and unanimously carried to approve the School Board minutes of the November 20, 2014 Regular meeting.
Motion by Mr. Segura, seconded by Mr.Miller and unanimously carried that the Board call for a vote to take care of items of business not listed on the original agenda, to add new items or to change the order of topics to be addressed.
Margaret Guillory welcomed all Board Members and Staff to the Educational Media Center.
Welsh High students Seth Lawrence - 11th, Dylan Hughes - 10th, Logan Esthay - 10th, Hunter Dasch - 9th and Lake Arthur High students Emily Coots - 12th, Jocelyn Zaunbrecher - 12th, and Kelsey Guidry - 12th provided musical entertainment for the Board and staff.
Lake Arthur High French II students, Kristina Richard-10th, Bryanah Martin - 9th, Kayleigh Broussard - 9th, Lexi Savoie 9th, Jade Newman- 10th, and Sydnie Ard - 10th sang a song in French.
FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: The following motions were made by Mr. Philip Arceneaux, Finance Committee Member, who took the place of Mr. Gregory L. Bordelon, Finance Committee Chairman, who was absent, that the School Board:
Grant permission to Lake Arthur High to accept a $588.10 donation from the Lake Arthur Knights of Columbus. To be used on behalf of the special education department of Lake Arthur High School. Seconded by Mr. Dobson and carried.
Grant permission to Elton High to accept a $25.00 donation from Venessa Livingston Cormier to be used for the renaming of the gym in memory of Oris Guidry. Seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and carried.
Grant permission to Elton High to accept a $147.00 donation from Lee’s Auto Clinic & Salvage of Basile, LA. To be used for meals for varsity cheerleaders. Seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and carried.
Grant permission to Hathaway High to accept a $350.00 donation from Marceaux’s Electric. To be used for Athletic department needs. Seconded by Mr. Bouley and carried.
Grant permission to Jennings High baseball to accept a $10,000.00 donation from the Jennings Diamond Booster Club. To be used to purchase a pitching machine. Seconded by Mr. Segura and carried.
Grant permission to Jennings High Girls Basketball to accept a $3,565.00 donation from the Jennings Alumni Club. To be used to purchase team uniforms. Seconded by Mr. Capdeville and carried, with Mr. Segura recused from voting.
Grant permission to Welsh-Roanoke Jr. High to accept a $725.00 donation from the Welsh Rotary Club and a $250.00 donation from Jim Wright. To be used to purchase a classroom set of ASUS tablets. Seconded by Mr. Bouley and carried.
Grant permission to move Dr. Cassidy Juneau from a 9 month Behavior Interventionist to a ten month Assistant Principal. The board would only pay the additional month salary and assistant principal index. Effective mid-term of the 2014-2015 school year. Seconded by Mr. Caraway. After discussion a motion to amend which read: “Grant permission to move the Jennings Elementary Academic/Behavior Interventionist position to a ten month Assistant Principal Position with the Jeff Davis Parish School Board paying the extra month and index of that salary by advertising and interviewing to fill that position. It will be made clear that the continued existence of this position will be contingent upon Jennings Elementary Administration continuing to utilize a teacher staffing position which was how this position was created and should that change this position would cease to exist.” Motion by Mr. Segura and seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and carried. Then the vote on the motion as amended was taken and passed.
Grant permission to Jennings High Tennis to accept a $2,146.68 donation from the Jennings High Tennis Booster Club. To be used to purchase Court wind suits. Seconded by Mr. Menard and carried.
Grant permission to Lake Arthur Elementary to accept a $588.10 donation from the Knights of Columbus. To be used by Special Ed teachers to purchase classroom supplies. Seconded by Mr. Dobson and carried.
Grant permission to Lake Arthur Elementary to accept a $1,500.00 donation from the Lake Arthur Elementary PTO. To be used to purchase items for our School Wide Positive Behavior Program. Seconded by Mr. Dobson and carried.
POLICY COMMITTEE RECOMENDATIONS: The following motion was made by Mr. Robert Menard, Committee Chairman, that the School Board:
1. Accept the following new or revised policies:
a. CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: File: EE (Revised, December, 2014: Effective upon approval).
Motion made by Mr. Menard and seconded by Mr. Arceneaux and carried.
WARD II (AD HOC) COMMITTE: The following motion was made by Mr. David Capdeville, Committee Chairman, that the School Board:
Approve the recommendation of Superintendent and Finance Director to enter into a contract with Mr. Ray Fugatt (C.R. Fugatt, AIA), Sam Houston Jones Parkway, Lake Charles, LA for the Architect of Record for the Jennings High School Track replacement process. Mr. Fugatt was highly recommended by Beauregard Parish and Calcasieu Parish School Systems where he provided guidance for several of their Track replacements. Mr. Fugatt works with school systems has a reduced fee of 6% of the total project. (Most fees are now 8 to 10%). Mr. Fugatt recommends that we spend 5 to 6 thousand dollars to remove soil core samples around the existing track so they can be used to create a comprehensive plan to address the foundation of the track that will be good far into the future. Seconded by Mr. Segura and carried.
The following committees had no reports to present:
Insurance - Phillip Arceneaux, Chairman
Building & Grounds- Richard McNabb, Chairman
Transportation - Julius Caraway, Chairman
16th Section - Charles Bruchhaus, Chairman
Legislative Liaison - Jason Bouley, Chairman
Food Service Committee - Bobby Miller, Chairman
The Sales Tax report was given by J. C. Blank, Tax Collector/Auditor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Motion made by Mr. Arceneaux and seconded by Mr. Menard to approve the following resolution regarding board member Richard McNabb:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Richard McNabb has faithfully served the public as a member of the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2014, and
WHEREAS, his service and dedication to fulfilling his responsibilities have been inspirational to his fellow Board Members and to the administrative personnel with whom he has worked, and further, his spirit of Public Service has been in the finest tradition of democratic government;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board in regular session of the 18th day of December, that said Board recognizes and commends Richard McNabb, School Board District 10, for a job well done.
The above Resolution, having been put to a vote and having passed, was duly declared adopted and ordered spread on the minutes of this Board.
_________________________ ______________________________
Donald E. Dees Brian M. LeJeune
President Superintendent
Motion made by Mr. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Arceneaux to approve the following resolution regarding board member Robert “Bobby” Miller:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Robert “Bobby” Miller has faithfully served the public as a member of the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014, and
WHEREAS, his service and dedication to fulfilling his responsibilities have been inspirational to his fellow Board Members and to the administrative personnel with whom he has worked, and further, his spirit of Public Service has been in the finest tradition of democratic government;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board in regular session of the 18th day of December, that said Board recognizes and commends Robert “Bobby” Miller, School Board District 11, for a job well done.
The above Resolution, having been put to a vote and having passed, was duly declared adopted and ordered spread on the minutes of this Board.
_________________________ ______________________________
Donald E. Dees Brian M. LeJeune
President Superintendent
Motion made by Mr. Bouley and seconded by Mr. Menard to approve the following resolution regarding board member Julius “Bubba” Caraway III:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Julius “Bubba” Caraway, IV has faithfully served the public as a member of the JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2014, and
WHEREAS, his service and dedication to fulfilling his responsibilities have been inspirational to his fellow Board Members and to the administrative personnel with whom he has worked, and further, his spirit of Public Service has been in the finest tradition of democratic government;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board in regular session of the 18th day of December, that said Board recognizes and commends Julius “Bubba” Caraway, IV, School Board District 13, for a job well done.
The above Resolution, having been put to a vote and having passed, was duly declared adopted and ordered spread on the minutes of this Board.
_________________________ ______________________________
Donald E. Dees Brian M. LeJeune
President Superintendent
Motion made by Mr. Caraway and seconded by Mr. Dobson and unanimously carried to approve the use current signature plates as the signing authority on all checks and accounts until new plates are issued following the new board election of officers.
Motion made by Mr. Menard and seconded by Mr. Capdeville and unanimously carried to approve the following out of state travel requests:
a. Jennings High School teachers and student to travel to the Houston Museum of Natural Science on February 12, 2015. At no expense to the Board.
Motion made by Mr. Segura and seconded by Mr. Dobson and unanimously carried to approve Bart Richard, as a non-faculty softball coach at Jennings High School for 2014-2015, upon completion of LHSAA coaching course certification and Board policy requirements.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
It was moved by Mr. Menard and seconded by Mr. Bouley and unanimously carried to name Kevin Ewing, Bus Driver, Jennings Schools, effective as soon as possible, re: Anthony Guidry resignation.
It was moved by Mr. Menard and seconded by Mr. Capdeville and unanimously carried to name Brandon Kelley, Technology Technician, effective January 5, 2015, re: Steven Patrick resignation.
It was moved by Mr. Segura and seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and carried to approve the following personnel changes by consent:
APPOINTMENTS
1. Jenny McNabb, Welsh Elementary School teacher, effective 01/06/15, re: Haley Pole resignation.
2. Marianne Rodriguez, Jennings High teacher, effective 01/06/15, re: Cheri Quibodeaux resignation.
3. Emerson Baty, II, Jennings High teacher/coach, effective 01/05/15, re: Anthony LeBlanc retirement.
TRANSFERS
1. None.
EXTENDED MEDICAL LEAVE
1. Cheryl Pitre, Jennings Elementary teacher, 10/15/14 to 03/13/15.
2. Shanika Turner, Lake Arthur High Bus Driver, effective 12/08/14 to 12/19/14.
3. Melissa LeJeune, Welsh Elementary Bus Driver, effective 08/22/14 to 09/23/14.
MATERNITY LEAVE
1. Kimber Prejean, Hathaway High teacher, effective 01/05/15 to 03/06/15.
2. Erin Richert Dugas, Jennings Elementary teacher, effective 01/05/15 to 02/20/15.
3. Emily Adams, Welsh Elementary/Welsh-Roanoke Jr. High/Welsh High School Speech and Language Pathologist, effective 01/05/15 to 02/13/15.
EXTENDED MATERNITY LEAVE
1. Lacey Austin, Hathaway High teacher, effective 10/29/14 to 12/16/14.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
1. None.
MEDICAL SABBATICAL
1. Scott Comeaux, Welsh High Ag Teacher, January 2015 to June 2015.
2. Katie A. Smith, James Ward Elementary teacher, January 2015 to May, 2015.
3. Cheryl L. Pitre, Jennings Elementary teacher, January 2015 to May, 2015.
RESIGNATIONS
1. Ursula Oustalet, Jennings Elementary teacher, effective 12/1/14.
2. Haley Pole, Welsh Elementary teacher, effective 03/27/15.
3. Deborah Rubin, Jennings Elementary teacher, effective 12/09/14.
4. Cheri Quibodeaux, Jennings High teacher, effective 01/06/14.
5. Robert Gates, Fenton Elementary teacher, effective 11/01/14.
RETIREMENTS
1. None.
INFORMATION
The 2014 Louisiana School Board Association Convention will be held in Shreveport, LA from February 22-24, 2015. Please let Ms. Abshire know if you plan to attend.
Condolences are extended to the family of Margaret Langley, teacher at West End Instructional Center.
A check for $278,166.19 has been issued to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) in settlement of overpayments received from FEMA resulting from Disaster #1607- Hurricane Rita. The School Board was not allowed to keep the funds because te Hurrican Rita insurance settlemnt proceeds received from the School Board property isurers of $1.2 million exceeded the amout received from FEMA. The School Board can expect final closeout from GOHSEP shortly, more than 9 years after disaster.
On November 13, 2014, Board Members, Jason Bouley, Charles Bruchhaus, David Capdeville, Julius Caraway, David Doise and Donald Dees, attended the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board Administrative Academy at the School Board office and received 2 hours of Board Member credit hours
JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH EDUCATIONAL UPDATE BY CURRICULUM SUPERVISOR: none
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS NOT REQUIRING BOARD ACTION
1. On Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. we will conduct a New School Board Member Orientation in the Board Room.
2. The Principals’ Association have asked to be allowed to release students early (1:00 p.m. after we feed lunch) on Wednesday January 7, 2015 to finalize AdvancEd preparations for the next week.
3. The announcement of the 2015 Jeff Davis Parish Students of the Year:
A. Elementary Student of the Year - Ms. Jillian Fontenot of Hathaway High School.
B. Middle School Student of the Year - Mr. Preston “Trey”Blanchard of Hathaway High School.
C. High School Student of the Year - Ms. Hailey Maldonado of Welsh High School.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
There being no other business to come before the Board, it was moved by Mr. Dobson, seconded by Mr. Segura and carried, to adjourn.
______________________________________
/s/Donald E. Dees, President
ATTEST:
______________________________________
/s/Brian M. LeJeune, Secretary/Superintendent
Note: Items purchased by quotes or bids may be reviewed at the School Board office during normal business hours. All policies can be reviewed at any facility under the jurisdiction of the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board.