JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

December 14, 2017

The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board met in special session at Jennings High School, 2310 N. Sherman Street, Jennings, LA  70546, on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., with the following School Board members in attendance:  President, Jason Bouley, Vice-President, Phillip Arceneaux, Members, Greg Bordelon, Charles Bruchhaus, Vickie Buller, Donald Dees, Malon Dobson, Jody Singletary and David Troutman. Absent: David Capdeville, David Doise, Robert Menard and James Segura.

The meeting was opened by President Bouley, with an invocation by Jennings High School Sr. and Student of the Year, Richard Robicheaux, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance also led by Mr. Robicheaux.

Motion by Mr. Dees, seconded by Mr. Singletary and unanimously carried to approve the School Board minutes of the regular meeting of November 16, 2017 and the Special Meeting on December 7, 2017. 

Motion by Mr. Bordelon, seconded by Mr.  Troutman  and unanimously carried that the Board call for a vote to take care of items of business not listed on the original agenda or to change the order of topics to be addressed. 

RECOGNITION:

Jennings High Principal, Wilbert Gilbeaux, welcomed all Board Members and Staff to Jennings High. 

Board Members and Staff were treated to refreshments in the beautifully decorated Library. 

Jennings High Concert Band members, Brooklynn Adams, Chandler Aguillard, Zakeyia Alexander, Altovse Allen, Alex Barbier, Caleb Barr, Gavin Beazer, Blaze Benoit, Kaitlyn Benoit, Gavin Bergeaux, Emily Broussard, Madeline Broussard, Jaishel Capdeville, Jacqueline Crochet, Craig Crochet, Kenadie Cummings, Madison Daigle, Summer Daigle, Halle Davis, Liesl Dearing Piper Dearing, Gavin Doucet, Haiely Dowling, Corbin Druilhet, Aiden Duhon, Breayah Edmondson, Jakoby Edwards, Riley Edwards, Madison Gotreaux, Dillon Humphries, Christopher Hunt-Pitre, Carsen Jones, Jamari Lavallier, Donald LeJeune, Caden LeMaire, Taylor Manuel, Terrance Matthews, Dylan Menard, Brody Monceaux, Morgan Nunez, Jett Person, Jacob Reed, Joseph Rick, Taylor Semmes, Gillian Swire, Seth Timmons, and Clayton Wallace under the direction of Band Director,  Mr. Brandon Strain, performed three Christmas songs for the Board. 

President Bouley thanked Mr. Strain and all students for showcasing their talents.

President Bouley turned the meeting over to Superintendent Credeur for election of school board president.

Superintendent, Kirk Credeur, called for nominations for the office of School Board President.  It was moved by Mr. Troutman and seconded by Mr. Arceneaux to nominate Mr. Arceneaux.  No other nominations were received.  It was moved by Mr. Dees and seconded by Mr. Singletary, and unanimously carried that nominations cease.  Mr. Arceneaux was elected unanimously to serve as 2018 Board President.

Board President, Jason Bouley, called for nominations for the office of School Board Vice-President.  It was moved by Mr. Dees and seconded by Mr. Dobson to nominate Mr. Troutman.   No other nominations were received.  It was moved by Mr. Arceneaux and seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus, and unanimously carried that nominations cease.  Mr. Troutman was elected unanimously to serve as 2018 Board Vice-President.

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:   The following motions were made by Mr. Phillip Arceneaux, Finance Committee Chairman, that the School Board:

Grant permission to Welsh High Baseball to accept a $100.00 donation from Troy Primeaux.  Donation to be used to purchase equipment and defer travel expenses.  Motion seconded by Mr. Troutman and unanimously carried.

Grant permission to Jennings Elementary to accept a $150.00 donation from Look-Out for Jennings. Donation to be used to purchase student supplies.  Motion seconded by Mr. Dees and unanimously carried.

Grant permission to Jennings High Baseball to accept a donation of $5,000.00 from Jennings Diamond Boosters.  Donation to be used to purchase equipment and other expenses.   Motion seconded by Mrs. Buller and unanimously carried.

Grant permission to Jennings High Basketball to accept a donation of $2,000.00 from The Health & Fitness Center.  Donation to be used as the JHS Tournament Sponsor for tournament expenses.   Motion seconded by Mr. Dees and unanimously carried.

Grant permission to Elton High to accept a donation of $100.00 from Savoy Medical Center.  Donation to be used as needed to offset the costs of football players’ meals when traveling for playoff games.   Motion seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and unanimously carried.

Grant permission to Welsh High Baseball to accept a $400.00 donation from an anonymous donor.

Donation to be used to purchase equipment and defer travel expenses.  

Motion seconded by Mrs. Buller and unanimously carried.

Declare the following items as surplus and send to Kenjabruch to be auctioned:

            1.         One (1) Challenge Paper Cutter (Media Center);

            2.         One 2005 ExMark Mower (West End Instructional Center) (Tag #7942).

 Motion seconded by Mrs. Buller and unanimously carried.

Grant permission to Lacassine High to piggyback purchase (1) new 2018 Bluebird Vision Activity Bus, conventional 71 passenger school buses based on the St. Landry  Parish School Board bid approved  May 25,  2015 (with a contract extended of up to two years)  for the price of  $86,771.00.  To be paid as follows: $37,000.00 to be paid from Maintenance #8  2017-2018 budget and the balance to be borrowed from General Fund and paid in five yearly installments of $10,000.00.   Motion seconded by Mr. Singletary and unanimously carried.

POLICY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:   The following motions were made by Mr. Donald Dees, Policy Committee Member, that the School Board:

Approve the following new or revised policies stemming from the 2017 Legislative Session.

A.               Replaces School Property Disposal File: DO for revisions due to requirements of Act 249.  This act gives school boards options of using public auction or sealed bids or contracting with a licensed real estate broker and appraiser.  School boards must establish a policy for the use of a broker.  The contract with the real estate broker shall not exceed six (6) months and may be cancelled at any time prior to the sale.  Payment shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the sale price, and is contingent on the sale according to the contract.

The act prohibits the use of a broker or appraiser who is a school board member, member of the Legislature, or an immediate member of their families.

            B.         Authorized Use of Equipment File:  ECA (NEW)

Act 191 allows school boards, with the use of a cooperative endeavor agreement, to share equipment with another public entity without expending funds for such use.                  

This policy includes stipulations of what must be included in the cooperative endeavor agreement and under declared emergency situations.

            C.         Recruitment File:  GBC

Policy was revised with the passing of Act 335 whereby no one convicted of or has plead no contest to crimes listed in La. Rev. Stat. 15:587 shall be hired as a teacher, substitute teacher, bus operator, substitute bus operator, janitor, or temporary/part time employee.

            D.         Sick Leave File: GBRIB

This policy was revised meeting the requirements of Act 227 which changes the statutory language and definitions in the policy.  The terms injured and injuries were removed from the policy.  The policy defines disabled or disability as “unable to or the inability to perform the essential functions of the job” in relation to the specific sick leave benefits.

The policy addresses certification of disabilities under Validity of Physician’s Certifications.  Also under Terminology sick leave for different categories of employees is addressed.  (Example:  Sick Leave benefits for a disability resulting from physical contact with a student are provided to teachers and school employees, but not to bus operators.)

Motion seconded by Mr. Bordelon and unanimously carried.

The following committees had no reports to present:

            Insurance - David Doise, Chairman

            Building & Grounds - James Segura, Chairman        

            Transportation- Greg Bordelon, Chairman   

            16^th Section-Charles Bruchhaus, Chairman

            Ward II (Ad Hoc) - Phillip Arceneaux, Chairman

             Legislative Liaison - Donald Dees, Chairman

            Food Service - Malon Dobson, Chairman

The Sales Tax report was given by Amber Hymel, Tax Collector/Auditor. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion by Mr. Bruchhaus, seconded by Mr. Dees and unanimously carried to grant authorization from board to 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 by Mr. Bruchhaus, seconded by Mr. Dees  and unanimously carried to approve Greg Baggett as a non-faculty coach for Lake Arthur High girls basketball  for the 2017-2018 school year upon completion of LHSAA coaching course certification and Board policy requirements.

Motion by Mr. Singletary, seconded by Mrs. Buller and unanimously carried to authorize Superintendent Credeur to sign on behalf of the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board the following Right of Way Instrument with Entergy, Louisiana, LLC.

1.        A Fifteen Feet (15') in width for the location, construction, reconstruction, improvements, repairs, operation, inspection, patrol, replacement and maintenance of overhead  and underground electrical power and communications, facilities, or the removal thereof.   (East side of Lacassine High)   

Motion by Mr. Dees, seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus  and unanimously carried to accept the 2016-2017 Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for Audits of Governmental Agencies at the request of Gragson, Casiday, & Guillory, external auditors of the School Board and recommended by the Director of Finance.           

Motion by Mr. Arceneaux, seconded by Mr. Troutman and unanimously carried to consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in the Parish School Board of the Parish of Jefferson Davis, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, November 18, 2017, to authorize the renewal of a an ad valorem tax therein.

Motion by Mr. Arceneaux, seconded by Mr. Dees and unanimously carried to approve an out-of-state travel request for Jennings High School Jazzers and sponsor, Laura David to travel to Orlando, Florida from December 26 to 30, 2017 to participate in the Camping World Bowl and Parade.  At no cost to the Board.

PERSONNEL CHANGES:

The following personnel changes are an Informational Item:

A.               Personnel appointments as determined by the Superintendent:

B.                

                        1.         Name JOHN GAY, Elton High Principal, effective 01/04/18, re: Danielle Simien promotion.

                        2.         Name JOHN HARDEN, Jennings Schools Bus Driver, effective 01/04/18, re: Mary Duclion transfer.

                        3.         Name ELMER LANDRY, Lake Arthur Elementary part-time Cusodian, effective 01/04/18, re: Michael Tyler resignation.

APPOINTMENTS

            1.         Casie Fox, Jennings High Cafeteria Tech, effective 11/28/17, re: Anita Bias resignation.

            2.         Steven Dewitt, Lacassine High Teacher, effective 12/01/17, re: Rhoda Corkran promotion.

            3.         Dianna Hopper, Jennings High Teacher, effective 12/11/17, re: Cara Richard resignation.

            4.         Gretchen Fontenot, Lake Arthur Elementary Teacher, effective 11/27/17, re: Kathy Bertrand retirement.

            5.         Mark LaComb, Elton High Custodian, effective 11/15/17, re: Jeremy Bertrand resignation.

            6.         Cindy LeBlanc, Lake Arthur Schools Bus Aide, effective 11/17/17, re: Carleen Kopnicky transfer.

            7.         Linda West, Welsh Schools Cafeteria Tech, effective 12/05/17, re: Jessica Holden transfer.

            8.         Jerra Williams, Welsh Schools Cafeteria Tech, effective 12/04/17, re: Shonita Brister transfer.

TRANSFERS

            1.         Shonita Brister, Welsh Schools Cafeteria Tech to Jennings High Cafeteria Tech, effective 12/04/17, re: Chrissy Cormier retirement.

            2.         John Gay, Lake Arthur High Assistant Principal to Elton High Principal, effective 01/04/18, re: Danielle Simien promotion.

            3.         Rhoda Corkran, Lacassine High Teacher to Lacassine High Assistant Principal, effective 12/01/17, re: Terry Leger resignation.

            4.         Mary Duclion, Jennings Schools Bus Driver to Fenton Elementary Bus Driver, effective 01/04/18, re: Eurphy Lantier retirement.

EXTENDED LEAVE

            1.         Lydia Dietz, Elton Elementary Cafeteria Tech, 10/31/17 to 11/27/17.

            2.         Cynthia Green, Lake Arthur Elementary Teacher, 11/15/17 to 01/01/18.

            3.         Mandy Daigle Broussard, Lake Arthur Elementary Teacher, 10/27/17 to 01/30/18.

            4.         Allison Fruge, James Ward Elementary Teacher, 10/12/17 to 11/03/17.

            5.         Candace Hebert, Hathaway High Teacher, 10/05/17 to 02/10/18.

            6.         Brittany Corbello, Lacassine Speech Teacher, 10/03/17 to 12/18/17.

MATERNITY

1.                Michelle Sawyer, Hathaway High Teacher, 03/15/18 to 04/27/18.

RESIGNATIONS

1.                Toni LeJeune, Welsh Schools Bus Aide, 01/04/18.

TERMINATION

            1.         Verlena Freeman, James Ward Elementary Cafeteria Tech, effective 11/29/17.

RETIREMENTS

            1.         Teresa Daniel, Welsh Elementary Teacher, effective 12/21/17, with 30.7 years of service.

            2.         Jona Daigle, Welsh Schools Bus Driver, effective 01/04/18, with 20.5 years of service.

INFORMATION

Condolences are extended to the families of:

            a.         Cora Vital, Teacher, who retired in 1989 with 30 years of service.

            b.         Jennie Hinch, Teacher, who retired in 2002 with 42 years of service.

            c.         Darlene LaFosse, Cafeteria Tech, who retired in 2012 with 16 years of service.

Pupil Progression Review Committee will meet on January 5, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss changes in State requirements.  Board will approve changes to the 2017-2018 Pupil Progression Plan and authorize the Board President and Superintendent to execute the Formal Submission Statement.

JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH EDUCATIONAL UPDATE BY SUPERINTENDENT CREDEUR.

There being no other business to come before the Board, it was moved by Mr. Singletary, seconded by Mr. Dees and unanimously carried, to adjourn.

______________________________________

/s/Jason Bouley, President

ATTEST:

______________________________________

/s/Kirk Credeur, 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.