LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
JOINT MEETING OF LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
AND LAFAYETTE CITY-PARISH COUNCIL
Thursday, March 25, 2010 - 5:30 P. M., Board Room
Carl J. LaCombe, 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 Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 5:30 P.M. pursuant to notice given in writing to every member.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl J. LaCombe, President; Michael Hefner, Vice-President; Mark Babineaux, Shelton J. Cobb, Mark Cockerham, Edward Sam and Rae Trahan, Board Members; Burnell Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer/Superintendent
Members of Lafayette City-Parish Council: Kenneth P. Boudreaux, Jay Castille, Donald Bertrand and William Theriot
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gregory Awbrey, Hunter Beasley; Council Members Purvis Morrison, Brandon Shelvin, Jared Bellard, Keith Patin and Sam Dore
I. MEETING OPENINGS
The meeting was called to order by LaCombe and opened with a prayer by Boudreaux. Trahan led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Annette Samec, Principal, Carencro High School and Kit Becnel, Director, Academy of Information Technology at Carencro High informed the Board and the City-Council that Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) were recently honored with a My Source Innovation award in Washington, D.C. This award showcases on public broadcasting works in the classroom. The school has partnered with LPB to conduct youth media generated experiments. Ms. Becnel informed them that it was important to bridge the gap between community and school system by using pioneering approaches, and that this summer ten students will be working collaboratively with LPB.
The Superintendent informed the members that this is a major recognition for Carencro High. It was the only academy set up in the United States to do this kind of project.
Bertrand - Google knows about the pioneering spirit because no one else has done what Becnel and community have done with broadband/fiber. Congratulations, this is a huge national honor you have received, the eyes of the entire country are on Lafayette.
Trahan thanked them for doing good work for the average kid with eCampus by getting Advanced Placement classes online, and thrilled that Carencro High is spearheading it.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Babineaux and Sam with the Lafayette Parish School Board and Theriot and Boudreaux with the Lafayette City-Parish Council that the organizations approve the Agenda as presented. Motion carried.
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Introductions
The Chairs of the organizations had members and staff introduce themselves.
2. Opening Remarks by Chairs of the School Board and Council
The Chairs thanked everyone for being in attendance.
III. INFORMATION ITEMS
1. GIS Consortium Agreement
Gary McGoffin, attorney for Lafayette City-Parish Council, reported on the status of the intergovernmental GIS Consortium Agreement in which the Lafayette Consolidated Government and Lafayette Parish School Board are governing board members. He explained that it was formed to coordinate the use of resources that we have, and all parties have signed. Information will now be a virtual resource, making sure each body maintains their own data.
2. Safe Routes to Schools
Melanie Bordelon, Planner II, reported on three Safe Route to Schools grants recently submitted by the Lafayette Consolidated Government. Ms. Bordelon showed a power point presentation which encourages children to walk to school in a safe environment. The grants are administered through the Department of Transportation and hopes to hear something in about three to four months.
Sam asked where do you expect funding to come from, and Ms. Bordelon informed him through a federal grant from the state department.
The Superintendent says that at Gallet Elementary we have ten buses that go into the subdivision. Through the Safe Route to Schools, children could walk, and in time it could reduce cost and save money.
Boudreaux asked that in the next phase of grants that some kind of notification be made to include more schools, such as P. Breaux Middle.
3. Roadway Traffic Queing at Schools
Lucius Broussard with the Traffic Engineering Division, reported on the work the School Board has completed to mitigate traffic congestion at select schools. Three separate schools were selected where complaints about car riders backing up were happening at Acadian Middle School, J. Wallace James Elementary, and Plantation Elementary. Data such as when schools opened and closed were reviewed and also a powerpoint presentation of possible solutions were shown.
Discussion regarding Acadian Middle School traffic congestion was as follows:
LaCombe/Castille suggested that a workable option would be to double stack cars in the drop off area.
Boudreaux said that he had experienced congestion at Acadian Middle School, and felt that the gates needed to be open earlier, but not allow students to get out of vehicles.
Lilly said that he would meet with the Principal to resolve the problem and that he would request that students not be allowed out of cars until the duty teacher arrives.
Discussion regarding J. Wallace James Elementary traffic congestion was as follows:
LaCombe asked if the driveways were designed to handle the heaviness of the school bus. Kyle Bordelon reported that he would go back and check the documents.
Trahan said that the school has a large bus fleet.
Castille questioned whether Willow Street would be a four lane, and Mr. Broussard told him that was in the future.
Cobb wanted to know if Reading Street could be used for the overflow of traffic because it doesn’t look like it is being used.
Lilly informed the members the Lafayette Parish School System has spent ½ million dollars correcting problems around parish, and felt that an intergovernmental agreement between the school system and the City-Council is needed.
Hefner suggested that cost sharing be done as it was with the City of Scott for Westside Elementary driveway.
Babineaux suggested possibly stacking three cars across.
Trahan asked that whatever concrete is put down, that it be dual usage and also that limestone be put by the retention pond.
Boudreaux said that he didn’t see much hope in an intergovernmental agreement and that if Lafayette Parish School System couldn’t accommodate the needs of the school, then there should be enforcement of traffic to create a safe environment.
Trahan said that some parents arrive too early in the afternoon to begin lining up to pick up their children.
Sam said that Mr. Boudreaux had hit it on the head, that the most important thing is safety issue for children, and also that the Principal at Faulk Elementary was asking for a teacher parking lot.
Discussion regarding Plantation Elementary traffic congestion was as follows:
Broussard presented different scenarios with cost estimates.
Theriot feels there will be more traffic as businesses are created off of Camelia Blvd.
Broussard said that they would continue to offer support to the school system and present a final recommendation to the City-Council.
Lawrence Lilly, Deputy Superintendent of Human Resources and Operations gave an update on the following schools and their pickup situations
Gallet Elementary had a limestone driveway, then the Town of Youngsville helped with concrete to lengthen the driveway.
Lindon Elementary - met with city officials and rerouted everything. The city put up no parking signs, and allowed parents to go through the park where one way signs have been put up, car riders go through the back and a fence was put up to keep people out.
Youngsville Middle – The Town of Youngsville put no parking signs and rerouted part of the traffic.
J. W. Faulk Elementary – the pickup drive was put in the back and is also used for health/p.e. activities.
Lafayette High – Buses were put in the back and the buses in the front circle can only go west, so there is no crossing of busy streets and the front driveway was fixed.
L. Leo Judice Elementary – parent pickup/dropoff was put in back of the cafeteria, and an intergovernmental agreement was made with the Town of Scott to help pay for it.
Judice Middle – times were adjusted to help traffic congestion.
Acadian Middle – this should be resolved within a week.
J. Wallace James – an intergovernmental agreement would help with relieving traffic congestion.
Theriot asked that Lilly look at Milton Elementary because cars are lined up on the highway in the morning and afternoon.
Lilly responded that he had not received a complaint but would look into the concern.
Boudreaux wanted to know if we were holding public schools at a higher standard than private schools, because Fatima, Cathedral-Carmel and others have traffic congestion also.
Broussard said that they were not holding the public school system to different standards.
Boudreaux feels the cost of driveways should be paid for by the school system.
4. Sale/Donation of Adjudicated Properties
Gary McGoffin, attorney for City-Parish Council reported that there was a change to state law in 2008 that has changed the process for Sale/Donation of Adjudicated Properties. Mr. McGoffin showed a flow chart showing each step in the process. There are eleven taxing bodies and the procedure has changed completely, so it needs to be done right this year. He explained how the process works regarding the sheriff's sale, and that there could be a delay to the May 1 revenues, if the process is not done correctly.
5. Transportation Coordination
Mike Hollier, Transportation Coordinator reported that representatives have been meeting for several months to leverage scarce resources and operate more efficiently, focusing on fuel costs for all three systems. He believes that within 45-60 days there will be specific alternatives for all three systems to consider and hopes that it will be beneficial for all three systems.
6. Property for Proposed Fire Station & Prairie Elementary Campus Expansion
Matt Dugas, Director of Finance, reported that LPSB owns15 acres next to Prairie and is rented to the city for one dollar a year in a cooperative manner. He has been approached by the city to look at potential options around Prairie Elementary for a fire station. This is a cooperative way for city and school system to buy property, and the city is in the process of doing an intergovernmental agreement to see about purchasing the property.
Babineaux suggested that maybe once the property is purchased, the two acres on Ambassador Cafferey can be exchanged with the one on Congress Street. Dugas replied that the city only wants three acres and needs to get an appraisal of options.
Boudreaux asked Chief Benoit what his position was, and Chief Benoit replied that he would like the property on Ambassador rather than on Congress.
Boudreaux asked to move forward with an intergovernmental agreement to allow an appraisal and direct clerk to do paperwork. Castile said it was being moved on and will get with the clerk to allow the school board to do what they have to do.
Dugas has been working with the attorney representing the McZeal family, and they have been asked to select an appraiser that has been approved by the city; and they are interested in selling for the appraised price.
Boudreaux hopes that we can work together in a joint purchase of property.
LaCombe says that the value of working together is that we weren’t looking to purchase property, we were approached about the property that runs in the back of Prairie Elementary, and, during the investigation saw that the property adjacent is for sale. The property owners don’t want to sell a couple of acres, they want to sell the whole piece. If we can work together to buy the other four acres, it will make the sale available and the city can buy two acres and we can buy four acres.
Boudreaux questioned why the Domingue property fell through? The Chief reported that the property owner wants more than the appraised value and the City can’t pay more than the appraised value. Other properties that were looked at, no one wanted to sell including the school board, but we came back to the school board and asked again if they wanted to sell, and we feel that this is the best avenue to take. The Chief also believes that the property on Ambassador would have a better access than the property on Congress.
7. Resolution 03-10-1677 Affirming Lafayette Parish School System's support of and partnership with the 2010 Census
RESOLUTION 03-10-1677
A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM’S
SUPPORT OF AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE 2010 CENSUS
WHEREAS, the U.S. Census Bureau is required by the Constitution of the United States of America to conduct a count of the population and provides a historic opportunity for Lafayette Parish School System to help shape the foundation of our society and play an active role in American democracy; and,
WHEREAS, Lafayette Parish School System is committed to ensuring every resident is counted; and,
WHEREAS, more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities, and decisions are made on matters of national and local importance based on census data, including healthcare, community development, housing, education, transportation, social services, employment, and much more; and,
WHEREAS, census data determine how many seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the redistricting of state legislatures, county and city councils, and voting districts; and,
WHEREAS, April 1, 2010 will be recognized as Census Day in schools across the nation whereby projects and lessons available on the Census in Schools website will be encouraged in order to increase census awareness; and,
WHEREAS, a united voice from businesses, government, community-based and faith-based organizations, educators, media and others will allow the 2010 Census message to reach a broader audience, providing trusted advocates who can spark positive conversations about the 2010 Census; now,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lafayette Parish School System:
Supports the goals and ideals for the 2010 Census and will disseminate 2010 Census information to encourage participation and accuracy; and, encourages people in Lafayette Parish to participate in events and initiatives that will raise overall awareness of the 2010 Census and increase participation among all populations.
C E R T I F I C A T E
I, the undersigned Secretary-Treasurer of the Lafayette Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of a resolution adopted at its Regular Board Meeting of March 25, 2010, at which time a quorum was present and that same is in full force and effect.
Dated at Lafayette, Louisiana,
this 25th day of March, 2010.
/s/ Burnell Lemoine
Burnell Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer
LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Motion (Hefner, Cobb) that the Board adopt Resolution 03-10-1677 Affirming Lafayette Parish School System's support of and partnership with the 2010 Census. Motion carried.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no comments made from the public.
V. COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS/COUNCIL MEMBERS
Cobb appreciates the meetings and working with City-Council
Babineaux has the same sentiment, we get different type of feedback, and a quicker resolution to problems if we face them at the same time.
Boudreaux thanked the school system for the hospitality.
Cockerham appreciates the meetings with the City-Council.
Bertrand thanked the school board for the hospitality and looks forward to the next Joint meeting.
Trahan felt it was a great meeting and thanked the City-Council for meeting with them and sharing of information. Thanked everyone for good collaboration coming to the table for discussions.
Theriot thanked everyone and looks forward to meeting again.
Hefner wished everyone a safe and good Easter.
LaCombe thanked Castile for conducting meeting, thanked the council members and board members for coming out and for a good discussion and sharing of information.
Castile echoed comments, and feels that these meetings are beneficial to the community. Working with the school board enlightens him about what he did not know of, money is big issue on both sides of the table.
VI. ADJOURN
There being no further business, it was moved by Hefner, seconded by Cobb and carried that the meeting adjourn.
SIGNED: SIGNED:
/s/ Carl LaCombe /s/ Burnell Lemoine
Carl J. LaCombe, President Burnell Lemoine, Secretary-Treasurer
LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
mgp