LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - 5:30 P. M., Board Room

Shelton J. Cobb, 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 Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 5:30 P.M. pursuant to notice given in writing to every member.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Shelton J. Cobb, President;  Hunter Beasley, Vice-President; Tommy Angelle, Gregory Awbrey, Mark Babineaux, Kermit Bouillion, Tehmi Chassion(entered late), Mark Cockerham, and Rae Trahan, Board Members; Dr. Pat Cooper, Secretary-Treasurer/Superintendent

MEMBERS ABSENT:    None

I.          MEETING OPENINGS

The meeting was called to order by Cobb and opened with a prayer by Bouillion.  Cockerham led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

OPENING COMMENTS –SUPERINTENDENT

Superintendent Cooper reported how proud he is of the relationship with teachers and with the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.  Dr. Cooper provided the Board with an overview of costs regarding Lindon Elementary, Youngsville Middle, Lafayette High, L. J. Alleman Middle, Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy and Northside High in regards to the use of the $33 million bond.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion (Babineaux, Cockerham) that the Board approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried.

II.         RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS

The Board recognized the members of the Lafayette Parish School System Technology Peer Review Team in partnership with the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce:  Dr. Steve Landry, retired ULL VP of Academic Affairs : Co-Chair; Doug Menefee, CIO at The Schumacher Group: Co-Chair; Max Hoyt, Founder, Pixus Digital Printing; Linda Larkan, Owner, Skylark Services; Kevin Samples, CIO at Lafayette Consolidated Government; Bobby Hulett, Operations Manager, West Gulf of Mexico – Chevron; Adrian Baudoin, CIO at Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc.; Carol Skarlat, CTO at Stuller, Inc.; Edwina Mallery, AVP of Information Systems at Lafayette General Medical Center; and Don Ledet, EVP, Director of Retail Support Services, IBERIABANK. 

Also recognized were the Lafayette Parish School System Staff Technology Peer Review Team: Sandra Billeaudeau, Assistant Superintendent; Co-Chair; Lashona Dickerson, Director of Instructional Technology: Co-Chair; Phyllis Landry, Director of Academics; Tom Spencer, Director of Accountability, Research, Evaluation, and NCLB; Randy Bernard, Special Education Specialist; Burnell LeJeune, Director of Career and Technical Education/Schools of Choice; Bruce Leininger, Director of Human Resources; Kaylum Vead, Assistant in Human Resources; Matt Dugas, Director of Finance; Jody Duhon, Moss Preparatory Principal; Kathy Aloisio, L.J. Alleman Middle School Principal; Laniakia Johnson, Alice Boucher Elementary School  Principal; Jeff Debatz, Principal of David Thibodaux STEM Academy and Angela Morrison or designee, Community and Collaborations Liaison.

The Board congratulated the 2013 Teachers of the Year: Acadian Middle: Ashly Boudreaux; Acadiana High: Christina Bourque; AIM Academy: Brok Tyler Kupihea; L. J. Alleman Middle: Nicole Rebstock; Alice Bouchere Elementary: Darolyn Robertson; Paul Breaux Middle: Rachel Gaspard; Broadmoor Elementary: Dana Rivera; Broussard Middle: Amy Moss; Charles Burke Elementary: Marie Vondenstein; W.D. and Mary Baker Smith Career Center; Norma Luckey; Carencro Heights: Ann-Marie Tassin; Carencro High; Claire Trouard; Carencro Middle: Tiffany Breaux; Comeaux High: Karen Corine Dugas; Katharine Drexel Elementary: Sascha Phillips; Duson Elementary: Christine Murray; Early College Academy: Jeanne Fowler; Evangeline Elementary: Lynette Trappey; J. W. Faulk Elementary: Cheryl Clements Allen; Ernest Gallet Elementary: Tanya Perry; J. Wallace James Elementary; Timothy Kovarik; Judice Middle: Amy Carney; L. Leo Judice, Elementary: Charmaine  Jones; Lafayette Charter High School: Gregory Chiasson; Lafavette High School: Jamie Hebert; Lafayette Middle School: Jennifer Vincent; Green T. Lindon Elementary: Lorrie Ardoin; Live Oak Elementary: Alison Canter; Edgar Martin Middle: Angela Boxie; Milton Elementary/Middle: Shannon Bernard; Milton Elementarv/Middle: Lisa Cheramie; S. J. Montgomery Elementary: Kyla Edwards; N. P. Moss Annex: Sian Gese Aberly; Mvrtle Place Elementary: Lou Thibodeaux; Northside High: Craig Wall; Ossun Elementary: Lorrie Venable; Plantation Elementary: Peter Pham;  Prairie Elementary: Anchell Chevalier; Ridge Elementary: Gena Hanks; Scott Middle: Cindy G. Richardson; David Thibodaux Career & Technical MS: Lerri Cockrell; David Thibodaux Career & Technical HS: Shelly Breaux; Truman Montessori Pre-K: Pennye Pucheu; Westside Elementary: Susan Simmons Didier; Woodvale Elementary: Jackie Quoyeser; and Youngsville Middle: Shelly McGuire.

Also congratulated were the District Teachers of the Year:  Broussard Middle: Amy Moss; J. Wallace James Elementary: Timothy Kovarik; and Northside High: Craig Wall.           

III.        CORRECTIONS AND/OR APPROVAL OF BOARD/COMMITTEE MINUTES

A.         CORRECTIONS ON THE MINUTES OF:

1.         Regular Board Meeting of 9/5/12

Motion (Bouillion, Cockerham) that the Board approve the minutes of the RegularBoard Meeting of September 5, 2012.  Motion carried.

B.         APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF:

1.         Board Workshop of 9/4/12

Motion (Cockerham, Beasley) that the Board receive the minutes of the Board Workshop of September 4, 2012. Motion carried.

2.         Board of Trustees of the LPSB Retiree Benefits Funding Trust (OPEB) Meeting of 9/5/12

Motion (Cockerham, Bouillion) that the Board receive the minutes of the Board of Trustees of the LPSB Retiree Benefits Funding Trust (OPEB) meeting of September 5, 2012.  Motion carried.

3.         Board Executive Committee meeting of 9/7/12

Beasley informed the Board that when the Board Executive Committee had met, discussion was centered on the selection of a third party administrator for the group health plan. Ideas were put forth concerning 1) hiring a new consulting firm to review the health care proposals and 2) awarding Blue Cross a one year contract.

He also said it was decided that hiring a new firm to review the proposals may take too much time and would not be pursued at this time. It was also decided to award Blue Cross a one year contract and that the Board would have the option to hire new consultants next year to review proposals; and that the recommendation from the Executive Committee is to award Blue Cross a one year contract.

Motion (Beasley, Babineaux) that the Board receive the minutes of the Board Executive Committee meeting of September 7, 2012.  Motion carried.

IV.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION/REPORTS

A.         APPROVAL OF BILLS

1.         Ratification of Bills for July 2012

Motion (Angelle, Babineaux) that the Board approve the Ratification of Bills report for the month of July 2012. Motion carried.

Angelle exited the meeting.

B.         Other Financial Reports

1.         Ratification of Purchases for August 2012

Motion (Cockerham, Bouillion) that the Board accept the Ratification of Purchases Report for the month of August 2012. Motion carried.

2.         Summary of Grant Funding and Activity

Motion (Beasley, Cockerham) that the Board receives the Summary of Grant Funding and Activity Report.  Motion carried.

Angelle entered the meeting.

3.         Budget-to-Actual Status Report

Motion (Babineaux, Cockerham) that the Board receive the Budget-to-Actual Report.  Motion carried.

V.         REPORTS/INFORMATION/INTRODUCTION ITEMS

A.         INFORMATION REPORT

1.         Personnel Changes for September 19, 2012

*Retiree Returning To Work

Number of Full-Time, Active Employees by Funding Source as of September 13, 2012

2.         Issuance of $30 Million Limited Tax Bonds, Series 2012- Negotiated Sale

Billy Guidry, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, reported to the Board that the sale of bonds can be facilitated through a competitive sales process or a negotiated sales process. He said that they had opted to use the negotiated sales process as it reduces the risk assumed by the underwriter which in turn should reduce the interest rate that LPSS pays on the bonds.

3.         Teachers and Staff make-up days due to Hurricane Isaac (no students in attendance)

Superintendent Cooper reported that Act 845 requires 2 parent-teacher conferences during the first semester of the school year.  He said that the two (2) days that LPSS schools were closed due to Hurricane Isaac would be made up as parent-teacher conference time over 4 evenings--2 in October and 2 in November/December.

4.         Update on JPAMS

Superintendent Cooper reported that what was neglected was the hardware needed to run the JPAMS software. He said that the school system has taken the appropriate steps to upgrade the memory.  He also reported that Mrs. Sandra Billeaudeau, Assistant Superintendent would also be the Interim Chief of Information Officer.

Mrs. Billeaudeau reported that a team of people have been deployed to the schools for a needs assessment, that Edgear is providing professional services, and the problem was not a software or network issue. She said that she would provide a status report to the Board.

5.         Update on new implementation of Discipline Policies

Brandi Gonzales, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, provided the Board with a handout of this year’s student infractions.

Board members expressed their concerns regarding discipline policies, such as: is  the process working; only one School Resource Officer for 2500 students at Lafayette High School; concerns from teachers that students are not afraid to get into trouble; communication issues with staff and parents; ID’s on school buses; and an alternative site until Moss Preparatory is up and running.

Mrs. Billeaudeau reported that teachers will be given tools to handle the discipline, and will make sure all levels of administration and teachers are communicating with parents. She said that there are issues that can be easily fixed, and that administrators and teachers need to take charge of their schools. 

Superintendent Cooper reported that Moss Preparatory is not up and running, but should be open by November 1^st.

B.         INTRODUCTION ITEMS

1.         Contract for Professional Services: Acadiana Center for the Arts.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

2.         Approval of Projects List for $30 Million Limited Tax Bonds Issue and $3 Million Capital Projects Funds.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

Babineaux informed the Superintendent that on the Facilities Master Plan List, Lafayette High School was ranked second on the priority list, but underfunded on the Project List.

Superintendent Cooper responded that the Turnaround Plan dictates what we build and how the $30 million Bond can best be used so that the community can see how we are utilizing the funds.

3.         Selection of Architect for G.T. Lindon Elementary Facility Expansion Project.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

4.         Move Item(s) to Action Agenda

A motion was made by Cockerham, to move Introduction Items 1. Contract for Professional Services:  Acadiana Center for the Arts; and 2. Approval of Projects List for $30 Million Limited Tax Bonds Issue and $3 Million Capital Projects Funds to the Action Agenda.

After some discussion, Cockerham withdrew his motion.

A motion was made by Cockerham and seconded by Awbrey that the Board move Introduction Item 3. Selection of Architect for G.T. Lindon Elementary Facility Expansion Project to the Action Agenda.

After some discussion, Awbrey withdrew his second, and Cockerham withdrew his motion.

A motion was made by Trahan to move Introduction Item 3. Selection of Architect for G.T. Lindon Elementary Facility Expansion Project to the Action Agenda with a modification that the current K-4 structure remain.  Motion died for lack of a second.

C.         Other Reports

1.         None

VI.        APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEMS

1.         Approval to Incorporate Success Skills in Current and Future Job Descriptions

That the Board approve the inclusion of Success Skills with the exception of Drug-Free in job descriptions for the School System. Approving such will create a greater alignment with the business community and community at large.

2.         Approval of the Homeless Education Case Specialist Job Description

That the Board approve the Homeless Education Case Specialist job description.

GROUPED ACTION ITEMS

1.         Approval of All Action Item(s) with the Exception of Items Pulled

Motion (Beasley, Angelle) that the Board approve All Action Items with the Exception of Items Pulled: 1. 2002 Sales Tax: Blue Ribbon Committee; 2. Board Retreat with Superintendent; 3. Approval of Group Health Plan Third Party Administrator; and 4. Rejection and Re-Advertisement of HVAC Maintenance RFP's.  Motion carried.

ITEMS PULLED FROM ACTION

1.         2002 Sales Tax: Blue Ribbon Committee

A motion was made by Angelle that the Board oppose the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Committee.  Motion died for lack of a second.

Motion (Awbrey, Babineaux) that the 2002 Sales Tax: Blue Ribbon Committee be discussed at the Board Retreat.  Motion carried.

2.         Board Retreat with Superintendent

Motion (Cockerham, Babineaux) that the Board select Saturday, October 27^th as a Board Retreat; that it be held from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; and that location to be determined.  Motion carried.

Board members said they would submit issues prior to the Board Retreat, and asked that administration compile the list.

3.         Approval of Group Health Plan Third Party Administrator

Motion (Beasley, Chassion) that the Board approve the recommendation of the Employee Insurance Advisory Committee to renew the contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield for the 2013 plan year.  Motion carried.  Angelle voted NO.

4.         Rejection and Re-Advertisement of HVAC Maintenance RFP's

A motion was made by Bouillion that the Board keep the three bids and allow thirty days for anyone else to put in a bid.  Motion died for lack of a second.

Motion (Babineaux, Trahan) that the Board authorize staff to reject all HVAC Maintenance Proposals received without further review and to re-advertise the HVAC Maintenance RFP for 30 days.  Motion carried.  Bouillion voted NO.

VII.       REPORTS

A.         Public Comments

Comments were made.  No action taken.

B.         Board President/Members Comments

Babineaux congratulated the Teachers of the Year and welcomed the Technology Peer Review Team.  Mr. Babineaux reported that the State will not be funding some programs and that the school system will be losing $936,000 from MFP.  He said that the school system needed to be careful how we spend funds.

Cockerham congratulated the Teachers of the Year and informed the Board that he had apologized to the Insurance Department for comments that he made at the last Board meeting.  Mr. Cockerham thought it would be a good idea to have a social to meet the new staff.

Bouillion said in regards to the $30 million limited tax bonds issue, this would be a great opportunity to gain public support.  Mr. Bouillion suggested that mini workshops be held at schools.

Chassion requested an update on student/teacher ratio per each individual school, especially those performing B and below.

Trahan congratulated the Teachers of the Year and suggested that in regards to the $30 million limited tax bonds issue it needed to be discussed and debated.  Mrs. Trahan said that the Youngsville area children are not going away, and asked that caution be taken in restructuring the high performing schools.

Beasley congratulated the Teachers of the Year.

Cobb congratulated the Teachers of the Year. Mr. Cobb said that at the Board Retreat, expectations will be discussed.  He says that he wants the data system to work because decisions are based on the data. 

C.         Superintendent Comments

Comments were made.  No action taken.

VIII.      EXECUTIVE SESSION

IX.        ADJOURN

            There being no further business, it was moved by Babineaux, seconded by Angelle and carried that the meeting adjourn.

SIGNED:                                                                      SIGNED:

            /s/ Shelton J.  Cobb                                                       /s/ Pat Cooper

Shelton J. Cobb, President                                            Dr. Pat Cooper, Secretary-Treasurer

LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD                        LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

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