LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, October 17, 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, October 17, 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, 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.  Beasley led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

OPENING COMMENTS –SUPERINTENDENT

Superintendent Cooper informed the Board that he has received a lot of nice comments from teachers and others regarding the Fall Intercession.  He says it couldn’t have come at a better time considering the stress everyone has been under due to new programs and other things coming from the state.  Dr. Cooper hopes that everyone comes back from the intercession ready to go for the next nine weeks.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

II.         RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS

None

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

A.         CORRECTIONS ON THE MINUTES OF:

1.         Regular Board Meeting of 10/3/12

Motion (Beasley, Babineaux) that the Board approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of October 3, 2012.  Motion carried.

B.         APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF:

None 

IV.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION/REPORTS

A.         APPROVAL OF BILLS

1.         Ratification of Bills for August 2012

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

Trahan and Chassion entered the meeting.

B.         Other Financial Reports

1.         Ratification of Purchases for September 2012

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

2.         Summary of Grant Funding and Activity

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

3.         Budget-to-Actual Status Report

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

V.         REPORTS/INFORMATION/INTRODUCTION ITEMS

A.         INFORMATION REPORT

1.         Personnel Changes for October 17, 2012

*Retiree Returning To Work

Number of Full-Time, Active Employees by Funding Source as of October 15, 2012

2.         Board Retreat

Superintendent Cooper reminded the Board about the upcoming Board Retreat scheduled for Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 7:45a.m.-4:30 p.m. at South Louisiana Community College(SLCC).  Dr. Cooper also asked the Board members if there was anything they wanted on the agenda to please let him know.

Angelle wanted to know if the Board could deviate from the agenda if necessary.

Chassion said that he wanted more time for questions and answers in order to dispel rumors and myths, and that the “Retreat” be very open allowing them to stop at any point and key in on a specific point.  Mr. Chassion also asked to avoid someone giving a power point and reading it to them.

Beasley asked if the topics were between the Superintendent or staff.

Awbrey asked that information be provided prior to the Board Retreat so they have enough time to look at everything.

3.         Lafayette Parish Student Enrollment

LaShona Dickerson, Director of Technology, informed the Board that unofficially the student enrollment count is 31,044 students, but, that by the end of the month it will be cleaned up for state reporting. Ms. Dickerson said that last year’s enrollment was about 30,090 students, and that she is working with EdGear to make sure all students are enrolled in system.

4.         School Resource Officers Information

Sandra Billeaudeau, Assistant Superintendent, reviewed the list of School Resource Officers (SRO’s) that are at the following schools: Acadian Middle, Acadiana High, Broussard Middle, W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center, Carencro High, Carencro Middle, Comeaux High, E.A. Martin/L J Alleman, Judice Middle, Lafayette High, Lafayette Middle, Moss Preparatory, Northside High, Paul Breaux Middle, Scott Middle, Thibodaux Tech, and Youngsville Middle.

Board members asked staff to see which school has the lowest reporting of issues and divert an officer to schools with larger amount of students.  Parents are concerned with their children’s safety.

5.         Out-of-School Suspensions

Babineaux said there are several out-of-school suspensions at Carencro Middle School since the new principal has been in place. Mr. Babineaux says he understood that the school system has no out of school procedure, and we are not being consistent with the policy.

Superintendent Cooper said that Carencro Middle School was an emergency situation much like Northside High, and he and the principal are responsible for the safety of the school.  Dr. Cooper also said that the principal has the option of putting a child in out-of-school suspension for a maximum of 10 days.

Awbrey said he understood that out-of-school suspension wasn't going to be executed, and wonders if the last principal at the school would have stayed if he could have done the out-of-school suspensions.

Angelle said he feels there is a certain amount of dishonesty because administrators were under the impression that they could not send children home, and he finds it troubling, and wants to know how many other children were sent home other than Carencro Middle students.

Babineaux said he understands that administrators are driving out-of-school suspension children home, and he wonders if they have parental permission to do that.  Mr. Babineaux also said that staff is stressed out because they are having to wait for N. P. Moss Preparatory to be rebuilt.

Bouillion said that after November 1^st Moss Preparatory is scheduled to open and the entire district will be relieved to have kids there.

Superintendent Cooper says that children may still be sent home if there is an emergency situation.

6.         Update: Special Election to Renew Millage Rate of 16.7 Mills Operational Tax

Billy Guidry, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, reminded the Board about the upcoming millage renewal and that a brochure with information will be available.

B.         INTRODUCTION ITEMS

1.         Self-Funded Construction Fund Budget Revision #1 - Fiscal Year 2012-2013.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

2.         Special Revenue Fund Budget Revision #1 - Fiscal Year 2012/2013.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

3.         2012 Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) Fund Budget Revision # 1 Fiscal Year 2012-2013.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

4.         2009 Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) Fund Budget Revision # 1 Fiscal Year 2012-2013.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

5.         2011 Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) Fund Budget Revision # 1 Fiscal Year 2012-2013.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

6.         Capital Improvement Fund Budget Revision # 1 Fiscal Year 2012-2013.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

7.         Revision of Policy File: JBCCA - Assignment of Schools (Section 7: Schools of Choice).  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

8.         Non-Tenured Teacher Contract.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

9.         Classroom Teacher Job Description.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

10.       Principal Contract.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

11.       School Resource Officers.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

12.       Move Item(s) to Action Agenda - None

C.         Other Reports

1.         None

VI.        APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEMS

1.         Replacement of Policy File GAM--Electronic Resources Policy with Policy File EFA--Staff Acceptable Use Policy

That the Board replace Policy File GAM--Electronic Resources Policy--with Policy File EFA--Staff Acceptable Use Policy.

2.         Approval of Policy File IFGBA--Student Acceptable Use Policy

That the Board adopt Policy File IFBGA--Student Acceptable Use Policy.

3.         Contract for Professional Services: Acadiana Center for the Arts

That the Board approve the contract in the amount of $165,000.00 with Acadiana Center for the Arts for teaching artists and supplies.

GROUPED ACTION ITEMS

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

Motion (Chassion, Angelle) that the Board approve All Action Item(s) with the Exception of Items Pulled: Approval of the findings of the Reclassification Committee.  Motion carried.

ITEMS PULLED FROM ACTION

1.         Approval of the findings of the Reclassification Committee

Motion (Beasley, Cockerham) that the Board approve the findings of the Reclassification Committee.  Voting for were Angelle, Beasley, Bouillion, Chassion, Cobb and Cockerham.  Voting against were Awbrey, Babineaux and Trahan. Motion carried.

VII.       REPORTS

A.         Public Comments

Concerned parents and teachers said that students are unable to learn, and teachers are unable to teach because of disruptive students in the classrooms.  They asked staff to please check into their concerns because their children don’t feel safe at school.

Karen Martin, LPAE President, says that in regard to making up minutes, some schools have time in place that may be putting them over. She thanked Dr. Cooper and Mrs. Billeaudeau for looking into the issue and thanked parents for speaking up about discipline problems in the classrooms.

B.         Board President/Members Comments

Awbrey thanked parents for bringing their concerns to the Board.  He says what has changed since last year is that we no longer have a place for disciplined students to attend since the alternative site was closed.

Babineaux said that parent concerns are a very critical issue. Parental involvement is the best example on how parents need to react to problems and figure out how to solve. We need to protect our teachers and give the learning time back to the students.

Cockerham said that he is aware of the problems in the schools, and that we are not sitting back doing nothing.  We are doing the best we can and encourage parents to come to the Board meetings and voice their opinion.

Bouillion reminded the public that the millage is not a new tax; it is a tax renewal.

Chassion asked that staff add a significant portion to the Board Retreat to discuss the discipline issue.

Trahan requested a list for this year and last year of certified employees on staff that do not actually have a student roster. She said she had tried to get herself very familiar with the Superintendent’s plan, and asked if what is in place not happening and maybe there are things not being done that can be done.

Angelle congratulated parents that spoke up and encourages participation in Board meetings, and commended them for coming to speak out about problems. Mr. Angelle said he received a parent call regarding a child not having a textbook and that it would be weeks before one could be given.  He asked that parents be notified for all infractions, and would like teachers to spend more time teaching than having to take all the steps to discipline a student.

Beasley asked that SRO’s and staff show more presence at schools that are having more discipline problems. He also congratulated the new Special Education Director, Bart Thibodeaux. Mr. Beasley then thanked the staff and Board members for having the PACE Art program moved into Title 1.

Cobb congratulated the administrators that were appointed and said that the principals are in charge of the campus and in order to continue educating our students they must get in control of discipline until the right course is determined.  Mr. Cobb also announced that there would be a Special Board Meeting on Wednesday, October 24^th at 5:30 p.m. regarding bonds.

C.         Superintendent Comments

Superintendent Cooper wanted everyone to understand that everything that was being said by the parents was being heard loud and clear.  He said the discipline issues would not be resolved overnight, but that the information given would be used to make necessary adjustments. Dr. Cooper said that his commitment is to the Board and the school system, “we are all in this together, we are not where we need to be, but we will continue to work hard to get there”.

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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