LAFAYETTE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, December 12, 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, December 12, 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, Kermit Bouillion, Tehmi Chassion, Mark Cockerham, and Rae Trahan, Board Members; Dr. Pat Cooper, Secretary-Treasurer/Superintendent

MEMBERS ABSENT:    Mark Babineaux (ill)

I.        MEETING OPENINGS

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

OPENING COMMENTS –SUPERINTENDENT

Superintendent Cooper introduced Dr. Tina Stefanski, Regional Medical Director with the Louisiana Office of Public Health. Dr. Stefanski informed the Board that they are conducting an investigation into a possible case of tuberculosis at Lafayette High School.  She reported that approximately 200 people will need to be tested and there is a possibility the numbers may increase.  A letter has been sent to the parents and faculty of Lafayette High informing them when testing will be held at the school. 

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion (Bouillion, Angelle) that the Board approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried.

Trahan entered the meeting.

II.       RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATIONS

The Board congratulated Lerri Cockrell, the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics 2012 Outstanding Middle School Math Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Cockrell, a math teacher at David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy challenges students to become problem solvers and communicators of Mathematics.

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

A.       CORRECTIONS ON THE MINUTES OF:

1.       Regular Board Meeting of 11/28/12

Motion (Cockerham, Beasley) that the Board approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of November 28, 2012.  Motion carried.

2.       Special Board Meeting of 12/5/12

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

B.       APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF:

1.       Joint Meeting of the Board Insurance Committee/Employee Insurance Advisory Committee Meeting of 12/4/12

Motion (Angelle, Cockerham) that the Board receive the minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Board Insurance Committee/Employee Insurance Advisory Committee of December 4, 2012.  Motion carried.

IV.      FINANCIAL INFORMATION/REPORTS

A.       APPROVAL OF BILLS

1.       Ratification of Bills for October 2012

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

Chassion exited the meeting.

B.       Other Financial Reports

1.       Sales Tax Collection Report for October 2012

Motion (Angelle, Cockerham) that the Board receive the Sales Tax Collection report for the month of October 2012.  Motion carried.

2.       Ratification of Purchases for November 2012

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

3.       Budget-to-Actual Status Report

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

4.       Summary of Grant Funding and Activity

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

Chassion entered the meeting.

V.       REPORTS/INFORMATION/INTRODUCTION ITEMS 

A.       INFORMATION REPORT

1.       Personnel Changes for December 12, 2012

*Retiree Returning To Work

Number of Full-Time, Active Employees by Funding Source as of December 7, 2012

2.       Contract with AMIkids to Provide Alternative Education Program

Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mike Neustrom reported to the Board that he is highly supportive of Superintendent Cooper’s position to keep kids in school.  He encouraged the Board to give a lot of thought to the AMI contract and program.  Sheriff Neustrom says it is a step in the right direction, and that the focus needs to be juvenile justice and discipline in schools.

Eric Hall, with AMIkids gave an overview of the organization and how they partner with communities to put a stop gap in place for students who are expelled or dropping out. Mr. Hall said that it is important to invest up front and provide an opportunity to redirect kids by keeping them connected to school so they can graduate.

Ken Boudreaux, Lafayette City-Parish Council, informed the Board that they have secured a one year commitment to get a successful model on board. Mr. Boudreaux said that students need to be under a supervised facility, and if it is a successful model, the partnership needs to continue.  He also reported that the Lafayette Consolidated Government would commit to the first six months and continue to review the program.

3.       School Safety

Sandra Billeaudeau, Assistant Superintendent presented a power point presentation to the Board which showed them that LPSS will have safe and secure schools for the students who attend our schools.

4.       Act 2 Litigation Update

Billy Guidry, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, gave the Board an update on the Act 2 litigation which involves 43 school boards and the Louisiana School Boards Association (LSBA) in a lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Louisiana Department of Education challenging the constitutionality and/or legality of the utilization of MFP funds for non-public schools and educational programs.  Mr. Guidry said he would continue to provide updates to the Board as appeals by defendants are expected to follow.

5.       World Language Immersion Task Force Report

A motion was made by Angelle to move this item as an Introduction Item.  After further discussion, Angelle withdrew his motion.

Superintendent Cooper informed the Board that he would meet with the World Language Immersion Task Force to address concerns.

B.       INTRODUCTION ITEMS

1.       Approval of the Revised Data Processing Clerk - Human Resources Job Description.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

2.       Contract with AMIkids to Provide Alternative Education Program.  Action to be taken at a subsequent meeting.

C.       Other Reports

1.       None

VI.      APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEMS

1.       Revision of Policy File JCDAF: Bullying and Hazing in accordance with Act 861of the 2012 Legislative Session. Revision of this policy in compliance with the legislation is required by January 1, 2013.

That the Board approve the revisions to Policy File JDACF - Bullying and Hazing as provided.

2.       Resolution 12-12-1777 Recognizing and Approving the Execution of the Bond Purchase Agreement and Official Statement Regarding the Issuance and Sale of $30,000,000 of Limited Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2012A.

That the Board adopt Resolution 12-12-1777 approving and ratifying the execution of the Bond Purchase Agreement and ratifies the form, content, execution and delivery of the final Official Statement to the Purchaser for use in connection with the public offering of the Bonds.

GROUPED ACTION ITEMS

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

Motion (Bouillion, Cockerham) that the Board approve all Action Items with the Exception of Items Pulled.  Motion carried.

ITEMS PULLED FROM ACTION

None

VII.     REPORTS

A.       Public Comments

Representative Stephen Ortego asked the Board to support the World Immersion proposal.

B.       Board President/Members Comments

Chassion expressed his concerns regarding the World Immersion proposal and how it would affect children not in an immersion program.  He also said that there were a lot of students in need of coats, and he knew people who were willing to donate them.

Trahan said she agreed with Chassion regarding French Immersion.  She requested to see numbers of teachers or personnel we have on staff that have a designation of teacher that actually do not have students in their charge, would like to see what we have on staff and numbers comparative to last year and the year before.

Angelle reported that he received an email from a former student of his who works at P. Breaux Middle.  The email requested that the discipline in the gifted program be reviewed. He also thanked the staff for everything they do. 

Beasley congratulated Lerri Cockrell, and told Dr. Cooper that in the 11 months he has been here there had been a lot of change in the school system, the staff has been changed and are under a lot of stress.  He appreciates everything being done for the school system, and understands it has been tough. He asked that the Top Gains schools recognized by State Superintendent John White be recognized at the next meeting. He ended by thanking Carl Meche, Sales Tax Director for bringing good news regarding sales tax and wished him luck on his retirement.

Awbrey asked that the World Immersion meetings be included on the Board newsletter. He expressed his concerns about whether the Earth Science Academy would be displaced, and the busing of students.

Cockerham thanked Council member Kenneth Boudreaux for his support of the AMI program, and he thanked Superintendent Cooper for presenting it to the Board.

Bouillion complimented Superintendent Cooper on his first full year with the Lafayette Parish School System.  He said that he supports the 100%In …100%Out program.  Mr. Bouillion reported that he appreciated the invitation to visit schools and to see that good things are taking place in the schools.  He also said that he would do everything he could to make certain that the school system has a balanced budget. 

Cobb thanked his fellow Board members for a year in which they have seen significant change and managed to survive.  He looked forward to the coming year to address things that need to be fixed.  He said he looks forward to working with them in the future, and is pleased with the amount of public support the school system has received.

C.       Superintendent Comments

Superintendent Cooper said he was excited about the new year, and looking forward to lots of good things happening for our children.

VIII.    EXECUTIVE SESSION

IX.      ADJOURN

          There being no further business, it was moved by Cockerham, 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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