MINUTES
POINTE COUPEE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
337 Napoleon Street
New Roads, LA 70760
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
Thursday, January 24, 2019
The Pointe Coupee Parish School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, January 24, 2019, at 337 Napoleon Street in New Roads, Louisiana 70760. President Chad Aguillard called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Mr. Larry Bossier was requested to provide the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America was led by Ms. Lisa Loupe D’Aquila.
School Board members in attendance whenever the roll was called were: Chad Aguillard, Frank R. Aguillard, Jr., Lisa Loupe D’Aquila, Walter Grezaffi, Aubry Hendricks, Jason Lemoine, and Thomas A. Nelson.
Central Office Administrative Staff in attendance were: Kevin Lemoine, Superintendent; Kim Canezaro, Director of Human Capital; Amanda Craighead, Supervisor of Head Start; Andrew Duhe’, Director of Maintenance/Support Services; Karla Jack, Director of Federal Programs and Secondary Education; Kristy LaCoste, Supervisor of Early Childhood Education; Tabitha Ransom, Supervisor of 21st Century; Rebecca Stephenson, Director of IT and Accountability; Dr. LaShonda Victorian, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance; and Mary Wells, Director of Special Education. School Administrative Staff in attendance were: Natalie Aguillard, Principal of Rosenwald Elementary; Brandi Forbes, Assistant Principal of Upper Pointe Coupee Elementary; Stacy Gueho, Principal of Livonia High School; Tara Glaser, Principal of Valverda Elementary and Sarah Taylor; Marcie Cazayoux, Principal of Rougon Elementary; and Lacey Bueche, Chief Program Administrator of the STEM Magnet Academy of Pointe Coupee and Aiman Bayoumi.
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President Chad Aguillard requested to add an item to the consent agenda as Item E-3 regarding the approval of the minutes from the special meeting held on Thursday, January 3, 2019.
On a motion by Mr. Thomas Nelson, seconded by Mr. Frank Aguillard, item E-3 was added to the consent agenda to consider approval of the minutes from the special meeting held on Thursday, January 3, 2019. By a vote of 7-0 of the members present and voting, the motion carried.
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Expression of Sympathy- On a motion by the entire Board and seconded by the entire Board, condolences were offered to the families of:
Mary Fowler, a retiree of the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board.
Latacia Walker, the daughter of Annette Walker, a teacher at Rosenwald Elementary School.
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Board Member Anita LeJeune arrived at 5:34 p.m.
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Remarks from the Superintendent- Superintendent Lemoine announced that he would like to take this opportunity to recognize Taylor Allen, a 9th grade student at LHS, for his unprecedented success in the national rodeo circuit. He mentioned that Taylor recently competed in the International Miniature Rodeo Association World (IMRA) finals in Oklahoma City January 17-19, 2019. Taylor was named a two time IMRA World Champion and is the only senior division bull rider to cover all four of his bulls throughout the week of World Finals. Taylor won his first World Finals title in 2017 and his recent World Finals title for 2018 is from the 2018 qualifying season; therefore, this year’s title makes him a two-time world champion. Superintendent Lemoine stated that Livonia High School and the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board commends Taylor for his dedication and commitment to this competitive and venturesome sport and proudly congratulate him on this prestigious national award. Taylor is the son of Monica Collie of Glynn, LA.
Superintendent Lemoine announced the deadline to submit an application for the STEM Magnet Academy of Pointe Coupee for 2019-2020 is February 8th. President Aguillard questioned the current enrollment and the anticipated enrollment for next year. Superintendent Lemoine stated there are approximately 530 students currently attending STEM and approximately 240 new applications have been received for next year. Superintendent Lemoine stated that Dr. LaShonda Victorian, the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, is checking the qualifications, grade point average and discipline records of all applicants to determine which students meet the entrance requirements. Mr. Lemoine stated there will be no need for a lottery selection at this time because we have not reached 75 students in either 3rd (69) or 4th (61) grade; if a lottery becomes necessary, it will be done the week of February 11th. Mr. Lemoine stated the remainder (of the applications) is in grades 5-12; those applications will be accepted as seats are available. If a lottery is needed, it will be done as per the plan that was approved by a federal judge. He also announced the current MFP student enrollment for the district, as of this morning, is approximately 2,590; however, that doesn’t include some pre-school/non-public SPED students. Superintendent Lemoine mentioned that final enrollment numbers must be reported to the LDOE by February 9th.
Superintendent Lemoine announced that information will be presented at next month’s regular meeting regarding the status of year three of our school system’s Strategic Five Year Plan for Improvement. He stated that Committee Chairpersons will be emailing or calling each member of their committee to invite them to the meeting on February 7th.
Mr. Lemoine announced the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board will be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments and growth over the past year by the Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce at their annual fund-raising social on Thursday, February 28, 2019. He mentioned that he realizes this is the same night of the regular monthly School Board meeting in February; however, he was told the Impact and Humanity Awards’ presentation will not begin until 7:00 p.m. Therefore, he anticipates there should be time to complete the meeting in order to attend the ceremony that will be held at CIRCA 1903 on Main Street.
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Recognition of Students of the Year- Mrs. Kim Canezaro reviewed a brief biography of the following student of the year winners.
· Claire Green, a student at STEM, was recognized as the Elementary School Student of the Year. She was honored with a plaque and a certificate from the School Board and presented with a $50 savings bond from Debbie Strate of People’s Bank.
· Victoria Friddle, a student at STEM, was recognized as the Middle School Student of the Year. She was honored with a plaque and a certificate from the School Board and presented with a $50 savings bond from Mark Major of Guaranty Bank.
· Arianna Hammond, a student at Livonia High School, was recognized as the High School Student of the Year. She was honored with a plaque and a certificate from the School Board and presented with a $50 savings bond from Prudence Morgan of Cottonport Bank.
Pictures were taken for the local paper; parents and friends of the students in the audience were recognized.
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Consent Agenda - On a motion by Ms. Lisa Loupe D’Aquila, seconded by Mr. Jason Lemoine, the following consent agenda items were approved for adoption, by an 8-0 vote of the Board:
Approval of minutes from the regular School Board meeting of Thursday, December 20, 2018.
Approval of minutes from the Executive Committee meeting of Thursday, January 17, 2019.
Approval of minutes from the special School Board meeting of Thursday, January 3, 2019.
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Receive the Head Start Supervisor’s Report – Mrs. Amanda Craighead announced the monthly Head Start Supervisor’s Report was posted on BoardDocs for review prior to the School Board meeting. Board Member Anita LeJeune inquired about the 0-3 year old Pre-Head Start Grant the school system applied for in December; Mrs. Craighead informed her she expecting to hear something by March.
Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion, seconded by Ms. Lisa Loupe D’Aquila, to receive the Head Start Supervisor’s monthly report as presented by Mrs. Amanda Craighead. The motion carried by an 8-0 vote of the Board.
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Annual Audit Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, presented by Representatives of Postlewaithe & Netterville- Rodney Combs and Steve Berry, Certified Public Accounts, of Postlewaithe and Netterville were in attendance. Mr. Combs stated that he was the Engagement Director and Steve Berry, Associate Audit Director, was the manager over the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board’s 2018 audit. They prepared and reviewed a slide presentation of the 2018 audit results. A binder copy of the following audit information was also given to members of the School Board, the Superintendent and CFO: the slide presentation; the report on statewide agreed-upon procedures regarding compliance and control area; the report to management and the annual financial report for the year ended June 30, 2018. Mr. Combs stated that meetings were held with Mrs. Gayle Daigle, CFO of the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board and with Superintendent Lemoine during and after the audit. He announced the school system received an unmodified audit; this is the best opinion; reasonable assurance highest level for the past fourteen years. Mr. Lemoine commended Mrs. Daigle for doing an outstanding job. He mentioned the school system finished with approximately $7,000 surplus in general funds after paying one-time payments of: approximately $160,000 and $90,000 to LSER’s retirement system for privatization of bus routes; a one-step pay increase to employees of approximately $92,000; absorbed $141,000 due to lack of funds collected in the one-cent sales tax fund which is used for employees’ salaries/benefits; this totals approximately $482,000 in one-time expenditures from the general fund budget.
Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion to formally adopt the annual financial report. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Anita LeJeune. The motion passed by an 8-0 unanimous vote of the Board.
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Discussion and/or Action Regarding Monthly Financial Information- Mr. Jason Lemoine made a motion, seconded by Mr. Aubry Hendricks, to approve the monthly financial information that Mrs. Gayle Daigle placed on BoardDocs and recommended by the Finance Committee. The motion carried by an 8-0 vote of the Board.
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Discussion and/or Action Regarding the LSERS’ UAL bill for Privatization of Positions- Mrs. Gayle Daigle stated a letter was received from the Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System (LSERS) regarding the unfunded accrued liability cost of three salaried bus drivers who retired and their positions were privatized. Superintendent Lemoine stated there is currently no money in the budget to pay the full amount of $133,374.63 at this time; the cost amortized over a ten-year period is $17,788.16 per year. Mr. Lemoine stated that it was his recommendation to the Finance Committee and it is his recommendation to the Board to amortize the cost over ten years unless surplus funds become available.
Mr. Jason Lemoine stated it is the recommendation of the Finance Committee to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent to amortize the LSERS’ UAL cost over a ten-year period for $17,788.16. Mr. Aubry Hendricks seconded the motion. The motion carried by an 8-0 vote of the Board.
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Revisions to Policies- Superintendent Lemoine stated proposed policies (GAEAA; GBC; JBCC; GBD; GBDA; GBRIB and GBRIC) received from Forethought Consulting for consideration of revision were sent to Attorney Robert L. Hammonds of Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice for advisement.
Mr. Lemoine reviewed the information that he received from Mr. Hammonds and recommended approval of proposed policy GAEAA, with revisions to the last paragraph of the policy, as stipulated in his letter dated January 23, 2019; approval of proposed policies GBC, JBCC, GBD, and GBDA. Mr. Hammonds recommended additional study of policies GBRIB, GBRIC and DFD; thereby, deferment of these polices at this time.
Mr. Frank Aguillard made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Anita LeJeune, to accept Superintendent Lemoine’s recommendation from Attorney Hammonds to approve revisions to policy GAEE (Sexual Harassment), with a revision to the last paragraph of the proposed policy as stipulated in his letter; approval of proposed policies GBC (Personnel Recruitment); JBCC (Student Assignment); GBD (Employment of Personnel) and GBDA (Employment of Retired Personnel), with deferment of policies GBRIB (Sick Leave); GBRIC (Maternity and Adoptive Leave) and DFD (Tax and Bond Elections and Sales). The motion carried by an 8-0 unanimous vote of the Board.
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Consider Acceptance of Superintendent Lemoine’s Retirement Letter- Mr. Kevin Lemoine provided President Chad Aguillard with an official letter of notification dated January 17, 2019, that he will be retiring as Superintendent of the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board, effective July 1, 2019.
School Board Member Thomas Nelson announced that he will accept Mr. Lemoine’s resignation letter; however, he is disappointed that he is leaving. Mr. Nelson mentioned it is with true regret because he is of the opinion that Mr. Lemoine lived up to and exceeded the Board’s expectations as the school system’s Superintendent. Board Member Nelson further stated that he tried to get Superintendent Lemoine to stay longer; however, it didn’t work.
Mr. Chad Aguillard questioned if Mr. Lemoine had any second thoughts. Superintendent Lemoine mentioned that he is willing to work with the Board on the hiring process and with the incoming superintendent during the transition process.
School Board Member Frank Aguillard stated that he echoes Board Member Nelson’s statement and will more specifically and publicly address Mr. Lemoine’s successes in coming months.
On a motion by Mr. Thomas Nelson, seconded by Mr. Frank Aguillard, the Board accepted Superintendent Lemoine’s retirement letter by an 8-0 unanimous vote.
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Discuss and Take Action Concerning the Superintendent Selection Process- Board Member Frank Aguillard suggested the School Board begin the Superintendent Search process by advertising the position over the next 30 days. Mr. Aguillard mentioned the previous selection procedure used in 2015 worked well and stated that other school systems borrowed the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board’s process. Advertisement will be on Talent Ed (only Superintendent Lemoine will have access to the information); The Pointe Coupee Banner; The Advocate; on the Louisiana School Boards Association website; the Louisiana Association of School Superintendent’s website and the AASA website. Mr. Aguillard requested that Superintendent Lemoine forward applications to the Board each day.
Mr. Frank Aguillard made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Anita LeJeune, to advertise the position of Superintendent for 30 days in the newspaper, on the website and on Talent Ed (only Superintendent Lemoine is to be given access to receive the applications); with daily notification to members of the Board. The motion carried by an 8-0 unanimous vote of the Board.
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Adjournment - On a motion by Mr. Thomas Nelson, seconded by Ms. Lisa Loupe D’Aquila, the meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
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Chad A. Aguillard, President
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Kevin Lemoine, Superintendent