Parish of Cameron

April 14, 2008

The Cameron Parish School Board met at its regular meeting on this date, members in attendance are:  Karen Nunez, R. Scott Nunez, Loston McEvers, Dot Theriot, Dwayne Sanner and Marsha Trahan; absent is: Marvin Trahan.

The prayer and the pledge were led by: Cloie Broussard, Shelby Thomas, Rachael Fountain.

On the motion of Mrs. Nunez, seconded by Mr. Nunez, the Board approved the agenda with Addendum.

On the motion of Mr. McEvers, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board approved the minutes as printed from the March 10, 2008 regular board meeting.

The Board approved the following student recognitions:

Cameron Parish Students of the Year- Mrs. Sheila Miller

            Grade 5     Cloie  Broussard        Grand Lake High School

            Grade 8     Shelby Thomas         Grand Lake High School

Grade 12   Rachael Fountain       South Cameron High School

Louisiana School Boards Association Art Contest Mrs. Sharon Campbell, Art Teacher

Seaira Dupelchain, grade 4, South Cameron High School

Category K-4 Honorable Mention

Jada Skipper, grade 7, South Cameron High School,

Category 5-8 Honorable Mention

State Elementary Wrestling Champions and Reserve Champions Superintendent

State Champions

Wyatt Benoit, Grand Lake High School PreBantam 45 lb. Division

Trenton Comeaux, South Cameron High School Bantam 45 lb. Division

James Pookie Hebert, South Cameron High School Midget 70 lb. Division

Jeron Theriot, South Cameron High School Novice 80 lb. Division

Joshua Wicke, Grand Lake High School Schoolboy 105 lb. Division

State Runner-Ups:

Trevor Bertrand, South Cameron High School Novice 60 lb. Division

Tyler LaBove, South Cameron High School Novice 105 lb. Division

Kelan Nunez, South Cameron High School Bantam 55 lb. Division

Hayden Sturlese, Grand Lake High School Novice 100 lb. Division

Coach:  Gabe LaLande, Grand Lake High and South Cameron High Schools

On the motion of Mrs. Trahan, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board authorized the following individual $500.00 stipends for national participation, as per policy.

·         Grand Lake High School FBLA - Corey Broussard, Impromptu Speaking; Megan Poole, Open Events Technology; Evan Guidry, Open Events Technology; to participate in National FBLA Conference,  June 26-29, 2008  in Atlanta, Georgia (Dorothy Robinson, Sponsor, will not attend Grand Lake will travel with South Cameron High School Sponsor and group) ($1,500.00)

·         Hackberry High School FBLA Jacob Poole, Louisiana State Officer; Joseph LeJuene, Louisiana Member of the Month; Stephanie East and Kathy Helmer, Sponsors; to participate in National FBLA Conference,  June 26-29, 2008  in Atlanta, Georgia ($2,000.00)

·         Johnson Bayou High School FLBA -Tiffany Caudill, Business Procedures; Mrs. Juanita Sandifer, Sponsor, to participate in National FBLA Conference,  June 26-29, 2008  in Atlanta, Georgia  (Total: $1,000.00)

·         South Cameron High School FBLA - Tony Baccigalopi, Business Calculations; Janna Baccigalopi, Sponsor; to participate in National FBLA Conference,  June 26-29, 2008  in Atlanta, Georgia ($1,000.00)

·         South Cameron High School: Corbet Dupont, selected to  Junior National Youth Leadership Conference for outstanding 6th and 7th grade students who demonstrate maturity, academic excellence and leadership potential

      (Total $500.00)

On the motion of Mrs. Nunez, seconded by Mr. McEvers, the Board received and approved the following financial issues:

·         Receive notice that portion of remaining funds in District One Johnson Bayou High School bond issue will be used to construct a softball field on Johnson Bayou High School property.

·         Received, reviewed and discussed the March Financial Report and authorize payment of the bills as presented by Mrs. Smythe (ATTACHMENT #1 and #2)

·         Board approval of receipt of verbal notice from FEMA on March 28, 2008 to begin bid processes:

1.       PW 533 Cameron Parish School Board Administration Building approved Change of Location (Bid advertising schedule to begin April 24, 2008)

2.       PW 2397 South Cameron High School Approved Change of Location, Consolidation, Identified as Improved Project (Bid advertising scheduled to begin May 29, 2008)

·         Received and approved monthly update on FEMA issues with overall payments of $5,061,122.35 to date, per spread sheet as presented by the Superintendent

·         Board approved the Policy DFL Cash Management as presented by the Superintendent(ATTACHMENT #3)

On the motion of Mr. Nunez, seconded by Mrs. Trahan, the Board received and approved the 2008 Cameron Parish Graduation Dates as presented by the Superintendent.  The dates are as follows:

·         Grand Lake High School, Friday, May 23, 2008 7:00 pm Rosa Hart Theatre

·         Hackberry High School, Friday, May 23, 2008  7:00 pm Hackberry High School Gym

·         Johnson Bayou High School, Saturday, May 24, 2008 7:00 pm Johnson Bayou High School Gym

·         South Cameron High School, Saturday, May 24, 2008 10:00 am South Cameron High School Gym

On the motion of Mrs. Nunez, seconded by Mr. McEvers, the Board received the report on Cameron Can Environmental Awareness projects as district-wide academic and extra curricular focus for 2008-2009 school year with Connie Dores annual art and slogan/essay contest as Spring Kickoff as presented by the Superintendent.

On the motion of Mrs. Trahan, seconded by Mrs. Nunez, the Board approved the contract with Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., as presented by Superintendent and Mr. Robert Mott

·         Johnson Bayou High School and Grand Lake High School (elementary building) all new equipment with recent construction

·         Hackberry High School and Grand Lake High School retrofitted at time of original contract, recently updated

·         South Cameron High School temporary buildings N/A

·         South Cameron High School and Central Office addressed in project design

The cost of the annual contract for the services listed above is $16,740 for the period covering December 1, 2007 through November 30, 2008.

On the motion of Mr. McEvers, seconded by Mrs. Trahan, the Board received a report on an updated dental plan to employee Section 125 benefit package (cafeteria plan), and receive update on 403(b) and 457(b) compliance as presented by James Odom, Jr., First Financial Group of America.  The Board as the staff to conduct a survey with employees regarding the cost and benefits provided and with make a decision at a later board meeting.

On the motion of Mr. Nunez, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board approved the Manti Operating Company, Right of Way across School Board property to drill site on Sections 22, 23 and 27 T12S-R5W and install a flow line parallel to existing road, 3 year term, to continue as long as production is obtained, $20,000 consideration, $1,000 per year for access rights, $10,000 per producing well.  If no wells are produced; then the right of way payment would be increased to $5,000 per year. (Attachment #4)

On the motion of Mr. McEvers, seconded by Mrs. Nunez, the Board approved the request on Section 16-12-10 (Black Lake-Hackberry), Dept. of Natural Resource, Coastal Reference  Monitoring System (CRMS), Right of Way, 20 years to Set up a CRMS site. (Attachment #5)

On the motion of Mr. Nunez, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board tabled the motion on Section 16-12-10 (Black Lake-Hackberry), as presented by Mr. Channing Hayden of the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District, for a Right of Way and lay a temporary pipeline to bring dredge material from the Calcasieu River to the marsh creation site by September 30, 2009 or completion of the project whichever comes first.

On the motion of Mrs. Theriot, seconded by Mrs. Trahan, the Board approved the purchase of property adjacent to Johnson Bayou High School at price of $281,576.00 ($20,000 per acre for about 14 acres) as negotiated by District Attorney Cecil Sanner and price approved by Little and Associates, auditors for Cameron Parish School Board, with funding through Cheniere Energys prepayment of taxes as presented by District Attorney Cecil Sanner.

On the motion of Mr. Nunez, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board approved the out-of state travel requests as listed and presented by the Superintendent.

1.       Grand Lake School - Eighth grade Bobbye Delaney approximately 30 students 8th grade end-of-year trip, SeaWorld San Antonio, The Alamo, and Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas.  Leaving 12:30 P.M. Thursday May 8, 2008 returning 11:00 P.M. Saturday May 10, 2008 on Charter bus: Skipper Transportation.

2.       Grand Lake School Art Club & Science Club Susan Arnold & Bobbye Delaney approximately 40 students Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, IMAX Theatre, ice skating, Museum of Contemporary Art, and area galleries, Houston Texas.  Leaving 6:30 A.M. Friday April 25, 2008 returning 6:00 P.M. Saturday April 26, 2008 on parish own school bus with regular route driver.

3.       South Cameron School Fourth grade Courtnie King, Peggy Griffith, Amy Pearce approximately 39 students Moody Gardens, Galveston Texas.  Leaving 7:00 A.M. Thursday May 1, 2008 returning 6:30 P.M. same day on parish owned activity bus with certified driver.

4.       South Cameron School Fifth grade Melisa Bonsall approximately 19 students Museum of Natural Science, Houston Texas.  Leaving 6:00 A.M. Thursday April 17, 2008 returning 6:30 P.M. same day on parish owned route bus with certified driver.

5.  South Cameron School Seventh grade Rachel Demeritt approximately 31 students Moody Gardens, Galveston Texas.  Leaving 7:00 A.M. Thursday May 8, 2008, returning 6:30 P.M. same day on parish owned route

     bus with certified route driver.

6.  Johnson Bayou School First, Fourth, & Fifth grades Leslie Landry, Alaina Schexneider, & Melissa Guidry Approximately 27 students Moody Gardens, Galveston Texas.  Leaving at 7:00 A.M. Thursday May 1, 2008 returning 6:00 P.M. the same day on parish owned route bus with certified bus driver.

On the motion of Mrs. Nunez, seconded by Mrs. Trahan, the Board approved the of resolution,  per RS 42:263, to formally employee Hammonds and Sills, Attorneys at Law, as special counsel to Cameron Parish School Board at hourly rate of $150.00 per attorney and $75.00 per paralegal, as presented by the Superintendent.

On the motion of Mrs. Nunez, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board approved the Personnel Report as follows:

Personnel Recommendations:  The following personnel items are recommended by the Superintendent

 _____________________________________4-14-2008    

Stephanie D. Rodrigue, Superintendent         Date

Personnel Report

Payment of 25 Unpaid Sick Leave Days:

Sandra Smith                            Grand Lake High School, Elementary Teacher

RESIGNATION

Ronald Aplin                             Grand Lake High School, Spanish Interpreter, effective March 17, 2008

RESIGNATION WITH PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

Keith Portie                              Hackberry High School, Sweeper

PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE WITHIN DISTRICT ONLY; THEN ADVERTISE FOR OPENINGS INCURRED

Reading Coaches, preK-4

 with other applicable duties                    To meet requirements of Louisiana Department of Educations Ensuring Literacy for All Initiative (all 4 sites have grant applications on file; other funding sources will be applied)

PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

Project Manager (Architect,                               

Engineer or Project Management

Institute Certified Project Manager)

To supervise construction projects (FEMA projects funded through Project Management monies specific to PWs; others through FEMA Administration; local projects through local funds)

Necessary School Staff                          Following transfer options within district

            On the motion of Mrs. Nunez, seconded by Mr. Nunez, the Board approved entering into Executive Session for the following purposes:

·         Student Discipline Appeal Superintendent, District Attorney Cecil Sanner, School Principal, Eddie Benoit

·         Ongoing litigation issues with property insurance companies and Army Corps of Engineers Superintendent, District Attorney Cecil Sanner

                        ROLL CALL VOTE to enter into Executive Session:

            YEAHS:            Mrs. Trahan, Mrs. Theriot, Mr. Sanner, Mrs. Nunez, Mr. McEvers and Mr. Nunez

            NAYES:            None

            ABSENT:          Mr. Trahan

            On the motion of Mrs. Nunez, seconded by Mrs. Trahan, the Board approved re-entering into the regular school board meeting.

                        ROLL CALL VOTE to enter into Regular Session:

            YEAHS:            Mrs. Trahan, Mrs. Theriot, Mr. Sanner, Mrs. Nunez, Mr. McEvers and Mr. Nunez

            NAYES:            None

            ABSENT:          Mr. Trahan

On the motion of Mr. Nunez, seconded by Mrs. Nunez, the Board received information regarding Ongoing litigation issues with property insurance companies and Army Corps of Engineers and upheld school district decision on a student management issue. 

On the motion of Mrs. Theriot, seconded by Mrs. Nunez, the Board adjourned the regular school meeting.

                                                                                    APPROVED:

                                                                        ______________________________

                                                                        Dwayne Sanner, President

                                                                        CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

                                                                        ATTEST:

                                                                        _______________________________

                                                                        Stephanie D. Rodrigue, Superintendent

                                                                        CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

ATTACHMENT #1

ATTACHMENT #2

RESOLUTION OF CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL

            WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 42:263 authorizes the retention of special counsel by any school board upon a statement of reasons why such counsel is necessary and upon the approval by the Attorney General; and

            WHEREAS, the Cameron Parish School Board has employed the law firm Hammonds & Sills since 2002 as its special counsel with experience, training, and expertise in school law issues including, but not limited to, special education, school personnel matters, public bid law and general school board policy matters involving compliance with the federal and state laws and regulations, including due process hearings, tenure hearings, misconduct investigations and the handling of administrative hearings and litigation in state and federal courts; and

            WHEREAS, through its representation of the Cameron Parish School Board and various school boards throughout the State of Louisiana, the law firm of Hammonds & Sills of Baton Rouge and Monroe, Louisiana, has special experience, training and expertise in those issues of school law.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED by the Cameron Parish School Board in regular session duly convened:

            Section I This School Board does hereby renew its employment of the law firm of Hammonds & Sills of Baton Rouge and Monroe, Louisiana as special counsel with training, experience and expertise in school law issues including, but not limited to, special education, school personnel matters, public bid law and general policy matters to include administrative hearings and litigation with respect thereto for the purpose of advising, consulting with, and representing this School Board in connection with such legal matters involving the school system.

            Section II Said law firm shall be paid for their services at hourly rates equal to the maximum hourly fee schedule for special counsel published by the Attorney General of the State of Louisiana in effect at the time of the services subject to a maximum hourly rate of $150.00 and except that the paralegal rate shall be $75.00 per hour and to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses for long distance telephone calls, document duplication, expert witness fees, court reporter  fees, printing costs, travel expenses and other expenses as a result of the legal services to and for this School Board..

            Section III Said law firm shall keep itemized time records for presentation to the Superintendent with respect to services rendered at said hourly rates and the expenses incurred, and the Superintendent is hereby authorized and directed to pay same upon submission and receipt thereof.

            Section IV This employment shall continue and is effective immediately upon adoption of this resolution.

            The vote, in open meeting, on the resolution was as follows:

YEAS:              Mr. Dwayne Sanner, Mr. R. Scott Nunez, Mr. Loston McEvers, Mrs. Karen Nunez, Mrs. Dot Theriot, Mrs. Marsha Trahan

NAYS:              None

ABSENT:          Mr. Marvin Trahan

                                                                                    CERTIFICATE

I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the Ascension Parish School Board in regular session duly convened on April 14, 2008 and that same has not been rescinded or repealed.

CAMERON, LOUISIANA, this 14th day of April, 2008.

______________________                  _______________________

Mr. Dwayne Sanner,  President           Ms. Stephanie Rodrigue , Secretary-Treasurer

CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD