Parish of Cameron
January 8, 2007
The Cameron Parish School Board met in special session at 4:00 P.M. on this date with the following members present: Loston McEvers, Dot Theriot, Rachel Abadie, Pat Howerton, Dwayne Sanner, Patty Morris, and Marvin Trahan.
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mrs. Abadie, the Board held the special meeting in abeyance as a result of a phone call 4 hours before the special meeting. The original purpose of the special meeting was altered as a result as information provided by Chenier LNG to Mr. McEvers and the Superintendent on January 8, 2007. Mr. McEvers presented a summary on the information that he received from Chenier Energy’s phone conversation.
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mrs. Abadie, the Board adjourned the special meeting.
APPROVED:
______________________________
Loston McEvers, President
CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
ATTEST:
____________________________
Douglas L. Chance, Secretary
CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Parish of Cameron
January 8, 2007
The Cameron Parish School Board met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Loston McEvers, Dot Theriot, Rachel Abadie, Pat Howerton, Dwayne Sanner, Patty Morris, and Marvin Trahan.
On motion of Mr. Sanner, seconded by Mr. Howerton, the Board approved to extend Mr. McEver’s term as President for one year.
On motion of Mrs. Theriot, seconded by Mr. Howerton, the Board approved to extend Mr. Sanner’s term as Vice President for one year.
On motion of Mrs. Theriot, seconded by Mr. Trahan, the Board approved the agenda.
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mr. Sanner, the Board approved the minutes as printed from December 11, 2006 regular board meeting.
Ms. Rodrigue presented Kirk Stansel, Owner, Guy Stansel, Owner, Bobby Stansel, Owner and Buddy Oakes, Marketing Manager with Hackberry Rod and Gun Club with certificates of grateful appreciation for the support, generosity and assistance to the students and educational programs of Cameron Parish School Board. Mr. Blaise Leonards, a Hackberry High School student was the 2006 Essay Contest Winner, which is sponsored by Hackberry Rod and Gun Club, was presented a certificate of special recognition.
Mr. Zeke Wainwright presented Mr. Brent Clements with Cameron Communications, LLC, a certification of special recognition in grateful appreciation for the support, generosity and assistance to the student athletes of South Cameron High School in the construction of a Baseball Field. Mr. Clements expressed appreciation and recognition to the following donors who contributed in so many ways to make this project a success:
Roy Bailey Construction – Shadd Savoie
Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Department
Crain Brothers, Inc.
Cameron Rental & Tank
J & R Track Hoe
Danny Sanford Fencing
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mrs. Abadie, the Board agreed to hold comments on projects and to hold action on the Cheniere proposal in abeyance until a meeting is conducted on January 17, 2007 with representatives of Cheniere LNG, per the company’s request. The meeting will be attended by Mr. McEvers, Mr. Dwayne Sanner, and the superintendent. These actions were precipitated by Cheniere LNG’s alteration of the pre-paid tax proposal previously presented to the Board only four hours before the Board’s special meeting on
January 8, 2007.
On motion of Ms. Theriot, seconded by Mrs. Morris, the Board approved the bid from Bessette Development for the pavilion at Johnson Bayou School in the amount of $280,000.00.
Company Bid Type Amount
Bessette Development Base (Cinder block) $280,000.00*
Bessette Development Alternate (metal studs/
Flow through) $248,000.00
Sam Istre Construction Base (Cinder block) $318,000.00
Sam Istre Construction Alternate (metal studs/
Flow through) $283,500.00
On motion of Mr. Sanner, seconded by Mr. Howerton, the Board approved the bid from H&H Metal Construction on the 48’x40’x12’ metal building to be construction on slab with 1 – 10’ roll up door and one side door with insulation in the walls and roof area.
Company Bid Type Amount
H&H Metal Construction metal building $29,600
Mr. Doug Welch, Maintenance Supervisor, gave an updated report on the various construction jobs in progress for all school sites in the parish.
Mrs. Cindy Sellers, Cameron Pilot reporter and Cameron Parish resident, presented a historical perspective and discussion on challenges facing residents parish wide, businesses, governmental agencies and the necessity to work together in order to restore Cameron Parish.
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mrs. Abadie, the Board approved the financial statement and payment of bills.
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board approved the reports on the Fur Festival and recognition and comments as presented by Mrs. Nancy Boudreaux.
On motion of Mrs. Morris, seconded by Mr. Trahan, the Board approved the FEMA report update as presented by Mrs. Stephanie Rodrigue.
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mr. Sanner, the Board approved a land management request of burning activities and the relationship between the refuge and the Cameron Parish School Board on sections 16-14-11, 16-14-12, 16-14-13 and 16-12-5.
On motion of Mrs. Theriot, seconded by Mrs. Morris, the Board received a report on academic partnerships with AEGON, USA; Chevron; First Book; Sempra Energy; Virtue Foundation, as presented by Mrs. Stephanie Rodrigue.
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mr. Sanner, the Board approved the report of purchasing two (2) buses for challenged students. The school board was able to “piggy-back” on a bus bid with the Jeff Davis Parish School Board and the buses will be purchased from Ross Bus Sales as presented by Mr. Doug Welch.
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mr. Sanner the Board approved the report on Restart Funding. The program is designed to support the provision of immediate services or assistance to local educational agencies and non-public schools in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that serve an area in which the Federal government has declared a major disaster as a result of Hurricane Katrina or Rita. Cameron Parish School Board has received an allocation of $2,753.784.00 as reported by Ms. Willyne Kestel.
On motion of Mr. Sanner, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board approved a Bereavement Leave Policy which gives employees 3 days which will not be charged to their sick or annual leave. The bereavement leave shall be granted to employees in the event of the death of an immediate family member. (See Attachment)
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board approved a College/University Tuition Reimbursement Policy for use beginning immediately as received on December 11, 2006 as presented by Superintendent. (See Attachment)
On motion of Mr. Sanner, seconded by Mr. Howerton, the Board approved the Substitute Salaries Policy as received at the December 11, 2006 meeting as presented by the Superintendent. (See Attachment)
On motion of Mr. Howerton, seconded by Mrs. Theriot, the Board received the presentation of the finalized plans in preparation for varsity football at South Cameron High School in August, 2007 with no funds needed for planning, as presented by the Superintendent. There will be a report at the February 12th, 2007 school board meeting.
On motion of Mrs. Theriot, seconded by Mr. Howerton, the Board authorized the expenditure of funds, if needed, to continue the planning of the central office at the Cameron Elementary site wherein a presentation will be made at the meeting on February 12th, 2007.
On motion of Mr. Sanner, seconded by Ms. Abadie, the Board approved to officially identify the campus at 753 Grand Chenier Hwy, Creole, Louisiana as South Cameron High School, Grades K-12 including 8(g) PK, in preparation for 2007-2008; and further, hold the names of Cameron Elementary and South Cameron Elementary in abeyance until a need for their use develops .
On motion of Mrs. Theriot, seconded by Mrs. Abadie, the Board approved the school calendar for 2007-2008 school year as presented by the Superintendent. Copy attached
On motion of Mrs. Theriot, seconded by Mr. Trahan, the Board approved the following personnel report.
Personnel
The following listed items are recommended by the superintendent.
______________________________
Douglas L. Chance, Superintendent
Appointments:
David Marcantel, Science Teacher, Johnson Bayou, effective December 18, 2006 through June 1, 2007; i.e., provisional appointment projected through the remainder of the session;
Melissa Poole, Special Education Teacher, Grand Lake, effective January 16, 2007 through June 1, 2007; i.e., provisional appointment projected through the remainder of the session;
Elise Stine, Special Education Teacher, Hackberry High School, effective January 8, 2007 through June 1, 2007; i.e., provisional appointment projected through the remainder of the session;
Shirley Bonsall, Warehousing, Delivery & Other Duties – effective January 10, 2007 and continuing until further notice per the recommendation. Copy of recommendation is attached.
Payment of Sick Leave:
Nicky Rodrigue, South Cameron High, recommend payment of up to 25 days of accrued and unused sick leave per the Louisiana Revised Statutes;
Eleanor Lyons, Hackberry, recommend payment of her accrued leave on the occasion of her retirement per the Louisiana Revised Statutes and Board policy;
Extended Sick Leave
Jamie Williamson, Johnson Bayou, recommend approval of her extended sick leave request based upon the Louisiana Revised Statutes and her physician’s statements during the period November 14, 2006 through January 22, 2007;
Sabbatical Leave:
Roger Miller, English, South Cameron High – recommend approval of his request for a medical sabbatical leave for the spring semester 2007 contingent upon appropriate physician statements;
APPROVED:
______________________________
Loston McEvers, President
CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
ATTEST:
____________________________
Douglas L. Chance, Secretary
CAMERON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
ATTACHMENT #1
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
Bereavement leave shall be granted to employees in the event of the death of an immediate family member without the absence(s) being charged to either sick leave or annual leave. Such leave shall be administered as follows:
1. The calendar day before the funeral; the calendar day of the funeral; the calendar day after the funeral.
2. Immediate family shall be defined as spouse and children; mother and father or that of the spouse; brothers and sisters and their spouses or that of the spouse; and the employee's grandparents, spouse's grandparents, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law.
The principal or department head shall be responsible for verifying bereavement leave requested.
Note: If this policy is adopted on January 8, 2007, then it shall be applicable beginning Tuesday, January 9, 2007.
ATTACHMENT #2
College/University Tuition Reimbursement
Persons employed in positions requiring certification as specified by the Louisiana State Department of Education will be eligible to make application for college/university tuition reimbursement.
If a qualified person makes application for reimbursement for tuition cost on courses within a recognized certification area specified by the Louisiana State Department of Education, and the person has earned a grade of “C” or better, then the individual will be considered eligible for reimbursement for the credit earned in a course or courses.
Persons making application for reimbursement for credit earned after January 11, 2007 shall agree to the following:
(1) Continue as an active, on the job, employee in Cameron Parish for an equivalence of one-year for each semester of tuition reimbursement paid by the Cameron Parish School Board; or,
(2) Reimburse the Cameron Parish School Board for all tuition reimbursement received for credits earned after January 11, 2007.
It is understood, if the Cameron Parish School Board determines that another course of
action is in the best interest of the school system, then the Board may assume another position or modify the parameters as stated herein.
Note: Rationale for the policy involves an example of a teacher receiving tuition reimbursement for credit earned in the Spring of 2006 and Summer of 2006; and thereafter, resigning before school opens on August 17, 2006. (This is NOT a real example, but it is very close to a real one.)
ATTACHMENT #3
SUBSTITUTE SALARIES
Teacher (Degreed with a teaching certificate) $80.00 per day
On the eleventh consecutive day Daily rate per salary schedule with verified experience, otherwise degree and zero years
Teacher (Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree $65.00 per day
without a teaching certificate)
On the eleventh consecutive day $80.00 per day
Teacher (Non-degreed) $55.00 per day
On the eleventh consecutive day $70.00 per day
Bus Drivers $47.00 per day
Paraprofessionals $47.00 per day
Custodians/Sweepers $6.25 per hour
Food Service Workers $6.25 per hour
School Clerks $6.25 per hours
ATTACHMENT #4
**180 days for students 7:55 AM through 3:10 PM (approximate)
182 days for teachers
Teachers Report Wednesday August 15, 2007 Professional Development
Thursday August 16, 2007 Professional Development
Students Report Friday August 17, 2007 First Day of Classes
Labor Day Monday September 3, 2007
Thanksgiving November 19-23, 2007 (closed all week)
Classes Resume Monday November 26, 2007
Christmas/New Year’s Thursday, December 20, 2007 through
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Classes Resume Thursday January 3, 2008
Martin Luther King Monday January 21, 2008
Mardi Gras Mon.-Tues. February 4-5, 2008
Easter Break Fri. – Friday March 21 – 28, 2008
Classes Resume Monday March 31, 2008
Memorial Day Monday May 26, 2008
Last Day of Session Friday May 30, 2008