MINUTES

POINTE COUPEE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

337 Napoleon Street

New Roads, LA 70760

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Thursday, April 28, 2022

The Pointe Coupee Parish School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 337 Napoleon Street in New Roads, Louisiana 70760.

President Jason Lemoine called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

President Lemoine offered the invocation and he requested that Board Member Aubry Hendricks lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America.

School Board members in attendance were Chad Aguillard, Frank R. Aguillard, Jr., Lisa Loupe D'Aquila, Walter Grezaffi, Aubry Hendricks, Jason Lemoine and Thomas A. Nelson.

School Board member Anita LeJeune was absent.

Central Office Administrative Staff in attendance: Kim Canezaro, Superintendent; Natalie Aguillard, Personnel Director; Andrew Duhe', Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations; Marcie Cazayoux, Data Programs Supervisor, Brandi Forbes, Literacy Coach Coordinator; Karla Jack, Federal Programs, CTE, Adult Education Director/Assistant Superintendent; Kristy LaCoste, Chief Academic Officer/Supervisor of Early Childhood Education and Curriculum; Stephen Langlois, Chief Financial Officer; Kate Roy, Child Nutrition Program Supervisor; Rebecca Stephenson, Director of Assessment, Accountability, Professional Development and IT; Dr. LaShonda Victorian, Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor; and Mary Wells, Special Education Supervisor.

School Administrative Staff in attendance: Aiman Bayoumi, Principal of Rougon Elementary; Lacey Bueche, Chief Program Administrator at STEM; Tara Glaser, Principal of Valverda Elementary; Kent Smith, Principal of Rosenwald Elementary School; Ms. April Scott Assistant Principal of Livonia High School; and Carolyn Wells, Principal of UPCE.

Expression of Sympathy. On a motion by the entire Board and seconded by the entire Board, condolences were offered to the families of:

The family of Louise Albert, the mother of John Albert, an employee at the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board's Maintenance Department.

The family of Rodney Latham, the father of Bridget Allement, a teacher at Rougon Elementary School.

Remarks from the Superintendent-  Superintendent Canezaro announced the annual parish-wide senior final walk-through is May 9th. The seniors will travel by bus to each school and walk the campuses one last time so their accomplishments can be cheered on by our younger learners and the adults who have helped shape their path. This is a fun and exciting event for all. A copy of the route is in your update folder. Superintendent Canezaro also reminded everyone Graduation 2022 is scheduled for May 12th at 6:00 p.m. at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) on the LSU campus.

Superintendent Canezaro announced that representatives from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) will be at Rougon on May 5th during Teacher Appreciation Week to show support of our teachers. She stated that we are glad to welcome them to the district.

Consent Agenda — On a motion by Mr. Thomas Nelson, seconded by Ms. Lisa Loupe D'Aquila, the following consent agenda items were approved for adoption by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.

·         Approval of the minutes from the regular School Board meeting of Thursday, March 24, 2022.

·         Approval of minutes from the Executive Committee meeting of Thursday, April 21, 2022.

·         Proclaim May 2-6, 2022, as Teacher Appreciation Week.

Receive the Head Start Supervisor's Monthly Report. Ms. Amanda Fontenot stated the Head Start Monthly Report for end of the fiscal year April 2021-2022, has been on BoardDocs for review and asked if there were any questions. Having no questions, a motion was entertained to receive the report.

Ms. Lisa Loupe D'Aquila made a motion to receive the monthly Head Start Supervisor's Report for end of the fiscal year April 2021-2020. The motion was seconded by Mr. Aubry Hendricks, and the report was approved by a unanimous vote of the seven members of the Board present and voting.

Discussion and/or Action Regarding Plans for Future Child Nutrition Program Wellness  Facility and Greenhouses. Mrs. Kate Roy announced a document was placed on BoardDocs regarding the most recent collection of health statistics for the parish of Pointe Coupee. She stated that she has been in meetings with other community stakeholders regarding ways to improve the health of the parish. Mrs. Roy mentioned there is surplus money in the child nutrition budget and it must be spent down for financial auditing compliance purposes. She stated that she came up with a plan and came here tonight to ask the Board for their support to move forward with the State Department of Education. Mrs. Roy mentioned basically she would like to create a wellness facility for the district to create greenhouses to grow produce to serve students in our schools. She stated a facility is needed to prepare the produce and would like to use the land located behind the abandoned field house at the STEM Magnet Academy. Mrs. Roy is also requesting permission to repurpose the abandoned field house on the property for use as a facility to process the produce, and to teach students about farm to table wellness techniques regarding how to grow and prepare their own food. Mrs. Roy stated the goal now is to put the funds to the best use for the students and asked members of the School Board if they had any questions.

Board Member Chad Aguillard questioned Mrs. Roy regarding the amount of excess funds that needs to be spent down. Mrs. Roy announced that she does not have an exact amount yet; however, she anticipates the amount to be close to what was left over last year ($400,000). Mrs. Roy further stated that what she is asking for tonight is the Board's support to utilize the abandoned field house building and the area behind it to move forward with submission of the wellness plan to the State Department of Education. Mr. Chad Aguillard expressed his sentiments about money to be spent down and questioned who came up with the plans for a greenhouse since depending on the amount of money to be spent perhaps members of the Board would like to use it in an appropriate manner on another project. Board Member Walter Grezaffi stated that he understands where Mr. Chad Aguillard is coming from wanting to know how much is to be spent and not throwing all "eggs" into one basket; however, this plan is something that has been well thought out for the health of our students and community. Spending some of the money for farm to table (greenhouses) will allow the community to see the efforts being taken to improve the health of our parish citizens. Board Member Frank Aguillard mentioned that Mrs. Roy has been working for the school system for eleven years and has done a good job in her department. Mr. Chad Aguillard stated that he wants the record to reflect that he is not against the greenhouse project, as he may have even come up with the idea; he further stated that he is talking about the process. He mentioned that it looks like a decision had already been made before they discussed possible options regarding how to spend the money. Superintendent Canezaro explained that Mrs. Roy has parameters where the money can be spent, and she is bringing forth her ideas after doing her research regarding parish health statistics and finding out what other school systems are doing. Ms. Canezaro stated if there is something else the Board would like to contribute, now is the time. Superintendent Canezaro mentioned the first step in this process is to obtain approval from the Board to show the state the Board supports the plan. Ms. Canezaro and Mr. Stephen Langlois recommend the initiative as it is sustainable and will not affect the general fund budget. Ms. Roy can come back to the Board if the state agrees or doesn't agree to approve the plan.

Board Member Lisa Loupe D'Aquila stated that she thinks it is a great plan, and a great asset for our community; she applauded Mrs. Kate Roy for her research. Ms. D'Aquila inquired if Mrs. Roy received a good feeling from the State regarding the possibility of getting this plan approved. Mrs. Roy mentioned the State has a big push for wellness programs and support of the School Board would help their decision to approve or not approve the plan.

President Jason Lemoine mentioned after the discussion at the Executive Committee last week, he noticed two greenhouses at Grant High School the other day. Ms. Roy reiterated there is a push for wellness and other school systems are doing this.

Mr. Chad Aguillard made a motion for Mrs. Roy to proceed forward with submission of the Child Nutrition Wellness Facility and Greenhouse Plan to the State Department of Education. The motion was seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi and carried by a 7-0 unanimous vote of the members of the Board present and voting.

Board Member Frank Aguillard interjected that he would like a report each month on what priority projects have been completed at the schools; he also asked principals to add to their list and let them know the status of the projects (windows, light fixtures, etc.) Mr. Aguillard mentioned we have never had this type of opportunity in this parish to improve our school facilities like we have now using ESSER funds; he further mentioned that some ESSER funds can be utilized for outdoor classrooms.

Discussion and/or Action Regarding Job Descriptions and Salary Schedules for Student Wellness Administrator, Head Chef, and Green House Production Manager. Mrs. Kate Roy briefly reviewed the job descriptions/salary schedules that are on BoardDocs and stated approval by the Board would help to expedite the process if the wellness plan is approved by the State Department of Education.

On a motion by Ms. Lisa Loupe D'Aquila, seconded by Mr. Aubry Hendricks, the Board approved the job descriptions and salary schedules for a Student Wellness Administrator, Head Chef, and Green House Production Manager. The motion carried by a 7-0 unanimous vote of the members of the Board present and voting.

Discussion and/or Action Regarding Monthly Financial Information. Mr. Stephen Langlois stated as discussed at last week's meeting, the school system financials are positive. Mr. Langlois prepared information regarding the Minimum Foundation Program Revenue; Trial Balance Report for General Fund through, including the Property Tax Fund for Payroll, Transportation, Maintenance, Infrastructure and Technology; the information was placed on BoardDocs.

Mr. Frank Aguillard made a motion, seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi, to accept the monthly financial information for March 2022, as prepared by Mr. Stephen Langlois. The motion carried by a 7-0 unanimous vote of the members of the Board present and voting.

Receive Annual Audit Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2021. Mr. Stephen Langlois stated that Mr. Rodney Combs and Mr. Steve Berry of Postlethwaite and Netterville, were in attendance to present the school system's annual financial report for year ended June 30, 2021; a copy of the audit report was placed on BoardDocs. Mr. Combs reviewed the summary of audit results for fiscal year 2021, financial highlights, and the required communications with the Board. He stated the audit received is an unmodified opinion (the best you can receive) and commended the Board for their dedication and leadership.

Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi, to receive the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board's annual audit report for FY ending June 30, 2021, as presented by Rodney Combs of Postlethwaite and Netterville. The motion carried by a 7-0 unanimous vote of the members of the Board present and voting.

Discussion and/or Action Regarding a School Resource Officer at PCAP.  Board Member Frank Aguillard stated that he requested to include an item on this month's agenda regarding a School Resource Officer at PCAP. Mr. Aguillard stated the Superintendent has the discretion to hire an officer should the need arise. He mentioned another school may be interested in an additional officer; therefore, he would like to table this item until a new contract (July) with the Sheriff is presented.

Mr. Frank Aguillard made a motion, seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi, to table the agenda item regarding a SRO at PCAP. The motion carried by a 7-0 unanimous vote of the members of the Board present and voting.

Discussion and/or Action Regarding 21st CCLC Program Summer School Hourly Rate increases. Mr. Chad Aguillard made a motion, seconded by Mr. Aubry Hendricks, to approve the special hourly rates for the 21st CCLC 2021-2022 summer program for teachers, site coordinators, education liaison, paraprofessionals, and tutors as presented by Mr. Stephen Langlois; it was noted the following hourly rates are contingent upon available grant funding each year:

·              Certified/temporarily certified teachers or degreed professional with 5 or more years of teaching experience-$30.00 per hour

·              Tutor *individual with a 4-year college degree) -$21.00 per hour

·              Highly Qualified Paraprofessional-$17.00 per hour

·              Tutor (individual with a high school diploma and less than 4 years of college or a college student)-$13.50 per hour

·              Paraprofessionals who do not meet the Highly qualified Standards - $8.25 per hour

Discussion and/or Action Regarding Advertising for School Restroom Renovations at Schools. Mr. Stephen Langlois stated that he did walkthroughs at the five school campuses where principals requested restroom upgrades as a top priority. Mr. Langlois and Mr. Andrew Duhe' prepared a statement of probable costs for restroom renovation projects at Livonia High School, Rougon Elementary School, Rosenwald Elementary School, Upper Pointe Coupee Elementary School, and Valverda Elementary School (Mr. Langlois and Mr. Duhe' met with Mr. David Mougeot, Architect, who had an engineer help him create estimates for the renovation projects). The state has pre-approved $650,000 in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) funding. These upgrades are designed to be used to prevent, prepare, and respond to Covid (i.e., touchless faucet upgrades, partitions, toilet fixture upgrades, etc.). Mr. Langlois explained the estimated cost of the renovation project is $1,062,448.43; therefore, he is asking the Board to consider approval of using property tax maintenance funds for the remaining balance so they can begin the process of advertising when bid packets are ready to be picked up from the maintenance department.

Ms. Lisa Loupe D'Aquila made a motion, seconded by Mr. Frank Aguillard, to approve using property tax maintenance funds for the balance of what ESSER funds doesn't cover and begin advertising for bids. The motion carried by a 7-0 unanimous vote of the members of the Board present and voting

Approval to Purchase Student Devices for Freshman Initiative with Property Tax-Technology Fund.  The freshman laptop project allows students to have a laptop throughout their high school years at Livonia High School and STEM (the laptops include software that can track the device if lost, etc.). Mr. Stephen Langlois requested permission from the Board to use Property Tax Technology Funds to continue the freshman project.

Mr. Thomas Nelson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Frank Aguillard, to approve the purchase of student computer devices for freshmen initiative with Property Tax Technology Funds. The motion carried by a 7-0 unanimous vote of the members of the Board present and voting

Approval to Purchase Replacement Floor for Livonia High School with the Property Tax-Maintenance Fund.  Mr. Stephen Langlois mentioned that Principal Johnigan made a request to replace the gym floor at Livonia High School, Mr. Andrew Duhe', Maintenance Supervisor, highly recommends replacement. Mr. Langlois stated that he is asking permission to use funds from the property tax maintenance fund for the project. Mr. Stephen Langlois mentioned the gym floor is also used for classes. Board Member Chad Aguillard stated that he is not disputing or arguing about replacing the floor; however, he expressed his dismay about spending money to fix a 45-year-old gym floor where you can't house a 4-A High School playoff basketball game, according to LHSAA requirement rules, and must use the gym at STEM. Mr. Aguillard further stated that it is a signal of what direction we should look at going in the future as this should be some sign of where we are and the fact that we need a bigger gym.

Mr. Aubry Hendricks made a motion, seconded by Mr. Walter Grezaffi, to approve using Property Tax Maintenance Funds to replace the gym floor at Livonia High School. The motion carried by a 7-0 unanimous vote of the members of the Board present and voting.

Adjournment -  On a motion by Ms. Lisa Loupe D'Aquila, seconded by Mr. Thomas Nelson, the meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.

Kim Canezaro, Superintendent