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📚 Avoyelles Parish School Board: Council Proceedings Highlights 🏫

📚 Avoyelles Parish School Board: Council Proceedings Highlights 🏫

SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Avoyelles Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the School Board Office in Marksville, Louisiana, with the following members present:

Rickey Adams, President; Robin Moreau, Vice President; Latisha Small; Lynn Deloach; Keith Lacombe; Jay Callegari; Chris Robinson; Jill Guidry; and Aimee Dupuy.

Absent: None.

  1. An Invocation was offered by Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor.
  2. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America led by Board member Jill Guidry.
  3. A motion was made by Robin Moreau, seconded by Lynn Deloach, that the Board adopt the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, and the minutes of the Special Board meetings held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, and Friday, November 7, 2025, as printed and mailed to Board members and published in The Weekly News, official journal of the Board. The motion was adopted by the following 8-1 vote:
  4. YEAS: Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, Jay Callegari, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.
  5. NAYS: Chris Robinson.
  6. Board member Aimee Dupuy read a resolution of respect to the late Verna Brown Will, retired teacher. On motion by Aimee Dupuy, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Verna Brown Will, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  7. Board member Latisha Small read a resolution of respect to the late Bertha Mae Johnson, retired teacher. On motion by Latisha Small, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Bertha Mae Johnson, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  8. Board member Lynn Deloach read a resolution of respect to the late Sherwin Anthony Juneau, retired teacher. On motion by Lynn Deloach, seconded by Chris Robinson, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Sherwin Anthony Juneau, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  9. Board member Jay Callegari read a resolution of respect to the late Jeanette Henderson Dugas, retired teacher. On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late Jeanette Henderson Dugas, retired teacher. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  10. Board member Jill Guidry read a resolution of respect to the late John Wesley Lewis, former custodian. On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board adopted the resolution of respect to the late John Wesley Lewis, former custodian. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  11. Superintendent Karen Tutor recognized the Students of the Month for October 2025, and presented a plaque to each student. Also, each Board member read a short biography detailing the accomplishments of each student.

The Students of the Month at each school are as follows: - Gary Johnson, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy; - Colby Joshua, Cottonport Elementary School; - DeWayne Patterson, Lafargue Elementary School; - Kacedy Desselle, Marksville Elementary School; - Olivia Brouillette, Plaucheville Elementary School; - Kenberlyn Robinson, Riverside Elementary School; - Zadie Arnold, Avoyelles High School; - Maziah Smith, Bunkie Magnet High School; - Aubrey Bordelon, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; - Christopher Williams, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Rickey Adams commended the students on this outstanding achievement.

  1. Assistant Superintendent Thelma J. Prater recognized the Teachers of the Month for October 2025. She commended the teachers for their dedication, and Superintendent Tutor presented a plaque to each teacher, as follows:
  2. Chrissy Grayson, Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy;
  3. Tenley Bordelon, Cottonport Elementary School;
  4. Tracy Armand, Lafargue Elementary School;
  5. Morgan Valois, Marksville Elementary School;
  6. Amanda Gauthier, Plaucheville Elementary School;
  7. Shawnita Scott, Riverside Elementary School;
  8. Ashyln Barnette, Avoyelles High School;
  9. Katelyn Hillman, Bunkie Magnet High School;
  10. Keri Desselle, Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences;
  11. Caylene Coco, Marksville High School.

On behalf of the Board, President Rickey Adams commended the teachers on this outstanding achievement.

INFORMATION ITEMS:

  1. Superintendent Karen Tutor introduced Candy Williams, Director of the Avoyelles Parish Library System.
  2. Board member Chris Robinson addressed the Board regarding clarification of RFP for E-Rate Category 2 tech products for 2026-2029.
    On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board agreed to move this item to Action Item #36 for discussion. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  3. The Sales Tax Report was presented for the month of October 2025.
    Sales tax collections totaled $1,044,701.25. Of this amount:
  4. The 1% sales tax generated $596,972.08
  5. The 0.25% sales tax generated $137,371.73
  6. The building and maintenance fund generated $961,602.97.
  7. The monthly maintenance report on expenditures was presented.
  8. Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, presented the 2025-2026 Year-to-Date Report with Comparisons.
  9. Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, presented the 2024-2025 Financials for LaSAS and for Food Service.
  10. The following personnel changes were reported for the Board's review:

PERSONNEL CHANGES

  • BUNKIE ELEMENTARY LEARNING ACADEMY
    Resignation of Joni Roy, teacher, effective November 4, 2025.
  • MARKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    Resignation of Brinisha Hamilton, kindergarten teacher, effective October 24, 2025.
  • AVOYELLES HIGH SCHOOL
    Resignation of Courtney M. Cater, band director, effective October 24, 2025.
    Transfer/Appointment of Angel M. Armand, from special education paraprofessional to custodian, effective November 4, 2025, replacing Philip Meche.
  • MARKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
    Resignation of Valerie Carmouche, food service technician, effective November 7, 2025.
    Appointment of Brittany L. Johnson, food service technician, effective November 19, 2025.
  • CENTRAL OFFICE
    Transfer/Appointment of Melissa D. Terrell, from school secretary at LaSAS to accounts payable clerk, effective January 5, 2026.
  1. Request to approve BESE-Authorized Board Chair Assurances for Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences.
  2. Request to approve the lease agreement between PEAC Solutions and Riverside Elementary School, AVAP, and the warehouse for Xerox machines.
  3. Request to approve the Professional Learning Agreement between Avoyelles Parish Schools and Phil Brocato in the amount of $6,000.00, funded by IDEA-B.
  4. Request to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for transition services between Louisiana Works (formerly Louisiana Workforce Commission) and Avoyelles Parish School District/Division of Special Populations.
  5. Request to approve the contract with Kira Learning, Tier One computer science curriculum to provide Computer Science Praxis support to four (4) classroom teachers for 14 weeks to become certified Computer Science teachers for a cost of $6,000 to be paid with Computer Science Grant.
  6. Request to approve the Plaucheville Elementary School bus buildout (inside) at a cost of approximately $40,000 to be paid with Full Service Community School Grant Funds.
  7. Request to approve the wall repair work at Riverside Elementary School by Rusk Carpentry, LLC in the amount of $6,740.00, funded by School Food Service Fund 01.
  8. Request to approve window replacement and installation at Plaucheville Elementary School by Rusk Carpentry, LLC in the amount of $33,980.00, funded by School Food Service Fund 135.
  9. Request to approve the replacement and installation of ceiling tile at Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy by Rusk Carpentry, LLC in the amount of $19,300.00, funded by School Food Service Fund 135.
  10. Request to approve repairs to wall and remove hanging heaters at Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy by Rusk Carpentry, LLC in the amount of $5,620.00, funded by School Food Service Fund 01.
  11. Request to approve revised policies, as follows:
  12. File: GAAA - Equal Opportunity Employment
  13. File: IDDF - Education of Students with Exceptionalities
  14. File: IDDFC - Cameras in Special Education Classrooms
  15. File: JAA - Equal Education Opportunities
  16. File: JD - Discipline
  17. File: JDA - Corporal Punishment
  18. Request to approve overnight travel.

On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Jay Callegari, the Board approved the consent agenda items listed above. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ACTION ITEMS:

  1. Superintendent Karen Tutor addressed the Board to discuss naming the new complex.
    A motion was offered by Robin Moreau, seconded by Jay Callegari, that the Board name the new complex Lake Pearl Community Education Center. The motion failed by the following vote 2-7 vote:
  2. YEAS: Robin Moreau and Jay Callegari.
  3. NAYS: Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.

A motion was offered by Keith Lacombe, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, that the Board name the new complex Avoyelles Community Education Center. The motion was adopted by the following 8-1 vote: - YEAS: Latisha Small, Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, Jay Callegari, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy. - NAYS: Chris Robinson.

  1. Mary Bonnette, Finance Director, addressed the Board with a recommendation to select the upcoming tax election date - this for the special maintenance (5 mill) tax renewals and the 1977 half-cent sales tax renewal.
    On motion by Chris Robinson, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the selection of June 27, 2026, as the upcoming tax election date. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  2. Jessica Gauthier, Data Supervisor/Student Information Manager, addressed the Board with a recommendation to purchase Parchment Option I. Current students would continue to get free transcripts; however, once they graduate, they would pay $10 per transcript, and any third-party request is $50.
    On motion by Jill Guidry, seconded by Robin Moreau, the Board approved the purchase of Parchment Option I as presented by Ms. Jessica Gauthier. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  3. Board member Chris Robinson addressed the Board with a recommendation to add Board comments to every agenda. After discussion, the Board agreed that Board announcements can be added to the "Information Items" section of the meeting agendas as needed.
    Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to reject the bid of $25,000.00 for the house at 301 Cedar Street because the appraised value was $65,000.00. On motion by Jay Callegari, seconded by Jill Guidry, the Board rejected the bid of $25,000.00 for the house at 301 Cedar Street due to the appraised value being $65,000.00. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  4. Ray Carlock, Maintenance Supervisor, addressed the Board with a recommendation to approve the Seismic Survey 3D Permit request by Gage Lane and Minerals, LLC, on APSB property in Section 16, T2N-R6E and Section 21, T2N-R6E in the Lake Long area. The survey will include 21.37 acres in Section 21, T2N-R6E and 156.30 acres in Section 16, T2N-R6E. The total acreage for the survey is 177.67 acres. The Avoyelles Parish School Board will be paid $10 per acre by Gage Lane and Minerals, LLC for the survey, which is a total of $1,776.70. On motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the Board approved the Seismic Survey 3D Permit request by Gage Lane and Minerals, LLC, on APSB property in Section 16, T2N-R6E and Section 21, T2N-R6E in the Lake Long area, as presented by Mr. Ray Carlock. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
  5. Board member Chris Robinson addressed the Board regarding clarification of RFP for E-Rate Category 2 tech products for 2026-2029. At the October Board meeting, the Board approved the release of RFP (requests for proposal) for Category 2 technology products for 2026-2029 (Consent Agenda Item #25 of the 10/21/25 regular meeting). Board member Robinson explained that he had voted to approve this measure at that time only because he thought the contract was expiring; however, he has since discovered that the contract has renewal options.
    Becky Spencer, Network Supervisor, clarified that the original contract runs from 2023-2026 with two voluntary one-year extensions at the same rate as the original contract. Releasing RFP at the October meeting was to see if comparables for a better rate could be obtained from other bidders. Board members then discussed their options in this matter. A motion was made by Robin Moreau, seconded by Chris Robinson, that the Board rescind approval of the motion to release RFP for Category 2 technology products for 2026-2029 (originally approved in the 10/21/25 regular Board meeting). The motion to rescind was adopted by the following 8-1 vote:
  6. YEAS: Lynn Deloach, Keith Lacombe, Robin Moreau, Jay Callegari, Chris Robinson, Rickey Adams, Jill Guidry, and Aimee Dupuy.
  7. NAYS: Latisha Small.

There being no further business, on motion by Robin Moreau, seconded by Aimee Dupuy, the meeting was adjourned.

AVOYELLES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Rickey Adams, President
Karen L. Tutor, Superintendent
Secretary/Treasurer

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