OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE ZACHARY COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD
WORK SESSION – TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
The work session was called to order by Mr. Owen at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at
3755 Church Street, Zachary, Louisiana.
Invocation was led by Donna Grice.
BOARD MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Hubie Owen, Beth Kimmell, Donna Grice, David Dayton,
Gaynell Young, Gwen Fuselier, Marty Hughes, Heidi Vessel, Ann Watkins.
Others in Attendance: Michelle Clayton, Gordon Robertson, Yolanda Williams, Patrick Jenkins,
Allyson, Russell, Adonica Duggan, Karin Lawless, Diane Stone, Tammy Wood, David Brewerton,
Gwen Longmire, Debbie Lowery, Rose Kennedy, John Stagg (ZAF), Ricky McDavid (Leader Title),
Jennifer Bayhi-Gennaro (The Post), Stacy Gill (The Advocate).
The following items were discussed:
PERSONNEL UPDATE
Mrs. Williams gave a staffing update, reporting one resignation and 4 employees retiring at the
end of the 2014-15 school year. Retirees will be recognized at the May board meeting for their
years of service.
ACT 570 HEARING OFFICER LIST
Mrs. Williams reviewed the list of ACT 570 disciplinary hearing officers. This ACT deals with the
changes to the tenure teacher dismissal laws. At tonight’s meeting approval will be requested
from the board for the following persons to serve as disciplinary hearing officers for the district
should a tenure teacher choose to challenge their dismissal. They are: Mark Boyer, David
Pittman, Pat Amadee, Chris Moody, and Brett Duncan (see attached). Mrs. Williams stated that
changes to this list could be requested at any time; however, counsel would be sought.
TESTING UPDATE
Dr. Clayton reviewed a testing calendar indicating dates from February to May, 2015 for State
and District tests. The next two weeks students will begin to take the ACT series of tests which
include the PLAN/EXPLORE and ACT. The window for those tests is March 9 – March 13. Dr.
Clayton stated that the ACT test accounts for 25% of the high school score. From March 16 -20
students will embark upon the PARCC Assessments. Dr. Clayton discussed the “opt-out” option
that some parents are choosing for the PARCC Assessments, stating that there are currently 10
students in our district that have opted out of testing. The process for the decision was
reviewed.
Dr. Clayton informed the board that initially a request was going to be made to the board to
pass a resolution to request BESE not to assign zeroes to ZCSD students who did not test.
However, the State has indicated that they will take care of the zeroes after the testing is over,
and our district is respecting their word to deal with this issue in a way that would not harm
school performance scores. If it is handled differently, Dr. Clayton stated that at that time the
board would be requested to make a resolution requesting BESE to reconsider and not assign
our students a score of zero. Mrs. Young requested to be kept posted on the decisions of BESE.
Dr. Clayton informed the board that parents were being counseled on the opt-out option,
encouraging them to allow their child’s participation. Dr. Clayton stated that it is a no-stakes
test for students, and results would not be returned until fall 2015.
ADVERTISING FOR FOOD SERVICE AND SUPPLY BIDS
Mrs. Russell informed the board that permission will be requested at the board meeting tonight
to advertise at the end of March to open bids in April for the 2015-16 school year on all food
products, paper, cleaning products, commodity, storage and delivery, and the Subway line for
Zachary High School.
SALES TAX PROPOSITION – The recommendation to announce that the ZCSB plans to adopt an
ordinance providing for the levy of said sales and use tax pursuant to said voter authorization,
at its meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. for a ¾ cent sales tax levy, which was
accepted at the Finance Committee meeting held prior to this meeting, was adopted during this
work session.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
Mr. Robertson reviewed a list of miscellaneous broken items to be disposed and a list of surplus
items to be sold, recycled, or junked (see attached). Request for the board’s approval to put
these items up for surplus will be made at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Robertson stated that a 2001
Dodge Ram 2500 truck would be donated to ZCTC to be used for instruction. The date of the
sale has not yet been determined.
RENOVATION OF ZACHARY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TRACK AND MULTIPURPOSE FIELD
The recommendation made by the Finance Committee to propose $975,000 for the renovation
of the Zachary Community Schools Track and Multipurpose Field which was held prior to this
meeting was adopted at this work session.
ANGELO’S CONTRACT
The contract for the district’s landscaping was discussed. Mr. Jenkins informed the board that
approval of the 3 year contract with Angelo’s Landscape for $379,000 will be requested at the
meeting tonight. (See attached proposal.)
CHANGE DATE OF WORK SESSION AND BOARD MEETING ON MAY 19, 2015 TO MAY 5, 2015
Mr. Owen stated that due to the ZHS graduation ceremony, a request would be made at
tonight’s board meeting to change the May 19, 2015 meeting date to May 5, 2015. In order to
accept E-rate bids, a board meeting will be scheduled on March 17, 2015 in conjunction with
the Work Shop Committee meeting.
NAMING OF PUBLIC BUILDING
John Stagg, President of the Zachary Athletic Foundation, informed the board that in honor of
long-time Zachary High School Principal, Mr. Jerry Boudreaux, ZAF’s desire for their first large
fundraiser was to name the Academic/Athletic building at the facility in his honor. Project
drawings were presented. It is ZAF’s request to raise funds through private donations including
alumni and local businesses to accomplish this project. Board approval to name this public
building will be requested at the meeting tonight.
The work session was adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
Hubie Owen, President
Scott Devillier, Superintendent