Board Room, Louisiana School, Natchitoches, LA
Board Room, Louisiana School, Natchitoches, LA
11:00 a.m. May 25, 1997
Alumni Association Business Meeting called to order at 11:08 a.m. with Micah Luftig, LSMSAAA Treasurer, presiding.
There was a motion made and seconded to approve the minutes. It passed.
The Treasurer's Report was given. The balance of the LSMSAAA account as of May 23, 1997 was $2244.44, to which will be added the dues collected during the weekend. Dues reminder card will be sent out this summer.
In the absence of Bro. David Sinitiere, Dr. Bill Ebarb and Dr. Richard Loftin answered questions about the current state of the school.
Gaining college credit for Louisiana School courses was discussed. Dr. Ebarb said that during Dr. Robert Peters directorship, the school had been working to make agreements with colleges to gain college credit for LSMSA courses, and that NLU, NSU, LA Tech, and SLU had examined courses at LSMSA. The Board of Directors nor the colleges or the Board of Regents have formally agreed to anything.
The La. State Senate has passed a bill that would allow LSMSA graduates with a 3.5 GPA or better to receive the "5% Scholarship," the tuition waiver for in-state colleges and universities, rather than just the top 5% of each class. They are trying to reduce it to a 3.0 GPA.
The Legislature allocated $168,000 for improvements to Caddo and Prudhomme this year. In other fiscal matters, this year's is the largest budget ever for LSMSA, and there is plenty of money for school operations. There is a lack of money for more large scale programs such as a new cafeteria/kitchen and arts building, among other "interesting things" as Dr. Ebarb stated. The school is no longer the lowest funded school of its type in the nation.
The Louisiana School Foundation is in the process of raising money to hire a director of development so that major fundraising for the school can begin.
Also discussed were changes in the focus system and how changes in public schools affect LSMSA.
There was discussion on forming regional chapters of the association to mobilize the alumni. The issue of having an Alumnus appointed to the Board of Directors was discussed. A motion was made, seconded, and passed that the Executive Committee send a letter to Governor Foster with a cc: to the Board of Directors, also attaching a letter to the Board asking for their assistance.
Micah Luftig announced that all the amendments of the recent vote passed. * (see below)
The Parent's Association has been reorganized, and according to Dr. Loftin, the involvement by the new juniors' parents seems promising. Dr. Loftin mentioned that the Parents' Association has split the state into several regions, and will elect their officers later this summer. Dr. Loftin also reported that there were about 350 applications this year, with about 212 being invited.
Those present discussed the necessity of an impeachment clause to the Constitution. The duties of Vice-President mentions that in the event of the President being impeached, he would take over, but nothing in the Constitution details how the impeachment process works.
A motion was made and seconded to impeach the President, under the assumption that the President can be impeached as mentioned in the Constitution that the Vice-President must take over if the President is impeached.
The issue of memorial plaques was discussed at the request of the school. Currently, there are no criteria defining who gets a plaque in the courtyard upon death. In the future there could reach a point where there is no more space to put memorial plaques. It was decided that the Association should ask for the input of Louisiana School staff for ideas.
The Association's role in fundraising was discussed. The possibility of corporate/alumni association "scholarships" for Louisiana School room and board fee was discussed.
The floor was opened for nominations for President. Kristy Zeringue Boxberger was nominated and since there were no other nominees, nominations were closed. Kristy Boxberger was voted President by acclimation.
The floor was opened for nominations for Vice President. Alan Boxberger was nominated and since there were no other nominees, nominations were closed. Alan Boxberger was voted Vice President by acclimation.
The floor was opened for nominations for Secretary. Brian Beavers was nominated and since there were no other nominees, nominations were closed. Brian Beavers was voted Secretary by acclimation.
The floor was opened for nominations for Natchitoches Liaison. Rachel Hughes was nominated and since there were no other nominees, nominations were closed. Rachel Hughes was voted Natchitoches Liaison by acclimation.
Dr. Richard Loftin, as Director of External Affairs, was selected to be the Louisiana School Liason.
The meeting was adjourned.
*Note: One amendment did not pass--one dealing with the removal of the classification "associate member."