TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

 

January 7, 2003

 

 

 

 

            The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 7, 2003, at 6:30 p.m., in the School Board Meeting Room, School Board Office, 313 East Oak Street, Amite, Louisiana, with President  Al Link, Presiding.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:           Robert Caves,  Al Link,  Carl Bardwell, Donnie Williams, Maxine Dixon, Sandra Bailey-Simmons, Leonard Genco, Robert Potts, Jimmy Richardson

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:             None

 

President Link welcomed the two new Board members. He also recognized members of the Central Office Staff who helped with the reception for Board Members. Those persons involved in the planning and preparation were: Carla Kirkland, Kaye Roberts, Jo-Ann Frazier, Deborah Rivers,  Jewel McCoy, Joann Smith and Becky St. Cyr.

 

            Rev. Jimmy Richardson – Board Member District A, gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

            There were no requests for public input.

 

             At this time, the floor was declared open for nominations for the office of President of the School Board for the year 2003.

 

            Mr. Genco nominated Mr. Robert Caves for the office of President. Hearing no objection, the nominations were closed and the motion was unanimously adopted. Mr. Caves was elected as President of the School Board by acclamation.

 

            President Caves assumed the gavel.

 

            On behalf of the Board Members, former Board Member Tony P. Ardillo presented outgoing President Link with a plaque in recognition of his dedicated service as President during the year of 2002.

 

            Mr. Link stated that it was a privilege and a challenge to serve as the President during the past year. He thanked his fellow Board Members, the Superintendent and his staff for their help and cooperation during his tenure as Board President.

 

            Mrs. Sandra Bailey-Simmons thanked Mr. Link for the support and guidance that he gave her during the past year.

 

            President Caves stated that the floor was now open for nominations for the office of Vice President of the Board.

 

            Mr. Link nominated Mr. Donnie Williams for Vice President. Hearing no objection, the nominations were closed and the motion was unanimously adopted. Mr. Williams  was elected Vice President of the School Board by acclamation.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mr. Potts, to approve the Board Minutes of December 17, 2002 as distributed. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously  adopted.

 

            As a point of order, Mr. Bardwell stated that the Board Minutes of December 17, 2002, indicated that the Graduation Dates for 2003 would be approved at the January 7, 2003 Board Meeting. This item was not on the agenda.

 

            President Caves requested that Dr. Mabry present this information to the Board. Dr. Mabry indicated that no changes had been made in the graduation dates due to the fact that the dates had already been changed to accommodate the Board.

 

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mr. Williams, to approve the graduation dates for  2002 - 2003. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

High School Graduation Dates 2002 – 2003

 

Amite High School                    May 24, 2002  10:00 a.m.        SLU University Center

Hammond High School May 19, 2003  7:00 p.m.          SLU University Center

Independence High School       May 23, 2003  7:00 p.m.          SLU University Center

Kentwood High School            May 16, 2003  7:00 p.m.          Kentwood High – New Gym

Loranger High School               May 15, 2003  7:30 p.m.          SLU University Center

Ponchatoula High School          May 22, 2003  7:00 p.m.          SLU University Center

Sumner High School                 May 19, 2003  8:00 p.m.          Sumner Cowboy Stadium

Tangipahoa P.M. High  May 21, 2003  7:00 p.m.          SLU – Kiva

                       

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Link, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of  January 7, 2003 and Addendum # 1. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted. Following is the report as approved:

 

January 7, 2003

 

1. TEACHER – NEW HIRE

 

Angela Bezue, Teacher – Hammond Westside Primary, effective December 17, 2002

 

2. SUPPORT PERSONNEL – NEW HIRE

 

Colette Ruffin, Child Specific Attendant – 7 hours – Independence Elementary, effective December 12, 2002

Susan Davis, Office Assistant I – 7 hours – School Food Service, effective December 19, 2002

 

3.   SUPPORT PERSONNEL – RECLASSIFICATION

 

Sharon Lee, From:  Office Assistant II – School Food Service, To: Account Clerk II School Food Service, effective December 1, 2002

 

4.   SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE EMPLOYEES

 

Jeanne Wilson, From: 4 hour Food Service Worker – Independence Elementary, To: 7 hour Food Service Worker Independence Elementary, effective January 6, 2003

 

5. LEAVES – RESIGNATIONS – RETIREMENTS

 

Sabbatical Leaves:

 

Stephanie Leruth, Teacher – Loranger Elementary, Medical – 2^nd Semester 2002-2003 School Session

 

Leave:

 

Carolyn Waller, Teacher – Ponchatoula High, Extended Medical Leave due to maternity using sick days first – April 7, 2003, effective January 6, 2002

 

 

Resignations:

 

Chasidy Berner, Teacher – Tucker Elementary, effective December 20, 2002

 

6. SUBSTITUTE TEACHER LIST

 

ADDENDUM #1

 

1. SUPPORT PERSONNEL – NEW HIRE

 

Mary McMorris, Janitor – 8 hours 9 months – D.C. Reeves Elementary, effective January 6, 2003

           

2. LEAVES – RESIGNATIONS – RETIREMENTS

 

Leaves:

 

Paige Fleming, Teacher – Florida Parish Detention Center, Straight Leave without Pay due to illness – May 31, 2003, effective January 7, 2003

Barry Portier, Teacher – Florida Parish Detention Center, Military Leave – January 29, 2003, effective November 22, 2002

Nicole Wells, Paraprofessional – Woodland Park Early Learning Center, Straight Leave without pay using sick days first due to maternity – February 3, 2003, effective January 6, 2003

 

Resignations:

 

            Ann Renee Jones, Paraprofessional – Amite High School, effective January 6, 2003

            Loretta McCalope, Teacher – Vinyard Elementary, effective January 6, 2003

            Ann Phillips, ISSP Monitor – Ponchatoula Jr. High, effective December 18, 2002

 

            Retirements:

 

            Gene Tarzetti, Principal – Natalbany Elementary, effective January 21, 2003

           

It was moved by Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Link, to waive the rules to consider an item from the Hammond  Board Delegation. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

            It was moved by Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Link, to approve the low quote of Wainwright Construction, in the amount of $15,863.00, for Fencing, Performed Covered Canopies and Dugout Benches for the Hammond High School Softball Field. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Link, to waive the rules to consider an item from the Independence Board Delegation. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Link, to approve Change Order #5 in the amount of $2,333.67 for firewalls at Midway Elementary School. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mr. Williams, to waive the rules to discuss approval of a Right-of-Way Permit  requested by Westview Waterworks, Inc. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

            Mr. Shontell discussed the Right-Of-Way Permit requested by Westview Waterworks, Inc. along the west property line adjacent to Puleston Road a distance necessary to provide water

service to the Tangipahoa Parish School System new Central Office Building and terminate a distance of seventy-five feet south of the northwest corner of the said Central Office Building and a temporary construction servitude to the permanent servitude. Temporary construction servitude expires upon completion of project.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to authorize the Superintendent to sign the Right-of-Way execution. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

            Mr. Link spoke in personal privilege and thanked his wife for her support during his tenure as Board President.

 

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to enter Executive Session to consider the cases of Willie Mae Graham on behalf of her minor children, Rosemary Gales and Kimbley Gales and Karon Polite on behalf of her minor child, Keyanan Polite vs. Brunell Chappell, Sr., etal,  Chandra Patrick, Mother and Natural Tutrix of Temika Mobley v. TPSB and Carol F. Conti and Pace v. Schillace and TPSB  consolidated with Gorman et al v. Schillace and TPSB. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

            The Board entered Executive Session.

 

            The Board returned to open Session.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mr. Richardson, to accept the attorney’s recommendations in the cases listed above.

 

            It was moved by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr. Genco, to adjourn. (7:12 p.m.) Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                Robert Caves, President

 

Virgil Allen, Secretary-Treasurer

 

Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (1/07/03)