The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular
session on
MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert
Caves, Al Link, Carl Bardwell, Donnie Williams,
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Mrs.
Sandra Bailey-Simmons, Board Member District H, gave the invocation and led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
There
were no requests for public input.
It
was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve the Board
Minutes of
It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Link, to authorize the Board’s legal counsel to research the legality of unfounded mandates by the State. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.
Mr. Bardwell requested that Mr. Kolwe update the Board on how the additional contributions to the retirement system would impact the School System.
Mr. Kolwe indicated that the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Retirement System increased from 13.1 % to 13.8% in July. School Employees will also impose a rate of 8.5%. The State Health Insurance Plan contribution will be increased to 75% for active employees. These additional contributions will impact the School System financially in excess of three (3) million dollars over and beyond the regular expenses.
The
Board tabled the item regarding providing funding for the
It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons to remand the item regarding establishing a policy on lighting and air conditioning of out source fields and buildings to the Policy Committee. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.
It was moved by
Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Williams, to approve the Personnel Committee Report
of
1. Administrative - Reclassification
JoAnn Whitmer, From: Assistant Principal – Natalbany
Elementary, To: Principal – Natalbany Elementary,
effective
2. School Food Service Employees
Lorie
Johnson, New Hire 4 hour sub pool – Ponchatoula High, effective
Catherine Voight, New Hire 4 hour sub pool – Nesom Middle, effective
Barbara Brister,
New Hire 4 hour sub pool–Ponchatoula High, effective
Azie Lee, New Hire 4 hour sub pool – Hammond High,
effective
3. Substitute
Teacher List
ADDENDUM #1
1. Transportation
Substitute List
2. Leaves, Resignations, Retirements
Chasity
Collier, Teacher – Amite High, Extended Sick Leave due to maternity using sick
days first –
Melvileen
Burton, Teacher – Hammond High, Extended Sick Leave due to surgery using sick
days first –
Glenn Sanchez, Teacher – Vinyard Elementary, Extended Sick Leave due to illness using sick days first – March 3, 2003, effective December 12, 3002
Floyd Harvey, Teacher –
It was
moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mr. Richardson, to approve the Policy Committee
Report of
1. Approved the new policy
regarding the Home Study Program with corrections as indicated. Following is
the policy as approved:
NEW POLICY FILE:
IDCH
Cf: IDA
Students may be permitted to have their educational
skills developed through a home study program, or in an in-home private school
program, if such a program offers a sustained curriculum of quality at least
equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level. The parent or
legal guardian shall submit an application to the Louisiana Department of
Education for approval together with a copy of the child's birth certificate.
An initial application shall be made within fifteen (15) days after
commencement of the program. A renewal application shall be submitted to the
Louisiana Department of Education by October 1 of the school year, or within
twelve (12) months of approval of the initial application, whichever is later.
Any child eligible by law to attend elementary or secondary school
shall be eligible to participate in a home study program.
Secondary students who are home schooled shall not earn a regular high school diploma unless they return to an approved school and meet all the necessary credits and requirements needed for high school graduation. Home study students shall be eligible to take the General Educational Development (GED) test upon completion of the home study program, upon proper application.
TEXTBOOKS
The School Board may supply textbooks to home study students who have been approved by the State Department of Education, if extra copies are available. A deposit equal to fifty percent (50%) of the replacement costs shall be required (per Bulletin 1794). Such deposit shall be returned when the books are returned. No refunds shall be made for lost or damaged textbooks. If books are not returned or paid for, the parent or legal guardian shall not be eligible
to continue participation in the textbook rental program until all textbook debts have been cleared.
Textbooks should
be issued from the school of the student’s assigned attendance zone system’s
textbook office for no longer than the length of the current school
term. Principals may require periodic inspection of the textbooks. Workbooks
and supplementary materials shall not be provided by the Board.
READMISSION
Students seeking
admission or readmission to Tangipahoa Parish School Board schools shall be
required to fulfill such screening and evaluation requirements as the Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and/or the School Board may
establish, including the taking of tests and diagnostic instruments used to
determine appropriate grade levels or Carnegie units. The requirements and
procedures for admission or readmission shall be made a part of the Board's Pupil
Progression Plan. Students in grades 5 and 9 transferring to the
public school system shall be required to take the 4th and 8th grade LEAP 21
tests and register an acceptable score prior to enrollment. The School Board
may charge a fee, not to exceed $100 per student, for the testing of
home study students. The testing fee shall be refunded upon the student's
enrollment in the public school system the semester immediately following the
testing.
In May and
September of each year and on such other dates as the School Board may
determine, the School Board shall, upon the request of a parent whose child is
participating in a home study program, administer the competency-based
education examination to the child. A thirty-five dollar ($35) testing fee
shall be charged for each test. The
School Board does not test students in grades K-3.
CODING: Words in struck through type are
deletions from existing policy, underlined words are additions.
2. Approved the revisions to Policy IDG: Adult Education. Following is the policy as
approved.
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board shall provide operate
an adult education and family literacy program. The program which is designed to allow eligible individuals to
continue their education to at least the level of completion of secondary
school and to make available to them an opportunity to acquire basic literacy
skills necessary to function in society and become more employable, productive,
and responsible citizens and family members. The adult education program shall
be administered and conducted in accordance with regulations established by the
Division of Adult Education
and Training of the Louisiana Department of Education Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education (BESE).
1. Enrollment Requirements
In order to be enrolled in a local adult education
program, an individual must be sixteen (16) years of age or older, and not
currently enrolled in the K-12 system. Upon enrollment, an assessment is
administered to determine the student’s placement in the program. The length of
time in the program varies from individual to individual.
An individual must be at least sixteen (16) years of age and not currently enrolled in the K-12 system to enroll in the local adult education program.
The
parent, tutor, or other person responsible for the school attendance of a child
who is under the age of eighteen (18) and who is enrolled in school beyond
his/her sixteenth (16th) birthday may request from the
Superintendent for the child to exit school to enroll and to attend an adult
education program approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
In
the case of a child with no parent, tutor, or other person responsible for
his/her school attendance, the Superintendent may act on behalf of the student
in making the request.
In
addition, a child who is sixteen (16) may exit school, then enroll in and
attend a BESE approved adult education program only if one or more of the
following hardships exist and if appropriate documentation is on file at the
School Board Office (Bulletin 741 – Louisiana Handbook for School
Administrators – Section 1.124.00)
· pregnant or actively parenting
· incarcerated or
· institutionalized or living in a residential facility
· chronic physical or mental illness
· family and/or economic hardships
In the case of a child with no parent,
tutor, or other person may
act on behalf of the student in making the request.
The Superintendent or his/her designee may approve the request without requesting action from BESE. If the request to exist school to enroll in a State approved adult education program is denied by the Superintendent, a student may request the waiver from the Department of Education for approval by BESE with documentation of reason for denial at the local level.
2. Subject
The adult education program shall operate one or more projects that provide services or instruction in one or more of the following:
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Secondary Education (ASE)/GED
English Literacy
Family Literacy
3. Equitable
Access and Participation
The
School Board shall attempt to provide equitable access and participation in
adult education programs to ensure that all students develop the knowledge and
skills needed to participate effectively on the job and in the family and, to obtain satisfaction in one's
personal life. Adult education programs and activities shall strive for high educational
standards by organizing academic, life, and job curricular offerings around
student diversity.
Steps for addressing equitable access to and
participation in adult education programs, while at the same time seeking high
standards for students with participation barriers, include the following:
· educational environments are created to honor diversity and
respect the individual;
· adult education programs strive to assure equity in program
management;
· preservice and inservice
education equip faculty, administration, and the staff with the skills needed
to teach and work with diverse student populations and communities;
· fair and impartial teaching practices are incorporated into
classrooms to facilitate the academic achievement of all students;
· fair and impartial assessment practices are incorporated
into the classroom;
· curricula and personnel are observed/evaluated to ensure
that issues of equity and diversity consistently addressed;
· student achievement and program data are collected and
evaluated to ensure that all groups benefit from educational practices and
policies;
· the entire curriculum is available to all students through
comprehensive, individualized planning and course selection;
· financial resources, facilities, and staffing are allocated
in ways that provide opportunity and success for all students; and
· adult education programs, students, parents, community organizations, and businesses and industries cooperate as partners in the learning program.
Steps for
addressing equitable access to and participation in adult education programs,
while at the same time seeking high standards for students with participation
barriers, shall include those outlined in the Louisiana State Plan for Adult Education and Family
Literacy.
4. GED Testing
Students
attending Adult Education Programs may be recommended by the site of
instruction to take the General Educational Development (GED) test.
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from
existing policy, underlined words are additions.
3. Approved the policy
regarding computers as submitted to the committee. Following is the policy as
approved:
NEW POLICY
Only hardware and software purchased through the Tangipahoa Parish
School System Technology Department will be supported by the technology
department staff. All purchases of software for Tangipahoa Parish School System
schools from any funding source shall require a written authorization from the
Tangipahoa Parish School System Technology Department. Requests shall be made
one month before anticipated purchase. Problems created by not following these
guidelines will be prioritized at the bottom of all requests.
Only downloads of items for the specific instructional use of teachers
and students are allowed through the Tangipahoa Parish School System network.
All downloads of software must be SPECIFICALLY approved by the Tangipahoa
Parish School System Technology Department.
Downloads of music for personal use and/or recording is prohibited.
Internet radio and/music playing is prohibited.
No changes shall be made to the Operating System of any computer on the
Tangipahoa Parish School System network. Windows ME is specifically prohibited.
All new computers shall be ordered with Windows XP. Exceptions must be approved
by the technology director.
All Tangipahoa staff shall migrate to using Microsoft Word on
Tangipahoa Parish School System computers by August of 2003. Training and
support shall be provided beginning in March of 2003. Word perfect will no
longer be supported after August of 2003.
New computers should only be given to teachers having received or
agreed to attend approved training.
4. Approved the revision
to Policy BCBI – Public Participation. Following is the policy as approved: FILE: BCCI
It shall be the policy of the Board to conduct all meetings open and
with welcomed participation by the public. The Board may, upon formal motion,
recess into or call executive sessions upon two-thirds (2/3) affirmative
vote of the members present, for discussing private matters as provided by law.
At no time shall actions be taken or resolutions be
made during executive session.
At the beginning end of
regular Board meetings, thirty (30) minutes shall be set aside for any citizens
in the audience who wish to speak before the Board. Each speaker shall be
limited to five (5) minutes. If a group is represented, only one spokesman
shall be allowed to speak. The President of the Board shall exercise his
discretion as to who will be allowed to speak. Employees of the Tangipahoa
Parish School Board shall be allowed to address the Board during the public
input period and allowed to address an agenda item as citizens of the
community, provided normal procedures for the request are followed.
A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an
agenda item. The comment period shall precede each agenda item. However, a
person is not entitled to take up business before the Board unless the item in
which he is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting. In
addition, the President of the Board may recognize persons at the Board
meetings for the purpose of introducing such persons.
Any citizen wishing to speak
before the Board at any of its meetings concerning a current agenda item shall
be allowed to do so by filling out a request form which will be provided and
presenting same to the chair at the beginning of the meeting. Each speaker
shall be limited to three (3) minutes. All rules governing public participation
at Board meetings shall remain in effect.
The President shall have the authority to terminate a person's comments
when, in his discretion, such action is warranted. The President shall have the
authority to remove any person disrupting or interfering in any manner with the
conduction of a meeting of the Board.
It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mr. Potts, to approve the 16th
Section Ad Hoc Committee Report of
1. Agreed to allow Mr.
James Stafford to meet with the officials of the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries and move toward an agreement between that agency and the
Tangipahoa Parish School System for final consideration.
2. Mr. A. W. Reed gave the committee an update on the 16th Section Property and commended the committee on taking steps toward improving the properties for the next generation.
It
was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the
Amite Board Delegation Report
of
unanimously
adopted. Following is the report as approved:
1. Elected
Jimmy Richardson, I as Chairman for 2003.
2. Director
Bernie Shontell gave an update on district projects
as follows.
a. Estimated cost of fencing for Amite Elementary
$28,600.00. (During discussion, the
delegation requested that an estimate be returned to them for replacing fence on South side of
campus only).
b. Amite High Baseball Field Parking Lot is complete.
c. Fencing for Amite High Baseball Field has been
deferred until a later date.
d. Amite Elementary security system has handled.
e. Motion lights at Amite Elementary
has been handled.
f.
Quotes are being
obtained on security partition for Amite West Side Middle Office.
g. Amite West Side Gates - the cost estimate for a gate
on the
3.
4. Chairman
Richardson requested that a regular Amite Board Delegation meeting be scheduled
for
It was moved by Mr.
Link seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Hammond Board Delegation
Report of
1. Elected Al Link, as chairman for the
2003 year.
2. Approved the request of Hammond
Eastside Primary, for technology improvements, in the amount of $16,718.00,
from Pay-As-You-Go funds.
3. Approved
the request of Hammond Eastside Upper, for technology improvements, in the
amount of $24,270.00, from Pay-As-You-Go funds.
4. Approved
the request of Hammond Eastside Upper and Primary, for a new telephone system
in the amount of $9,362.00, from Pay-As-You-Go funds.
5. Mr.
Kolwe gave an update on the Coleman Avenue Property.
6. Deferred
having the Farris property re-appraised at this time.
7. Architect
Andrew Gasaway to meet with Alan Morgan, Morgan
Mechanical, regarding HVAC controls at
8. Approved
the request of
Mr. Link indicated that a realtor had contacted the delegation regarding the Farris property. A meeting had been scheduled with the realtor and he invited other Board Members to attend this meeting.
Mr.
Williams asked if the Central Office had been contacted about the
It was moved by Mr.
Williams, seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve the Independence Board Delegation
Report of
1. Elected Donnie
Williams, Sr., chairman for 2003.
2. Discussed Independence
District needs and possible tax election.
3. Approved the request of
4. Approved request of
5. Agreed to hold a less formal
end-of-year ceremony for 8th grade graduates.
It was moved by
Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Kentwood Board
Delegation Report of
1. Elected Mr. Jimmy Richardson, I, to
remain as Chairman for the 2003 year
2. Deferred
item regarding proposed changes to main office at
3. Mr. Richardson and Mr. Clark have been in contact with the
mobile home owner and it is
understood that part of the home is on school board
property. Mr. Kolwe stated that we will
not ask that the home be moved at this time, but that we will have a legal
document in writing so that it is clear that all parties involved understand
the property lines.
4. Authorized
staff to sell timber on 23-acre tract at Kentwood Elementary, (Note: a portion
of the sales proceeds will be set aside so that the area can be
replanted).
It was moved by Mr.
Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Loranger
Board Delegation Report of
1. Elected
Mr. Leonard Genco, as Chairman for the year of 2003.
2. Architect
Andrew Gasaway disseminated costs estimates and
drawings for renovations to the Loranger district schools. Phase I is being prepared to be placed out for bid.
Mr. Genco would like to meet with principals to discuss in detail Phases
II and III.
4. Approved
the request of
It was moved by
Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Ponchatoula Board
Delegation Report of
1. Elected
Carl Bardwell as Chairman for the year 2003.
2. Approved
the request of
3. Approved
reimbursement of $1,518.60, from Pay-As-You-Go funds, to
4. Approved
providing an exit door for the
5. Approved
Change Order #2, Ponchatoula High School Weight Facility, in the amount of
$2,588.00, from Pay-As-You-Go funds.
6. Approved
replacement of existing exposed fastener roof with 25-year asphalt shingles, at
(Viener Hall) D. C.
Reeves
Elementary, at an
estimated cost of
$25,000.00, from Pay-As-You-Go
funds.
7. Discussed
district needs assessment.
It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded
by Mr. Williams, to approve the substantial completions listed below. Hearing
no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.
1.
Amite High School
Baseball Field Parking Lot
2.
Midway
Elementary Four-classroom Addition
It was moved by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr.
Genco, to accept the staff recommendation on the bids listed below. Hearing no
objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Bardwell recusing
himself from the vote.
1.
Approval of Bid
#03-04
for $800.00
to Donald Foster.
2.
Approval of Bid
#03-05
President Caves informed the Board
that due to Mardi Gras Holiday, if there were no pressing items to be handled
by the Board, the March 4, 2003 Board Meeting would be cancelled.
In personal privilege, Mr. Bardwell
reminded the Board Members of the trip to
Mrs. Bailey-Simmons spoke in
personal privilege regarding the Dyslexia Simulation which will be held on
Mr. Link indicated that he had
received a letter regarding the situation that occurred at the Loranger
Schools. Superintendent Allen responded that it was a difficult task to make a
decision as to whether to keep school open or closed and to ensure the safety
of the students. Loss of electricity always creates a major problem. The buses
were already in route when the Central Office was notified that the electricity
was out. The Central Office could not contact the principals by telephone
because the telephone system was also inoperable.
Mr. Kolwe gave the Board a brief
outline of how the Central Office responded to the power outage. Entergy informed the Superintendent that
the power would be restored by
It
was moved by Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Potts, to
Respectfully
submitted,
Virgil Allen,
Secretary-Treasurer
Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier
(