TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS
March 5, 2002
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, March 5 2002, 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: Sandra Bailey, Tony P. Ardillo, Jr., Robert Caves, Al Link, Carl Bardwell, Maxine Dixon, Jimmy Richardson
MEMBERS ABSENT: Leroy Hart and Donnie Williams
Mr. Louis Joseph, Assistant Superintendent, gave the invocation, and Stephanie Maronage, student – Independence High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were no requests for Public Input.
It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mrs. Bailey, to approve the Board Minutes of February 19, 2002 as distributed. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart and Mr. Williams absent.
Mr. Ardillo presented the Board a plaque from the Amite Oyster Board that was given in recognition of the “Heroes of the Community”.
It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Ms. Dixon, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of February 27, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart and Mr. Williams absent.
It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Mr. Bardwell to approve Addendum #1 (Superintendent’s Contract). Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart and Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved:
1. Support
Personnel – New Hire
Gail Miller, Office Assistant IIII – Central Office, effective March 6, 2002
2. Teacher
– New Hire
Ronald King, Teacher – Independence High, Effective March 1, 2002, Substitute
3. Leaves, Resignations, Retirements
Leaves
Rose Henry, Teacher – Champ Cooper, Extended sick leave due to illness using sick days first – May 8, 2002, effective February 18, 2002
Monica Painting, Teacher – Loranger Middle, Extended Sick leave due to maternity using sick days first – May 6, 2002, effective January 21, 2002
Anna Kopfler, Teacher – Loranger Elementary, Extend Extended Sick leave due to maternity – May 31, 2002, effective March 7, 2002
1. Superintendent’s
Contract
Superintendent Virgil Allen’s contract is to be extended for eighteen months (July 1, 2002 – January 1, 2004) with an increase of $200.00 per month for travel expenses. The $200.00 is to be incorporated into his present salary, effective July 1, 2002.
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Several of the Board members commended Mr. Allen for his outstanding performance as Superintendent and expressed their gratitude for having the opportunity to work with him.
Superintendent Allen thanked the Board for their confidence and support. He also expressed his intentions to continue to work hard to achieve the goals of the school system.
It was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mrs. Bailey, to approve the Policy Committee Report of February 25, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted with Mr. Hart and Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved.
1. The committee discussed the policy on debit lunch balances. The current policy was suspended during the February 19, 2002 Board Meeting. Following is the policy as approved:
Pre-Kindergarten -Sixth (6th) grades
POLICY: Sufficient funds will be available to cover reduced and paying meals served.
PROCEDURE:
1. Bills will be sent home with the student the first working day of the month. The first month's bill will include the months of August and September. Any credit balances from the previous year will be deducted from this bill. If there are any unpaid debts, they should be added to this bill and any future billing until they are paid.
2. A late notice will be sent to the parent within five (5) days after the bill is sent. The late notice will advise the parent of the cut-off date for their child to receive meals in the cafeteria unless the bill is paid. If the parent has not paid the bill or made arrangements with the principal for payment of the bill, the "Four Day Rule" will be implemented as follows:
Day 1:
Manager/cashier informs the student that he/she does not have sufficient funds to pay for the meal, asks the student to ask the parent to send the money the next school day, and puts a delinquent notice in the teacher's mailbox.
Day
2:
Manager/cashier informs the student she will not be able to serve him/her a meal on the next day without money and she places a second delinquent notice in the teacher's mailbox.
Day
3:
The manager/cashier will send the student to the office to resolve the problem with the principal. The principal may:
1. Ask the student to call the parent to bring money or lunch to the school.
2. Personally contact the parent to bring money or lunch to the school.
3.
Ask
the manager to provide the student with a carton of white milk and graham
crackers non-reimbursable meal.
Day 4 and thereafter:
Without payment, the student will not be allowed to eat.
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4. A third notice, including a free lunch application, will be sent to the parent expressing concern that the child is no longer eligible to eat in the cafeteria and encouraging the parent to complete the free lunch application.
5. If the parent fails to pay the bill, complete another free lunch application, make other arrangements for meals (bag lunches) for their child, or make arrangements with the principal for payment of the bill, the billing clerk will advise the principal.
6. The principal is ultimately responsible for the collection of payments. The late notices sent to the parents (the bill and the late notice) are computer generated. The principal will send a late notice with his/her signature.
COLLECTION PROCEDURE Grades 7-12
1. Students in the 7-12 grades pay for their meals daily. Limited credit will be extended to these grades.
2. If a student fails to bring their money, the “Two Day Rule” is to be followed:
Day 1: A “Delinquent Meal Payment Notice” will be given to the student. The manager will explain that if they forget to bring their money for this meal the following day, they will not be allowed to eat.
Day 2: The student must bring money for the previous day, as well as the current day, or they will be refused a meal.
CODING: Words
in struck through type are deletions from existing policy, underlined
words are additions.
2. Approved the revisions to Policy GBRK: Annual Leave and Holidays. Following is the
policy as approved.
Holiday
Days
(Excluding Principals
Days (Maintenance
& Ag Teachers) & Custodians)
July 4 1 1
Labor Day 1 1
Fair Day 1 0
Thanksgiving 2 2
Christmas 10 5
Martin Luther King Day 1 1
Mardi Gras 2 1
Easter 2 2
Experience for leave purpose shall be calculated on a full 12-month basis of employment.
Annual leave requests exceeding two (2) days must be applied for by the employee at least two (2) weeks in advance and must be approved by his supervisor/principal and Superintendent or his designee prior to leave being taken. All 12-month employees, excluding custodians, maintenance workers and agriculture teachers, shall be allowed to take annual leave
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in increments of one hour. All leaves shall be reported to the Superintendent by letter giving leave to be taken, duties, etc.
If approval for leave should be denied due to the workload of the employee as determined by the immediate supervisor the leave may be accrued. The accrued unused annual leave earned by an employee may be carried forward to the succeeding fiscal year, but only up to a maximum of ten (10) days Annual leave carried forward in this manner shall not exceed the equivalent of ten (10 working days Annual leave shall not accrue to an employee while he is on leave without pay, but annual leave shall accrue while the employee is on sabbatical leave or sick leave with pay.
An employee shall earn annual leave comparable to the policy established in the salary schedule, which sets forth July 1 as the anniversary date.
Employees exceeding their accrued leave shall automatically have each day over deducted at full salary.
The Board shall grant 12-month custodians 10 days annual leave per year. Custodians shall be required to take such annual leave only during the summer months when school is not in session.
Any used annual leave at the time of separation, (termination,
retirement, entrance in DROP, or death) shall be paid to the employee or his/her
heirs on or before the next regular payday or no later than fifteen (15) days
following the date of separation at the employee’s daily rate of pay.
CODING:
Words in struck through type are deletions from existing policy, underlined words
are additions.
3. Mrs. Bailey introduced Mrs. Orlisa DePhillips, Guidance Counselor at Ponchatoula High
School. Mrs. DePhillips presented her concerns regarding the counseling curriculum.
After much discussion, Mr. Allen assured Mrs. DePhillips that he would speak with the
high school principals and encourage them to seek a solution to the problem. The
Superintendent will inform the Policy Committee of the results of his meeting with the
principals.
Mr. Bardwell spoke regarding candy sales, etc. He requested the Superintendent to contact the Principals and refresh their memories regarding the number of sales, etc. that should be held during the school year.
It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Mr. Richardson, to approve the Amite Board
Delegation Report of February 19, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with
Mr. Hart and Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved:
1. Approved the networking upgrade at Amite Elementary, Amite West Side Middle and
Roseland Elementary at an estimated cost of $7,046.63 from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.
2. Approved the construction schedule provided by Architect Michael Holly regarding Amite High School Construction Projects.
It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Mr. Richardson, to approve the Independence
Board Delegation Report of February 18, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted,
with Mr. Hart and Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved:
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1. Approved the request to re-key Natalbany Elementary School to master key system, at an estimated cost of $3,000.00 from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.
2. Deferred item regarding a tractor storage shed for Independence High School for detailed costs information.
3. Deferred item regarding wiring of two (2) 25-second clocks for Independence High School for detailed costs information.
4. Approved networking upgrades at Independence Elementary, Independence Middle, and Natalbany, in the amount of $18,025.42 from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.
6. The committee, architects, and Independence High School Acting Principal – Ron Genco, conducted a walk-through visit of the Independence High School facility.
7. Authorized Architect Gasaway to obtain prices for options regarding the library, computer classroom lab, computer classroom, and elevator at Independence High School.
8. Heard concerns from Mrs. Jo-Ann Whitmer, Principal – Natalbany Middle, regarding restroom needs. Authorized Architect Andrew Gasaway to assess the needs and bring back proposals regarding these needs.
It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to approve the Ponchatoula Board Delegation Report of February 26, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart and Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved:
1. Elected Mr. Caves to remain as Chairman for the year 2002.
2. Authorized Architect Michael Holly to obtain budget estimates for ceiling tiles at Tucker Elementary School (2nd grade wing). Mr. Holly is to send a letter to the delegation members with a cost estimate for the project.
3. Approved the request of the Ponchatoula High School Athletic Department for an industrial washing machine from United Machinery Company, at a cost of $4,100.00 from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.
4. Mr. Michael Holly gave the delegation an update on the Ponchatoula High School track project. He is to send a letter without layout and budget numbers to the delegation members by Monday, March 4, 2002.
5. Approved request of Perrin Early Learning Center for computer wiring. Set an estimated budget of $5,000.00 ($4,200.00 for wiring and $800.00 for technology), from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.
6. Set an estimated budget of $30,600.00 for electrical and mechanical costs for Ponchatoula High School Welding Shop, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.
7. Approved $800.00 for network cabling at Vinyard Elementary School, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.
8. Authorized Architect Michael Holly to obtain a cost estimate to re-do classroom doors at Perrin Early Learning Center.
Mrs. Bailey spoke in personal privilege and presented the Superintendent with a framed
“In God We Trust” poster to be hung in the School Board Office. She also donated one hundred other posters to be disseminated to the schools.
Mrs. Bailey also informed the Board Members that the TARC Telethon would be held on
Wednesday, March 13, 2002 and would be dedicated to Mr. Enos “Jake” Bailey, Jr. she
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encouraged her fellow Board Members to make generous donations to this cause.
Mrs. Bailey indicated that she had also received several complaints regarding school fund
raisers.
It was moved by Mrs. Bailey, seconded by Ms. Dixon, to adjourn (7:00 p.m.). Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart and Mr. Williams absent.
Respectfully submitted,
Al Link, President
Virgil Allen, Secretary-Treasurer
Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (3/05/02)