TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

October 1, 2002

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, October 1, 2002, at 6:30 p.m., in the School Board Meeting Room, School Board Office, 313 E. Oak St. Amite, Louisiana, with President Al Link presiding.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Jimmy Richardson, Tony Paul Ardillo, Jr., Al Link, Maxine Dixon, Sandra Bailey, and Carl Bardwell, Donnie Williams, and Robert Caves

MEMBERS ABSENT: Leroy Hart

Colonel Kenneth Kimberly, Hammond High School R.O.T.C. Senior Officer, gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Doris Flanagan, Tangipahoa Parish Federation of Teachers Representative, spoke in public input regarding pay raises for paraprofessionals and other support personnel.

Ms. Dianne Milton spoke in public input regarding changing the drop-off point for students attending the Strawberry Castle Preschool in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.

The Board Members assured Ms. Milton that the Board was concerned about the safety of the children and Mr. Kolwe had been directed to find a solution to the problem. This problem was also addressed at the Ponchatoula Delegation Meeting.

Mr. Ardillo asked if there was a School Board Policy that prohibited the high schools from competing against private and parochial schools, and if the schools were encouraged to schedule local games.

Superintendent Allen responded that there was no such policy and each school decided whom their teams would compete against. Schools are encouraged to schedule local games whenever possible.

Mr. Richardson requested that the Policy regarding bus turn arounds be referred to the Policy Committee to be reviewed for possible revision.

Mr. Bardwell requested that the staff investigate the turn around for an area called Trailer’s Trail.

Mr. John Ballard, Director of the Parish Emergency Management, gave the Board an update on the weather situation. He indicated that further information would be supplied as available.

Superintendent Allen thanked Mr. Ballard for his services to the school system and the parish.

Mrs. Glenda Dufreche, Director of Special Education, recognized Eldnest James, a former student at Loranger High School, who has been selected to participate in the 2003 International World Games – Special Olympics in Dublin, Ireland.

Mrs. Pat Hutchinson, Director of School Food Services, recognized the parish Child Nutrition Managers for Excellence in Management as indicated below:

Highest Score – Mildred Landry, Champ Cooper Elementary

State Compliance Evaluation Gayle Duncan, Hammond Eastside Elementary

Highest Score - Betty Jo Sibley, Midway Elementary

Performance Evaluation

Highest % Compliance Goals Donna Davis, Hammond Westside Elementary

2001-2002

Lowest Elementary Food Cost Darlene Dykes, Amite Elementary

Lowest High School Food Cost Linda McDaniel, Sumner High School

Lowest Middle School Food Cost Bennie Jackson, Hammond Jr. High

Lowest Combination School Food Cost Fayette Willie, Loranger Elementary

Lowest Inventory Rollover Donna Davis, Hammond Westside Elementary

Highest % Accuracy Monthly Reports Geralyn Malacon, Amite High School

Janice Jones, Ponchatoula High School

Velda Ryan, D. C. Reeves, Elementary

Frances Thornton, Kentwood High School

Betty Sibley, Nesom Middle School

Manager of the Year Betty Ollar, Midway Elementary School

It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Ms. Dixon, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of October 1, 2002, and Addendum #1. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent. Following is the report as approved:

October 1, 2002

1. Teacher – New Hire

Lee Foster, Special Education Teacher – Ponchatoula High, “TAT”, effective October 1, 2002

2. Teacher - Reclassification

Catherine Hill, From: Substitute School Psychologist, - 9 months, To: Probationary School Psychologist – 10 months, Probationary, effective September 9, 2002

3. Support Personnel – Transfer/Reclassification

Atlanta Woods, From: Lunchroom Monitor- Independence Middle, To: LA-4 Pre-K Paraprofessional – 7 hours – Woodland Park Early Learning Center, effective September 24, 2002

4. Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

Corrected Leave:

Theresa Holden, Bus Driver, Straight leave without pay using sick days first due to illness – undetermined, effective August 15, 2002

Leaves:

Willard Helsel, Bus Driver, Sick Leave using sick days due to illness – October 31, 2002, effective September 16, 2002

Sarah Torrence, Teacher – Hammond Westside Upper, Extended Sick Leave due to maternity using sick days first – October 21, 2002, effective September 8, 2002

Christina Newman, Teacher – Sumner High, Extended Sick Leave due to maternity using sick days first – January 21, 2002, effective December 8, 2002

Rachel Gravois, Teacher – Amite Elementary, Extended Sick Leave due to maternity using sick days first – December 2, 2002, effective September 16, 2002

Resignations:

Lena Brown, Food Service Worker, Loranger Elementary, effective September 27, 2002

Rhonda Willie, Office Assistant II, Child Nutrition Office, effective October 11, 2002

Charles Taylor, Custodian – Sumner High School, effective September 20, 2002

Charles Dudley, Custodian – Independence High School, effective September 19, 2002

5. Substitute Teacher List

ADDENDUM #1

1. Support Personnel – New Hire

Charles Burton, Janitor – 9 months, 6 hours – Chesbrough Elementary, effective October 1, 2002, 6 months probation

Laura Smith, 10-month School Secretary – Independence Middle School, effective September 23, 2002, 6 months probation

Virginia Guagliardo, LA-4 Paraprofessional – Woodland Park Early Learning Center, effective October 1, 2002

Hattie Halford, LA-4 Paraprofessional - Woodland Park Early Learning Center, effective October 1, 2002

2. Support Personnel - Reclassification

Carolyn Harrison, From: Bus Driver – Independence, To: Bus Driver and Lunchroom Monitor – Independence Middle – 3 hours, effective October 1, 2002

3. Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

Leaves:

Stephanie LeRuth, Teacher – Loranger Elementary, Extended Sick Leave using sick days due to illness – undetermined, effective September 23, 2002

It was moved by Mrs. Bailey, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to approve the Champ Cooper Board Delegation Report of September 17, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent. Following is the report as approved:

1. Authorized the 8^th Ward Fire Board to have a survey conducted with the points mentioned, starting at the telephone box going east approximately 180 feet and then south to the new property line, and this information be submitted to the delegation in order to determine where the boundaries are.

2. Authorized Mr. Kolwe to contact the forestry consultants and have them cruise the entire property along the back side of the Champ Cooper property, get estimates on the timber and proceed accordingly.

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Ms. Bailey, to approve the Ponchatoula Board Delegation Report of September 24, 2002, with the exception of Item #8 (Bus Drop off at Strawberry Castle Daycare Center). Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent. Following is the report as approved:

1. Approved Change Order #1, to provide door sweeps on new exterior doors at Perrin Early Learning Center, in the amount of $900.00, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.

2. Authorized staff to obtain quotes on fence modifications at Ponchatoula High School Football Field, at an estimated cost of $1,500.00.

3. Approved Change Order #3, Ponchatoula High School Track Resurfacing Project, in the amount of $8,650.30, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.

4. Deleted Change Order #2, Ponchatoula School Track Resurfacing Project in the amount of $8,400.00.

5. Approved Occupancy Agreement for Henry Harper.

6. Authorized the staff to place the two (2) houses recently purchased (adjacent to Tucker Elementary) up for sale with the stipulation that the buildings be removed with 120 days from the date of sale.

7. Chairman Caves stated that there had been numerous problems reported with the computers in the computer lab at Ponchatoula High School. He requested that Mr. Jake Ragusa assess the situation and report back to the delegation.

8. Chairman Caves requested that the staff check the status of the latches on the stalls in the girl’s restrooms at Ponchatoula High School and report the finding to the delegation. There have been numerous complaints that the stall doors cannot be locked.

It was moved by Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mr. Williams, to approve the Board Minutes of September 17, 2002 as distributed. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Ardillo, to approve the items listed below:

1. Substantial completion of Pipe Fencing at Hammond Eastside Primary School

2. Substantial completion of the Daily Living Center for Special Education at Ponchatoula High School.

Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Ardillo, to approve the purchase of two (2) aluminum flagpoles, one for Independence High School and one for Independence Middle School at a total cost of $1,469.80, from the Bond Fund. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

Mr. Ardillo requested a report on the Official Journal minute billing process. Superintendent Allen indicated that the staff was assembling materials and planned to meet with the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Star regarding the discrepancies in the billing.

Speaking in personal privilege, Mr. Carl Bardwell indicated that due to the weather situation, the election would possibly be postponed until October 7, 2002.

Speaking in personal privilege, Mr. Ardillo spoke regarding a program sponsored by Lallie Kemp Hospital on Home Safety. He presented materials on the program to Assistant Superintendent Leslie Mabry.

President Link spoke in personal privilege on parent concerns regarding ACT Test Scores for students. He suggested that Dr. Mabry, his staff, and the schools coordinate efforts to help the students to get better scores. Superintendent Allen indicated that some schools were moving towards establishing a course on the ACT.

It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Mr. Williams, that the Board enter executive session to consider the case of Denise Bellazen v. TPSB. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

The Board returned to open session.

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Williams, to accept the attorney’s recommendations regarding the case of Denise Bellazen v. TPSB. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

It was moved by Mrs. Bailey, and seconded by Mr. Bardwell, that the meeting be adjourned. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent. (7:30 p.m.)

Respectfully Submitted,

Al Link, President

VIRGIL ALLEN Secretary-Treasurer

Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (10/1/02)