The Tangipahoa
Parish School Board met in regular session on
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jimmy Richardson, Tony Paul Ardillo,
Jr., Al Link,
MEMBERS ABSENT: Leroy Hart
Mr. Louis Joseph, Assistant
Superintendent, gave the invocation, and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
There were no requests for Public
Input.
It was moved by
Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr. Ardillo, to approve the Board Minutes of
Ms. Gloria Lupo gave the Board a brief overview of the services offered by the Southeast Spouse Abuse Program and made a presentation to Mr. Al Link, Board President, for his support of the organization.
Mr. Caves proposed that the Board “break up” the attorneys’ representation of the Board as follows: The Board retainer would be split 75/25 with 75% going to Mr. Chris Moody and 25% going to the law firm of Cashe, Lewis, and Coudrain. Mr. Moody would represent the Board in all lawsuits except areas covered by the law firm. He would continue to receive calls from schools, staff members, the superintendent, and Board Members. He would also continue to write letters and answer correspondence as needed. Mr. Moody would attend all School Board Meetings. If he could not attend, the law firm would “cover” for him. In the event he was unable to handle certain cases, he would distribute them to the law firm to handle.
The law firm would continue to represent the Board in areas such as sales tax, contracts, real estate, and minerals. The 75/25 plan would require the law firm to cover up to 25% of the meetings for Mr. Moody, if required (based on twenty-five (25) meetings annually, the law firm would be required to cover six (6) meetings).
This plan is contingent on the law firm’s acceptance of the 25% distribution. If the law firm does not accept the plan, Mr. Moody will represent the Board fully.
It was moved by
Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Mr. Caves, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of
1. School Food Service
Felicia Winder,
new hire 4 hour sub pool Ponchatoula High, effective
Jodi Bordelon,
new hire 4 hour sub pool Ponchatoula High, effective
2. Leaves, Resignations, Retirements
Leaves:
Rhonda Davis,
Teacher – Kentwood Elementary, Extended Sick Leave due to illness using sick
days first – undetermined, effective November 13, 2002
Resignations:
Marquita Jackson, Teacher – Hammond Westside
Primary, effective
Retirements:
Gloria O’Neal, Teacher – Hammond Eastside Primary,
effective
Olevia Pines, Custodian – Hammond Westside Primary,
effective
3. Substitute Teacher List
It was moved by
Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Champ Cooper
Board Delegation report of
1. Authorized the staff to have the Board attorney draw up a lease agreement between the 8th Ward Volunteer Fire Department and the Tangipahoa Parish School System.
2. Mr. Kolwe stated that Mr. A.W. Reed of Gallagher & Reed, indicated that there was approximately $16,000.00 to $19,000.00 of marketable timber on Champ Cooper’s property, but it could not be cut until spring. Authorized the staff to proceed as necessary to cut the marketable timber.
3. Approved Change Order #1, Champ Cooper Classroom Addition Project, in the amount of $3,342.00 from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.
4.
The delegation discussed the drainage situation at
It was moved by
Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Williams, to approve the Hammond Board Delegation
report of
1. The delegation discussed the district needs assessment and reviewed the handout.
Line items were assigned to the architect, the Director of Maintenance and the appropriate staff, as needed, with instructions to report cost estimates and options at the next delegation meeting (to be scheduled the second week in January).
2.
Approved reimbursement to
It was moved by
Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Richardson, to approve the Independence Board
Delegation report of
1. Received an update on District Projects from Architect, Andrew Gasaway on the following:
a. Independence Elementary School Completion of four (4) classrooms (now in
use), completion of office area
b. Independence High School Discussed taking bids in March for work to
be done at this facility, with exterior work to begin in April and interior work to begin in May with completion by end of July
c. Independence Middle School Completion of covered walkway
d. Nesom Middle School Completion of four (4) classrooms (now in
use), completion of concession stand, with few minor
e.
classroom addition project to be completed in two to four weeks
f. Natalbany Middle School Taking bids in mid-January for addition of
four classrooms
2. Heard a request from Independence Middle School Principal, Mr. Malcolm Mizell
on the need for a new School facility. This request was taken into consideration to be discussed at a meeting in January/February on how to proceed.
3. Discussed the
possibility of moving summer school from
4. Heard a recommendation from Mr. Jimmy Richardson to require all contractor/subcontractors working on school campuses be subjected to a background check prior to employment.
5. Heard a request from Mr.
John Polito, Director of Independence Recreation Board, for financial
assistance in maintaining the upkeep of the
It was moved by
Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to approve the Dyslexia Task
Force report of
1. Mrs. Rene` Durio, 504 Coordinator, gave the Task Force an update on the
Dyslexia Program.
2. Mrs. Durio stated that the current school year had been very successful. She met with the 504 chairperson, explained the procedures and forms, and the program is progressing well. It was decided that students do need the first year of formal education. During the second year, students with problems and/or specific needs will be screened for characteristics of Dyslexia. Testing from outside sources can be used for this purpose also.
3. Mrs. Durio also
indicated that Mr. Curtis Shepherd, State 504 Coordinator would be at the Title
1 Resource Center on
4. The Task Force tentatively scheduled to hold a Dyslexia Simulation for the Board Members during the month of January.
It was moved by Mrs. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Caves, to waive the rules to discuss an item from the Hammond Delegation. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.
It
was moved by Mrs. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Caves, to approve the low bid of Dr.
Ted’s Musician’s Center, in the amount of $21,280.00 for the Purchase of
Digital Pianos for
It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Ardillo, to waive the rules to discuss an item from the Independence Board Delegation. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.
It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Ardillo, approve Change Order # 4, Midway Elementary Four (4) Classrooms and Toilets, in the amount of $2,356.00. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.
Mr. Ardillo requested clarification regarding the policy on cell phone usage. Superintendent deferred this matter to Mr. Louis Joseph, Assistant Superintendent. Mr. Joseph stated that the principals and teachers have received the policy with clarification as to how and when cell phones may be used on the campus.
Mr. Caves spoke in personal privilege regarding the Tangipahoa Parish School System Web Page. He asked if the site was being maintained and requested that Superintendent or his staff handle this situation.
Mr. Link stated that there had been some discussion of the Tangipahoa Parish School System’s Public Input Policy.
It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Mr. Caves, to waive the rules to discuss the issue of the Tangipahoa Parish School System’s Public Input Policy. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.
It was moved by
Mr. Ardillo, seconded by
Mr. Williams spoke in public input regarding his concern about the lack of security at the Tangipahoa Parish School System’s Board Meetings. It was suggested that Superintendent Allen check with the Amite City Police Department and/or the Sheriff’s Department regarding this matter.
It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Ardillo, to enter Executive Session to consider the case of Willie Mae Graham on behalf of her minor children, Rosemary Gales and Kimbley Gales and Karen Polite on behalf of her minor child, Keyanan Polite vs. Brunell Chappel, Sr., etal. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.
The case of Willie Mae Graham on behalf of her minor children, Rosemary Gales and Kimbley Gales and Karen Polite on behalf of her minor child, Keyanan Polite vs. Brunell Chappel, Sr., etal., was deferred to the December 17, 2002, Board Meeting.
It was moved
by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, and seconded by Ms. Dixon, that the meeting be
Respectfully Submitted,
Al Link, President
VIRGIL ALLEN
Secretary-Treasurer
Recorded
By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (