TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

 

 

December 17, 2002

 

 

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, December 17, 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, Carl Bardwell, Donnie Williams, and Robert Caves

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:             Leroy Hart

                       

            Mrs. Lisa Ardillo, wife of Mr. Tony Paul Ardillo – Board Member District C, gave the invocation. Carly and Anthony Ardillo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

            There were no requests for Public Input.

 

It was moved by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to approve the Board Minutes of  December 2,  and December 3, 2002.  Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

 

The item regarding the approval of Graduation Dates was deferred until the January 7, 2003 Board Meeting.

 

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Ms. Dixon, to accept the low bid of First to the Finish, in the amount of $24,991.00 for Purchase of New Track and Field Equipment for Ponchatoula High School. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

 

The item regarding re-addressing the change of the District Lines in District A was deferred to be discussed at a later Board Meeting.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Finance Committee Report of December 3, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent. Following is the report as approved:

 

1.                  Approved the Accounts Payable Check Register dated 10/30/02 – 11/25/02.

 

It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Mr. Caves, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of December 11, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.  Following is the report as approved:

 

December 11, 2002

 

1.         Transportation – Approved Sub-Driver List 

 

2.         Support Personnel – New Hire

 

Sharon Benoit, Part-time Secretary (3 ½ hours) – Midway Elementary, effective December 18, 2002

 

3.         Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

 

            Sabbatical Leave:

 

Kellye DePaula, Teacher – Hammond High, Medical Leave 1 semester (2nd Semester 2002-2003)

 

 

Leaves:

 

Debbie Morris, Food Service Worker – Loranger, Straight leave without pay using sick days first due to surgery – January 6, 2003, effective December 2, 2002

 

Westside Primary, effective January 6, 2003

 

ADDENDUM #1

 

1.         Support Personnel – New Hire

 

            Michael Davis, Janitor – 9 months 8 hours – Nesom Middle, effective January 6, 2003

Paula Rene Adams, Secretary – 9  months – Ponchatoula Jr. High, effective January 6, 2003

 

2.         Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

 

            Sabbatical Leave:

 

Gloria Steptoe, Teacher – Amite High School, Medical leave 1 semester (2nd semester 2002-2003)

 

Leaves:

 

Ruth Johnson, Teacher – Kentwood Elementary, Extended Medical Leave due to surgery using sick days first – January 6, 2003, effective November 20, 2002

 

Resignations:

 

Darrell Curb, Custodian – D.C. Reeves, effective December 20, 2002

Rochelle Washington, Child Specific Aide – Westside Middle, effective December 9, 2002

 

It was moved by Mr. Ardillo, seconded by Mr. Richardson, to approve the Amite Board Delegation report of  December 11, 2002. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent. Following is the report as approved.

 

1.      Authorized Director Bernie Shontell to provide a layout and cost estimate for fencing of Amite Elementary campus.

2.      Mr. Ardillo asked the status of Amite High Baseball Field parking lot.  Mr. Shontell stated that the rain has deterred completion of the job.

3.      Authorized Director Shontell to conduct and evaluate fencing needs at Amite High Baseball Field parking lot.

4.      Regarding security system at Amite Elementary, set a budget of $12,000.00, from Pay-As-You-Go funds, for replacement, in the event that repairs are not possible.

5.      Mr. Kolwe asked Mrs. Covington to contact maintenance regarding motion lights at cafeteria and front door entrances at Amite Elementary.

6.      Approved request of West Side Middle School for security partition and door in the administrative office, at an estimated cost of $6,000.00, from Pay-As-You-Go funds.

7.      Mr. Ardillo requested that Mr. Bernie Shontell verify locations of two (2)  4' walk gates, one on West side next to drive gate and one on  East side at Bus Drive, for pedestrians at West Side Middle.

8.      Approved request of West Side Middle School for purchase of 30 computers to replace outdated units, at an estimated cost of $36,000.00, from Pay-As-You-Go funds.

9.      Approved request of West Side Middle for 1 HP 4100 network laser printer, at an estimated cost of $1,623.00, from Pay-As-You-Go funds.

 

10.  Discussed sensor controlled exterior building lights on east and west side of main building and cafeteria at West Side Middle.  Mr. Kolwe stated that maintenance would be contacted regarding these items.

11.  Mr.  Nick  LaBarbara requested a lawn mower for the Amite High baseball field.  Mr. Kolwe stated that a mower may be available within the parish.   If a mower is not available, Mr. Kolwe stated that one will be purchased from maintenance funds.

 

It was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mr. Ardillo, to approve the Kentwood Board Delegation report of December 11, 2002, with the exception of Item #4 (Discuss re-establishing the original name of O.W. Dillon to Kentwood Elementary School). Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart  absent. Following is the report as approved.

 

1.         Regarding proposed changes to main office at Kentwood Elementary School (to assure confidentiality) and adding restrooms for teachers, authorized architect to do an assessment and cost estimates and report back to the delegation at the next meeting.

2.                  Referred items regarding property line for the acreage and update on timber to be sold on Kentwood Elementary Site, back to Mr. Kolwe.  Mr. Kolwe to contact attorney regarding property lines and Mr. A. W. Reid regarding timber.

3.                  Regarding error made by Dr. Weber in the redrawing of District A lines, a resolution will be brought to the full Board for adoption on Tuesday, December 17, 2002.

 

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Williams, to remand the item regarding re-establishing the original name of O.W. Dillon to Kentwood Elementary School to the Policy Committee and have the School Board Secretary research information regarding the name change. A roll call vote yielded the following results: 4 Yeas, 4 Nays and 1 absent. The motion failed.

            YEAS                                                              NAYS                                     ABSENT

 

            Mr. Link                                                           Mr. Richardson                        Mr. Hart

            Mr. Williams                                                     Mr. Ardillo

            Mr. Caves                                                        Ms. Dixon

            Mrs. Bailey-Simmons                                       Mr. Bardwell

 

            It was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mr. Ardillo, to re-establish the original name of O.W. Dillon Memorial Elementary School to Kentwood Elementary School. A roll call vote yielded the following results: 8 Yeas, 0 Nays, and 1 absent. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted.

            YEAS                                                              NAYS                                     ABSENT

 

            Mr. Richardson                                                None                                        Mr. Hart

            Mr. Ardillo

            Mr. Link

            Mr. Williams

            Mr. Caves

            Ms. Dixon

            Mrs. Bailey-Simmons

            Mr. Bardwell

 

Mrs. Fochia Wilson, former principal of Kentwood Elementary, gave the Board a biographical history of Mr. O.W. Dillon, who was the founder and visionary of the transitional phase of the Tangipahoa Parish Training School to the O.W. Dillon Memorial High School.

 

 

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to waive the rules to consider an item from the Ponchatoula Delegation. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

 

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to  approve change order #1, Ponchatoula High School Weight Room Facility, in the amount of $10,430.30, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds, and Change Order #4, Ponchatoula High School Track Resurfacing Project, in the amount of $2,300.00, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Hart absent.

 

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Ms. Dixon to approve the substantial completion of the items listed below.

1.                  Ponchatoula High School Track Resurfacing Project.

2.                  Restroom Building for Loranger Elementary School

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

 

            President Link spoke in personal privilege and informed the Board Members that the Swearing In Ceremony for Board Members will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. in the Courthouse Building. The Oath of Office will be administered by Judge Zoey Waguespack and a reception will be held in the Board Room immediately following the ceremony.

 

            President Link recognized Mr. Tony Paul Ardillo, outgoing Board Member. He was presented a Resolution from the Board and a duplicate of the framed picture of him that hangs in the Board Room.

 

            President Link and his fellow Board Members commended Mr. Ardillo for doing an exemplary job for the School System and indicated that he will be sorely missed.

 

            Mr. Ardillo addressed the Board and indicated that he had enjoyed his tenure with the School System and spoke of some of the highlights of his career as a Board Member with the Tangiphoa Parish School System.

 

            Mr. Hart was unable to attend the meeting due to illness, he will also be presented a resolution from the Board and a duplicate of the framed picture of him that hangs in the Board Room.

           

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

 

 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Al Link, President

 

 

 

VIRGIL ALLEN Secretary-Treasurer

 

Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (12/17/02)