TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

 

January 6, 2004

 

            The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, January 6, 2004, at 6:30 p.m., in the School Board Meeting Room, School Board Office, 59656 Puleston Road, Amite, Louisiana, with President Robert Caves, Presiding.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:           Robert Caves,  Al Link,  Carl Bardwell, Sandra Bailey-Simmons, Leonard Genco, Robert Potts,  Donnie Williams, Jimmy A. Richardson, I and  Maxine Dixon 

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:             None   

           

Mrs. Sandra Bailey-Simmons, Board Member – District H, introduced students and faculty from Southeastern University Laboratory School. Charis Bob-Semple gave the Invocation and Joshua Vales led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Southeastern Laboratory School Choral Ensemble sang “America.”

 

At this time, the floor was declared open for nominations for the office of President of the School Board for the year 2004.

 

Mr. Genco nominated Mr. Al Link for the office of President, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted. Mr. Al Link was elected as President of the School Board by acclamation.

 

President Link assumed the gavel.

 

President Link stated that the floor was now open for nominations for the office of Vice President of the Board.

 

Mr. Potts nominated Mr. Leonard “Tank” Genco for Vice President, Mr. Richardson seconded the motion. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted. Mr. Genco was elected Vice President of the School Board by acclamation.

 

On behalf of the Board Members, Superintendent Joseph presented outgoing President Mr. Robert Caves with a plaque adorned with a gavel, in recognition of his dedicated service as President during the year of 2003.

 

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Board Minutes of  December 9, 2003 as distributed. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

Assistant Superintendent Thomas Bellavia and Superintendent Joseph recognized Mr. Edward Richstone, Ms. Michelle Cardaronella, Ms. Sheryl Morales, Ms. Tonya Martin, and Dr. Calvin Kaul, for achieving National Board Certification status.

 

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Genco, to waive the rules to consider an item from the Finance Committee Meeting held prior to the Board Meeting. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to add $1,200.00 to the salaries of teachers achieving National Board Certification status. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

Mrs. Doris Flanagan, Tangipahoa Parish Federation of Teachers Representative, spoke in public input regarding  the National Board Certified Teachers. She thanked the Board for giving those teachers achieving National Board Certification a local supplement.

 

Superintendent Joseph recognized Mr. Charley Vance, Talented Theatre Teacher. Mr. Vance invited the public and the Board to the “World Premiere” of a movie featuring students

 

 

 

from Amite, Loranger and Sumner High Schools. The presentation will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve the district’s Technology Plan. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

It was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mr. Potts, to approve the Amite Board Delegation Report of December 9, 2003.  Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.  Following is the report as approved.

 

1.                  Approved the low quote of Sun Electrical, in the amount of $77,500.00, with Alt. No. 1, in the amount of $2,800.00, for a total of $80,300.00, for baseball field lighting at Amite High School. 

2.            Approved Change Order #6, Amite High Classroom Addition.

3.                  Approved the substantial completion of Amite High School Classroom Addition project.

4.                  Authorized architect to obtain quotes for EMS System for Amite High School Classroom Addition.

5.                  Authorized architect to explore options and obtain cost estimates to provide additional air conditioning for two computer classrooms at Amite High School Classroom Addition project.

 

President Link passed the gavel to Vice President Genco.

 

It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Hammond Board Delegation Report of December 9, 2003.  Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.  Following is the report as approved.

 

1.                  Approved the purchase of a sprinkler system for Hammond High Baseball Field, at an estimated cost of $3,000.00 from Pay-As-You-Go funds. 

2.                  Authorized Director Bernie Shontell, to explore options and obtain cost estimates for a storage building at Crystal Academy.                                                                                                  

President Link assumed the gavel.

 

It was moved by Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Caves, to waive the rules to consider items

from the Personnel Committee Meeting held prior to the Board Meeting. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

It was moved by, seconded by Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of January 6, 2004, with the exception of Item #5 (Leaves, Resignations, Retirements) on the original agenda.  Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted. 

 

It was moved by Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to approve Item #5 (Leaves, Resignations, Retirements) on the original agenda. Mr. Richardson recused himself from voting on this item.  The motion was adopted.  Following is the report as approved. 

 

1.      Teachers – New Hire

 

Courtney Thompson, Midway  (place of Roxanne Patti, reclassified) effective January 5, 2004, Substitute

Karley Cooper, Sumner High (place of Patricia Mabry, retired) effective January 5, 2004, Substitute

Willie Mae Jackson, Sumner High (place of Johnnie Dillon, retired) effective January 5, 2004, Substitute

 

 

 

2.   Teachers - Reclassifications     

 

Rebecca Johnson, from Teacher, Regular Program at Loranger Elementary to Kindergarten Teacher, Loranger Elementary  (place of Mary Smith, retired) effective January 5, 2004, Substitute

Ginger Battalora, from Teacher, Regular Program at Amite Elementary to Title I Teacher at Amite Elementary, New Position, effective January 7, 2004.

3.   Teacher - Rehire

 

Angela DiBenedetto, Teacher, Tucker Elementary (place of Angelue’ Bazile, resigned), effective January 20, 2004.  

       4.  Administrative - Transfer  

Maureen Terese, from Assistant Principal, Loranger Middle to Assistant Principal at Ponchatoula Jr. High (place of Henry Ross, retired) effective January 12, 2004.

5.   Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

Sabbatical Leave:

 

Carolyn Dupont, Teacher, Tucker Elementary, Medical, 2nd Semester,  2003-2004

      Joyce Richardson, Teacher, Roseland Elementary, Medical, 2nd Semester,  2003-2004

                                                                                                                    

Leaves:

 

Joseph Morales, Bus Driver, Natalbany, Extended Sick Leave due to illness using sick

days through December 31, 2004, effective December 1, 2003

 

Joyce Richardson, Teacher, Roseland Elementary, Extended Sick Leave due to illness

using sick days first through January 16, 2004 effective December 8, 2003

 

Debra  Terral, Teacher, Natalbany Elementary, Extended Sick Leave due to illness using

sick days first through August, 2004, effective February, 18, 2004

 

Phyllis Shirey, Teacher, Hammond High, Extended Sick Leave due to illness using sick

days first through January 16, 2004 effective December 5, 2003

 

Amy Clark, Food Service Worker, Loranger Elementary, Straight Leave Without Pay

using sick days first due to surgery through January 26, 2004, effective December 12,

2004

 

Rebecca Alford, Teacher, Loranger Middle, Extended Sick Leave due to maternity using

sick days first through February 16, 2004, effective January 5, 2004

 

6.      Resignations

 

Tammy Dempster,  Food Service Worker, Hammond Jr. High, effective  December 12,

2003

Sammy Magee, Bus Driver, Loranger, effective December 7, 2003

 

      7.  Retirements

 

Carleen Bridges, Teacher,  Ponchatoula High, effective May 29, 2004

Faith Vinyard, Teacher, Tucker, effective May 29, 2004

 

 

Addendum #1

 

1.  Teacher - New Hires

     

Jason Helmstetter, Teacher, Hammond High (place of Charlotte Harris, Leave), effective

January 6, 2004, Substitute

           

April Slaven, Teacher, D.C. Reeves (place of Michele Mayberry, Sab. Lv.), effective

January 20, 2004, Substitute

 

Monica McKneely, Teacher, Loranger Middle (place of Cindy Sears- Transferred)

effective January 20, 2004, Substitute

 

Erin Rick, Sp. Ed. Teacher, Natalbany Elementary (place of Patricia Campo, Sabbatical

Leave) effective January 20, 2004, Substitute

 

Lynn Powell, Sp. Ed. Teacher, Loranger Middle (place of Tara Kinchen, Sabbatical

Leave) effective January 20, 2004, Substitute

 

Jamie Mills, Teacher, Roseland Elementary (place of Joyce Richardson, Sabbatical

Leave) effective January 20, 2004, Substitute

 

2.  Teacher - Transfer

 

Cindy Sears from Teacher, Loranger Middle to Teacher, Northwood High (New Position)

effective January 20, 2004

 

3.  Teacher - Rehire

     

Tyrus Mabry, Teacher, Sumner High (place of John Varnado) effective January 20, 2004

 

4.  Teacher -  Reclassification

 

Williams Edwards, Sp. Ed. Teacher, Hammond High to Teacher, Regular Program, Hammond High (place of Veidre Howard) effective January 5, 2004, Probationary

 

5.  Support Personnel – New Hire

 

Angela Showers, Child Specific Aide, Hammond High (New Position) Effective January 5, 2004

 

George Carter, Child Specific Aide, Hammond High (New Position) Effective January 5, 2004

 

Kimberly Miller, Janitor, O.W. Dillon, 9 month 8 hr., (place of Cherrie Stewart, Retired) Effective January 6, 2004

 

John Armstrong, Electrician Helper, Maintenance Dept., (place of Harry Hagan, Resigned) Effective January 7, 2004

           

6.  Support Personnel - Reclassification

 

Ida Loyd from Special Education Aide 7 hrs, Hammond High to ISSP Monitor, Hammond High (place  of Sheila Carter, Reclassified) Effective January 5, 2004

 

Shayne Johnson from Grass Cutter, Maintenance to HVAC Helper, 8 hrs., Maintenance (place of Paul Terrell, Retired) Effective January 7, 2004

 

Shelia Carter from ISSP Monitor, Hammond High to Sp. Ed. Teacher, Hammond High (place of William Edwards, Reclassified) Effective January 5, 2004, “TAT”

           

7.  School Food Service- Reclassification

 

Debra Beyl, 6 hr. Billing Clerk, Vinyard Elementary, to 7 hr. Billing Clerk/Food Service Worker at  Vinyard, Effective January 5, 2004

 

8.  Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

 

Sabbatical Leaves:

 

Katharine Meadors, Teacher, Amite High, P & I 2nd Semester, 2003-04 school session

Mary A. Crouch, Teacher, Westside Middle, Medical, 2nd Semester, 2003-04 school session

Amanda Montalbano, Teacher, D.C. Reeves, P & I 2nd Semester, 2003-04 school session

Robert Elzy, Jr., Teacher, Independence Middle, Medical, 2nd Semester, 2003-04 school session

 

Leaves:

 

Kelly Pons, Teacher, Champ Cooper, Extended Sick Leave due to Maternity, using sick days first through March 1, 2004, effective January 15, 2004

Donna Brown, Office Assistant, Maintenance, Straight Leave without pay due Health Problems through undetermined length, effective January 5, 2004

 

Resignations:

 

Janice K. Garner, LWIA 20, effective January 7, 2004

Anthony Bonura, Teacher, Indep. Middle, effective January 1, 2004

 

Retirement:

           

Devosha Thomas-Henry, Teacher, Ponchatoula Jr. High, effective May 29, 2004

 

            It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Genco, to waive the rules to hear a report on the Vocational Program.

 

            Mr. Dan Keen gave the Board an update on the Vocational/Technical Program. He introduced Mr. Rory Hayden, Director of WIA and Ms. Cindy Sears, teacher. Mr. Hayden and Ms. Sears will be working together to implement state-mandated programs for the Tangipahoa Parish School System.

           

            Mrs. Karen Bell, President of Tangipahoa Association of Educators (TAE), addressed the Board during public input. She again thanked the Board for the Supplementary check that was recently given to Tangipahoa Parish School System employees. She also commented on the publishing of employees’ salaries in the Daily Star.

                       

It was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons,  to enter Executive Session to discuss the cases of Carondolet Jackson v. Jimmy McGee and Barbara Bridges v. TPSB. Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

            The Board entered Executive Session.

 

            The Board returned to Open Session.

 

No action was taken in the above-mentioned cases.

 

It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to adjourn (7:21 p.m.).  Hearing no objection, the motion was unanimously adopted.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                                Al Link, President

 

Louis L. Joseph, Secretary-Treasurer

 

Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (1/06/04)