Tangipahoa Parish School Board Meeting Minutes

TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

November 4, 2003

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, November 4, 2003, 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, and Maxine Dixon

MEMBERS ABSENT: Jimmy A. Richardson, I

Mrs. Sandra Bailey-Simmons, Board Member – District H, introduced Lt. Colonel Hulsey and the Ponchatoula High School Color Guard (Michael Ellis, Chris Cox, Eric Craig, and Barry Mince). Amanda Russell, Ponchatoula High School – Senior Class President, gave the invocation and Kerri Rhody, Student Council President – Ponchatoula High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Ashley Herrick, Advanced Choir – Ponchatoula High School, sang the National Anthem.

It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to waive the rules to consider discussing a case in Executive Session. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to consider the case of the ACLU vs TPSS during Executive Session. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Board Minutes of October 21, 2003 as distributed. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

Mr. Thomas Bellavia, Assistant Superintendent, recognized Mrs. Ann Trappey, teacher at Kentwood High School, for her selection as Southern Institute for Education and Research Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Trappey thanked the Board for her award. She also thanked Mrs. Ann Smith, former principal of Kentwood High School, and her current principal – Mrs. Ginger Francois.

The Board discussed Board participation on the Bus Advisory Committee and decided to consider establishing a Transportation Committee. This item will be discussed further at the next Board Meeting.

It was moved by Mrs. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of October 29, 2003 and Addendum #1. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

It was moved by Ms. Dixon, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve Addendum #2 of the Personnel Report of October 29, 2003. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent. Following is the report as approved.

1. Support Personnel – New Hire

Jacqueline Dykes, Lunchroom Monitor (3 hours), Hammond Eastside Primary, effective November 1, 2003

2. Support Personnel - Transfer

Cheryl Brown, From: Special Education Paraprofessional – Hammond Westside Upper, to Special Education Paraprofessional – Tucker Elementary, effective October 20, 2003

3. Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

Leaves:

Debra Mohon, Teacher – Chesbrough (Extended Medical Leave due to illness using sick days first – December 1, 2003), effective October 10, 2003

Melvin Holmes, Bus Driver Bus 18-I (Straight Leave Without Pay – May 31, 2003), effective November 1, 2003

John Ginn, Jr., Bus Driver – Chesbrough (Extended Medical Leave due to Surgery using sick days first – December 8, 2003), effective October 7, 2003

Janet Allen, Teacher – Spring Creek (Extended Sick Leave due to surgery using sick leave first – December 19, 2003), effective November 3, 2003

Resignations:

Thomas Nunnery, Custodian – Champ Cooper, effective August 13, 2003

Retirements:

Janice Fairburn, Teacher – Loranger Elementary, effective November 1, 2003

Addendum #1

1. Teacher – New Hire

Rebecca Johnson, Teacher – Loranger Elementary, effective November 3, 2003

Suzanne Callihan, School Nurse, Kentwood High

Janis Hoover, School Nurse – Hammond Jr. High

2. School Nurse - Transfer

Verna Thompson, From: Nurse – Hammond Jr. High, To: Nurse – Amite High, effective October 31, 2003

Leigh Smith, From: Nurse – Northwood High, To: Nurse – Independence Middle, effective October 31, 2003

Danette Campbell, From: Nurse – Roseland Elementary, To: Nurse – Westside Middle

3. Support Personnel – New Hire

Carol Mott, Child Specific Aide – Loranger Elementary, effective October 27, 2003

Angela Showers, Special Education Attendant – Hammond High, effective October 27, 2003

4. Support Personnel - Reclassification

Marlene April, From: Paraprofessional – Loranger Elementary, To: School Secretary – 3 ½ hours, effective October 13, 2003

Peggy Kyzar, From: Child Specific Aide – Loranger Elementary, To: 7 hour Special Education Autistic Paraprofessional, effective October 27, 2003

5. Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

Leaves:

Jessie Varnado, Teacher – O.W. Dillon Elementary (Extended Sick Leave due to surgery using sick days first – December 1, 2003), effective October 8, 2003

Resignations:

Harry Hagan, Electrical Helper – Maintenance, effective October 27, 2003

Margaret Pittman, Paraprofessional – Kentwood Elementary, effective November 7, 2003

Addendum #2

1. Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

Resignations:

Randall Kinsey, Teacher – Independence Middle, effective October 30, 2003

John Varnado, Teacher – Sumner High, effective November 3, 2003

Retirements:

John Simmons, Supervisor – Central Office, effective December 20, 2003

It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mr. Genco, to advertise for the position of Elementary Supervisor. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

It was moved by Mr. Potts, seconded by Mr. Williams, to approve the Kentwood Board Delegation Report of October 27, 2003. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent. Following is the report as approved.

1. Deferred the item regarding roofs at Kentwood High School and O.W. Dillon Memorial Elementary until tentative Bond Issue. Architect Holly stated that the roofs have an 18 – 24 month life expectancy from this date.

2. Authorized staff and architect to meet with District principals to conduct needs assessment and devise Blue Book for possible Bond Issue.

3. Referred item regarding sale of property adjacent to O.W. Dillon Memorial Elementary School to Mr. Kolwe. Mr. Kolwe is to send a letter to the purchaser requesting a site survey and appraisal.

It was moved by Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Ponchatoula Board Delegation Report of October 21, 2003. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent. Following is the report as approved.

1. Mr. Bardwell stated that he would like to apologize to the faculty at Perrin Early Learning Center. After investigating numerous complaints from parents regarding disciplinary problems, he feels confident that the administration and faculty at Perrin handled the problems properly and in a professional manner.

2. Approved the request of Ponchatoula Jr. High School for technology equipment, teacher equipment, and security equipment in the amount of $30,769.00, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.

3. Referred the item regarding textbooks for Ponchatoula Jr. High School to Superintendent Joseph and Assistant Superintendent Mark Kolwe.

4. Approved an estimated budget of $30,000.00 for a computer lab at Tucker Elementary School, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.

5. Approved the purchase of a wheelchair lift for all schools in the parish. Lift to be housed at the Maintenance Department and brought to schools, as needed. Funding to be determined at a later date.

It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to waive the rules to consider an item from the Finance meeting held prior to the Board Meeting. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

Mr. John Norris addressed the Board regarding its Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy. It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mr. Richardson, to accept the staff recommendation regarding the Errors and Omissions Insurance Policy, accept the bid of Emery James (National Union) in the amount of $55,269.00. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

It was moved by Mr. Potts, seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve wiring for the welding shop at Sumner High School, with an estimated budget of $2,000.00. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

Ms. Dixon spoke in personal privilege regarding the “Relay for Life.” She thanked Superintendent Joseph, the principals, Mr. Thompson and Dr. Moulds for their assistance during this event.

Mr. Link spoke in personal privilege regarding the survey conducted by the Tangipahoa Federation of Teachers.

There were no requests for public input.

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to enter Executive Session to discuss the case of ACLU vs Tangipahoa Parish School System. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

The Board entered Executive Session.

The Board returned to Open Session.

Superintendent Joseph indicated that he had communicated with each school and conducted a survey that confirms that all schools are in compliance with the School Board Policy regarding Prayer in School.

It was moved by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr. Potts, to send the present policy regarding Prayer in Schools to Forethought Consulting for review to make sure it meets both federal and state guidelines. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

It was moved by Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mr. Potts, to adjourn (7:27 p.m.). Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Richardson absent.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Caves, President

Louis L. Joseph, Secretary-Treasurer

Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (11/4/03)