TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

 

September 2, 2003

 

            The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, September 2, 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,  Maxine Dixon and  Jimmy A. Richardson, I

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:             Donnie Williams

                                               

Mr. John Hare of Face It Ministries, gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

It was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve the Board Minutes of August 19, 2003, as distributed. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to confirm that  the new Board Members – Mr. Robert Potts and Mr. Leonard “Tank” Genco, have both  completed the requirements of Act 66 (6 hours training), with verification on file. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent.

 

It was moved by Ms. Dixon seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of August 27, 2003 and Addendum #1. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved.

 

August 27, 2003

 

1.         Teacher – New Hire

 

Erica Williams, Teacher – Independence Middle, effective August 13, 2003, Substitute

Jackie Bush, Special Education Teacher – Hammond Jr. High, effective August 13, 2003, Substitute - TAT

 

2.         Support Personnel – New Hire

 

Victoria Showers, Title I  ISSP Monitor – Hammond Eastside Upper, effective August 25, 2003

JoAnn Melancon, Lunchroom Monitor – 3 hours – Loranger Elementary, effective August 18, 2003

Raymond Foster, Jr., Title I ISSP Monitor – Amite Elementary, effective August 29, 2003

Margaret Berry, Special Education Paraprofessional – 5 ½ hours, effective August 19, 2003

 

3.         School Food Service Employees

 

Jackie Stilley, From: 4 hour Food Service Worker Sub-Pool, To: 4 hour permanent Food Service Worker, effective August 15, 2003

Mary Blevins, From: 7 hour permanent Food Service Worker – Amite High, To: 7 hour permanent Food Service Worker – Amite Elementary, effective August 15, 2003

Leona Green, From: 7 hour permanent worker in Amite High Sub Pool, To: 7 hour permanent Food Service Worker – Amite High, effective August 15, 2003

Jackie Goings, 4 hour sub pool at Sumner High – New Hire, effective August 15, 2003

Melanie Newman, 4 hour sub pool at Hammond High – New Hire, effective August 15, 2003

Sandra Brumfield, 4 hour sub pool at Amite High – New Hire, effective August 15, 2003

 

 

 

Tina Eschemin, 4 hour sub pool at Hammond High – New Hire, effective August 15, 2003

Latoria Ard, From: 4 hour sub pool Food Service Worker – Kentwood High, To: 7 hour permanent worker – Kentwood High, effective August 15, 2003

 

4.         Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

 

            Sabbatical Leave:

 

            Michael Cassel, Teacher – Sumner High, Medical Leave 1st Semester 2003-2004

 

            Leaves:

 

Patricia Mabry, Teacher – Sumner High, extended sick leave using sick days first due to illness – undetermined, effective September 2, 2003

 

5.         Substitute Teacher List

 

Addendum #1

 

1.         Teacher – New Hire

 

            Elbert Smith, Teacher – Sumner High School, effective August 13, 2003, Substitute

            Loretta McCalope, Teacher – Westside Middle, effective August 25, 2003, Substitute

            Tyrus Mabry, Teacher – Sumner High, effective August 18, 2003, TAT – 1st semester

 

2.         Teacher - Rehire

 

            Mary Broussard, Life Skills Teacher – Special Service Center, effective August 13, 2003

 

3.         Teacher- Reclassification

 

Vernon Barrilleaux, From: “TAT” Special Education Teacher – Loranger High, To: Certified Teacher – Loranger High, effective August 13, 2003, Probationary

Kerry LeTard, From: CSR Teacher – Roseland Elementary, To: CSR Kindergarten Teacher – Roseland Elementary, effective August 13, 2003

 

4.         Teacher – Rehire/Transfer

 

Theresa Perry, From: Teacher – Westside Middle, To: Teacher – Crystal Academy, effective August 13, 2003, TAT

Trenier Mabry, From: Teacher – Amite Elementary, To: Teacher – Westside Middle, effective August 13, 2003, TAT

 

5.         Support Personnel – New Hire

 

            Alicia Taylor, Janitor (4 hours 9 months) – Amite Elementary, effective August 14, 2003

Kahala Hoofin, Special Education Paraprofessional (5 ½ hours) – Amite High, effective August 27, 2003

Marlene April, Special Education Pre-K Paraprofessional – Loranger Elementary, effective August 19, 2003

Wayne Johnson, Head Custodian (12 months 8 hours) Amite Elementary, effective August 14, 2003

 

 

6.         Support Personnel - Transfer

 

Katherine Thomas, From: Special Education Paraprofessional (5 ½ hours) Amite High, To: Special Education Paraprofessional (5 ½ hours) Hammond Jr. High, effective August 14, 2003

Judy Benton, From: Title 1 Aide – Midway Elementary, To: Title I Aide – Hammond Jr. High, effective August 14, 2003

Lillian Dyson Cotton, From: Special Education Aide – Amite Elementary, To: Special Education Aide (5 ½ hours) Westside Middle, effective August 22, 2003

 

7.         Support Personnel - Reclassification

 

Cynthia Zayak, From: Child Specific Aide (7 hours) – Independence Elementary, To: Special Education Aide (5 ½ hours) – Independence Elementary, effective August 14, 2003

 

8.         Support Personnel – Transfer/Reclassification

 

Sharon Maxwell, From: Title 1 Aide – Midway Elementary, To: LA 4 Aide – Woodland Park Early Learning Center, effective August 14, 2003

 

9.         Transportation - Transfers

 

            Avarone Graves, Transfer from Bus 34-P to Bus 35-P, effective September 2, 2003

            Carol Turner, Transfer from Bus 7-CC to Bus 34-P, effective September 2, 2003

 

10.       School Food Service Employees

 

Rebecca Simmons, New Hire – Sub pool Sumner High (4 hours), effective August 26, 2003

Lucille Lee, New Hire – Sub pool Kentwood High (4 hours), effective August 26, 2003

 

11.       Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

 

            Resignations:

 

            Carl Foster, Food Service Worker – Amite Elementary, effective July 30, 2003

 

             It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mr. Potts, to approve the 16th Section Ad Hoc Committee Report of August 19, 2003. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved.

 

 

1.         With the direction of the Board’s legal counsel, to move forward with authorizing HOPA Exploration Company, Inc., to nominate the School Board acreage within the following sections for oil, gas, and mineral leases:

 

Section 16  - Township 3 South, Range 7 East

Section 16  - Township 3 South, Range 8 East

Section 16  - Township 4 South, Range 8 East

Section 16 -  Township 4 South, Range 9 East

 

The aforementioned company will cover all costs associated with the nomination and leasing process, place the necessary advertisements and handle all paperwork required by the State Mineral Board.

 

2.         Mr. A.W. Reed gave the committee an update on the 16th Section Property adjacent to Vinyard Elementary School. The committee decided to wait until Mr. Reed and his staff have completed the cruising and then set a plan of action for the property.

           

            It was moved by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to approve the Champ Cooper Board Delegation report of August 19, 2003. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved:

 

                       

1.                  The delegation discussed the budget for utilization of the Wal-Mart Funds. All items were discussed on an individual basis. It was recommended that the Equipment and setup for the new Computer Lab be funded from Pay-As-You-Go Funds. All purchases must be approved by the delegation and the full Board.

 

2.                  Authorized the staff to negotiate and set up a pay plan with the 8th Ward Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of the 1.97 acres of property that they are interested in acquiring. The appraised value of the property is $23,600.00.

                                               

         It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Loranger Board Delegation Report of August 19, 2003. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent. Following is the report as approved:

 

 

1.                  The delegation discussed the reorganization of the administrators’ offices at

Loranger High School and Loranger Elementary School. Referred this matter  back to the respective principals.

 

2.                  Complete the items listed below during the renovation of the Loranger Historic Classroom Building.

 

a.       Air Condition Classrooms

b.      Replace Front and Back Doors

c.       Acoustical Ceilings and new lighting in Auditorium

d.      Remove interior windows, add electrical outlets in classrooms, add fire alarm in balcony area, refinish wood floors, remove balcony and railing, new classroom doors

e.       Interior painting of classrooms and auditorium

f.        Architect’s fees

 

3.         The delegation discussed holding a bond referendum in the month of January 2004. Some of the funds obtained could be used to complete additional renovations, etc. on the Historic Classroom Building.

 

                        It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the items listed below. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent.          

 

1.         Change Order #1, Air Conditioning for Woodland Park Early Learning Center, in the amount of $665.00.

 

2.         Substantial completion for Air Conditioning at Woodland Park Early Learning Center.

 

3.                  Substantial completion of Natalbany 4-Classroom Addition.

 

4.                  Substantial completion of Amite High School Football Stadium lighting.

 

5.                  Change Order #1 for Amite High School Football Field Re-lighting Project in the credit amount of $1,050.00.

 

Mr. Ben Nevers, State Representative, spoke in public input regarding legislative updates. He also commended the Board for the excellent educational system in Tangipahoa Parish.

 

Superintendent Joseph introduced representatives of the P.T.A. – Ms. Debbie Brown and Ms. Chris Coheu. They spoke regarding a resolution declaring September as P.T.A. Month.

 

It was moved by Mr. Potts, seconded by Mr. Genco, to waive the rules, to consider adopting a resolution regarding the P.T.A. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted with Mr. Williams absent.

 

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Dixon, to adopt an appropriate resolution declaring September as P.T.A. Month. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted with Mr. Williams absent.

 

RESOLUTION

 

 

WHEREAS, The state has declared September as Parent/Teacher Association Month in Louisiana;

 

WHEREAS, the P.T.A. promotes the welfare of the children and youth in the home, school, community, and place of worship;

 

WHEREAS, the P.T.A. raises the standards of home life and secures adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth;

 

WHEREAS, the P.T.A. brings into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth;

 

WHEREAS, the P.T.A. develops between educators and the general public, united efforts that will secure for all children and youth, the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tangipahoa Parish School System acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the members of the P.T.A.; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the official minutes of the Board.

 

CERTIFICATE

 

I, the undersigned Secretary-Treasurer of the Tangipahoa Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of a resolution adopted at its Regular School Board Meeting on September 2, 2003, at which time a quorum was present and that same is in full force and effect.

 

 

Dated at Amite, Louisiana

this 2nd day of  September  2003

 

                                                                        ____________________________________

                                                                        Louis Joseph, Secretary-Treasurer

                                                                        TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

 

 

            Mr. Bardwell spoke in personal privilege regarding Policy Alerts that were recently sent to Board Members.

 

            Mrs. Bailey-Simmons requested that  Superintendent Joseph send a letter to the schools encouraging them to have their students participate at Board Meetings. A letter should also be sent to encourage principals to have some type of September 11th  commemoration program.

 

It was moved by Mr.Bardwell, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to enter Executive Session to discuss the cases of Gordon Smith, etal v. TPSB and the case of Robert Doughty, etal v. TPSB. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent.

 

The Board entered Executive Session.

 

The Board returned to Open Session.

 

            No action was taken in the case of Gordon Smith, etal v.TPSB.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mr. Genco, to authorize the Board Attorney to settle the case of Robert Dougherty, etal v TPSB, as recommended. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent.

           

It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Mr. Genco, to adjourn (7:12 p.m.)  Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Mr. Williams absent.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                                Robert Caves, President

 

 

Louis L. Joseph, Secretary-Treasurer

 

Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (09/02/03)