TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS

 

April 20, 2004

 

 

 

            The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, April 20, 2004, at 6:30 p.m., in the School Board Meeting Room, School Board Office, 59656 Puleston Road, Amite, Louisiana, with President  Al Link, Presiding.

 

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

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:             Maxine Dixon

 

            Rev. Jimmy A. Richardson, I, Board Member – District A, gave the invocation. Mrs. Sandra Bailey-Simmons, introduced students and faculty from Independence High School. Chelsie Smith, student – Independence High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance and Tyrone Baker, student – Independence High School, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

 

It was moved by Mr. Bardwell, seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve the Board Minutes of  April 4, 2004 as distributed. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon absent.

 

            The Board recognized the Kentwood High School football team, coaches, and principal for being the Class 1A State Runner-up.  In recognition of outstanding achievement, a plaque was presented to the team, coaches, and principal.  Also, the football players, managers, cameraman,  etc., each received a certificate.  After comments from Coach David Currier and Principal Ginger Francois, they received a standing ovation from those present.

 

            Trey Schmaltz, a student at Ponchatoula High School, and other members of the Teen Scene Program, gave the Board an overview of the program. Teen Scene is a thirty (30) minute show which spotlights what is going on in the local schools. Trey encouraged local high schools to participate in the program.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Richardson, seconded by Mr. Genco, to authorize the Board Attorney to complete the Contract with the Bond Company on the Amite High School Auditorium pending the completion of the details of the language of the contract. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon absent.

 

            Mr. Richardson left the meeting at this point.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the items listed below. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent.

 

1.                  Textbook Adoption Procedure for Foreign Language, Art, and Music

2.                  Handwriting and Foreign Language Textbooks for grades K-8

3.                  Fine Arts and Music Textbooks for grades K-8

 

It was moved by Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to start the process for selecting or choosing a certified public accounting firm that can provide the necessary services for a thorough internal audit of the entire Tangipahoa Parish School System and notify the Legislative Auditor and request their services also. The motion failed with Mr. Williams and Mr. Bardwell voting yea, Mr. Link, Mr. Caves, Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, Mr. Genco, and Mr. Potts, voting nay, and Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent.

 

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mr. Bardwell to waive the rules to consider a change in the Pupil Progression Plan. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent.

 

 

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mr. Bardwell, to amend the Pupil Progression Plan to continue the Transitional (4.5) Program. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent.

 

It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Finance Committee Report of April 6, 2004. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent. Following is the report as approved:

 

1.                  Approved the Accounts Payable Check Register dated 2/26/04 – 3/31/04.

2.                  No action was taken on the Investment Manager Proposals.

3.                  Accepted the staff recommendation and appointed Hancock Bank as the Fiscal Agent for the 2004-2005 Fiscal Year.

4.         Accepted the quality low bid for Bid #2004-03 SFS Employee Uniforms and Shoes.

5.         Accepted the quality low bid for  Bid # 2004-02 SFS Commodity Processing. Tangipahoa Parish School System will not order Items # 27 – 29.

6.         Accepted the quality low bid for Bid #2004-20 Toilet Tissue.

7.         Accepted the quality low bid for Bid #2004-18 Janitorial Supplies.

8.         Accepted the quality low bid for Bid #2004-19 Copy Paper.

9.         Accepted the quality low bid for Bid #2004-22 Music and Choir Furnishing for Amite High School Auditorium, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.

10.       Accepted the quality low bid for Bid #2004-25 Welding Equipment for Independence High School, from Carl Perkins Funds.

11.       Approved additional travel funds in the amount of $1,464.00, for Mrs. Sandra Bailey-Simmons to represent the Board and State at the Federal Relations Conference.

12.       Approved additional travel needs of the federal program staff for meeting mandates of “No Child Left Behind,” Homeless, and Parental Involvement, Programs etc.

13.       Approved the contract with Mr. George Horne in the amount of $3,500.00 for the preparation of a handbook for transportation. This handbook will define unwritten procedures and will not change the current Board policy.

14.       Approved the distribution of the end-of-year MFP Certified Employees’ Adjustment.

 

            It was moved by Mr. Genco, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Personnel Committee Report of April 14, 2004, and Addendum #1. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent.

 

1.         Support Personnel – New Hire

 

Jacqueline Leathers, Paraprofessional – 7 hours, effective April 1, 2004

 

2.         Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

 

            Leaves

 

Tara Slaton, Teacher – Natalbany Elementary (Extended Sick Leave using sick days first due to Maternity -  August  2004), effective  March, 2004

 

Resignations

 

Charles Burton, Custodian – Chesbrough Elementary, effective  April 2, 2004

Victoria Showers, ISSP – Hammond Eastside Upper,  effective March 24, 2004

 

Retirements

 

Gayle Duncan, SFS Manager – Hammond Eastside Elementary, effective August 4, 2004

Bernie Shontell, Director – Maintenance, effective September 1, 2004

Mary Walker, Librarian – Loranger High School, effective May 29, 2004

Alice Favret, Teacher – Loranger High School, effective May 29, 2004

 

ADDENDUM #1

 

1.         Support Personnel – Reclassification

 

JoEllen Marten, From: Office Assistant – Central Office, To: Account Clerk II – Central Office, effective April 21, 2004

Robin Joiner,  From: Office Assistant – Central Office, To: Account Clerk II – Central Office, effective April 21, 2004

 

2.         Leaves, Resignations, Retirements

 

Resignations:

 

James Armstrong, Teacher,  effective April 19, 2004

 

            It was moved by Mr. Caves, seconded by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, to approve the Hammond Board Delegation Report of  April 6, 2004. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon  and Mr. Richardson absent. Following is the report as approved.

 

1.         Approved the purchase of three (3) desktop computers for the Hammond Jr. High School Office, in the amount of $2,952.84, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.

2.         Approved the purchase of one (1) standard computer with a flat screen monitor, in the amount of $1,258.00, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds, and one (1) printer in the amount of $1,528.00, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds, for the secretary at Hammond Eastside Primary School.

3.         Approved the purchase of computer equipment for the Hammond High School Library in the amount of $52,966.02, from Pay-As-You-Go Funds.

4.         Discussed the bus loading/unloading area at Woodland Park Early Learning Center. This item was deferred and will be placed on the agenda of the next delegation meeting.

5.         Mrs. Gwen Myers, Principal – Hammond High School, discussed replacement of the basketball backboard in the gym.

 

            It was moved by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr. Genco, to waive the rules to consider bids on the Loranger Schools Lunchroom. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent.

 

            It was moved by Mrs. Bailey-Simmons, seconded by Mr. Genco, to approve the low bid of $419,500.00 by Mr. Frank Anzalone for the Loranger Schools Lunchroom. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted with Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent.

 

            Mr. Genco announced that the ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the completed classrooms at the Loranger Schools would be held on April 21, 2004 at 9:00 a.m.

 

            President Link spoke in personal privilege and indicated that he had spoken with Ms. Dixon and she is doing very well and sent everyone her best.

 

            Mr. Bardwell spoke in personal privilege and indicated that he met with a representative from the Bus Drivers Advisory Committee, who stated that the committee had not addressed the Board. He also requested that the Board receive copies of minutes of the committee meetings.

 

            There were no requests for public input.

 

It was moved by  Mr.  Bardwell,  seconded by  Mrs.  Bailey-Simmons, to  adjourn    (7:26 p.m.). Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted, with Ms. Dixon and Mr. Richardson absent.

 

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                                Al Link, President

Louis L. Joseph, Secretary-Treasurer

 

Recorded By: Jo-Ann L. Frazier (4/20/04)