PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF EAST FELICIANA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 6, 2011
PROPOSED AGENDA FOR
EAST FELICIANA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Central Office Board Room, located at
12732 Silliman Street, Town of Clinton, Louisiana
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 - 5:00 P.M.
1. Call to order
2. Approval of the agenda
3. Approval of the minutes of November 1, 2011, regular meeting
4. Special Recognitions
A. Helen Williams, Supervisor presentation on Employee of Month for November, 2011
B. Edna Thomas, Elementary Supervisor and Principal Megan Phillips presentation of National Board Certification Recipient: Mary Trigg Turner, 4th Grade Teacher, Jackson Elementary
C. Beth Dawson presentation on Keep East Feliciana Beautiful
5. Communications/Reports
(1) Expression of sympathy to the Family of Mrs. Emily Banguel, Retired CDL Bus Driver and Mother of Mrs. Amy Adams, CDL Bus Driver, Jackson Schools Route; in her passing on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A. Sales Tax Collections Report
B. Superintendent's Report
(1) Receive minute entry to reflect the following Board Members attendance at Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Continuing Education In-Service in accordance with La. R.S. 17:53, for the following:
(a) Mitchell Harrell 2 Hours
(b) Broderick Brooks, Sr. 2 Hours
(c) Olivia Harris 2 Hours
(d) John Benjamin Cupit 2 Hours
(2) 2012 LSBA Convention scheduled for March 1st thru 3rd, 2012 at the Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana
(3) Authorize contracting with demographer Nancy Jensen, Garnet Innovations LLC, regarding submission of 2012 Reapportionment to the U.S. Department of Justice
6. Old Business
A. Receive presentation from demographer Nancy Jensen, Garnet Innovations LLC, regarding submission of 2012 Reapportionment to the U.S. Department of Justice
B. Receive motion to name East Feliciana High School Baseball Field in honor of former School Board Member Henry C. Howell, IV.
C. Board President Michael Ray Bradford Committee Membership Assignments:
(1) Insurance and Bid Opening Committee Member Elizabeth “Beth” Dawson
(2) Alternative Education Committee Member Elizabeth “Beth” Dawson
(3) Superintendent Search Committee Members
D. Bid Opening Committee food bids awards commencing 01/01/12 ending 06/30/12
E. Receive breakdown on current financial status, test score data for last 8 years for the school system and what financial savings were derived from 4-day week and consolidation of Middle and High Schools and where are those financial savings now. {formerly Item 6.C. on November 1, 2011 Regular Board Meeting Agenda}
7. New Business
A. Finance Committee Report
B. East Feliciana Parish Textbook Adoption Committee as prepared by Ruth Dart, Coordinator for World Languages, Immersion, ESL, Handwriting, Music & Arts and Health and Physical Education Adoption Year 2011-2012
8. Personnel
A. Acknowledge Certificated Retirement:
Douglas Beauchamp, Jr., Superintendent of Schools {effective date: June 30, 2012 (end of work day)} with 37 years of service
B. Certificated Resignations:
(1) Letitia Palmer Signater, Teacher (c), Clinton Elementary {effective date: November 10, 2011 (end of work day)}
(2) Don Gill, Teacher (c), East Feliciana Middle School {effective date: November 10, 2011 (end of work day)}
(3) Sarah Martin, Teacher (c), Clinton Elementary {effective date: December 9, 2011 (end of work day)}
C. Certificated Appointments:
(1) Starlett Williams-Brue, Teacher (c), East Feliciana Middle School (remainder on 9-Month Position) {effective date: November 7, 2011 (beginning of work day)} [funding source: General Fund]
(2) Brandy Fulton, Teacher (c), Clinton Elementary (remainder on 9-Month Position) {effective date: November 15, 2011 (beginning of work day)} [funding source: General Fund]
(3) Erica Green, Teacher (c), East Feliciana Middle School (remainder on 9-Month Position) {effective date: November 29, 2011 (beginning of work day)} [funding source: 1003g SIG]
D. Correction to Effective Date for Certificated Resignation on 11/01/11 Reg. Bd. Mtg. Agenda Item 8.A.(2) India S. LeBlanc, Teacher (c), East Feliciana Middle School {effective date: October 7, 2011 (end of work day)}
E. Support Staff Appointment:
Lester Brashier, Maintenance/Lawn Care Worker, Slaughter Elementary (remainder on 12-Month Position) {effective date: December 7, 2011 (beginning of work day)} [funding source: General Fund]
F. Acknowledge 2011-2012 Mentor Teacher Appointment/Replacement:
Angienette Anderson Smith, Teacher (c), East Feliciana Middle School (remainder on 9-Month Position) {effective date: October 11, 2011 (beginning of work day)} [funding source: TAP and/or 1003g SIG]
G. Acknowledge 2011-2012 Master Teacher Appointment/Replacement:
Maxwell Turner, Teacher (c), East Feliciana High School (remainder on 9-Month Position) {effective date: first available date to report to work (beginning of work day)} [funding source: 1003g SIG]
There were present: School Board Members Olivia Harris, Elizabeth “Beth” Dawson, John Benjamin Cupit, Paul Kent, Mitchell Harrell, Michael Ray Bradford, Debra Spurlock Haynes, Broderick Brooks, Sr., Rhonda Matthews, Richard Terrell and Rufus Nesbitt. Board Member Melvin Hollins joined the meeting at 5:18:13 P.M. Other Attendees: Douglas Beauchamp, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, Irma Lee Bendily, Admn. Asst. and Michael Hughes, 1st Asst. District Attorney 20th JDC.
Board President Michael Ray Bradford opened and chaired the meeting and asked Vice-President Mitchell Harrell to open the meeting with prayer. Board President Bradford lead the Pledge of Allegiance to The Flag in unison.
The Parish School Board of the Parish of East Feliciana, State of Louisiana, was duly convened as the governing authority of said Parish for school purposes by Michael Ray Bradford, Board President, who announced the purposes of said meeting in accordance with the aforesaid written notice thereof. Board President Bradford stated the Board was ready for transaction of business.
Item 2. Board President Bradford called for any additions to the agenda.
Superintendent Beauchamp requested the following written additions to the above agenda:
REQUEST FOR ADDITIONS
4. Special Recognitions
D. Victoria McMullen, EFHS FFA Students distribution of Thanksgiving Baskets
5. Communications/Reports
(2) Expression of sympathy to the Family of Mr. Irvin Green, Sr., Retired Custodian; in his passing on Friday, November 25, 2011
B. Superintendent’s Report
(4) Request Board authorization in receipt of and distribution to East Feliciana Middle School in the sum of $10,000.00 as 2nd Installment of 3 in re: Celebrate East Feliciana: A Community United Project
7. New Business
C. Board Member Debra Spurlock Haynes request to go paperless/green and purchase Apple iPad 2's with WiFi for meetings
8. Personnel
C. Certificated Appointments:
(3) Desarae Jones, Teacher (c), Clinton Elementary (remainder on 9-Month Position) {effective date: December 13, 2011 (beginning of work day)} [funding source: General Funds]
Motion by Mr. Terrell, seconded by Mrs. Haynes to approve the above agenda, with Superintendent Beauchamp’s written requests for additions.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board President Bradford then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried.
Item 3. Motion by Mr. Terrell, seconded by Mr. Brooks, to approve the minutes of November 1, 2011, regular meeting as published in the official journal.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board President Bradford then proceeded with the vote:
Yeas: Harris, Dawson, Cupit, Kent, Harrell, Bradford, Haynes, Brooks, Matthews and Terrell
Opposed: Nesbitt
Abstained from voting: None
Absent and not voting: Hollins
Board President Bradford announced by a majority vote of 10 to 1, with 1 absent and not voting, the motion carried.
Item 4.A. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Mrs. Helen Williams.
Helen Williams, Supervisor presented as Employee of the Month for November, 2011 - Jones Veal, School Resource Officer East Feliciana Middle School and Salaried CDL Bus Driver. Jeff Taylor, Representative of Taylor & Sons presented Ms. Brown with her appreciation plaque and related items.
Item 4.B. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Mrs. Edna Thomas.
Edna Thomas, Elementary Supervisor, along with Principal Megan Phillips presented National Board Certification Recipient Mary Trigg Turner, 4th Grade Teacher at Jackson Elementary with flowers and a photo opportunity.
Item 4.C. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Mrs. Beth Dawson.
Board Member Elizabeth “Beth” Dawson, along with Michaela Wells, Ph.D., distributed copies of and gave a power point presentation entitled “Keep East Feliciana Beautiful 2011".
Item 4.D. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Miss Victoria McMullen.
Victoria McMullen, EFHS Vo. Ag. Teacher and FFA Sponsor gave a presentation of her FFA Students distribution of Thanksgiving Baskets to approximately 120 families in East Feliciana Parish. She recognized 20 students as participants and the following FFA Students/participants in attendance this evening: Braylon Jarrell, Colbrey Franklin, Curtland Holliday, Jr., Ronneshia Shief, Briclyn Collier, Donnicha London and Jy’Andria Matthews.
Item 5. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Superintendent Beauchamp.
Superintendent Beauchamp related congratulations and expressions of sympathy on behalf of the Board to the families listed above. He then requested a moment of silence. Amen.
Item 5.A. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Superintendent Beauchamp.
Douglas Beauchamp, Jr., Superintendent; related to Board Members present that the November, 2011 Sales Tax Report reflects collections at 5% of $516,801.72 and delinquent sales tax collections of $17,074.89.
Board Member Melvin Hollins joined the meeting at this time.
Item 5.B.(1) Motion by Mr. Terrell, seconded by Miss Matthews to authorize a minute entry reflecting Board Members attendance at Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Continuing Education In-Service in accordance with La. R.S. 17:53, for the following:
(a) Mitchell Harrell 2 Hours
(b) Broderick Brooks, Sr. 2 Hours
(c) Olivia Harris 2 Hours
(d) John Benjamin Cupit 2 Hours
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board President Bradford then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried.
Item 5.B.(2) Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Superintendent Beauchamp.
Superintendent Beauchamp requested all Board Members to notify his office of their intentions to attend the upcoming 2012 LSBA Convention scheduled for March 1st thru 3rd, 2012 at the Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana, so registrations and hotel accommodations can be submitted.
Item 5.B.(3) Motion by Mr. Kent, seconded by Mr. Terrell to authorize Board President Michael Ray Bradford and Superintendent Douglas Beauchamp, Jr. to enter into a contract, for up to a maximum of $18,000.00 (a copy of which is attached hereto for reference) with demographer Nancy Jensen, Garnet Innovations LLC, regarding submission of 2012 Reapportionment to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. After some discussion by Board Members Cupit, Kent, Nesbitt, Harris, Board President Bradford, Vice-President Harrell, along with responses by Superintendent Beauchamp and Demographer Nancy Jensen, Board President Bradford then proceeded with a roll-call vote, as follows:
Yeas: Harris, Dawson, Hollins, Cupit, Kent, Harrell, Bradford, Haynes, Brooks, Matthews, Terrell and Nesbitt
Opposed: None
Abstained from voting: None
Absent and not voting: None
Board President Bradford announced by a unanimous vote of 12 to 0, the motion carried.
Item 5.B.(4) Motion by Vice-President Harrell, seconded by Mr. Brooks, to authorize receipt of and distribution to East Feliciana Middle School in the sum of $10,000.00 as 2nd Installment of 3 in re: Celebrate East Feliciana: A Community United Project.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board President Bradford then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried.
Item 6. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Mrs. Nancy Jensen.
Nancy Jensen, demographer/owner Garnet Innovations LLC passed out information to Board Member present and made a presentation regarding submission of 2012 Reapportionment to the U.S. Department of Justice. She noted developing a plan, scheduling workshops with Board Members, scheduling public meetings to review plan, official advertising, announce public hearings and package submission to U.S. Department of Justice. She confirmed that the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office has a deadline of December 31, 2012 to complete your reapportionment. She noted if the plan is submitted by December 31, 2012 and pre-cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice, it will not go into affect until your next school board election date. She noted the Secretary of State’s Office has requested this because the precincts are frozen until January 1, 2013 after which time they unfreeze them and any split precincts may be merged with a larger one. She recommended that you commence in mid-January to February, 2012 to start working on your reapportionment plan. She noted once submission to the U.S. Department of Justice it has 60 days, if they send it back, you have another 60 days to resubmit. She again noted if your submission is not timely and acceptable, the U.S. Department of Justice prepares a plan for you.
Board Member Cupit again wants to discuss downsizing the School Board Members to 9 from 12, due to having less than 2,000 students, 12 is too many Board Members.
After some discussion by Board Member Dawson, along with responses by Mrs. Jensen, Board President Bradford continued with the agenda.
Item 6.B. Motion by Vice-President Harrell, seconded by Mrs. Dawson to name East Feliciana High School Baseball Field in honor of former School Board Member Henry C. Howell, IV.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board President Bradford then proceeded with a roll-call vote, as follows:
Yeas: Harris, Dawson, Hollins, Cupit, Kent, Harrell, Bradford, Haynes, Brooks, Matthews, Terrell and Nesbitt
Opposed: None
Abstained from voting: None
Absent and not voting: None
Board President Bradford announced by a unanimous vote of 12 to 0, the motion carried.
Item 6.C. Board President Michael Ray Bradford made the following Committee Membership Assignments:
(1) Insurance and Bid Opening Committee Member Elizabeth “Beth” Dawson
(2) Alternative Education Committee Member Elizabeth “Beth” Dawson
(3) Superintendent Search Committee Members - All 12 Board Members
Motion by Mrs. Dawson, seconded by Mr. Hollins to accept the above Committee Membership Assignments by Board President Michael Ray Bradford. Further to refer the Superintendent Search advertisement and various deadlines to the Personnel Committee and its Chairman Melvin Hollins to schedule a date and time for same.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board President Bradford then proceeded with a roll-call vote, as follows:
Yeas: Harris, Dawson, Hollins, Kent, Harrell, Bradford, Haynes, Brooks, Matthews, Terrell and Nesbitt
Opposed: Cupit
Abstained from voting: None
Absent and not voting: None
Board President Bradford announced by a majority vote of 11 to 1, the motion carried.
Item 6.D. Motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Kent to accept the food bid awards commencing 01/01/12 ending 06/30/12 as prepared by Superintendent Beauchamp and CNP Supervisor Helen Williams from responsive bids received, opened and read aloud at the Bid Opening Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board President Bradford then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried.
Item 6.E. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Superintendent Beauchamp.
Superintendent Beauchamp related e-mailing the following information to Board Members for their review: (a) school performance scores chart covering past 9-years, (b) current financial status as prepared by F&W C.P.A. LeJeune and (c) e-mail from Labor Consultant Don Strobel in connection with request to return to 5-day school/work week.
After much discussion by Board Member Brooks, Nesbitt, Harris, Haynes, Dawson, Cupit and Matthews, Board President Bradford, audience members Elizabeth Aaron and Latrelle Cart, along with responses by Superintendent Beauchamp, Board President Bradford continued with the agenda.
Item 7.A. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Mr. Terrell.
Richard Terrell, Chairman of the Finance Committee proceeded with the following presentation from the Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 5:00 P.M. (a copy of which is attached hereto for reference). He noted informational items as Items 1. thru 11. on the committee agenda and called for a motion on Item 7.A.(8) “bridge loan”.
Motion by Mr. Kent, seconded by Mr. Terrell to adopt a Resolution (a copy of which is attached hereto for reference) in conjunction with a “bridge loan” from the Operating and Maintenance Fund of the School Board to the General Fund of the School Board.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. After some discussion by Board Members Cupit, Nesbitt, Brooks, Vice-President Harrell and Board Member Terrell, along with responses by Superintendent Beauchamp and 1st Asst. D.A. Hughes, Board President Bradford then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried.
Chairman Terrell in connection with Item 7.A.(9) scheduled the next Finance Committee Meeting for Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 5:00 P.M.
Item 7.B. Motion by Mr. Cupit, seconded by Vice-President Harrell to approve the East Feliciana Parish Textbook Adoption Committee dated 12/6/11 as prepared by Ruth Dart, Coordinator for World Languages, Immersion, ESL, Handwriting, Music & Arts and Health and Physical Education Adoption Year 2011-2012.
1st Asst. D.A. Hughes left the meeting at this time.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. After some discussion by Board Members Dawson, Kent and Haynes, audience members: Elizabeth Aaron and Latrelle Cart, along with responses by Coordinator Dart, Dr. Roddy, Superintendent Beauchamp and JES Principal Megan Phillips, Board President Bradford then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried.
Item 7.C. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Mrs. Haynes.
Debra Spurlock Haynes, Board Member lead the discussion on her request to go paperless/green and purchase Apple iPad 2's with WiFi for meetings and distributed copies of information pertaining to pricing of same. After some discussion by Board Members Dawson and Kent, along with responses by Board Member Haynes, Board President Bradford referred Item 7.C. to the Finance Committee for funding.
Item 8.A. Motion by Vice-President Harrell, seconded by Mrs. Dawson to accept Superintendent Beauchamp’s written recommendations in connection with Personnel Items 8.A. thru 8.G. collectively, as set out on the above agenda.
Board Member Rhonda Matthews left the meeting at this time.
Board President Bradford then asked Board Members to check the personnel items for relatives. Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. After discussion by Board Members Haynes, Nesbitt, Dawson, Brooks, Nesbitt, Cupit, Harris and Terrell, along with responses by Board President Bradford, Superintendent Beauchamp, Mr. Maxwell Turner, JES Principal Megan Phillips and EFHS Principal Bobby Washington, Board President Bradford received the following substitute motion.
Board Member Rhonda Matthews rejoined the meeting at this time.
Motion by Mr. Terrell, seconded by Mr. Brooks to accept Superintendent Beauchamp’s written recommendations in connection with Personnel Items 8.A. thru 8.F. collectively, as set out on the above agenda.
Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on the substitute motion. Receiving none, Board President Bradford then proceeded with a roll-call vote, as follows:
Yeas: Harris, Hollins, Cupit, Kent, Bradford, Haynes, Brooks, Matthews, Terrell and Nesbitt
Opposed: Dawson and Harrell
Abstained from voting: None
Absent and not voting: None
Board President Bradford announced by a majority vote of 10 to 2, the substitute motion carried.
Item 8.G. Motion by Mr. Cupit, seconded by Mrs. Dawson, to accept Superintendent Beauchamp’s written recommendation in connection with Personnel Item 8.G. as set out on the above agenda.
Board President Bradford then asked Board Members to check the personnel items for relatives. Board President Bradford then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. After some discussion by Board Members Dawson, Brooks, Hollins, Kent and Haynes, along with responses by JES Principal Megan Phillips, Board President Bradford and Superintendent Beauchamp, Board President Bradford then proceeded with a roll-call vote, as follows:
Yeas: Dawson, Cupit, Kent, Harrell and Bradford
Opposed: Harris, Hollins, Haynes, Brooks, Terrell and Nesbitt
Abstained from voting: Matthews
Absent and not voting: None
Board President Bradford announced by a majority vote of 5 to 6, with 1 abstention, the motion failed.
There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion for adjournment by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Kent, prevailed until the next regular meeting unless called into special session by the President.
DOUGLAS BEAUCHAMP, JR., MICHAEL RAY BRADFORD,
SECRETARY-TREASURER PRESIDENT