PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF EAST FELICIANA, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT A REGULAR MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
PROPOSED AGENDA FOR
EAST FELICIANA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Central Office Board Room, located at
12732 Silliman Street, Town of Clinton, Louisiana
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 - 5:00 P.M.
1. Call to order
2. Approval of the agenda
3. Approval of the minutes of August 6, 2013, regular meeting
4. Special Recognitions
A. Edna Thomas, Director presentation of Employee of the Month
B. Ursula Shaw, 4-H Coordinator, recognition of youth that participated in 2013 Summer Programs/4-H Camp
5. Communications/Reports
(1) Expression of sympathy to Family of Mr. Larry Nesbitt, Brother of Board Member Rufus Nesbitt; in his passing on Wednesday, August 7, 2013
(2) Expression of sympathy to Family of Mrs. Grace Perry, Retired Teacher; in her passing on Thursday, August 22, 2013
(3) Expression of sympathy to Family of Elliott Corcoran, former Board Member and past Board President; in his passing on Monday, August 26, 2013
(4) Family of Mr. Jerry Barksdale, respective Father and Father-in-Law of former School Board Member Clay Barksdale and Julie Barksdale, School Secretary, Slaughter Elementary; in his passing on Monday, August 26, 2013
A. Sales Tax Collections Report
B. Superintendent's Report
(1) Receive minute entry to reflect the following Board Members and Superintendent completion of 2012-2013 Bullying Training Course Mandated by Act 861 of 2012 Louisiana Legislature, for the following:
(a) Michael Bradford, Board President 06/30/2013
(b) Mitchell Harrell, Vice-President 06/30/2013
(2) Receive minute entry to reflect the following Board Members completion of 2012 Ethics Training for Elected Officials in accordance with Act 3 of 2008 (La. R.S. 42:1170), for the following:
(a) Mitchell Harrell July 19, 2013
(3) Receive minute entry to reflect the following Board Members completion of The Jason Foundation® In-Service Program entitled “Awareness And Prevention of Youth Suicide”, for the following:
(a) Broderick Brooks, Sr., Board Member 08/02/2013
(b) Henderson Lewis, Jr. 08/29/2013
(4) Request for out of state travel for Board Member(s)/Superintendent to attend NABSE 41st Annual Conference scheduled for November 13th - 17th, 2013 in Detroit, MI {funding source: General Fund - Board/Superintendent Travel}
(5) Request for out of state travel of Edna Thomas, Director and Knight Roddy, Ph.D., Supervisor to attend 2014 National Title I Conference scheduled for February 2nd thru 5th, 2014 in San Diego, CA {funding source: Title I}
6. Old Business
7. New Business
A. Insurance & Bid Opening Committee Report
B. Finance Committee Report
(a) Receive pre-audit communications from Postlethwaite & Netterville, APAC, with respect to conducting June 30th, 2013 Audit
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance, please contact Henderson Lewis, Jr., Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools at (225) 683-3040, describing the assistance that is necessary.
There were present: School Board Members Olivia Harris, Elizabeth Dawson, John Benjamin Cupit, Paul Kent, Debra Haynes, Broderick Brooks, Sr., Rhonda Matthews, Richard Terrell and Rufus Nesbitt. Board Members absent: Michael Bradford, Mitchell Harrell and Melvin Hollins. Other Attendees: Henderson Lewis, Jr., Ph.D., Superintendent, Irma Lee Bendily, Admn. Asst., Samuel D’Aquilla, 20th JDC District Attorney, Tommy LeJeune, C.P.A., Representative of Faulk & Winkler, LLC and Tiffani Dorsa, C.P.A. with Postlethwaite & Netterville, APAC and other attendees.
Due to the absence of Board President Michael Ray Bradford and Vice-President Mitchell Harrell, Board Member Richard Terrell opened and chaired the meeting and turned the floor over to Ms. Ursula Shaw, 4-H Coordinator and her 4-H Students in attendance to open the meeting with prayer, lead reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in unison and reciting the 4-H Pledge.
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 Richard Terrell, Board Member, who announced the purposes of said meeting in accordance with the aforesaid written notice thereof. Board Member Terrell stated the Board was ready for transaction of business.
Item 2. Board Member Terrell then called for any additions to the above agenda. Receiving none, Board Member Terrell then called for a motion to approve the above agenda.
Motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Mrs. Harris to approve the above agenda.
Board Member Terrell then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board Member Terrell then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Item 3. Motion by Mr. Cupit, seconded by Miss Matthews, to approve the minutes of August 6, 2013 regular meeting, published in the official journal.
Board Member Terrell then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board Member Terrell then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Item 4.A. Board Member Terrell turned the floor over to Mrs. Edna Thomas.
Edna Thomas, Director there is no presentation on Employee of the Month this evening.
Item 4.B. Board Member Terrell turned the floor over to Miss Ursula Shaw.
Ursula Shaw, 4-H Coordinator thanked Board Members and Dr. Lewis for being able to present this evening to give recognition to area youth that participated in 2013 Summer Programs/4-H Camp some of which are attending extra-curricular activities this evening and could not attend. She introduced her 4-H Students in attendance this evening who opened the meeting with prayer, lead reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag in unison and reciting the 4-H Pledge, as:
Prayer lead by Brianna Dinwiddie, 11th Grader, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag lead by Seth Smith, 5th Grader, Slaughter Elementary and the 4-H Pledge given by Tia Coleman 6th Grader, East Feliciana Middle School. She noted other 4-H Students in attendance of Terraneshia Alexander, 6th Grader, East Feliciana Middle School, Kaychelle Robinson, 6th Grader Slaughter Community Charter School and Kayle Robinson, 4th Grader, Slaughter Elementary. She concluded by introducing Brian Chandler, County Agent/4-H Director and Hanna Thibodeaux, 4-H Coordinator who is an LSU Graduate who will be addressing our Livestock and Shooting Sports Competitions. She concluded with an announcement that this was our 4th Graders first trip to 4-H Camp, look for the 4-H Garden at the Old Clinton High School Campus and the annual 4-H Sweet Potato Sale is going on with delivery November 8th and 9th, 2013.
Item 5. Board Member Terrell turned the floor over to Dr. Lewis.
Dr. Lewis related we have a congratulations to extend to a new baby boy Kyron Jerald Richard, Grandson of Mr. Louis Kent, Contract CDL Bus Driver and Mrs. Joyce Kent, Transportation
Support Supervisor/Warehouse Manager; on his birth on Friday, August 30, 2013. Dr. Lewis noted expressions of sympathy on behalf of the Board to the families on the above agenda, which include Board Member Rufus Nesbitt and his family.
Board Member Terrell requested a moment of silence. Amen.
Item 5.A. Board President Bradford turned the floor over to Dr. Lewis.
Dr. Lewis turned the floor over to Mrs. Ruth Dart.
Mrs. Dart related to Board Members present that the August, 2013 Sales Tax Report reflects collections at 5% of $586,064.72 and delinquent sales tax collections of $26,408.66.
Board Member Terrell called for any questions or comments. Receiving none, Board Member Terrell proceeded with the agenda.
Item 5.B. Board Member Terrell turned the floor over to Dr. Lewis.
Dr. Lewis related to Board Member present that we received information today from the State Department of Education a press release on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, entitled “Louisiana Educators Complete First Year Using Compass Tool” and our District was recognized in and read aloud for inclusion in these minutes:
“Districts Making Significant Progress with Low-income Students Set a High Bar for Classroom Teaching Excellence in Observations.
Some districts that achieved high levels of growth in 2012-2013 used classroom observations to set a particularly high bard for teaching quality, giving educators increased feedback and room to improve. This was particularly evident in districts that made gains with low-income students, implying a link between the rigor of classroom observations and student progress in challenging settings...
! East Feliciana Parish being ranked in the 94th percentile in terms of student growth yet assigned substantially more rigorous observation scores. East Feliciana evaluators assigned 64 percent of teachers Proficient or Highly Effective observation ratings compared to 90 percent statewide.”
Dr. Lewis noted the State Department of Education recognized the Recovery School District in New Orleans, St. Bernard Parish Public Schools, East Feliciana Parish Public Schools and Ascension Public Schools in the above press release. He related appreciation the recognition from the State Department of Education from all our hard work from our School Leaders to our Teachers and Support Personnel in all of our Schools, as well as the support from the Central Office that is given to our Schools. So we are very proud of the progress that we have made thus far in the District, but as we all know that it is progress and we still have a long way to go, but it is good to be recognized for our efforts. So with that being said, we should give ourselves a round of applause.
Dr. Lewis continued with information shared with Board Members on Friday, but we have highlights from our various schools, as follows:
Clinton Elementary School highlight for the month is establishing various business partners that actually made donations to Clinton Elementary School to get them up and running for the beginning of the School Year.
Jackson Elementary School is very proud of a new on-line behavior tracking system they have in place and with this tracking system Parents are able to view their child(s) daily report on-line.
Slaughter Elementary School, just as Jackson, are working on their PBIS Program and putting things in place and also mentioned that they have completed their tests in STAR Reading, STAR Math and Dibels assessments.
East Feliciana Middle School is putting together their Parent group, they had a Parent Meeting and they were very pleased the amount of support that came out, but also they have ramped up their PBIS Program and they have a PBIS Tiger Mart, they are moving forward with their Student of the Week and PBIS Celebrations.
Enrichment Academy, just as Clinton Elementary School, mentioned worked very hard during the Month of August to establish some business partnerships and were able to get some things donated to their school to support their PBIS Program.
East Feliciana High School wanted to report and I believe that Mrs. Dawson had the opportunity to attend, we all know that it is so important that we encourage our young people to stay in school and not to become drop-outs. We know that the 9th Grade year is a defining year for students and if students are not able to successfully complete their 9th Grade year on time, the probability of them dropping out is ver high and so at East Feliciana High School the Administration put together a special little ceremony for the 9th Grade Students to encourage them to stay in school and if you actually visit the High School when you are in the Gym Lobby you will see each 9th Grader in a cap and gown and so every single day that they enter the building of East Feliciana High School they have reminder that you are coming here every single day to get your education that four (4) years from when you started, we are expecting you to graduate and so the High School wanted to report that information to you all on this evening.
Dr. Lewis related that ends his report on this evening.
Item 5.B.(1) Motion by Mr. Brooks, seconded by Miss Matthews authorizing a minute entry to reflect the following Board Members and Superintendent completion of 2012-2013 Bullying Training Course Mandated by Act 861 of 2012 Louisiana Legislature, for the following:
(a) Michael Bradford, Board President 06/30/2013
(b) Mitchell Harrell, Vice-President 06/30/2013
Board Member Terrell 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. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Item 5.B.(2) Motion by Miss Matthews, seconded by Mrs. Haynes authorizing a minute entry to reflect the following Board Members completion of 2012 Ethics Training for Elected Officials in accordance with Act 3 of 2008 (La. R.S. 42:1170), for the following:
(a) Mitchell Harrell July 19, 2013
Board Member Terrell 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. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Item 5.B.(3) Motion by Mrs. Haynes, seconded by Miss Matthews authorizing a minute entry to reflect the following Board Members completion of The Jason Foundation® In-Service Program entitled “Awareness And Prevention of Youth Suicide”, for the following:
(a) Broderick Brooks, Sr., Board Member 08/02/2013
(b) Henderson Lewis, Jr. 08/29/2013
Board Member Terrell 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. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Item 5.B.(4) Motion by Mr. Kent, seconded by Mrs. Haynes to approve the request for out of state travel for Board Member(s)/Superintendent to attend NABSE 41st Annual Conference scheduled for November 13th - 17th, 2013 in Detroit, MI {funding source: General Fund - Board/Superintendent Travel}.
Board Member Terrell 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. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Item 5.B.(5) Motion by Miss Matthews, seconded by Mrs. Harris to approve the written requests for out of state travel of Edna Thomas, Director and Knight Roddy, Ph.D., Supervisor to attend 2014 National Title I Conference scheduled for February 2nd thru 5th, 2014 in San Diego, CA {funding source: Title I}.
Board Member Terrell 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. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Item 6. Board Member Terrell related there is no old business to come before the Board at this time.
Item 7.A. Board Member Terrell turned the floor over to Mr. Paul Kent.
Paul Kent, Chairman of the Insurance and Bid Opening Committee proceeded with the following presentation from the Insurance and Bid Opening Committee Meeting held on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. (a copy of which is attached hereto for reference) noted Item 2. School District Copiers was tabled to the next Bid Opening Agenda and called for a motion on the recommendation for Item 1.
Motion by Mrs. Dawson, seconded by Mr. Brooks to accept the Insurance and Bid Opening Committee recommendation in connection with Item 7.A.(1) the Board authorize Dr. Lewis, to use his discretion on behalf of the East Feliciana Parish School Board, in contracting with Dart Insurance Agency, Inc. at the lower deductible figure recited in the sole quote received, opened and read aloud at the Insurance Committee Meeting in connection with Item 1. for general liability, auto and school leaders errors and omissions {effective dates: 10-01-13 through 10-01-14}.
Board Member Terrell then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board Member Terrell then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Item 7.B. Board Member Richard Terrell, Chairman of the Finance Committee proceeded with the following presentations from the Finance Committee Meeting scheduled for 3:30 P.M. on Thursday, August 29, 2013 (a copy of which is attached hereto for reference), noting due to lack of a quorum, no business was conducted at committee meeting time. He continued with the Finance Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at 4:30 P.M. (a copy of which is attached hereto for reference) noting the usual informational Items of 1. through 5. and tabling Item 6. Athletic Stipends as recommended by the Salary Committee to the next Finance Committee Meeting Agenda, in conjunction with a request to increase the Athletic Budget to $60,000.00 annually. He concluded his report by calling for a motion on the recommendation on Item 7. from the Finance Committee Meeting held prior to this Board meeting on this evening.
Motion by Mr. Kent, seconded by Mrs. Harris to accept the Finance Committee recommendation in connection with Item 7.B.(7) that the Board authorize Dr. Lewis to use his discretion on behalf of the East Feliciana Parish School Board in contracting with Fontenot Benefits & Actuarial Consulting (FBAC) regarding Actuarial valuation to comply with Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB 45) Calculations on Other Post-employment Benefits (OPEB) as per their engagement letter dated August 20, 2013 at the quoted sum of $7,500.00 for same.
Board Member Terrell then asked for any public comment before a vote is taken on this motion. Receiving none, Board Member Terrell then proceeded with the vote. All yeas. The motion carried. Absent: Bradford, Harrell and Hollins.
Board Member John Benjamin Cupit left the meeting at this time.
Item 7.B.(a) Board Member Terrell turned the floor over to Mrs. Tiffani Dorsa.
Board Member Broderick Brooks, Sr. left the meeting at this time.
Tiffani Dorsa, C.P.A. with Postlethwaite & Netterville, APAC distributed copies to Board Members and Dr. Lewis of a handout entitled “East Feliciana Parish School System Creating Louisiana’s Premier School District... One Student at a Time Pre-audit meeting with those charged with governance Tuesday, September 3, 2013" and reviewed same. She noted this is a required pre-audit communication from P&N APAC, with respect to their firm conducting the School Board’s June 30th, 2013 Audit, with their field audit work to commence mid to late October, 2013 and submission of same to the Legislative Auditors Office prior to the end of December, 2013, as required by State law.
Board Member Terrell then asked for any Board or public comment on this informational item.
Board Member Rufus Nesbitt complemented Dr. Lewis on his newsletters and one of the most interesting things that he read is that Broderick made a notation on the opening day of school and he talked about how well the day went. He extended his compliments to Dr. Lewis, his Staff and the Teachers for a good General Session Day, that is one of the positive things that he read about the opening of school. He related always talking about when things are going wrong, but when things are going good, nobody says a word. He related to our Parents and the Community and to Board Members, when we see something good or positive things, spread the word.
Board Member Olivia Harris called for and lead a standing ovation for Dr. Lewis.
There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion for adjournment by Mrs. Harris, seconded by Miss Matthews, prevailed until the next regular meeting unless called into special session by the President.
_____________________________________ ______________________________
HENDERSON LEWIS, JR., Ph.D., MICHAEL RAY BRADFORD,
SECRETARY-TREASURER BOARD PRESIDENT