TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 15, 2011

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1 TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PROCEEDINGS FEBRUARY 15, 2011 The Tangipahoa Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office Board room, Puleston Road, Amite, Louisiana, with President Rose Dominguez presiding. MEMBERS PRESENTS: Ann Smith, Gail Pittman-McDaniel, Andy Anderson, Al Link, Brett Duncan, Chris Cohea, Eric Dangerfield and Sandra Bailey-Simmons MEMBERS ABSENT: None Jessica Casanova, an ACT 30+ student at Loranger High School, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Anthony Burkett, a 4.0 student from Loranger High School played the Star-Spangled Banner on his trumpet. It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Ms. Cohea, to approve the Board minutes of February 1, 2011 as distributed. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. President Dominguez, Superintendent Mark Kolwe and Ms. Melissa Stilley, Chief Academic Officer, recognized and presented plaques to the 2011 Tangipahoa Parish Students of the Year. They are as follows: 5 th Grade 8 th Grade 12 th Grade Kendall Wainwright SLU Lab School Winner Emily Miller Vinyard Elementary School 1 st Runner-up Ava St. Mard Chesbrough Elementary School 2 nd Runner-up Elizabeth Weathersby SLU Lab School Winner Samantha Ponseti Ponchatoula Jr. High School 1 st Runner-up Adam DiBenedetto Nesom Middle School 2 nd Runner-up Emily Dykes Sumner High School Winner Rose DePaula Hammond High School 1 st Runner-up Ray Siebenkittel Ponchatoula High School 2 nd Runner-up President Dominguez reported on the 2011 LSBA Governance Conference held on January 24-25, 2011 in Marksville, LA that she and fellow Board members, Andy Anderson, Chris Cohea, Brett Duncan and Gail Pittman-McDaniel attended, therefore earning continuing learning units as mandated by LA. R.S. 17:53 and requested this to be entered into the official minutes. Ms. Bailey-Simmons and Ms. Smith gave a brief report on attending the 2011 Federal Relations Network (FRN) Conference in Washington, D.C. therefore earning continuing learning units as mandated by Act. No. 552, LA. R.S. 17:53 (A) (2) (d) and requested this to be entered into the official minutes. It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Ms. Cohea, to approve the Finance Committee report of February 1, 2011, including Item #7. Mr. Duncan objected. A substitute motion was made by Mr. Duncan, seconded by Ms. Bailey- Simmons, to approve only Items 1 through 6 of the Finance Committee report of

2 February 1, 2011 and to vote on Item 7 separately. The motion failed as evidenced by the following roll call vote: YEAS (4): Andy Anderson, Brett Duncan, Eric Dangerfield and Sandra Bailey-Simmons NAYS (5): Ann Smith, Gail Pittman-McDaniel, Al Link, Chris Cohea and Rose Dominguez ABSENT (0): None Mr. Duncan stated he was not questioning Morgan s Mechanical services, but that he wanted to make sure whether or not there would be savings by having this maintenance done in-house. Mr. Duncan and Ms. Bailey-Simmons objected to the original motion. The motion passed as evidenced by the following roll call vote: YEAS (7): Andy Anderson, Eric Dangerfield, Ann Smith, Gail Pittman- McDaniel, Al Link, Chris Cohea and Rose Dominguez NAYS (2) Brett Duncan and Sandra Bailey-Simmons ABSENT (0): None FINANCE COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 1, It was moved by Ms. Cohea, seconded by Mr. Duncan, to approve the Accounts Payable/Check Register dated December 15, 2010 through January 15, 2011 in the amount of $9,755, Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. 2. It was moved by Mr. Duncan, seconded by Ms. Cohea, to approve the purchase of a lift bus from Mr. Larry Frazier in the amount of $3, Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. 3. It was moved by Ms. Dominguez, seconded by Mr. Duncan, to approve the staff recommendation to place LPN positions on a salary grade of Grade 5. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. 4. It was moved by Ms. Cohea, seconded by Ms. Dominguez, to approve Bid #2011-1, Office Supplies Catalog, being awarded to Office Depot. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. 5. It was moved by Ms. Dominguez, seconded by Mr. Duncan, to approve the following employees to exceed their Out-Of-Parish travel to attend the TAP National Conference. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. Helen Ruffino, Averil Turner, Maria Ordayne, Ronda Barrantini, Marcil Seals, Dwinette Brown and Theresa Hamilton 6. It was moved by Ms. Cohea, seconded by Mr. Duncan, to approve the following employees to exceed their Out-Of-Parish travel to attend various conferences. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. Cecelia Lanier Nancy Campbell Laurie Dagro Tara Kinchen Cheryl Kirkland Virginia Peco Math/Science Regional Conference National Migrant Conference LRP Conference LRP Conference LRP Conference LRP Conference 7. By roll call vote, the Board approved to renew a one (1) year contract with Morgan s Mechanical Service, LLC, effective March 1, 2011, under the present terms and conditions. Mr. Duncan requested that the documentation for Item 7 of the Finance Committee report become part of the minutes. (DOCUMENTATION ITEMS ARE ATTACHED TO THE OFFICIAL MINUTES) 2

3 It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Ms. Pittman-McDaniel, to approve the Personnel Committee report of February 9, Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 9, 2011: ITEM A Mr. Link announced that Ms. Bailey-Simmons was in Washington, D.C. at an FRN Conference and that she was unaware of the change in the time for the January 26, 2011 meeting. It was moved by Ms. Pittman-McDaniel, seconded by Mr. Dangerfield, to approve the items contained in the Agenda excluding Item B. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. Following are the items as approved: SUPPORT PERSONNEL NEW HIRE 1. Johnny Buckley, Custodian, 11 mo TPSS PM School (place of Larry Short retired) ITEM C CONSIDER SUPPORT WORKER TERMINATION ITEM D LEAVES*RESIGNATIONS*RETIREMENTS LEAVES 1. Theresa Lavigne, SFS Worker Ponchatoula High (extended sick leave using sick days first due to illness May 25, 2011) January 31, Tesza Harrell, Para Independence Middle (extended sick leave using sick days first due to illness March 31, 2011) January 4, Hollis Leonard, Custodian Loranger Elementary (extended sick leave using sick days first due to surgery May 1, 2011) January 18, James Todd, Teacher Spring Creek Elementary (extended sick leave using sick days first due to surgery May 25, 2011) January 28, Mechelle Wilson, Teacher Hammond Eastside Primary (extended sick leave using sick days first due to surgery May 25, 2011) January 4, Julee McDaniel, Teacher Sumner Middle (extended sick leave using sick days first due to maternity May 25, 2011) April 4, Mary Polk, Bus Driver (extended sick leave using sick days first due to surgery February 14, 2011) January 4, Angelue Hamilton, Teacher Woodland Park ELC (extended sick leave using sick days first due to maternity May 2, 2011) March 4, Kenya Varnado, Teacher Perrin ELC (extended sick leave using sick days first due to surgery February 28, 2011) January 25, Warren Eyster, Teacher Hammond High (extended sick leave using sick days first due to illness May 25, 2011) January 24, Julie Neidhamer, Teacher Tucker Elementary (extended sick leave using sick days first due to maternity May 25, 2011) January 31, Katie Corken, Teacher Amite Elementary (extended sick leave using sick days first due to maternity March 21, 2011) December 13, Stacey Addison, Teacher D.C. Reeves Elementary (extended sick leave using sick days first due to maternity May 25, 2011) January 18, 2011 RESIGNATIONS 1. Gina Cardaronella, Teacher Independence High, February 1, 2011 RETIREMENTS 3

4 1. Robert Morrison, Teacher Hammond High, May 26, Mary Gibson, Para O.W. Dillon Elementary, January 27, 2011 ITEM E SUBSTITUTE TEACHER LIST It was moved by Mr. Dangerfield, seconded by Ms. Pittman-McDaniel, to refer Item B. 1, Reduction-In-Force policy/ procedures for necessary revisions to the Policy Committee. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. It was moved by Ms. Dominguez, seconded by Ms. Pittman-McDaniel, to approve Item B. 2, to advertise in-house for the 13 Magnet Specialist positions immediately. Dr. Higgenbotham stated there has been open communication concerning these positions, that she did not have a problem with in-house advertising, but this process should include the diversity goals as set forth in the Court Order and she is concerned that the process should be the same for hiring the Magnet Specialists as the hiring of principals. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. It was moved by Ms. Pittman-McDaniel, seconded by Mr. Dangerfield, to approve the Magnet Teacher Selection Process with probable revisions and to advertise in-house for these positions. Superintendent Mark Kolwe stated that provisions would be noted in the Reduction-In-Force policy revisions exempting the Magnet Teacher positions once the school is staffed. Dr. Higgenbotham expressed her concerns regarding the Magnet Teacher positions as follows: i) the percentage of diverse distribution of teachers and there was a disagreement between the Compliance Officer and the TPSS attorney of what the actual percentages should be; ii) the review committee is not racially balanced; iii) there is no Court approved procedures for the Magnet Teacher Selection Process. She then read a statement from Ms. Arlene Guerin, Compliance Officer, concerning the Magnet Teacher Selection Process, which stated that the plaintiff s lawyers have contacted Mr. Patin and/or Ms. Guerin and there are some concerns from both parties regarding the selection process. After much discussion, the motion was adopted. It was moved by Ms. Dominguez, seconded by Mr. Dangerfield, to waive the rules to add the advertisement for an Office Assistant II position for and funded by the Magnet Grant Program to the agenda. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. It was moved by Ms. Pittman-McDaniel, seconded by Ms. Dominguez, to advertise for an Office Assistant II position for and funded by the Magnet Grant Program. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. Mr. Chris Moody, Board Attorney, inquired whether Mr. Derrick Wells was in the audience for his opportunity to be heard regarding his termination. Mr. Wells was not in attendance. It was moved by Mr. Duncan, seconded by Ms. Cohea, to accept Superintendent Kolwe s recommendation to terminate support worker, Derrick Wells. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. It was moved by Ms. Smith, seconded by Ms. Bailey-Simmons, to adopt the School Calendar. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. 4

5 It was moved by Ms. Pittman-McDaniel, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to approve adding instructional minutes throughout the school day between now and until the end of the school year for time lost on February 4, Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. It was moved by M. Cohea, seconded by Ms. Smith, to approve the Educational Facilities Improvement District Cooperative Endeavor Agreement by and between the District and Tangipahoa Parish School Board. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT by and between EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT OF THE PARISH OF TANGIPAHOA, STATE OF LOUISIANA and PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF TANGIPAHOA, STATE OF LOUISIANA Dated as of February 1, 2011 COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT This COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) dated as of February 1, 2011 is made between the EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT OF THE PARISH OF TANGIPAHOA, STATE OF LOUISIANA (the District ) and the TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF TANGIPAHOA, STATE OF LOUISIANA (the School Board ). W I T N E S S E T H: WHEREAS, Article VII, 14(C) of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 ( La. Const. Art. VII, 14(C) ) provides that, for a public purpose, political subdivisions may engage in cooperative endeavors with each other, with the United States or its agencies, or with any public or private association, corporation or individuals, and La. R. S. 33: (collectively, the Act ) provides authority for educational facilities improvement districts to engage in cooperative endeavors with parish school boards; WHEREAS, La. R.S. 33: A states that the Legislature finds and determines that additional local funding is desirable and essential for parish school boards; WHEREAS, pursuant to La. R.S. 33: (B) the Legislature created the District and authorized the District to assist the School Board in various listed purposes including the provision of funding for matters for which school boards are authorized by law to expend funds; and generally to assist the School Board financially; WHEREAS, La. R.S. 33: (E) authorizes the District to levy and collect a sales and use tax not to exceed one percent (the Tax ) within the District; and WHEREAS, La. R.S. 33: B(12) authorizes the District to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the School Board to transfer to the School Board all or any portion of the proceeds derived by the District from the collection of the Tax. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, condition and agreements which follow, the parties hereto agree as follows: 1ARTICLE DEFINITIONS.1. Section Definitions. In addition to such other defined terms as may be set forth in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 5

6 Act means, collectively, Section 14(C) of Article VII of the Louisiana State Constitution of 1974, as amended, and La. R.S. 33: Agreement means this Cooperative Endeavor Agreement and any amendments or modifications thereto. District means the Educational Facilities Improvement District of the Parish of Tangipahoa, State of Louisiana, created by La. R.S. 33: and activated by the School Board pursuant to that certain resolution adopted on June 16, Proposition means the proposition submitted to the voters of the District to authorize the levy and collection of the Tax. School Board means the Tangipahoa Parish School Board of the Parish of Tangipahoa, State of Louisiana. Tax means the one percent sales and use tax of the District to be submitted for approval of the voters of the District at an election to be held in the District on April 30, Section Use of Defined Terms. Terms defined in this Agreement shall have their defined meanings when used herein unless the context requires otherwise. Except where the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular number shall include the plural number and vice versa, words of the masculine gender shall be deemed and construed to include correlative words of the feminine and neuter genders and the words hereof and herein shall be construed to refer to the entirety of this Agreement and shall not be restricted to the particular Article, Section, subsection or paragraph in which they appear. 2ARTICLE AUTHORITY AND SCOPE OF AGREEMENT.1. Section Authority and Scope. The District and the School Board are granted the authority, pursuant to the Act, to enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with public and private associations or corporations for a public purpose, including agreements which may require the use of public funds, personnel or other resources. This Agreement is entered into pursuant to the Act. 3ARTICLE COOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR OBLIGATIONS.1.Section Obligations of District. (a) Transfer, as collected, all proceeds derived by the District from the collection of the Tax to the School Board to be utilized by the School Board in the discretion of the School Board to accomplish the funding of any of the purposes, objectives or purposes authorized in the Proposition, as permitted by the Act..2.Section Obligations of the School Board. (a) (b) (c) To receive from the District the proceeds of the Tax and utilize the Tax proceeds in the discretion of the School Board for the funding pursuant to the Proposition, as permitted by the Act, of any matter for which the School Board is authorized by the Proposition and the Act to expend funds; Make available such persons as the School Board may determine to the District to assist the operational needs of the District; and Provide for the reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses of members of the board of directors of the District in accordance with the provisions of the Act, including the reasonable and necessary expenses of collecting and administering the Tax. 4ARTICLE 6

7 TERM.1. Section Term. The term of this Agreement shall extend from the date hereof through the date of collection of all proceeds of the Tax. ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS Section 5.01 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of the parties hereto. Section 5.02 No Personal Liability of the District or the School Board. No covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the covenant or agreement of any official, officer, agent or employee of any party hereto in his individual capacity, and neither the officers of any party hereto nor any official executing this Agreement shall be liable personally with respect to this Agreement or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the execution and delivery of this Agreement except to the extent provided by law. Section 5.03 Captions. The captions or headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and in no way define, limit or describe the scope or extent of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Section 5.04 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which when taken together shall be deemed one and the same Agreement. Section 5.05 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana. Section 5.06 Further Assurances. From time to time hereafter, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver such additional instruments, certificates or documents, and take all such actions as may reasonably be requested for the purpose of fulfilling its obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been executed by the parties on the dates indicated but effective as of the 1 st day of February, 2011, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses. WITNESSES: EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT OF THE PARISH OF TANGIPAHOA, STATE OF LOUISIANA By: Logan Guess, Chairman, Board of Directors Date:, 2011 ATTEST: TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF TANGIPAHOA, STATE OF LOUISIANA Secretary-Treasurer By: Rose Dominguez, President Ms. Stilley stated that the District is applying for the 1003g School Improvement Grant. This funding would be for schools that have been identified for improvement, have a proficiency level in ELA and Math below the state average, have a poverty rate of 35% or higher, are Title I eligible schools and their SPS below 75. She identified the following eligible schools: 7

8 Turnaround Model Hammond Westside Primary School Hammond Westside Upper School Independence Middle School Kentwood High School Woodland Park ELC Transformational Model Midway Elementary School Natalbany Elementary School West Side Middle School It was moved by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Duncan, to approve the Substantial Completion Certificate for the Loranger Elementary School Door Replacement Project by Brunt Construction, Inc. in the amount of $109, Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. Superintendent Kolwe gave a PowerPoint presentation on the financial condition of the School System and where it is for the school year and for the projected school year. He requested the Board declare a financial exigency for the School System. It was moved by Mr. Duncan, seconded by Ms. Smith to confirm and declare a financial exigency for the Tangipahoa Parish School System. Mr. Duncan requested that the PowerPoint presentation be placed on the School System s website. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. Superintendent Kolwe thanked Mr. Bret Schnadelbach, Chief Financial Officer and Ms. Kaye Roberts, Director of Business Services, for their hard work in preparing this presentation. Mr. Chris Moody spoke in Public Input. In personal privilege, Mr. Anderson gave a few positive happenings in Tangipahoa Parish: i) possible tripling of oil reserves along the Tuscaloosa Trend, ii) the steel mill in Amite has doubled its capacity this week, therefore creating more area job opportunities and iii) that converted waste wood is being used to fuel a Co-Gen plant in Boyce, LA. In personal privilege, Ms. Cohea recognized the Sumner students who attended and stayed through the entire Board meeting. In personal privilege, Ms. Smith stated several Board members from the South end along with Board members from the North end have been visiting Spring Creek Elementary, Chesbrough Elementary, Sumner Junior High, Sumner High, Kentwood High and O.W. Dillon Elementary Schools. In personal privilege, Ms. Pittman-McDaniel stated she was very pleased while visiting the schools and encouraged everyone to get involved to keep our schools where they should be. In personal privilege, Ms. Dominguez wished Ms. Stilley a Happy Birthday. It was moved by Mr. Link, seconded by Ms. Smith, to enter into Executive Session to discuss the case of Joyce M. Moore vs. TPSB. Hearing no objection, the motion was adopted. The Board entered Executive Session. The Board returned to Open Session. There was no action in the Joyce M. Moore vs. TPSB case. 8

9 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. (8:20 p.m.) Respectfully submitted, Rose Dominguez Board President Mark Kolwe, Secretary-Treasurer Recorded by: Cynthia Jenkins, February 15,