OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

 

Alexandria, Louisiana

March 21, 2013 

 

The Rapides Parish School Board of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, met in special session at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at the regular meeting place of said board in the Rapides Parish School Board Office, 619 Sixth and Beauregard Streets, in Alexandria, Louisiana.

 

President Stephen Chapman called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members were present:

 

Stephen Chapman, President

Keith Breazeale, Vice President

John Allen, Member

Wilton Barrios, Member

Steve Berry, Member

Janet Dixon, Member

Julie McConathy, Member

Darrell Rodriguez, Member

Pam Webb, Member

 

Mr. Gerald Woodard, interim secretary for the Board, was present for the meeting.

 

Attorney James Downs was not present for the meeting.

 

The Invocation was pronounced by Mr. John Allen after which Mr. Darrell Rodriguez led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

(COPY OF OFFICIAL CALL WAS MAILED TO EACH MEMBER OF THE RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD AND TO THE MEDIA AND POSTED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE AT THE MEETING PLACE OF SAID BOARD ON MARCH 18, 2013)

 

Alexandria, Louisiana

March 18, 2013

 

Dear Sir/Madam:

 

By virtue of the authority vested in me by law and by reason of the fact that it is deemed necessary, advisable, and to the public interest that the Rapides Parish School Board be called in special session; now, therefore,

 

I, Stephen Chapman, President, do hereby give notice that the said board will meet in special session at its domicile at 619 Sixth and Beauregard Streets in the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, at 5:00 p.m. to commence on

 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

 

for the purpose of considering, acting upon, deciding, and if deemed advisable, submitting the following propositions, to wit:

 

1.         Call to order

 

2.              Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance

 

3.         Roll call

 

4.         Motion to receive an update on Superintendent Search from the Personnel Committee Chairperson – Mrs. Janet Dixon 

 

5.         Motion for the RPSB by vote, to reduce the field of the number of candidates to 3 for interview and consideration for the position of Rapides Parish School Superintendent – Mrs. Janet Dixon

 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, Witness my official signature and the seal of the Rapides Parish School Board this 18th day of March 2013.

 

/s/Stephen Chapman

President

 

ATTEST:

 

/s/Gerald Woodard

Interim Secretary

 

S E A L

 

Public comment was solicited prior to the vote on items during this meeting.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mrs. Julie McConathy to receive an update on Superintendent Search from the Personnel Committee Chairperson. (Item 4)

 

Mrs. Janet Dixon and Dr. Emily Weatherford gave an update at this time.

 

A motion was made by Mrs. Janet Dixon and seconded by Mr. John Allen for the RPSB to run a paid ad in the Town Talk and Alexandria News Weekly announcing the Top 3 finalists and the public forum scheduled for April 4, 2013. (Item 6)

 

Discussion ensued. Mrs. Dixon stated that the ad should not cost anymore than $2,500.

 

On roll call the vote was as follows:

 

AYE:                Mr. Rodriguez, Mrs. Webb, Mr. Barrios, Mrs. McConathy, Mrs. Dixon, Mr. Berry, Mr. Allen, Mr. Breazeale, Dr. Chapman

 

NAY:                None

 

ABSENT:          None

 

A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Darrel Rodriguez for the RPSB by vote, to reduce the field of the number of candidates to 3 for interview and consideration for the position of Rapides Parish School Superintendent. (Item 5)

 

Discussion ensued.

 

An amended motion was made by Mrs. Janet Dixon and seconded by Mr. John Allen for the RPSB by vote, to reduce the field of the number of candidates to 3 for interview and consideration for the position of Rapides Parish School Superintendent and for the Board President, Dr. Stephen Chapman, to contact by cell after the meeting, each of the Top 3 candidates to inform them of the choices made by the RPSB.

 

Discussion ensued.

 

On the amended motion by Mrs. Janet Dixon and seconded by Mr. John Allen, the Board voted unanimously for the RPSB by vote, to reduce the field of the number of candidates to 3 for interview and consideration for the position of Rapides Parish School Superintendent and for the Board President, Dr. Stephen Chapman, to contact by cell after the meeting, each of the Top 3 candidates to inform them of the choices made by the RPSB.

 

Candidates were as follows:

 

Mr. Nason “Tony” Authement

Dr. David Karl Carpenter

Mr. William Frank Higgins

Mrs. Rena Linzay

Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin

Mr. Jeffery Lyn Powell

Dr. Rick Williams

 

The voting took place at this time.

 

The candidates that made the 1st Round were:

 

Mr. Nason “Tony” Authement

Dr. Rick Williams

 

A motion was made by Mrs. Janet Dixon and seconded by Mr. John Allen to enter into a 2nd Round of voting to cast one vote for third place for Dr. David Karl Carpenter and Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin.

 

Discussion ensued.

 

On motion by Mrs. Janet Dixon and seconded by Mr. John Allen, the Board voted unanimously to enter into a 2nd Round of voting to cast one vote for third place for Dr. David Karl Carpenter and Dr. Maria Pitre-Martin.

 

The 2nd Round of voting took place at this time.

 

Dr. David Karl Carpenter was the third candidate.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mrs. Janet Dixon to confirm the

3 Top finalists for the position of RPSB Superintendent.

 

Discussion ensued.

 

On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mrs. Janet Dixon, the Board voted unanimously to confirm the 3 Top finalists for the position of RPSB Superintendent.

 

Mr. Nason “Tony” Authement, Dr. Rick Williams, Dr. David Karl Carpenter

 

President Stephen Chapman and the Board thanked those that applied for the Superintendent’s position and for their interest and many thanks to Dr. Emily Weatherford and Mrs. Janet Dixon for helping with this process.

 

Pursuant to motion duly carried, the Rapides Parish School Board adjourned.

 

/s/Stephen Chapman

President

 

ATTEST:

 

/s/Gerald Woodard         

Interim Secretary  

 

S E A L