OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Alexandria, Louisiana
May 20, 2014
The Rapides Parish School Board of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, met in special session at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at the regular meeting place of said board in the Rapides Parish School Board Office, 619 Sixth and Beauregard Streets, in Alexandria, Louisiana.
President Janet Dixon called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members were present:
Janet Dixon, President
Julie McConathy, Vice President
John Allen, Member
Wilton Barrios, Member
Steve Berry, Member
Keith Breazeale, Member
Stephen Chapman, Member
Darrell Rodriguez, Member
Absent: Pam Webb, Member
Mr. Nason Authement, secretary for the Board, was present for the meeting.
District Attorney Mr. James Downs was present for the meeting.
The Invocation was pronounced Mr. Darrell Rodriguez after which Mr. Keith Breazeale led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
____________________
(COPY OF OFFICIAL CALL WAS MAILED AND FAXED 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 MAY 15, 2014)
Alexandria, Louisiana
May 15, 2014
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, Janet Dixon, 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
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
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. Motionfor the RPSB to hear Alexandria Charter Academy application review report from New Millennium – Mrs. Janet Dixon
5. Motion to conduct a public meeting of the Rapides Parish School Board for the purpose of considering the application of the Alexandria Charter Academy for a proposed Type 1 Charter school in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, submitted by Louisiana Charter Foundation, Inc. on March 7, 2014, and receiving public input and comment thereon – Mrs. Janet Dixon
6. Motion to take action to approve or deny the application of Louisiana Charter Foundation, Inc. for a proposed Type 1 Charter school (Alexandria Charter Academy) in Rapides Parish and, if approved, to authorize the Board President to execute on behalf of the Board legal documents required by law or State Department regulations to effectuate the granting of the Charter, the final form of the proposed documents to be provided to all Board Members in advance by the Superintendent prior to the President’s execution of same – Mrs. Janet Dixon
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, Witness my official signature and the seal of the Rapides Parish School Board this 15th day of May 2014.
/s/Janet H. Dixon
President
ATTEST:
s/Nason Authement
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 add to the agenda to ratify and confirm bid(s) received on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. by Central Office Staff for “Tioga High Signage” (Bid No. 14-41) and to award bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder contingent on low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements and Specifications – Reason to add: Time sensitive. (Item 7)
On roll call the vote to add was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Allen,
Mrs. McConathy, Mrs. Dixon
NAY: None
ABSENT: Mrs. Webb
A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mrs. Julie McConathy to add to the agenda to ratify and confirm bid(s) received on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. by Central Office Staff for “Tioga Jr. High Renovations” (Bid No. 14-45) and to award bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder contingent on low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements and Specifications – Reason to add: Time sensitive. (Item 8)
Discussion ensued.
On roll call the vote to add was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Allen, Mrs. McConathy, Mrs. Dixon
NAY: None
ABSENT: Mrs. Webb
A motion was made by Mrs. Julie McConathy and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale for the RPSB to hear Alexandria Charter Academy application review report from New Millennium. (Item 3)
Kim Williams, with New Millennium, presented information to the Board at this time.
Rebecca Smith, with Louisiana Charter Foundation, presented information at this time.
Discussion ensued.
No action was taken.
A motion was made by Mrs. Julie McConathy and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to conduct a public meeting of the Rapides Parish School Board for the purpose of considering the application of the Alexandria Charter Academy for a proposed Type 1 Charter school in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, submitted by Louisiana Charter Foundation, Inc. on March 7, 2014, and receiving public input and comment thereon. (Item 5)
This public meeting was advertised in the local paper, The Town Talk, two times and sent to the local T. V. stations and radio. It was also advertised on the RPSB website.
Discussion ensued at this time.
No action was taken.
A motion was made by Mrs. Julie McConathy and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to take action to approve or deny the application of Louisiana Charter Foundation, Inc. for a proposed Type 1 Charter school (Alexandria Charter Academy) in Rapides Parish and, if approved, to authorize the Board President to execute on behalf of the Board legal documents required by law or State Department regulations to effectuate the granting of the Charter, the final form of the proposed documents to be provided to all Board Members in advance by the Superintendent prior to the President’s execution of same. (Item 6)
Discussion ensued.
Superintendent Authement made comments and gave concerns to the Board at this time.
A substitute motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry for the RPSB to deny the application of Louisiana Charter Foundation, Inc. for a proposed Type 1 Charter school (Alexandria Charter Academy) in Rapides Parish.
Discussion ensued.
On roll call the vote on the substitute motion was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Allen, Mrs. McConathy, Mrs. Dixon
NAY: None
ABSENT: Mrs. Webb
A motion was made by Mrs. Julie McConathy and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to ratify and confirm bid(s) received on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. by Central Office Staff for “Tioga High Signage” (Bid No. 14-41) and to award bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder contingent on low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements and Specifications. (Item 7)
Discussion ensued and to award to low bidder – James A. Dicker for $271,510.00.
On roll call the vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Allen, Mrs. McConathy, Mrs. Dixon
NAY: None
ABSENT: Mrs. Webb
A motion was made by Mrs. Julie McConathy and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to ratify and confirm bid(s) received on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. by Central Office Staff for “Tioga Jr. High Renovations” (Bid No. 14-45) and to award bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder contingent on low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements and Specifications. (Item 8)
Discussion ensued to award to low bidder - Tudor, Inc. for $1,977,000.00.
On roll call the vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Allen,
Mrs. McConathy, Mrs. Dixon
NAY: None
ABSENT: Mrs. Webb
Pursuant to motion duly carried, the Rapides Parish School Board adjourned.
/s/Janet Dixon
President
ATTEST:
/s/Nason Authement
Secretary
S E A L