2018-02-06

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
OF THE

RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Alexandria, Louisiana

February 6, 2018

The Rapides Parish School Board of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, met in regular public session at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at the regular meeting place of said board in the Rapides Parish School Board Office, 619 Sixth and Beauregard Streets, in Alexandria, Louisiana.

President W. K. Breazeale called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members were present:

Keith Breazeale, President

Gerald Crooks, Vice President

John Allen, Member

Wilton Barrios, Members

Steve Berry, Member

Stephen Chapman, Member

Sandra Franklin, Member

Willard McCall, Member

Darrell Rodriguez, Member

Mr. Nason Authement, Secretary for the Board, was present for the meeting.

____________________

Attorney James Downs was present for the meeting.

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The Colors were presented by the Tioga High School JROTC. The Invocation was pronounced by Rev. Jeremy Shepherd of Pineville Park Baptist Church after which Mr. Darrell Rodriguez led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

(COPY OF OFFICIAL CALL MAILED TO EACH MEMBER OF THE RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD AND POSTED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE AT THE MEETING PLACE OF SAID BOARD ON JANUARY 31, 2018)

Alexandria, Louisiana

January 31, 2018

Dear Sir/Madam:

I, W. K. Breazeale, do hereby give notice that the Rapides Parish School Board will meet in regular public session at its domicile at 619 Sixth and Beauregard Streets in the City of Alexandria, Louisiana, at 5:00 p.m. on

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2018

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

3. Roll Call

4. Recognize:

a. Board’s student guest from Rapides High School – Mr. Darrell Rodriguez

b. Horseshoe Drive Elementary School for the bulletin board display in the lobby of the School Board Office for the month of February 2018 – Mr. Clyde Washington

c. Scott M. Brame Middle School BETA Club for being named a School of Distinction for 2017-2018 school year – Mr. Nason Authement

d. Charles Smith, Basketball Coach at the Peabody Magnet High School, as an outstanding coach – Mr. Willard McCall

5. Consent Agenda: Motion to adopt in globo the items listed on the consent agenda (the consent agenda is established by the Board’s Executive Committee and any board member may request that any consent agenda item be considered separately - whether considered in globo or separately, board member and public comment shall be permitted on any item listed on the consent agenda; see pages 3 and 4)

* 6. Motion to revise all job descriptions on the current organizational chart to reflect exempt/non-exempt status in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of the U. S. Department of Labor – Ms. Naomi Jones

Pages 1-2

* 7. Motion to approve revisions to the ESL Facilitator Job Description – Ms. Naomi Jones and Mr. Bill Higgins

Pages 3-6

* 8. Motion to discuss and take action on the recommendation of the Superintendent to create Community School Zones, to be implemented with the start of the 2018–2019 school year – Mr. Nason Authement
Pages 7-37

* 9. Motion to get an update on ALL Band-Instruments and Inventory at each school – Mr. Keith Breazeale

* 10. Motion to get an update on the Utility Rebate from the City of Alexandria – Mr. Keith Breazeale

* 11. Motion to discuss a recent interest in procuring a sub-divided portion of the J. S. Slocum Campus, the possibility of declaring all or a sub-divided portion of the J. S. Slocum Campus surplus and should the Board choose to offer, direct staff to solicit for sealed bids and/or dispose in accordance with State Statutes - Mr. Nason Authement and Mr. Roy Rachal
Pages 38-40

12. Motion to approve the Healing Hands and Hearts Interagency Agreement which provides needed support for the children of Rapides Parish School System and to authorize the Board President to sign any necessary documentation in connection therewith – Mr. Clyde Washington

Pages 41-57

13. Motion that the Rapides Parish School Board modify the plan for the reconfiguration of the low preforming school as follows: - Mr. John Allen

a. all Pre-K through K-3 schools be converted to Montessori schools

b. establish a health center at Arthur F. Smith
c. establish “sick rooms” in each of the schools to be re-configured that does not have one

d. establish a policy that requires a nurse from the nearest health center physically check the sick students

14 Motion to go into Executive Session to discuss termination of an employee for just cause – Ms. Naomi Jones

15. Motion for the RPSB to go into Executive Session to conduct and present the Superintendent’s Evaluation – Dr. Stephen Chapman

Consent agenda: (Item 5)

A. Reports:

1. to receive an update on school construction projects – Mr. Clyde Washington
Pages 58-69

B. Action – Minutes

1. to approve the minutes of the 1-9-18 meeting of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 12-18-17 Executive Committee meeting and the1-18-18 Retreat

C. Action – Education

* 1. that each month at the Education Committee, the RPSB will have the Administration present a monthly update on the mentoring programs being implemented in the schools across the District including the current and new mentoring programs (beginning September 2017) – Dr. Stephen Chapman
Pages 70-71

* 2. to review and accept the 2017-2018 Pupil Progression Plan – Mrs. Kim Bennett

(See booklet)

* 3. to inform the Board that March 16, 2018 shall be deemed a make-up day for all students in Rapides Parish Schools – Mr. Nason Authement

D. Action – Finance

* 1. to approve personal services contracts, leases, and other such agreements; authorize the Board President to sign any and all documentation in connection with said contracts; and approve bills paid for the previous month - Ms. Liz Domite

* 2. to approve/adopt any budget changes/amendments – Ms. Liz Domite

Pages 72-73

* 3. to receive a report on donation(s) made to the Rapides Parish School Board on behalf of the RPSB schools, accept and approve donations included therein, and provide any necessary documentation related to the donation(s) – Ms. Liz Domite

Page 74

* 4. to receive an update/report on grants, approve grants included therein, and authorize the Board President to sign any and all documentation in connection therewith – Mrs. Kerri Nichols

Pages 75-78

* 5. to receive quarterly report on Maintenance Funds – Ms. Liz Domite

Page 79

* 6. to ratify and confirm bids/proposals received on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. by the Central Office staff for "CAT 1 E-Rate Services” (RFP No. 18-30); and award bid to the lowest responsive and responsible vendor contingent on low bid/proposal meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements and Specifications – Ms. Liz Domite

Source of funding General Fund Amount $115,000

E-Rate Reimbursement $460,000

Total $575,000 (Est.)

* 7. to approve Interfund Loan from the General Fund to District 11 Rigolette Technology Fund in the amount of $50,000 from January 11, 2018 until funds are sufficient to pay, February 1, 2018 – Ms. Liz Domite

Source of funding General Fund Amount $50,000

* 8. to approve the second payment to be made in 2018 and the third payment to be made in 2019 on the three (3) year contract (approved by the RPSB in February 2017) with West Interactive Services Corporation who provide School Messenger and to authorize the Board President to sign any documentation with said payments – Dr. Luke Purdy
Page 80 Source of funding Various Funds Amount $39,463.83 (Year 2018)

$39,463.83 (Year 2019)

* 9. to approve and allow the Board President to sign all contracts and documentation for Alexandria Middle Magnet School to attend a trip to Washington, D.C. The dates of the trip are May 29 - June 2, 2018 – Dr. Dana Nolan

Pages 81-93 Source of funding School Funds Amount $1,275 per student and total of $41,125

* 10. to ratify and confirm bid(s) received by the Central Office Staff and award bid to the responsive and responsible bidder contingent on bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document requirement and specifications – Ms. Liz Domite

a. “Annual Purchase of Band Instruments” – (Bid No. 18-04) received Friday, February 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. and award bid to the lowest bidder

Source of funding Various Maintenance Funds Amount $67,000.00 (Est.)

b. “Sale of Surplus Equipment” – (Bid No. 18-23B) received Friday, February 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. and award bid to the highest bidder

Source of funding Food Service

* 11. to approve and allow the Board President to sign all contracts and documentation for Northwood High School to attend a trip to Plymouth, MN for the National Association of Student Council Conference on June 23 - June 27, 2018 – Dr. Dana Nolan

Pages 94-97 Source of funding Student and Student Council Funds Amount $10,480.00

E. Action – Discipline (Motion to go into Executive Session for 1, 2 and 3)

* 1. to uphold the Rapides Parish School Board Discipline Review Committee’s recommendation - Mrs. Ruby Smith

2. to receive an update outlining the progress of each student attending the Rapides Alternative Positive Program for Students (RAPPS) - Mrs. Ruby Smith

3. to receive a report for students successfully completing the requirements for a performance contract – Mrs. Ruby Smith

F. Action – Personnel

* 1. receive reports as follows: - Ms. Naomi Jones

a. new hires, pending a satisfactory drug screening and background check

b. new hires in lieu of substitute

c. promotions

d.   rescissions, waivers, etc.
e.   performance contract renewals
f.    resignations and retirements

g. disclosure of new and renewed performance contracts

* 2. to approve leave requests – Ms. Naomi Jones

* 3. to discuss any personnel complaints that may go before the full board for action - Ms. Naomi Jones

* 4. to require the Superintendent to order a review of the Maintenance Department to determine work order load, backlog and/or need for additional employees and bring to the April Personnel Committee meeting – Mr. Wilton Barrios

* Denotes that these items have been through committee

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, Witness my official signature and the seal of the Rapides Parish

School Board this 31^st day of January 2018

/s/W. K. Breazeale

President

ATTEST:

/s/Nason Authement

Secretary

S E A L

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

. ____________________

Mr. Darrell Rodriguez introduced the Board’s student guest, Monica Anguilera, a senior at Rapides High School, who was recognized for her academic and extracurricular achievements. Also recognized were Monica’s family and Mr. Jeff Hickman, principal at Rapides High School. (Item 4-a)

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The Board recognized Horseshoe Drive Elementary School for the bulletin board display in the lobby of the School Board Office for the month of February 2018. (Item 4-b)

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Items 4c and 4d were deferred to a future meeting.

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A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to discuss and take action on the recommendation of the Superintendent to create Community School Zones, to be implemented with the start of the 2018–2019 school year.(Item 8)

Superintendent Authement gave a presentation at this time.

Zone 1 as follows:
Lessie Moore – Pre-K-3 grades

Pineville Elementary – 4-6

Pineville Junior High - 7-8

Zone 2 as follows:

Huddle – Pre-K-K grades

North Bayou -1-3

Rugg - 4-5

J. Patrick - 6

AMMS - 7-8

Zone 3 as follows:

Acadian – Pre-K-K grades

Martin Park – 1-3

Alma Redwine – 4-5

W. O. Hall – 6

A. F. Smith – 7-8

Hadnot Hayes - RTA

Discussion ensued and the audience made comments at this time.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. John Allen and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to delay action on the recommendation of the Superintendent to create Community School Zones, to be implemented with the start of the 2018–2019 school year, pending legal review by our Board Attorney.

Discussion ensued.

On roll call the vote on the substitute motion was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. McCall, Mr. Allen, Mr. Rodriguez

NAY: Mr. Crooks, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Mr. Breazeale

ABSENT: None

THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION FAILED.

Discussion continued on the original motion.

A second substitute motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to vote in favor on the recommendation of the Superintendent to create Community School Zones, to be implemented with the start of the 2018–2019 school year.

Discussion ensued.

A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to call the question.

On motion by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry, the Board voted to call the question.

Let the record reflect that Mr. McCall voted “NAY”.

On roll call the vote on the second substitute motion on item 8 was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Crooks, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Breazeale

NAY: Mr. McCall, Mr. Allen

ABSENT: None

THE SECOND SUBSTITUTE MOTION WAS ADOPTED BY MAJORITY VOTE.
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The President called for a short recess at this time and then the meeting reconvened.

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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Dr. Stephen Chapman to approve the consent agenda. (Item 5)

The agenda was read into the record and discussion ensued.

On roll call the vote on the consent agenda was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Crooks, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall, Mr. Allen, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Breazeale

NAY: None

ABSENT: None

Consent agenda: (Item 5)

A. Reports:

1. to receive an update on school construction projects – Mr. Clyde Washington
Pages 58-69

B. Action – Minutes

1. to approve the minutes of the 1-9-18 meeting of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 12-18-17 Executive Committee meeting and the1-18-18 Retreat

C. Action – Education

* 2. to review and accept the 2017-2018 Pupil Progression Plan – Mrs. Kim Bennett

(See booklet)

* 3. to inform the Board that March 16, 2018 shall be deemed a make-up day for all students in Rapides Parish Schools – Mr. Nason Authement

D. Action – Finance

* 2. to approve/adopt any budget changes/amendments – Ms. Liz Domite

Pages 72-73

* 3. to receive a report on donation(s) made to the Rapides Parish School Board on behalf of the RPSB schools, accept and approve donations included therein, and provide any necessary documentation related to the donation(s) – Ms. Liz Domite

Page 74

* 4. to receive an update/report on grants, approve grants included therein, and authorize the Board President to sign any and all documentation in connection therewith – Mrs. Kerri Nichols

Pages 75-78

* 5. to receive quarterly report on Maintenance Funds – Ms. Liz Domite

Page 79

Source of funding General Fund Amount $50,000

Page 80 Source of funding Various Funds Amount $39,463.83 (Year 2018)

$39,463.83 (Year 2019)

Pages 81-93 Source of funding School Funds Amount $1,275 per student and total of $41,125

a. “Annual Purchase of Band Instruments” – (Bid No. 18-04) received Friday, February 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. and award bid to the lowest bidder and award to Red River Music in the amount of $63,749.27
Source of funding Various Maintenance Funds

b. “Sale of Surplus Equipment” – (Bid No. 18-23B) received Friday, February 2, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. and award bid to the highestbidder and award to Martin Meats, Inc. in the amount of $600.00

Source of funding Food Service

Pages 94-97 Source of funding Student and Student Council Funds Amount $10,480.00

E. Action – Discipline (Motion to go into Executive Session for 1, 2 and 3)

* 1. to uphold the Rapides Parish School Board Discipline Review Committee’s recommendation - Mrs. Ruby Smith

Ø Motion thatDontrell Kirklin be admitted to the Rapides Alternative Positive Program for Students (RAPPS) for the duration of the expulsion which will be May 22, 2018 and thereafter be admitted to the zoned school effective August 14, 2018 all conditioned upon a probationary agreement to be executed by the student, parent and Superintendent within five (5) days, otherwise the principal’s recommendation is upheld.

2. to receive an update outlining the progress of each student attending the Rapides Alternative Positive Program for Students (RAPPS) - Mrs. Ruby Smith

3. to receive a report for students successfully completing the requirements for a performance contract – Mrs. Ruby Smith

F. Action – Personnel

* 1. receive reports as follows: - Ms. Naomi Jones

a. new hires, pending a satisfactory drug screening and background check

b. new hires in lieu of substitute

c. promotions

d.   rescissions, waivers, etc.
e.   performance contract renewals
f.    resignations and retirements

g. disclosure of new and renewed performance contracts

* 2. to approve leave requests – Ms. Naomi Jones

* 3. to discuss any personnel complaints that may go before the full board for action - Ms. Naomi Jones

* Denotes that these items have been through committee

____________________

A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez to revise all job descriptions on the current organizational chart to reflect exempt/non-exempt status in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of the U. S. Department of Labor. (Item 6)

Discussion ensued.

On motion by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez, the Board voted unanimously to revise all job descriptions on the current organizational chart to reflect exempt/non-exempt status in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of the U. S. Department of Labor.

____________________

Item 7 was deferred to the March Board Meeting (Motion to approve revisions to the ESL Facilitator Job Description).

____________________

A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Gerald Crooks to get an update on ALL Band-Instruments and Inventory at each school. (Item 9)

Discussion ensued.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Keith Breazeale and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to instruct staff to come back to the May Finance Committee with the inventory list of band instruments and/or choral instruments used at each school.

Discussion ensued.

On motion by Mr. Keith Breazeale and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry, the Board voted unanimously to instruct staff to come back to the May Finance Committee with the inventory list of band instruments and/or choral instruments used at each school.

____________________

A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to get an update on the Utility Rebate from the City of Alexandria. (Item 10)

Ms. Liz Domite gave an update at this time.

No action was taken.

___________________

A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Gerald Crooks to discuss a recent interest in procuring a sub-divided portion of the J. S. Slocum Campus, the possibility of declaring all or a sub-divided portion of the J. S. Slocum Campus surplus and should the Board choose to offer, direct staff to solicit for sealed bids and/or dispose in accordance with State Statutes. (Item 11)

Discussion ensued.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Dr. Stephen Chapman to direct the Superintendent to declare the J. S. Slocum Campus surplus when it can become surplus.

Discussion ensued.

On roll call the vote on the substitute motion was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Crooks, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Mr. Allen, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Breazeale

NAY: Mr. McCall

ABSENT: None

THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION WAS ADOPTED BY MAJORITY VOTE.

____________________

A motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodriquez and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to approve the Healing Hands and Hearts Interagency Agreement which provides needed support for the children of Rapides Parish School System and to authorize the Board President to sign any necessary documentation in connection therewith. (Item 12)

Discussion ensued.

On roll call the vote was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Crooks, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall, Mr. Allen, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Breazeale

NAY: Dr. Chapman

ABSENT: None

THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED BY MAJORITY VOTE.

____________________

A motion was made by Mr. John Allen and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale that the Rapides Parish School Board modify the plan for the reconfiguration of the low preforming schools as follows: (Item 13)

a. all Pre-K through K-3 schools be converted to Montessori schools

b. establish a health center at Arthur F. Smith

c. establish “sick rooms” in each of the schools to be re-configured that does not have one
d. establish a policy that requires a nurse from the nearest health center physically check the sick students

Discussion ensued.

A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to call the question.

On motion by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall, the Board voted unanimously to call the question.

On roll call the vote on item 13 was as follows:

AYE: Mr. McCall, Mr. Allen, Mr. Rodriguez

NAY: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Crooks, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Mr. Breazeale

ABSENT: None

THE MOTION FAILED.

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A motion was made by Mr. Wilton Barrios and seconded by Dr. Stephen Chapman to go into Executive Session to discuss termination of an employee for just cause. (Item 14); and to go into Executive Session to conduct and present the Superintendent’s Evaluation. (Item 15)

Discussion ensued.

On roll call the vote to go into Executive Session was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Crooks, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall, Mr. Allen, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Breazeale

NAY: None

ABSENT: None

THE BOARD WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

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On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez, the Board voted unanimously to reconvene in Open Session.

THE BOARD RECONVENED INO OPEN SESSION.

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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez to terminate Alison Ducote for job abandonment effective February 6, 2018.

Discussion ensued.

Let the record reflect that Mrs. Franklin, Mr. McCall and Mr. Allen left the meeting.

On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez, the Board voted unanimously to terminate Alison Ducote for job abandonment effective February 6, 2018.

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

/s/W. K. Breazeale

President

ATTEST:

/s/Nason Authement

Secretary

S E A L