2019-10-01

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Alexandria, Louisiana

October 1, 2019

The Rapides Parish School Board of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, met in regular public session at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at the regular meeting place of said board in the Rapides Parish School Board Office, 619 Sixth and Beauregard Streets, in Alexandria, Louisiana.

President Wilton Barrios called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members were present:

Wilton Barrios, President

Darrell Rodriguez, Vice President

Steve Berry, Member

Keith Breazeale, Member

Linda Burgess, Member

Sandra Franklin, Member

Willard McCall, Member

Mark Dryden, Member

Absent: Stephen Chapman, Member

Mr. Jeff Powell, Secretary for the Board, was present for the meeting.

____________________

Attorney James Downs was present for the meeting.

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The Invocation was pronounced by Rev. Joseph Franklin of Mt. Triumph Missionary Baptist Church after which Mr. Keith Breazeale 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 SEPTEMBER 25, 2019)

Alexandria, Louisiana

September 25, 2019

Dear Sir/Madam:

I, Wilton Barrios, 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, OCTOBER 1, 2019

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. the Board’s student guest from Alexandria Senior High School – Mr. Keith Breazeale

b. Pineville Junior High School for the bulletin board display in the lobby of the School Board Office for the month of October 2019 – Mr. Clyde Washington

c. Rapides Parish School Board Artists’ Spotlight – Mr. Jonathan Garrett

d. Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) student – Ms. LaRunda Hobbs Pierce

e. Jobs for America’s Graduates – Louisiana (JAG-LA) Specialists for their State and National Achievements that were spotlighted at the JAG National Training Seminar and the JAG Louisiana Quarterly meeting – Ms. LaRunda Hobbs Pierce

f. Dr. Coreil, Chancellor of LSUA and hear a report – Mr. Jeff Powell

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, 4 and 5)

* 6. Motion to withdraw and cancel the current (RFQ No. 20-19A) regarding “Construction of Portable Building for Tioga High School Softball” and authorize staff to redesign specifications and receive quotes (RFQ No. 20-19B), a recommendation to be made to the Board – Mr. Jeff Powell and Ms. Liz Domite

* 7. Motion to approve a plan for Administration to offer a stipend of $2,500 to a staff member of each school/program for the Management of Social Media, School Websites and Media Releases on behalf of that school/program in lieu of hiring a District Public Information Officer – Mr. Jeff Powell

Page 1 Source of funding General Fund Amount $153,000.00

* 8. Motion to approve an additional $25,000 per school for small projects in District 62 schools – Mrs. Sandra Franklin

Source of funding District 62 Fund Balance

9. Motion to approve the renewal of ACT WorkKeys Curriculum licenses for RPSB Middle Schools – Ms. LaRunda Hobbs Pierce

Pages 2-5

10. Motion to discuss and approve allowing Administration to submit Head Start and Early Head Start Grant Application – Mr. Jeff Powell and Mrs. Cindy Rushing

11. Motion to authorize the Board’s Insurance Consultant to solicit renewal quotes for Worker’s Compensation Excess Insurance for the 2020 calendar year with a recommendation to be made to the Board – Mr. Roy Rachal

Source of funding General Fund Amount $91,000.00

12. Motion to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Purchase of Cafeteria Equipment” (Bid No. 20-34) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive bids, a recommendation to be made to the Board and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation connected therewith - Ms. Liz Domite

Source of funding Food Service Funds Amount $42,000.00 (estimate)

13. Motion for Administration to establish a Junior High Assistant Principal/Lead Teacher position at the four (4) K-12 schools in Rapides Parish - Mr. Darrell Rodriguez

Consent agenda: (Item 5)

A. Reports:

1. to receive an update on school construction projects – Mr. Clyde Washington

Pages 6-39

B. Action – Minutes

1. to approve the minutes of the 9-3-19 meeting of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 8-20-19 Personnel, Education, Finance Committee and District 62 Committee meetings, the 8-29-19 Discipline Review Committee and the 8-26-19 Executive Committee meeting

C. Action – Education

* 1. to enter into an Interagency Agreement with Volunteers of America in order to provide the needed support services for students of the Rapides Parish School System and authorize the Board President to sign any necessary documentation in connection therewith – Mr. Clyde Washington

Pages 40-51

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

* 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

Pages 52-53

* 4. to receive a budget update for General Fund and Food and Nutrition Fund as required by Statewide Agreed Upon Procedures by LA Legislative Auditors – Ms. Liz Domite

Pages 54-58

* 5. 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 59-62

* 6. to enter into a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with City of Alexandria for the purchase of vehicles pursuant to City of Alexandria’s contract with Courtesy Automotive Group (Vehicle contract #2243) – Ms. Liz Domite

* 7. to receive a report on Tax Collections, Expenditures and Fund Balance for the 2016 Sales Tax for 2018-2019 Fiscal Year as per Board Resolution adopted June 7, 2016 – Ms. Liz Domite

* 8. to authorize the secretary to advertise for proposals for “Waste Disposal Services” (RFP #20-29) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive proposals, a recommendation to be made to the Board and sign any documentation connected therewith – Ms. Liz Domite

Source of funding Various Maintenance Funds Amount $500,000.00

* 9. to renew the Operating Lease between Williams Scotsman (formally Modspace) and the Rapides Parish School Board for four (4) modular classrooms with a new lease start date of November 1, 2019 and end date of October 31, 2020 and approve the non-renewal and return of two (2) modular classrooms and authorize the Board President to sign any necessary documentation in connection therewith – Mr. Clyde Washington

Pages 63-72 Source of funding District 62 Amount $ 3,959.97 (month)

$47,519.64 (year)

* 10. to ratify and confirm bids received on Monday, September 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. by the Central Office Staff for “Purchase of Band Instruments and Equipment” (Bid #20-04) and 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 – Ms. Liz Domite

Source of funding Various Maintenance Funds Amount $100,000.00

* 11. to approve the request of the Grant Parish School Board to participate in a Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Rapides Parish School Board for the Renewal of Bid #15-28 which is the Purchase of Educational Materials (Renewal #19-28) and the renewal of Bid #17-16 which is the purchase of Science Materials (Renewal #19-16) – Ms. Liz Domite

Pages 73-74

* 12. to approve a one (1) year renewal of PCHotline - iBoss service and authorize the Board President to sign documentation with regards to said purchase – Dr. Luke Purdy

Page 75 Source of funding General Fund Amount $64,735.00

* 13. to authorize the secretary to advertise for proposals for "Vending Canteens for three (3) Central Office Buildings” (RFP # 20-31) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive proposals, a recommendation to be made to the Board and sign any documentation connected therewith - Mr. Jeff Powell and Ms. Liz Domite

* 14. to authorize the secretary to exercise the option to renew the contract under the same terms and conditions for the Lease of 435 acres of School Board Land (original bid No. 18-50) with written mutual agreement of both RPSB and the bidder (Lloyd Price) and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation connected therewith (Renewal period 10-1-19 to 9-30-20) - Ms. Liz Domite

Source of funding General Fund Amount $4,406.50

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

* 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 25^th day of September 2019

/s/Wilton Barrios

President

ATTEST:

/s/Jeff Powell

Secretary

S E A L

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

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Dr. Coreil, Chancellor of LSUA gave an update to the Board at this time and thanked the Board and District for all they do for the Community.

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Mr. Keith Breazeale introduced the Board’s student guest, Evan Leleux, a senior at Alexandria Senior High School, who was recognized for his academic and extracurricular achievements. Also recognized were Evan’s family and Ms. Jody Goodman, principal at Alexandria Senior High School (Item 4-a)

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The Board recognized Pineville Junior High School for the bulletin board display in the lobby of the School Board Office for the month of October 2019. (Item 4-b)

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The Board recognized Rapides Parish School Board Artists’ Spotlight which featured Northwood High School. (Item 4-c)

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The Board recognized Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) student. (Item 4-d)

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The Board recognized Jobs for America’s Graduates – Louisiana (JAG-LA) Specialists for their State and National Achievements that were spotlighted at the JAG National Training Seminar and the JAG Louisiana Quarterly meeting. (Item 4-e)

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A motion was made by Mr. Willard McCall and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to add to the agenda to terminate a Food Service employee for job abandonment – Reason to add: Time Sensitive. (Item 14)

Discussion ensued.

On roll call the vote to add was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mr. Barrios

NAY: None

ABSENT: Dr. Chapman

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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to read the consent agenda. (Item 5)

The agenda was read into the record and discussion ensued.

Item 5D-7 was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion.

Discussion ensued.

A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mrs. Sandra Franklin to approve the consent agenda omitting the pulled item.

On roll call the vote was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mr. Barrios

NAY: None

ABSENT: Dr. Chapman

Consent agenda: (Item 5)

A. Reports:

1. to receive an update on school construction projects – Mr. Clyde Washington

Pages 6-39

B. Action – Minutes

C. Action – Education

Pages 40-51

D. Action – Finance

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

Page 52-53

* 4. to receive a budget update for General Fund and Food and Nutrition Fund as required by Statewide Agreed Upon Procedures by LA Legislative Auditors – Ms. Liz Domite

Pages 54-58

* 5. 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 59-62

* 7. pulled for the Regular Agenda.

Source of funding Various Maintenance Funds Amount $500,000.00

Pages 63-72 Source of funding District 62 Amount $ 3,959.97 (month)

$47,519.64 (year)

Source of funding Various Maintenance Funds

Pages 73-74

* 12. to approve a one (1) year renewal of PCHotline - iBoss service and authorize the Board President to sign documentation with regards to said purchase – Dr. Luke Purdy

Page 75 Source of funding General Fund Amount $64,735.00

Source of funding General Fund Amount $4,406.50

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 for Reed Brooks to return to his home school with a random drug test within 15 days. If the drug test is failed, the student is required to return to RAPPS and complete the full disposition. The student must also complete an impact statement in his own words (letter)

Ø Motion that Taylor Kubes return to his home school immediately!

Ø Motion to enroll Mya Byrd into her zoned school (Alexandria Senior High School) immediately!

Ø Motion that Kennedy Brown return to school with the signing of a probationary agreement. Any serious discipline issues, the student will be required to return to RAPPS and serve the original disposition.

Ø Motion that Jayden Harris attend RAPPS for 30 days beginning October 2, 2019 with a review of attendance and behavior, contingent upon signing a probationary agreement.

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 Mrs. Sandra Franklin and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios to receive a report on Tax Collections, Expenditures and Fund Balance for the 2016 Sales Tax for 2018-2019 Fiscal Year as per Board Resolution adopted June 7, 2016. (Item 5D-7)

Ms. Liz Domite gave a report at this time and discussion ensued.

On motion by Mr. Mark Dryden and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall, the Board voted unanimously to receive a report on Tax Collections, Expenditures and Fund Balance for the 2016 Sales Tax for 2018-2019 Fiscal Year as per Board Resolution adopted June 7, 2016.

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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to withdraw and cancel the current (RFQ No. 20-19A) regarding “Construction of Portable Building for Tioga High School Softball” and authorize staff to redesign specifications and receive quotes (RFQ No. 20-19B), a recommendation to be made to the Board. (Item 6)

Discussion ensued.

On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall, the Board voted unanimously to withdraw and cancel the current (RFQ No. 20-19A) regarding “Construction of Portable Building for Tioga High School Softball” and authorize staff to redesign specifications and receive quotes (RFQ No. 20-19B).

____________________

A motion was made by Mr. Willard McCall and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to approve a plan for Administration to offer a stipend of $2,500 to a staff member of each school/program for the Management of Social Media, School Websites and Media Releases on behalf of that school/program in lieu of hiring a District Public Information Officer. (Item 7)

Discussion ensued.

On roll call the vote was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. McCall, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mr. Barrios

NAY: Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry

ABSENT: Dr. Chapman

THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED BY MAJORITY VOTE.

____________________

A motion was made by Ms. Linda Burgess and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to approve an additional $25,000 per school for small projects in District 62 schools. (Item 8)

Discussion ensued.

On roll call the vote was as follows:

AYE: Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mr. Barrios

NAY: None

ABSENT: Dr. Chapman

____________________

A motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Mark Dryden to approve the renewal of ACT WorkKeys Curriculum licenses for RPSB Middle Schools. (Item 9)

Discussion ensued.

On motion by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Mark Dryden, the Board voted unanimously to approve the renewal of ACT WorkKeys Curriculum licenses for RPSB Middle Schools.

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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mrs. Sandra Franklin to discuss and approve allowing Administration to submit Head Start and Early Head Start Grant Application. (Item 10)

Discussion ensued.

A substitute motion was made by Ms. Linda Burgess and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios to approve allowing Administration to begin application process for Head Start and Early Head Start Grant including using the services of a Head Start Consultant for $14,000.00 with Head Start Grant or Title I Funding.

Discussion ensued.

On the substitute motion made by Ms. Linda Burgess and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios, the Board voted unanimously to approve allowing Administration to begin application process for Head Start and Early Head Start Grant including using the services of a Head Start Consultant for $14,000.00 with Head Start Grant or Title I Funding.

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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale to authorize the Board’s Insurance Consultant to solicit renewal quotes for Worker’s Compensation Excess Insurance for the 2020 calendar year with a recommendation to be made to the Board. (Item 11)

Discussion ensued.

On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Board’s Insurance Consultant to solicit renewal quotes for Worker’s Compensation Excess Insurance for the 2020 calendar year with a recommendation to be made to the Board.

____________________

A motion was made by Mrs. Sandra Franklin and seconded by Ms. Linda Burgess to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Purchase of Cafeteria Equipment” (Bid No. 20-34) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive bids, a recommendation to be made to the Board and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation connected therewith. (Item 12)

Discussion ensued.

On motion by Mrs. Sandra Franklin and seconded by Ms. Linda Burgess, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Purchase of Cafeteria Equipment” (Bid No. 20-34) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive bids, a recommendation to be made to the Board and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation connected therewith.

____________________

A motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios for Administration to establish a Junior High Assistant Principal/Lead Teacher position at the four (4) K-12 schools in Rapides Parish. (Item 13)

Discussion ensued.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodrigues and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios to defer to October Finance Committee for Administration to bring back a cost to establish a Junior High Assistant Principal position at the four (4) K-12 schools in Rapides Parish.

Discussion ensued.

On the substitute motion by Mr. Darrell Rodrigues and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios, the Board voted unanimously to defer to October Finance Committee for Administration to bring back a cost to establish a Junior High Assistant Principal position at the four (4) K-12 schools in Rapides Parish.

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A motion was made by Mr. Willard McCall and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to terminate a Food Service employee for job abandonment. (Item 14)

Discussion ensued.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Wilton Barrios and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale to uphold the Superintendent’s recommendation to terminate a Food Service employee, Rosemary Smith, for job abandonment effective today, October 1, 2019.

Discussion ensued.

On the substitute motion made by Mr. Wilton Barrios and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale, the Board voted unanimously to uphold the Superintendent’s recommendation to terminate a Food Service employee, Rosemary Smith, for job abandonment effective today, October 1, 2019.

____________________

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

/s/Wilton Barrios

President

ATTEST:

/s/Jeff Powell

Secretary

S E A L