OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Alexandria, Louisiana
November 4, 2020
The Rapides Parish School Board of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, met in regular public session at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at the regular meeting place of said board in the Rapides Parish School Board Office, 619 Sixth and Beauregard Streets, in Alexandria, Louisiana.
President Darrell Rodriguez called the meeting to order and on roll call the following members were present:
Darrell Rodriguez, President
Willard McCall, Vice President
Wilton Barrios, Member
Steve Berry, Member
Linda Burgess, Member
Keith Breazeale, Member
Stephen Chapman, Member
Mark Dryden, Member
Sandra Franklin, Member
Mr. Jeff Powell, Secretary for the Board, was present for the meeting.
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Attorney James Downs was present for the meeting.
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The Invocation was pronounced by Rev. Philip Robertson of Philadelphia Baptist Church after which Dr. Stephen Chapman 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 OCTOBER 29, 2020)
Alexandria, Louisiana
October 29, 2020
Dear Sir/Madam:
I, Darrell Rodriguez, 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
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020
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 Northwood High School – Mr. Darrell Rodriguez
b. Rugg Elementary for the bulletin board display in the lobby of the School Board Office for the month of November 2020 – Mr. Clyde Washington
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 (* Denotes that these items have been through committee)
Regular Agenda
* 6. Motion to have the Rapides Parish School Board lift the Declaration of Emergencyadopted at the Special Board Meeting held March 23, 2020 - Mr. Wilton Barrios
* 7. Motion to approve revisions to policy GBRHA (Sabbatical Leave) - Ms. Naomi Jones
* 8. Motion to approve Head Start Policies found in Head Start binder to include Section F Governance Impasse Procedure; Section H Determining, verifying and documenting eligibility; Procedures for receiving and releasing of children; Section K Health Policies and Procedures; and Section L Human Resources Management: Personnel Policies - Mrs.Cindy Rushing
9. Motion to receive an update on the COPE Inc., TRIO Program - Mr. Clyde Washington
Consent agenda: (Item 5) - (These items have gone through Committees)
A. Consent Agenda Reports
*1. to receive an update on school construction projects – Mr. Clyde Washington
B. Consent Agenda Action Minutes
*1. to approve the minutes of the 10-6-20 and 9-15-20 meeting of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 9-15-20 Personnel, Education, Finance Committee meetings, the 9-28-20 Executive Committee meeting
C. Consent Agenda – Action Education
* 1. to present ACT results for the 2019-20 senior class - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 2. to update the board on the number of Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement opportunities at each high school - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 3. to give a report on CTEP to include the number of students serviced as well as an overall assessment of the program - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 4. to update the board on the Career and Technical Education programs at each high school and include the advanced credentials at each school - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 5. to update the board on the Bolton Conservatory program to include the number of students enrolled in the program - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 6. to enter into an Interagency Agreement with COPE Inc., TRiO Program to continue providing informational guidance and academic sessions for students enrolled in the Rapides Parish School System and authorize the Board President to sign any necessary documentation in connection therewith - Mr. Clyde Washington
* 7. to receive an update on the Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Support provided in our schools - Mr. Clyde F. Washington and Mrs. Jamie Raborn
D. Consent Agenda – 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
*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
*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
*6. to approve an agreement with Suddenlink Business for Internet service at the four new Head Start locations for the period of February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022 -Dr. Luke Purdy
*7. ratify and confirm bids received on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 11:00 am by the Central Office Staff for "Purchase of Food Service Equipment & Supplies" (Bid #21-15); 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 - Elizabeth Domite
*8. to approve an agreement between RPSB and Taylor Publishing dba Balfour for Balfour to be the official yearbook publisher for Buckeye High School for the 2020-2021 school year and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
* 9. to approve the request of Grant Parish School Board to participate in a cooperative purchasing agreement with Rapides Parish School Board for Bid #20-16 which is the "Purchase of Science Materials" and Bid #20-28 which is the "Purchase of Educational Materials" - Elizabeth Domite
* 10. to approve a fundraising program agreement between Neighbors, LLC and Rapides Parish School Board on behalf of Northwood High School and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith -Elizabeth Domite
* 11. to enter into a Standard AIA B 101-2007 document with Ashe, Broussard, & Weinzettle Architects for project design and management of the replacement of the pressbox at Tioga High School; authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for "Replacement of Pressbox at Tioga High School" (Bid No. 21-19) 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 resident to sign any documentation connected therewith - Elizabeth Domite
* 12. to declare Eureka Math Resources as listed on Exhibit A and Items listed on Exhibit B as surplus; authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids "Sales of Surplus" (Bid No. 21-20), 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 - Elizabeth Domite
* 13. to authorize the Secretary to advertise for proposals for "Category 2 Erate Goods and Services" (RFP No. 21-32) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive proposals, a recommendation to be made to the Board and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
* 14. to discuss and approve the purchase of Ripple Effects for Kids and Teens permanent license devices to provide personalized, trauma-informed, culturally responsive behavior support for students and authorize the Board President to sign any necessary documentation in connection therewith - Mr. Clyde Washington and Mr. Stanley Jones
E. Consent Agenda –Discipline
*1. to uphold the Rapides Parish School Board Discipline Review Committee’s recommendation - Mr. Cottrell Wrenn
2. to receive an update outlining the progress of each student attending the Rapides Alternative Positive Program for Students (RAPPS) - Mr. Cottrell Wrenn
3. to receive a report for students successfully completing the requirements for a performance contract – Mr. Cottrell Wrenn
F. Consent Agenda –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 approve revisions to policies CBD: Employment of Superintendent; GBDA: Employment of Retired Personnel; GBRIC: Maternity and Adoptive Leave as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal council - 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 29th day of October 2020
/s/Darrell Rodriguez
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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A motion was made by Mr. Willard McCall and seconded by Mr. Mark Dryden to approve the consent agenda omitting items 5C-1 and 5F-3 that were pulled from the agenda.
On roll call the vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Barrios, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall, Dr. Chapman. Mr. Rodriguez
NAY: None
ABSENT: None
A. Consent Agenda Reports
1. to receive an update on school construction projects – Mr. Clyde Washington
B. Consent Agenda Action Minutes
1. to approve the minutes of the 10-6-20 meeting of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 9-15-20 Personnel, Education, Finance Committee meetings, the 9-28-20 Executive Committee meeting
C. Consent Agenda – Action Education
* 1. Pulled for the regular agenda.
* 2. to update the board on the number of Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement opportunities at each high school - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 3. to give a report on CTEP to include the number of students serviced as well as an overall assessment of the program - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 4. to update the board on the Career and Technical Education programs at each high school and include the advanced credentials at each school - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 5. to update the board on the Bolton Conservatory program to include the number of students enrolled in the program - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
* 6. to enter into an Interagency Agreement with COPE Inc., TRiO Program to continue providing informational guidance and academic sessions for students enrolled in the Rapides Parish School System and authorize the Board President to sign any necessary documentation in connection therewith - Mr. Clyde Washington
* 7. to receive an update on the Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Support provided in our schools - Mr. Clyde F. Washington and Mrs. Jamie Raborn
D Consent Agenda – 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
*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
*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
*6. approve an agreement with Suddenlink Business for Internet service at the four new Head Start locations for the period of February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022 -Dr. Luke Purdy
*7. to ratify and confirm bids received on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 11:00 am by the Central Office Staff for "Purchase of Food Service Equipment & Supplies" (Bid #21-15); 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 and award to award to Hotel and Restaurant Supply for $19,652.15, and to Lafayette Restaurant Supply for $6,993.45 and to Associated Food Equipment and Supplies for $52,962.71- Elizabeth Domite
*8. to approve an agreement between RPSB and Taylor Publishing dba Balfour for Balfour to be the official yearbook publisher for Buckeye High School for the 2020-2021 school year and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
*9. to approve the request of Grant Parish School Board to participate in a cooperative purchasing agreement with Rapides Parish School Board for Bid #20-16 which is the "Purchase of Science Materials" and Bid #20-28 which is the "Purchase of Educational Materials" - Elizabeth Domite
* 10. to approve a fundraising program agreement between Neighbors, LLC and Rapides Parish School Board on behalf of Northwood High School and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
* 11. to enter into a Standard AIA B 101-2007 document with Ashe, Broussard, & Weinzettle Architects for project design and management of the replacement of the pressbox at Tioga High School; authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for "Replacement of Pressbox at Tioga High School" (Bid No. 21-19) 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 resident to sign any documentation connected therewith - Elizabeth Domite
* 12. to declare Eureka Math Resources as listed on Exhibit A and Items listed on Exhibit B as surplus; authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids "Sales of Surplus" (Bid No. 21-20), 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 - Elizabeth Domite
* 13. to authorize the Secretary to advertise for proposals for "Category 2 Erate Goods and Services" (RFP No. 21-32) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive proposals, a recommendation to be made to the Board and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
* 14. to discuss and approve the purchase of Ripple Effects for Kids and Teens permanent license devices to provide personalized, trauma-informed, culturally responsive behavior support for students and authorize the Board President to sign any necessary documentation in connection therewith - Mr. Clyde Washington and Mr. Stanley Jones
E. Consent Agenda –Discipline
*1. to uphold the Rapides Parish School Board Discipline Review Committee’s recommendation - Mr. Cottrell Wrenn
2. to receive an update outlining the progress of each student attending the Rapides Alternative Positive Program for Students (RAPPS) - Mr. Cottrell Wrenn
3. to receive a report for students successfully completing the requirements for a performance contract – Mr. Cottrell Wrenn
F. Consent Agenda –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. Pulled for the regular agenda.
* Denotes that these items have been through committee
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A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios to present ACT results for the 2019-20 senior class. (Item 5C-1)
Mr. Jonathan Garret presented information and discussion ensued.
On motion by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios, the Board voted unanimously to receive the presentation on ACT results for the 2019-20 senior class.
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A motion was made by Mr. Wilton Barrios and seconded by Dr. Stephen Chapman to approve revisions to policies CBD: Employment of Superintendent; GBDA:Employment of Retired Personnel; GBRIC: Maternity and Adoptive Leave as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal-council). (Item 5F-4)
Discussion ensued.
A substitute motion was made by Mr. Keith Breazeale and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to defer this item to the November Committees to approve revisions to policies CBD: Employment of Superintendent; GBDA: Employment of Retired Personnel; GBRIC: Maternity and Adoptive Leave as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal council.
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Mr. Keith Breazeale and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall, the Board voted unanimously to defer Item 5F-4 to November Committees to approve revisions to policies CBD: Employment of Superintendent; GBDA: Employment of Retired Personnel; GBRIC: Maternity and Adoptive Leave as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal council.
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A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to have the Rapides Parish School Board lift the Declaration of Emergency adopted at the Special Board Meeting held March 23, 2020. (Item 6)
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry, the Board voted to have the Rapides Parish School Board lift the Declaration of Emergency adopted at the Special Board Meeting held March 23, 2020.
Let the record reflect that Mrs. Sandra Franklin voted “NAY”.
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Item 7 was pulled from the agenda to be discussed at a later date.
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A motion was made by Mr. Wilton Barrios and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to approve Head Start Policies found in Head Start binder to include; Section F Governance Impasse Procedure; Section H Determining, verifying and documenting eligibility; Procedures for receiving and releasing of children; Section K Health Policies and Procedures; and Section L Human Resources Management: Personnel Policies. (Item 8)
Discussion ensued and Section F Governance Impasse Procedure was pulled to discuss at a later date.
A substitute motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Ms. Linda Burgess to approve Head Start Guidelines/Procedures found in Head Start binder to include Section H Determining, verifying and documenting eligibility; Procedures for receiving and releasing of children; Section K Health Guideline and Procedures; and Section L Human Resources Management: Personnel Guidelines.
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Ms. Linda Burgess, the Board voted unanimously to approve Head Start Guidelines/Procedures found in Head Start binder to include Section H Determining, verifying and documenting eligibility; Procedures for receiving and releasing of children; Section K Health Guideline and Procedures; and Section L Human Resources Management: Personnel Guidelines.
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A motion was made by Mr. Mark Dryden and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to receive an update on the COPE, Inc., TRiO Program. (Item 9)
Mr. Randolph Holly presented the information and discussion ensued.
No action was taken.
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Pursuant to motion duly carried, the Rapides Parish School Board adjourned.
/s/Darrell Rodriguez
President
ATTEST:
/s/Jeff Powell
Secretary
S E A L