OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Alexandria, Louisiana
January 5, 2021
The Rapides Parish School Board of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, met in regular public session at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 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
Keith Breazeale, Member
Linda Burgess, 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 Colors were presented by the Pineville High School JROTC. The Invocation was pronounced by Rev. Roy Lott of Greater Saint Lawrence Church after which Mr. Keith Breazeale led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
(COPY OF OFFICIAL CALL EMAILED TO EACH MEMBER OF THE RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD AND POSTED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE AT THE MEETING PLACE OF SAID BOARD ON DECEMBER 15, 2020)
Alexandria, Louisiana
December 15, 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
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021
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. Motion to elect Board President for a one-year term, beginning January 5, 2021 Mr. Jeff Powell
5. Motion to elect Board Vice-President for a one-year term, beginning January 5, 2021 - Mr. Jeff Powell
6. Motion to elect members of the Executive Committee for 2021 – Mr. Jeff Powell
7. Motion to approve the President’s recommendation for Personnel, Education, and Finance Committees for 2021 – Mr. Jeff Powell
8. Recognize:
a. the Board’s student guest from Alexandria Senior High – Mr. Keith Breazeale
b. Tioga Elementary for the bulletin board display in the lobby of the School Board Office for the month of January 2021 – Mr. Clyde Washington
c. KALB/Hixson Autoplex – Golden Apple Award for Teachers of Rapides Parish School District – Mr. Jeff Powell
Hannah Starks at Pineville High School
Heather Tiley at Rapides Academy
Brian Branch at Tioga High School
9. 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
10. Motion to ratify and confirm proposals received on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:00 AM by the Central Office Staff for "Category 2 E-Rate Goods and Services" (RFP #21-32); and award proposal to the highest ranking responsive and responsible vendor; contingent on proposal meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract document requirements and specifications - Elizabeth Domite
11. Motion to ratify and confirm bids received on Friday, December 18, 2020 AT 10:00 AM by the Central Office Staff for "Purchase of Welding Supplies" (Bid # 21-24A); 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
12. Motion to ratify and confirm bids received on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 10:00AM by the Central Office Staff for "Sale of Surplus" (Bid # 21-20); and award bid to the highest responsive and responsible bidder contingent on high bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and contract requirements and specifications - Elizabeth Domite
13. Motion to ratify and confirm bids received on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 10:00 AM by the Central Office Staff for "Purchase and Installation of Playground Equipment" (Bid # 21-23); 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
14. Motion to adopt revisions to Policy DJE (Purchasing) as recommended by Forethought Consultants - Elizabeth Domite
15. Motion to adopt revisions to Policy DJED (Bids and Quotations) as recommended by Forethought Consultants - Elizabeth Domite
16. Motion to authorize the Secretary to solicit formal quotes for "Pineville High HVAC Repairs" (RFQ # 21-29) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive the quotes and a recommendation to be made to the Board - Elizabeth Domite
17. Motion to approve revised policies to Policy BD (School Board Policy); Policy JD (Discipline); Policy JDD (Suspension); Policy JDE (Expulsion) as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal - Mr. Washington and Mr. Wrenn
18. Motion to approve Policy BCAD (Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings), a new policy recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal - Ms.Naomi Jones
19. Motion to approve Inter-Agency Agreement with Guardian Angel Kiddie College for Rapides Early Head Start - Cindy Rushing
20. Motion to approve the Professional Service Contract to transport and deliver USDA commodities from Polar Bear Cold Storage to individual schools in Rapides Parish effective January 4, 2021 through June 30, 2021 - Mrs. Erma Davis
21. Motion to approve revised Policy JBH (Attendance Reports for Student Drivers) and Policy JGCE (Child Abuse) as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal counsel - Mr. Cottrell Wrenn
Consent agenda: (Item 9) - (These items have gone through Committees)
A. Consent Agenda – Reports
1. to receive reports on school construction projects - Mr. Clyde Washington
B. Consent Agenda - Action Minutes
1. to approve the minutes of the 12-1-20 and the 12-9-20 meetings of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 11-10-20 Personnel, Education, Finance Committee meetings, and the 11-16-20 Executive meeting
C. Consent Agenda - Action Education
None this month
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 Auditor – 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 - Kerri Nichols
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. to 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
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, Witness my official signature and the seal of the Rapides Parish School Board this 15th day of December 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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Superintendent Jeff Powell recognized all the School Board members of Rapides Parish School District for the 2021 School Board Recognition Month and presented them with a Certificate.
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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios to elect Board President for a one-year term, beginning January 5, 2021. (Item 4)
Mr. Steve Berry nominated Dr. Stephen Chapman.
Mr. Wilton Barrios nominated Mr. Willard McCall.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sandra Franklin and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale to close the nominations for Board President.
On motion made by Mrs. Sandra Franklin and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale, the Board voted unanimously to close the nominations for Board President.
On roll call the vote to elect Dr. Stephen Chapman as President was as follows:
AYE: Dr. Chapman, Mr. Dryden, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry
NAY: Mr. McCall, Mr. Barrios, Ms. Burgess, Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Rodriguez
ABSENT: None
THE MOTION FAILED TO ELECT DR. STEPHEN CHAPMAN AS BOARD PRESIDENT.
**********
A substitute motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to elect Mr. Willard McCall by unanimous vote.
Discussion ensued.
On the substitute motion by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry, the Board voted unanimously to elect Mr. Willard McCall as President.
MR. WILLARD MCCALL WAS ELECTED AS BOARD PRESIDENT.
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A motion was made by Mr. Mark Dryden and seconded by Dr. Stephen Chapman to elect Board Vice-President for a one-year term, beginning January 5, 2021. (Item 5)
Ms. Linda Burgess nominated Dr. Stephen Chapman.
Mr. Darrell Rodriguez nominated Mr. Wilton Barrios.
On motion made by Mrs. Sandra Franklin and seconded by Ms. Linda Burgess, the Board voted unanimously to close the nominations for Board Vice President.
On roll call the vote to elect Dr. Stephen Chapman as Vice President was as follows:
AYE: Dr. Chapman, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry
NAY: Mr. McCall, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Rodriguez
ABSENT: None
DR. STEPHEN CHAPMAN WAS ELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT.
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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale to elect members of the Executive Committee for 2021. (Item 6)
Mr. Willard McCall read his recommendations to serve on the Executive Committee.
· Executive Committee:
Linda Burgess – Chair
Wilton Barrios
Darrell Rodriguez
Discussion ensued.
A substitute motion was made by Ms. Linda Burgess and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale to nominate and approve the members of the Executive Committee for 2021.
· Executive Committee:
Linda Burgess – Chair
Wilton Barrios
Darrell Rodriguez
Discussion ensued.
On the substitute motion made by Ms. Linda Burgess and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale, the Board voted unanimously to elect and approve the Executive Committee for 2021 as listed above.
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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale to approve the President’s recommendation for Personnel, Education, and Finance Committees for 2021. (Item 7)
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Keith Breazeale, the Board voted unanimously to approve the President’s recommendation for Personnel, Education, and Finance Committees for 2021.
· Personnel Committee:
Stephen Chapman – Chair
Steve Berry
Mark Dryden
· Education Committee:
Willard McCall – Chair
Mark Dryden
Sandra Franklin
· Finance Committee:
Sandra Franklin – Chair
Wilton Barrios
Keith Breazeale
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Mr. Keith Breazeale introduced the Board’s student guest, Mia Coco, a senior at Alexandria Senior High School, who was recognized for her academic and extracurricular achievements. Mia’s family was recognized and Jody Goodman, Assistant Principal at Alexandria Senior High School. (Item 8-a)
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The Board recognized Tioga Elementary School for the bulletin board display in the lobby of the School Board Office for the month of January 2021. (Item 8-b)
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The Board recognized KALB/Hixson Autoplex – Golden Apple Award for Teachers of Rapides Parish School District. (Item (8-c)
Hannah Stark – Pineville High School
Heather Tiley – Rapides Academy
Brian Branch – Tioga High School
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A motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Mark Dryden to read the consent agenda. (Item 9)
The agenda was read into the record and discussion ensued.
A substitute motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Ms. Linda Burgess to approve the consent agenda. (Item 9).
Discussion ensued.
On roll call the vote on the substitute motion was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Rodriguez, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall
NAY: None
ABSENT: None
Consent agenda: (Item 9)
A. Reports:
1. to receive an update on school construction projects – Mr. Clyde Washington
B. Action – Minutes
2. approve the minutes of the 12-1-20 and the 12-9-20 meetings of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 11-10-20 Personnel, Education, Finance Committee meetings, and the 11-16-20 Executive meeting
C. Action – Education
None this month
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
4. to receive a budget update for General Fund and Food and Nutrition Fund as required by Statewide Agreed Upon Procedures by LA Legislative Auditor – 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
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
None this month
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
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Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 were discussed in globo.
A motion was made by Mr. Keith Breazeale and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to ratify and confirm proposals received on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:00 AM by the Central Office Staff for "Category 2 E-Rate Goods and Services" (RFP #21-32); and award proposal to the highest ranking responsive and responsible vendor; contingent on proposal meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract document requirements and specifications (Item 10); and to ratify and confirm bids received on Friday, December 18, 2020 AT 10:00 AM by the Central Office Staff for "Purchase of Welding Supplies" (Bid # 21-24A); 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 (Item 11); and to ratify and confirm bids received on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 10:00 AM by the Central Office Staff for "Sale of Surplus" (Bid # 21-20); and award bid to the highest responsive and responsible bidder contingent on high bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and contract requirements and specifications (Item 12); and to ratify and confirm bids received on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 10:00 AM by the Central Office Staff for "Purchase and Installation of Playground Equipment" (Bid # 21-23); 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. (Item 13)
Ms. Liz Domite presented information and discussion ensued.
A substitute motion was made by Dr. Stephen Chapman and seconded by Mr. Steve Berry to accept the recommendation from staff on items 10, 11, 12 and 13 as listed.
"Category 2 E-Rate Goods and Services" (RFP #21-32); and award to Transformyx for E-Rate at 85% for $685,929.13 and Various Maintenance Funds at 15% for $121,046.32 (Item 10)
“Purchase of Welding Supplies" (Bid # 21-24A); and award bid to the lowest responsive and responsible and award to Red Ball Oxygen for $115,412.09 and Nex Air for $9,422.44 and Welders Equipment for $49,624.06 (Item 11)
“Sale of Surplus" (Bid # 21-20); and award to OLPS for $118.00 and Israel Nelson or $151.62 (Item 12)
“Purchase and Installation of Playground Equipment" (Bid # 21-23) and award to Pelican Playground for $369,930.00 (Item 13)
Discussion ensued.
On roll call the vote on the substitute motion was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Rodriguez, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall
NAY: None
ABSENT: None
A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez to adopt revisions to Policy DJE (Purchasing) as recommended by Forethought Consultants. (Item 14)
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez, the Board voted unanimously to adopt revisions to Policy DJE (Purchasing) as recommended by Forethought Consultants.
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A motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to adopt revisions to Policy DJED (Bids and Quotations) as recommended by Forethought Consultants. (Item 15)
Discussion ensued.
A substitute motion was made by Mr. Wilton Barrios and seconded by Ms. Linda Burgess to leave the policy at $150,000 and make no change.
After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Barrios withdrew the motion.
On motion by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall, the Board voted to adopt revisions to Policy DJED (Bids and Quotations) as recommended by Forethought Consultants.
Let the record reflect that Ms. Linda Burgess voted NAY.
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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to authorize the Secretary to solicit formal quotes for "Pineville High HVAC Repairs" (RFQ # 21-29) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive the quotes and a recommendation to be made to the Board. (Item 16)
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Secretary to solicit formal quotes for "Pineville High HVAC Repairs" (RFQ # 21-29) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or the Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive the quotes and a recommendation to be made to the Board.
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A motion was made by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez to approve revised policies to Policy BD (School Board Policy); Policy JD (Discipline); Policy JDD (Suspension); Policy JDE (Expulsion) as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal. (Item 17)
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Mr. Steve Berry and seconded by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez, the Board voted unanimously to approve revised policies to Policy BD (School Board Policy); Policy JD (Discipline); Policy JDD (Suspension); Policy JDE (Expulsion) as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal.
____________________
A motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios to approve Policy BCAD (Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings), a new policy recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal. (Item 18)
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Wilton Barrios, the Board voted unanimously to approve Policy BCAD (Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings), a new policy recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal.
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Item 19 was deleted.
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A motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to approve the Professional Service Contract to transport and deliver USDA commodities from Polar Bear Cold Storage to individual schools in Rapides Parish effective January 4, 2021 through June 30, 2021. (Item 20)
Discussion ensued.
On roll call the vote was as follows:
AYE: Mr. Rodriguez, Dr. Chapman, Mr. Barrios, Mr. Dryden, Ms. Burgess, Mrs. Franklin, Mr. Breazeale, Mr. Berry, Mr. McCall
NAY: None
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A motion was made by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall to approve revised Policy JBH (Attendance Reports for Student Drivers) and Policy JGCE (Child Abuse) as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal counsel. (Item 21)
Discussion ensued.
On motion by Mr. Darrell Rodriguez and seconded by Mr. Willard McCall, the Board voted unanimously to approve revised Policy JBH (Attendance Reports for Student Drivers) and Policy JGCE (Child Abuse) as recommended by Forethought and reviewed by legal counsel. (Item 21)
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Pursuant to motion duly carried, the Rapides Parish School Board adjourned.
/s/Willard McCall
President
ATTEST:
/s/Jeff Powell
Secretary
S E A L