FEBRUARY REGULAR BOARD MINUTES
OF THE RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Regular Board Meeting (Tuesday, February 7, 2023)
Generated by Nikki Lucas on Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Members present
Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM
Location: Rapides Parish Board Meeting Room, 619 6th Street, Alexandria, LA
Standing Items
Procedural: 1. Call to Order
Procedural: 2. Invocation, Pledge
Procedural: 3. Roll Call
Procedural: 4. Recognize:
Recognition: a. the Board's student guest is Kylee VanHoof from Tioga High School
Recognition: b.Job's for America's Graduates (JAG) student - Ms. LaRunda Hobbs Pierce
Recognition: c.School Board Members' training hours for 2022 - Mr. Jeff Powell
School Board Member Training Resolution
WHEREAS, each member of a city and parish school board shall receive a minimum of six hours of training and instruction, as required by ACT 705 of the 2011 Louisiana Legislature; and
WHEREAS, this training and instruction shall consist of school laws of this state, laws governing the powers, duties, and responsibilities of city and parish school boards, educational trends, research and policy; and
WHEREAS, such instruction may be received from an institution of higher education in this state, from instruction sponsored by the State Department of Education, or by an in-service training program conducted by a city or parish school board central office or the Louisiana School Boards Association, or training provided at the national level; and
WHEREAS, each member of a city and parish board shall receive one hour of ethics training, per year, of their tenure as board member;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that it become public record that Wilton Barrios, Steve Berry, Mary Dryden, Willard McCall, Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Keith Breazeale, Darrell Rodriques, and Sandra Franklin, members of the Rapides Parish School Board, have successfully received and exceeded the six hours of required training as mandated by the Legislature of Louisiana and all board members have fulfilled the mandate of one hour of ethics training for the year 2022.
CERTIFICATE
I, the undersigned Superintendent of Rapides Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of a resolution adopted at its regular School Board meeting on February 7, 2023.
Jeff Powell, Superintendent
Rapides Parish School Board
Reports: 5.Superintendent's Report
Action (Consent): 6.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)
Item 6 - A. Consent Agenda - Reports
Action (Consent): 1. to receive reports on school construction projects - Mr. Clyde Washington
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Item 6 - B. Consent Agenda - Action Minutes
Action (Consent): 1. to approve the minutes of the 01/05/2023 and the 01/17/2023 meetings of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 01/17/2023 Personnel, Education, Finance, and District 62 Committee meetings, and the 12/19/2023 Executive meeting
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Item 6 - C. Consent Agenda - Action Education
Action (Consent): *1. Motion to approve the AIM Institute Implementation Plan and Services Agreement (ISPA) for Rapides Parish School District Summer 2023 - Dr. LaQuanta Jones
Resolution: Approve the AIM Institute Implementation Plan and Services Agreement (ISPA) for Rapides Parish School District Summer 2023
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Item 6 - D. Consent Agenda - Action Finance
Action (Consent): *1. Motion 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. Elizabeth Domite
Resolution: 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
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent): *2. Motion to approve/adopt any budget changes/amendments – Ms. Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent): *3. Motion 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. Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent): *4. Motion 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. Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent), Reports: *5. Motion 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
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent): *6. Motion to ratify and confirm bids received on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM by the Central Office Staff for “Lessie Moore Elementary School IAQ Enhancements” (Bid #100-29); 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 authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith – Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent): *7. Motion to ratify and confirm bids received on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM by the Central Office Staff for “Mabel Brasher Montessori IAQ Enhancements” (Bid #100-30); 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 authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith – Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent): *8. Motion to ratify and confirm bids received on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM by the Central Office Staff for “Buckeye Elementary School IAQ Enhancements” (Bid #100-18); 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 authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith – Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent): *9. Motion to ratify and confirm bids received on Friday, February 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM by the Central Office Staff for “Turnkey Replacement of Flooring and Seating in Auditorium at Oak Hill High” (Bid #23-51); 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 authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith – Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent), Information, Reports: *10. Motion to receive the quarterly report on Maintenance Funds for the 2nd quarter of the 2022-2023 fiscal year - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent), Information, Reports: *11.Motion to receive the semi-annual reports for all Special Revenue Funds as required by the Statewide Agreed Upon Procedures by the LA Legislative Auditor - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Item 6 - E. Consent Agenda - Discipline
Action (Consent): *1.to uphold the Rapides Parish School Board Discipline Review Committee’s recommendation - Ms. Carlessa White
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Reports: 2. to receive an update outlining the progress of each student attending the Rapides Alternative Positive Program for Students (RAPPS) - Ms. Carlessa White
Reports: 3. to receive a report for students successfully completing the requirements for a performance contract – Ms. Carlessa White
Item 6 - F. Consent Agenda - Personnel
Action (Consent), Reports: *1. Motion to receive reports as follows: - Mrs. Naomi Belvin
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent), Reports: *2. Motion to approve leave requests – Mrs. Naomi Belvin
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action (Consent), Reports: *3. Motion to discuss any personnel complaints that may go before the full board for action - Mrs. Naomi Belvin
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Item 6 - G. Consent Agenda - District 62
Action (Consent), Reports: *1. Motion to receive an update on the progress of the District 62 Bond - Mr. Jeff Powell
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Regular Agenda
Recognition: 7. Motion to accept donation from Hands over Hearts and Central Louisiana Community Foundation for AEDs - Mr. Jeff Powell
Action: 8. Motion to reimburse travel expenses in the amount of $71.00 to Mr. Wally Fall and travel expenses in the amount of $145.25 to Mr. George Johnson for attending the 2023 LSBA New Board Members training - Mr. Jeff Powell
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Absent: Willard McCall
Action: 9. Motion to consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Lecompte-Lamourie-Woodworth- School District No. 57 of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds therein; making application to the State Bond Commission and providing for other matters in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
ADD ON to Item 9 was a unanimous vote
9a. Amend to include allocating up to $15,000.00 District 57 maintenance funds for marketing
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: 10. Motion to authorize the Secretary to exercise the option to renew the contract under the same terms and conditions for the 2023 calendar year for “Waste Disposal Services” (Bid No. 20-29) with written mutual agreement of Vendor, Waste Connection Bayou, Inc. and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation connected therewith (Renewal Bid No. 23-39) – Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: 11. Motion to discuss and take action on the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) application from PQ, LLC (LA Economic Development Application #20220396-ITE) - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Wilton Barrios, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry
Nay: Sandra Franklin
Action: 12. Motion to declare items listed on Exhibit A as surplus inventory and to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids as is / where is for "Sale of Surplus Inventory" (Bid No. 23-56) 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 in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: 13. Motion to authorize the Secretary to solicit formal proposals for “E-Rate Category 2 Firewall Smartnet Services” (RFP No. 24-41); and authorize the Executive Committee, Superintendent and/or Central Office Staff to receive the proposals and a recommendation to be made to the Board - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: 14. Motion to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for "Turnkey Purchase and Installation of LED Scoreboard at Tioga High School" (Bid No. 23-59) 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 in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: 15. Motion to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for "Installation of Back Flow Devices at District 11 Schools" (Bid No. 23-58) 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 in connection therewith - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: 16. Motion to authorize the Secretary to solicit formal quotes for "Replacement of Floor at Maintenance Facility" (RFQ No. 23-57) and authorize the Executive Committee and/or Superintendent and Central Office Staff to receive quotes and a recommendation to be made to the Board - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: 17. Motion to approve purchase of "Veritone Redact Application" (Facial Blurring Software) for a 60 month (5yr) term for a total of $9,500.00 and to authorize the Board President to sign all documentation therewith. This purchase is in support of Revised Statute (RS) 17:1948 "§1948. Cameras in certain classrooms; definitions; required policies; confidentiality; authorization of funding". - Vickie Smith and Matt Thompson
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: *18. Motion to adopt Mable Brasher Montessori as a neighborhood school with a Montessori program - Mrs. Sandra Franklin
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action, Presentation: *19. Motion to present the four calendar options for the 2023-24 school year and release them for a public vote - Mr. Jonathan Garrett
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Linda Burgess.
Substitute motion to adopt calendar option 2, Mid-August Start
Motion by Willard McCall, second by Linda Burgess.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Action: *20. Motion to approve 28 NIET EE Pass site licenses in the amount of $70,000.00 for the 2022-2023 school year and authorize the Board President to sign any and all documentation in connection therewith – Mr. Jonathan Garrett
Motion by Willard McCall, second by Linda Burgess.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
Presentation, Reports: 21. Motion to receive a presentation on the 2021-2022 audit and annual comprehensive financial report from external auditors - Dr. Stephen Chapman
Report Given, no action needed
Action: 22. Motion to enter into updated school resource officer MOU with Sheriff Department, subject to edit by legal counsel and authorize the Board President to sign said agreement - Mr. Jeff Powell
Motion by Steve Berry, second by Willard McCall.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Stephen Chapman, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Wilton Barrios, Willard McCall, George Johnson, Wally Fall, Steve Berry, Sandra Franklin
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Action: Adjourn the meeting
RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
_______________________________________
/s/Dr. Stephen Chapman
President
ATTEST:
/s/Jeff Powell
Secretary
S E A L