APRIL REGULAR BOARD MINUTES
OF THE RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Regular Board Meeting Agenda (Tuesday, April 1, 2025)
Generated by Nikki Lucas on Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Members present
Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM
Meeting Location: The Rapides Parish School Board Meeting Room, 619 Sixth Street, Alexandria, LA
Standing Items
Procedural: 1. Call to Order
Procedural: 2.Invocation, Pledge
Procedural: a. Prayer
Procedural: b.Pledge - Mr. George Johnson
Procedural: 3.Roll Call
Procedural: 4. Recognize:
Recognition: a. the Board's student guest is Cameron Sutton from Plainview High School
Recognition: b. Job's for America's Graduates (JAG) student - Ms. LaRunda Hobbs Pierce
Recognition: 5. Superintendent’s ReportRecognition:
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)
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Item 6 - A. Consent Agenda - Reports
Item 6 - B. Consent Agenda - Action Minutes
Action (Consent): 1. to approve the minutes of the 3/11/25 and the 3/18/25 meetings of the Board as written and to be published in the official journal, The Town Talk and to approve the 3/18/25 Personnel, Education, Finance, and District 62 Committee meetings, and the 2/24/25 Executive meeting
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Item 6 - C. Consent Agenda - Action Education
Action (Consent): *1. Motion to receive an update on Head Start and the change of scope and enrollment - Candice Gladney
Resolution: to receive an update on Head Start and the change of scope and enrollment
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
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
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *2. Motion to approve/adopt any budget changes/amendments – Ms. Elizabeth Domite
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
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 George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *4. Motion to receive a budget update for General Fund, Food and Nutrition Fund, and District 62 Bond Funds (Series 2022,2023,2024) as required by Statewide Agreed Upon Procedures by LA Legislative Auditor – Ms. Elizabeth Domite
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *5.Motion to receive an update on the progress of the audit findings from the 2023-2024 audit - Elizabeth Domite
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *6.Motion to receive reports on school construction projects - Mr. Roy Rachal
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent), Reports: *7. 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 - Amanda Slaughter
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *8. Motion to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Purchase of Educational Materials and Supplies" (Bid No. 26-28), and authorize the Exeent 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
Resolution: Authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Purchase of Educational Materials and Supplies" (Bid No. 26-28), 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 George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *9. Motion to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Purchase of Science Materials and Supplies" (Bid No. 26-16), 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
Resolution: Authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Purchase of Science Materials and Supplies" (Bid No. 26-16), 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 George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *10. Motion to authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Construction of Multi-Purpose Building at Ball Elementary" (Bid No. 11-25-05), 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
Resolution: Authorize the Secretary to advertise for bids for “Construction of Multi-Purpose Building at Ball Elementary" (Bid No. 11-25-05), 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 George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *11. Motion to ratify and confirm bids received on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM by the Central Office Staff for “Alexandria Middle Magnet School New Construction and Renovations” (Bid #62-24-10); 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
Resolution: Ratify and confirm bids received on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM by the Central Office Staff for “Alexandria Middle Magnet School New Construction and Renovations” (Bid #62-24-10); 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 George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *12.Motion to approve InterAgency Agreement for ECE Birth to Three Seats for April 1-June 30, 2025 for Heavenly Care III Child Development Center - Cindy Rushing
Resolution: Approve InterAgency Agreement for ECE Birth to Three Seats for April 1-June 30, 2025 for Heavenly Care III Child Development Center
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *13. Motion to enter into a utilities “SERVITUDE AGREEMENT” with CLECO Power LLC for granting entry onto “Pineville High School Campus” for placing, rerouting, constructing, repairing, changing, adding, inspecting, maintaining, etc., electric distribution line or system in accordance with statute and authorize the board president to sign any and all documentation in connection therewith contingent upon advising counsel and legal review and approval – Mr. Roy Rachal
Resolution: to enter into a utilities “SERVITUDE AGREEMENT” with CLECO Power LLC for granting entry onto “Pineville High School Campus” for placing, rerouting, constructing, repairing, changing, adding, inspecting, maintaining, etc., electric distribution line or system in accordance with statute and authorize the board president to sign any and all documentation in connection therewith contingent upon advising counsel and legal review and approval
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Item 6 - E. Consent Agenda - Discipline
Action (Consent): *1. to uphold the Rapides Parish School Board Discipline Review Committee’s recommendation - Mr. Terrence Williams
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Item 6 - F. Consent Agenda - Personnel
Action (Consent), Reports: *1. Motion to receive reports as follows: - Mrs. Naomi Belvin
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent), Reports: *2. Motion to approve leave requests – Mrs. Naomi Belvin
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent), Reports: *3. Motion to discuss any personnel complaints that may go before the full board for action - Mrs. Naomi Belvin
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action (Consent): *4. Motion to review and approve a new Home Base and Disability Facilitator job description for Head Start - Candice Gladney
Resolution: to approve a new Home Base and Disability Facilitator job description for Head Start
Motion by George Johnson, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Item 6 - G. Consent Agenda - District 62
Regular Agenda
Action: *7. Motion to direct administration to put language in policy JBCE; Public School Choice to ensure that open enrollment exists, but only for academic purposes, students participating in open enrollment for academic programming are not eligible for participation in athletics outside of their attendant zoned school, effective 2026-2027 school year - Mark Dryden
Pulled by Mark Dryden
Action: *8.Motion to discuss and approve new job descriptions for facilities/maintenance department - Mr. Jeff Powell
Pulled by Jeff Powell
Action: *9. Motion to approve change of scope for Bid 62-25-03 from “Peabody Magnet Fieldhouse Addition and Renovations” to “Peabody Magnet Fieldhouse Construction’” and increase the approved budget from $1,190,000 to $2,600,000 with increase being funded from bond premiums/interest earnings – Elizabeth Domite / Roy Rachal
Motion by Mark Dryden, second by Willard McCall.
Substitute Motion - to continue with adoption made by the Board to keep the Bond premium and interest in reserve - Dr. Stephen Chapman
Motion by Stephen Chapman, second by Linda Burgess.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Nay: Willard McCall, Wilton Barrios
Action: 10. Motion to authorize the secretary and administrative staff to engage Pan American Engineers for professional services to design, engineer, project manage, develop and provide plans & specifications at the State Fee Curve Schedule, less 2% and authorize staff to advertise and bid "The Phase II - Single Cell Oxidation Pond Closure for Buckeye High School” (Bid No. 20-51A; WOID 232284), bring a recommendation of award to the board, and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith - Mr. Roy Rachal
Resolution: to authorize the secretary and administrative staff to engage Pan American Engineers for professional services to design, engineer, project manage, develop and provide plans & specifications at the State Fee Curve Schedule, less 2% and authorize staff to advertise and bid "The Phase II - Single Cell Oxidation Pond Closure for Buckeye High School” (Bid No. 20-51A; WOID 232284), bring a recommendation of award to the board, and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith
Motion by Mark Dryden, second by Steve Berry.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action: 11.Motion to authorize the secretary and administrative staff to engage ADG Engineering for professional services to design, engineer, project manage, develop and provide plans & specifications at the State Fee Curve Schedule, less 2% and authorize staff to advertise and bid "The turnkey installation of a New Boiler and HVAC Equipment at Alma-Redwine Elementary School" (Bid No. 62-25-6; WOID 232283), bring a recommendation of award to the board, and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith - Mr. Roy Rachal
Resolution: to authorize the secretary and administrative staff to engage ADG Engineering for professional services to design, engineer, project manage, develop and provide plans & specifications at the State Fee Curve Schedule, less 2% and authorize staff to advertise and bid "The turnkey installation of a New Boiler and HVAC Equipment at Alma-Redwine Elementary School" (Bid No. 62-25-6; WOID 232283), bring a recommendation of award to the board, and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith
Motion by Willard McCall, second by Mark Dryden.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action: 12. Motion to discuss and approve a two year contract with T-Mobile and Geotab for the purpose of updating and implementing new GPS services for the bus fleet at a yearly cost of $77,736.00 and have Board President sign any documentation in connection therewith - Mr. Alan Fontenot
Resolution: to approve a two year contract with T-Mobile and Geotab for the purpose of updating and implementing new GPS services for the bus fleet at a yearly cost of $77,736.00 and have Board President sign any documentation in connection therewith
Motion by Mark Dryden, second by Linda Burgess.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action: 13.Motion to discuss and take possible action to approve school staffing recommendations for the 2025-2026 school year – Mr. Jeff Powell
Resolution: to approve school staffing recommendations for the 2025-2026 school year
Motion by Mark Dryden, second by Steve Berry.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, George Johnson
Nay: Sandra Franklin
Action: 14. Motion to approve Change Order #4 for the “Locker Room Renovations at Tioga Junior High School” (Re: RPSB Bid #11-24-09, WO #220841, and PO #24004634) contract between the Rapides Parish School Board and Tudor, Inc. with no change to the contract amount, but increasing the contract time by thirty (30) days, therefore changing the Substantial Completion to a new date of April 7, 2025 and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith – Mr. Roy F. Rachal
Resolution: to approve Change Order #4 for the “Locker Room Renovations at Tioga Junior High School” (Re: RPSB Bid #11-24-09, WO #220841, and PO #24004634) contract between the Rapides Parish School Board and Tudor, Inc. with no change to the contract amount, but increasing the contract time by thirty (30) days, therefore changing the Substantial Completion to a new date of April 7, 2025 and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith
Motion by Mark Dryden, second by Steve Berry.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Action: 15. Motion to enter into an Interagency Agreement with Re-Entry Solutions to provide apprenticeship opportunities and other support services to students of the Rapides Parish School System and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith – Mr. Clyde F. Washington
Resolution: to enter into an Interagency Agreement with Re-Entry Solutions to provide apprenticeship opportunities and other support services to students of the Rapides Parish School System and authorize the Board President to sign any documentation in connection therewith
Motion by Mark Dryden, second by Linda Burgess.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries
Aye: Steve Berry, Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Absent: Wilton Barrios
Action: 16. Motion to adopt a resolution directing the Superintendent to obtain Attorney General's opinion to paying salaried employees overtime compensation – Ms. Linda Burgess
Resolution: to adopt a resolution directing the Superintendent to obtain Attorney General's opinion to paying salaried employees overtime compensation
Motion by Mark Dryden, second by Linda Burgess.
Final Resolution: Motion Fails
Aye: Wally Fall, Linda Burgess, Sandra Franklin, George Johnson
Nay: Steve Berry, Willard McCall, Mark Dryden, Stephen Chapman, Wilton Barrios
Add Ons
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Action: Adjourn the meeting
RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
____________________________________
/s/Mr. Steve Berry
President
ATTEST:
/s/Jeff Powell
Secretary
S E A L