The Beauregard Parish School Board met in regular session Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 6:00 pm in the Central Office Board Room.  Board members David Vidrine, Darrin Manuel, Ray Bowman, Kathy Bruner, Garrett Greene, Cassie Henry, Wesley Taylor, Martha Jackson, Nikki Weldon and Student Representative Kynlee Farris were present.  Casey Jones was absent.

            Timothy J. Cooley, Superintendent, was present and acted as secretary.  

            The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Andrew Duplechin.  

            Upon motion of Darrin Manuel seconded by Nikki Weldon, board members voted to adopt the agenda as presented. 

            The first agenda item was for board members to consider adopting the minutes of the April 8, 2021, regular meeting of the Beauregard Parish School Board as published in the official journal. Ray Bowman offered a motion to adopt the minutes of the April 8, 2021, regular meeting as published in the official journal, which was seconded by Wesley Taylor, and approved upon voting.  Kathy Bruner and Cassie Henry abstained from voting on the minutes. 

            Before beginning the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Cooley first recognized Student Representative to the Board, Kynlee Farris.  Ms. Farris shared that testing was winding down, graduations had been planned, preparation was being made for final exams, and students were making their summer plans.

            As part of his introduction for Fort Polk Garrison Commander Colonel Ryan Roseberry, Mr. Cooley advised board members that this may be Colonel Roseberry’s final address to the board and thanked Colonel Roseberry for his support of the Beauregard Parish school system.  Colonel Roseberry began by noting that there was no active rotation of troops at this time, and that his last day would be June19.  In addition, Colonel Roseberry shared that Colonel Sam Smith, who has been stationed at Fort Polk before, would be replacing him, and introduced Lindsay Slogget, who will be assisting Tiffany Koch as the School Liaison Officer. 

            Next, Mr. Cooley welcomed Leesville Mayor Rick Allen, who was present on behalf of Fort Polk Progress.  Mayor Allen spoke to board members about the more than 2200 military-connected students in the Beauregard and Vernon parishes and thanked the board for their support of these students.  Mayor Allen explained that Fort Polk Progress had some funds in reserve and had made a decision to award some of these funds as grants to the local school systems. The Beauregard Parish school system submitted a grant request of $15,000 to help pay for the new school system website, since many prospective Fort Polk-bound families begin their research of area schools on the internet, and also requested $3000 to assist the Public Information Office.  Fort Polk Progress approved both requests and Mayor Allen presented a check for $18,000 to the Beauregard Parish School Board.

            Following the presentation by Fort Polk Progress, Superintendent Cooley called board members’ attention to the publication the Beauregard Students Write, which showcases the creative writing of Beauregard Parish students and thanked students, teachers, and staff who make this annual publication possible.

            Next, in observance of Nurses Appreciation Week, Mr. Cooley requested that Eddie Joslin share details of Governor John Bel Edwards’ proclamation that May 12, 2021, would be observed as School Nurse Day.  Mr. Joslin advised board members that a copy of the proclamation had been placed in their folders and presented all of the Beauregard Parish School nurses, noting that they had a combined 72 years of experience.  Each nurse received a small appreciation gift bag. 

            Mr. Cooley gave board members a summary of the coming graduation activities, beginning with Singer High School, Friday, May 14; East Beauregard High School, Monday, May 17; South Beauregard High School, Wednesday, May 19; Merryville High School, Thursday, May 20; and DeRidder High School, Friday, May 21. 

            Board members were advised that contracts would be renewed for Kim Hayes, Director of Curriculum, effective November 1, 2021, through October 31, 2023; and Mac Spikes, Director of Special Education, effective November 14, 2021, through November 13, 2023, using the standard board-approved administrative contract. 

            Next, Mr. Cooley reminded board members Louisiana law mandated 6 hours of Continuing Learning Units each year.  In accordance with legal requirements, hours earned by board members during 2020 would be read into the minutes, and were as follows: Ray Bowman, 8.5 hours; Kathy Bruner, 8.0 hours; Garrett Greene, 9.5 hours; Cassie Henry, 11.0 hours; Martha Jackson, 12.0 hours; Casey Jones, 11.0 hours; Darrin Manuel, 8.5 hours; Wesley Taylor, 8.0 hours; David Vidrine, 12.0 hours; Nikki Weldon, 12.5 hours.  Collectively, the Beauregard Parish School Board received 101 hours of Continuing Learning Units during 2020. 

               To conclude the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Cooley invited Kim Hayes to present an overview of the process of applying for ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. Through a video presentation, Ms. Hayes explained the 15 funding categories for which ESSER funds could be requested and explained the process to board members.  Board members learned that the first round of ESSER funds (about $1.3 million) was used to purchase Chromebooks, enhance internet connectivity, provide tutoring, and enrich virtual learning opportunities.  Ms. Hayes advised board members that applications were pending or in process for ESSER II and ESSER III funds and explained the criteria which would be used to disburse these funds to school districts.  In response to questions from board members, Ms. Hayes and Mr. Cooley explained that a few districts had turned in requests for some of these funds to pay teachers a stipend, but that these requests had not been approved, noting that if they were approved for these other parishes, then this could be looked at in the future.   

            The next agenda item was to consider approval of the Fiscal Agent Agreement.  Lesia Casaonvas explained that this document would be sent to all six Beauregard Parish banks and reminded board members that each bank’s level of participation was determined based on their declared surplus and undivided profits.  In response to a question about the last audit finding that some of the banks failed to keep adequate pledged securities to cover deposits, Ms. Casanovas stated that there had been no problems of that nature since the board voted to clarify wording within the Fiscal Agent Agreement document.  Upon motion of Darrin Manuel, seconded by Cassie Henry board members voted to adopt the Fiscal Agent Agreement for 2021-2022.

            Following action on the Fiscal Agent Agreement, board members heard two recommendations from the Finance Committee.  Without further discussion board members voted in favor of approving the following two motions: 

            a.         Motion to adopt a resolution approving Packaging Corporation of America #20170498-ITE (Industrial Tax Exemption) request at 80%.

            b.         Motion to adopt a resolution approving Packaging Corporation of America  #20190497-ITE (Industrial Tax Exemption) request at 80%.

            Board members heard a single recommendation from the Building and Grounds Committee:

            a.         To consider authorizing Champeaux, Evans, and Hotard and their Engineers to proceed

 with the design and engineering of the buildings and systems including modifications and upgrades related to storm damages, code compliance, hazard mitigation, and certain Owner requested items, at the campuses of South Beauregard Upper Elementary and South Beauregard High School.   Work completed may be fully or partially funded or reimbursed by insurance, FEMA, or may be owner financed when certain upgrades are selected outside the guidelines of FEMA or insurance. 

Upon motion of Darrin Manuel, seconded by Ray Bowman, the board voted to authorize the foregoing actions. 

            The final agenda item was to discuss the date for the first Long-Range Planning Committee meeting.  Mr. Vidrine stated that scheduling had proven difficult, and asked Mr. Cooley where we were on finances.  Mr. Cooley advised board members that the Director of Finance position should be filled by the date of the first meeting and that person could take part in the talks, if finances came up during the early stages. Mr. Vidrine requested that board members look at any definite conflict dates, so these could be considered.  Mr. Taylor suggested that the Long-Range Planning Committee meet prior to either the committee meetings (June 7) or board meetings (June 10) next month. After brief discussion, Wesley Taylor offered a motion to have the first Long-Range Planning Committee meeting at 4 pm, on Monday, June 7, 2021, just prior to the June committee meetings in the Beauregard Parish Central Office board room.  The motion was seconded by Cassie Henry and approved upon voting. 

            There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. 

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Secretary                                                                           President