The Beauregard Parish School Board met in regular session Thursday, July 8, 2021, at 6:00 pm in the Central Office Board Room. Board members David Vidrine, Darrin Manuel, Ray Bowman, Kathy Bruner, Wesley Taylor, Casey Jones, and Nikki Weldon were present. Garrettt Greene, Cassie Henry, Martha Jackson, and Student Representative Kynlee Farris were absent
Timothy J. Cooley, Superintendent, was present and acted as secretary.
The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were led by Debbie Dixon.
Upon motion of Ray Bowman, 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 June 10, 2021, regular meeting of the Beauregard Parish School Board as published in the official journal. Upon motion of Wesley Taylor, seconded by Ray Bowman, board members voted to adopt the minutes of the June 10, 2021, regular meeting of the Beauregard Parish School Board as published in the official journal.
Next, board members considered adopting the minutes of the June 16, 2021, special meeting of the Beauregard Parish School Board as published in the official journal. Upon motion of Wesley Taylor, seconded by Ray Bowman, board members voted to adopt the minutes of the June 16, 2021, special meeting of the Beauregard Parish School Board as published in the official journal.
Mr. Cooley began his Superintendent’s Report by advising board members that the new Garrison Commander at Fort Polk, Colonel Sam Smith, had been expected, but had not yet arrived.
Board members heard that Jane Hamilton had been named administrator of the Head Start program, Jason Anderson would serve as the principal of East Beauregard High School, and Johnny Metz has been named as Merryville High School principal.
Continuing to contract renewals, Mr. Cooley stated that the contract for Jimmy Maricle, Instructional Supervisor, would be renewed for the period from December 1, 2021, through November 30, 2023. Jennifer Stark, Assistant Principal at DeRidder Junior High School, would be renewed from January 6, 2022, through January 5, 2024.
Board members were advised that three locations in Beauregard Parish had qualified for the Louisiana Public Service Commission’s Energy Efficiency Program, through CLECO. These three schools (Carver Elementary, Pine Wood Elementary, and Merryville High School) will receive energy efficient LED lighting upgrades, with work being performed by H & H Electric. Mr. Cooley reported that other superintendents who have received this grant money have given the program high marks for providing significant savings on energy costs.
The next agenda item was to receive the budget for FYE 2021-2022. Ashley Carpenter explained that the budget book would look a bit different this year and noted that the figures pulled from Munis were unaudited numbers. Board members learned that one of Ms. Carpenter’s future goals was to reduce the number of line items from the current 27,000, down to a more manageable number. Continuing, board members heard that the three main funds, General Fund, Sales Tax, and Ad Valorem, all have a 5% reserve. Since insurance costs had been a topic of discussion previously, Ms. Carpenter noted that although RSLI had quoted a price of $965,000, the data found in Munis indicated an amount of $1.2 million for FYE 21, so the proposed budget for the FYE 22 used the $1.2 million figure, as a safeguard against getting hit with an unanticipated increase. Ms. Carpenter emphasized that the numbers from last year were unaudited and stated that she would do more research into why that amount was used in FYE 2021. The board had questions about the way certain information was displayed, and Ms. Carpenter noted that she would try to find out why Munis displayed a negative number in a column with a positive balance. Board members discussed whether additional audit procedures were advisable, and Mr. Cooley stated that since the budget year was just ending, auditors who were contacted seemed to feel that the regular audit would be sufficient to disclose any irregularities.
At this point the new Fort Polk Garrison Commander, Colonel Sam Smith arrived and the meeting paused to allow him a moment to present his report. Colonel Smith began by stating that although he was originally from Maryland, he had been stationed at Fort Polk in 2018-2019. Board members heard that “Freedom Fest,” the Independence Day celebration at Fort Polk had been well-attended and enjoyed by many. The Summer Reading Program would run until July 24, with 47 children and 34 adults signed up to participate, and Miss Louisiana had been among guests to read to children. Colonel Smith stated that Children, Youth, and School Services is sponsoring a “Survival Camp” to introduce children to outdoor survival and camping skills. Tiffany Koch is working on initiatives for virtual high school and grants through the Department of Defense for the 2021-2022 school year. Long-term goals will include consolidating the three child care facilities on base into just one, pending approval of the plans. Also, according to Colonel Smith, the installation had moved to a Health Protection Condition “Alpha” from “Bravo,” indicating the number of COVID-19 transmissions is continuing a downward trend. Colonel Smith emphasized his commitment to providing accurate information regarding the educational opportunities in and around Fort Polk, to encourage families to choose this area as a duty station.
Moving on to the next agenda item, board members were asked to consider approval of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for audit purposes. Ms. Carpenter explained that the questionnaire ensures that the school board is in compliance with all applicable state laws and there . There is a question about whether the auditor examines school board compliance with state laws or with board policy, which in some cases is more restrictive than state law requires. Ms. Carpenter states that she will find out and report back on this, but notes that the questionnaire simply addresses compliance with state law. Mr. Cooley added that the auditor is required to report on the board’s compliance with its own policies. Upon motion of Nikki Weldon, seconded by Casey Jones, board members voted to approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for audit purposes.
Board members were asked to consider school reopening guidelines for the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Cooley advised board members that there were updated guidelines issued as recently as earlier in the day, and that Eddie Joslin will provide an updated handout which incorporates these revisions. Mr. Joslin began by referring to the revised handout, stating that social distancing should remain an important part of the reopening plans and indoor group sizes will be determined using the 3 sq. ft. per student recommendations to the greatest extent possible. In addition, board members were informed that BESE had opted to issue only “recommendations” as opposed to “mandates.” Continuing, Mr. Joslin stated that the state guidelines suggest maintaining static groups for Grade 5 and under, no changes recommended for grades 6-12, other than to maintain social distancing. Sanitation (hands, high-touch surfaces) will continue as before. Most water fountains are now fitted with no-touch, bottle filling-stations. Health screenings should continue and each school should maintain their isolation room. Some schools were using cafeterias toward the end of the school year, and more will do so in the coming year, possibly by making some scheduling adjustments to maintain social distancing. Bus guidelines originally made the masks optional, but later revisions by the state had changed the language to “must” be worn, but board members felt very strongly that masks should be optional on buses. After additional discussion regarding masks and static groups, Kathy Bruner offered a motion to adopt school reopening guidelines making masks on buses optional and encouraging the use of static groups. The motion was approved by Casey Jones and approved upon voting.
The next agenda item was for board members to consider adopting a resolution concerning uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Ms. Carpenter explained that this was an annual requirement and in response to a question, Mr. Cooley advised board members that such coverage is usually declined. Upon motion of Darrin Manuel, seconded by Casey Jones, board members voted to adopt the following resolution:
The Beauregard Parish School Board resolves to authorize the superintendent to sign the required Louisiana Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist forms reflecting the selection of or rejection of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage. This selection is applicable to Commercial Automobile Insurance Coverage for the period of October 1, 2021 to October 1, 2022, as presented.
Next, board members considered a resolution concerning millages. Mr. Vidrine reviewed the millage procedures and why they are set the way they are. Mr. Cooley explained that Mr. Schlueter advised that the bond millage should not be changed. After hearing Mr. Cooley read the resolution in its entirety, upon motion of Ray Bowman, seconded by Casey Jones, the following resolution was adopted:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2021 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the Beauregard Parish School Board:
MILLAGE
Constitution Tax 5.12 mills
Parishwide Maintaining and Operating 9.25 mills
Parishwide Maintaining and Operating 22.52 mills
Parishwide Bond Principal & Interest 17.80 mills
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of Beauregard, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2021, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.
The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted.
The next agenda item was for board members to consider approval of the Head Start job descriptions. Tammy Crain explained that the Head Start staff would consist of teachers, co-teachers, a secretary and a coach/family services coordinator. Ms. Crain further clarified that job descriptions must specify that they are Head Start positions, so the “Head Start Co-Teacher” job description was the Head Start designation for what the BPSB calls a “Teacher’s Aide.” Upon motion of Ray Bowman, seconded by Wesley Taylor, board members voted to approve the Head Start job descriptions as presented.
Board members’ next item for consideration was the salary schedule for 2021-2022 with legislative increase and Head Start additions. Ashley Carpenter explained that the salary schedules that were sent to the board have been revised to incorporate the legislative increase
of $400 for every support position at every level, including the just-approved Head Start Co-Teacher and Head Start Secretary, and $800 for teachers at every level and for each degree type. In response to a question about how teachers received their salary placement, Ms. Crain explained that the Louisiana Department of Education had changed the salary criteria setting salary on years of experience in favor of a system that uses levels to base future salary increases on effectiveness. Ms. Crain shared an example that a new teacher coming from outside of Beauregard Parish would have their years of experience considered first, then using the salary for that amount of experience, place them on our schedule of “levels,” with future increases to be based on favorable evaluations. Under this system, increases in salary are not automatic, and less than favorable evaluations might result in a teacher remaining at the same level for more than one year, making the “level” a different figure than the “years of experience.” Kathy Bruner offered a motion to approve the salary schedules for 2021-2022 with the legislative increase and Head Start additions. The motion was seconded by Nikki Weldon and approved upon voting.
For the next item, “To announce plans to adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Parishwide School District of the Parish of Beauregard, State of Louisiana to authorize the renewal/continuation of an ad valorem tax,” Mr. Cooley explained that the 9.25 mill Ad Valorem maintenance and operating tax expires in June 2022. Prior to that time, the voters must approve continuing the tax. According to Mr. Cooley, it seemed the safest course of action would be to place this tax before the voters in November 2021, when no other taxes were currently scheduled to share the ballot, although this is subject to change. Upon motion of Kathy Bruner, seconded by Casey Jones, the following announcement was read in its entirety:
Announcement of Public Meeting
Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at its regular meeting place, the Parish School Board Office, 202 W. Third Street, DeRidder, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of Beauregard, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in Parishwide School District of the Parish of Beauregard, State of Louisiana to authorize the renewal/continuation of an ad valorem tax therein.
Discussion on how the millage rates were set and how they were changed from the amount at the last renewal, which was 10 years prior, continued for several minutes. Mr. Cooley advised that information about the millage rates was obtained from the office of the Beauregard Parish Tax Assessor and was based on the valuation of the properties by the assessor’s office, but that he would request clarification from the assessor’s office in case there were questions asked about why it was changed.
The final agenda item was for board members to hear a single recommendation from the Finance Committee, a motion to adopt a resolution approving Ingevity #20210184-ITE (Industrial Tax Exemption) at 80%. Upon voting, board members approved the motion to adopt a resolution granting the request for the Ingevity #20210184-ITE (Industrial Tax Exemption) at 80%, with six “yes” votes and one absention (Weldon.)
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
_______________________________ _______________________________
Secretary President