JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
APRIL 15, 2021
The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board met in Regular session at 203 E. Plaquemine Street, Jennings, LA 70546, on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., with the following School Board members present: President, Jody Singletary, Vice-President, James Segura, Members, Phillip Arceneaux, Greg Bordelon, Jason Bouley, Charles Bruchhaus, Malon Dobson, Doise Doise, Terry Leger, Denise Perry and Paul Trahan. Absent: David Capdeville and Donald Dees.
The Jefferson Davis Parish School Board welcomes public input as to all agenda items which it considers and understands the inconvenience which COVID-19 guidelines impose. In an effort to meet within the CDC recommendations and to comply with the Governor’s orders (Modified Phase II), while at the same time providing the opportunity for public comment, the Board will adhere to the following procedures at its meetings:
1. Capacity limitations of 30 persons (First preference to Board Members and necessary staff) will be followed in the Board Room at its normal meeting place in Jennings, LA;
2. Public participants wishing to become an active part of the meeting agenda must request written permission (via email to debbie.abshire@jdpsbk12.org) no later than one day prior to the meeting date. Individual speakers are granted three minutes to speak when public comment is acknowledged.
3. Once public participants have submitted a written request to speak, they will receive the active participant link via email.
4. This is a live remote-access meeting for public participation. Video and audio will be recorded throughout the entirety of this meeting and will be archived.
5. As this is a live remote-access meeting, all active speakers are to adhere to professional meeting etiquette. Please refrain from using any profane language or making derogatory remarks aimed at any individual or group.
6. This meeting will be moderated for all active participants. Any active participant not adhering to the guidelines set forth in this document will be muted or removed from the meeting (depending on extent of violation).
7. Active participants are asked to mute their microphones when not speaking. Unmuted participants (not actively speaking or asked to speak) will be muted by the moderator.
8. During the meeting, questions can be submitted using the “Chat” feature (comment bubble icon). All questions submitted in the “Chat” feature will be visible to all participants and should adhere to the same guidelines as outlined in number 2 on this page.
9. This meeting will be live-streamed (view only) to the public for those requesting. The live-stream recording will be available after the meeting on the district website at www.jeffersondavis.org.
The meeting was called to order by President Singletary.
President Singletary certified the following:
A. President or presiding officer certifies the following:
A. Governor has declared a State of Emergency (Modified Phase II)
B. Nature of Emergency could cause more than 30 persons present in the Boardroom to be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the Public in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines;
C. This is a live remote-access meeting for public participation. Video and audio will be recorded throughout the entirety of this meeting and will be archived.
D. This meeting will be live-streamed (view only) to the public. The live-stream link will be available on the district website at www.jeffersondavis.org.
The record will reflect that all requests for public viewing were sent links to the meeting.
An invocation by Mr. Arissa Ceballos, student from LAHS, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag led by the LAHS Lady Tigers Basketball team.
Motion by Mr. Leger, seconded by Mr. Segura and unanimously carried to approve the School Board minutes of the Regular Meeting on March 18, 2021.
Motion by Mr. Trahan, seconded by Mr. Bouley and unanimously carried that the Board call for a vote to take care of items of business not listed on the original agenda or to change the order of topics to be addressed and to add items not on the original agenda.
RECOGNITION OR PRESENTATIONS:
1. Congrats to Lake Arthur High School Girls Basketball Team and Coaches, 2021 Class 2A State Basketball Champions.
2. Congrats to Hathaway High School Girls Basketball Team and Coaches, 2021 Class B State Runner up Basketball Champs.
3. Congratulations to JHS Principal, Selena Gomes, who has been named a State Principal of the Year semi-finalist.
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Information Item only:
Under the Public Covid Emergency Declaration of March 19, 2020 the Child Nutrition program purchased 3 Full Height Insulated Mobile Heated Cabinets from Central Restaurant Products for $6,296.00 each (Total $18,888.00) to assist in keeping food warm for the new model of distribution of meals that is being implemented at some sites due to all students returning to campus everyday. Other quotes received from Katom Restaurant Supply ($6,548.00) and Atlantic Shelving ($8,185.00). To be paid from ESSER II funds.
The following recommendations were made by Mr. James Segura, Finance Committee Chairman, that the School Board:
Grant permission to LAHS to accept the following donations:
1. Lake Arthur Varsity Club - $450.00 to be used for the baseball program to help offset expenses.
2. Hammond Chamber of Commerce - $100.00 to be used for the girls basketball program to help offset expenses.
3. LAHS Girls Basketball Program to purchase State Championship Rings and help offset expenses for the Awards Banquet:
1. Dreamcatcher Construction, LLC $ 275.00
2. Thrifty Way Pharmacy of Lake Arthur $1,000.00
3. LJS Services, LLC $1,500.00
4. The Bank - Lake Arthur $ 500.00
5. Rachel David, M.D. $1,000.00
6. Don Gauthier $1,000.00
7. Judy & Leonard Meaux $ 800.00
8. Sterling Automotive $ 500.00
9. Bubba Oustalet $ 650.00
10. Loretta Broussard $ 300.00
11. Gotta Potty, LLC $ 100.00
12. Preferred Contractors $ 550.00
13. Richard Savoie, III $ 500.00
14. Tiger Mart $1,000.00
15. Dana Williams $ 100.00
16. Kenny & Sue Chapman $ 360.00
17. Waste Connections $ 500.00
18. Keith & Mary Simpson $ 50.00
Motion seconded by Mr. Trahan and unanimously carried.
Grant permission to WHS to accept the following donations:
1. Crawfish Boil and Go, Inc., $300.00 to Boys basketball to be used for play-off game, team travel and meals.
Motion seconded by Mr. Bouley and unanimously carried.
Grant permission to WAR to accept the following donations:
1. Jeff Davis Bank - $1,000.00 Crawfish Boil and Go, Inc., $300.00 to be used towards offsetting the cost of awards for WAR Awards Day and student incentives.
Motion seconded by Mr. Trahan and unanimously carried.
Grant permission to EHS to accept the painting bid of $103,191.90 from Dupuis Construction to wash, caulk, prime, paint the main building and metal buildings. Other quotes received from David Duplichan $156,864.50 and Crest Exteriors, LLC $174,206.00. To be paid from Elton Contingency. Motion seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and unanimously carried.
Grant permission to EHS to accept the following donations:
1. Cheerleaders - $65.86 from Campus Box Media. To be used to help defray expenses for this year's sports seasons.
Motion seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and unanimously carried.
Grant permission to EES to purchase a Badboy 61 inch Rebel 36HP Vanguard Zero turn mower from Kenjabruch in Elton at a cost of $7,104.30. Other quotes received from Thib’s Outdoor Equipment & Trailers, LLC ($7,994.66) and Hornsby Lawn & Equipment ($11,005.15). To be paid from Elton Contingency. Motion seconded by Mr. Bruchhaus and unanimously carried.
Grant permission to Laurie Duhon, Technology Supervisor to enter contract negotiations with Spectrum VOIP for VOIP phone services. Our current contract with Conterra expires on May 24, 2021. This new contract will be a 36 month contract and will include enhanced VOIP services with monthly billing for equipment lease and VOIP services. State contract pricing for Spectrum VOIP will be $5,414.48 monthly for the duration of the 36 month contract. Other quotes were received from Conterra ($6,979.55); Ring Central ($5,200.00 with a $16,500.00 implementation fee); Jennings Public Phone/United Technology Group ($11,836.80); Southwest Communications ($6,238.20 with a $1,400 implementation fee); Trust Security/Broadvoice ($4.166.51 with a $9,000 deployment fee); and Reach 4 Communications ($8,700.00). Motion seconded by Mr. Leger and unanimously carried.
Grant permission to HHS to accept the following donations:
1. High School Cheer:
A. $686.00 in anonymous donations - to assist with covering expenses for cheerleaders to attend boys and girls state semi-finals and finals games.
2. High School boys basketball to assist with defraying expenses for the team to attend the state semifinals basketball game and to assist with other expenses related to the boys basketball Team:
A. $940.00 - T-shirt shop - portion of t-shirt sales from state semi-finals shirts.
B. $250.00 - Kenneth Young
C. $2,820.00 - Anonymous donations.
Motion seconded by Mr. Dobson and unanimously carried.
The following recommendations were made by Mr. Terry Leger, Building & Grounds Committee, that the School Board adopt the following policies:
1. Sabbatical Leave: File GBRHA
Effective: April 2021(upon approval)
Jefferson Davis Parish School Board is requesting to add the following verbiage to an already existing sabbatical leave policy.
A teacher may make application for medical sabbatical leave, which shall be accompanied by a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the leave is medically necessary. New Part: A medical sabbatical can only be approved for the health concern of the employee.
2. Foreign Exchange Students: File JQK
Effective: April 2021 (upon approval)
Jefferson Davis Parish School Board is requesting to delete the following highlighted verbiage to an already existing foreign exchange students’ policy. International student change programs are welcomed by the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board. Prior to approval which must occur during June or July, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall review the program’s qualifications to assure compliance with all state, federal, and School Board requirements.
Motion seconded by Mr. Dobson and unanimously carried.
The following recommendations were made by Mr. Greg Bordelon, Transportation Committee Chairman, that the School Board:
Grant permission to purchase on State Contract (3) new 2021 71 passenger Bluebird Vision diesel buses at a cost of $84,710.30 each. The total cost for the 3 buses is $254,130.90. To be paid from 2021-22 budget. Motion seconded by Mr. Doise and unanimously carried.
Declare the following buses surplus and send to the next available surplus auction:
1. Bus 244 VIN # 1FDPB80CXTVA15643
2. Bus 250 VIN # 1HVBBAAP4TH259921
Motion seconded by Mr. Dobson and unanimously carried.
Grant permission for Transportation Supervisor Guilbeaux to seek quotes to purchase another 71 passenger Bluebird Vision diesel bus. Motion seconded by Mr. Bouley and unanimously carried.
The following committees had no reports to present:
Insurance - David Doise, Chairman
Building & Grounds- Terry Leger, Chairman
16th Section - Charles Bruchhaus, Chairman
Ward II (Ad Hoc) - Donald Dees, Chairman
Legislative Liaison - Donald Dees, Chairman
Food Service Committee - Malon Dobson, Chairman
The Sales Tax report was given by Mrs. Amber Hymel, Tax Collector.
NEW BUSINESS:
Motion by Mr. Leger, seconded by Mr. Bouley and unanimously approved to grant permission to the Child Nutrition Program to surplus the following items and send to next available auction:
1. EES washer/dryer unit Whirlpool Model number WET3300XQ1 Serial Number M42320307.
2. LAE dryer Estate Model number EED4300TQ0 Serial number MW0622508; miscellaneous broken and outdated items from various cafeterias.
Motion by Mr. Arceneaux, seconded by Mr. Trahan and unanimously approved to approve the following areas of critical shortage for the 2020-2021 school session: Special Education, Speech Therapist/Pathologist, 6-12 Math, 6-12 Science, 6-12 English, 6-12 Social Studies, 6-12 Business Education, 6- 12 Spanish, 6-12 French, FACS, Bus Driver, Counselor and Administration. These critical shortage areas will be referenced for purposes of tuition reimbursement and for compas salary schedule and for retire-rehire recommendations.
Motion by Mr. Bordelon, seconded by Mr. Doise and unanimously approved to accept the e revisions to the 2021-2022 calendar - revised testing dates.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Richard Metcalf addressed the Board to discuss starting a beekeeping program at Hathaway High School.
Board discussed the Louisiana Centralized Sales Tax Collection.
INFORMATION
1. Jefferson Davis Parish Job Fair will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the Lacassine High School Gymnasium.
2. The May, 2021 Finance and any other Committee meetings will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
1. PERSONNEL CHANGES
A. Personnel appointments as determined by the Superintendent:
1. Name CHRISTINA FONTENOT, Coordinator of Federal Programs/Educational Media Center, effective 07/01/21, re: Rory Myers promotion.
2. Name SEAN RICHARD, Principal at Elton High School, effective 07/01/21, re: John Gay retirement.
3. Name LORI FONTENOT, JES Clerical Aide, effective 04/15/21, re: Natalie Pousson resignation.
B. Personnel changes:
APPOINTMENTS
1. Misty Guillory, JES SPED Para, 03/22/21,re: Peggy Langley retired.
TRANSFERS
1. Carson Hargroder, EHS Teacher/Coach to JHS Teacher/Coach, 08/01/21.
LEAVES
1. V. Bertrand, HHS Teacher, 03/11/2 and 03/31/21.
2. R. Natali, FES School Counselor, 03/19/21 to 04/19/21.
3. A. Curry, JHS Teacher, 03/11/21 to 03/12/21 and 03/16/21 to 03/21/21.
4. S. Lemonia, FES Custodian, 02/01/21 to 04/12/21.
5. B. Simon, LAHS Cafeteria Tech, 03/05/21 to 05/29/21.
6. K. Newman, WES Teacher, 03/15/21 to 04/01/21.
7. A. Hymel, SBO Tax Administrator, 03/05/21 thru 12pm and 03/15/21 and 03/17/21.
8. A. Jones. LAE Para, 04/01/21 to 04/15/21.
9. S. Broussard, JWES Teacher, 03/29/21 to 05/07/21.
RETIREMENTS
1. Dwayne Viney, Computer Technician, EMC, effective 07/01/21, with 28 years of service.
2. Tana Garcia, LAHS Teacher, effective 05/2721, with 32.5 years of service.
3. Rebecca P. Cormier, JWES Teacher/RTI Coach, effective 05/27/21, with 42 years of service.
4. Maggie McGee, WES Teacher, effective 05/27/21, with 30 years of service.
RESIGNATION
1. Meagan LaMarque, LAHS Cafeteria Tech, 03/22/21.
2. Natalie Pousson, JES Clerical Aide, 03/19/21.
3. Jasmin Charbonier, HHS Cafeteria Tech, 05/27/21.
4. Carlo Maggio, EHS Teacher/Coach, 05/27/21.
5. Lindsey Kinney, LHS Teacher, 05/27/21.
6. Marlene Roche, HHS Counselor, 06/10/21.
ADJOURN
There being no other business to come before the Board, it was moved by Mr. Leger, seconded by Mr. Bouley and unanimously carried, to adjourn.
______________________________________
/s/ Jody Singletary, President
ATTEST:
______________________________________
/s/Kirk Credeur, Secretary/Superintendent
Note: Items purchased by quotes or bids may be reviewed at the School Board office during normal business hours. All policies can be reviewed at any facility under the jurisdiction of the Jefferson Davis Parish School Board.