The Ouachita Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at six (6:00) o’clock p.m. at its regular meeting place, the Ouachita Parish School Board Office.
President Hicks called the meeting to order, followed by a welcome to visitors and guests attending the meeting.
The roll was called and the following members were present: Tommy Comeaux, Scott Robinson, A. R. Sims, Jerry R. Hicks, John Russell, Carey Walker and Greg Manley. There were none absent.
Board member Carey Walker led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
The Invocation was given by Board member Greg Manley.
On motion by Greg Manley, seconded by A. R. Sims, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of January 26, 2016 as written.
Tommy Comeaux moved, seconded by A. R. Sims, that the Board approve the changes as presented on the Agenda since mail-out. Motion carried unanimously.
On motion by Mr. Sims, seconded by Carey Walker, the Board approved the amended Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Coker announced that after interviews were conducted by Personnel Director Todd Guice, Angela Spivey was appointed to the position of Assistant Principal of Robinson Elementary School, effective February 8, 2016.
Title I Supervisor Dr. Peggy Wheelis presented Policy DEC: Municipal Advisor to the Board for approval that has been reviewed and recommended by Business Director Juanita Duke and Board attorney Elmer Noah. Whereby, Carey Walker moved, seconded by Scott Robinson, that the Board approve Policy DEC: Municipal Advisor as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor of Safety/Construction Kenneth Slusher reported he had received pre-bids for the AG Science building at West Monroe High School Monday with 7 contractors present for a mandatory pre-bid. The fire marshal will inspect the new classroom additions at Sterlington Elementary School the 18th of this month and West Ridge Middle School is waiting on their building materials to be delivered the 29th of this month. He concluded his report with news that all school walkway construction projects are incomplete due to the delay of the steel material and predicts that it will take a week or more after the steel arrives to get them completed.
Supervisor of Safety/Construction Kenneth Slusher reminded the Board that no action was taken at the last Board meeting on his recommendation to construct a retention pond at West Ouachita High School to take care of rainwater runoff that threatens potential flooding to the neighbor’s property located behind the school due to new construction at the school. To resolve this issue, Mr. Slusher asked that the item be placed back on the Agenda to be discussed at the next Board meeting.
Mr. Slusher concluded his construction report affirming Lenwil’s drainage and concrete work have been completed, that includes the parking lot which has been recovered and striped painted. The contractor is waiting on the steel to come in to finish the covered walkway(s).
On the recommendation of Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones, Greg Manley moved, seconded by A. R. Sims, that the Board accept Bid Items 1 & 2 from Scott Truck & Tractor: Item (1) for (10) Regular Ed Buses at $78,595 each to be paid with M&O Capital Improvement funds in addition to a grant received through the Transportation Dept. which gives a rebate of $20,000 per bus and accept the bid for Item (2) for (1) Handicap Bus at $93,855 to be paid with Medicaid Funds[Bid No. 37-16]. Motion carried unanimously.
Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones announced that the Sale Date for Surplus Equipment [Bid No. 42-16] has been moved to February 22.
On the recommendation of Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones, Tommy Comeaux moved, seconded by A. R. Sims, that the Board reject the bids from CIS and Mechanical Concepts for HVAC/Chillers because neither bidder could meet the delivery date deadline as requested on the bid document and were considered non-responsive [Bid No. 44-16]. Motion carried unanimously.
On the recommendation of Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones, John Russell moved, seconded by Tommy Comeaux, that the Board table the bid [Bid No. 45-16] for materials for Shady Grove Elementary because Mr. Jones never got an answer to questions he had about the items before the Board meeting. Therefore, Mr. Jones asked that this item be tabled until the next Board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
A discussion followed with a question from Carey Walker about the projected date for completion of the new eastside middle school in Swartz. Architect Rice Gregory responded with an extended date of early spring, February or March 2017 allowing for weather delays.
On the recommendation of Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones, Scott Robinson moved, seconded by Tommy Comeaux, that the Board grant permission to bid the following items: (1) Copy Paper [Bid No. 47-16]; (2) LED Message Centers for West Ridge Middle, Claiborne Elementary and Kiroli with a budget of $66,000 (Since a third quote was not received for Ouachita Parish High School sign, all three message centers will be bid together and paid from M&O and Westside Sales Tax funds). Schools will be notified that the Board will pay up to the bid amount for their message board, but the school will be responsible for any balances over the accepted bid amount. (3) Chillers/Air Handlers received no responsive bids to [Bid No. 44-16] and [Bid No. 49-16] was assigned to this re-bid item. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Coker announced that the next Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 24th at 2:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Central Office beginning with the AdvancEd District Accreditation Review Team report where they will publically release their findings and evaluations of our district’s performance scores. The regular Board meeting will follow the AdvancEd team’s presentation.
In conclusion, the Superintendent mentioned the speech he gave during “The State of Schools” luncheon earlier today where he publically revealed the new logo, “Ouachita Parish Schools, Building Bridges to the Future.” He provided copies of the new Mission Statement which contained our Vision, Mission and Beliefs for Ouachita Parish Schools. He is especially proud of the committee for streamlining our beliefs into one page from two full pages along with a new logo we are going to be using this 2016-17 school year. We have now until the end of the school year to start working toward the implementation process. This came about with the collaboration from many people within our system.
There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Sims moved, seconded by Tommy Comeaux, that the Board meeting adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
OUACHITA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Jerry R. Hicks, President
ATTEST:
Don Coker, Secretary
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