The Ouachita Parish School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at twelve (12:00) o’clock noon at its regular meeting place, the Ouachita Parish School Board office.

            President Hicks called the meeting to order and welcomed visitors and guests to the meeting.

            The roll was called and the following members were present:  Tommy Comeaux, Scott Robinson, A. R. Sims, Jerry R. Hicks, John Russell and Carey Walker.  Greg Manley was the only member absent. 

            Board member Tommy Comeaux led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

            The Invocation was given by Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones.

            On motion by A. R. Sims, seconded by Carey Walker, the Board approved the Minutes of April 10, 2018 as written.  Motion carried unanimously.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            Motion by Tommy Comeaux, seconded by A. R. Sims, that the Board amend the Agenda to add under the Business Section of the Agenda, items No. 6 (Purchase New Football Scoreboard at Richwood High School with East Side Bonds by Bobby Jones) & No. 8 (Consider Purchasing Property at 214 Riggs Street, W.M. by Kenneth Slusher).  Motion carried unanimously.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            On motion by Carey Walker, seconded by Tommy Comeaux, the Board approved the amended Agenda as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            Superintendent Coker presented several administrative positions he is seeking permission to open.  Due to the upcoming retirement of current administrators, the following positions will need to be filled:   Assistant Principal at West Monroe High School (Janice Brewster); Assistant Principal at Woodlawn Middle School (William George); Instructional Team Coordinator (6th-12th Grade Science) (Jane Brewster – presently PreK- 3 subject to change); Professional Development Coordinator Title II (Tammie Cox); Alternative School Coordinator (Scott Stone – Moving position from Principal to Coordinator 12 Mo.);  and Maintenance Supervisor (Scottie Nugent).  Whereby, Tommy Comeaux moved, seconded by A. R. Sims, that the Board grant Dr. Coker permission to open the aforementioned positions as presented.  President Hicks invited public comment and motion unanimously carried.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            Our regional winners of the “Student of the Year” competition were announced and recognized by Dr. Coker and the Board.  Three students representing Ouachita Parish Schools recently won all three levels of the “Regional Student of the Year” competition in Baton Rouge (Elementary, Middle School and High School).  Ouachita’s finalists include fifth grader, Colston Brandon, Woodlawn Elementary; eighth grader, Jeremy Nelson III, Ouachita Junior High and senior, Kaleb Nolan, West Ouachita High.  According to Dr. Coker, this is the first time in the history of Ouachita Parish Schools that all three levels of regional competition were won by our students in a single year.

            On the recommendation of the Superintendent, John Russell moved, seconded by Scott Robinson, that the Board amend the 2017-18 School Calendar and end the academic year two days earlier than originally planned for students.  Since the calendar had 6 ½ days for inclement weather built in and so far only 3 days have been used, he recommended that the school year for students be reduced by two days, rewarding them for their hard work all year long.  On students’ last day, school will dismiss at 3 p.m. May 22 and qualifying employees within the schools will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. May 25.  The extra time will provide teachers the opportunity to prepare for professional development instruction needed because a new math curriculum is coming out soon, along with a new science and social studies program.    Dr. Coker stated that the district is still well within the instructional minutes required and time requirements for nine-month employees.  President Hicks offered a brief moment for public comment and motion unanimously carried.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            Amy Tynes, CPA with Allen, Green & Williamson, LLP, presented their Audit of Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2017 for the Board’s consideration.  Following Ms. Tynes report, Carey Walker moved, seconded by John Russell, that the Board accept the report as presented.  President Hicks offered a brief moment for public comment and motion carried unanimously.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            Mr. Herbert Dixon, Outreach Coordinator with the Louisiana Workforce Commission asked the Board to continue the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement that is up for renewal this year and John Russell moved, seconded by Carey Walker, that the Board adopt the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Ouachita Parish School Board and the Workforce Development Board 81, effective July 1, 2018 as presented.  The LWC provides education, training and support services to out of-school youth, ages 16-24, who are facing educational and/or economic challenges.  President Hicks offered a brief moment for public comment and motion unanimously carried.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            On the recommendation of Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones, Tommy Comeaux moved, seconded by Scott Robinson, that the Board approve the additional cost of adding/replacing new lightbulbs and materials needed for the light poles ready to be installed at WMHS and SMS.  Before the light poles are permanently installed, the contractor will check out the lighting system to make sure all lights are working properly while the poles are on the ground.  This method would save the Board considerable costs if the lights are checked and wired for power while the poles are down and Mr. Jones recommended increasing the original contract amount to include the cost of the new lights and materials needed to install the poles with the lights at a total additional cost of $16,474.72 for the two projects as described above.  The additional cost will be divided equally between the two funding sources, the Eastside Bonds and Westside Sales Tax.  Following a brief moment allowed for public comment, motion unanimously carried.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones provided information for the Board’s consideration regarding quotations received for a new football scoreboard and delay of game clocks for Richwood High School.  He pointed out that the Rainey quote is slightly higher than Munn Enterprises.  Although, Rainey’s quote does not include new poles for the delay of game clocks, he still recommends Rainey because the scoreboard is larger (8’x 26’) versus (8’ X 18’) and provides a better warranty with a one (1) year parts and labor service in addition to nine (9) years of parts and bench labor versus five (5) years parts only with Munn. 

Whereby, John Russell moved, seconded by Carey Walker, that the Board accept the quote of $29,657.00 from Rainey for a football scoreboard and delay of game clocks at Richwood High School that includes a one (1) year warranty on parts and labor service in addition to nine (9) years of parts and bench labor and funded with Eastside Bonds.  President Hicks offered a brief moment for public comment and motion carried unanimously.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

Carey Walker moved, seconded by John Russell, that the Board grant permission to hire an architect with the Architecture Alliance Group LLC for the roof replacement project at OPHS.  President Hicks offered a brief moment for public comment and motion unanimously carried.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

Special Projects/Safety Coordinator Kenneth Slusher presented pictures and information about a house and adjacent vacant lot he is interested in purchasing on behalf of the School Board.  The property is located on the corner of 214 Riggs and Travis Streets directly across from West Monroe High School’s main office.  Mr. Slusher asked the Board to allow Board attorney Elmer Noah to enter into an agreement with the owner, Mrs. Allen, to purchase the house and vacant lot for a total of $60,000.00.  Mr. Slusher added that, out of several on-site properties he is interested in purchasing in this area, this is the only one with a clear title. 

            Whereby, Tommy Comeaux moved, seconded by Scott Robinson, that the Board grant permission to Board attorney Elmer Noah to draw up and enter into a buy/sell agreement with the property owner, Mrs. Allen, to proceed with the purchase of her house and property located at 214 Riggs Street in West Monroe, Louisiana for a total purchase price of $60,000.  President Hicks offered a brief moment for public comment and motion unanimously carried.  ABSENT:  Greg Manley

            Upon the recommendation of Special Projects/Safety Coordinator Kenneth Slusher, Scott Robinson moved, seconded by Tommy Comeaux, that the Board accept the low Base Bid from Don Leach Construction to build an addition to the existing baseball locker room at WOHS that includes Add Alternates No. 1 & 2:   Add Alternate No. 1 (Roof replacement of existing roof on the Girl’s Locker Room and existing roof on the Concession Stand for a total of $9,000 for both units) and Add Alternate No. 2 (Entry enhancement using brick columns and entry gates with signage leading into the baseball and softball fields for $33,000) with a total budget of $250,000 that will be paid with West Ouachita Bond Sales [Bid No. 27-18].  President Hicks offered a brief moment for public comment and motion carried unanimously.

            Upon the recommendation of Special Projects/Safety Coordinator Kenneth Slusher, Scott Robinson moved, seconded by Tommy Comeaux, that the Board accept the low bid meeting specifications in the amount of $282,000 from Gentry Construction with a budget of $285,000 and funded with Eastside Bond Funds [Bid No. 43-18].  Following the President’s offer for public comment, motion unanimously carried.

            Upon the recommendation of Child Nutrition Services Director, Jo Lynne Correro, Scott Robinson moved, seconded by Tommy Comeaux, that the Board accept the bid of $42,939.00 from E-Control Systems for the RFP for installing Temperature Monitoring Systems for OPSS walk-in coolers and freezers in the district as presented by Mrs. Correro [Bid No. RFP FS38-18], which is funded through the Child Nutrition Program with a budget of $50,000.  Public discussion was offered by President Hicks and motion unanimously carried.

            On the recommendation of Purchasing Agent Bobby Jones, Tommy Comeaux moved, seconded by John Russell, that the Board grant permission to bid the following three items:  (1)  Tork Paper [Bid No. 11-19];  (2)  Toilet Paper [Bid No. 12-19];  &  (3)  Air Filters [Bid No. 13-19].  All three items are paid from the General Fund.  Public discussion was allowed by Mr. Hicks ad motion carried unanimously.

            The next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 12:00 noon.

            A brief announcement was heard from Dr. Coker regarding our high school graduation schedule and there being no further business to discuss, Mr. Sims moved, seconded by Mr. Comeaux, that the meeting adjourn.  Motion carried unanimously.

OUACHITA PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

 

                                                                                                       

Jerry R. Hicks, President

ATTEST:

 

Don Coker, Secretary

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