WEBSTER PARISH SCHOOL

BOARD MEETING

MINUTES FOR

MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2020

6:00 P.M.

The Webster Parish School Board met at 1442 Sheppard Street, Minden, Louisiana, on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 6:00 P.M.  The meeting was called to order by President Johnnye Kennon with the following members present:  Margaret Edens, Fred Evans, Jerry Lott, Malachi Ridgel, Johnnye Kennon, Charles Strong, Penny Long, Frankie Mitchell, Linda Kinsey, and Ronnie Rhymes.  Absent:  Ronnie Broughton (due to illness) and Jeri O’Neal.  Prayer was given by Ronnie Rhymes.  Pledge of Allegiance was led by Frankie Mitchell.  Greetings were given by President Johnnye Kennon, stating that this is the beginning of a new school year, 2020, and we hope to have another successful year.

ITEM #2. – Approve Minutes from Finance Committee Meeting held December 2, 2019.  Motion to approve was made by Malachi Ridgel; seconded by Fred Evans.  Motion passed.

 ITEM #3. – Approve Minutes from Regular Board Meeting December 2, 2019.  Motion to approve was made by Ronnie Rhymes; seconded by Jerry Lott.  Motion was approved.

The President informed the board members of the email with the three (3) amended agenda items that need to be considered.  Superintendent Johnny Rowland read each.  Margaret Edens stated that ITEM #12A has to be removed and ITEM #18 also from North Webster High School. Motion to amend the agenda was made by Charles Strong; seconded by Fred Evans.  Approval was by a show of hands.  It was a unanimous vote.

ITEM #12A – Consider approval of adding bass fishing as a club activity at all applicable schools in Webster Parish effective January 7, 2020.

ITEM #12B – Consider approval for the content coaches to attend Instructional Coaching for School Excellence Conference on February 9-11, 2020, in San Antonio,

Texas, using EEF Funds.

ITEM #21A – Consider ratification for approval of Change Proposal #005 for the bi-axial geogrid material to be installed under the new access drive at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School in the amount of $9,043.65 using Consolidated District No. 3 Maintenance Funds.

ITEM #4. – Presentation by Mr. Rodney Taylor, of Taylor & Sons – Employee of the Month:  Mr. Kevin Washington, Assistant Superintendent/Student Services.  Mr. Taylor informed the board that this is the 100^th person to receive the award in Webster Parish.  Kudos were also read by Mr. Taylor about Mr. Washington.

ITEM #5. – Mrs. Laura Alderman, Executive Director of Step Forward, to address the Board.  She stated that this is a non-profit organization and that she has some good news to address and inform the board of.  The focus on several items: kindergarten, 3^rd grade reading, and high school graduation.  Webster Parish is #1, School is North Webster Upper Elementary, Ms. Beatha Brantley was present to receive the award and banner.  Four of the top ten schools are NW High School with a percentage of #9 out of the top 10, Lakeside 4.8% increase; Minden High 6.1% increase and 28% Doyline High School was at the top of the list.  The resolution has to be considered with the signing of it in February for the organization.

ITEM #6. – Mr. Michael Trainor of the Minden Evening Lions Club to address the Board.  Jerry Madden of the Minden Lions Club also accompanied Mr. Trainor.  57 kids from Headstart Program; 24 received glasses.  They start from Pre-K to first grade.  They are asking the boards permission to supply glasses for the kids, which is free; the camera to test the children’s eyes has already been purchased.  One of our nurses was tested and it picked up immediately on her needing glasses.  Board members were given copies of the 6 things that they will be looking for.  This is why they are stressing that they be allowed to go into the public schools of Webster Parish.  Fred Evans asked what happens to the pictures that are taken of the child.  No data is saved; it is a picture of the eye.

Vice-President Charles Strong asked for personal time to address the board members and inform them of Ronnie Broughton being hospitalized.  Also he asked for prayers for him as well as the family during his illness.

ITEM #7. – Notice is hereby given that at the meeting to be held Monday, February 3, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at its regular meeting place, the Parish School Board Office, 1442 Sheppard Street, Minden, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held within Doyline School District No. 7 of the Parish of Webster, State of Louisiana to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax.

ITEM #8. – Consider approval for the Federal Programs Director Mrs. Yolanda Palmer to attend The National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators meeting in Washington, D.C. March 16 -18, 2020.  Motion to approve was made by Jerry Lott; seconded by Ronnie Rhymes.  Motion passed.

ITEM #9. – Consider approval of modular construction by Head Start at Head Start Facility in Minden, Louisiana.  Motion made by Fred Evans; seconded by Jerry Lott.  Motion passed.

 ITEM #10. – Coordinated Funding Request – Mrs. Oreata Banks, Elementary Supervisor.  She explained to the board members what they are requesting.  Fred Evans asked if we have to front some of the funding.

 ITEM #11. – Consider approval to advertise and receive bids for the sale of  approximately  6.5 acres of Webster Parish School Board property located at 215 North Middle Landing Road, Minden, LA.  Motion was made by Frankie Mitchell; seconded by Penny Long.  Jerry Lott asked if the land has been appraised.  Fred Evans stated to include appraisal and advertising.  No further questions, motion passed.

  ITEM #12. – Consider approval of cooperative endeavor and lease agreement/lease Rider between Webster Parish School Board and Webster Parish Police Jury for the  use of the former campuses at Jerry A. Moore School and J.S. Clark School as campuses for Head Start Programs in Minden, LA and Cotton Valley, LA.  Motion was made by Jerry Lott; seconded by Ronnie Rhymes.  Motion passed.

ITEM #12A – Consider approval of adding bass fishing as a club activity at all   applicable schools in Webster Parish effective January 7, 2020.  Motion was made by Jerry Lott; seconded by Ronnie Rhymes.  Motion was approved.

ITEM #12B – Consider approval for the content coaches to attend the Instructional Coaching for School Excellence Conference on February 9 – 11, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas using EEF funds  (All coaches will attend).  Motion was made by Frankie Mitchell; seconded by Penny Long.  Motion passed.

Vice President Charles Strong made the motion that Items #13 - #34, including Item #21A be take in global vote; motion was seconded by Jerry Lott.  Motion passed.  

Request for Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund

ITEM #13.  Consider approval for Jim Bonsall Builders to remove the counter in  the junior high office area and replace the flooring under the counter at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School in the amount of $1,000 using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #14.  Consider approval to order freestanding office partitions from Global Industrial in the amount of $4,153.33 for Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #15.  Consider approval for Hercules Ag & Outdoor to construct and place awnings over all bleachers at the softball and baseball fields at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School in the amount of  $129,500.00 using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #16.  Consider Change Proposal Number 002 for Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School New Parking and Drive.  Request and extension of the contract time by an additional 10 calendar days due to inclement weather as allowed for in section 28.0 of the General Conditions.

ITEM #17.  Consider Change Proposal Number 003 for Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School New Parking and Drive of $4,850.00 from the total contract sum for reusing the existing 

Sports light pole.

ITEM #18.  Consider Change Proposal Number 004 for Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School New Parking and Drive an additional $8,176.13 to the total contract for the repair of electrical conduit and conductors to the existing student parking light poles that were damaged during excavation operations for the new access drive using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #19.  Consider approval to purchase LED lighting fixtures for outdoor lighting at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School from Elliott Electric in the amount of $2,462.36 using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #20.  Consider approval to upgrade camera system per attached quotes (3) from Homeland Safety Systems at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School, total cost of $109,976.08 using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #21  Consider ratification for approval of payment for the installation of new thermostats and related labor by Mechanical Cooling Services Invoice #3807 for $2,020.00 for Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund. 

ITEM #21A – Consider ratification for approval of Change Proposal #005 for the bi-axial geogrid material to be installed under the new access drive at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School in the amount of  $9,043.65 using Consolidated District No. 3 Maintenance Funds.

Request for Doyline Maintenance Fund

ITEM #22.  Consider approval to replace the Doyline High School Pre-K Addison Unit per proposal from Mechanical Concepts in the amount of $5,790.00 using Doyline Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #23.  Ratify approval of payment for the repair of Daikin VRV at Doyline High School by Mechanical Concepts Invoice #S-1829 in the amount of $1,000.00 using Doyline Maintenance Fund.

Request for Springhill Lease Fund

ITEM #24.  Consider approval to purchase from Howard Technology Solutions 10 new Newline 75” Multi touch display screens @ $37,456.00, 1 @ $4,236.00, 1 @ $820.00 all for the  total amount of $37,456.00 for Browning Elementary School using Springhill Lease Fund.

Request for Springhill Maintenance Fund

ITEM #25.  Consider approval to purchase (20) 2’ x 4’ Lay in LED fixtures for North Webster High School cafeteria from Elliott Electric in the amount of $1,606.60 using Springhill Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #26.  Consider approval to repair roofing and siding per quote from Terry’s Roofing at Brown Upper Elementary School for $9,600.00 using Springhill Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #27.  Consider approval to repair roofing and per quote from Terry’s Roofing at Browning Elementary School in the amount of $5,600.00 using Springhill Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #28.  Consider approval to install one outdoor horn and two baffle speakers for $639.00 at Brown Upper Elementary School per quote from Executone of Louisiana using  Springhill Maintenance Fund.

Request for District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund

ITEM #29.  Consider to Ratify Invoice #19S874-4 for additional asbestos abatement/Disposal at former Minden High School Gym by Gill Industries, Ltd. in the amount of  $26,195.00 using District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund.      

ITEM #30.  Consider approval for Camus Electric to install outdoor LED lighting at the parking lot and gym area at Minden High School in the amount of $6,468.00 using District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax.

ITEM #31.  Ratify approval for payment of the following invoices from Johnson Controls for HVAC repairs at Minden High School: Invoice #1-90875584143 for $2,818.99; Invoice #1-90875583343 for $2,818.99; Invoice #1-90875485267 for $$2,015.46;

Invoice #1-990799983347 for $3,839.13 using District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund.

ITEM #32.  Ratify approval for payment of the following invoice from Mechanical Cooling Services for HVAC repairs at Webster Jr. High School: Invoice #20920 for $1,474.00 using District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund.

ITEM #33.  Ratify approval for payment the following invoice from Fitzgerald Contractors for Addison Unit repairs at Webster Jr. High School: Invoice #142107 for $2,737.19 using District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund.

Request for Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund

ITEM #34.  Consider approval to install new Bogen Intercom System at North Webster Upper Elementary School by Diversifire in the amount of $48,500.00 using Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #35.  FYI – Field Trips

·        North Webster Lower Elementary School to travel to Spring Theater in Springhill, LA to see Frozen II on December 17, 2019

·        Doyline High School grades 3-5 to travel to Sci-Port in Shreveport, LA on December 13, 2019 to see science demonstrations on Laws of Motion and Space Rocks

·        North Webster Upper Elementary to travel to Spring Theater in Springhill, LA on December 13, 2019 to see Frozen II

·        Browning Elementary School students Pre-K – 2 to travel to Spring Theater in Springhill, LA on December 17, 2019 to see Frozen II

·        Brown Upper Middle School PBIS students to travel to Springhill Theater in Springhill, LA on December 19, 2019 to see Frozen II

ITEM #36.  PERSONNEL REPORT

ITEM #37.  School Community Liaison Report.  Ursula Hullaby informed board   members that out of 50 families recommended, the Salvation Army helped 20.  The Miles for Smiles van was at J.L. Jones and J.A. Phillips Elementary Schools.  She placed at each board member’s seat the booklet of thank-you notes from students at J.A. Phillips Elementary School

  ITEM #38.  Superintendent’s Report.  Placed at each board members seat was a Green folder with information about the new Special Education Advisory Council. 

  It has Forethought Policy on open meeting which was taken out of the policy handbook.

  This will be discussed at the next board meeting on February 3, 2020. There will be a Curriculicum Committee Meeting at 5 P.M. on February 3, 3030.

  ITEM #39.  Announcements

          Sales Tax Report for the month of November, 2019

          Louisiana School Board Association Meeting – February 16-18, 2020, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

          Curriculum Committee Meeting – February 3, 2020 at 5 P.M.

          Next Board Meeting – February 3, 2020

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.

  The Webster/Claiborne Early Childhood Network will be applying for 95   LA4   4-Year old seats (Webster Parish, (15) LA4 3-year old seats (Webster Parish), and 00 LA4 4-year old seats (Claiborne Parish) for the 2020-2021 school year.  All other early childhood programs in both Webster Parish and Claiborne Parish will continue to be offered at the current level using other funding sources as well.

There are no plans to cut any preschool classes or currently available early child-hood slots at this time.  For questions or comments contact Oreata Banks at the Webster School Board office.