Central Community Schools
Meeting Minutes
School Board Meeting
04/19/2021 06:00 PM
Central High School
10200 East Brookside Drive
Central, LA 70818
Voting Members
Dr. James Gardner, President
Dr. Keith Holmes, Vice President
Roxanne Atkinson, Board Member
Dr. G. David Walker, Board Member
Phillip Graham, Board Member
Ruby Foil, Board Member
Sharon Browning, Board Member
1. Call to Order
Chairman James Gardner called to order the Regular School Board Meeting of the Central Community School Board on Monday, April 19, 2021 at the Central High Theater at 6:00 P.M.
2. Prayer
Prayer led by Ms. Betsy Hooper
3. Pledge
4. Roll Call
Tracy Barnes conducted a roll call. The following persons were present: Roxanne Atkinson, Sharon Browning, Ruby Foil, James Gardner, Phil Graham, Keith Holmes and David Walker. A quorum was present.
5. Recognitions
a. LSBA Art Contest Winner
Makenzie Babcock was recognized for winning 2nd place for the high school division in the Louisiana School Boards Association Artwork Contest.
b. Teachers/Support Employees of the Year
The following teachers were recognized as 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year:
Ms. Hannah Schmidt - Bellingrath Hills Elementary School
Ms. Shannon Kaple - Tanglewood Elementary School
Ms. Nikki Henry- Central Intermediate School
Ms. Hope Heasley - Central Middle School
Mr. Kobie Griffin - Central High School
The following support employees were recognized as 2020-2021 Support Employees of the Year:
Ms. Brandi Melanson - Bellingrath Hills Elementary School
Ms. Jennifer Ackoury - Tanglewood Elementary School
Ms. Janna Feduccia- Central Intermediate School
Ms. Darilyn Svoren - Central Middle School
Ms. Ainsley Smith - Central High School
Ms. Ann Rosa - Central Office
Corporate Sponsors awarding Teachers and Support Employees of the Year:
Central Chamber
Red River Bank
Ross Tire & Service
6. To consider approval of the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, March 8, 2021 and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Dr. Walker to approve the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, March 8, 2021. There being no objections, the motion passed.
7. To consider approval of the minutes from the Strategic Planning Session held on Tuesday March 9, 2021 and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Ms. Browning and seconded by Ms. Foil to approve the minutes from the Strategic Planning Session held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. There being no objections, the motion passed.
8. To consider approval of the minutes from the Strategic Planning Session held on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Ms. Atkinson to approve the minutes from the Strategic Planning Session held on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. There being no objections, the motion passed.
9. To consider the Superintendent's recommendation for administrative, instructional and support staff positions and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain)
A motion was made by Dr. Holmes and seconded by Ms. Browning to approve the retirement of Ms. Theresa Cress, Grade 4 Teacher, Central Intermediate School, effective April 7, 2021. There being no objections, the motion passed.
Board Members received a report of three (3) Resignations. This was a report only and required no action.
Board Members received a report of three (3) Appointments. This was a report only and required no action.
Board Members received a report of two (2) Reassignments. This was a report only and required no action.
10. To consider approval of the minutes from the HR/Policies Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. CAPS program
Committee Members received information on the CAPS (Computer Assisted Policy Service) program. This was a report only and required no action.
b. New JAG job description
The committee recommended approval of the new JAG job description as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Browning and seconded by Mr. Graham to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
11. To consider approval of the minutes from the Curriculum/Instruction/Accountability/Student Services Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. Proposed changes to the Student Handbook for the 2021-2022 School Year
The committee recommended approval of the following proposed changes to the Student Handbook for the 2021-2022 School Year:
1. Remove the sentence “Slacks will not be tucked into the boots” under Dress Code – Shoes, on page 24, section 3a.
2. Remove the sentence “or the parent may opt to pay $20 fine to get the phone back early” under second offense, on page 37, section 6b.
3. Remove the sentence “or the parent may opt to pay $40 fine to get the phone back early” under third offense, on page 37, section 6c.
4. Remove the sentence “or pay $20” under 1st violation - Central High School Parking, on page 39.
5. Remove the sentence “or pay $40” under 2nd violation - Central High School Parking, on page 39.
6. Add the sentence “After the first keyboard damage, a $20 fee will be charged for replacement” under Technology User Fees, on page 60.
7. Add the sentence "School uniform shirt must be worn" under Distance/Virtual Learning Code of Conduct, on page 62.
A motion was made by Ms. Foil and seconded by Ms. Browning to approve the committee's recommendation.A substitute motion was made by Ms. Browning and seconded by Ms. Atkinson to remove item #1 from the list of proposed changes that says, "Remove the sentence “Slacks will not be tucked into the boots” under Dress Code – Shoes, on page 24, section 3a."
Chairman James Gardner conducted a vote for the substitute motion and the votes were as follows:
For: Atkinson, Browning, Foil, Gardner, Graham, Holmes
Against: Walker
Abstain: None
Absent: None
There being six (6) votes "For" one (1) vote "Against", zero (0) votes "Abstain", and zero (0) votes "Absent", the substitute motion passed.
12. To consider approval of the minutes from the Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. 2020-2021 Revised General Fund Budget
The committee recommended approval of the 2020-2021 Revised General Fund Budget as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Dr. Holmes to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed
b. 2020-2021 Revised Child Nutrition Budget
The committee recommended approval of the 2020-2021 Revised Child Nutrition Budget as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Dr. Walker to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
c. 2020-2021 Revised Capital Projects Budget
The committee recommended approval of the 2020-2021 Revised Capital Projects Budget as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Dr. Holmes to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
d. 2020-2021 Revised Debt Service Budget
The committee recommended approval of the 2020-2021 Revised Debt Service Budget as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Ms. Foil to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
e. 2020-2021 Revised State Grants
The committee recommended approval of the 2020-2021 Revised State Grants as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Dr. Holmes to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
f. 2020-2021 Revised Federal Grants
The committee recommended approval of the 2020-2021 Revised Federal Grants as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Ms. Browning to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
g. Update on 2020-2021 ESSERS II Budget
Committee members received an update on the 2020-2021 ESSERS Budgets. This was a report only and required no action.
h. 2021-2022 Original General Fund Budget
The committee recommended approval of the 2021-2022 Original General Fund Budget as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Dr. Walker to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
13. To consider approval of the minutes from the Facilities/Equipment Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. Update on renovations at Central High School
Committee Members received an update on renovations at Central High School. This was a report only and required no action.
b. Update on the CCSS/BREC partnership to upgrade the Track at Central High School
Committee Members received an update on the CCSS/BREC partnership to upgrade the Track at Central High School. This was a report only and required no action.
c. Update on the concession stand at Wildcat Stadium
Committee Members received an update on the concession stand at Wildcat Stadium. This was a report only and required no action.
d. Update on renovations at Tanglewood Elementary School
Committee Members received an update on renovations at Tanglewood Elementary School. This was a report only and required no action.
e. Update on renovations at Bellingrath Hills Elementary School
Committee Members received an update on renovations at Bellingrath Hills Elementary School. This was a report only and required no action.
f. Discussion on construction of Central Office building on Old Middle School Property Site
Committee members discussed the construction of the Central Office building on the Old Middle School Property Site. This was a report only and required no action.
14. To consider approval to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Treasury for Act 45 of the 2020 Second Extraordinary Legislative Session and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain)
A motion was made by Ms. Atkinson and seconded by Dr. Holmes to grant the Superintendent permission to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Treasury for Act 45 of the 2020 Second Extraordinary Legislative Session. There being no objections, the motion passed.
15. To receive a report regarding Assurance of Employment Letters. (Dr. Fountain)
Board members received a report regarding the Assurance of Employment Letters. This was a report only and required no action.
16. Superintendent's Report
It's hard to believe that we have 22 school days left with students. This has been a year unlike any other, but I am so proud of the efforts of our students, teachers, and staff. I will stack the work our teachers and staff have accomplished against any around the country. We began in-person school on August 6th and haven't looked back - through the ups and downs. We posted a monthly superintendent video today, where we featured our CHS & CIS STEM programs, as well as gave a sneak peek at our facility projects. This is Teacher Appreciation Week in Central. This week is celebrated in early May around the country, but we decided to celebrate a little early based on our testing calendar. Wednesday is Administrative Assistant's Day. Of course, we know who really runs our schools and central office. We could not do it without our Administrative Assistants. The Central Chamber of Commerce will be presenting one of our college-bound students with a $1,500 scholarship this Thursday at an awards ceremony. Our bowling team and tennis teams are in the playoffs right now, and the fishing team has their state tournament coming up very soon. CHS will be hosting their Career Technical Education (CTE) Awards Night on Tuesday, April 27th. This will be an opportunity to recognize our outstanding CTE students and induct our first cohort of National Technical Honor Society members. Committee Meetings will be held on Wednesday, April 28th. Our annual Academic Excellence Banquet will be held on Thursday, May 6th. Senior Breakfast is Friday, May 7th. The Senior Prom is Saturday, May 8th.
17. Announcements
a. Committee Meetings - Wednesday, April 28th
b. Next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Monday, May 10th
18. Adjourn
A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Graham to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.