Central Community Schools
Meeting Minutes
School Board Meeting
12/13/2021 06:00 PM
Central Administrative Office
10510 Joor Road, Suite 300
Central, LA 70818
Attendees
Voting Members
Dr. James Gardner, President
Dr. Keith Holmes, Vice President
Roxanne Atkinson, Board Member
Kimberly Powers, 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, December 13, 2021 at the Central Administrative Office at 6:00 P.M.
2. Prayer
Prayer led by Ron Erickson, President/CEO, City of Central Chamber of Commerce
3. Pledge
4. Roll Call
Tracy Barnes conducted a roll call. The following persons were present: Roxanne Atkinson, Sharon Browning, Ruby Foil, James Gardner, Keith Holmes and Kimberly Powers. David Walker was absent. A quorum was present.
5. Recognitions
The following students were recognized as the 2021 CCSS Christmas Card Art Contest Winners:
Jase Fountain - Bellingrath Hills Elementary School
Caroline Kennedy - Tanglewood Elementary School
Reese Cleveland - Central Intermediate School
Brodee Wood - Central Middle School
Ryan Jones - Central High School (District Winner)
6. To consider approval of the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, November 8, 2021 and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Ms. Browning and seconded by Ms. Atkinson to approve the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, November 8, 2021. There being no objections, the motion passed.
7. To consider approval of the minutes from the Special School Board Meeting held on Monday, December 6, 2021 and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Ms. Foil and seconded by Ms. Atkinson to approve the minutes from the Special School Board Meeting held on Monday, December 6, 2021. There being no objections, the motion passed.
8. 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 the following: 1) Ms. Dana Free, Art Teacher, Bellingrath Hills Elementary School, effective December 22, 2021; 2) Mr. Shawn Kennedy, Electrical Teacher, Central High School, effective December 22, 2021; 3) Ms. Susan Payton, Discipline Center Principal, Central Office, effective January 1, 2022. There being no objections, the motion passed.
Board Members received a report of five (5) Resignations. This was a report only and required no action.
Board Members received a report of ten (10) Appointments. This was a report only and required no action
Board Members received a report of seven (7) Reassignments. This was a report only and required no action.
9. To receive a report from the Human Resources/Policies Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. 1st Reading of the following proposed New and Revised policies:
Committee members received a 1st Reading of New and Revised policies. This was a 1st Reading only and required no action.
1. Policy D-7.4 - Purchasing (Revised Policy)
2. Policy D-7.4a - Bids and Quotations (Revised Policy)
3. Policy F-10.1 - Sabbatical Leave
4. Policy F-10.4 - Sick Leave
5. Policy G-11.4 - Parent Conferences
6. Policy H-4 - Student Welfare
7. Policy H-11.2 - Expectant and Parenting Students
b. Revised Job Description for the Special Programs Compliance and Office Manager position
The committee recommended approval of the revised job description for the Special Programs Compliance and Office Manager position as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Browning and seconded by Ms. Atkinson to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
c. Request to reclassify the Discipline Center Principal position to two (2) Paraprofessional positions
The committee recommended approval to grant the staff permission to reclassify the Discipline Center Princial position to two (2) Paraprofessional positions as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Browning and seconded by Dr. Holmes to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.
d. Update on Employee Health Insurance Enrollment
Committee members received an update relative to the Employee Health Insurance Enrollment. This was a report only and required no action.
10. To receive a report from the Finance Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. Bids for products to be utilized by the Child Nutrition Program for the second semester of the 2021-2022 School Year
The committee recommended approval of the bids for products to be utilized by the Child Nutrition Program for the Second Semester of the 2021-2022 School Year. 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.
b. Change Order for relocating Entergy Service for the construction project at Tanglewood Elementary School
The committee recommended approval of the proposed Change Order for relocating Entergy Services for the Tanglewood Elementary School construction project. 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.
c. Change Order relative to the sewer for the renovation project at Central High School
Committee members received information relative to upgrading the sewer lines at Central High School during the renovation. This was a report only and required no action. However, after discussions with our attorney, because we would be increasing the GMP by $100,000, the board is being asked to approve the use of $100,000 from the Capital Outlay budget to perform sewer repairs and other requested improvements to the Central High School renovation project and to authorize the superintendent to approve Change Orders up to this $100,000 amount.
A motion was made by Dr. Holmes and seconded by Ms. Browning to approve the use of $100,000 from the Capital Outlay budget to perform sewer repairs and other requested improvements to the Central High School renovation project and to authorize the superintendent to approve Change Orders up to this $100,000 amount. There being no objections, the motion passed.
d. 2021-2022 Revised General Fund Budget
The committee recommended approval of the Revised General Fund Budget for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year 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.
11. To receive a report from the Facilities/Equipment Committee Meeting held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. Update on construction projects
Committee members received an update on construction projects. This was a report only and required no action.
12. To consider a Resolution relative to the November 8, 2021 School Board Minutes and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain)
A motion was made by Ms. Browning and seconded by Ms. Powers to adopt a Resolution relative to the November 8, 2021 School Board Minutes.
A roll call vote was taken for the board to adopt a resolution relative to the November 8, 2021 School Board Minutes and is listed as follows:
For: Atkinson, Browning, Foil, Gardner, Holmes, Powers
Against: None
Absent: Walker
Abstain: None
There being six (6) votes "For", zero (0) votes "Against", one (1) vote "Absent", and zero (0) votes "Abstain", the motion passed.
13. Superintendent's Report
As you may be aware, the State Department of Education released "simulated" School Performance Scores and District Performance Scores on December 3rd. I am so proud of the academic progress of our students over the last year. Our district was one of the very few in the state to actually grow in our District Performance Score during the pandemic. We increased by 1.5 points to finish third in the state. Although the state did not give out letter grades this year, we were one of only five school systems in the state who would have received an "A" in a regular year. Central High School grew by seven points in their School Performance Score and Central Intermediate School grew by five points and would have received an "A" designation in a normal year. We are very proud of all of our schools and to our teachers and staff for their dedication and efforts. These are truly outstanding results. Last Friday, we surprised all staff with a gift card to Java Mama. Thanks to Patterson Homes for sponsoring the surprise. We love our teachers and staff, and are so thankful for their dedication to this community and this school system. We recently completed our 2nd Mentoring Credential cohort with LSU. Fourteen additional teachers will now be able to host student teachers in our school system. As you know, this is an invaluable recruitment tool, and we are proud of our teachers who completed these requirements. We were approved for over $300,000 in ESSER incentive money, much of which will be used for teacher professional development. Most of this professional development will be geared toward our k-3 teachers and administrators, who must complete the Science of Reading training. Our staff is also applying for round 2 ESSER incentive money to implement an early college model. This will allow students to earn Dual Enrollment credit beginning their freshman year in high school and culminating in an Associate's Degree conferred through Baton Rouge Community College. As you are likely aware, this would require 60 college credits. This would be an Associate's Degree in Humanities. Next year's freshman class would be the first cohort of students who could potentially graduate with this degree. The last day before Christmas break for students and staff is next Tuesday, December 21st. Monday and Tuesday (December 20th/21st) will be half-days for students. Staff will return on Thursday, January 6th and students will return on Monday, January 10th. Our next Committee Meetings will be held on Wednesday, January 26th.
14. Announcements
a. January Committee Meetings - Wednesday, January 26th
b. Next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Monday, January 10th
15. Adjourn
A motion was made by Dr. Holmes and seconded by Ms. Browning to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.