Central Community Schools

School Board Meeting

11/13/2023 06:00 PM

Central Administrative Office

11576 Sullivan Road

Central, LA 70818

MEETING MINUTES

Voting Members

Roxanne Atkinson, Board President

Dr. G. David Walker, Vice President

Nick Carmena, Board Member

Mike Davis, Board Member

Michael Hooper, Board Member

1.          Call to Order

Chairperson Roxanne Atkinson called to order the Regular School Board Meeting of the Central Community School Board on Monday, November 13, 2023 at the Central Administrative Office, at 6:00 P.M.

2.          Prayer

Prayer led by Monique Wild

3.          National Anthem & Pledge

Some of our Central High choir students sang the National Anthem. Five out of the six choir students made LMEA All-State. One out of the six choir students also made the National ACDA choir last year.

4.          Roll Call

Tracy Barnes conducted a roll call. The following persons were present:  Roxanne Atkinson, Nick Carmena, Mike Davis, Michael Hooper and David Walker. Jason Leaphart and Carol Norwood were absent. A quorum was present.

5.          To consider approval of the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, October 9, 2023 and take appropriate action.

A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Davis to approve the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, October 9, 2023. There being no objections, the motion passed.

6.          To consider approval of the minutes from the Strategic Planning Session held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 and take appropriate action.

A motion was made by Mr. Hooper and seconded by Mr. Carmena to approve the minutes from the Strategic Planning Session held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. There being no objections, the motion passed.

7.          To consider approval of the minutes from the Special School Board Meeting held on Monday, October 30, 2023 and take appropriate action.

A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Dr. Walker to approve the minutes from the Special School Board Meeting held on Monday, October 30, 2023. There being no objections, the motion passed.

8.          To receive the Superintendent's report on personnel. (Dr. Fountain)

Board members received a report of two (2) Resignations. This was a report only and required no action.

Board members received a report of five (5) Appointments. This was a report only and required no action.

Board members received a report of one (1) reassignment. This was a report only and required no action.

9.          To receive a report from the Finance Committee Meeting held on Monday, October 30, 2023 and take appropriate action regarding the following:

a.          2024 Employee Health Insurance Benefits Plans

The committee recommended approval of the 2024 Employee Benefits Plans as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Mr. Hooper to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

b.         Stipends for Mentor Teachers

The committee recommended approval of the Stipends for Mentor Teachers from the Differentiate Compensation special funds from the Louisiana Department of Education in the amount of $12,000. A motion was made by Mr. Hooper to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

c.          Stipends for LTRS training

The committee recommended approval of the Stipends for LTRS training from the Differentiate Compensation special funds from the Louisiana Department of Education in the amount of $40,000. A motion was made by Mr. Hooper to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

d.         2023-2024 Revised General Fund Budget

The committee recommended approval of the Revised General Fund Budget for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year, as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Mr. Hooper to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

e.          2023-2024 Revised Capital Projects Budget

The committee recommended approval of the Revised Capital Projects Budget for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year, as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Mr. Hooper to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

10.       To receive a report from the Human Resources/Policies Committee Meeting held on Monday, October 30, 2023 and take appropriate action regarding the following:

a.          2nd Reading of the following New and Revised policies of the Central Community School System Policy Manual:

The committee recommended approval of the 2nd Reading of seven (7) new, revised, and deleted policies of the Central Community School System Policy Manual. A motion was made by Mr. Davis to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

1.          Policy B-11.5 - Executive Sessions (Revised)

2.          Policy D-1 - Annual Operating Budget (Revised)

3.          Policy D-6.2a - American Recovery and Reinvestment Reporting Requirements (Deletion)

4.          Policy D-6.4 - Audits (Revised)

5.          Policy E-1.1h - Public Health Emergency (New)

6.          Policy E-3 - Student Transportation Management (Revised)

7.          Policy F-10.4 - Sick Leave (Revised)

b.         2023-2024 Organizational Flow Chart

The committee recommended approval of the Organizational Flow Chart for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Mr. Davis to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

c.          Revised Job Descriptions for various positions

The committee recommended approval of the Revised Job Descriptions for various positions as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Mr. Davis to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

d.         Reclassify the Interventionist position at Bellingrath Hills Elementary School to an Instructional Data Specialist

The committee recommended approval to reclassify the Interventionist position at Bellingrath Hills Elementary School to an Instructional Data Specialist position. A motion was made by Mr. Davis 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 Monday, October 30, 2023 and take appropriate action regarding the following:

a.          IT Building

Committee members received information on the options for the new IT building and the committee recommended approval of Option 3. This option is a 10,680 square foot building to house our IT department, a custodial space, an Alternative Center and a Receiving Center, for an estimated cost of $2,573,880.00. A motion was made by Dr. Walker to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

b.         Facility Usage Agreement

Committee members received an update on the Facility Usage Agreement. This was a report only and required no action.

12.       To consider granting the Superintendent authority to negotiate terms of purchase for the property located at Tensas Drive (next to CIS campus) and 12345 Devall Road and take all necessary actions required for said purchase, and to enter into Purchase Agreement for same, with the Board retaining the right of final approval of the purchase. (Dr. Fountain)

A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Hooper to grant the Superintendent permission to negotiate terms of purchase for the property located at Tensas Drive (next to CIS campus) and 12345 Devall Road and take all necessary actions required for said purchase, and to enter into a Purchase Agreement for same, with the Board retaining the right of final approval of the purchase. There being no objections, the motion passed.

13.       Superintendent's Report

School Performance Scores and our District Performance Score were released today by the Louisiana Department of Education. We continue to grow students in our school system. Our District Performance Score grew from a 91.3 last year to 92.4 this year. Additionally, each of our five schools grew in their School Performance Score: BHE from 91.2 to 91.5; TES from 90 to 90.9; CIS from 90.5 to 91.1; CMS from 83.2 to 84.5; CHS from 96.2 to 97.1. Additionally, all of the schools in the district were named “Top Gains” honorees, which recognizes excellence in student progress from one year to the next. Central Intermediate and Central High Schools were named “Opportunity” honorees for performing in the 90th percentile or above for students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students or English Learners. Last week, the city Veterans Day program was held at the CIS / CMS cafeteria. The event was a huge success and had a great turnout. The CHS Jazz Band and the CMS choir performed. Also, Faith McKnight sang a wonderful rendition of Amazing Grace. Progress Reports will go home this Thursday, November 16th. As you are now likely aware, we have a big 2nd round football playoff game versus Neville High School in Monroe. Since we have so many students and faculty traveling to the game, we have decided to have early dismissal on Friday. We sent this information to parents today. I apologize for the change, but it was going to be very difficult to cover classes with so many teachers (from all of our schools) traveling to Monroe. Thanksgiving Holidays will begin at dismissal on Friday and continue through next week. We will welcome students back on Monday, November 27th.  The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their annual Elf Run this Saturday at Wildcat Stadium. This is always a wonderful event. The public is invited to come out and enjoy free pancakes and kick off the holiday season. We will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Special Needs Playground at CIS on Tuesday, December 5th at 10:00AM. More details to follow. November Committee Meetings are scheduled to be held on Monday, November 27th at 5:15PM.

14.       Announcements

Public Meeting - Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Administrative Office, 11576 Sullivan Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Central Community School Board, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in the Central Community School System to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax therein.

a.          Committee Meetings will be held on Monday, November 27th

b.         Next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Monday, December 11^th

15.       Adjourn

A motion was made by Dr. Walker to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.