Central Community Schools

School Board Meeting

08/12/2024 06:00 PM

Central Administrative Office

11576 Sullivan Road

Central, LA 70818

MEETING MINUTES

Voting Members

1.       Call to Order

Chairperson Roxanne Atkinson called to order the Regular School Board Meeting of the Central Community School Board on Monday, August 12, 2024, at the Central Administrative Office, at 6:00 P.M.

2.       Prayer

Prayer led by Lane McCaskill, Youth Pastor at Cornerstone Fellowship Church.

3.       Pledge

4.       Roll Call

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

5.       Recognitions

Representatives with the Mighty Moms Organization presented information about the organization on fighting the battle against childhood hunger.

6.       To consider approval of the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, July 8, 2024 and take appropriate action.

A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Ms. Norwood to approve the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, July 8, 2024. There being no objections, the motion passed.

7.       To consider approval of the minutes from the Strategic Planning Session held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 and take appropriate action.

A motion was made by Mr. Carmena and seconded by Dr. Walker to approve the minutes from the Strategic Planning Session held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. There being no objections, the motion passed.

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

Board members received a report of one (1) retirement. This was a report only and required no action.
Board members received a report of twelve (12) Resignations. This was a report only and required no action.
Board members received a report of eighteen (18) 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.

9.       To receive a report from the Human Resources/Policies Committee Meeting held on Monday, July 29, 2024 and take appropriate action regarding the following:

a.       1st Reading of the following proposed revised policies:

Committee members received a 1st Reading of several revised policies. This was a report only and required no action.

1.       Policy E-1 - Buildings and Grounds Management

2.       Policy F -9.15 - Dismissal of Employees

3.       Policy F-11.1 - Employee Smoking, Tobacco, And Marijuana Use

4.       Policy G-3.7 - Home Study Program

5.       Policy G-4 - Co-Curricular Activities And Extracurricular Activities

6.       Policy G-4.1 - Interscholastic Athletics

7.       Policy H-2.1b - Truancy

8.       Policy H-3.3a - Student Smoking, Tobacco, And Marijuana Use

9.       Policy H-3.3f - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices

10.    Policy H-3.5 - Discipline

11.    Policy H-3.5b - Suspension

12.    Policy H-3.5c - Expulsion

13.    Policy H-4.4 - Child Abuse

b.       Proposed Changes to the Employee Handbook for the 2024-2025 School Year

The committee recommended approval of the proposed changes to the Employee Handbook for the 2024-2025 School Year as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Norwood to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

c.       2024-2025 Personnel Evaluation Plan

The committee recommended approval of the Personnel Evaluation for the 2024-2025 School Year as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Ms. Norwood to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

10.    To receive a report from the Curriculum/Instruction/Accountability/Student Services Committee Meeting held on Monday, July 29, 2024 and take appropriate action regarding the following:

a.       Proposed Changes to the Student Handbook for the 2024-2025 School Year

The committee recommended approval of the proposed changes to the Student Handbook for the 2024-2025 School Year as presented by the staff. A motion was made by Mr. Carmena to approve the committee's recommendation. There being no objections, the motion passed.

11.    To adopt a Resolution establishing the millage rates for the 2024 Tax Rolls. (Dr. Fountain)

A motion was made by Mr. Carmena and seconded by Mr. Hooper to adopt a resolution to establish the millage rates for the 2024 Tax Rolls.
A roll call vote was taken for the board to adopt a resolution to establish the millage rates for the 2024 Tax Rolls and is listed as follows:
For:  Atkinson, Carmena, Davis, Hooper, Leaphart, Norwood, Walker
Against:  None
Absent:  None
Abstain:  None
There being seven (7) votes "For", zero (0) votes "Against", zero (0) votes "Absent", and zero (0) votes "Abstain", the motion passed.

12.    To consider approval of sale of 2.73 acre parcel of property to the City of Central and adoption of a corresponding Resolution authorizing the sale, and granting the Superintendent the authority to execute the Act of Cash Sale, as well as any ancillary documentation related thereto. (Dr. Fountain)

A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Leaphart to approve the sale of 2.73 acre parcel of property to the City of Central and adoption of a corresponding Resolution authorizing the sale, and granting the Superintendent the authority to execute the Act of Cash Sale, as well as any ancillary documentation related thereto.
A roll call vote was taken for the board to approve the sale of 2.73 acre parcel of property to the City of Central and adoption of a corresponding Resolution authorizing the sale, and granting the Superintendent the authority to execute the Act of Cash Sale, as well as any ancillary documentation related thereto and is listed as follows:
For:  Atkinson, Carmena, Davis, Hooper, Leaphart, Norwood, Walker
Against:  None
Absent:  None
Abstain:  None
There being seven (7) votes "For", zero (0) votes "Against", zero (0) votes "Absent", and zero (0) votes "Abstain", the motion passed.

13.    To consider approval of the engagement letters  and audit planning letter from Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain)

A motion was made by Mr. Carmena and seconded by Mr. Hooper to approve the engagement letters and audit planning letter for auditing services provided by Hannis T. Bourgeois. There being no objections, the motion passed.

14.    To receive the results from the Superintendent's Yearly Evaluation. (Ms. Norwood)

Ms. Norwood reported on the Superintendent's Yearly Evaluation. This was a report only and required no action.

15.    To have discussion and/or action concerning the superintendent's contract. (Ms. Atkinson)

A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Ms. Norwood to extend the superintendent's contract for four (4) years beginning January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2028, under the same conditions currently in place. New performance objectives will be negotiated between now and the beginning of the next contract per state law. There being no objections, the motion passed.

16.    Superintendent's Report

Our back-to-school Convocation was held last Monday, August 5th.  Many of our staff have told me it was the best one yet.  We really like to make the event fun and full of energy welcoming all of our staff back to campus for a new year.  Our first day for students was last Thursday, August 8th.  By all accounts, it was a wonderful day full of excited teachers and students.  On July 27th, Brandon LaGroue was named the Louisiana High School Principal of the Year.  This is a tremendous honor for Mr. LaGroue and for this school system.  We are thankful for the energy, passion, and drive that he brings to CHS each and every day.  Congratulations! We are getting a K-9 for the high school. The dog has been secured and is currently going through training. As you may be aware, the Central Veterans Memorial has had a challenge with funding to take care of insurance and utilities. The school system is currently working with the City of Central and our attorneys to come up with a plan to allow the City to enter into a CEA with the Veterans Memorial to give them the resources to keep the Memorial viable and operating in perpetuity. Our next Committee Meetings will be Monday, August 26th. Our next board meeting will be on Monday, September 9th.

17.    Announcements

a.       Committee Meetings - Monday, August 26th

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

18.    Adjourn

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