Central Community Schools

School Board Meeting

01/13/2025 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, January 13, 2025, at the Central Administrative Office, at 6:00 P.M.

2.        Election of Officers for the 2025 Year

Nominations for School Board President
A nomination was made by Ms. Norwood to nominate Ms. Atkinson as the School Board President for the 2025 year. The board unanimously voted for Ms. Atkinson for the School Board President for the 2025 year.

Nominations for School Board Vice President
A nomination was made by Dr. Walker to nominate Mr. Hooper as the School Board Vice President for the 2025 year. The board unanimously voted for Mr. Hooper for the School Board Vice President for the 2025 year.

3.        Prayer

Prayer led by Pastor Buz Treme'

4.        Pledge

5.        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.

6.        Recognitions - CIS Students

Some of our 5th grade students at CIS who will be traveling to Washington, D.C., were recognized for being chosen to participate in the laying of the wreath ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Virginia.

7.        To consider approval of the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, December 9, 2024 and take appropriate action.

A motion was made by Ms. Norwood and seconded by Mr. Carmena to approve the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, December 9, 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 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 one (1) Reassignment. This was a report only and required no action.

9.        To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution approving the “CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN”, designating purposes for which proceeds of a proposed bond issue will be budgeted, and otherwise providing with respect thereto. (Dr. Fountain)

A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Ms. Norwood to adopt a resolution approving the "Capital Improvement Plan", designating purposes for which proceeds of a proposed bond issue will be budgeted, and otherwise providing with respect thereto.
A roll call vote was taken for the board to adopt a resolution approving the "Capital Improvement Plan", designating purposes for which proceeds of a proposed bond issue will be budgeted, and otherwise providing with respect 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.

10.     To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the Central Community School System, to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds therein, making application to the State Bond Commission, and providing for other matters in connection therewith. (Dr. Fountain)

A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Leaphart to adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the Central Community School System, to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds therein, making application to the State Bond Commission, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

A roll call vote was taken for the board to adopt a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the Central Community School System, to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds therein, making application to the State Bond Commission, and providing for other matters in connection therewith, 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.

11.     To consider the staff's recommendation relative to awarding bids for the CHS Baseball Facilities. (Dr. Fountain)

A motion was made by Mr. Leaphart and seconded by Mr. Davis to approve the staff's recommendation relative to awarding the bid for the Central High School Baseball Facilities to A.P. Dobson, L.L.C., for the amount of $2,500,0000. There being no objections, the motion passed.

12.     To consider approval of two (2) Out-of-State Field Trip requests and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain)

A motion was made by Ms. Norwood and seconded by Mr. Leaphart to approve three (3) Out-of-State Field trips as presented by the staff.  There being no objections, the motion passed.

13.     Superintendent's Report

January is School Board Recognition Month, a time to honor the remarkable dedication and service of our School Board members.  These men and women selflessly give their time, energy, and expertise to ensure the success of our students and the strength of our schools.  They embody a deep love for this community and an unwavering commitment to our school system.  As both a superintendent and a parent in this district, I am truly grateful for their leadership and the positive impact they make every day.  Thank you for your service and for always keeping our students at the heart of your work.  Our 5th grade, 8th grade, and 12th grade Students of the Year all compete at the state level.  I am so excited to announce that all three of our Students of the Year have advanced past the “Zones” level to reach the Regional level.  Our students will be doing interviews in early February.  We are so proud of our three Students of the Year: CIS - Leighton Hutson, CMS - Ellie Silvio & CHS -Ava Nehring.  We offered biometric screening last week for all of our employees.  This was a great opportunity for our employees to understand their baseline level of health and map a plan for better health.  We had 175 employees take advantage of the biometric screenings (as compared to 164 last year).  Central Middle School had nationally-renowned speaker Jack Berckemeyer present to their faculty last Tuesday.  Mr. Berckemeyer is a middle school expert.  His engaging, humorous presentation gave our middle school teachers lots of information to think about as they welcomed their students back last week.  We will be holding Quarterly Meetings this week at each of our schools.  This is a great opportunity for Central Office to visit each school and look at data, find out how we can assist, and visit classrooms.  Schools will be closed next Monday, January 20th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a time to honor Dr. King's legacy of justice, equality, and service to others.  Our next Committee Meetings will be Monday, January 27th.  Our next board meeting will be on Monday, February 10th.

14.     Announcements

a.        Committee Meetings - Monday, January 27, 2025

b.       Next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025

15.     Adjourn

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