Central Community Schools
School Board Meeting
03/10/2025 - 06:00 PM
Central Administrative Office
11576 Sullivan Road
Central, LA 70818
MEETING MINUTES
Attendees
Voting Members
Michael Hooper, Vice President
Dr. G. David Walker, Board Member
Nick Carmena, Board Member
Mike Davis, Board Member
Jason Leaphart, Board Member
1. Call to Order
Chairman Michael Hooper called to order the Regular School Board Meeting of the Central Community School Board on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Central Administrative Office, at 6:00 P.M.
2. Prayer
Prayer led by Ron Erickson
3. Pledge
4. Roll Call
Tracy Barnes conducted a roll call. The following persons were present: Nick Carmena, Mike Davis, Michael Hooper, Jason Leaphart and David Walker. A quorum was present.
5. To consider approval of the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, February 10, 2025 and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Carmena to approve the minutes from the Regular School Board Meeting held on Monday, February 10, 2025. There being no objections, the motion passed.
6. To consider approval of the minutes from the Special School Board Meeting held on Monday, February 24, 2025 and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Leaphart to approve the minutes from the Special School Board Meeting held on Monday, February 24, 2025. There being no objections, the motion passed.
7. 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 three (3) Appointments. This was a report only and required no action.
8. To receive a report from the Finance Committee Meeting held on Monday, February 24, 2025 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. Renewal of the First Student Contract
The committee recommended approval of granting the staff permission to renew the Student Transportation Contract with First Student, 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.
b.Pay rates for Substitutes
The committee recommended approval of granting the staff permission to increase the pay for substitutes, 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 2024-2025 General Fund Budget
The committee recommended approval of the Revised General Fund Budget for the 20242025 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.
d.Revised 2024-2025 Capital Projects Budget
The committee recommended approval of the Revised Capital Projects Budget for the 20242025 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.
e. Revised 2024-2025 Debt Services Budget
The committee recommended approval of the Revised Debt Service Budget for the 20242025 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.
9. To receive a report from the Facilities/Equipment Committee Meeting held on Monday, February 24, 2025 and take appropriate action regarding the following:
a. Information on IT/Custodial Building
Committee members received information relative to the IT/Custodial Building. This was a report only and required no action.
b.Update regarding the roof concerns at Central Intermediate School and Central Middle School
Committee members received an update regarding the roof concerns at Central Intermediate School and Central Middle School. This was a report only and required no action.
10. To have discussion on Revised Policy H-3.3f - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices and take appropriate action. (Dr. Fountain)
A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Carmena to approve the board to temporarily suspend the policy adoption procedures to allow the 1st Reading of Revised Policy H-3.3f - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices, to be adopted by the board during this board meeting. A roll call vote was taken for the board to temporarily suspend the policy adoption procedures to allow the 1st Reading of Revised Policy H-3.3f - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices, to be adopted by the board during this board meeting and is listed as follows:
For: Carmena, Davis, Hooper, Leaphart, Walker
Against: None
Absent: Atkinson, Norwood
Abstain: None
There being five (5) "For" votes, zero (0) "Against" votes, two (2) "Absent" votes and zero (0) "Abstain" votes, the motion passed.
A motion was made by Mr. Davis and seconded by Mr. Leaphart to approve the adoption of Revised Policy H-3.3f - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices, as presented with changes. There being no objections, the motion passed.
11. Superintendent's Report
We surprised all of our staff on Tuesday, February 18th with a Mardi Gras cupcake. We want to thank Winn-Dixie for sponsoring the treat by supplying the cupcakes. This week, we are hosting the Louisiana Department of Education’s Louisiana Educator Advancement & Development System (LEADS) sessions on our school campuses. The purpose of the visits is for other educators around the state to come and learn about the evaluation process. Two weeks ago, Board members and I attended the Louisiana School Boards Association Conference in Lake Charles. While at the conference, the LSBA announced that Central High School won the Student Video Contest. This is the third year in a row for this honor. Additionally, Mia Gagliano won 1st place in the 6th – 8th grade division. We will recognize our Student Video Contest winners and Mia at our April Board meeting. We are excited to be moved into the new softball locker room and indoor batting cages. We believe this state-of-the-art facility is the best softball complex in the state. In the words of Coach Efferson, “There is no excuse not to win!” We are excited to follow softball this year. Of course, we are moving forward with the baseball locker room and indoor batting cages as well. Expected completion date of that project is December 2025. You are likely aware that our Central High School Boys Basketball team will be playing in the semifinals versus Denham Springs this Thursday at 6:15. The Finals tournament (which is called “Marsh Madness”) is held at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Tickets can be purchased online. Links can be found on our website and on social media. Congratulations to Coach Osborne and all of the players. This has been a fun team to watch and all of Central will be rooting for a State Championship. Our next Committee Meetings will be Monday, March 31st. Our next board meeting will be on Monday, April 14th.
12. Announcements
a. The March Committee Meetings will be held on Monday, March 31st
b. Next Regular School Board Meeting will be held on Monday, April 14th
13. To enter into Executive Session to hear from a parent regarding the appeal of an expulsion and take appropriate action.
A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Davis to approve the board to enter into executive session to hear from a parent regarding the appeal of an expulsion. A roll call vote was taken for the board to enter into executive session to hear from a parent regarding the appeal of an expulsion and is listed as follows:
For: Carmena, Davis, Hooper, Leaphart, Walker
Against: None
Absent: Atkinson, Norwood
Abstain: None
There being five (5) "For" votes, zero (0) "Against" votes, two (2) "Absent" votes and zero (0) "Abstain" votes, the motion passed.
A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Davis to approve the board to come out of executive session to hear from a parent regarding the appeal of an expulsion. A roll call vote was taken for the board to come out of executive session to hear from a parent regarding the appeal of an expulsion and is listed as follows:
For: Carmena, Davis, Hooper, Leaphart, Walker
Against: None
Absent: Atkinson, Norwood
Abstain: None
There being five (5) "For" votes, zero (0) "Against" votes, two (2) "Absent" votes and zero (0) "Abstain" votes, the motion passed.
A motion was made by Mr. Carmena and seconded by Mr. Leaphart to affirm the expulsion. A roll call vote was taken for the board to approve and affirm the expulsion and is listed as follows:
For: Carmena, Davis, Hooper, Leaphart, Walker
Against: None
Absent: Atkinson, Norwood
Abstain: None
There being five (5) "For" votes, zero (0) "Against" votes, two (2) "Absent" votes and zero (0) "Abstain" votes, the motion passed.
14. Adjourn
A motion was made by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Carmena to adjourn the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.