001Hi, good good evening everybody. Calling to order our board meeting for August 19th. We'll start with the roll call. Miss Jenkins. >> Miss Abrams. Mr. Anthony >> here. >> Mr. Dominguez >> present. >> Mr. Duncan >> here. >> Mr. Moore >> here. >> Mr. Piaza. >> Um, Miss Richards >> present. >> Mr. West Morland >> present. >> Mr. Toller >> here. would ask you to please stand with us. >> I would ask Mr. Moore if you would to lead us in our pledge. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Let the record indicate Mr. Piaz is with us. Item C, consider approval of board minutes for August the 5th, 2025.
002Do we hear a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Motion to adopt by Mr. Westerland, seconded by Mr. Anthony. Any discussion, corrections, or public input? >> Hearing none, we'll call for a vote. >> Voting is open. >> Yes, Miss Cindy. Yes. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Thank you. On over to item 2A, update sales tax summary. Mr. McNeely, fun with numbers. This is good numbers. >> It's fun when they're up. >> Yeah. >> Um so we we did get July's um sales tax numbers and they're up 6.9% compared to last year. Um so I'm excited to see what what's going on with our local economy. Uh it continues to improve. Um I wouldn't count on the 6.9. Historically, it says it's 4.5. So, if by the end of the year we're at 4.5 as an
003average, that would be great. >> Yeah. Any other questions? No action needed. Move on to item B. Update on the EFID sales tax summary. >> Same thing except it was up almost 11%. Um, and that tax just has a different tax base because there's some things that are excluded from our other so it has a little different number. Um, but yeah, it was up 10%. Once again, I would think 4.5% for the year would be a good number. So don't don't get too infatuated with that bottom not bottom line right now. >> Absolutely. >> Item C discussed the AP check register for June 1st, 2025 through June 30th 25 for the amount of $35,868,826. >> Mr. Any questions? So, if y'all have anything just to just to note that 35 million is not all money
004that we're spending. Some of that 35 million is the sales tax we remit to the town of Ameat, the city of Hammond, the parish government that we that's part of the money that's going out is actually sales tax uh for those other entities that we collect. >> Absolutely. >> Go ahead. >> What are all the Aadian ambulance things? Could you explain that? I don't ever recall seeing that before. >> I don't know. >> Says a Kadian ambulance a bunch of times. It's not a whole lot, but it's like cameras or something. I don't remember ever seeing that before. >> That is possibly that that is. And I'm I'm going to break my own rule, but I'm I'm going to guess. I think that's the GPS's on our on our buses and on our equipment. >>
005That's the GPS, >> which is needed one. >> Yeah, I never saw that before, but >> Okay, any other questions? Uh before we go to the superintendent's report, I do want to try to I want to make a motion to uh wave the rules and to add an agenda item. >> We have two of those to do, but go ahead and do the first one and that's for the personnel meeting. >> Yes. So tonight, >> we have a timesensitive thing that came to personnel committee this uh before this before this uh board meeting was held. And so I'd like to motion to wave the rules to add agenda item to adopt the minutes from tonight's personnel meeting. >> Okay. Have a motion. >> Second. This motion needs to be unanimous to add it to the
006agenda. Uh, Mr. PZA made the motion. Second by Mr. um I'm sorry, Miss Richard. Voting is open. Motion carries. >> Okay. Now, now that it's on the agenda, do I hear a motion that we adopt the minutes from our personnel meeting from tonight? >> So, move. >> Motion made by Mr. Piaza. Seconded by >> Second. >> M. Richard. Any discussion? Any public input? hearing. None. We'll call for a vote and welcome Miss Amanda. >> Yes, >> voting is open. I think so. Did that not go? We missing text. >> It doesn't show you connected. Can you hit it again, please? >> Mine too. >> Yeah, I hit it. >> There you go. There it is. >> Is that it now? >> Yes. But I hit it. Motion carries. >> Thank you, members of the board.
007Appreciate y'all. >> Okay, we have one more motion that that I would like to entertain. Someone would make the motion for me to add to the agenda. Motion to reconsider for the electrical contract that we covered two meetings ago. >> I'll make the motion for you. >> So move Duncan, second by Mr. Piaza. Um this is a motion to bring it back to the agenda and then I'll we'll cover the motion. >> The electrical contract from when? I don't know the date of the meeting. It was two meetings ago. >> That was for electrical. That was uh >> final >> the electrical contract awarded to Mark's electric and the secondary >> and the secondary. Yeah. Which was uh >> the pause. That's it. >> So this motion is to put it on the agenda. >>
008So this motion is to wave the rules. >> To wave the rules to be unanimous to put it on the agenda. to put it on the agenda. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Or discussion. Okay. Know who the secondary contractor was? >> Depala. Randy. Randy. Thank you. by Mr. Duncan second by Mr. PZ working for you for a vote >> whenever you're ready. Voting is open. >> My microphone is not working again. >> I >> That's my design. >> Yeah, we did work. Somebody, Mr. Somebody check my microphone. >> Yeah, by design before you got here, I went, but Mr. Porter told me to do it. >> Motion carries. >> All right. I entertain a motion now for a motion to reconsider, send this back to administration. I'll entertain that if somebody would like to make
009that motion for me. >> Can we get some discussion before? >> Well, you I'll make a motion so we can discuss. >> Motion made by Mr. Piaza. >> I'll second. >> Second by Mr. Mingz. >> Just explanation on that. You know, we y'all remember we we did an RFQ for this just or RFP to request proposals. They were scored by the administration. Um three contractors. One came really low. Um and then we chose the top two which in fact what we did is exclude the number three pe number third company from doing any electrical work for us. Uh the scorecards lack a little bit to be desired to to be nice about it. U what I would like to do is go back and do the RFQ again. Um and I think I've got with
010Mr. McNeely on that as far as um either coming to the board to do the RFQ or different people or or whatever. You want me to explain in greater detail? I can. >> No, I just the the contracts have already been signed with Mark Select Electric and Depala. So, you didn't ask about us going out for proposals again. I don't I don't know that that's something that we could do at this point. >> That was going to be my question. The legal aspects of that since we've already entered into a contract. I don't know legally where we sit on that. >> We have the power to reconsider a motion. >> Yes, >> that we'll have to go forward if we and we may not change anything. The RFQS could come back the same and nothing
011could change because Mark's prices are obviously the best prices. I tried to call him today to to remind him about that. Our plan is probably not to change definitely not to change anything with Mark's. Um, but if we come back and we reconsider, do the RFQ properly, come back to the board and we can either adopt that RFQ or we can go forward. But if we decide to change the contract, then we'll have to get into a legal discussion. >> So, could we just add Sharky as an addition to instead? >> Good. That's what I've been asking for for two last two meetings was to add them as a third vendor and not to exclude them. So >> they just got through doing 14 air conditionings in our school systems and the electrical. So to
012exclude them would be in my opinion would not be a wise choice. So can I ask can since we have the waved rule I would like to make the motion to just add Sharkies Electric as our third candidate to be placed in the event that we could use them and not exclude them as previously stated in the RSQ. I would say >> that's what I >> well not as a third but as a an a second alternate where they where Depala and Sharky would alternate after as a secondary if Mark can't do it but I don't see any reason to disturb >> what we're already did with Mark as you said I mean that one >> he was way ahead >> way ahead absolutely >> um but but yeah my thought was that that that
013we could use Depala and Sharky as as alternates and and they could just al you know alternate between the two of them. If um >> and for clarity, this is only for maintenance electrical. Any any thing that we do that's big is going to go out for proposals that everybody including Shark >> and that's and that's the only reason why we wanted to reconsider it because as we voted now, Sharkies is excluded from doing electrical work for our administration. >> No, they're not maint just just they're just not our maintenance contractor. They can do any other electrical work that we have. I just want clarity on that. But yeah, if is the difference then >> we we just we wouldn't have them on contract >> if we need to if we need to change out
014a service that's $25,000 which is cheap we need to go out for quotes for that and they can quote that. >> What's happened in the past is there have been large jobs that have been done under the maintenance contract that actually needed to go out for quotes. So the maintenance contract will strictly be can you change out a broken light, can you change out and those will be based on an hourly rate. So I don't even know how much if the Paula will ever be used because when we call Mark, he's going to be the primary and if he can do it, he will do it. But yes, I I don't oppose if you want to add. >> So let's just So the motion the the the question the amended motion would be to add
015Sharky Electric as a second alternate. >> And you as a board have the ability to do that regardless of RFPs. This is cuz this is >> this is a service contract >> and and again I just don't think it requires us to go do those fees again. I I think we just add them as a like as an alternate >> along with Mr. Depal. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Motion been made. Do a second. >> Well, that's the amended >> but I still had a question. >> Okay. Okay. My question is okay cuz right now Mr. Dep Paula he's he's second in call in the call >> right so in the event that Mark can't and then it rolls to him will it roll to automatically roll to him or you would be calling either
016one >> should go to him next >> what I'm what I'm hearing from the board is in the event we call Mark and say the lights in Kentwood gym need to be fixed and he says I can't do it >> the first call would go to Depala. >> Okay. >> If that ever happened again, the first call would go to Sharky, >> right? Would alternate between Sharky and Depala for jobs that Mark can't do. >> Well, see, now I can see Mr. Depala may have a problem >> if they, you know what I'm saying? >> I have an issue with that though, too, because if Mr. Depala is cheaper than the Sharky one, he should come first in front of Sharky anyway in that line of order no matter what. >> Their proposals were the
017same as far as price. >> Okay. So they were the same as part Okay. I'm not looking at the >> Here you go. >> Oh, you have it. >> That they the the difference in the scoring was a scoring sharky >> by experience. >> My intent with this whole process >> is to make sure that we have vendors, especially local, that we can call on when we need to call on certain things. >> The administration can work out and Charlie, y'all can work out who you call when. Obviously, we have a lower price with Markx Electric. We want to make sure that we always on the conservative side do the best we can with our dollars. >> Yeah. >> The what I wanted to correct was the fact that we excluded a local company based
018on an RFP that did not look fair and just wanted to bring that back to the board. If all we need to do is bring Sharkies back into the mix and the administration has the ability to use them when needed, >> then problem solved. We just want the motion is to add Sharky as a second al additional second alternate. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And and direct the administration to enter the appropriate contracts to do so and the and it's an amended. I'm amending Mr. Piaz's motion. So it's still his motion. >> Yeah, it's still his motion. So let's seconded by whoever seconded it. Was it Rose? >> And again I I just want to mention because I'm looking at the actual queue. Mr. Depal is cheaper on his hourly rates. The only thing he
019was more on was his equipment rental. So that's what I'm saying. I think it needs to go to him first and then go to Sharky if he's unavailable to do it >> because it's going to save us money to do that. >> So I just want to make sure in that motion that that's I agree with Miss Richards on that. >> Well, and I think that falls back on the administration's responsibility depending on what the job is. It may not require rental equipment. >> Yeah. Again, I just want to make sure that that is >> he brings up a valid point. >> I don't want somebody to be excluded. No. And this this fixes that. >> And I brought that up that night that he does. They do a lot of work with ACs. And
020>> like I said, they just installed what 14 of our >> air conditioners. That's a different majority. But yes, you >> But all the electrical. >> Yeah. >> Who did the electrical on all those AC units? >> Look, I agree. >> You know, all right. So the first vote will be on the amendment. >> Okay. >> Well, no, it's an alternate amendment. He's he's amended his he's amending his motion. So that's the motion. >> Okay. >> Duncan made the motion. Who second it? Mr. >> Mr. Piaza is making the motion to add Sharky Electrical as a second alternate um on our electrical services contract. Seconded by Miss Dominguez >> and directing administration to collect >> to enter into the appropriate contracts. >> Okay. >> Just in case the Paula or Sharky call you and say,
021"Man, they don't ever call me." I can't imagine a world in which we call Marks Electric and he says, >> "No, >> I can't be that." >> Absolutely. But I think like to be I understand Tom's intent which is that it was just kind of a a slight to Sharkies given the excellent track record that they have. So to to say that they are not an option. I think that's what he's trying I get the impression that's that's really what he's trying to heal here. We want to keep a great relationship with them. >> Yes. Yes, ma'am. >> I'll call for public input because we added it to the agenda. >> Yeah. >> Any public input? >> Come on, man. >> Any discussion? >> Okay. Call for vote. >> Voting is voting is open. >>
022I pressed yes for something. I said I hope it was for that. motion carries. >> All right, moving into item 3A, superintendent report. M. >> Yes, thank you, Mr. President. Uh item 3A, we have I'm asking the board to consider approval to refer policy JB CC, student assignment, uh to the policy committee. And uh we're referring this because Mr. Piaza asked for us to uh sort of solidify the uh the procedural protocol uh when a student a transfer student um has uh either attendance issues or discipline issues at the school. So we're prepared to bring that back and include that in the policy. Um and that's why we're referring that. >> Okay. We have in form of a motion. >> I motion to >> motion made by Mr. Piaza. Send it to policy committee. Second
023by Mr. Dominguez. >> Any questions? Public input. >> Uh I have one question. >> All right. >> Uh is this cons is this is this since this concerns uh transfer students? What is the what is the major reason for the concern? Well, in the policy that the board approved, it it says that if there's um attendance, if if a transfer any transfer student does not maintain good discipline or attendance, then they could be uh returned to their home zone school. Mr. Piaza asked if we could um present and have the board approve some the procedure for that and the protocol which is what we want to bring to you all in policy and get your input on. >> So a more refined thing of hey you can miss this many if you because right now
024it's unclear. >> So Mr. >> So this is different this is different from a a student who is actually attending school in their own zone. >> Correct. We're saying that if you come from another zone then because you make the you have you have the same problems that a kid who is in school in that in his proper zone uh he would not be dismissed from the school, right? >> No, no, it would only be for transfer students. >> All right. So I I have I have have a problem with that. I don't have >> Well, the board approved that policy. So >> I I understand. I'm just I'm saying right now that I I do have an issue a problem with that. I I think if a student is in a school and he
025should be treated like all other students, you know, his his problems with attendance and whatever else is going on with them should be handled the same as a student who actually lives in that zone. I don't think he should be punished because he's from a different zone. And that's what it appears. It appears that we're punishing the student who makes the same mistake as a student who lives in that zone by returning them back. And so, um, I so I do have an issue with that. >> Mr. Can I ask >> um the the protocol that y'all are going to bring to us? I recall when we did the very first uh version of our transfers, um one of the things that was originally done was that if a magnet transfer had to sign a
026magnet like transfer contract that outlined exactly what you're talking about where you know if you want to have the you know the the benefit of doing a magnet transfer we you understand there's higher expectations to being able to do that but we had them execute that agreement with the parents at the very front end so that there was no confusion cuz you know we get that all the time like when we go to our DRC hearings. Well, I didn't know that if I got in a group fight that it meant that I had to you know go to the like task for a whole year. But to me that was the benefit of doing that magnet contract at the front end. Hey, we're going to give you this this transfer, but we're all going to
027sign understanding that if you do X, Y, and Z, then you're going to go back to your home school. So, is that going to is is that type of thing where we are having them sign something on the front end going to be part of our protocol, you think? >> Yes, I think it it needs to be uh part of the protocol and also notifying the parent of the the policy change, which we've done. Um any any student that has a transfer currently um that parent has received an email about the policy change of the board. >> Well, that that contract it's still somewhere. I'm sure we can find it. And it was it was something that was reviewed and signed by both the parent and the student. >> Yes. >> So that there was
028no confusion. Hey, you know, if you're going to go be part of this program, these are the expectations. >> Yeah. We'll we'll find that and and update it. Okay. >> To for this >> the discipline and >> any other questions? >> Okay. So, Jerry, the the transfer student that would be a privilege given to attend the program at another school. So do you think that that would be uh the policy would be more motivational to make you know that that I have to follow these rules to continue to receive the benefits? >> No, I know I I think I think any student whether you're transfer or not should follow the basic general concept that we're talking about. I mean, if you got problems with attendance in your own school zone, that's an issue for me.
029And I mean I mean these the but the rules basically they they sound kind of discriminatory for me when you say you coming out of a you transferring to our school and you make these mistakes. We don't we don't follow the normal uh discipline procedure. We're going to ship you out. I mean, basically, we're talking about something that we may suspend a student for. Uh that it may create try uh issues for the parents. Um maybe even uh be assigned to the alternative school, but those students who go to the alternative school, they go back to that school zone that they were attending. >> I can see that. I think I think the normal discipline basically takes care of any issues that a child would have if they're if they are a transfer student. >>
030So I I think the issue with that Jerry is that particularly with magnet transfers which is the main ones we're talking about now because you know the you know once the diversity transfers phase out is that those magnet transfer spots for some of our schools there's limited spots for those. So other students are not getting to get those spots and they're being taken by a student that is being referred to truency or is having major discipline problems. So if you're not going to behave in a manner that reflects the fact that you have taken somebody a spot that somebody else could could have, then I think it's a legitimate argument to say, well, no, you're not going to get to to keep somebody else from having the benefit of that spot. So that I think
031that's where the concept comes from. >> Do we do we actually have I mean I I understand you're right and you you're presenting you know a scenario that would uh >> we have students that can't get into Rosland right now. We have students that can't get into Hammond East side lower although I think that's not as much of an issue as it used to be but at one point we had limited spots. Um, but those are the two that come to mind immediately. >> We also are investing more in transfer students if we're still providing transportation. >> And so it it really is more of a privilege. In addition to that, when they leave their their school for which they are zoned, that school is losing MFP money as well. >> It it's just uh
032I think there they should if they're if they've been granted a transfer, they should be held to a higher standard. Doesn't matter. It's not a race or discrimination thing. It's a it's financial. you know, those kids are getting a better opportunity potentially or at least they feel they're getting a better opportunity. You know, >> I guess if once we get into a discussion about later on I I I I I see your point. Once we get into a discussion about the rules >> as to as to uh what uh is going to be the criteria for uh a student losing his his transfer. Uh, I think I think that we could probably get a little bit >> Let me hit a pause button real quick and just remind us that all we're doing in this
033motion is to refer it to policy. We're going to get a chance to debate this. >> Okay. >> And amend it and strike it and whatever whatever the board wishes to do at that point. Right now, let's stick to the subject at hand, which is we do we want to refer this or not? >> Yes. >> So, any questions or comments, public input? >> Hearing none, we'll call for >> voting is open. Not to cut anybody off, but let's save our arguments. >> I was done. I I agree that it's it's uh it's it's it's good, father, for a conversation. We should have Yes. >> Yes. Miss Indiana. >> Hey, Miss Dilly. >> Yeah. >> Um item 3 B. >> I'm sorry. Well, I'm sorry. I was taking my cue from the president over. >>
034We knew we knew we were going to Yeah. Go ahead. >> Do we ready? Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you. >> She will throw things at you. Um, yes, I know. Three, item 3B, general updates. Just wanted to say we've had a great start to school back again this year. And you know, many of our people, our principles and teachers out there have said to me as we've visited schools and I know to our assistant superintendents that have been in the schools that it's been they think it's the best start ever. So, we're very thankful for that. Um, and and very happy to hear that feedback. Also, I know, knock on wood. Also, tomorrow all of the kindergarten students start go tomorrow. It was Wednesday. So, the girls went on Thursday and Friday, the boys Monday
035and Tuesday. And and by the way, um just a side note, they say that the boys cry more um in prek than the girls. I mean, I'm just saying that came from our people in the field and our teachers. Uh but it is a fact apparently, and I never knew that. Uh, but they said the the boys are I would think that the girls would be the >> school with a bunch of prek. I'd cry, too. >> I would think it would be the girls that were the whiniest, but actually it's the boys. So, um, but tomorrow the the girls will get the boys in line and uh there'll be no more problems >> because they'll be together. Uh, but they start tomorrow. So, we're excited about that. Also, if you happen to visit any
036of our lower elementary schools, I ask you to go uh be strategic and go into some kindergarten classes because of the once program. I want you to be able to see that. Uh you know, we this year we have a par profofessional, pareducator, and a teacher in every kindergarten classroom in the parish from Kentwood to Punch Tula. the the PAR educators have been trained in the once program. They're now called instructors and they're going to be doing 15minute interventions tutoring with every kindergarten student in the classroom throughout the day. In addition to what the teacher's doing, what the teacher normally does, they'll be pulling kids one-on-one and doing this once program. And and so I encourage you to go in and take a look at that. Especially, they should be getting off uh this week.
037They've had the training. They're specially trained for this. Uh there's also uh coaches that are giving them feedback on how to improve their skill. And um by October uh our little kindergarten students will be taking little books home and reading those to their families. So this of course is one of our strategies to really ensure that every third grader is reading on level uh and proficient. Not just on level, but they're proficient. Um, the other thing I wanted to mention is uh just reminding the public and you all that if if you get a call, encourage your constituents to put their issue in the report a problem portal. We we are using that. We've updated it. We've it's new and improved. Um, and the principal gets a notification as well as the district supervisor and
038they will follow up. Uh, and it's a way for the parent to document the problem. It's timestamped, timed dated. Um, and so, you know, encourage your constituents and and encourage the families out there to put their or it could be for employees could put issues in there. Uh, it would come to the district level and uh for parents or community members. So, put that in there so we can get them uh archived and in there and documented and we know that it's been followed up uh with either by the school principal or the district staff. That's all I have. Thank you. >> All right, move right into personal privilege and we'll start down here with Miss Rose. >> Yeah, thank you. >> You can't use my mic. Sorry. >> Uh yes. Um I I had
039an opportunity to go with Mr. Jenko the uh one of the first days to tour the schools and uh we had some great feedback and I think everybody you know there was no issues other than just the minor you know bus or carpool issues here and there but uh I think we're going to work all that out. Um I enjoyed you know being able to to go in with him a little bit. So that was kind of fun. Um some of our uh comments though were were thankful for things which is good because we don't ever get thanked. So, I was happy that we got some thanks this year. And for the security gates, uh the higher gates, they have to punch the code to get in or call the office. And I think the
040the schools feel like they're a little safer now. And I I thought that was really great that we did that. So, um yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the Hammond well tangible chamber lunchon and um they were asking at the end after she did Miss Julia Lllo gave her speech and they were asking for questions. Well, a couple people asked the question, but nobody was asking the question. So, I stole that opportunity to to raise my hand and ask. And actually, what I started with was to thank her for the ESSER funds that we were able to get that's allowing us to put air conditions in our gyms and the additional monies that we were able to do to secure our campuses and those type things. So, you know, I kind of started
041with that, but I did pinpoint and ask some questions strictly about the funds that we were being cut, like is there an answer like to the grants that are or some of those are being cut and also the of course the title one money. So, she was forthcoming with trying to relay where we were and that, you know, the secretary of education is they're working a plan to try to u do something about securing other funds because the funds were cut. So, I felt good about her answer and um that they would be sending money to the states. And I did make a comment that I I hope that when the money gets to the state that it is distributed to the school system and that our governor doesn't hang on to the money and
042not give it to us, you know, and everybody kind of laughed because that's what everybody was thinking, right? So, it was a good it was a good lunch. So, I'm glad that I was able to go and u looking forward to meeting with our legislators in a couple weeks in Washington. So, thank y'all for that. All right. Uh, first I want to thank our administration team. I want to thank our maintenance department. I want to thank our project manager, our architects, Mr. McNeely and his office. I want to thank all of y'all because y'all have been amazing through this process. Uh, we we had some meetings at Punch High about phase 2. We had some updates tonight. And at from a board member standpoint, and I I'm sure it's going to be echoed down down
043down the line, it means a lot to us that we're involved in that process. So, I want to thank all of you. I know that's a lot of hard work. And thank y'all for allowing us to put our input into those decisions on those dayto-day. So, thank you for that. Uh, thank you to our transportation department. I had a few phone calls for the start of school. They handled them like professionals. We have some wonderful people in that department. Um, I want to and that kind of segate se gets me to the the next section is, you know, I put a video out asking everybody to be compassionate and kind for the first start of school. So far, this has been, like Miss Dilly said, just the best start for me. I got not as
044many phone calls. They were a lot nicer when they called me, when they had something to complain about. Uh, we referred them to the uh have a the our portal or online thing solve a problem. and it's just been a very good start when it comes to how people are treating other people on our campus and how they are talking to one another and our staff. So, I want to thank the community for that buy in and for giving us that courtesy to take care of issues when they are when they're brought up. Um, on top of that, that kind of goes into Mr. uh what Mr. Jenko brought about. We had an opportunity over the summer to do a flower bed together. We got really close and personal. and he came up with a
045good idea of when we were redoing the flower bed, we have a lot of people in our communities that have work that they do for us and a lot of them are willing to volunteer their time and especially for a good cause. We have flower beds through our entire parishes that have been, you know, neglected or over time because of a programs that have come and gone or just money in general. Um, we had a local business in Langja go and actually um donate his time and energy and redid the flower bed in Lanja. It was Mudbugs. Uh, it's one of our local contractors. When I put that on there for people to to apply for to do, I've got five different people that vol that was willing to volunteer their time and their money
046to fix the things on our campus. So, I'm hoping that we can get that list to those schools and we can do the middle school and the high school and hopefully across the parish we can do these things in different areas. But I want to thank them for stepping up and for volunteering and donating their time for our schools. Um, so again, we have a lot of people in our community that could do those things and I want to thank them when they do do those things cuz we need more buyin from the community. It takes a village. And last, since Miss Tilly said our elementary starts tomorrow, I'm going to do a challenge. I'd like to challenge every board member here to visit an elementary tomorrow and take a picture with a student. So,
047challenge on. I'm going to try to do it. I know we all have busy schedules. If not, tomorrow, maybe the next day or the next day. You got to hold till the next board meeting. >> Challenge for the week. Find an elementary kid and take a picture with him. Tell him wish him good luck. slap his hand and let's have a good start. >> Does grandkids count? Ask us. >> Um, yeah, I think it counts. >> I think it counts. Except for Miss Tilly. She's got a lot of them. So, I think that's unfair for us. So, but other than that, guys, great start. Miss Tilly, your team's doing great. I I I have not been more optimistic than I am right now in the state of where we're headed. So, thank y'all very much
048for y'all's hard work. >> More. Okay. Okay, I'm just going to give a quick shout out to all the teachers. Uh, you guys are my favorites. Uh, you deal with our children. You have them for 8 to 10 hours a day. If you're coaches, you may have them for even longer. Um, and, uh, consider your position as second parents, you know, uh, and, uh, and treat them the way you would want other people to treat your children. So, I'm leave it at that. Okay. Nothing, >> Mr. Richard. >> Down in this center. All right. You You said no. >> No, I didn't say nothing. >> Coming back this way. >> Oh, you're coming back. >> Start with first. >> Okay. >> We're going to let Robin talk for a little while. >> Yeah. Yeah. Let
049Robin do it. Um, well, Joy, you haven't had many phone calls, but I have, and I just want And so, I couldn't say I hadn't cuz I have to thank Mr. Jeno cuz I have been blowing up his phone and >> he has been handling it all of them and I I love to call him cuz when I call him the first thing, oh no problem. Oh it's a great day and you it's like okay good. Now here's my problems and he said oh that's no problem. We'll take care of it. So I want to say thank you Mr. Jeno. Um, also, um, to pick it back on you, Joey, with the doing the gardening and the beautifification, I'd like to say thank you to our local pastors and the um, community leaders because since
050our first meeting up at Kentwood High School, I mean Kentwood at um, Oak Grove Church, from there they have kept me busy because they have organized several several meetings in different areas. As a matter of fact, tonight one is going on at Big Zine Church where the pastors and local leaders are getting together so that they will become an active support village for our schools. So, we are excited about that. Uh Hammond had one uh down um at um let's see when did they have theirs? um the intentional village for youth on August the 14th. They had it in Hammond. And then they're going to have another one there on September the 18th. There will be one Saturday at Little Bethl Baptist Church. Um they're going to have bre they're going to serve breakfast and
051it's all to bring the communities together for the support of our schools. And I'm just want to give kudos out to that and that will be at 9:00 and um I have my birthday will be Thursday and I've delayed my birthday plans so that I can attend the breakfast meeting. So uh but we're excited and we're thanking the community for getting involved and we welcome you to participate with our children and our schools because it it takes a village. Which one? >> I would just like to say uh like the updates we got at Capitol Outlay and uh the projects of the gyms. I'm sure everyone that attends the gyms are going to enjoy this when we get it finished. And I'm glad we got the extra money that we could do it instead of
052in our budget. as well as the phase two projects. You know, we've been waiting years and I'm glad they're finally getting off and doing doing well and look look forward to those new buildings far. Also, piggyback on what everyone else said, I've had nothing but good comments come to me concerning the start of new school. It it's doing very well. Congratulations to our superintendent and uh all of our administrators and teachers and everyone down is doing an excellent job. We do appreciate that. >> Thank you. Y'all need to knock on wood. I'm going to do it before I start talking here. Um but yeah, just to echo what everybody else is suggesting. Um I've had so few few calls. Um I had a call about a bus situation that's already resolved. I had a call
053about a AC issue. It's already underway. I offered to almost every principal in my district to say, "Look, if you need me to come walk campus, if there's any controversy or um potential altercations, let me come walk. invite me there. Give me a reason to show up and nobody's called me. It's kind of lonely. It's like being in the summer. So, uh, congratulations to Miss Dilly and the executive team because, uh, I mean, this is this is the best start that I've had. Again, I'm going to knock on wood. Um, but just great job. I mean, so few complaints, so few parent complaints. Uh, Tangi School parents is looking uh, nice and polite. Nobody's freaking out on there yet. So, uh, yeah, it's been a it's been a good start. So, thank y'all very much.
054He had to say >> absolutely love your comment >> about move on, but >> we're not going to bring that up again. >> She's not no longer a problem. >> Yeah, please. Anyway, first I want to welcome Miss Amanda. Thank you for joining us. Hope we don't give you information overload tonight, but um Miss Cindy will lead you in the right path. And the other thing I want to say, I do appreciate Mr. Paige, the the information that's what we have been looking for. There's almost um it seems like lately from just little things that we hear or I hear that there's like a us against y'all. Could not be further from the truth. >> We're rowing the same direction. Um we get different calls and y'all get and and I understand your your world
055is a lot different than our world, but we are available. If y'all have a question, please call us. I'll be more Miss Cynthia, Charlie, all of you call us. If you hear something that's offensive, I hope you will pick up the phone and call us and say, "Is this what you're thinking?" Because I think too many times information from here to your office may get skewed and and and get twisted around. I want you all to understand that we're rowing in the same direction. We have the same goal in mind. We want good facilities to put our children in to educate our kids. Y'all have an incredibly hard job to do. We understand that. We appreciate it. We respect it. And there's nothing more that I want to do to support that than to help
056you in any way possible. And Theron, you know how many times I've told you, do we need to call energy? Do we need to whatever it is, we will do it. And if we have to start at the governor and work our way down, we will do it. If there's something, a roadblock or hurdle that you need us to help get you across. Uh you have my promise that we will do that. So, thank you for everything that y'all do. Um other than that, great start to the school year. I echo what everybody has said. Phone calls have been very good. the few that we've the few that we've had have been solved real quick by Mr. Jenko and Miss Dilly and and the team. So, um I applaud y'all for what y'all do. Let's
057keep up that good work and um have a great year. With that being said, I'll last word. >> Just wish Jan Janice happy birthday and also Mr. McNeely is the day after on Friday. So, we have two birthdays. >> Miss Jan is celebrating her 33 right there. Right. 33. Yeah, I know. We're right there neck and neck. I know. Everybody needs to be praying to keep the hurricanes away. >> Yes. Keep praying. >> Oh, and thank you to Mr. Matthews, too. Roof done and then another one more. One more. Uh, welcome to Miss Amanda. Today's our first meeting. So, thank you for being here and and good luck. It's a crazy >> luck putting up this. >> Are you coming back? >> I'll entertain a motion to enter executive session. >> Move that we enter
058into executive session to consider the case of David Phillips Jr. versus Canro Paris School. Second. Motion second. All in favor? >> I. >> Channel 17. Proudly serving the Florida parishes. >> Mr. President, >> back in session, Mr. Duncan. >> Yep. On the matter of David Phillips Jr. versus Kar School Board. Move to adopt council's recommendation. >> Motion to adopt council's recommendation. We hear a second. Mr. Westland made the second. Any discussion? Any public input? Any opposition hearing? None. Motion carries. >> Meeting a meeting. All right.