001We'll call our meeting to order for August the 5th for our regular board agenda. And we'll start off with a roll call. Miss Jenkins. >> Miss Richards. >> Mr. Toller >> here. >> Miss Abrams >> here. >> Mr. West Morland >> present. >> Mr. Duncan >> here. >> Mr. Anthony >> here. >> Mr. Moore >> here. >> Mr. Piaza >> here. >> Mr. Dominguez >> present. >> Okay. I would ask you to please stand and join us as Mr. Pas allegiance us in the pledge of allegiance. >> Your act of military, please render the proper salute. I 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. >> Thank you. May be seated. Item C,
002consider approval of the board minutes for July 15, 2025. Do I hear a motion? Afternoon. >> Motion made by Mr. Piaza, seconded by Mr. Anthony. I'm sorry, Mr. Westerland. >> Hearing no questions, we'll call for a vote. >> Voting is open. [Music] a couple times in >> motion carries. >> Okay. Item D, consider approval of the public notice minutes from July 15th as well, 2025. Do I hear a motion to accept that? So move. >> Motion made by Mr. Piaza. >> Second by Mr. Westland. Any discussions, questions, additions? Hearing none, we'll call for a vote. Voting is open. Motion carries. >> Thank you. All right. Moving into item 2A. Recognize AED award recipients. This Verna Est Thompson. Hadn't heard that in a while, have you? >> Not Not very much. Not very much. I want
003to thank y'all so much for giving us the opportunity to do this. I think it's important to recognize the schools that have really done an outstanding job in their AED drills. Act two 234 um required us to have AEDs in the schools. With the AEDs in the schools, you have to have people train CPR, first aid, and AED training, which is what the nurses are doing. We have nine instructors and I'm really pushing to try and get a few more with my nurses. U so hopefully we can increase that number. Um it is it is a fun job for us because we get to be nurses again. You know the excitement and everything. We do go into the schools. We make it as secretive as possible. We want them to feel or think this is
004a real thing because we want them to know the adrenaline is pumping and you need to be aware of how to handle it. And so we do have um I do want to tell y'all too, last year, I'm going back up the year 2023 24 we had 192 staff members trained for uh this past school year. We have 215. So we are increasing maybe a little but we are increasing in these numbers and we hope to increase even more. Uh schools are required to also have a unit if they are sponsoring an event they are required to have a unit and train personnel at that event. So we're working with the principles making them aware of that. Uh jumpst start your heart is a big program. It has taken a lot of my job to
005get it going and get it go, you know, but those most of the schools have are in compliance. There are some we had to still work on, but the majority of them are in compliance and um you know, so it's going to take a little time, but we're getting there. Um, but I do want to recognize some of our schools, and I'm not going to take up a lot of time. Um, >> yes. >> Just turn you this way. Mr. Toler, Miss Stillley down, if you going to give awards. Yes, ma'am. Okay. >> Giving spiel to the board. Now we're going to spill to the >> Okay, >> now y'all all get to see me, huh? Okay. I want to recognize our top five schools. Um, and we're going to go, we're going to have
006two honorable mention schools. So our first honorable mention school is Nissam. So is anybody here from Niss? Come on down. [Applause] Hello. >> Okay. Our next school that we want to recognize is O. Dylan. And >> I got in so much trouble with my own son last year because we did not do first, second, and third place with the AED drills. So, we've decided we going to start doing first, second, and third place. Third place AED drills. >> You got it. >> Ready? >> Okay. Third place, AED drills, LRA Elementary. [Applause] >> That's right. >> They even did a drill on the playground. >> Mhm. >> Yep. >> Our second place, Ponchatula Junior High. [Applause] They're practicing drills. Okay. Our first place winners, Chesro Elementary. And I will say this, the competition was very tight
007this year. Okay? We had to really look and dig and figure out how to do all this. You know, it wasn't that easy this year. Yeah, >> people in the back. Short people in the front. Yeah. >> I'm not approving this tonight. >> We'll start turning. >> I I guess that's >> plenty of time. >> Yeah. >> Advantage we have. in use. [Music] >> You know, I have all mine from when I was on the board. [Applause] You're going to inter You're going to >> recognize the instructor. Yes. >> Yeah. I also want to go ahead and recognize part of our CPR instructor team. Y'all stand up. Y'all can come on up here. Bae, if I had to be up here, you guys do, too. Yes. Come on. We have Karen Forest, GPLA, Amy Clear,
008Champ Cooper, Carrie Watts, Hammond High, Yolanda Carter, Spring Creek, and Summer Middle. Let me tell you, we can do a picture right here. >> Okay. >> I don't know if we squeeze it. You can stay right here if you want to. >> I want this out. Oh, I don't need a memory of >> y'all say. >> Okay. Okay. >> These are the ladies you definitely want at your schools. >> Thank you, Miss Veron. All right, moving on over to item 2B. Recognize the Reach University graduates. Um, and Miss Sharon's going to do that. Miss Sharon, come on up. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to recognize our graduates from Reach University. In 2021, we partnered with Reach University to offer our support staff, whether that was a pair professional, secretary, the opportunity to
009work toward a bachelor's degree and teacher certification. And what we have here tonight are our first 18 graduates from Reach University. And I think we have them all in classrooms now as teachers. And so we're really excited about that to try and continue to put um teachers in a classroom who are highly qualified and certified. So, we're going to start with our first group of graduates from uh Reach University earned their bachelor's of arts in global education, which leads them to certification in elementary 1 to5. Carly Adams completed her residency at DC Reeves with Miss Brandy Key serving as her mentor. [Applause] Miss Sarah Brabham completed her residency at Spring Creek Elementary with Miss Rayanne McMillan serving as her mentor. Miss Lacy Grace completed her residency at Spring Creek Elementary with Miss Sarah Meyers as
010her mentor. Mr. Desmond Jackson completed his residency at Champ Cooper with Miss Deanna Author as his mentor. Miss Christian King completed her residency at Chesbro with Miss Leanne Kerbo serving as her mentor. Miss Crystal Price completed her residency at Chesbro with Miss Elizabeth Elizabeth Alford serving as her mentor. Miss Tracy Robertson completed her residency at DC Reeves with Miss Susie Miller serving as her mentor. Miss Nikki Varnado completed her residency at Chesbro with Miss Deborah Simmons and Miss Hannah Mthn serving as her mentors. [Applause] [Laughter] That's Our [Applause] second group of graduates earned a bachelor's of arts in liberal arts and will continue their teacher prep program hopefully with teach tangi if not um another alternate certification program. So earning their bachelor's of arts in liberal arts. Courtney Addison, Miss Lindy Basso, Miss Paty Basso,
011[Applause] Miss Stephanie Johnson, Miss Jennifer Ledette, Mr. Ian Mayot who is currently in Teach Tangi, [Applause] Miss Angela Newman, [Applause] Miss Erica Petri, Miss Kirsten Chalacy, [Applause] and Miss Shalexis Williams. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Yeah, >> I'll do committee reports first, but it'd be a good break to do it now. Yeah, I have one. Yours has >> congratulations to all of you. Thank you for your dedication to the students of Tancho Parish, the willingness and the desire to become teachers and and thank you again for all you do for our students. Hopefully next time we get to recognize twice as many. >> Thank you. On behalf of the board, I just want to say first of all, congratulations, but also a big thank you to our staff and administration for putting together to make these things
012possible because education is so important. The the need for teachers and more qualified teachers is greater than it ever has been before. Um, and this is just another one of those great programs that allows maybe the non-traditional students like myself at one time a pathway to get into the classroom. So, thank you for doing that and thank you for participating that and thank you, Miss Dilly, for for leading that up. I would ask at this time that entertain a motion for item number seven and we'll have executive session real quick and give you a chance to take pictures and stuff. moved to enter into executive session to consider the matter of uh transfer school board and Norma Tobias. Second any opposition hearing none >> channel 17 proudly serving the Florida parishes. >> So we are
013back in session. Uh entertain a motion Mr. Duncan >> when the um >> which one was >> item number seven. Yeah, but there was the specific case that we're taking council's recommendation on is um >> was it >> it's this one >> Thomas Wilson versus Tair School Board adopt council's recommendation. >> Okay, we have a second. >> Second >> motion and a second to adopt council's recommendation on 7A. Any discussion? Hearing none. Call for a vote. You give her a minute. made the motion. >> Motion was made by Mr. Duncan, second by Mr. Westerland. Anybody opposed? Hearing no opposition, motion carries. Okay, then back up to item 3A, policy committee of the whole the report. Do we have a motion to accept that committee report? >> So move. >> Motion made by Mr. Piaza, second
014by Mr. Westland. Any questions, deletions, or additions? Hearing none, call for a vote. Voting is open. Aries. >> Okay, thank you. Item 3B, capital outlay committee of the whole from July 15th. Do we have a motion accept that report? So move. >> Motion made by Mr. Piaza. >> Second by Mr. Anthony, any corrections, additions, or questions? Hearing none, call for a vote. >> Voting is open. Okay. Motion carries. >> Carries with Mr. Moore abstaining. >> All right. Item uh 3C personnel committee from August 5th meeting which is before this one. >> We have a motion to accept that report. >> So move. >> Motion made by Mr. Piaza, >> second by Mr. Anthony. Any questions, additions, or deletions? Hearing none, I call for a vote. >> Voting is open. carries. Okay. Item 4A is something
015we always look forward to. Consider approval of the graduation schedule. Uh not Dr. Lisa Fel. >> Not Dr. Fel. Again, I will attempt to fill the very big shoes of Dr. Fusel and do my best to do those. Good evening everyone. Uh, I know you're thinking here we are in 2026 graduation dates >> and we just had the pep rally, but as we all know, it'll be here before you know it. >> Yep. >> Uh, these are the dates that were given to us by South Eastern. There is one mistake and once we get it corrected on paper, we'll send it to you. It's the practice section. Uh, the Hammond and Ponchula should be May 4th, 2026, not May 9th. That's when they graduate. So it was just a little paper issue by Southeastern when
016they sent it to us. >> It should be what Ron >> the practice dates for Hammond and Ponchatula should be May 5th May 4th 5426. >> Okay. With that correction in mind but I take here a motion to consider the approval of the graduation schedule. >> So move made by Mr. Piaza. Second by Miss Rose. >> Any questions? It's really unique how we've scheduled all of this around all the other parishes. Yes, it is. >> University Center is crazy busy. >> Just I I just, you know, this isn't our normal dates. Is there u were there any conversations with Southeastern about how we I mean I guess it doesn't matter tremendously, but you know, >> it's a few days earlier than normal. Um I think I put that in one of the updates to y'all,
017but it's it's a couple days earlier. It starts a couple days earlier than normal. Um, but we we had had several conversations with them and they struggling with trying to fit everybody in and their graduation and you know, >> so with this being a little earlier, is that going to >> I don't think it's negotiable with them. That was what I'm saying. >> Okay. With this being a little earlier, is this going to help us avoid what we had last year with the Hammond graduation with the Hammond High IB and the same night as because that was a big that was >> it. Should >> Well, what can I I'm sure they haven't planned the IB night yet. So, um it would be what we need to do is make sure the high school principles
018have these dates and they don't schedule conflicts with them. >> That made a big deal with parking because at the big school >> big school. Yeah. >> Yeah. Because ponchula is going to be that Saturday, not on >> they both are s we had the IB >> Ham and IB graduation the same night as Ponchul is right. >> Sorry. Ponchula. Yeah. Sorry. Punch Tul and Parkin was >> So that won't happen. >> Good. >> I'm glad to see Lauren is graduating during the week and not on a um Saturday with him and I >> because it was back to back. Okay. Any other questions? >> Call for a vote. >> Voting is open. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Thank you. Item 4B, moving into fun stuff. Consider approval to publish a notice of public
019hearing for the proposed 2526 annual operating budget in the official journal. Mr. McNeely. >> All right. You should have received a digital copy last week. Um, and tonight you have a paper copy. We're just asking at this time uh for approval to publish it for the public inspection period. >> Okay. You hear a motion? >> Motion made by Miss Rose. Second by Mr. Anthony. Any questions? >> When is uh the actual date of adoption? Like when when are we supposed to actually meet? >> How long does it how long is public inspection? >> It won't be adopted until >> September. >> Yes. September. >> Thank you. >> Go ahead. >> You could you going to make her get up? That's not fair. >> Um, the deadline to be submitted to the state is September 15th.
020So, the adoption is going to be the first week in September. So, if there are any changes that you're wanting to make or anything like that, there will be a very short time frame to make any of those changes from the time that we adopt to they absolutely have to be submitted. So I am asking that if there are any changes or anything like that if you can let us know so that we can answer your questions or anything like that because when we come to adoption once it's adopted or not adopted then for it to be submitted to the state we have to have it submitted on the 15th of September. Okay. >> Okay. No other questions. Call for a vote. Putting this open. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Item 4 C, consider approval
021to renew the work workers compensation insurance policy. Mr. me. >> Uh we're recommending to uh adopt the renewal with LWCC. Uh there was an increase this year. We had over $2 million in in claims uh which we would have been paying out of our own fund. Um but the um the dividend is increasing each and every year. So we're looking at probably having a $400,000 dividend back. U Mr. Ryan Gamble is here. Uh if there's if there's any questions, do I hear a motion? >> Motion to adopt. Motion to adopt for Mr. Piaza, seconded by >> Mr. Anthony, questions. Comments. >> What was the increase? >> Uh Ryan, how much was the increase? About >> $600,000. >> About a $600,000 increase. >> But do you remember what our dividend was for this year? Because that
022should kind of >> Our dividend for this year was 250. >> So we're expecting about a two a $200,000 increase in it, right? Um, and the projections are that by the we're still in process. Once you get to year five, that dividend is going to be about 1.2 million. >> I just want to make sure we're calculating that dividend because that offsets some of that increase because we do receive money back, right? And then we'll receive more back next year to cut it even more if it goes up. >> Do we track trends in that as far as what is that attributed to? Is that accidents, workplace accidents, vehicle accidents, all the above? Or >> I know the answer, but I'm going let him answer. What is the >> What is the trend and and
023why this year did it cause for our insurance to go up, I guess, is my question. >> Well, I mean, we've had the same amount of claims over the last several years. Um the really the the difference was during COVID when no one was working here, all of the claims went down. So, it looked like we were trending in a much better direction than what we actually were. We're back up to about what we normally have claim wise. Most of the claims are not due to car accidents. Most of them due to slip and falls, fights, uh falling off of buses, anything to that nature are when majority of the claims are. Um the kind of the same rate that we've always had. >> And are we aggressively do we have someone in house that
024aggressively >> well I don't know have a >> goes after the claims and what? >> Yeah. Stops fraudulent claims and goes after things like that. So you I mean you can >> if somebody deserves it obviously we want to pay for >> actually the the the great thing about using LWCC is it's not our claim, it's their claim. We just pay a premium. So once it's turned over to them, yes, they they are aggressively handling um second second opinion on doctors and those kind of things. Well, I know it still falls on them, but for us to be proactive before it gets to them, the the more that we can protect ourselves from sending things to them, the better our premiums look. >> Yeah. So, they um they do walkthroughs in the schools and will
025tell us, "Hey, this is a trip hazard. Hey, this is a problem." And we've we've every time they've done that, we've gotten a letter back from them after they do a second inspection saying, "Thank you for handling those items." So, um >> Mr. Mr. McNeel, I think what he's trying to hint at is do we have somebody in house that when before that claim gets filed with LWCC? Is there somebody in our office reviewing that claim, make sure it's valid before we send it to LWCC? >> Is this >> I think we can stop it from going to them, but >> if we had somebody in house reviewing it before we send it over to LWC, we >> used to have a risk management. Miss Naniano was our risk management. So Maggie um >> seven
026Maggie 7 I'm sorry I know it was Maggie Adams Maggie 7 uh is our risk manager and everything goes through her. Um >> so we do have someone in house that that works >> but the preventative is mostly being done through programs that LWCC does. So we're not having to pay for those programs. >> All right. We have a motion here. Go ahead. >> Oh do we did we do a motion already? Yeah. >> Yes we did. >> Okay. Um, do Ryan, is this something that we're able to shop on an annual basis? >> Yes, we we did shop this out. The the issue that you have is that the claim severity is so high and your E-mod is at a 1.66, which is rather high. Um, you can shop it out, but with the
027dividend that no one's going to come close to the premium that LWC is offering once you include that dividend amount, especially after five years looking at that dividend. And LWCC is the only one that does that type of program. Correct. Which we're just recently with them. We used to be with a different >> That's correct. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> No other questions. We'll call for a vote. >> Voting is open. Motion carries. >> All right. Thank you and thank you Ryan for the information. Uh moving over to item D. Consider approval to renew the liability insurance policy. >> Okay. So it's this is liability auto and our property. Uh so I'm going to let Ryan come talk about the liability and the auto and then Austin Powell is here to discuss property.
028>> Um so this year we did um shop this out. We have been with um Berkeley Insurance Company for probably 8 to 10 years now. Um they did give us a renewal that was cheaper than what they were offering last year, but we had um other people that came into the market that finally um were more competitive than Berkeley. Um and was my recommendation and Mr. Jeff's recommendation to go to switch over to a company called Old Republic. Um, for the most part, everything is staying the exact same as far as claims, uh, the limits, the, um, deductibles or, excuse me, the SIR retention. There was a, we went from our physical damage, um, deductible from 20,000, it's now 25,000. Um, but overall, the premium savings is pretty pretty substantial. So, we felt like it
029was the the right time to make that move. I did go back to Berkeley asking if they would uh try and match what Old Republic was offering and they said that they were comfortable at the premium that they were trying to offer. And so um we felt like it was at that time best to go with the cheapest premium >> for the same coverage. >> And it is a pretty significant reduction. >> All of the layers are counted, right? About >> my quick math is about $500,000 cheaper. It's including the property, you're looking at $440,000 cheaper. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, first of all, let me get a motion in a second. >> I'll make a motion to accept the recommendation. >> Okay. Rose made the motion, seconded by Mr. Joey. Any other
030questions? >> I think it's good that we actually have people to bid on to sell insurance because last year you came in, we were having a hard time finding anybody to even bid. Correct. >> Correct. So that's a blessing. >> And we've been with Berkeley for a while, too. Kind of. Actually, we're almost down to our original price, but we had Berkeley in 2022. Correct. >> Correct. Yes. Um, we would we've probably been with Berkeley since 2013. Um, going back all the way to there. Um, but they just would not, they just felt comfortable where they were. And so, um, >> hey, it's time shop. But >> that's right. That's when it typically happens. >> Any other questions? >> Um, >> do you want Mr. Powell to talk about the properties before because I think
031y'all are bundling these all together in the motion. >> Yeah, because this is auto and property, right? >> Yeah. >> I hate the >> Hey, good evening everybody. >> So, some good news on the property this year. Um, the coverage is going to be remaining the same as far as what coverage you guys carry. You guys currently carry 15 million of name storm coverage and then um a total limit of 40 million for all other wind and uh different perils like fire, lightning, things like that. We were able to get a $375,000 decrease this year. And some better news to that, you guys have had a uh perlo deductible when it comes to name storms. So what that means is if one building got hit at a campus, the 5% is levied upon all buildings
032at the campus. So you get really large deductibles um whenever a name storm comes in. We got them to switch that to a per building deductible this year. And then in addition to that, uh you guys have a margin clause built into your coverage. That was giving you an extra 10% over and above what a building was worth that that we have have it scheduled for. We got them to bump that up as well. Uh another 5% so you get an extra 15% over and above. So pretty good good news for the first time in a while. >> Is there a reference in there to the terrorism policy? We have to reject that or accept that. >> Uh yeah. So it was not included. I didn't have time to put it on the spreadsheet. It
033wasn't given to me till the last minute. Um but if you guys are interested in that historically you've declined it. Uh it's an additional $10,65 for terrorism coverage. Um, quick question. Do you know what company we're going through for the uh, building coverage? I see where it says multiple Westchester. Do you know who the >> the main is Westchester? That's who's been on it for a while. Um, we kind of got down to a a timing issue to get this on the agenda, so I did not get the full panel. It is likely staying with the exact same people it's been with, though. Got >> back to the terrorism question. What is the wishes of the board on that? Are we excluding that? I I don't think it's needed here. I mean, again, I'm it's
034always a tossup. I can tell you, especially with us being a public entity. However, I don't think in our line of work, we are a high risk for that particular coverage. That's my professional opinion. I can't give it to you, you know, 100%. I think >> our recommendation was not to have it. So I think the motion as it stands would exclude terrorism if >> that's amended. Okay. Any other questions? >> Mr. Wood it was on what did we pay when we got the insurance for um cyber? Are we still carrying that? The cyber insurance. Are y'all carrying that or is that >> that doesn't? >> Okay. >> So just just to be clear on the property you're talking about. And so if a storm were to hit a school and damage seven buildings at
035a campus, the deductible would be different for each building. >> Correct? So it's 5% of each building's declared values. >> So So the deductible would add up. >> Yes. But saying is say if the campus is worth a hundred million. Okay. Well, then a 5% deductible is a $5 million deductible. But if you had 80% of the campus wasn't even touched, they're going to take the ones that were and put the 5% to those building values. >> This is a better deduction. >> Yeah. Way better deduction. >> I'm I'm really surprised y'all swung that with such a large >> I was too. >> Yeah. I could barely get that on little small projects. I imagine you're getting it on this big one. >> Yeah. >> Huh? >> Henry. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Henry, you can
036come work for me whenever you want, bud. One year of increases. >> Uhhuh. It was a long time coming. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any other questions? >> Hearing none. We'll call for a vote. >> Great job, guys. >> Is open. >> Motion carries. >> All right. On into item five, superintendent report and recommendations. Miss Dilly. >> Yes. Um 5A, we have some recommendations from Forthought due to some state law changes in these areas um that have impacted the policies and so we're referring these to our next policy. Uh that is uh consider approval of IFA instructional materials, IFB GA student computer and internet use, JB DD student absences and excuses, J C D AF bullying and hazing. JD DE expulsion, J Gce, child abuse. J GCF behavioral health support for students, JB, school wellness,
037and JC DAA, student smoking, tobacco, and marijuana use. All to the policy committee. >> I'll make a second. >> A second. >> Motion made by Miss Rose, second by Mr. Piaza. >> Any questions? >> I do got one. Is vaping going to be is that going to fall under student smoking or the tobacco? JCA. >> Okay. Actually, I knew we had something separate. I just want to make sure that one follows. >> We made a separate paragraph under that policy. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Hearing none. We'll call for a vote. >> Voting is open. Motion carries. Right. >> Um item 5B, we want to provide the board an update on our 2025 summer internship program. Um and you have a handout in front of you. I think Miss Deborah Anderson's
038going to give us an update. We we actually had planned to have one of our interns that have been with us um when enrolled. He was at Punch Tula High. um he was an intern with us and now he's at Southeastern and is interning with us um presented because I think he kind of headed up this program. >> He did >> because of the benefits that he's you know received from that, >> right? Yeah. >> Um the gentleman that Miss Dilly is talking about is Mr. Wyatt Baker. Hopefully you have the handout in front of you if you need some extra ones to hand out to your constituents. But um basically Wyatt started with me as an accounting student at Punchoula High School and went on to be an intern dur at Ponchula when we
039had the internship program. He worked with us this year. This is going on three years with us. He worked his senior year in high school. He came to us three days a week, one day, one week, two days a week another. And um and then continue with us and he is going into accounting at Southeastern. What we did last year is we had a summer internship program. It kind of started late and Dr. Ford at Ameid High School was able to provide us with probably about five or six students. This year it turned into a huge internship program and I put Wyatt in charge of it and he was the person that we got the interns to come in. They filled out applications. We talked to them about um different things going into the um
040into the schools. Our principles really enjoyed this because during the summer, if you know, our teachers leave their rooms. There are things that need to be cleaned and textbooks and just different items that need to be done. And these interns were able to do that. the handout that it shows you, we had 19 high school interns representing Punchula High School, um, Sar High, Independence, Lauranja, Hammond High, um, Magnet School, Ame, and Kentwood. And it was all 11th and 12th graders. They were able to come in. Um, we paid them an hourly wage. They clocked in with their principles and helped them just do different things. You can see the intern duties. The gentleman that is sitting um in the picture that's on our uh on the handout that is Skyler. We Skyler worked with us
041at the in the accounting department. And just to give you a little bit about Skyler, Skyler rode his bike every single day to come and work for us because he wanted to be able to have some money to put in his pocket. Um, it says on here they had 2,61 hours, but that doesn't include the career and technical interns that Shelley Gdos had put together. Um, also she had some interns through another program, what we call Mera. On here it says we had 2,61 hours. I'm not really sure exactly how many hours that she had. I will tell you that we paid out. And before I tell you this, it was not all of our money, but we paid out over $81,000 to these interns. Of the $81,000, 60,000 almost a little bit over $60,000
042we got state reimbursement. So only $20,000 came out of our general fund. But that money gave those students and believe me they were looking for their checks because they wanted to get their checks to get school supplies, school uniforms, things that they were able to help students, I mean help them their families so that they were able to um get ready for school. Some of them were hoping they're going on to college cuz they could be seniors. Some of them are going into their senior year. And we told them if they're looking at an internship maybe during um school if we're able to especially with this block schedule that we offer now is very conducive to be able to help our students have internships. I know the benefits of it um because I see Wyatt
043who worked with us. I have another young lady that is a intern. She's an an accounting intern with Southeastern and I have one that is um a Northshore Technical. She's going to Nor Technical hopefully in the fall. So, I just wanted y'all to know that it is a great thing. I know that Shellyley and Lula Williams at um the college and career has done a great job with promoting internships. It is a great opportunity for these students. And just poor Wyatt, he got sick at the pep rally today. He could not, he didn't even stay for the pep rally. Um I told him we were going to present him. Also, Wyatt has received from Southeastern um the Julius Procop Jr. Accounting Scholarship. He will get $1,000 for the next eight semesters. Um and I think
044a lot of it has to do with because he started with us as an intern. We are trying to convince him to stay all the way through his college years to get his masters, his CPA, and hopefully he will work with us here. um he has convinced himself he will be running the district one day. So I do think he probably will be in Jeff's job. So but I want to thank y'all for supporting us. These students um I don't know what the financial impact of our community is, but I do know that every dollar that they're spending probably is staying in our community. So thank y'all. Thank you for heading that up. >> Thank you, Miss Phill this internship program with the new accountability assist. um >> changes that are going into effect this
045year. Didn't I read somewhere where internships will be will help our high school uh >> and apprenticeships. >> They're wanting this they're wanting them to do the apprenticeships. >> Okay. >> As somebody who did a summer program here, but it wasn't official like this. It was very much needed as somebody who was in the school. It made it made a big difference for me when I showed back up in the school year knowing that I did something to give back to my campus. So to have these kids come in and work and do a job and get paid for it, I'm I'm all for it. I think it's amazing. Thank you, Miss Deborah, for heading that up. And hopefully we'll have many, many, many, many more come through and different levels of it, too. I
046remember when I was in school, we did the maintenance program. I was here, I mentored in the maintenance as an apprentice for I think three summers and it was a very big learning thing for me and I'm glad to see that we're continuing that trait and tradition moving forward because these kids are exposed to a lot of things especially over summertime to get them back in the building in a place where they can be productive and actually make some money for themselves is even better. I do want to say um when Wyatt before um the students left because August 1st was their last day with us, Wyatt prepared a written letter of recommendation for each one of them telling them, you know, what they had done so that when they go to their employers if
047they're going to get jobs outside of, of course, our district, they will have some type of letter being able to state they've had this experience and worked this entire summer. I will tell you the principles loved it. They they loved having the hands on and being able to. So, >> yes, >> absolutely. >> Um, thank you, Deborah. Uh, item 5C, general updates. Just, you know, great back to school rally today. It was great. Just the energy in the university center is always great to see. Um, I wanted to thank the board that was there and thanks for your participation in the game. Um today y'all are pretty competitive too, you know. >> Uh so we always talk about our teachers being competitive in our schools, but our board members are equally uh competitive. And um
048also I wanted to mention that it, you know, each year um WDSU kind of picks a school where they go for the first day and they um they're there really early and the cheerleaders are out there and all that. So, um I I mean one year they they did Punch Tula, they did I think last year maybe Hammond High. Uh this year they're going to be at Independence High, but they're going to be there really early, like 5:30 in the morning, >> every 30 minutes. Dr. Sanders told me 5:30. >> 5:30 all the way to 6:30. >> So, um you know, if you're up that early on Friday morning and you wanted to swing by there, uh they will be at the school kind of getting a glimpse of the band and the the cheerleaders
049and all that all that kind of stuff. Also, I want to um remind just the public about the family toolkit that's online. It's on our website at tangischools.org. It has everything that you need for back to school. Uh what time does school start? It's on there. What time does my school end? Uh whether the times, the the supply list, it has the meet and greet dates for schools. Uh just a lot uniform policies, just a lot of information there for families. and um that we want to make sure that you know families know that they can go there. Then the last thing is that you know since school starts on a Friday so the board has that uh Friday is like spirit day and they can wear jeans and their spirit shirt but this Friday
050the first day of school Friday we put this out on social media uh and we're going to email if we haven't already done so the students and the families and all that. Uh students will wear regular uniforms this Friday. So they need to wear, you know, khaki shorts or pants, uh girls khaki skirts or skirts, uh whatever they wear at the shorts and then um uniform polo shirts. So I just wanted to mention that. Um also that's all I have. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you very much. Uh board member comments and we'll start down here with Miss Richards. I just like to say welcome back teachers and staff and that want to say that we are very very proud of you and we're expecting a great year and I just had fun today
051at the um back to school bash and I know that some people look at it like well why do we do it and yeah for the old heads of us we may be seasoned and ready and know our routine but for our new teachers and our newcomers and people looking at our parish. I think that it's a great idea because it motivates us and everybody needs a little motivation every now and then. So, I said that we really did good today. And I loved all of the seeing all of the t-shirts that were done from the different schools and the hype that they had. So, let's go in and put our game on and have a good year. Okay. Kudos to everybody that did put this um rally together. I know Miss Dilly said we
052were going to have our own people talk this year and I think it was very very um heartwarming to hear our students of the year and our teachers of the year and uh principles of the year um speak to us because we are living we're living proof that we can make things happen. We don't have to hear from an outsider all the time. And I want to thank Mark Colona from coming out from Laura and keeping the crowd all hyped up. He did a great job. The big papa and um again um if you're out and about, go to uh Independence. I don't know if you want to get up at 5:30 in the morning, but um they'll be out there and they're proud to show off their band and their band uniforms. So if
053you're out and about on um Friday, go visit Independence High School. >> Yes. I'd like to also congratulate the superintendent and everyone that had something to do with putting together today's program. Welcome back all to the teachers. It was a great program. I'm glad to participate in it. I'm just sorry Mr. Duncan fell when he was trying to knock our balloon out out of us because he's like that. But >> pushed me. I'm >> trying to help you. >> Transformer competitive at all. That's all I said. Yeah. >> Mhm. >> He closlined him. >> Ducking. >> Oh. Um. Yeah. No, I the uh the rally was great. You know, got to put it all out there on the floor sometimes. So, we you know, we did that. >> Um >> the um the but the
054only other thing that I would add is just a reminder to our parents. Um you know, look that the school system has put a lot of planning and preparation in in place for the first day of school. However, that first day of school is also when we have a a portion of our student or our families that, you know, just for the first time inform us that they would like their kid to go to school that day. And so, I mean, there's lots of things that happen on that first day of school that can cause hiccups and problems um and and issues. So, we just hope everybody can be patient with our staff. Be kind to them and under and understanding that that those first few days of school uh can be really difficult and
055hectic. Uh and we can you can bet there's going to be something that we did not anticipate that that our staff is going to have to overcome. Uh and and and and you know, so just just be mindful of that. >> Mr. Moore. Okay. Yeah, I just I want to welcome all the teachers back, principles back, uh the administration back. I know you guys have had have have not had a break really over the summer. Now, you still you still been here working preparing for the year, but for the for the teachers, I I always express how everything that we do here, everybody who's here, you know, it's all because there is a need and an obligation to educate our kids. And I and teachers, I know that you have a tough task ahead of
056you. I don't envy your job. Um, but uh just know that these are these are these are our children and we depend on the parents to play a great part in the discipline and getting the kids to school and all that stuff. But um we actually have them more we spend more time with them than their parents do. You know, I mean uh portion of the time when they're home, they're asleep. um they're not always in the presence and um in the consciousness of the parents. So, I'm praying for your patience, your tolerance, and uh strength. >> So, I don't I know this will be the first time y'all hearing about this, but we had a rally today. Um it was really good. Just want to team won, me, Miss Rose, and uh we won.
057>> Um but no, thank y'all for putting that on. I know it's, you know, it's it's a thing where we got to come and but it's really nice to get everybody under one roof and realize we're all one team. You know, we're all one big organization together. I know we compete against one another with, you know, our shirts and our rallies, but it's always nice to see everybody together. Um, the big thing I wanted to do is echo what uh Mr. Duncan said is, and I'm going to I'm going to put a word to it is grace. Grace. Let's have grace on the first days back. We know that the first day is not going to be the only day we're going to get headaches. We're going to get complaints and I'm sure some of
058our phones are going to ring and we're going to get, "I need this kid to get dropped off here and this person didn't drop my kid off there or this teacher didn't open the door right." Have grace, guys. This stuff works itself out. I promise you, there has not been a school year that we have not listened to those complaints and then corrected them in a later date. Okay? Have grace for the people who are working with your kids on campus because it's hectic for them, too. There's a lot of man-hour that go behind the scenes to get the first day started. The teacher is just as nervous as the kid cuz they got 20, 30 kids in a room that they don't know. They haven't met yet. They don't know their personalities. They don't
059know their names. They don't they barely know where the heck they're going to sit. So, have grace on these people when you walk onto this campus. If you have an issue, settle it with grace. Contact the supervisor. Contact the principal. Put a thing on our website on the help ticket and and actually give us grace period to get the issue resolved. It's not immediate. This is things we're going to work on over the the next few weeks. So, please have grace online, in person, and have grace towards your board members, too, because I'm sure you're going to call us first. Uh, I want to welcome back all the teachers. I know me and a fellow board members here. I'm sure y'all had to roll y'all's wife out of bed, too, and see the crying and
060the tears that they actually have to go back to work cuz summer's over. >> I I know. But my wife beat the heck out of her alarm clock that that morning. I know that. And I'm just glad it was the alarm clock and not me for once. But I want to thank y'all for what you do. the support staff, the bus drivers, the cafeterias, our assistant principles, our principles, our administrative staff, everything that y'all do to get this day, the most important day, the first day back right. I want to thank y'all for all that hard work y'all put into that and I can't wait to see where we go this year. Um, so again, grace guys, thank y'all so much. And Miss Philly said something at the rep that really hit home with me.
061We got to start celebrating the little victories. I know many of my board members up here feel like we get defeated sometimes because we feel like we're beating our head against the wall, but we're making little victories, guys, and little victories add up over time. We're seeing that with our test scores. We're seeing that with our employment. We're seeing that with everything on our campuses. And I can't wait to see what we look like in the next 10 years when those little victories add up and keep continuing. So, thank y'all. And uh let's let's game on. Yes. First of all, I'd like to say about the rally. Um, Miss Dina, Miss Jill, I know y'all worked hard in your team to put all that together. That's a lot of work. Um, some of our, uh,
062high school, you know, teachers are like, I'd like to be in my classroom. I don't necessarily want to be here, but I think all in all, they enjoyed it. And I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I got such a blessing out of Dr. Sanders prayer. I felt like I had been to church. He did an excellent job really reaching out and touching all of us in a way this morning. I I I got a blessing just out of his prayer this morning. But it it was a lot of fun and um I'm like Joey, I feel like getting everybody in one roof like that, all of our employees, 3,000 or so of us, it's it's really a blessing that we're able to do that and thanks to, you know, Southeastern for
063offering that opportunity. Um the other thing I wanted to mention was um about some of the the students that were speaking. Well, Mr. Duncan's daughter uh so eloquently spoke today as a uh just barely out of high school. I think she's going good places and it was a blessing to have, you know, those kids there to do that. The other thing I really wanted to mention tonight is I know all across our parish, all in our schools this week, we are getting treated, our teachers are staffs are getting treated to lunches by Kowanas Clubs, by Hurf Jones. My church today fed Champ Cooper. So kudos to the community for feeding our teachers and for welcoming them back. Kowanas and Ponchul I know is doing it tomorrow and I know that it's happening all over the
064parish. So thank you for our community supporters. Um so the last thing I need to mention is uh Miss Janice and Mr. Jerry and myself went to Louisiana Schoolboard Association's Southern Region Conference this past week and uh we learned so much that uh I think is going to help improve and we'd like to share you know with you guys. But uh one of the things that um the main speaker told us is is if the want to is strong enough, the how to will come. So we all need to have that mindset. We really want to get it done. Game on, Miss Dilly. Then we it's going to happen. It's going to happen if we all want to do it. So um God bless everybody as we start the new year. So Miss Jenkins, if
065you would note that um you know, so we have our COUS on our record that we attended to that and thank you to the system for allowing us to go. Good luck this year. >> One last thing, Mr. Toller. Um, I did see also as well, Miss Samson, one of our rockstar principles in Lanja. She posted her numbers are doing better. We're heading in the right direction. So, please continue those prayers and support. She's one of our biggest champions in our parish. Uh, she she's like no other that I've ever come across as far as um a leader on her campus, but she did report that her numbers are looking better. She's on the what? Up and up. So, let's I would really ask everybody for their continued prayers and support. I wear my band
066every day. I got to fight it out of my daughter's hands every morning, but I got it. And thank you for for Miss Jenko for kind of filling in those gaps and keeping that group really good, tight. Like I said, really appreciate you guys on that campus. Thank y'all. >> Well said. >> Um, obviously ditto what everybody else said up here today. Uh, the rally was great. Um, I'm not, uh, let me rephrase that. This is the most optimistic I've been to start a school year. I just feel really optimistic this year. That being said, I'd like to make a motion we delay school starting two more weeks. >> I'm kidding. I know everybody would kill me in this room. >> But, uh, you know, I'm not prepared for the, uh, for the Facebook altercations
067I know I'm going to have, um, with some of the parents. I'm kidding on that, too. I do expect um, I mean, I think this is a welloiled machine. I mean, every year I've said that over and over again, but I still I just continue to see improvement in every aspect. And uh and I know now we're uh focusing on facilities a lot, which has often times been the the thing that's aggravated parents as we start the new school year, air conditioners being out. I'm not saying it's going to be perfect, but I do feel like we've focused on that more. So, uh again, I'm just super optimistic this year. We have two years of major increases in test scores and um I'm hoping to see a third year of that and really I'm just
068uh really excited about it this year. Um my daughter's going into junior high school. She's a cheerleader so I'll get to watch a lot of that go on. My son's going to be a junior so um you know having kids there and and being able to be involved in the activities they do is just really exciting for me. But again, just looking forward to it and I appreciate everything the administration's done. Before I stop talking, coach and uh or Mr. Jenko and Miss Stilly, y'all have to decide who won the board member balloon toss. I mean, I think it was Rose, Joey, and myself. >> Hey, none none of our members hit the floor. So, I just want to say I don't know what the balloon did, but I know none of our members hit
069the ball. >> That took commitment, though. I wasn't there. The effort may have video for us. >> What's going on? What's going on in the replay? Yeah, I got >> All right, I'm going call an audible. >> Send us an email later and let us know that besides that wasn't a fault. He slid. >> Well, I think that was interference. So, that should disqualify right then and there. It was interference. >> Well, I break the tie. >> I hate Well, yeah, I could break the tie cuz I wasn't there. So, but I I do hate the fact that I missed today. You know, sometimes work gets in the way of our our things here and today was something that I just could not miss. I hate the fact that I missed the rally, though. It
070sounds like it was a lot of fun. Um, but I do appreciate the hard work that goes into that. um and what it means to our teachers and staff getting everybody together. Also today, uh one of our partners in this parish obviously is North Oaks as our healthc care system and um North Oaks participated today by having their bus there doing screenings outside also um kind of using our school system a little bit on the uh uh for the food pantry drive. And I believe from what I heard they collected 12 bins of food that will be distributed um that will be sent to the food pantry and and turned around and given to people in need in our area. So I applaud the school system for working with North Oaks on that. Obviously um
071like I said both of us are the two largest employers in the parish and we feed off of each other and we should work together well. So today was a good example of that. So thank you for that partner. Yeah, they are. Uh, with that third thing, Sumar went to the open house last night. A year ago, at the same open house, somebody stopped me in the hallway and said, "Tom, just look at the hallway." And I have to admit, you know, we get tunnel vision. We see the same thing over and over. When I look, I was like, "You're right. It looked dingy." Um, since then, we've got new floors this summer. Um that really brightened up the halls just that floor cuz the floor was you know some 30 40 years old. Um
072I say that to say we really and I I've been harping on this uh so I'm I'm going to keep harping on it. every one of our facilities if we could do floors, lights, ceiling tiles, and paint in every facility. We should have every number on speed dial for everybody that does painting and everybody that does ceiling tiles and everybody that does. If we could brighten our schools up with the floors, paint, lights, get rid of old fluorescent lights and put in LED lights and just modernize that, it would be such an improvement. Last night, like I said, at the open house once, somebody walked up to me and said, "Hey, look how good the floors look." It's those little things that are the huge win for us from the public when they see that
073we're investing in our schools. It's great to see a new building. It's great to see that overcrowding, but ceiling tiles, they're cheap. Lights are cheap. I know not when you add this many that we do, but regardless, uh, for what we get out of it, I just want to encourage us to continue to push toward that goal of trying to update and modernize every school with those few things. >> We got to fix the roofs first. >> Bruce, yeah, it's underway, too. >> Fix the ceiling without fixing the roofs. >> I'll put another plug in for driver's ed expansion. As we look forward, let's look for new opportunities to expand that back into more schools other than just independence. Um, trades education. I'm going to harp on this, too, because I'm currently looking for employers
074that work. We need people that are qualified to cut, weld, plum, and wire things. And these are people that can come right out of high school that can start out making 20 plus dollars an hour working local with benefits. Um, we have got to provide that and and expand our education in the career field on that. Um, AC in the gyms, great. It's coming along. I know I've I've been in one gym I know of so far where the AC's are turned on and they're working. So, I applaud the effort on that. I know we have some more that are going to be coming online here shortly. U, that's going to be a big improvement in this. Um and then next to last I would have one ask Miss Dilly um and maj whoever can
075put this together on our phase 2 projects. I know for the last year or so we've heard uh it's the architects are drawing plans architects are working on plans. I would like the board to receive a report. You know once we go into contract the contractors are forced to a timeline. We give them so many days to complete this project. What are we giving the architects to do the design? We have multiple architects that we're working with. I'm not playing favorites over who, but I would like to know as a board who's had what projects for how long. And and that way we as a board next time that we come up with these decisions on going out for a phase two project and we're about to award this to an architect, then we can
076look back and say, well, you know, last time they did something, it took them 14 months to get us a plan. So, I would like us to dig into that a little bit. Maybe get Mr. Paige to look at that and say, "Okay, how long has this been in their box? What are we waiting on?" >> So, um, we plan to have a capital outlay at the next meeting and we should have all the programming done for each of those. So, it'll be the the place to come back to y'all and say, "Okay, you okay with the location and okay with the programming so they can proceed and we'll have all those contract dates." >> I just think that'd be a good thing for us to keep in and let once they know that we're
077watching that, it may help speed this process up. And then last thought, one of the speakers that I had today that spoke to us talked about when you fall, fall up. And it kind of goes with kind of what Joey was saying earlier. you if you make them everybody makes mistakes but when you fall learn from that fall so that you're falling up you're improving yourself so that next time it won't be such a big deal but I just like that expression that's what I my takeaway from today's many speakers that I heard was um when you fall fall up that was good advice that's all of my list um any public input that we have no public input we've already had our litigation anybody Anybody opposed to adjourning? >> Tojourn. >> Motion made, seconded.
078Nobody opposed. >> Thank y'all for being here.