001We will call the meeting to order for April the 1st. No fools intended. And we'll start with roll call. Miss Jenkins. [Music] Mr. Richards present. Mr. Totler here. Miss Abrams here. Mr. West Morland present. Mr. Duncan here. Mr. Anthony here. Mr. Moore here. Mr. Piaza here. Miss Dominguez present. Thank you. And well at this time I ask you to ple well I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Joey Piaza. Yes sir. Thank you Mr. President. So tonight I have Mr. Fernando which is dressed way better than I am. So he is one of our student of the years and I want him to go ahead and say the pledge for us. So please rise. You can stand right there and pick you up. You don't have to hold you up. I pledge of allegiance
002to 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, sir. Thank you, sir. Man, that sounds good with all these people here, doesn't it? Yeah. And look, he's from Independence, Miss Robin. So, you can't steal him. He's over on my side tonight. Okay. Uh, we also have a patriotic song which is going to be done by Miss Anna, Miss Anna Johnson. She will come up and do our song. She's a superstar from Hammond High Magnet School, by the way. I'm wearing purple tonight, Brett. You don't have to remind me, man. I got it. It should automatically pick you up. Okay. I'm not playing the national anthem, but I'm gonna play Never Enough from The Greatest
003Showman. Okay. I don't think this [Music] time. All [Music] right. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Applause] Heat. [Applause] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Woo! [Applause] Woo! Thank you again. And Mr. Present. Floor is yours. Thank you very much. That was beautiful. Item D, consider approval of the board minutes from March 18th, 2025. Motion to adopt. Motion made by Mr. Westerland, seconded by Mr. Dominguez. Motion and a second. Please vote your device. Voting is open. While we're waiting for that, I would like to introduce to you Mr. Lewis Joseph. Thank you for being here. Longtime educator, superintendent, chief war officer, um the list goes. And as of today, North Oaks Foundation board president as of today. [Applause] [Music] Good to good to
004have you, Mr. J. Voting is closed. Motion passes unanimously. All right. Item E, consider approval of the DRC appeal hearing from March 18th, 2025. Do we hear a motion? So moved. Motion made by Mr. Piaza. Second. Second by Mr. Westerland. Any comments, questions? Hearing none, call for a vote. Voting is open. says unanimously. Thank you. All right, on to why most of you are here. But let me start by saying first of all, we appreciate everyone coming. It shows a lot of love and support for those that are receiving awards tonight. We would love if you would stay the entire meeting and get all up in budget and everything else with us, but we understand that you may not want to do that. So, if you would like to, if you receive your award, if
005you want to go out in the lobby to take pictures, that may allow someone out there to come in for another portion of the meeting. So, I'm not encouraging you to leave, but if you do, we're not going to throw anything at you. With that being said, I think I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Facel. We get to hear another song from Anna. Is that what this is? I could listen to her. I know. love me. That was relaxing. So, this is the easiest recognition I've ever had to do cuz you heard her play already. But we are going to recognize Miss Anna Johnson. Last month was music in our schools month. And this competition, the Louisiana Music Educators Association. Miss Anna Johnson is one of our all state orchestra winners as you
006could hear her on her uh beautiful instrument. But I just want to tell you that is that's hard. like you you hear her talent, but they have to learn like they get content that they have to learn and then go perform in front of prestigious people from all over the country who come to train them. So, it's it's nerve-wracking and they're learning new material. So, you've heard her talent. I'm going to ask Miss Anna Johnson to come forward. I'm going to ask Miss Stilly and Mr. Toller and uh whoever would would like to come down if you come on up, Miss Johnson. And then can I do you sell CDs? Because I could like play that every night. and relax. And this is your certificate. Is anyone from um Hammond High School here tonight to
007stand up? And her family, please stand up and be uh recognized and listen to this [Applause] beautiful Mr. Duncan. He's more photogenic than right putting some in the water over there. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] And I know Dr. Fel was joking, but if you're selling CDs, I'll take one after the meeting, please. All right. Item B, recognize the 2425 elementary students of the year. Miss Chassidy. Good evening everyone. It is always a privilege to acknowledge the accolades of students. Tonight it is my sincere pleasure to recognize the students of the year. Please stand and come forward when your name is called and remain for a group picture from Amy Westside Middle Magnet. Payton [Applause] Dodie from Champ Cooper Elementary. Maggie Harper [Applause] from Chesro Elementary. Colin [Applause] Stewart from Greenville Park Leadership Academy. Prince [Applause] [Music]
008[Applause] Jackson from Hammond East Side Magnet. Savannah Bunk from Hammond Westside Monasuri Lower Abel Perommo from Independence Leadership Academy. Fernando [Applause] [Music] Garcia from Lauran Middle. Lim [Applause] [Music] Brandon from Lucille Nissa Memorial. Alejandra Olwin from NLB Benny Middle. Cara James from OW Dylan at Leadership Academy. Christian Elie from Rosland Monasuri. Alana [Applause] Farmer from SLU Laboratory School. Grace [Applause] Kemp from Spring Creek Elementary, Abigail [Applause] Gazaway. And from Martha Vineyard Elementary, Malik [Applause] Briggs and the student of the year district winner from Hammond East Side Magnet School, Savannah Bon. Savannah was not able to be with us tonight, but we would still like to recognize her. We are very proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for representing your schools as leaders. Please remain here for your picture. Thank you. You
009are a parent of one of these student of the year. Will you please stand? [Music] [Applause] We understand that it takes a family to get them up here. So, we want to applaud you as well. Thank you. If you would like, if you're a um student, you're a parent, if y'all would like to go this time, our feelings won't be hard. We have we have a screen out in the lobby, a backdrop for pictures. You can take pictures with your um with your child. Congratulations guys. Congratulations. [Applause] [Music] We got another We got another one. Next next for the 15th we'll do the the high school. We had to break it up. Yeah, we used to do the somehow we used to do all of them once, but it's gotten so difficult. Got so many
010smart kids now, man. I guess it's all them smart kids from Pona and Hampton, you know, one independence, you know, we just do something to walk. If you're in the back and you need seats, we have seats open down in the front. Feel free to come down while we get ready to recognize our support staff. purple tie. I said, "I'm getting a photo." And he said, "Well, go ahead." I said, "No, he's more photogenic than I am." I don't know about that. By the way, you're wearing Kentwood. I am wearing Kentwood. I'm wearing Kentwood tie. This is what Mr. Jerry came to. So, I like to wear them. Now, I know that left side, I mean, that right side over there is a rowdy crowd right here. Look, I can see them. That whole rowdy
011crowd right there. That whole group. One on the front row is Yep. The front row is definitely the the rowdy one. Wait a minute. They're elementary teachers. We can do this. Danielle Hunter, y'all want to come? We got seats down here if y'all want to. All right. Item C. Recognize the 2425 elementary sports sta support staff of the year. I thought Miss Ryan was going to do this one. You going to do it? Yeah, Miss Liss Melissa can do it. No, I'm picking it. She She will be mad at me. I'd rather you be mad at me. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. Uh first of all, thank you for coming out tonight. Uh Miss Dilly and I were in a meeting this morning and someone asked her a question related to support staff and she
012explained the importance of this particular group of individuals and we cannot emphasize enough how important these individuals are in our schools in our school system uh for the things that they do each and every day for us. So before give you a round of applause for that. You know our students have to get to school. They have to be taken care of by our school food service ladies. Bus drivers bring them. School foodu service ladies and gentlemen take care of them. Our secretaries do everything above and beyond from A to Z for them. Our school nurses take care of them. Our paras again our second teachers in the classroom. uh our maintenance individuals take care of the needs that we have in our schools. So again, thank you for all that you do each and
013every day for our schools. Uh as we continue to get better, a lot of the things that we are doing to get better deal with our support workers. So thank you again for that. And I know you didn't come here to hear that speech. So let's get started to the awards. Our first award winner is Miss Nikki Varnado from Chespro Elementary School. [Applause] Miss Dana Bro from DC Reeves Elementary the Miss Suzanne Blake from Hammond East Side Magnet Lower. Tori Dway from Hammond Westside Monastery School. [Music] Laura Rivero from Independence Leadership [Music] Academy. Avonia Travis Lauran Elementary School. Parnell Gordon Martha Vineyard Elementary School. [Applause] Destiny Crow, Midway Elementary School. [Applause] Natasha Shanks, Ow. Dylan Leadership Academy. [Applause] Rosio Rojo Parin Early Learning Center. [Applause] Emma Smith, Rosland Monastery [Applause] School. Elaine Tran, SLU Laboratory
014[Applause] School. Charity Place, Spring Creek Elementary School. [Applause] Jasmine McGee Tucker Elementary [Applause] School and Sandra Robinson, Woodland Park Magnet School. I'm sure not up to your stand. I understand. Can we give it up one more time? [Music] [Applause] All right. Item D, Dr. Facel recognize the 2425 elementary principal of the year. I'm stealing this honor from Dr. Fel. Um, this principal, I'm going to go ahead and wait. Um, in case the support staff want to go out and take their picture. Everybody out there. There's quite a few seats up here if y'all would like to come sit down. Like we used to do in my class. Everybody in the back. Lots and lots of seats up here. Please take all the ones in the back room and sit the front row. Don't be scared.
015Mr. McNeely won't bite. [Music] He might bore you with numbers, but he won't bite. Okay, this next award is for our principal of the year. And this principal is by far one of the best you'll ever meet. [Music] I had the great honor of her being my assistant principal when we worked together at Martha Vineyard. And she just brought so much pleasure to the job. She brought so much excitement and love for the children. And if nothing else, she puts students first always. So I just want to give her a huge congratulations to Miss Tamara Whittington. [Applause] Um, first acknowledging God for without him none of this would be possible to my husband who would never share this honor with me but I know he's here in spirit and I carry him in my heart
016to my family my friends my former students and don't think I forgot about you to my assistant principles. Thank you to my supervisor to my supervisor who alluded to um me serving as her assistant principal. And to the assistant superintendent, thank you for your support. and Miss Stilly, thank you for entrusting DDC Reeves, entrusting my leadership, and knowing regardless, I'm going to do what's best for children. And I would be remiss if I did not recognize my father-in-law and my husband's best friend who they are always with me. And so God's favor and protection has been on me. So thank you to everyone who played a part. And this is just not for me. This is for us. Let's go DDC Reeves Elementary School. [Applause] I I'm going to say one thing. When I first
017became superintendent in 2018, Miss Whittington was my first principal to hire. We had a vacancy at DC Reeves and I hired her and I have to say it was a great decision. Right. Yes. [Applause] my [Music] [Applause] pres and I forgot my principal pass. All right. Item E. Recognize the 2425 elementary new teacher of the year. Miss Chassy, come on [Music] up. Okay. Teachers, there are no words to express our sincere gratitude for the work you do for our students every day. You are truly the heart of the school and the reason many students make it to the finish line at graduation even despite all the odds they may face at times. It is with great pleasure that I would like to recognize the elementary teachers of the year beginning with Ameid Elementary magnet Tyra
018Cook. [Applause] from Chesbro Elementary. Mindy [Applause] [Music] Brown from DC Reeves Elementary. Jaya Barry from Hammond East Side Magnet. Angelica [Applause] Batist from Hammond Westside Montasauri. Caitlyn Hotstaf [Applause] from Leadership Academy. Jessica Maize [Applause] Anderson from Laura Elementary. Shannon [Applause] Mixon from Midway Elementary. Katherine [Applause] Pierce from OW Dylan Leadership Academy. Shannon [Applause] Tillis from Parin Early Learning Center. Blair Waggaspach from Spring Creek Elementary. Ryan [Applause] McMillan from Tucker Elementary. Katie Walker [Applause] [Music] from the TPSS virtual learning option, Sher Shek [Applause] Snider. And from Woodland Park, Magnet, Anel Williams. [Applause] [Music] And the teacher of the year, district winner from Lauran Elementary, Shannon [Applause] Mixon. Way to go. Sounds like Miss Jeno out there. Yeah. Warriors. [Music] They do it different than they [Music] memorialize for that, too. [Music] So, it could be some
019That's really what you meant. That's what I mean. You know my [Music] [Applause] wife. That's right. If y'all would keep your seat for one second. We have one more, please. One more. Two more. Just hold on one second. We'll take a quick break after this. Miss Braham. [Music] Yes. [Music] Good evening. I'm Corbin Bramham and I'm the early childhood coordinator for Tancho Pair School System and I'm here to recognize the district's early childhood teacher of the year. And what character what characteristics does someone need to be an early childhood teacher? He or she needs to have compassion, patience, organizational skills because if you've ever seen four-year-olds in a classroom, a teacher has to be organized. a talent for fostering curiosity to develop lifelong learning skills with their children and a love for those young children.
020Early childhood teachers must be willing to go the extra mile. They have to get on the floor with those children. And I don't know about you, but this need does not go up and down very well anymore. So, hats off to them. They have to challenge them to think critically and to problem solve. and they must help those children develop those social emotional skills that will lead them to their adult life. In addition, they must help families and children adjust to those first weeks of school when those tears are flowing. And that's just from the parents. But Miss Burch embodies all of those characteristics. She is a true asset to our school system, families, and to most of all our children. Please join me in congratulating Miss Ray Burch from Hammond Westside Monastery School as
021the district early childhood teacher of the year. these people and Shannon Nixon [Applause] was on the Good evening again. Um, we will now recognize our new teachers of the year. I would just like to say that there is no award big enough for this group of teachers. Um, they work very hard. Um, it's almost 30 years for me and the classroom looks quite a bit different than when I first started nearly 30 years ago. So, it's definitely an a wonderful time that we acknowledge those teachers and their willingness to give of themselves and to take on this new challenge. Without further ado, from DC Reeves, McKenzie Bordock from Hammond Westside, Montasauri, Darlene Cook, [Applause] [Music] W from Independence Leadership Academy. McKenzie Stafford from Rosland Montasauri. Shelby [Applause] Duro. And the new teacher of the year
022district winner from Independence Leadership Academy, McKenzie Stafen. [Applause] Thank you teachers for believing in and investing in the students in Tangbo Parish. [Applause] [Music] All right. Thank you. Channel 17, proudly serving the Florida parishes. We are back in session. Item 3A, discuss accounts payable check register for February 16th through March 15th in the amount of 20,726,328 and a big 82. Yes, sir. I did not receive any questions this week. So, um, if you have any, just give me an email and I'll be glad to look into it. Minger, uh, there's no action needed. So, thank you. Does anybody have any questions on the check registry? We're waiting for board members here. I can think of some. Hang on one sec. No, it's good. No, I'm good. M, we got five. We're good. All right. Thank
023you, Mr. Veneily. No action needed at this time. We're stalling because Miss Cindy's trying to restart her computer. And we're waiting for some board. We'll move to item 4 A, capital outlay committee of the whole. Do I hear that? Do I hear a motion that we accept that committee report? Make a motion. Motion made by second Miss Robin. Second by Miss Janice. Voting is open. Yes, for Tom. I'm trying to open mine back up. I'm sorry. Yes. For Joey, too. Joey. Yep. Mr. Mr. Piaza says yes, too. Sorry. He addressed himself as Mr. Yeah. Yeah. I said Joey and I should have said that, you know. Didn't come out how I expected. Mr. Moore could have been worse though, I guess, you know. Partying it up. They're still having a good time out there. Woo!
024Woo! We miss her miss out. It's a yes, Miss Cindy. It went away. Yes. Oh, there it goes. Voting is closed. Motion passes unanimously. Okay. Thank you. Item 5A. Motion to reconsider and ratify a previous action taken in error by the board to adopt the March 11th, 2025 finance minutes item D regarding the Ponitula High grass cutting contract. Mr. Anthony. Okay. Well, I mean the description kind of says it perfectly. I would just basically like to make that motion that we can that we reconsider uh the vote from the finance committee and also from the final board on March 18th. on March 11th. Correct. And that's when the finance committee met. Okay. Yes. Second. So this is just the motion to reconsider. Motion in a second to reconsider. So any discussion on a motion to
025reconsider. So just so the board is clear, all this motion will do will allow us to take that issue up again and then we'll have a second discussion about what action we want to do and vote on what action we want to do it. This would just give us the opportunity to take that issue up a second time. Okay. We have a motion to reconsider and a second. Hearing no questions, I'll call for a vote. Voting is open. Yes, ma'ud. Trying to get my wife up that one. Voting is closed. Motion passes with Miss Dominguez voting no. Okay. Okay. So, we have a motion to reconsider that has passed. So, I will entertain a motion now regarding the Ponula High grass cutting contract. Okay. I'll make a motion that we adopt the administration's recommendation on
026uh the low bid for Ponchatula High School and the name John R John R law uh lawn man John R law Lawn man okay have a motion second teacher uses a classroom second like to make a motion have a motion and a second a minute who Was it awarded to? I'm sorry I didn't hear John R. Lawn. John Har John lawn man is one word. Okay. So we have a motion and then we have a second with Mr. Westland and then I hear down here. Do we have a substitute motion? I have a substitute motion to accept the recommendation that the finance committee has already approved. Full board has already approved twice. Uh I feel like the people that we actually awarded it to have uh worked with us for many many years. They have
027done an excellent job. Have no complaints. Um it was my mistake um that I said they were at Poncho High School before. I was thinking they were at Poncho High School. They were at Poncho Junior High. but they have a proven track record and uh I'd like to keep it at family traditions 2 who the board has already ratified twice before tonight. Okay, we have a mo a substitute motion. Do we hear a second on the substitute motion? We don't have a second. So substitute motion fails for lack of a second. She wanted me to repeat it, but I didn't want to repeat it if it was going to fail for lack of a second. Mr. Duncan, I just wanted So, if anybody's watching this and they're confused, I wanted to just outline or explain
028to them what happened during the finance committee that caused the confusion. Um, we had put all of these bids out. Um and I think for one of the other schools there had been a suggestion that well you know the the the lowest bid was not that much lower than the people who were already there. And so the finance committee which the law does not require on these types of contract that we take the lowest um quote or bid. Uh so the finance committee said hey we we'll we'll just keep that person that is already there there. And then when we got to the Ponchatula High School um contract, um Miss Dominguez, as she stated, mistakenly thought that one of these contractors that had bid on it was actually at Ponchatula High. And she said, "Well,
029I think we should keep the same person that's been at Ponchatula High at Ponchatula High as well." Well, it turns out that person was not at Ponchhatula High. And so when she said keep the same person and then specifically said whatever that company's name was it those were two contradictory things. So it was very unclear at least in my mind when I watched especially when I went back and watched the video. The motion that was made was was not a clear motion. It said one thing keep the person that's there. That was part of the motion. and then it named a different company that was not there and that was not the low bidder. So, you know, in my mind, the the action that was taken by the committee and then later ratified by the
030board before we realized we made a mistake was not a clear action. Um, and that's why it was important for us to come back tonight, make sure that we clarify this, make sure the administration knows exactly what it is that the board wants them to do. Uh and so I I I think it is good that we come in here and and fix all of that. Okay. Uh can I just say something else? Yes. Okay. So I made a error but also we are not giving it to the people the mo if if what Mr. Duncan is saying is the motion would be to give it to who had it last year. That is not who we're giving it to. The people who had the lowest quote were not the people who had it last
031year. The people that we recommended family traditions to had the second to lowest quote. The people who had it last year had the third lowest quote. So, and in my opinion, as a 19-year person here, even if we did have an error in the wording, we've already ratified the decision twice by full board twice and finance committee twice. So, is that precedent set? We've called the people and said, "You've got the job. family traditions, too. You've got the job. And then the next day we call them back and tell them, "No, you don't have the job." That is incorrect, too. So, I just feel like the finance committee even recommended giving it to Family Traditions. It doesn't say who had it last year. It says give it to Family Traditions. I understand that, but two
032wrongs don't make a right. In this situation, um, you know, we're trying, that's why you have a motion to reconsider. So, it's not out of bounds for us to back up to a motion, especially when there's questions or when there was a mistake made in the first motion to go back and ratify it, to reconsider that motion, which is what we're doing now. So, it's not out of line to do that. I understand your point and I can appreciate that and I know your mistake was not on purpose by no means. Um, but just to clear the motion right now is to is from Mr. Anthony, second by Mr. Westerland to accept the administration's recommendation of the low bid which was $1,188 per cutting at Ponchuga High School to awarded to John Lman. Lman who
033was last year's motion failed. What? No, we're going to call it Mr. Mingus failed for a second. She did. That substitute motion did not get a second. Okay. So, it failed for lack of a second. Killer. Who was last year's? Uh, last year was Kilawe High School. Okay. They were third. Correct. This year they were third. And one quick point, Miss Rose, I think we actually uh caught this the following morning and stopped the administration from contacting the who we were. They were called. They were called. They were called and then they were called back the next day. I see. Okay. Thank you. And but then the full board actually still voted to 100% to accept that recommendation in Ponchatula. And now we accepted it again tonight earlier in this meeting. And so now we're
034going to say, "Okay, we're just going to backtrack and not accept what we've already." We did not accept what happened. Approving minutes does not accept what happened. Approving the minutes merely uh is a vote that says that what was presented to us accurately reflects what happened at that meeting. That does not further ratify the action. Well, we accepted it twice though, but we erroneously then. So, we're just admitting that we erroneously accepted the vote twice. Just saying. Well, right. As Yeah. Anyway, right now we have a motion and a second to accept the recommendation for the administration u for the low bid. Call for vote on that. Votes been called for. Please vote your devices. Voting is open. voting is clo closed. Excuse me. Motion passes with Miss Dominguez, Miss Abrams, and Miss Richards. Voting
035no. Okay. Item 5B to consider approval to authorize the superintendent Melissa Stillley to serve as a schoolboard representative on the ITP committee for Tanchaho Parish. And we also have Miss Ginger here, the director that can answer any technical questions y'all have regarding anything to do with ITP. Maybe can we get a motion? Entertain a motion. Mr. West made the motion. seconded by Miss Abrams. Um, any questions? Uh, could we just have Miss Ginger come and explain to the audience like what is it ITP and why are we doing this because this is a change of what it used to be. Thank you, Ginger. Less than 30 minutes, please. Um, I'm Ginger Kangalloce, director of economic development for Tango Parish. Um, Governor Landry made some changes to the existing ITP program, which is a statutory incentive
036for businesses. Um, it is it reflects a um if approved, it reflects a reduction in their property tax um that they owe. uh up until Governor Landry took office, those ITP applications and the information associated with those businesses wanting to utilize that incentive were was brought here and presented to the school board as well as parish council, sheriff's department, and if applicable um city the city council if the project was inside the city limits. um he instead uh came out with an order to for each parish to form a committee with a representative named from each one of those different entities. So instead of presenting the information to all of you, it'll be the applications will be presented to the committee and instead of a vote, it's he's actually looking for a recommendation of whether
037or not to approve the ITP for that company or not. Jinger is are the other school board members sending their superintendent rather than an elected member of the board? the actual um statute gives you um a choice to either elect to either choose the superintendent or the schoolboard president. So the but the this the paperwork you sent us just said that the elected body choose elects a representative. It didn't specifically say a superintendent or board president. Right. Either way, you all have to confirm it. Right. We have to elect somebody. But my question was whether other school board members are sending their superintendent instead of an elected member of the board. I can't say what the other school board um the school boards are electing to do. You have one of two choices. It can
038either be the school board superintendent or the school board president. Okay. I know who you don't want. Thank you. And this is for a one-year term or you and you didn't ask, but the the the reasoning behind our choosing Miss Silia is because she serves on our economic development um foundation board and she kind of looped in to all the projects that we have or potential projects. So, y'all had recommended that it be the superintendent. Yes. Yes. And what's the term? It's unclear about what the term is. Um, I can only assume that it is the as long as she is the superintendent and then we can go back to the drawing board and either choose the current president at that time or the newly elected. But I'm sure the board can change our mind.
039You know, if a board president so, you know, sees so fit to put it on the agenda and change it, he could or she could. Okay. Any other questions? Thank you, Miss Ginger. All right. We call for a vote. Voting is open. Voting is closed. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Item C. Consider approval of certificate of substantial completion. Yay. For the Independence High Magnet Schools lab renovation by public construction, Mr. Valeruda, we would love to see a lot of these. Second. Yes. The um independence lab is now at substantial completion. It looks really nice. And we hear that in form of a motion. I'll make a motion. Okay. Motion made by Miss Robin, second by Miss Janice. One question I have was on the punch list and I was looking through it. Is anything on
040the punch list? They probably have already completed most of these by now. I have not looked but I'm any of those things on the punch list would that keep them from using the lab. Should not. Okay. Because that would be a big part of Right. My question would be, you know, as long as we can use it, I'm okay if there's a dent on the hood or something. We can use the lab. Okay. Any other questions? concerns. Hearing none, we'll call for vote. Voting is open. Voting is closed. Motion passes unanimous. Thank you. Item D. Consider approval of low bid for Hammond High Magnet Schools Gymnasium HVAC project by facilities maintenance management for the amount of $956,731 pending court approval. Pending court approval, Mr. Valera. Uh yes, the uh bid came in uh good amount
041956. It's uh about $500,000 left less than the expected AFC. So, we're anxious to get the Hammond High air condition underway. All right. To adopt administration. Mr. Nunas made a motion to adopt. Second. Second by Mr. Piaza. Any questions, concerns? Go ahead. I've got a question. So, the um the HVAC uh we're we're approving the um the new equipment. The new equipment. Yes, sir. For the gym, right? And uh and I'm getting ahead of the as the rental is next. Get a little bit ahead of the uh the itinerary here. But so we're we're going to rent temporary units until the new equipment. Well, that's that would be the next motion. But this is for the the equipment to put AC in Hammond's gym. The permanent the permanent pending court approval. Did I say that?
042Yes. Okay. Sing. All right. Hear no other questions. I call for a vote. Voting is open. Voting is closed. Motion passes unanimously. All right. Thank you. Item E, consider approval of the quote for a temporary six-month rental of HVAC units at Hammond High School gymnasiums for mobile air and power rentals for the amount of $8,02.60 per month for estimated of 6 months for a total of $48,012. Move to adopt the administration's recommendation. We have a motion. Second. We have a second by Mr. Piaza. Question. I know we're going to have questions because I got questions. I have something. Hey, Mr. Mingz. Or first of all, Terry, you want to tell us anything about that or uh Yes. Uh the total just for the a for the HVAC itself is $48,000. Then there's the to turn
043it on to actually blow cold air. uh could either use prime power uh which will come from uh one of our one of our electrical boxes and that to hook that up that's between 20 to $30,000 or we would have to rent a generator and hook it up and it'll run uh which that fuel uh probably have to be refilled uh once a week approximately based on the generator running constantly. Uh, and I don't have the funds breakdown of that, but it's it's it's a it's a lot. So, well, Terry, but that's based on how often it gets used, right? I mean, if we're only using this during games or, you know, if we're not trying to do this all, it would significantly reduce have to rent the generator. And that's the main purpose. You
044know what I'm trying to get through is after three years of being asked to get an air conditioning in there, particularly during the summers when the volleyball team is there and all of that stuff and and us, you know, having to wait until the last one to get a a bid in. Um I just couldn't see letting my constituents go yet another year uh in the August summer, you know, for these volleyball games. So, I appreciate the administrator. I don't again I'm not asking that this thing be left on all the time or that it even needs to be left on during the school hours of in the month of August. You know that we can find other solutions for that. I don't but but um for the for those those hot summer days when
045they're trying to get through volleyball games and and and and other activities where we're inviting members of our community into our school buildings and they're sweating um you know profusely to just try to watch their kids play volleyball. That that's what I was trying to accomplish with this. Yeah. Mr. Piaza. So I got a few things on this. Uh one and I I should ask at the last session. Do we know exactly rough estimate of when the uh completion of the HVAC system should be? I know we got court approval on all. Yes, Hammond High. It's a pro uh project is 200 days. So about 6 and a half months. Okay. So my biggest issue and look I I represent parts of Hammond too. Look, I I understand where Mr. Duncan's coming from and I
046appreciate him bringing that to the board, but my only argument is is there's a lot of gyms across the parish that don't have AC. They're equally as hot. And so if we're going to do this for one, we're gonna have to consider to do it for multiple ones because I mean I'mma use Independence for a really good example. You go in there and you could bake cookies in the in the summertime. Um they have volleyball, they have basketball, they got other gyms across the parish is very similar. And we're talking about a lot of money for these temporary units. And like I said, I'm not saying that we shouldn't do it, but we're going to have to I'm sure there's many other members on this board that's going to want these temporary units too until
047theirs are done. So, that's a lot of money we're about to invest in temporary units, but I again, Mr. Duncan, I applaud you for it. I think it's a good idea to look at because it's all about kids and keeping them comfortable. So, that's the only argument and I look, I will support any other board member that wants to bring a similar proposal uh for their schools if their HVAC systems are not completed by August. We approved all of those other school systems HVAC improvements I think six six or seven months ago. They already have court approval and I I know the administration's already working on that. Hopefully a lot of those permanent installations will be done. They will definitely be done before Hammond High's but where you hit sit here tonight knowing because we
048just finished this one uh that that Hammond High's permanent structures will not be in by August. And and I we looked at one suggestion or one When we do shelters for the parish, we bring in portable AC units. Dawson and them used to keep them stored in Rosland at the warehouse. Um, they're diesel powered because we have them in the military, too. But diesel powered AC with I would say they're not fully functioning anymore. We try to use it at Hammond and East Side and those those are little small units. The the question I do have, so this is not for like starting now or for the whole summer. This is just in the event there's not air conditioning in that gym for August. For me, that's all I'm asking for is that when Yes.
049for August when we're going to be having other when we're going to be having families in there watching volleyball games or other events, I would I I that's what I my my intention was in I think we misunderstood and thought this was for the whole summer. So So would you be willing to to table and let us come back at the next meeting with a proposal for beginning in August and and maybe it only be three months or two months? But we need but we need a practice. It's whenever the volleyball team starts practicing going forward this summer. So yeah. So that's going to be after me. Let me go. Then the other schools aren't going to have it this summer either. That's what I was going to say. Go ahead. Well, that's what I
050was going to say. What is it? What are the deadlines or proposed acceptance of like Punch High or the other gyms that we've already got approval and already got the bids back for them to be functioning? I didn't bring those dates with me. Miss Rose, I'm sorry. I did not bring those dates with me, Miss Rose. But I mean, is it before school? Is it probably August? I did not look at those dates before I came in here because it wasn't on the agenda. Yeah, because if the if we don't like he's saying every year I get I mean the floor is even wet from kids sweating. So, I mean, is anybody going to be ready for August? There's going to be some. Yes, ma'am. Can we just think it's an awful lot of money
051to spend on a temporary something if you're going to do it for August? maybe, but not this whole summer if none of the other schools, even though they're on track to be installed, but we've been waiting for two and a half years for everybody to get a air condition and HVAC approval. I'm I mean, I don't feel like we need to put off doing something for Hammond High while we're waiting on coming up with solutions for the rest of the schools. You know, I asked the administration to put something together two weeks ago to bring to us tonight. You know, I I'm and again, I'm willing to support any other board member that brings forth a similar proposal. I'm also willing to say that we don't want to do this until August. When do they
052start practice for the volleyball team? I I don't know. But I'm also if if we want to wait until they actually start playing games to turn this unit on, I'm I'm I'm fine with that. I I just want to make sure that we have a solution for these families, you know, and you know, when that when they're coming in to watch games this August August. One question then is these units. I'm assuming it's a portable unit. So, if it's a portable unit and we end up getting a generator to run the portable unit, is this something that our maintenance could maybe get during the month of August and September and use it at Hammond on a Tuesday night, use it at Punch Tool on a Wednesday night, use it at a meet on a Thursday
053night based on what games are when only for and they may not want to rent it to us for just two months, but only for those August and September month. Is that just something? I would have to discuss that with the owner. I mean, I may entertain a motion that we table it and then figure that out as well or we can go ahead and vote on the original motion. They're kind of rigor moving that unit around this but with the number of games that I mean even if that even if you rent it multiple units and said, "Okay, we're going to do three for the parish. These this one's going to be the northern one that gets moved. This one's going to be the there's a lot of options to be done there." Let
054me go back to his to Tom's point earlier about the about the parishes units. That's about 10 tons of air total, right? Versus at Hammond High School, it's two 25 tons. So you're it's 50 tons of air to bring that large space down to about 20 ft of ducking system and all of that stuff, right? Which is Yeah, that's handled right now. We have a motion. I'm sorry. Go ahead. We do. Okay. Gotcha. Well, by the next meeting, would you be able to give us a pretty good estimate of the timeline on HD completions? Okay, gotcha. Well, if that's the case, if if Brett doesn't have a major objection, I'd vote that we table this until the next meeting. So, two weeks. It's two weeks. Yeah, I can do it in two weeks. I mean,
055I'm I'm offer I'm offer cooling the buildings. The motion right now to table for two weeks. I would like to have a more thorough look at at what's coming up even when uh get a better a better uh perspective on when the other uh air conditioning units are going to that that have already been approved by the court are going to be when we can you know expect those units to be installed. You know I I think there's a lot to be considered. I I don't have an objection but I but there's there's other things that I think needs to be considered. Right now we have a motion to table from Mr. Anthony, a second by Mr. Westland, and I think I got one question for Miss Janice. Go ahead. No questions on that. So,
056let's deal with the motion to table first for table for two weeks while administration answers a few more questions. Hearing no questions, I'll call for a vote. Voting is open. This is the motion to table for two weeks. Also on those list of questions, Mr. Valeruda, maybe like mobilization charge, you know, do we have to pay to get it here? Pay to get it back. That's all all those kind of questions. Yes, sir. Okay. Voting is closed. Motion passes with Mr. Duncan and Miss Richards voting no. Okay. All right. Motion passes to table. So then we'll move on to item F. Consider approval of the low bid for the advanced college and career gym and kitchen remediation asbestous abatement. Mr. Valeruda. Yes. This um is a remodel job that's supposed to take place in that
057space and it was had some uh mold and mildew in it that was severe that needed to be cleaned up and uh the low quote or low bid is $46,000. Okay. I hear that in form of a motion. Make a motion. Okay. Which one? We have a motion from Miss Abrams to accept the administration's recommendation. A little bit. This is uh second by Miss Richards. Okay. Question, Mr. Moore. All right. So, this is um considering the approval of the quote for a temporary. That's HV. This is F. We're on F, right? Correct. Approval for this is to remove asbestous from our schools. And recommendation is number one priority. That's the recommendation. Correct. to remediate flooring. Well, I say it's flooring. It's it's it's more than that. Okay. Um, quick question and reason why I'm asking
058is a a huge thing, right? That's a major major. Are we confident in one priority's ability to do the job without causing any issues to the surrounding stuff? Okay, that's the only question. Look, I know we've been burned by lower bids before. I just want to make sure they're if they're licensed to do this, they are well, right? I just want to make sure because anytime we hear the word asbestous, I don't want any more issues on our hands. They've been Ritter has vetted them and they have all the proper credentiing and all the alphabets after their name. Thank you. Thank you. So, Mr. President. Yeah. So, considering the range of 46,000 to 160,000 I guess is where we're that's Yeah, that's why I was quite different. That's a big difference. So, is there any
059possibility that like any type of insurance or anything could help cover this cost for asbestos? Nothing. Let us know. And is our insurance aware that we're doing this? That should help us that we are eliminating this in our school. That's something we might want to start. That might be something you want to Well, that's not not working. Uh you might want to mention that we're doing it and getting rid of it. That will help you. Yeah. Just saying. Anyway. Okay. Any other questions? Yeah. Um so, so Terry, my my my question is all right. Asbesus has has been a problem. I mean the consideration of it even and and getting rid of it is is always become has always been an issue. Um the cost of it and then the cost of uh replacing the
060flooring after that's done. um what has been what how what is the progress on assessing all all of the other all of the other uh schools and and I will I will I will I will uh direct my attention towards the 11 schools that were that we just had the snap that is a question that I'm not prepared to answer tonight because it's not on the agenda so I did not prepare for it okay but I have information in which I can uh be brought up to speed and therefore at another time place or we can uh I can discuss that with y'all. I can say this though in construction though it's considered safe as long as you don't disturb it. But once you start remodeling in an area then you have to get it
061tested and then once you test it obviously if it's hot then you have to remediate it. But um there's asbestous in so many different items it is unreal. But um if we went through you know I'm not saying we have a speestous in all our schools. I have no idea. But I know anytime that we do any remodeling, we have to test it and if it's found, then we have to get rid of it. Yeah. And my concern is that I know that during the time the time period when most of the schools were constructed that we were using as best. Yes. So we've done a lot of asbestous remediation in the past, but but yeah, and as we remodel, we find more, we're going to remediate it and get rid of it. Yeah. Which
062is the right thing to do. Okay. So I have a motion. Do I have a motion in a second already? Okay, lost track for a second. Any other questions? No public input. We'll call for a vote. Voting is open. Sorry. Thought you were getting my attention. Yes, Miss Cindy. Voting is closed. Motion passes with Mr. Moore voting no. Okay. Okay. Item G. Consider approval of the low bids for Woodland Park Early Learning Center phase 2 classroom addition with library project from Mlenn Construction in the amount of 1,879,000. [Music] Move to adopt administration. Motion made to adopt the recommendation for the administration by Mr. Duncan, second by Mr. Piaza. Any questions of Mr. Valeruda? We're tickled to death to see these coming. Thank you for getting this done and getting it moving. We hope the more
063Kirk coming quickly. Hearing no questions, no public input. We'll call for a vote. Open. Yes, I'm sending Voting is closed. Motion passes unanimously. All right. Thank you, Mr. Valera. Moving on to item six, the superintendence report. Miss Dilly. Thank you, Mr. Toller. Uh item 6A um consider approval to refer the policies FDC naming of schoolboard policy and FE facility project to the policy committee. Somebody motion refer to refer it by Mr. Westland. I think I heard a second from Mr. Duncan. Um any questions? Hearing none, we'll call for a vote. Voting is open. Yes. Voting is closed. Motion passes unanimously. uh for just general updates. Uh first of all, I'd like to congratulate all of our teacher of the year, student of the years this year for elementary, our support staff of the year, uh
064principal of the year, new teacher of the year. Um you know, it takes a as Mr. Jeno said earlier, it's a team effort, takes all of us working together. Um second secondly I'd like to mention that the testing window opens this week for Dibbles and LEAP and it will run over the course of the next three weeks which brings us right up to Good Friday. So basically for the the rest of the next three weeks uh different grade levels will be testing um and or doing dibbles or both. um in third grade of course uh we know that that the dibbles assessment and the LEAP test is important for promotion uh this year uh due to the change in the new state law. Uh the third thing I'd like to say is I'd like to
065congratulate LRA Elementary which we have their assistant principal still here Miss Jeno in the back. Um and I I want to congratulate them because for the for this last nine weeks they were the single champion uh for accept the challenge. So they had the most points and that again the accept the challenge every week. We look at the whole nine weeks um and we look at attendance. We look at interventions uh for students and reading and math and we look at the school culture and climate and they led clear lead of all of our 32 schools elementary and we want to congratulate them on that. They they even did a challenge for over Marty GR break uh for students to do their interventions on um on the Chromebook. So, that was um that was something
066to keep them connected uh even when they were off. And then lastly, I'd like to remind the public that we're having once upon a time in a park in the park Saturday. So, that's in Hammond at Kate Square. Um Kate Square. Yeah, Kate Square right there. Uh in the middle of downtown Hammond, America, Once Upon a Time in the park. It's Saturday. I think it starts that morning around 10:00. Uh it will run um up until about 12 or 1 o'clock, maybe later. And it's uh really promoting early childhood um our youngsters, but it will be literacy and things like that happening in the park that day. Just remind everybody to come out. That's all I have. Thank you very much. All right. Item seven, public input. We do have one public input. I'd ask
067Miss Lou Glover to come forward, please. She has a general input and I'll just remind you that typically in input you tell us what you want to tell us in your time frame and then we listen and some members may get back to you at a later time or administration may get back to you with an answer or solutions to whatever it is that you'd like to address us. But the floor is yours. Thank you. Uh my name is Luke Glover. I'm actually the president of the PTO at Hammond Eastside Upper. I've been a member of a PTO uh I don't know about 10 years now. I've been through I don't know five or six principles at this point. We've made it from a PTO underneath the school to a 501c3 to switching schools to
068a new 501c3. Um dividing even when schools are not dividing even though they are kind of divided. Uh, and I've been through a lot of changes with the policies, with the expectations from the school board. Um, and there's a lot of things that I agree with. I think there's a lot of transparency that needs to happen between PTO's and booster clubs and the school board and making sure that we're out representing the values and the things that you guys want to be represented for and not bringing any more bad publicity because we don't need to do that. Um, however, there have been a lot of policies, I'm going to call them word of mouth policies that have been spoken and passed along to our principles, to our finance secretaries, to the people in central office
069that are then passed on to me as the president saying you're supposed to do this, this, and this, and can't find them in the policies. So, uh, one of the things that I would say is the biggest issue that I have is that it I was told that this year anytime a PTO or booster club would like to host anything at a school and use anything at the school that we would be responsible for the electricity because it was state law. that that was the explanation given to me at the cooperative agreement meeting every to my principal to me on multiple occasions. Now um and also that you need to have a fundraiser form and a rental agreement to have an event. So if I host a dance, I have to have these things. I
070have to pay the school board to host an event for our kids at our school that raises money that can only be used in our schools. Um although the policies multitudes I actually met with Mr. Ron um in the end of February pointed all of this out to him and all of your policies at that moment unless they've changed since February that states we are not supposed to be treated that way that we are not supposed to have be treated like outside sources. Um and the response again was well this is state law. Well I went and I dug around for that state law as well presented that to Mr. Ron and um he assured me tonight that he was going to pass it along every everything that I found so you guys can look
071it over. Uh however, I'm at a standstill now because according to the financial side of central office, I owe you money for events that I've hosted. One, we lost money in because it was literally just to have our kids out and to play basketball with our teachers. We lost money in that. Um the other one, yes, we made money. We could cover it, but then that leaves me less to cover what we have to cover or what we need to cover or to put back in our school, which is our purpose anyhow. Um and if you haven't read your rental agreement lately, it's to have in a gym with an AC is $65 an hour. An hour. So, it's quite a lot to ask for a PTO or a booster club in my opinion and
072I know it's not happening across the board 100%. I was confirmed that with central office. Um, I also was emailed about a cooperative agreement that I signed in August that because so many different departments have their hands and fingers and directions from different departments and being asked to do different things that all lead to the same outcome, which is having PTO's and booster clubs. I'm getting asked for things that I've already turned in. So I call one person can find it like that but yet the person emailing me cannot because it's different departments. Uh this has put me at a standstill where I cannot host anything because I don't know if I have the funds for it or what I need to do this week for the policies. No one will write them down for
073me um or give me a checklist. I also I have an eighth grader. I'm moving on. I'm going to Posh High with my eighth grader, well, I will not be on a PTO. Uh, but had I choose to go with a booster club is questionable as well, which I know is what's more prominent in high schools. Uh, my time is up, but I really want y'all to consider these policies that you're putting in place, the steps that you're asking us to do, because I know multitudes of people are saying, "Well, it's too difficult because I have no one to follow me up because they don't want to deal with the loads of paperwork and the questions and the unsurity that we get because we're not supported. at all by this or at least it doesn't
074feel that way. And that's really sad because we had a house full of people tonight. We have the people. They want to come. They want to be a part. And that's how you get them. You get them in your PTO. You get them in your booster clubs. You get them by the parents that are organizing all of that. Getting those people together and saying, "Let's organize. Let's do this together. let's be a community and you're losing that because we don't feel welcome and we don't at all feel welcome or understood or support it at all. Right? So, I really hope that y'all will consider or if you have any questions, if you want to send anyone my way, I do believe we have a great community and I I would love to work with anybody
075here who wants to know what we're going through or wants to build that. I want to bid back for Tangbo Parish, but right it's it's difficult. Okay. Thank you, Miss. Thank you so much. Thank you for coming tonight. Thank you. Okay. Um we'll start down here. Miss Richards, board member comments. I just I just like to say that I really enjoyed the meeting tonight and I want to say again congratulations to the students, the principles, the teachers, uh the support staff do for doing a great job in standing out for TPO Parish and we just want to say that we appreciate you and we want you to always know that. Um and that's it. That's all I have. Emeralds, kudos to all of the teachers and students and the support staff that was recognized tonight.
076I would love to see our meetings this full every week, not just when we're given awards, just to have people such as um in our audience that had a public comment to come and listen to what we do and and the rules and the policies that we put into place so they can have an opinion on things that we do here as well. But uh congratulations to everyone. Yes, ditto to uh that all congratulations to everyone and uh excited that we finally getting phase two projects going. So I hope we get several of those coming up in the next month so we can get them all completed. Mr. Donna, um yeah, glad we've got some progress going on the facilities. I hope we can figure out this thing with the temporary air conditioner. Again, I
077I support having a similar setup for any school that needs them uh during the heat of the summer. Um I want to thank Miss Glover for coming and and talking about the issue that she's having. Um I hope we can figure out how to to resolve it. Uh the only portion of that that I was aware of was I I did you know we as a board did pass a policy I think a year or so ago where if we have to have our staff come to these types of events uh that those staff members need to be compensated for that extra work. I was not aware that we were charging PTO's to use our facilities. Um and and I hope we can get that addressed. I also hope though that you know look I
078will tell you from my personal experience with the PTO at Hammond East Side when my children were younger. Um when that uh relationship is working and the PTO and the school administration is working together to improve our campuses. That is a beautiful thing to watch and be a part of. Um the Hammond East Side community um would not be anything like it is or at least was uh if it was not for the PTO and the other elements of our community as a whole getting behind the process of turning that that campus around. Uh it was nothing like that um 10 to 12 years ago and the PTO played a huge role in that. We we do not need to lose that uh at Hammond East Side or anywhere else where we have parents that
079are willing to engage uh and help our schools because our schools um even though they've made improvement, they still have a long way to go to get anywhere close to where they need to be. And that is not going to happen unless our parents and families are a key component in making it happen. The teachers are important, the administrators are important, but I think everybody on this board knows and agrees that absent the parents, um, you know, not just doing what they do at home, but also being part of of of that school culture, uh, it's just not going to get where we want it to be. So hopefully we'll get that that that worked out and and and get that that PTO organization uh, back where it needs to be. So that's it. More?
080Yeah. And um you know I would like to take you back off that because you address a lot of things that should be concerning and I I I know that the uh parent teachers organization along with the Rotary Club made a tremendous difference when I was back in high school when I so far back I can't remember. But um um I I think I I do want you to know that I that I I am concerned about the things that you discussed. Um, congratulations to all of our recipients tonight. Um, I I really this is this is one of my best days seeing all of the recommendation, all of the uh recognizing of all of the uh successful um employees and uh reaching the the height of their uh employment with uh with our school
081board. Um, we just got back from the uh Kazba um um in in um in Atlanta and I would just like to say that it was tremendous. The information was non-stop and overflowing and almost uh uh overloaded. Uh but but I but I would consider it that it was um you know uh very very informative and uh and and it was probably one of the most successful um sessions that I've been to. Um first want to say I'm so glad that we get to go this way because I get to steal all roses thunder because I'm going to say something about Strawberry Festival in a minute. So, I'm just glad that this goes this way. Not to beat a dead horse. Uh, thank you, Miss Glover, for coming tonight and and speaking the what you
082had to say. Look, it it concerns all of us up here, PTO, booster clubs, uh, as Mr. Moore said, Kowanis, all these outside organizations. He said earlier tonight, it takes a village to raise children and to raise them right. And that we can all agree that those organizations are key into some of the success our school system has seen. And so, I I have no doubt our administration will get that solved. And and look, I have full faith in all of you guys. Um, but I want to thank y'all for what y'all do for our staff. I remember as a teacher, our PTO was our our lifeline. You know, when we're dying out there needing coffee and a and a you know, adrenaline shot, y'all were there to give us an upbeat and say, "Hey,
083look, we got this together." And I look, I want to thank y'all for what y'all do. Tonight was amazing. We got to see the little ones here. That's what it's all about, guys. That's our why, right? That's our why. They are amazing to watch. the excitement they had. But right across the aisles are the are also the rock stars, the teachers of the year. And not only are they teachers of the year, they're elementary teachers year. There's a special place in heaven for those people because I don't know about y'all, I have a four-year-old, I mean a three-year-old, and I could not do what they do every day and try to teach her how to read, write, and and be successful. So, I want to thank all of the teachers and students that put in
084the hard work to make it this point. Um, we have strawberry festival. I don't know if y'all know that or not. We have a strawberry festival coming. uh next weekend. Uh I don't know if y'all knew that cuz she's dressed in strawberries, but that's next weekend. If you can come on down to that. Uh also, the Hammond's second annual autism awareness and acceptance day is going to be April 26th at Chapila Park. That's usually it was a great event last year. They're building on it. So, if we can uh if anybody would like to attend that, I got I'll probably be attending that for the school system as well. Should be a good event. But guys, we're doing a great job. Phase two's kicking up. Uh, as Mr. Moore said, I got to go to
085Cosba. It was a wonderful event, not only for the education. We got to see some of the things that the nation is struggling with in education and how I think we're ahead of some of them in a lot of those arguments. And so that that boosted me up of where we are as a school system, where we are as a board, and like I said, just to have some camaraderie with some of the other board members. It it was a fun time. So, I want to thank all of y'all for those opportunities that I get to do up here. And thank y'all. We had to hang out with him for like two or three. It was crazy, man. Yeah. Yeah. It was rough. I asked for a joy room and they wouldn't give it. Mr.
086Dominguez. Yes. Uh I would like to thank you on behalf of a a 20-year PTA member, president, state board person. I'm surprised at some of the things you said tonight. I had no idea that we were charging our PTAs or PTO's to use our facilities. Um when I did it, we never did. it was unless you had to have a staff there or $100 if you had to have security for some reason, but never for the light bill or any of that. So, definitely we're going to be interested in that, Mr. McNeely, about what that is about. Um, thank you for your hard work because uh we could not do it without parents and I was one of those 100% hands-on for many, many years and I know we made a great difference and I
087know you make a great difference. So, thank you for that. I'd like to recognize uh all of our winners tonight. uh not just those but the unsung heroes that maybe didn't apply or didn't get recognized tonight. They work hard every day. All of our staff is amazing and uh we just thank you for that. And from Miss Whittington for getting a principal of the year. She's come such a long way from her first start and she's she's uh does a good job with all of her students and her teachers now. I'm really proud of her. Uh also I'd like to comment again on Cosba. So if you would recognize in the minutes our CLU's for Miss Janice Richards. also Jerry, myself and and Joey. It was a fabulous uh conference. I'm proud to have been
088a part of the national organization that we started just a couple of years ago and uh it's it was quite amazing. We had some wonderful speakers and wonderful workshops and I think we really had a good time together as well on that the things that we were able to do. So, uh, one other thing I'd like to mention that, um, I keep thinking I'm going to email back, Miss Silly, but I am loving the detailed list you're sending us of what's going on. And, you know, I've always been begging like, I need to know what's going on. I need to know what's going on. So, from Cynthia, we are reading. I am reading. I don't know about anybody else. I'm reading. I'm reading them, too. From the maintenance, Cynthia Jenkins and the maintenance department, Mr.
089you you know had a big list of reports of of everything that's going on and thank you Jesus phase 2 is starting and we can get into our new building. So thank you for that. I am reading it and I also love when Miss Fisel sends the newsletter. I read all of that and I click on all them links. I don't know about that one. I don't understand a lot of it but I'm trying to digest a lot of it. You know it's a lot. So thank y'all for doing that. I know it means a lot to to me and I'm sure the other board members and it's it's great information that we need to know. So, thank you for that. Strawberry Festival. Well, he's already said and one last one last thing I want
090to commend Rose. Rose had a very uh integrated intimate uh part in being the the success of that convention. Yes. And that I mean it's just like she's just all I don't know if she volunteered for it or if they just knew where to find her. But uh her the the a part of the success of the convention was because of her participation in that. Thank you. And she and she Yeah. So, Rose, you need to remind Joey that, you know, they got that strawberry building with the straw. That's all you. I mean, you can't steal Strawberry Fest, man. Hey, but let me say they have one of the best queens this year. Huh, Mr. Ron. Hale Queen Alexis. And she said And she said punch to a little Strawberry Festival was her biggest honor
091she ever had. Yeah. Oh, yeah. She started with the best, though. Yeah. Well, I tell you that the Have y'all tried the jelly that they gave us? Oh, yes, ma'am. So good. Yes, ma'am. Yeah. Well, I'm just going to join everybody. Congrats to not saying. Yes, she did. She did. I heard her. I heard her with my own ears. Did not put that on her. We can ask her after after she served all her roles. I want to ask her after the stro. Go ahead. I'm sorry. Oh, that's it. No, just joining everybody and congratulating the teachers and Miss Whittington. Miss Whittington's so shy and quiet, so I'm surprised. Yeah, of course. But no, I'm just really happy for them. I mean, to be honored and and and receive that award. Uh I know they
092do a lot for the kids and it's so selfless. And um I also want to thank Miss Glover. Miss Glover, I'm actually, you know, this week I was following an email chain. I I don't disagree. It's a it's a cumbersome process and that's something we ought to as a board look at. Um and that's just something that, you know, we need to pay more attention to because volunteers like yourself are so instrumental. And that's all I got. Thank y'all very much. Oh, wait, one more. Mr. Terry. Um, Mr. Terry's always done a great job. I feel like he's got his bearings straight now. So, thank you for all everything you've done this last couple months. You know, he started the same time Joey and I did just two years ago. And and I feel like
093it's taken me up until a couple months to kind of get my bearings straight. It's a it's a big role. And his role is probably much much larger than ours up here. Um, it's kind of everything that happens with maintenance and construction goes through Terry. So, thank you, man. There's a lot on the agenda tonight that you put on here. So, we appreciate you. I would like to comment on the whole situation with the PTO real quick. I asked this question not long ago. I don't I called Miss Tilly and I called Mr. um Jeff and I was told that this was only for outside organizations, not for our own. I think certain principles are following these rules and taking it as it's written in that book. And it's not supposed to be that way.
094I think it's our own people are not supposed to be charged that it's supposed to be outside entities such as outside sports or if somebody wants to come and use one of our gyms to do a play that's not part of our school or whatever that they're supposed to be charged that time but not our own people. I think I think we need to just just straighten that out with our principles. I'll follow and and we will follow up with that. I I can speak you real quick with the National Guard. You know, one of the big things we try to do is we're National Guard is a part of our community. We have National Guard armories all throughout the state and um you know, we have parades and one of the first things that
095I wanted when I got back into command of Franklin and Independence was to use our armories. The co-op is wanted to use it for different occasions and meetings and gatherings and the community uses it for different things and then putting vehicles and soldiers in parades. You know, I think the first championship parade we had, I had But I say all that to say, the paperwork involved in getting approval from the state to let our facilities be used or to put soldiers in parades has got to where it's so mind-boggling that we most people don't do it again. We don't do it anymore. and all those and I'm sure the same thing that we have here. We probably have policies in place that we're not really aware of that are meant to protect ourselves have created
096problems like this that we need to solve. And you have our commitment. I believe that um we're going to look and see how we can streamline this to make this better because if we need anybody supporting our schools, it's the parents and the organizations that support our schools. So um we'll do that. And then last but not least, obviously congratulations to all the student of the years and teacher of the year, support staff of the years, new teacher of the year, all these different these are big milestones for these people and without their support our school system would be hurting. Um and they're the best of the best. I hate the fact that we are overcrowded in here. Uh next meeting because of that we are going to move the meeting to the arena into
097the large uh where we have the what is it called? It's called the 4H building or banquet hall. The banquet hall. We can seat about 40% more people than we can sit in here. So, it's going to be center then. Do what? At the event center. At the event the arena. At the event center in the arena. So, it'll be inside. It's air conditioning. It will be in folding chairs, but um we'll be able to fit more people. So, the second half of this we will have at the arena in two weeks. Um so, make sure that um you know about that change. will remind you between now and then. But the intention of that is to try to get more people in there without limiting them on who they can bring for their, you
098know, for the high school, middle school, and the rest of the awards that we're going to do. Good. Any other thoughts, comments before we enter executive session, Miss Dilly? Anything else? Move to enter into executive session to consider the case of Joyce Marie Moore versus Tanger School. A motion and a second, Mr. Passen. Any opposition hearing? None. Motion carries. Channel 17, proudly serving the Florida parishes. And we are on online. So any action? No action. No action needed. Anything else be brought before the board hearing? None. Meeting adjourned. Y'all have a great night. Be careful.