M I N U T E S August 11, 2016 The School Board of the Parish of St. Tammany, State of Louisiana, met in regular session on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at the Robert C. Brooks, Jr. Educational Complex, 2544 Sgt. Alfred Drive, Slidell, LA, at seven (7:00) o clock P.M., (Central Daylight Savings Time). I. OPENING A. Roll Call There were present: Board Members Neal M. Hennegan, Elizabeth B. Heintz, Charles T. Harrell, Willie B. Jeter, Peggy H. Seeley, Sharon Lo Drucker, Ronald Ron Bettencourtt, Robert R. Bob Womack, Richard Rickey Hursey, Jr., Dennis S. Cousin and Mary K. Bellisario. There were absent: Michael J. Dirmann, Stephen J. Jack Loup, III, Michael C. Nation and Robin P. Mullett. In the absence of Board President Loup and Vice President Mullett, Mrs. Heintz chaired the meeting. B. Invocation C. Pledge of Allegiance Mrs. Heintz called on Mr. Womack for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. D. Recognition of Visitors II. PUBLIC COMMENTS A. Five Minutes None. B. Three Minutes None. III. AGENDA ITEMS A. Approval of minutes for the regular meeting held on July 14, 2016. It was moved by Mr. Cousin, seconded by Mr. Jeter, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on July 14, 2016. Yeas: Mr. Hennegan, Mrs. Heintz, Mr. Harrell, Mr. Jeter, Mrs. Drucker, Mr. Bettencourtt, Mr. Womack, Mr. Hursey, Mr. Cousin and Mrs. Bellisario. Absent: Mr. Dirmann, Mr. Loup, Mr. Nation, and Mrs. Mullett. Abstaining: Mrs. Seeley. The motion carried.
B. Approval of minutes for the special meeting held on July 28, 2016. 2 It was moved by Mr. Womack, seconded by Mrs. Seeley, to approve the minutes from the special meeting held on July 28, 2016. Yeas: Mr. Hennegan, Mrs. Heintz, Mr. Harrell, Mr. Jeter, Mrs. Seeley, Mr. Bettencourtt, Mr. Womack, Mr. Cousin and Mrs. Bellisario. Absent: Mr. Dirmann, Mr. Loup, Mr. Nation and Mrs. Mullett. Abstaining: Mrs. Drucker and Mr. Hursey. The motion carried. C. Appropriate retirement resolutions for the following certificated personnel subsequent to July 14, 2016. The following resolutions were offered by Mrs. Drucker, seconded by Mrs. Seeley: WHEREAS, Brandy L. Harrington, Classroom Teacher, Bayou Woods Elementary, WHEREAS, Mrs. Harrington was an educator for thirteen and ninety-two hundredths (13.92) years, nine and one hundredth (9.01) years in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mrs. Harrington for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Mrs. Harrington in WHEREAS, Olice C. Weary, Classroom Teacher, Folsom Elementary, WHEREAS, Ms. Weary was an educator for forty-five (45.00) years, all in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Ms. Weary for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Ms. Weary in WHEREAS, Donna L. Autin, School Nurse, Fontainebleau Junior High, WHEREAS, Mrs. Autin was an educator for twenty (20.00) years, all in St. Tammany Parish.
3 School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mrs. Autin for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Mrs. Autin in WHEREAS, Mary M. Ely, Classroom Teacher, Lancaster Elementary, WHEREAS, Mrs. Ely was an educator for twenty-seven and thirty hundredths (27.30) years, twenty-three (23.00) years in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mrs. Ely for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Mrs. Ely in ************** WHEREAS, Peggy L. Redmond, Assistant Principal, Pearl River High, WHEREAS, Ms. Redmond was an educator for thirty-seven and eighteen hundredths (37.18) years, twenty-three and eighteen hundredths (23.18) years in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Ms. Redmond for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Ms. Redmond in WHEREAS, Linda S. Akers, Classroom Teacher, Pontchartrain Elementary, WHEREAS, Mrs. Akers was an educator for twenty-seven and sixty-seven hundredths (27.67) years, all in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mrs. Akers for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Mrs. Akers in All members voted in the affirmative, and the resolutions were declared adopted.
4 D. Appropriate retirement resolutions for the following non-certificated personnel subsequent to July 14, 2016: The following resolutions were offered by Mr. Womack, seconded by Mr. Hursey: WHEREAS, Nanette W. Revere, Special Education Aide, Fifth Ward Junior High, WHEREAS, Mrs. Revere worked for twenty-six and ninety-eight hundredths (26.98) years, all in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mrs. Revere for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Mrs. Revere in WHEREAS, June B. Frank, Special Education Aide, Mayfield Elementary, WHEREAS, Mrs. Frank worked for twenty and thirty-two hundredths (20.32) years, all in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mrs. Frank for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Mrs. Frank in WHEREAS, Darrell W. Malley, Bus Driver, Transportation Center, retired from the St. Tammany Parish School Board; and WHEREAS, Mr. Malley worked for twenty-six and sixty-four hundredths (26.64) years, all in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Malley for her many official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Mr. Malley in WHEREAS, Nancy K. Phillips, Bus Attendant, Transportation Center, WHEREAS, Mrs. Phillips worked for eleven and seventy-three hundredths (11.73) years, all in St. Tammany Parish. School Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mrs. Phillips for her many
5 official minutes of this Board with a copy being sent to Mrs. Phillips in Mrs. Heintz congratulated the employees on their retirement. All members present voted in the affirmative, and the resolutions were declared adopted. E. Announcement of Administrative Appointments Superintendent Folse announced the appointment of Mrs. Diana Troyer as Assistant Principal of Abney Elementary School. Mr. Hursey congratulated Mrs. Troyer and presented her with a desk plaque. Superintendent Folse announced the appointment of Mrs. Seu Hee Ledet as Assistant Principal of Abney Elementary School. Mr. Hursey congratulated Mrs. Ledet and presented her with a desk plaque. Superintendent Folse announced the appointment of Ms. Allison Bolin as Assistant Principal of Little Oak Middle School. Mrs. Bellisario congratulated Ms. Bolin and presented her with a desk plaque. Superintendent Folse announced the appointment of Ms. Amy Danna as Principal of Pitcher Jr. High School. Mrs. Heintz congratulated Ms. Danna and presented her with a desk plaque. Superintendent Folse announced the appointment of Parish Wide Assistant Principal, Ms. Chantelle McInerney. Mr. Bettencourtt congratulated Ms. McInerney and presented her with a desk plaque. Superintendent Folse announced the appointment of Parish Wide Assistant Principal, Mrs. Adrienne Benavides. Mr. Jeter congratulated Mrs. Benavides and presented her with a desk plaque. Superintendent Folse announced the appointment of Mrs. Joyce Davis as Assistant Principal of Covington High School. Mrs. Heintz congratulated Mrs. Davis and presented her with a desk plaque. Superintendent Folse announced the appointment of Ms. Saudah Blackman-Stokes as Acting Principal of Salmen High School. Mr. Hursey congratulated Ms. Blackman-Stokes and presented her with a desk plaque. Mrs. Heintz stated that the Board appreciates the new administrators and their families. F. Recommends acceptance of Abney Elementary School, New Cafetorium as substantially complete subject to the Architect s recommendations, submission of all regulatory requirements, and approval of Superintendent Folse, STPSB Project No. 1425. It was moved by Mr. Hursey, seconded by Mr. Cousin to accept the recommendation. Mrs. Heintz asked if there were any questions from the Board or comments from the public. There being none, the motion carried unanimously. G. Approval of recommendations from the Committee As A Whole Business Affairs and Administrative meeting held. In the absence of the Mr. Dirmann, Committee Chair, Mr. Jeter brought the following recommendations to the Board from the meeting held :
6 1. Recommends acceptance of Covington High, Chiller System Replacement and Associated Renovations, as substantially complete subject to the Architect s recommendations, submission of all regulatory requirements, and approval of Superintendent Folse, STPSB Project No. 1470. It was moved by Mr. Jeter, seconded by Mr. Harrell, to accept the recommendation. Mrs. Heintz asked if there were any questions from the Board. Mrs. Heintz stated that she visited the school and it looks beautiful. The hallway enhancements are wonderful and she appreciates the job that was done. Mrs. Heintz asked if there were any other comments by the public, Yeas: Mr. Hennegan, Mrs. Heintz, Mr. Harrell, Mr. Jeter, Mrs. Seeley, Mr. Bettencourtt, Mr. Womack, Mr. Hursey, Mr. Cousin and Mrs. Bellisario. Absent: Mr. Dirmann, Mr. Loup, Mr. Nation and Mrs. Mullett. Abstaining: Mrs. Drucker. The motion carried. 2. Recommends acceptance of Salmen High School, Carpentry Classroom Renovation to Old Gym Maintenance Building, as substantially complete subject to the Architect s recommendations, submission of all regulatory requirements, and approval of Superintendent Folse, STPSB Project No. 1511. It was moved by Mr. Hursey, seconded by Mr. Womack to accept the recommendation. Mrs. Heintz asked if there were any questions from the Board or comments by the public. Yeas: Mr. Hennegan, Mrs. Heintz, Mr. Harrell, Mr. Jeter, Mrs. Seeley, Mr. Bettencourtt, Mr. Womack, Mr. Hursey, Mr. Cousin and Mrs. Bellisario. Absent: Mr. Dirmann, Mr. Loup, Mr. Nation and Mrs. Mullett. Abstaining: Mrs. Drucker. H. Certification of Board Members, Neal M. Hennegan, Elizabeth B. Heintz, Michael J. Dirmann, Charles T. Harrell, Michael C. Nation, Willie B. Jeter, Peggy H. Seeley, Ronald Ron Bettencourtt, Robert R. Bob Womack, Richard Rickey Hursey, Jr., Robin P. Mullett, Dennis S. Cousin, and Mary K. Bellisario in completion of one (1) hour of training for 2016, presented on and as mandated by La. R.S. 17:53. C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, W. L. Trey Folse, III, Superintendent of the St. Tammany Parish School System, hereby certify that the following Board Members have successfully completed one (1) hour of annual training for 2016 mandated by LA. R.S. 17:53 as evidenced by the attached Certificates of Completion. The training was held on. Mary K. Bellisario Ronald Ron Bettencourtt Dennis S. Cousin Richard Rickey Hursey, Jr. Willie B. Jeter Robin P. Mullett
7 Michael J. Dirmann Charles T. Harrell Elizabeth B. Heintz Neal M. Hennegan Michael C. Nation Peggy H. Seeley Robert R. Bob Womack I request that this Certification and the Certificates of Completion be entered into the minutes of the St. Tammany Parish School Board for August 11, 2016. MARY K. BELLISARIO Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction RONALD "RON" BETTENCOURTT Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction DENNIS S. COUSIN Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction MICHAEL J. DIRMANN Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction
8 CHARLES T. HARRELL Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction ELIZABETH B. HEINTZ Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction NEAL M. HENNEGAN Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction RICHARD RICKEY HURSEY, JR. Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction WILLIE B. JETER Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction
9 ROBIN P. MULLETT Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction MICHAEL C. NATION Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction PEGGY H. SEELEY Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction ROBERT R. "BOB" WOMACK Scholarship Fund, ACT and New Teacher Induction I. Back to School Update Superintendent Folse stated the theme for the 2016-17 school year is Focus on the Future. He gave highlights of a great start on the first day of school, with his day beginning at Northshore High School, then visiting Sixth Ward Elementary School and Pitcher Jr. High School. Superintendent Folse thanked the parents in our School System, who are the most involved in the State. He also thanked the Central Office staff, the Construction and Maintenance Departments, the Custodial staff, the school-based Administrators, and especially the teachers for all the hard work to get the schools ready for opening day. He thanked the Board members for their leadership, guidance and support. A video was shown by Channel 13 highlighting the Superintendent s visit to Sixth Ward Elementary School.
10 Superintendent Folse stated that he would also like to thank the local law enforcement agencies for their efforts. Mrs. Heintz thanked Superintendent Folse for the update and his leadership. IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE BOARD PRESIDENT Mrs. Heintz stated that the next Committee As A Whole meetings would be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. She stated that Mr. Loup is doing very well and will be back soon. V. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. An Executive Session has been requested pursuant to LRS 42:17A.(2) to discuss the following matters: 1. Elizabeth Z. DeCossas, Individually & as Tutrix for M.D., and Ronald DeCossas vs. St. Tammany Parish School Board, et al USDC EDLA, Case No. 22:16-cv-03786, Division 5 2. Potential Claim of Tina Huther 3. Potential Claim of Shirley Yates 4. Aimee Noel, Wife of/and James Noel, Individual and as Natural Tutors of Their Minor Child, L.N. v. St. Tammany Parish School Board 22 nd JDC, Docket No. 2013-15699, Division H 5. Potential Claim of Marsha Bianchini It was moved by Mr. Bettencourtt, seconded by Mr. Hennegan, to convene in Executive Session to discuss the above listed matters in accordance with the provisions of LRS 42:17A.(2). Yeas: Mr. Hennegan, Mrs. Heintz, Mr. Harrell, Mr. Jeter, Mrs. Seeley, Mrs. Drucker, Mr. Bettencourtt, Mr. Womack, Mr. Hursey, Mr. Cousin and Mrs. Bellisario. Absent: Mr. Dirmann, Mr. Loup, Mr. Nation and Mrs. Mullett. Abstaining: None. The motion carried. The Board met in Executive Session. It was moved by Mrs. Seeley, seconded by Mrs. Drucker, to return to Open Session. Mrs. Heintz asked if there were any questions from the Board. There being none, the motion carried. It was moved by Mr. Jeter, seconded by Mr. Womack, to accept the advice of counsel in the following matters: 1. Elizabeth Z. DeCossas, Individually & as Tutrix for M.D., and Ronald DeCossas vs. St. Tammany Parish School Board, et al USDC EDLA, Case No. 22:16-cv-03786, Division 5 2. Potential Claim of Tina Huther 3. Potential Claim of Shirley Yates 4. Aimee Noel, Wife of/and James Noel, Individual and as Natural Tutors of Their Minor Child, L.N. v. St. Tammany Parish School Board
11 22 nd JDC, Docket No. 2013-15699, Division H 5. Potential Claim of Marsha Bianchini Yeas: Mr. Hennegan, Mrs. Heintz, Mr. Harrell, Mr. Jeter, Mrs. Seeley, Mrs. Drucker, Mr. Bettencourtt, Mr. Womack, Mr. Hursey, Mr. Cousin and Mrs. Bellisario. Absent: Mr. Dirmann, Mr. Loup, Mr. Nation and Mrs. Mullett. Abstaining: None. The motion carried. VI. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Board, Mrs. Heintz adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. /s/ /s/ W. L. "TREY" FOLSE, III ELIZABETH B. HEINTZ Secretary Acting Chair