Rapide Parish School Board public meetings in 2020

Special Board Meeting

The Rapides Parish School Board is meeting in special session to consider and vote on a single action item: approving the Head Start Non-Competing Continuation Application for the period February 1, 2021 through January 31, 2022. The rest of the agenda consists of procedural items (call to order, invocation, roll call) and adjournment.

• Motion to approve the Rapides Head Start Non-Competing Continuation Application for February 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Board met to decide on several fiscal and operational items, including authorizing bids for new playground equipment and renewing worker's compensation insurance. The session also addressed contract amendments for student services and internet filtering.

• Authorized bidding for purchase and installation of playground equipment estimated at $360,000
• Accepted recommendation for excess Worker's Compensation insurance renewal costing $98,000
• Approved 6-month CyberReef license renewal for internet filtering costing $45,000
• Approved professional services contracts for up to five additional school nurses totaling $130,000
• Approved contract amendment for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from $40/hour to $80/hour

Personnel Agenda

The Personnel Committee received reports on new hires, promotions, resignations, and other personnel actions. They approved leave requests and voted to approve revisions to policies on Student Health Services, Sick Leave, and employment of superintendent, retired personnel, and maternity/adoptive leave. The committee also discussed the status of the Director of Secondary Education position.

• Motion to receive reports on new hires, promotions, resignations, and other personnel actions
• Motion to approve leave requests
• Motion to approve revisions to Policy JGC: Student Health Services
• Motion to approve revisions to Policy GBRIB: Sick Leave
• Motion to discuss status of Director of Secondary Education Position

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met to review budget amendments, grant reports, and various service contracts. The committee approved professional services for occupational therapy and a software agreement for transportation.

• Approved $30,250.00 professional services contract for Occupational Therapy
• Ratified bids for welding supplies up to $100,000.00
• Approved $129,780.00 agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc. for Traversa transportation software
• Approved $50,000.00 bid ratification for Head Start food and milk products
• Approved $14,600.00 MOU with LDOE for ACT Assessment Series implementation

Education Committee

The Education Committee reviewed information regarding a balanced school calendar and curriculum instruction updates. The committee directed staff to research what a balanced calendar would look like for a future presentation in January 2021.

• Motion to pursue research on a balanced school calendar
• Presentation of curriculum and instruction updates

Regular Board Meeting

The Board voted to lift the Declaration of Emergency originally adopted on March 23, 2020. Members also approved Head Start policies and various educational reports and contracts.

• Lifted the Declaration of Emergency adopted March 23, 2020
• Approved Head Start policies regarding eligibility, health, and personnel management
• Approved $106,000 bid for food service equipment and supplies (Bid #21-15)
• Approved $11,940 agreement with Suddenlink Business for internet at four Head Start locations
• Entered into an Interagency Agreement with COPE Inc., TRiO Program

RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD <br> 619 Sixth Street <br> Alexandria, Louisiana 71301<br> Personnel Committee

The Rapides Parish School Board Personnel Committee met on October 20, 2020, and took action on several personnel matters. The committee approved revisions to five policies covering superintendent employment, retired personnel, sick leave, maternity/adoptive leave, and sabbatical leave. It also voted to recommend that the full board lift the Declaration of Emergency adopted in March 2020. Additionally, the committee received reports on new hires, promotions, resignations, and other personnel actions.

• Approved revisions to policies CBD (Employment of Superintendent), GBDA (Employment of Retired Personnel), GBRIB (Sick Leave), GBRIC (Maternity and Adoptive Leave), and GBRHA (Sabbatical Leave)
• Voted to recommend lifting the Declaration of Emergency from March 23, 2020
• Discussed policy GBO (Resignation) concerning rescinding retirements
• Received reports on new hires, promotions, resignations, and performance contract renewals
• Approved a leave request and discussed personnel complaints

RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD <br> 619 Sixth Street <br> Alexandria, Louisiana 71301<br> Finance Committee

The Rapides Parish School Board Finance Committee will consider several action items, including approving a $921,436 E-Rate contract for Category 2 goods and services, a $200,000 project to replace the pressbox at Tioga High School, and a $106,000 bid for food service equipment. The committee will also vote on routine items such as personal services contracts, budget amendments, donations, and grant updates.

• Motion to authorize RFP for Category 2 E-Rate goods and services ($921,436)
• Motion to enter into architect agreement and advertise bids for Tioga High School pressbox replacement ($200,000)
• Motion to ratify and award bid for food service equipment and supplies ($106,000)
• Motion to approve Internet service agreement with Suddenlink for Head Start locations ($11,940)
• Motion to approve purchase of Ripple Effects behavior support software licenses ($37,665)

RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD <br> 619 Sixth Street <br> Alexandria, Louisiana 71301<br> Education Committee

The Education Committee will review ACT results for the 2019-20 senior class and updates on high school academic opportunities. The body will also consider an agreement with COPE Inc. for the TRiO Program to provide student guidance and academic sessions.

• Interagency Agreement with COPE Inc., TRiO Program for student guidance and academic sessions
• Presentation of 2019-20 senior class ACT results
• Update on Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement opportunities at each high school
• Report on CTEP student services and program assessment
• Update on Career and Technical Education programs and advanced credentials

RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD <br> 619 Sixth Street <br> Alexandria, Louisiana 71301 <br> Special Board

The Rapides Parish School Board met in a special session to address impacts from Hurricane Delta. The board adopted a resolution declaring a public emergency and authorized negotiations for cleanup and repairs.

• Resolution declaring a public emergency for Hurricane Delta damages and authorizing repair negotiations
• Approval to pay Hurricane Delta expenditures from the Special Reserve Fund
• Requirement that insurance proceeds and disaster reimbursements be deposited back into the Special Reserve Fund
• Training session on Head Start Guidelines and policies

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Board reviewed school construction updates, COVID-19 Phase 3 reopening reports, and various financial items. Key actions included approving a contract for college coaching and authorizing funds for football game security.

• Approved $60,000 to reimburse schools for security and officials at junior high and high school football games
• Approved $48,970 Memorandum of Understanding with Career Compass of Louisiana for student coaching
• Approved a $3,413.75 change order for re-roofing the Pineville High School press box and concessions building
• Renewed a $55,968 lease agreement with Williams Scotsman for four modular classrooms
• Authorized a $90,000 bid process for the purchase of band instruments and equipment

Personnel Committee - 5:00 PM

The Personnel Committee will meet to receive reports on staffing changes and approve leave requests. The body will also discuss personnel complaints that may require action by the full board.

• Reports on new hires, promotions, resignations, and retirements
• Review of performance contract renewals and disclosures
• Approval of leave requests
• Discussion of personnel complaints for potential full board action

Finance Committee 5:10 PM

The Rapide Parish School Board Finance Committee is meeting to review budget updates, grants, and donations. The body will decide on contract renewals for insurance services and a change order for roofing work at Pineville High School.

• Renewal negotiations for Third Party Claims Administration Services for Worker’s Compensation Claims (approximately $54,000)
• Change Order #1 for re-roofing the press box and concessions building at Pineville High School, increasing the contract by $3,413.75 to a total of $62,647.75
• Reimbursement for officials and security for Junior High and High School home football games for Fall 2020
• Approval of personal services contracts, leases, and bills paid for the previous month
• Review of budget updates for the General Fund and Food and Nutrition Fund

Education Committee 5:05 PM

The Rapides Parish School Board Education Committee will meet to consider two motions regarding school reports. The committee will discuss the use of "Project 1619" books and review a report on COVID Phase III.

• Motion for Superintendent report on "Project 1619" books in the school system
• Motion to hear a report on Phase III regarding COVID

Special Board Meeting 4:59 PM

The Rapides Parish School Board met to discuss adjusted millage rates and tax authorizations. The board also moved to ratify bids for the lease of 435 acres of school board property.

• Adopted adjusted millage rates
• Adopted other authorized millages or taxes
• Ratified bids for the lease of 435 acres of School Board Property (BID #21-50)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will review standing items including personal services contracts, budget amendments, and grant updates. The committee will also consider a change order for the Pineville High School press box re-roofing project and reimbursement for school security costs.

• Change Order #1 for Pineville High School re-roofing to increase contract from $59,234 to $62,647.75
• Authorization for insurance consultant to begin renewal negotiations for Worker’s Compensation claims administration
• Motion to reimburse junior and high schools for security and official costs for Fall 2020 football games
• Review of budget updates for General Fund and Food and Nutrition Fund
• Report on donations made to Rapides Parish School Board schools

Education Committee

The committee will consider a motion regarding the use of 'Project 1619' books in the school system. Members will also hear a report on Phase III of the COVID-19 reopening plan.

• Motion to have the Superintendent report on 'Project 1619' books
• Report on Phase III regarding COVID-19 reopening

Regular Board Meeting

The Rapides Parish School Board held a regular public meeting at 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2020, at the board office in Alexandria, Louisiana. President Darrell Rodriguez called the meeting to order with members present. The agenda text provided contains only procedural boilerplate and no substantive items for discussion or decision.