PARISH OF DESOTO

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Mansfield, Louisiana

January 9, 2020

The DeSoto Parish School Board met in regular session at the DeSoto Parish School Board Instructional Materials Center, 523 Oxford Road, Mansfield, Louisiana, on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. with the following members present:

Dudley M. Glenn, Jeffrey Dillard, Donald B. Dufour, Alice Thomas, Coday Johnston, Dale Morvan, Mark Ross, Thomas Craig, Jr., Bobby Boyd, L. J. Mayweather, Jr., and Clay Corley, Superintendent.

            Absent: Mark Ross

            Item 1:  Call to order

            President Boyd called the meeting to order.  Mr. Corley and Board Members asked to please remember those with health issues, along with families who have lost loved ones.  Ms. Thomas led the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

            Item 2:  Revisions to the agenda.

            There were no revisions to the agenda. 

            Item 3:  Approve minutes from the regular Board meeting of December 5, 2019.

Motion was made by Mr. Johnston, seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2019, Board meeting as presented.  The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0.

Item 4:  Great News

            Mrs. Janice Lingle, Student Services Coordinator, gave an interesting and information presentation about the District’s PreK program, funding, and upcoming PreK Roundup dates.  Superintendent Corley told the Board that the District’s Facebook and Twitter accounts now share messages about early brain development in children.

Item 5:  President Boyd announced that the floor was open for nominations for President for the calendar year 2020.  Mr. Craig made the motion to elect Mr. Bobby Boyd as 2020 President, seconded by Mr. Glenn.  There were no other nominations and Mr. Boyd was elected by acclamation.

Mr. Boyd thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as President for another year.  He congratulated the Board Members for their support of the many projects completed at the schools during the past year.

Item 6:   Election of Vice-President for the calendar year 2020.

President Boyd announced that the floor was open for nominations for Vice-President for the calendar year 2020.  Mr. Glenn made the motion to elect Mr. Dale Morvan as Vice-President, seconded by Ms. Thomas.  There were no other nominations and Mr. Morvan was elected by acclamation.

Mr. Morvan thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as Vice-President.

Item 7:  Appointment of the Finance Committee for the calendar year 2020.

Mr. Boyd appointed the following members to serve on the Budget/Finance Committee for the calendar year 2020:  Mr. Donnie Dufour as Chairman, Ms. Alice Thomas and Mr. Dudley Glenn.

Item 8:  Set the day, time and place for the regular and committee meetings of the Board for the calendar year 2020. 

Mr. Corley explained there were no changes in the day of the week to hold regular Board meetings and Budget/Finance Committee meetings, with the exceptions as listed:

            Motion was made by Mr. Craig, seconded by Mr. Morvan, to approve the meeting schedule  as presented.  The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0.

            Item 9:  Certify that Board Members received the minimum of six hours of training and instruction as required by ACT 705 during calendar year 2019.

Mr. Corley presented the names of Board Members that have completed the requirements of Act 705 as mandated by the Legislature of Louisiana during the calendar year 2019 for professional development and Ethics training.  Names listed for public record: Dudley M. Glenn, Dr. Neil Henderson, Jeffrey Dillard, Donald B. Dufour, Alice Thomas, Coday Johnston, Dale Morvan, Mark Ross, Thomas Craig, Jr., Bobby Boyd, and L. J. Mayweather, Jr. 

Mr. Mayweather, seconded by Mr. Craig, made the motion to receive the report of certification of Board Member training as presented by the Superintendent.  The President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0.  

            Item 10:  Report of the Budget/Finance Committee meeting held on December 17, 2019.

Motion was made by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mr. Dillard, to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2019, Finance Committee meeting as presented.  The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0. 

Motion was made by Mr. Craig, seconded by Mr. Glenn, to approve the following action from the December 17, 2019, Budget/Finance Committee meeting:

·                  Approve budget revisions to the Special Revenue Funds

·                  Approve 2020-21 purchasing schedule

The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10,

   No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0. 

                        Item 11:  Consider naming North DeSoto High School softball field.

            Mr. Corley gave a summary of the many accomplishments of the 25-year career of retired North DeSoto High School softball coach Lori McFerren.  The team accomplishments include 3 state championships, 9 state tournament appearances and numerous district titles.  Coach McFerren also received recognition on the district, state and national level.  Mr. Corley explained he was bringing the request to the Board after receiving input from community members, former players, current administration and coaching staff. 

                        Motion was made by Dr. Henderson, seconded by Ms. Thomas, to consider naming the North DeSoto High School softball field McFerren Field.    The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0.

                        Dr. Henderson expressed his appreciation to Superintendent Corley and the Board for their consideration.  He explained that this gesture meant a lot to him, because his daughter played on the 3 state championship teams.

                        Mr. Morvan stated it was a great honor for a great woman and fitting for the Board to approve naming the field after the coach.

                        President Boyd added his appreciation for Coach McFerren’s efforts for putting in time and effort to work with young students not just for softball, but also for helping them develop tools to be successful in life.

                        Mr. Glenn stated that Coach McFerren is still a huge asset to the North DeSoto schools, even in retirement.

                        Superintendent Corley explained that there would be a dedication ceremony later in the year.  He also passed along Coach McFerren’s gratitude for the honor.

Item 12:  Resolution for Louisiana School Board Recognition Month

Mr. Corley recognized the Board Members and read a resolution honoring them for Board Member Appreciation Month – January 2020. 

Motion was made by Mr. Craig, seconded by Mr. Johnston, to approve the resolution as presented. 

The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0.

            Item 13:  Board policies for review

            a.   EBBB – School and Student Safety

b.   EBBC – Emergency/Crisis Management

c.   GAE – Complaints and Grievances

d.   GBRHA – Sick Leave

e.   JCDAH – Threats of Terrorism or Violence (DELETE)

Item 14:   Comments

Superintendent Corley made the Board and the public aware of the following:

Monday, January 13, will be LSU Tiger Pride/purple and gold day in our district schools and offices.

Item 15: Adjournment 

On a motion by Mr. Mayweather, seconded by Mr. Craig, the Board voted to adjourn at 6:33 p.m.

Bobby Boyd, President                                                                          Clay Corley, Secretary

DeSoto Parish School Board                                                                 DeSoto Parish School Board