PARISH OF DESOTO

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Mansfield, Louisiana

May 7, 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, May 7, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. with the following members attending virtually:

            Dudley M. Glenn, Dr. Neil Henderson, Donald B. Dufour, Alice Thomas, Coday Johnston, Dale Morvan, Mark Ross, Bobby Boyd and Rosie Mayweather.   Superintendent Clay Corley was present at the physical location.

            Absent:  Jeffrey Dillard and Thomas Craig, Jr.

            Item 1:  Call to order

            Superintendent Corley welcomed Mrs. Rosie Mayweather to the Board, announcing that she was sworn in by Judge Charles Adams on May 6, 2020.  Board Members joined Mr. Corley in welcoming Mrs. Mayweather to the Board.

            Mr. Corley asked to remember Board Member Tommy Craig, as he continues to become stronger after his recent hospital stay, and others with health issues.

            President Boyd 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:  Approval of minutes of the regular Board meeting of April 2, 2020, and the special session of April 23, 2020.

            Mr. Glenn made the motion, seconded by Mr. Dufour, to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2020, regular Board meeting and the special session of April 23, 2020.  The motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0. 

Item 4 – Report of the Budget/Finance Committee meeting held on April 23, 2020. 

Motion was made by Ms. Thomas, seconded by Mr. Boyd, to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2020, Finance Committee meeting as presented.  The motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0. 

Motion was made by Mr. Dufour, seconded by Mr. Glenn, to approve the Sales & Use Tax Commission Budget resolution for 2020-2021 as presented.

The motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0. 

            Item 5 – Review and approve bid for carpet and tile replacement in schools and facilities.

Motion was made by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mr. Morvan, to approve the low bid as presented, to B & J Floor Service for carpet and tile replacement.  The motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.

Item 6 – Approve revisions to the 2019-2020 Pupil Progression Plan relative to COVID-19 Course Credit and Pupil Progression Guidance –Grades K-12.

Student Learning Director Kathy Noel presented the revisions to the Pupil Progression Plan which were developed in response to the early end to the 2019-2020 school year, waivers from the State Department of Education, course credit and pupil progression guidance.

Motion was made by Mr. Boyd, seconded by Ms. Thomas, to approve revisions to the 2019-2020 Pupil Progression Plan as presented. The motion carried with the following votes –

Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.

Item 7 – Board policy for approval

Board policy II – Testing Program, was presented for approval. 

Motion was made by Mr. Boyd, seconded by Ms. Thomas, to approve Board policy II-Testing Program, as presented. The motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.

            Item 8:  Comments

            Superintendent Corley thanked Board Attorney Jon Guice for joining the meeting.  Mr. Guice expressed his appreciation to Mr. Corley and Board Members for the good thoughts and wishes sent his way during his recent illness and recovery.

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

·        Each high school is doing something to honor their graduates over the next week.

·        Videos are being created to celebrate the 2020 graduates and will be shared on social media on their high school’s original graduation date.

·        Teacher Appreciation Week is this week and schools are making sure their teachers receive the recognition they deserve and know that they are the life blood of our system.

·        Our local food distribution will be discontinued on May 21, as the school year draws to an official close.  Information will soon go out to parents about a program available through Baylor University that ships non-perishable items directly to the home.  This program will remain active through June 30.

·        Meetings are held on a daily basis with district and school leadership to plan the 2019-2020 school year closing, return to work for 10, 11, and 12-month employees, and return to workouts and training for student athletes.

            Item 9:  Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Ms. Thomas, the Board voted to adjourn at 6:35 p.m.

Bobby Boyd, President                                      Clay J. Corley, Secretary

DeSoto Parish School Board                              DeSoto Parish School Board