PARISH OF DESOTO

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Mansfield, Louisiana

September 3, 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, September 3, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. with the following members present:

Dudley M. Glenn, Dr. Neil Henderson, Jeffrey Dillard, Donald B. Dufour, Alice Thomas, Coday Johnston, Dale Morvan,  Mark Ross, Bobby Boyd, Rosie Mayweather, and Clay Corley, Superintendent.

            Absent:  Thomas Craig, Jr.

            Item 1:  Call to order

            President Boyd called the meeting to order.  Mr. Ross gave the invocation and led 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 August 6, 2020; Retiree Trust meeting of August 20, 2020; and Board Member Professional Development session of August 25, 2020.

            Mr. Glenn made the motion, seconded by Mr. Morvan, to approve the minutes of the August 6, 2020 regular Board meeting; the Retiree Trust meeting of August 20, 2020; and the Board Member Professional Development session of August 25, 2020, as presented. The President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0. 

            Item 4:  Approval of the 2020-2021 Pupil Progression Plan/Working Outline

            Dr. Misty Davis presented a summary of the changes to the Pupil Progression Plan and Working Outline for the 2020-2021 school year. 

            Mr. Glenn made the motion, seconded by Ms. Thomas, to approve the changes to the Pupil Progression Plan and Working Outline as presented. The President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0. 

Item 5:  Board policies for approval

Mr. Corley presented the following policies for approval.

a.      GAAA – Equal Opportunity Employment

b.      GAE – Non-Title IX Complaints and Grievances

c.      GAEAA – Title VII Employee Sexual Harassment

d.      GAMC – Investigations

e.      JAAA –Title IX Sexual Harassment (new policy)

f.       JCEA – Sexually Related Student Misconduct

Dr. Henderson made the motion, seconded by Mr. Johnston, to approve the policies as presented.  The President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 10, No = 0, Absent = 1, and Abstentions = 0.

            Item 6:  Report of the Budget/Finance Committee meeting held on August 20, 2020

Motion was made by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mr. Ross, to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2020, 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 Dr. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Ross, to approve the following:

·        Declare items as surplus and proceed with surplus sale.

·        Accept bid for sale of timber on Hart’s Bluff tract of Section 16 property.

·        Award bid for purchase of sensory classroom equipment.

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

            Item 7:  Comments

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

·          Superintendent Corley, President Boyd and Board Members thanked school administrators and their staff for completing a very successful month under very difficult circumstances with the opening of school.  They continue to do a great job, and we have been able to bring more students in grades K-5 back to campus for face-to-face instruction.   Everyone is looking forward to the day we can bring all students back to campus.

·          Board Members expressed appreciation to district and school staff for thorough preparation in advance of Hurricane Laura.

·          Board Members also expressed appreciation to district and school staff for their hard work in allowing DeSoto Parish to be able to begin school.  They also expressed concerns for families as they try to navigate the virtual learning world with their children.  Dr. Henderson asked Superintendent Corley how soon is the district prepared to get children back onto school campuses if the state moves to the next phase. 

·          Superintendent Corley responded to the question by saying we have K-5 students on campus 4 days a week right now.  Once we enter Phase 3, and leaving Fridays for virtual planning and support, the goal is to bring back students in grades 6-8 as soon as possible for Monday-Thursday instruction.  We will continue to keep a close check on congregate limits, especially on our buses as we transport a higher number of students.  In Phase 3, we will be limited to 75% capacity on buses, but will do whatever it takes to get students transported.  As soon as congregate limits allow, we will bring students in grades 9-12 back to campus. Our goal is to eventually transition back to a 5-day instructional week.  In addition, a window will open very shortly for any parent who wants their child to change from 100% virtual instruction to face-to-face instruction. 

·          Superintendent Corley explained to the Board that our school system is required to follow a different set of congregate limitations than the general public and private businesses.

·          Board Members asked about LHSAA, high school sports and beginning dates for football.  Superintendent Corley assured them that he and all the high schools are eager to begin fall sports on campus, while the main concern of everyone is the safety of the student athletes. 

            Item 9:  Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Dillard, seconded by Ms. Thomas, the Board voted to adjourn at 6:47 p.m.

Bobby Boyd, President                                      Clay J. Corley, Secretary

DeSoto Parish School Board                               DeSoto Parish School Board