PARISH OF DESOTO
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Mansfield, Louisiana
March 4, 2021
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, March 4, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. with the following members present:
Dudley M. Glenn, Dr. Neil Henderson, Jeffrey Dillard, Donald B. Dufour, Alice Thomas, Dale Morvan, Mark Ross, Bobby Boyd, Rosie Mayweather, and Clay Corley, Superintendent.
Absent: Thomas Craig, Jr. and Coday Johnston
Item 1: Call to order
President Morvan 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. Dr. Henderson 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 February 4, 2021.
Motion was made by Mr. Boyd, seconded by Ms. Thomas, to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2021, Board meeting as presented. The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 4: Great News
Students of the Year for 5th, 8th, and 12th grade students were honored. Mrs. Bridget Flanders introduced each one while Dr. Misty Davis and Mr. Corley presented each student with a certificate and plaque in recognition of their accomplishments. The complete list of DeSoto Parish 2021 Students of the Year follows:
Elementary – 5th grade
Logansport High School Kollin Magee
Mansfield Middle School Kamille Bumcon
North DeSoto Upper Elementary Hayden Heaberlin
Stanley High School Emma Houston
Middle School – 8th grade
Logansport High School Madison Register
Mansfield Middle School Cedetric Canada
North DeSoto Middle School Madeline Dupree
Stanley High School Jaxson Murphy
High School – 12th grade
Logansport High School Katie Woods
Mansfield High School Adrian Green
North Desoto High School Mackenzie Williams
Stanley High School Riley Young
District Winners
5th grade Hayden Heaberlin, NDUE
8th grade Cedetric Canada, MMS
12th grade Mackenzie Williams, NDHS
Item 5: Report of the Finance & Operations Committee meeting held on February 25, 2021.
Motion was made by Mr. Dillard, seconded by Mr. Boyd, to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2021, Finance & Operations Committee meeting as presented. The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.
Motion was made by Mr. Dillard, seconded by Mr. Boyd, to approve the following action from the February 25, 2021, Finance & Operations Committee meeting:
● Approve budget revisions for Capital Projects Funds as presented.
● Approve lawn service proposal as presented
The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.
Motion was made by Dr. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Boyd, to approve the addendum to the 2020-21 salary schedule as presented. This addendum related to the one time supplement for all school employees, for additional services rendered by staff due to the challenges of COVID. Dr. Henderson asked if this was a unanimous recommendation from the Finance & Operations Committee and Mr. Dufour responded affirmatively. The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 6: Consider and take action regarding Industrial Tax Exemption Application #20190178-ITE filed by International Paper. Motion was made by Dr. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Glenn, to approve the item as presented.
Superintendent Corley introduced Ed Barr, International Paper Company (IP) Mansfield Mill Manager, Mary Guillory, IP Mansfield Mill Operations Manager, Angie White, Director of North Louisiana Economic Partnership and Jesse Broderick, Sumit Credits – consulting firm that processes Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) applications for IP in Louisiana.
Mr. Corley explained that IP applied for the ITEP exemption which is available to manufacturers in the state of Louisiana and provides for an 80% property tax abatement for an initial term of 5 years with an option to renew for an additional 5 years. IP has already been approved by the Board of Commerce & Industry and is now asking for the approval from the DeSoto Parish School Board, Sheriff’s Office, and Police Jury.
Mr. Corley explained that the option of taking no action was available, which amounts to approval for the IP application, but the decision was made to vote on it at a regular Board meeting. He and Board Members wanted to take the action to affirm the decision in a public meeting as an additional show of support for the IP Mansfield Mill as a major part of our parish and community.
Mr. Barr spoke briefly on the past, present and future plans for the Mansfield Mill. He and Ms. Guillory, Ms. White and Mr. Broderick answered questions and provided other information regarding the application process and the mill’s role in our community and its relationship with our schools.
The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.
Mr. Barr expressed appreciation for allowing the group to attend the Board meeting and Mr. Corley and Board Members thanked them for coming.
Item 7: Comments
Mr. Corley made Board Members and the public aware that COVID vaccinations were scheduled to be given to school employees at various schools throughout the upcoming week.
Item 8: Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Dufour, seconded by Mrs. Mayweather, the Board voted to adjourn at 6:39 p.m.
Dale Morvan, President Clay Corley, Secretary
DeSoto Parish School Board DeSoto Parish School Board