PARISH OF DESOTO
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Mansfield, Louisiana
April 1, 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, April 1, 2021, 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, Thomas Craig, Jr. Bobby Boyd, Rosie Mayweather, and Clay Corley, Superintendent.
Absent: None
Item 1: Call to order
President Morvan called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Mr. Corley and Board Members asked to please remember those with health issues, along with families who have lost loved ones. Mr. Ross 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: To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution providing for the issuance of Sales Tax Refunding Bonds, Series 2021, of the Parish School Board of the Parish of DeSoto, State of Louisiana; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Mrs. Ashworth introduced Brennan Black, bond counsel with Foley Judell, along with Nnamdi Thompson of Government Consultants and explained they would give further details of refinancing Series 2012 bonds for District 2. Mr. Black reminded the Board Members that they had authorized this process at the February Board meeting, as an opportunity to save a significant amount of interest on this bond series. He and Mr. Thompson explained that the savings should be approximately $368,000.00. Mr. Thompson added that, in addition to saving $368,000.00, the refinancing will not extend the debt, as it remains with a 2032 pay off date.
Motion was made by Mr. Craig, seconded by Ms. Thomas, to adopt the resolution as presented. The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 11, No = 0, Absent = 0, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 4: Approve minutes from the regular Board meeting of March 4, 2021.
Motion was made by Mr. Johnston, seconded by Mr. Boyd, to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2021, Board meeting as presented. The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 11, No = 0, Absent = 0, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 5: Great News
Teachers of the Year and Principal of the Year were honored. Mrs. Sherri Laffitte introduced each teacher while Mr. Corley presented them with a certificate and plaque in recognition of their accomplishments. Mr. Corley and Board Members expressed their appreciation for the group. The complete list of DeSoto Parish 2021 Teachers of the Year:
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Logansport High School Miranda Blount
Mansfield Elementary School Courtney Anderson
North DeSoto Upper Elementary *Leah Darden, parish level winner & semifinalist
Stanley High School Tori LaFleur
Middle School Teacher of the Year
Logansport High School Charday Wilson
Mansfield Middle School Jeremy Burton
North DeSoto Middle School Elizabeth Warren
Stanley High School *Dawn Asbell, parish level winner
High School Teacher of the Year
Logansport High School *Elizabeth Delafield, parish level winner
Mansfield High School Lockey Whitaker
North Desoto High School Brandon Fontenot
Stanley High School Joy Lynn Henderson
Ms. Giles presented the DeSoto Parish Principal of the Year, Mr. Brandon Burback. Mr. Burback serves as Principal of North DeSoto Upper Elementary School and he was commended for his dedication to DeSoto Parish students.
Item 6: Presentation by Louisiana Connected
Representatives from Dash Media gave an interesting and informative presentation regarding the state of broadband connectivity in rural areas of Louisiana.
Item 7: Consider approval of 2021-2022 school calendar
Mr. Corley explained the proposed calendar is very much the same as recent school calendars. Motion was made by Mr. Dufour, seconded by Mrs. Mayweather, to approve the 2021-2022 school calendar as presented. The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 11, No = 0, Absent = 0, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 8: Report of the Finance & Operations Committee meeting held on March 18, 2021.
Motion was made by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2021, Finance & Operations Committee meeting as presented. The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 11, No = 0, Absent = 0, and Abstentions = 0.
Motion was made by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mr. Boyd, to approve the following action from the March 18, 2021, Finance & Operations Committee meeting:
● Approve budget revisions to the General Fund and Debt Service Funds as presented.
● Approve 2021-2022 salary schedule
The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 11, No = 0, Absent = 0, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 9: Review and approve bids for:
· HVAC upgrades to Mansfield Elementary School & Mansfield Middle School
· HVAC upgrades to North DeSoto Upper Elementary School & North DeSoto High School
Motion was made by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mr. Ross, to approve the bids as presented. The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 11, No = 0, Absent = 0, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 10: Comments
Mr. Corley made Board Members and the public aware that the Good Friday/Easter/Spring Break begins Friday. Summer learning planning continues and is almost fully staffed at this point.
Item 11: Adjournment
On a motion by Mr. Dufour, seconded by Mrs. Mayweather, the Board voted to adjourn at 6:50 p.m.
Dale Morvan, President Clay Corley, Secretary
DeSoto Parish School Board DeSoto Parish School Board