PARISH OF DESOTO

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Mansfield, Louisiana

October 14, 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, October 14, 2021, 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, Bobby Boyd, Rosie Mayweather, and Clay Corley, Superintendent.

            Absent:  Dr. Neil Henderson, Thomas Craig, Jr.

            Item 1:  Call to order

            Mr. Morvan called the meeting to order and Mr. Corley asked to please remember the families of two active employees who recently passed away – Mrs. Dolores “Susie” Roberson and Mr. Jeffrey “Doc” Frazier.  They will be greatly missed.   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:  Approval of minutes

            Motion was made by Mr. Boyd, seconded by Ms. Thomas, to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting of September 2, 2021, and the Professional Development Session of September 2, 2021, 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:  Presentation by LSU AgCenter Extension Agent Molly Usrey, regarding 4-H opportunities in DeSoto Parish

Ms. Usrey provided an informative presentation describing various 4-H opportunities offered to students in DeSoto Parish.  4-H members Kenli Dumas of North DeSoto High School and Elizabeth Walker of Stanley High School each gave very interesting summaries of their 4-H experiences and how the program has enriched their lives.

Item 5:  To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution regarding reapportionment of the election district boundaries

Mr. Mike Hefner of Geographic Planning and Demographic Services, LLC, explained that, after the census is taken every ten years, we are required to look at current school board member districts, populated with 2020 census counts, to make sure in populations are in balance.  If out of balance (+/-5%) from the district average, then the district boundaries have to be adjusted. 

            State law requires that, within six months after the release of census counts, we pass a resolution determining if we have to redistrict or not.  We have determined that all eleven districts are out of balance and redistricting is required.  Motion was made by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mr. Boyd, to adopt the resolution 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.

Resolution of the DeSoto Parish School Board

Whereas,         The Census 2020 count has been completed and the PL 94-171 reapportionment data was delivered to the State of Louisiana on the 12th of August 2021, and;

Whereas,         The DeSoto Parish School Board, under LA RS: 33:1411, must make a determination whether reapportionment is necessary with the Census 2020 population count, and;

Whereas,   The School Board received a study that calculated the new Census 2020 population in each of the existing elections districts, and;

Whereas,   The current districts have the following Census 2020 population counts:

, and

Whereas,   All eleven districts are outside the allowable +/-5% deviation from the ideal district population of 2,437:

Therefore, Be It Resolved that the DeSoto Parish School Board hereby declares that a reapportionment of the election district boundaries must commence in order to rebalance the district populations to within +/-5% of the ideal district population of 2,437 and that such plan, as adopted by the Board, be submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice for Section 5 Pre-Clearance, if required, by January 31, 2022, and the State of Louisiana no later than June 7, 2022

This Resolution Passed this 14th day of October, 2021.

Item 6:  To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution confirming an election date change pursuant to Executive Order of the Governor; establishing a new date to canvass the returns of the election; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

Mr. Corley explained that this resolution regards a date change for a bond election for Stanley district, originally scheduled for November.  Due to Executive Order of the Governor, the election date has been rescheduled for December.  Motion was made by Mr. Dillard, 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 = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.

RESOLUTION

A resolution confirming an election date change pursuant to Executive Order of the Governor; establishing a new date to canvass the returns of the election; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

WHEREAS, the Parish School Board of the Parish DeSoto, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority of School District No. 3 of the Parish of DeSoto, State of Louisiana, heretofore called for an election to be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021; and

WHEREAS, the Governor issued Executive Order Number 2021 JBE 13 on September 9, 2021 (said Executive Order, with any supplements or modifications, herein the “Executive Order”), to reschedule elections due to the Statewide State of Emergency caused by Hurricane Ida;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Parish School Board of the Parish DeSoto, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of School District No. 3 of the Parish of DeSoto, State of Louisiana (the "District"), that:

SECTION 1.   This Governing Authority acknowledges the change in the election date, pursuant to the Executive Order, from November 13, 2021 to December 11, 2021.

SECTION 2. This Governing Authority shall meet at its regular meeting place, the DeSoto Parish School Board, Instructional Materials Center, 523 Oxford Road, Mansfield, Louisiana, on THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022, at SIX O'CLOCK (6:00) P.M., and shall examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election.

SECTION 3. All provisions of the election call resolution previously adopted by this Governing Authority, other than the change in the election date and the canvass date, shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. The President and/or Secretary are further authorized, empowered and directed to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal authorities to conduct the election.

This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows: MEMBERS:                                                YEAS:          NAYS:         ABSENT: ABSTAINING:

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 14^th day of October, 2021.

                         /s/ Clay Corley                                                            /s/ Dale Morvan                                           Secretary                                                                                 President

STATE OF LOUISIANA PARISH OF DESOTO

I, the undersigned Secretary of the Parish School Board of the Parish DeSoto, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), the governing authority of School District No. 3 of the Parish of DeSoto, State of Louisiana (the "District"), do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of the proceedings taken by the Governing Authority on October 14, 2021, confirming an election date change pursuant to proclamation of the Governor; establishing a new date to canvass the returns of the election; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature at Mansfield, Louisiana, on this, the 14^th day of October, 2021.

                                                                                                            /s/ Clay Corley

Secretary

Item 7:  Board policies for approval

Board policies BCAD – Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings and GBRHA – Sick Leave were presented for approval.  These policies were previously reviewed at the September 2, 2021, Board meeting. 

            Motion was made by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mrs. Mayweather, to approve the policies 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 8:  Report of the Budget/Finance Committee meeting held on September 23, 2021.

a.      Motion was made by Mr. Ross, seconded by Mr. Glenn, to approve the minutes of the September 23, 2021, 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. 

b.      Motion was made by Mr. Ross, seconded by Mr. Johnston, to approve the following action from the September 23, 2021, meeting:

·        Approve budget revisions for the Special Revenue Funds, as presented.

·        Approve bid for welding equipment, submitted by Matheson Trigas of Bossier City, Louisiana, 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. Ross, seconded by Mr. Glenn, to approve the resolution to authorize the Superintendent to sign the form for rejection of uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage for commercial automobiles and also to sign a new LARMA Interlocal Agreement.  The vote was taken and the President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 9, No = 0, Absent = 2, and Abstentions = 0.

Louisiana Public Schools Risk Management Agency

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Bodily Injury Resolution

The following resolution should be placed in the minutes of the DeSoto Parish School Board held on October 14, 2021.

Agency Item 8c - Resolution authorizing the superintendent to sign the required Louisiana Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist form reflecting the selection of or rejection of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage.

            Mark Ross moved, and seconded by Dudley Glenn, to authorize the superintendent to sign the required Louisiana Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist form reflecting a selection of or rejection of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage.  This selection is applicable to Commercial Automobile Insurance Coverage for the period of October 1, 2021 to October 1, 2022 as presented.

            Item 9:  Consider approval of request to execute a quitclaim deed relative to a 1953 land sale

            Mr. Corley explained to Board members that this request addresses the original sale of the Wallace school property to the District 8 Baptist Convention in 1953.  A portion of the property was omitted from the acts of sale.  In order to clear up the title, District 8 has requested that the school board execute a quitclaim deed.  Board counsel has reviewed the request and recommends its approval.

Motion was made by Mr. Dufour, seconded by Mrs. Mayweather, to approve the request 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 10:  Comments

Superintendent Corley made Board Members and the public aware:

·        October 18 – 23 is National School Bus Safety Week and we want to express our thanks and appreciation to Transportation Department staff, Mr. Hall, Mrs. Carter and all bus operators. 

·        October is Principal Appreciation Month and all Principals and Assistant Principals were asked to stand for recognition. Mr. Corley introduced them to those attending the meeting.  Board Members added their encouragement and appreciation to all for a great beginning to the school year and for doing a great job at their schools.

·        Jed Smith was introduced as the new Technology Network Manager, along with Derek Reed, who assisted him with technology during the Board meeting

·        John Brewer was also introduced, editor of Red River Journal and DeSoto Parish Journal online publications

Item 11: Adjournment 

On a motion by Mr. Glenn, seconded by Mrs. Mayweather, the Board voted to adjourn at 6:31p.m.

            /s/ Dale Morvan                                                                         /s/ Clay Corley

Dale Morvan, President                                                                          Clay Corley, Secretary

            DeSoto Parish School Board                                                                   DeSoto Parish School Board