PARISH OF DESOTO
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Mansfield, Louisiana
May 5, 2022
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 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. with the following members present:
Dudley M. Glenn, Dr. Neil Henderson, Jeffrey Dillard, Coday Johnston, Mark Ross, Thomas Craig, Jr., Bobby Boyd, Rosie Mayweather, and Clay Corley, Superintendent. Absent: Donald B. Dufour, Dale Morvan, Alice Thomas
Item 1: Call to order
Vice-President Glenn announced he would lead the meeting in the absence of Board President Alice Thomas. Mr. Glenn called the meeting to order and asked to please remember the families of those who recently lost loved ones as well as those facing health issues. He added a special remembrance for the Dufour family, with Board Member Donnie Dufour losing his wife, Tanya, earlier in the week. 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 of the regular Board meeting of April 7, 2022.
Motion was made by Mr. Boyd, seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting of April 7, 2022. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 4: Resolution recognizing North DeSoto High School Lady Griffins softball team as Class 4A State Champions
Resolution
WHEREAS, the North DeSoto High School Lady Griffins Softball Team, during the 2021-2022 season were Class 4-A State Champions with a season record of 34 wins and 5 losses, and
WHEREAS, the members of this team, Mallory Alexander, Kinsley Carney, Kinsley Coleman, Carley Cooksey, Cameron Curtis, Regan Davlin, Aly Delafield, Sasha Falls, Raegan Henderson, Laney Johnson, Kloe Kennington, Avery McCloskey, Peyton McCloskey, Payton Miller, Mia Norwood, Ciara Orgeron, Landry Price, Liberty Smith, and Maddy Stringer, have demonstrated their uncommon devotion to team spirit and unity, their unusual dedication to the game of softball and their willingness to devote themselves to learning, to improvement and to the pursuit of excellence, and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Tim Whitman, Assistant Coaches Elizabeth Delafield and Roland Rodriguez, Principal Tammie Phillips, Assistant Principal Lyndsey Rhoads, Assistant Principal Joseph Savarino, Athletic Director Dennis Dunn, the faculty, the student body, and school patrons of the North DeSoto community have joined hands to bring credit and distinction to North DeSoto High School and the DeSoto Parish School System, now
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the DeSoto Parish School Board, Superintendent Clay J. Corley, and the entire educational family of DeSoto Parish wish to commend the North DeSoto High School Lady Griffins Softball Team, the coaches, the principal, the faculty, the student body and the school community for winning the Class 4-A State Championship in the State Softball Tournament and commend them for their accomplishments and for representing the DeSoto Parish School System with pride, dignity and sportsmanship above reproach.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the DeSoto Parish School Board does hereby proclaim Thursday, May 5, 2022:
“North DeSoto High School Lady Griffins Softball Team Day”
Signed and executed on this 5th day of May, 2022, by:
/s/ Alice Thomas /s/ Clay Corley
Alice Thomas, President Clay J. Corley, Superintendent
DeSoto Parish School Board DeSoto Parish Schools
Motion was made by Mr. Craig, seconded by Dr. Henderson, to adopt the resolution as presented. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 5: Great News
Mr. Corley introduced members of the 2021-22 Student Advisory Council and Teacher Advisory Council and presented them with a certificate of appreciation for serving on the councils during the school year. He thanked them for their time and dedication to DeSoto Parish Schools.
Mr. Corley reminded everyone that our district recently began a new contest, or challenge, between all schools, to emphasize and reward the importance of teacher attendance. Each month, the school with the highest average percentage of teacher attendance receives a banner to hang in their school for a month; lunch is provided for the faculty; and faculty, staff and students are allowed to wear jeans for a week.
A donor will provide lunch, on a day the school chooses, for the winning school for April. Mr. Corley then introduced Mrs. Janice Lingle to make the presentation. Mrs. Lingle announced that North DeSoto Lower Elementary School was the winner of the challenge for the month of April 2022. The banner was presented to North DeSoto Lower Elementary School Principal Russell Tabor. Mr. Corley and Mrs. Lingle expressed their appreciation to all the schools for working diligently to keep staff attendance as high as possible.
Item 6: Public hearing regarding reapportionment:
Mr. Craig made the motion, seconded by Mr. Johnston, to open the public hearing. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
Ms. Bonita Brown stated she wished to address Board Members regarding reapportionment. She explained she lived in Logansport and would like to be able to have a voice regarding Logansport High School. She is currently not living in a district represented by the Logansport School Board Member, but is represented by the Stanley School Board Member, due to the district lines drawn at the 2012 reapportionment plan. Mr. Corley explained to her that the new reapportionment plan being presented for approval has her home address back in the Logansport School Board Member district. Ms. Brown thanked the Board for their time. There were no others wishing to speak on the subject.
Mr. Boyd made the motion, seconded by Mrs. Mayweather, to close the public hearing. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 7: Consider approval of resolution adopting Plan A as the election plan for the DeSoto
Parish School Board in accordance with the 2020 census.
Motion was made by Mr. Craig, seconded by Mr. Johnston, to adopt Plan A as the election plan for the DeSoto Parish School Board in accordance with the 2020 census, as presented. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
DeSoto Parish School Board
Adoption of Reapportionment Plan A
A RESOLUTION REGARDING REAPPORTIONING SINGLE MEMBER VOTING DISTRICTS FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE PARISH OF DESOTO, LOUISIANA, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 2020 CENSUS
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 conducted a study which found the current districts were malapportioned and thereby required redistricting, and,
WHEREAS, the DeSoto Parish School Board has held several public redistricting workshops and has developed draft Plan 4 to meet the requirements of the applicable state statutes and.
WHEREAS, Draft Plan 4 is hereby formalized as the School Board’s official redistricting plan and is designated as Redistricting Plan A; and,
WHEREAS, Redistricting Plan A meets all of the requirements of the Voting Rights Act and applicable State Statutes; and,
WHEREAS, the DeSoto Parish School Board hereby authorizes the demographer to submit Plan A, hereby designated as the Reapportionment Plan to the State of Louisiana for review and implementation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the DeSoto Parish School Board, in regular session assembled, that this Resolution adopting Reapportionment Plan A be adopted with the Districts described to -wit:
SECTION I
(Definition of District 1)
District 1 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 23A
Precinct: 34 (part): That part of Precinct 34 north of La. Hwy. 5.
Precinct: 34A
Precinct: 35 (part): That part of Precinct 35 east of the centerline of Hannah Tucker Rd. going north from the pipeline right of way to La. Hwy. 172, then the north side of La. Hwy. 172 going west to Bushneck Bayou, then the east side of Bushneck Bayou north to the Parish boundary.
SECTION II
(Definition of District 2)
District 2 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 23B
Precinct: 16 (part): That part of Precinct 16 east of Cathy Rd. between Stonewall-Frierson Rd. and the drainage lateral, then south and west of the drainage lateral to the Precinct 16/30 boundary.
Precinct: 16A (part): That part of Precinct 16A west of the northbound lane of U.S. Hwy. 171 northerly from the intersection with Satterfield Lane to Williamson Rd.
Precinct: 30 (part): That part of Precinct 30 west of a boundary commencing at the intersection of the Precinct 16 boundary and Missile Base Rd., then north to Keithville Kingston Rd., then northwesterly to the Parish boundary.
SECTION III
(Definition of District 3)
District 3 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 22
Precinct: 21
Precinct: 33 (part): That part of Precinct 33 north of a boundary commencing at the intersection of Red Bluff Rd. and La. Hwy. 175, then northwesterly on La. Hwy. 175 to Gravel Point Rd., then easterly to Friendship Rd., then southerly and southeasterly to Red Lick Rd.
Precinct: 33A (part): That part of Precinct 33A bounded by Interstate 49, La. Hwy. 175, and Red Bluff Rd.
SECTION IV
(Definition of District 4)
District 4 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 11B
Precinct: 31
Precinct: 31A
Precinct: 34 (part): That part of Precinct 34 south of La. Hwy. 5.
Precinct: 37
Precinct: 37A
Precinct: 44A
Precinct: 60
Precinct: 60A
SECTION V
(Definition of District 5)
District 5 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 1 (part): That part of Precinct 1 commencing at the intersection of Martin Luther King Dr. and Oxford Rd., then north on Oxford Rd. to Gibbs St., then east to Johnson St., then south to Martin Luther King Dr., then west to Oxford Rd.
Precinct: 42
Precinct: 53
Precinct: 55
Precinct: 56 (part): That part of Precinct 56 west of Interstate 49.
Precinct: 59
Precinct: 59A
Precinct: 63A
SECTION VI
(Definition of District 6)
District 6 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 28 (part): That part of Precinct 28 south of Willie Glaze Rd.
Precinct: 46
Precinct: 48
Precinct: 49
Precinct: 49A
Precinct: 51
SECTION VII
(Definition of District 7)
District 7 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 10
Precinct: 11
Precinct 11A:
Precinct: 28 (part): That part of Precinct 28 north of Willie Glaze Rd
Precinct: 35 (part): That part of Precinct 35 west of the centerline of Hannah Tucker Rd. going north from the pipeline right of way to La. Hwy. 172, then the south side of La. Hwy. 172 going west to Bushneck Bayou, then the west side of Bushneck Bayou north to the Parish boundary.
SECTION VIII
(Definition of District 8)
District 8 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 16 (part): That part of Precinct 16 west of Cathy Rd. between Stonewall-Frierson Rd. and the drainage lateral, then north and east of the drainage lateral to the Precinct 16/30 boundary.
Precinct 16A (part): That part of Precinct 16A east of the northbound lane of U.S. Hwy. 171 northerly from the intersection with Satterfield Lane to Williamson Rd.
Precinct 23
Precinct: 30 (part): That part of Precinct 30 east of a boundary commencing at the intersection of the Precinct 16 boundary and Missile Base Rd., then north to Keithville Kingston Rd., then northwesterly to the Parish boundary.
SECTION IX
(Definition of District 9)
District 9 of the DeSoto Parish School Board shall be defined by the following precincts, all or in part:
Precinct: 5
Precinct: 9
Precinct: 9A
Precinct: 23
Precinct: 26
Precinct: 26A
Precinct: 38 (part): That part of Precinct 38 east of the pipeline right of way and south of Cotton Belt Rd.
Precinct: 56 (part): That part of Precinct 56 east of Interstate 49.
SECTION X
(Definition of District 10)
District 10 of the DeSoto Parish School Board is an at-large district and shall be defined by the following whole precincts:
Precinct: 5A
Precinct: 6
Precinct: 6A
Precinct: 32
Precinct: 33 (part): That part of Precinct 33 south of a boundary commencing at the intersection of Red Bluff Rd. and La. Hwy. 175, then northwesterly on La. Hwy. 175 to Gravel Point Rd., then easterly to Friendship Rd., then southerly and southeasterly to Red Lick Rd.
Precinct 33A: (part): That part of Precinct 33A to include all of Precinct 33A east of La. Hwy 175.
Precinct: 37B
Precinct: 38A
Precinct: 38 (part): That part of Precinct 38 west of the pipeline right of way and north of Cotton Belt Rd.
SECTION XI
(Definition of District 11)
District 11 of the DeSoto Parish School Board is an at-large district and shall be defined by the following whole precincts:
Precinct: 1 (part): All of Precinct 1 with the exception of that part commencing at the intersection of Martin Luther King Dr. and Oxford Rd., then north on Oxford Rd. to Gibbs St., then east to Johnson St., then south to Martin Luther King Dr., then west to Oxford Rd.
Precinct: 4
Precinct: 44
Precinct: 63
The district descriptions adopted by this resolution shall become effective upon approval by the Louisiana Secretary of State and otherwise as allowed by law.
Votes taken on presentation of this resolution are recorded as:
YEAS: Dudley M. Glenn, Dr. Neil Henderson, Jeffrey Dillard, Coday Johnston, Mark Ross, Thomas Craig, Jr., Bobby Boyd, Rosie Mayweather
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Donald B. Dufour, Dale Morvan, Alice Thomas
ABSTAINS: None
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the DeSoto Parish School Board in regular session duly convened on May 5, 2022.
______________________________ ________________________________
Clay Corley, Secretary-Treasurer Alice Thomas, President
DeSoto Parish School Board DeSoto Parish School Board
Item 8: Report of the Budget/Finance Committee meeting held on April 21, 2022.
a. Motion was made by Dr. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the minutes of the April 21, 2022, meeting as presented. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
b. Motion was made by Dr. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Boyd, to approve the action from the meeting as presented, including:
· Approve budget revisions for the Special Revenue Funds
· Approve revision to the 2021-22 salary schedule
· Approve the 2022-23 salary schedule
· Approve Sales Tax Commission budget resolution for 2022-23 as presented
The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes –
Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 9: Review and approve bid for synthetic turf fields at Stanley High School
Mr. Corley explained that no bids were received, so there was no need to take any action. The bidding process will be revisited by district staff and the architect.
Item 10: Review and approve bid for parking and road improvements at Mansfield Elementary Middle School
Motion was made by Mr. Craig, seconded by Mrs. Mayweather, to approve the low bid for parking and road improvements, submitted by T.L. Construction at Mansfield Elementary Middle School. Mr. Boyd asked if this was just part of planned road improvements and this was confirmed. Dr. Henderson asked if the District had any previous experience with this company and it was confirmed that the architect and his team have had positive prior experiences with this company. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 11: Review and accept the financial and compliance audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021
Mr. Corley reminded Board Members that they have already received the audit report prior to the April 21, 2022, Finance & Operations Committee meeting. He explained that Mrs. Amy Tynes, auditor, was unable to attend the Board meeting, but reviewed the highlights of what was presented at the Finance & Operations Committee meeting:
· The opinion reached by the auditors is that the financial statements referred to present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the school system
· Mrs. Amy Tynes reviewed the independent auditors’ report for the period ended June 30, 2021, in detail.
· She gave a summary of the District’s assets and liabilities, and congratulated DeSoto Parish Schools for receiving an unmodified opinion, also called a clean opinion, which is the best opinion given.
· Superintendent Corley and Board Members commended Mrs. Ashworth and staff for their hard work in obtaining the audit results.
Motion was made by Dr. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Johnston, to accept the financial and compliance audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, as presented. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0. (Note – Mr. Johnston voted verbally.)
Item 12: Policy presented for approval
Mr. Corley explained that Policy JBCE – Public School Choice, was presented for review at the April Board meeting and approval was recommended. Motion was made by Dr. Henderson, seconded by Mr. Craig, to approve the policy as presented. The vote was taken and the Vice President stated the motion carried with the following votes – Yes = 8, No = 0, Absent = 3, and Abstentions = 0.
Item 13: Notice is hereby given pursuant to LSA-L.R.S. 42:19.1 that the DeSoto Parish School Board in DeSoto Parish at its regular meeting place at the DeSoto Parish School Board Instructional Materials Center, located at 523 Oxford Road, Mansfield, Louisiana on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. intends to levy, increase, or renew all ad valorem property tax rates.
Mr. Glenn read the notice in its entirety, as required by law.
Item 14: Comments
Superintendent Corley introduced Student Learning Director Bridget Flanders and Student Learning Coordinators Tina Anderson and Willa Smith. Together they gave an interesting presentation regarding the District’s Early Childhood programs and also our Literacy Initiative.
Mr. Corley and Board Members thanked the presenters for taking the time to put together such an informative presentation to share with them.
On a motion by Mrs. Mayweather, seconded by Mr. Dillard, the Board voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m.
Dudley M. Glenn, Vice President Clay Corley, Secretary
DeSoto Parish School Board DeSoto Parish School Board