CADDO PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES VOLUME XXXIV April 5, 1995 - September 20, 1996 How To View This Manual These are your main toolbar features. They will assist you in viewing this document. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1. Activate the Printer. Be sure to specify the pages you want printed. 2. Display the index. Click on an item and view the policy. 3. Advance to the first page of the document. 4. Back up one page. 5. Advance one page. 6. Advance to the last page of the document. 7. Moves backward through your research path 8. Moves forward through your research path 9. Full screen view 10. Full page view 11. Magnified screen view 12. Text Search. The "Page Up" and "Page Down" keys on your keyboard will advance you page by page through the document. You may also use the mouse and scroll bar to advance through the document. The "Up" arrow key on your keyboard will advance up the page one line at a time. The "Down" arrow key on your keyboard will advance down the page one line at a time. April 5, 1995 The Executive Committee of the Caddo Parish School Board (CPSB) met in regular session Wednesday, April 5, 1995, at 3:30 P.m. in its office at 1961 Midway Street, Shreveport, Louisiana with President Mark Milam presiding and Mildred B. Pugh and Miles Hitchcock, Sc.D., present. Other board members present were Ron Adams, Judy D. Boykin, Jerry Tim Brooks, Willie D. Burton, Alvin Mims, Michael E. Powell III, Michael J. Thibodeaux, Johnny Vance, Jr. and Sybil B. Walker. Also present were Interim Secretary S. L. Slack, Legal Counsel Fred Sutherland, staff and other visitors. Invocation was given by Mrs. Pugh followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda Items. Mr. Slack reviewed the proposed agenda for the April 19, 1995 school board meeting. The following items were added: "Extension of Assistant Superintendents' Contracts" or "Reorganization, Elimination of Assistant Superintendent Positions and Creation of Deputy Superintendent Position" (Dr. Hitchcock); "CPSB Decorum" (Powell); "Regulations Pertaining to Overtime Policy GDKA" (Thibodeaux); and, "Procedures Utilized in Granting Requests for Leaves" (Powell). The following items were categorized as consent agenda: 11 (A & B), 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 24 and 25. DISCUSSIONS Agenda Items. Mr. Thibodeaux expressed concern about the number of lengthy presentations and/or reports that are made at regular school board meetings. Mrs. Pugh suggested that some of the presentations/reports could be made during the board's work session. Mr. Powell informed board members that the item he added to the agenda pertaining to the board's decorum will address this concern, as well as how board members interact with each other. Mr. Burton suggested that, in the future, agenda items should be prioritized. Goals 2000. Mrs. Walker asked legal counsel if he had reviewed the Goals 2000 proposal, and he stated that he has received a proposal from staff. Essie Holt, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, commented that staff received the requests for proposals (RFPs) several days ago and will be meeting next week to review the documents. Once the proposal is prepared, staff will forward it to legal counsel for review. The deadline for submitting proposals to the State Department is June, 1995. Recruitment of Teachers. Mrs. Walker asked Mr. Slack to provide her with a report on procedures used in recruiting teachers. She stated that the report is for informational purposes and it is not necessary to add this item to the agenda. Substitute Teacher Proposal. Mr. Burton questioned the rate of pay for substitute teachers per day. Mr. Slack informed board members that the proposal will increase substitute teachers' pay from $40 per day to $50. Mrs. Pugh commented that an increase in substitute teachers' pay will have a negative impact on new teachers' pay if they use more than the allotted sick days; also, the pay for teachers on sabbatical leave. Mr. Burton encouraged staff to receive input from professional teacher organizations regarding the proposal. Mr. Powell asked staff to include the board's prior policy on substitute teachers' pay in the mailout. Attorney's Professional Fees. As an ongoing item, Mrs. Pugh asked the interim superintendent to make the board aware of the attorney's professional fees for reviewing proposal Debate ensued on previous board members' requests for legal counsel to review proposals. Mrs. Pugh encouraged staff to monitor the number of professional dollar hours that the board is investing in asking legal counsel to review proposals. H.I.P.P.Y. Mrs. Walker asked staff to inform her of the schools where the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (H.I.P.P.Y.) is being housed. Requests for Leaves. Mr. Powell asked legal counsel if the information he requested relative to the way the CPSB deals with leave requests will be prepared in time for the mailout. Legal counsel replied that a letter has been drafted and he will be meeting with staff to review it on Friday. Willie Henderson, assistant superintendent for human resource services, stated that the draft will be included in the mailout. Dr. Hitchcock moved, seconded by Mrs. Pugh, approval of the consent agenda. Vote on the motion carried unanimously. WORKSESSION The president polled the audience for input on agenda items. Substitute Teacher. Mrs. Pugh expressed concern that the local newspapers are reporting that a former elected official and school teacher cannot teach because he is a felon. (over) Mrs. Pugh said that the teacher's certification has been removed and he cannot teach, under Louisiana law, for three years. Mrs. Pugh clarified that the teacher could qualify as a substitute teacher. She emphasized that the CPSB did not refuse to allow the person to serve as a substitute teacher, and she questioned who is responsible for making the decision. The interim superintendent shouldered the responsibility of refusing to allow the referenced person to teach in Caddo public schools. He noted that the teacher's contract was revoked, and he did not feel that allowing this individual to teach in Caddo public schools would send a good message to the public and other employees. Legal counsel commented that persons are placed on the substitute teacher's list by staff, and staff's action is in accord with board policy and procedures. Adjournment. There being no further business, Mrs. Pugh moved for adjournment. Dr. Hitchcock seconded the motion, and the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:20 p.m. April 5, 1995 The Caddo Parish School Board (CPSB) met in special session in its office at 1961 Midway Street, Shreveport, Louisiana following the Executive Committee meeting/board work session (approximately 4:30 P.m.), on Wednesday, April 5, 1995, with President Mark Milam presiding and the following board members present being a quorum: Ron Adams, Judy D. Boykin, Jerry Tim Brooks, Willie D. Burton, Miles E. Hitchcock, Sc.D., Alvin Mims, Michael E. Powell III, Mildred B. Pugh, Michael J. Thibodeaux, Johnny Vance, Jr. and Sybil B. Walker. The invocation and Pledge of Allegiance were dispensed with for the special session. Also present were S. L. Slack, interim secretary, and Fred Sutherland, legal counsel. The president stated that the purpose of the special school board meeting is to screen applications and select semifinalists for the position of superintendent of Caddo Public Schools. He asked Burnadine Moss Anderson, administrative assistant/communications, to update the board on the superintendent search. UPDATE - SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH Mrs. Anderson reported that a brochure and thank you letter from the board's president was sent to all public forum participants, as well as to individuals who provided written input on the superintendent search. Originally, 36 individuals responded to the advertisement for superintendent, and they, too, received a letter of thanks and a brochure. Four applicants have officially withdrawn their application; and, six applicants have not responded to the letter, brochure and/or have not provided their credentials (college papers, references, and evidence of eligibility for certification for superintendent in Louisiana); therefore, 26 applicants remain. She informed the board that staff will need directives from the board relative to interview procedures and questions. Mrs. Anderson reviewed the proposed daily schedule for candidates. SCREENING APPLICATIONS AND SELECTING SEMIFINALISTS FOR THE POSITION OF SUPERINTENDENT OF CADDO PUBLIC SCHOOLS The president noted that votes will be cast on 26 applicants to determine six semifinalists. Discussion ensued on the voting procedures for the first round of votes. The president ruled that the board will vote to determine whether it would like to be allowed to vote on six, eight or ten candidates per board member in order to begin the selection process for the selection of six semifinalists. Board members voting to be allowed to vote on six candidates were Walker, Thibodeaux and Dr. Hitchcock. Board members voting to be allowed to vote on eight candidates were Pugh, Brooks, Powell, Boykin and Adams. Board members voting to be allowed to vote on ten candidates were Vance, Burton, Mims and Milam. Following more debate on voting procedures for the first round, the board decided to reconsider its previous vote and vote again to determine if eight or ten votes would be allowed. Board members voting to allow eight votes were Walker, Thibodeaux, Pugh, Brooks, Pugh, Boykin, Adams and Dr. Hitchcock.. Board members voting to allow ten votes were Vance, Burton, Mims and Milam. The president announced that each board member will vote for eight candidates on the first round of voting. The results of the first round of voting identified the following candidates: Dr. James Foster (9), Dr.