Many, LA  71449

August 8, 2022

1.     Meeting Opening:

The Parish School Board of Many, Louisiana, Sabine Parish, met in a regular called public session on August 8, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at 265 Middle Creek Road, Many, Louisiana, with the following members present:  Terrell Snelling, Board President; Dr. Leah Byles, Board Vice President; Daron Chandler, Spencer Faust, Donald Garcie, Kowonno Greene, Donald Remedies and Dale Skinner

Absent:  Genevieve Gordon (though watched/listed virtually).

The meeting was called to order by President Terrell Snelling.  Rodney Wilson gave the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance was rendered.

2.      Recognition of Visitors:

Chris Pearce, District LSU Ag Director, introduced Amber Leach, the new parish 4-H Agent.  Mr. Pearce also requested a funding increase to the annual support SPSB provides for District Services.  On motion by Donald Garcie and seconded by Donald Remedies, it was approved to grant Mr. Pearce’s request for funding increase.

3.      Consent Agenda:

On motion by Daron Chandler and seconded by Kowonno Greene, the Consent Agenda was approved as follows:

A.    Approve and adopt Public Hearing Minutes of July 11, 2022

B.    Approve and adopt Regular Board Meeting Minutes of July 11, 2022

C.    Approve Out of State Travel for FHS (10 students and 2 adults) to participate at National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana October 25-29, 2022;

D.    Approve Out of State Travel for MHS football team and staff to attend scrimmage with Jasper High School in Jasper, Texas on August 19, 2022;

E.    Approve 2022-2023 Head Start Non-Competing Continuation Grant #06CH001578;

F.    Approve 2022-2023 Early Childhood Consolidated Application

G.    Approve MOU with Faithlynn’s Learning Academy for the 2022-2023 School Year;

H.    Approve and adopt the following School Board Policies (first reading):

a.     BH - School Board Ethics

b.     EDD - School Bus Scheduling and Routing

c.     GAAA - Equal Opportunity Employment

d.     GAMB - Employee Dress Code

e.     JAA - Equal Education Opportunities

f.      JBD - Student Absences and Excuses

g.     JCDAF - Bullying, Hazing Harassment and Discrimination

h.     JCDB - Student Dress Code

i.      JD – Discipline

j.      JDE – Expulsion

k.     JGC - Student Health Services

l.      JGCD - Administration of Medication

m.   JM - Student Voter Registration

n.     JQE - Expectant and Parenting Students

I.      Approve and adopt Consent Agenda Items 3A-3I.

4.     Regular Agenda Items:

A.    On motion by Dr. Leah Byles and seconded by Daron Chandler, it was carried to Adopt a Resolution requesting that the Policy Planning Board of the Office of Group Benefits reconsider the exorbitant and unfair premium increase imposed on the school boards participating in the Pelican HRA 1000 plan.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Sabine Parish School Board, meeting in regular session, with a quorum present and voting that:

WHEREAS, the SCHOOL BOARD is aware that the health insurance policy for their employees is managed by the Office of Group Benefits, and that the Policy Planning Board meets annually to discuss premium rates for the upcoming year;

WHEREAS, the SCHOOL BOARD is aware that providing health insurance to their employees is an earned benefit for these underpaid public employees;

WHEREAS, the SCHOOL BOARD is aware that providing GAP insurance is a further incentive to employees, because it helps alleviate the financial burden of high deductibles and can result in lower medical expenses; and

WHEREAS, the SCHOOL BOARD is aware that the Policy Board of the Office of Group

Benefits met on October 6, 2021, and voted to increase the premium rates for the school boards on the Pelican HRA 1000 plan by 24.4%, instead of the 5% increase that other agencies received, without providing any explanation or evidence to justify this differential and burdensome treatment.

IT IS RESOLVED that the SCHOOL BOARD requests that the Policy Planning Board of the Office of Group Benefits reconsider the exorbitant and unfair premium increase imposed on the school boards participating in the Pelican HRA 1000 plan, treat these school boards the same as other agencies this coming fiscal year, and provide reasons or evidence to justify actions taken in the past or future on those public agencies with GAP coverage.

            The above resolution was introduced on August 8, 2022 (date) by Dr. Leah Byles, Seconded by Daron Chandler and the vote thereon was as follows:

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B.    On motion by Donald Garcie and seconded by Spencer Faust it was carried to approve contract for professional and/or consulting services (SLP) and authorize SPSB Administration to sign contracts as presented with (1.) Sepulvado Speech-Pathology, LLC, (2.) Bethancy Ericson MS CCC-SLP, LLC, (3.) Maile Walter, LLC.

C.     On motion by Daron Chandler and seconded by Dr. Leah Byles, it was carried to approve the Revised 22-23 District Calendar.

5.      Superintendent’s Report:

Informational only.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

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Terrell Snelling, President

ATTEST:

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Shane Wright, Superintendent