Many, Louisiana 71449
March 18, 2024
1. Meeting Opening:
The Parish School Board of Many, Louisiana, Sabine Parish, met in a regular public session on March 18, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at 265 Middle Creek Road, Many, Louisiana, with the following members present: Kowonno Greene, Board President; Stacy Alford, Dr. Leah Byles, Everett Guidry, Josh Jenkins, Donald Remedies (arrived late), Terrell Snelling and John Stewart, Board Vice President.
Absent: Dale Skinner
President Kowonno Greene called the meeting to order. Mr. Greene led the Pledge of Allegiance and asked that a moment of silence be observed.
2. Recognition of Visitors:
A. Meagan Campbell introduced the Students of the Year to the Board. Recognized were:
· 5th Grade Student of the Year, Ayla Jenkins of Many Junior High School, who was presented with a gift basket by Tanya Peterson representing City Bank;
· 8th Grade Student of the Year, Jensen Ebarb or Zwolle High School, who was presented with a gift basket by Pam Meshell representing Community Bank;
· 12th grade Student of the Year, Sara Kate Green of Florien High School, who was presented with a gift basket by Stacy Alford representing Sabine State Bank and who is also the Board Member for Ward 1 District 1.
It was noted that all three Students of the Year were Zone 4 Finalists for State Students of the Year. In addition, Attorney Chris Sylvia awarded his annual scholarship to the 12th grade Student of the Year, Sara Kate Green.
B. The Board recognized Zwolle High School Boys Basketball Team as the 2024 LHSAA Boys’ Basketball Division V (Non-Select) State Champions.
C. Dr. Gwile Paul Freemen addressed the Board as she presented Superintendent Shane Wright with a plaque to recognize his achievement as Region 7 Superintendent of the Year.
3. Consent Agenda:
On motion by Terrell Snelling and second by Dr. Leah Byles, it was carried to adopt the Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Approve and adopt Regular Board Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2024;
B. Approve Out-of-State Field Trip for 55 students and 4 adults from FHS to visit Ellen Trout Zoon, Lufkin, Texas April 26, 2024;
C. Approve Out-of-State Field Trip for 15 students and 4 adults from NHS to Fort Walton, Florida for Basketball Camp June 8-12, 2024;
D. Approve Out-of-State Field Trip for 35 students and 5 adults from PHHS to Ellen Trout Zoo, Lufkin, Texas March 26, 2024;
E. Approve Line Item Budget Amendment to fund NHS Principal B&E $30,000 for spring semester 2024;
F. Approve 2023-2024 Super App Amendment 4 Budget Revision;
G. Approve and adopt Sabine Parish School Board Head Start Policy Council By-Laws, Head Start Assessment and Head Start Selection Procedures and Criteria 2024-2025;
H. Approve 2024-2025 Head Start Non-Competing Continuation Grant #06CH01578;
I. Approve and adopt Consent Agenda Items 3A-3I.
4. Regular Agenda Items:
A. On motion by Terrell Snelling and second by Josh Jenkins, it was carried to approve and award proposal for Wide Area Network Connections RFP No: 747E-24A.11 for CHS, EHS, FHS, MES, MHS, MJHS, NHS, ZES, ZHS, SPARK and Support Center to AT&T (3 years).
B. On motion by Terrell Snelling and second by John Stewart, it was carried to approve and award proposal for Wide Area Network Connection RFP No: 747E-24A.11 – PHHS to Skyrider (3 years).
C. On motion by Dr. Leah Byles and second by John Stewart, it was carried to adopt a Resolution Granting a One-Time Gross Salary Supplement for May 2025.
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RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Sabine Parish School Board has the desire to use the excess sales taxes accumulated in the Sales Tax Fund to provide additional salary supplements to active employees of the Sabine Parish School Board for services rendered in the fiscal year 2024-2025,
AND WHEREAS, an employee is defined as an individual actively working full-time or in a permanent part-time capacity, in their respective position and employed by the Sabine Parish School Board (excludes board members, excludes substitute labor and excludes those only working in a timesheet capacity),
AND WHEREAS, this supplement is being provided conditioned on employees completing their respective scheduled days to be worked for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and any employee not fulfilling this requirement is subject to having the supplement prorated while surrendering any portion not earned either prior to or after the date of declaration,
AND WHEREAS the supplement shall not be reduced for absences due to medical occurrences.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all active employees employed on May 21, 2025 shall be paid a one-time gross supplement of $5,000.
Employees that are in a regular salaried position but working a partial day shall receive a commensurate prorated portion of the $5,000 supplement.
The BOARD hereby instructs the subsequent budget amendment(s) and budget adoption(s) to include adjustments and transfers to accomplish the above supplement distribution.
The Superintendent will resolve any exceptions or clarifications as to the board’s intent that is necessary in regards to the preceding definitions and rules. He will have full discretion to this regard.
This distribution shall be made during May 2025 in conjunction with the normal payroll date for the month of May.
This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS: 8 – Terrell Snelling, Donald Remedies, Dr. Leah Byles, Kowonno Greene, Everett Guidry, John Stewart, Josh Jenkins & Stacy Alford
NAYS: 0
ABSENT: 1 – Dale Skinner
ABSTAIN: 0
And the resolution was declared adopted this 18th day of March 2024.
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D. On motion by Everett Guidry and second by Stacy Alford it was carried to approve Revised Teacher Salary Determination Guidelines.
E. Superintendent Shane Wright updated the Board with a School Safety Report. Information only. No action taken.
5. Superintendent’s Report:
Informational only.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
ATTEST:
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Kowonno Greene, President
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Shane Wright, Secretary