Gene Montgomery

The board meeting covered various topics, including updates on modular classrooms and ESSER III-Phase II projects. Discussions included proposals for worker's compensation and student insurance, property insurance coverage, and financial reports (Sales Tax, General Fund, School Lunch Fund, East Morehouse Tax Fund, and ESSER Funds). The board also addressed a fire at H.V. Adams Elementary School, authorizing the acceptance of a claim with depreciation. An emergency declaration was made to obtain roof replacement bids for the Morehouse Student Services Center and Child Nutrition Building. Several job descriptions and policies were reviewed and approved, including those for School Social Worker, Pre-ETS Transition Specialist, and Personnel Records and Certification Coordinator. The board approved an audit engagement, and appointments were made to the Morehouse Sales Tax Commission Board. Bids were accepted for portable buildings, and Act 311 was adopted to address overtime pay. Finally, the board approved job descriptions and salary schedules for the 2024-2025 school year and authorized obtaining quotes for a faculty restroom at Bastrop High School.

The board meeting covered various topics, including updates on the demolition of the Collinston site and the H.V. Adams arson investigation. Financial reports for April 2024 were reviewed and approved, including sales tax, general fund, school lunch fund, East Morehouse tax fund, and ESSER funds. A resolution was adopted to accept a bid for a Wind Lease And Servitude Agreement. Policy CBD was amended regarding the notification of superintendent contract termination. The Ouachita Citizen was selected as the official journal. A cooperative endeavor agreement was approved with the Morehouse Parish Police Jury for the use of a portable building. Authority was granted to the superintendent to approve same-day bus requests and to amend the approval of agenda item 23 from the May 7, 2024 meeting. Rick Hixon was named as the school board representative to MEDCO. Discussion took place regarding repairs needed at Delta Elementary. The Finance and Advisory Committee's report was received, covering items such as the approval of superintendent application forms, release of confidential information forms, and advertisement for a new superintendent. The committee also selected dates for advertisement, application receipt, executive session, and interviews for the superintendent position.

The meeting covered various topics, including recognitions for employees and student achievements, summer feeding program updates, ESSER project updates, approval of travel and bus requests, discussion on the use of constitutional tax for Beekman Charter School building addition, adoption of summer work schedule and school calendar, acceptance of a bid for demolition work, encumbering funds for electric bus replacement, and review of discipline report. Other key decisions included approving bus use for a track and field program, granting track use to a city program, reviewing a finance committee report, adopting policy manual revisions, adopting a new AI acceptable use policy, amending suspension policies, amending footwear policy, amending fighting policy, approving additional hours for Powerschool implementation, approving transportation for a national competition, approving payment for Delta Elementary coaches and sponsors, adopting a differentiated compensation plan, and discussing superintendent recruitment and summer school work program renewal. Several items were tabled for further information or discussion.

The meeting included recognitions for employees of the month and LDOE outstanding school support employees. A resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of eleven million dollars of revenue bonds was approved. The board rescheduled their May 2nd meeting to May 4th due to a scheduling conflict. Financial reports for February 2023 (Sales Tax Funds, General Fund, School Lunch Fund, and East Morehouse Tax Fund) were received and approved. The board approved a school accounting audit engagement with The Robinette Accounting Firm and the placement of advertisements for ESSER construction projects. Policy updates were adopted for school bus loading and unloading and school fundraising activities. Updates on cafeterias and kitchen service were presented, along with a discipline report. A motion to add an addendum to the travel policy failed due to a tied vote. A public comment period was scheduled but the individual did not attend. Finally, a personnel report was received.

The committee reviewed and approved sales tax, general fund, and school lunch fund reports for September 2020. Discussions were held on establishing a grant writer position, utilizing an outside contractor or school board employee to submit grant proposals for review and approval. The committee also addressed the process for holding an auction of excess equipment and buses, including creating an inventory and utilizing an online auction platform. Finally, updates were provided on the 2020-2021 school year at Bastrop High and Morehouse Magnet schools, focusing on student attendance and COVID-19 procedures.