July 18, 2025
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Central Office Board Room, 59656 Puleston Road, Amite, LA 70422
1.
OPENING ITEMS
A.
Roll Call
Mr. Brett Duncan was absent.
B.
Pledge of Allegiance (All veterans and active military, please render the proper salute)
Mr. Jerry Moore led the Pledge of Allegiance
C.
Consider approval of Board minutes of June 17, 2025
Motion to approve as presented.
Moved by: Joey Piazza
Seconded by: Rose Dominguez
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
2.
RECOGNITIONS
A.
Recognize the outstanding achievement of Glenn Hanna III, who has maintained Perfect Attendance for 13 consecutive years from K-12 - Ron Genco
This item was pulled and will be placed on the next Board Agenda.
3.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A.
Capital Outlay Committee of the Whole - June 17, 2025
Motion to approve as presented.
Moved by: Joey Piazza
Seconded by: Trent Anthony
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
(The official adopted minutes have been placed in the Board Minute Archives and/or for viewing on the TPSS website: https://tangischools.community.highbond.com/Portal/MeetingTypeList.aspx)
B.
Policy Committee of the Whole - June 17, 2025
Minutes 06-17-25.pdf
Motion to approve as presented
Moved by: Joey Piazza
Seconded by: Glenn Westmoreland
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
(The official adopted minutes have been placed in the Board Minute Archives and/or for viewing on the TPSS website: https://tangischools.community.highbond.com/Portal/MeetingTypeList.aspx)
4.
BOARD ACTIONS
A.
Consider approval of Bid 2025-08 Small Cafeteria Equipment - Jeff McKneely
Bid 2025-08 - Cafeteria Small Equipment.xlsx - 2025.pdf
Motion to approve awarding the bid to vendors in the "Item's Winning Bidder Column".
Moved by: Joey Piazza
Seconded by: Janice Richards
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
B.
Consider approval of Bid 2025-10 Milk and Milk Products - Jeff McKneely
Bid 2025-10 - Milk and Milk Products RE BID.xlsx - Bid Tab.pdf
Motion to approve awarding the bid to Prairie Farms/ East Side Jersey Dairy.
Moved by: Rose Dominguez
Seconded by: Joey Piazza
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
C.
Consider approval of Bid 2025-11 Frozen Food Products - Jeff McKneely
Bid 2025-11 - Frozen Food.xlsx - Bid Tab.pdf
Motion to approve awarding the bid to S&W Wholesale.
Moved by: Glenn Westmoreland
Seconded by: Joey Piazza
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
D.
Consider approval of Kentwood High Magnet School's Change Order #1 - Jeff McKneely
KHS CHANGE ORDER #1.pdf
Motion to amend to change the extension of the days from 359 to 320.
Moved by: Glenn Westmoreland
Seconded by: Joey Piazza
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
Motion to approve as amended.
Moved by: Janice Richards
Seconded by: Jerry Moore
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
E.
Consider approval to name Independence High Magnet School's Football Field after Charles Baglio - Robin Abrams
Motion to approve.
Moved by: Robin Abrams
Seconded by: Trent Anthony
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Motion Carries 8-0
5.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATION
A.
Update on the 2025 LEAP Results
LEAP 2025 Results Summary_July 2025 (1).pdf
Superintendent Melissa Stilley presented a PowerPoint presentation of the 2025 LEAP results. She stated 68% of the District schools grew in proficiency, and Tangipahoa Parish School System is in the Top 10 most improved districts in proficiency. She gave the individual school increases, and the District will continue to close the gap with neighboring parishes.
B.
General Updates
Superintendent Melissa Stilley stated that there are 60 Prek spots available at Woodland Park Magnet, Midway Elementary, Natalbany Middle, Nesom Memorial, and Independence Leadership Academy Schools.
She called up Cynthia Jenkins, Board Secretary, who announced that after over 31 years, she will be retiring within the near future.
6.
PERSONAL PRIVILEGE
A.
Board Member Comments
Ms. Dominguez stated she was upset to see Ms. Jenkins retire. She reported she attended a COSSBA School Safety Summit in St. Louis, MO, on June 24 - 26, 2025, and requested this to be entered into the official minutes, thereby meeting the mandate of Act 705, earning her CLUs.
Mr. Piazza echoed Ms. Dominguez's remarks concerning Ms. Jenkins. He thanked her for helping him after being elected.
Mr. Moore echoed Ms. Dominguez's and Mr. Piazza's remarks. He will miss her guidance.
Mr. Westmoreland congratulated the Superintendent on the improved LEAP scores and thanked Ms. Jenkins for everything she has done.
Ms. Abrams congratulated Independence High Magnet School for their LEAP growth and is grateful to everyone for supporting the naming of the football field after Coach Charles Baglio. She addressed the miscommunications of the "combining campuses" issue and stated she will never support this.
Ms. Richards echoed Ms. Abrams' comments about combining schools. She thanked Ms. Jenkins for all her help and support over the years.
Mr. Anthony congratulated the Executive team, principals, and teachers on the improved LEAP scores, and knows it has been a lot of work. He believes everyone has worked together as a good team.
Mr. Tolar congratulated everyone on the improved LEAP scores and realized that it is a lot of hard work from everyone. He stated that he is very upset about the dismantling of the Construction Department. But the District cannot put students in seats or feed students in cafeterias without good facilities. He stated he apologized to each employee who was let go and is very disappointed in the way the process was handled, and it was not true to the District's values.
Mr. Moore stated he felt some Board members were anxious about the speed at which things were getting done for facilities. In his review of the professionalism and amount of time and expertise that were put into getting contractors, etc, in place, he feels the District had someone in place who was doing an excellent job.
7.
LITIGATION
A.
Motion to enter Executive Session to discuss LWCC settlements - Tom Tolar
Motion to approve.
Moved by: Glenn Westmoreland
Seconded by: Joey Piazza
Yea
Robin Abrams, Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland
Carried 8-0
B.
Discuss LWCC settlements
There was no action on this item.
8.
PUBLIC INPUT
There was no Public Input.
9.
Adjournment
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned. (7:34 PM)
Tom Tolar, President
Melissa M. Stilley, Secretary-Treasurer