BOARD AGENDA - Aug 19 2025 Minutes

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM Central Office Board Room

 

  1. OPENING ITEMS

    1. Roll Call 

      All Board members were present except Ms. Robin Abrams, Board Member.

    2. Pledge of Allegiance (All veterans and active military, please render the proper salute) - Tom Tolar 

      Mr. Jerry Moore led the Pledge of Allegiance.

    3. Consider approval of Board minutes of August 5, 2025 BOARD AGENDA - Aug 05 2025 - Minutes - Html

Motion to approve.

Moved by: Glenn Westmoreland

Seconded by: Trent Anthony

Yea  Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Brett Duncan, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland

Carried 8-0

  1. FINANCIAL UPDATES

    1. Update on Sales Tax Summary -July 2025 Sales Tax Summary TPSS 20250731.pdf 

      Mr. McKneeley, Chief Financial Officer, provided an update on the Sales Tax Summary.

    2. Update on EFID Sales Tax Summary -July 2025 Sales Tax Summary EFID 20250731.pdf 

      Mr. McKneeley provided updates on the EFID Sales Tax Summary.

    3. Discuss the AP/Check Register for June 1st 2025 through June 30th 2025 for the amount of $35,868,826.06 - Jeff McKneely AP invoice report June.pdf

      Mr. McKneely advised that there were no questions on the AP/ Check Register for June.

      Motion to waive the rules to add the Personnel Committee meeting minutes of August 19, 2025 to the agenda.

      Moved by: Joey Piazza

      Seconded by: Janice Richards

Yea  Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Brett Duncan, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland

Motion Carries 8-0

Motion to approve the Personnel Minutes - August 19, 2025

Moved by: Joey Piazza

Seconded by: Janice Richards

Yea  Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Brett Duncan, 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)

Motion to add to the agenda the reconsideration of the Electrical Contract from the meeting on 08/22/2025 for Randy DePaula and Sharkey's Mechanical.

Moved by: Brett Duncan

 Seconded by: Joey Piazza

Yea Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Brett Duncan, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland

Motion Carries 8-0

Motion to designate Sharkey's Mechanical as a second alternate for electrical services. The administration is to enter into the appropriate contract.

Moved by: Joey Piazza

Seconded by: Rose Dominguez

Yea  Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Brett Duncan, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland

Motion Carries 8-0

  1. SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATION

    1. Consider approval to refer policy JBCC "Student Assignment" to the Policy Committee

      Motion to approve.

      Moved by: Joey Piazza

      Seconded by: Rose Dominguez

Yea  Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Brett Duncan, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland

Carried 8-0

              b. General Updates

Superintendent Stilley reported that the school year has begun successfully, with employees noting it as the best start to date. Kindergarten classes will begin tomorrow.

Superintendent Stilley encouraged visits to the lower elementary kindergarten classrooms to observe the “Once Program,” in which teachers and paraprofessionals provide 15 minutes of daily interventions and tutoring for each student. By October, kindergarten students will begin taking home books to support grade-level reading proficiency.

Superintendent Stilley reminded attendees that any reported issues should be directed to the “Report a Problem” feature on the district website, which timestamps submissions and notifies both the principal and district supervisor for follow- up.

  1. PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

    1. Board Member Comments

      Ms. Dominguez reported she toured the school and received positive feedback from constituents. She attended the Chamber luncheon featuring Senator Julie Letlow, thanked her for assistance in securing ESSER funds, and inquired about future funding cuts to education.

      Mr. Piazza thanked the Administration team, Maintenance, and Project Manager for their work on Phase II projects, and Transportation for their professionalism. He participated with Mr. Genco in landscaping at Loranger Elementary and noted community willingness to support local schools. He encouraged Board members to visit an elementary school and take a photo with a student as his weekly challenge.

      Mr. Moore commended teachers and encouraged staff to view their roles as extensions of parental support.

      Ms. Richards reported receiving numerous calls and expressed appreciation to Mr. Genco for his assistance. She thanked local pastors and community leaders for organizing meetings in support of schools.

      Mr. Westmoreland expressed appreciation for the updates, noted the progress of Phase II projects, and reported positive feedback on the school year’s start.

      Mr. Anthony concurred with prior comments and congratulated Superintendent Stilley and the Executive Team on the successful start of the year.

      Mr. Tolar welcomed Amanda Ragoonath, expressed appreciation to Mr. Page for his presentation, and recognized the Maintenance and Construction Department for their efforts. He offered his support to the team and noted the school year is off to a strong start.

  1. LITIGATION

    1. Motion to enter Executive Session to consider the cases of Motion to approve

      Moved by: Brett Duncan

      Seconded by: Joey Piazza

Yea  Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland

Carried 7-0

          b. Consider the case of David Phillips Jr v. TPSB, NO,22-2153 Louisiana Eastern District Court - Ashley Bass

              Motion to adopt counsel's recommendation.

              Moved by: Brett Duncan

              Seconded by: Glenn Westmoreland

Yea  Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Brett Duncan, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland

Motion Carries 8-0

B.           Motion to adopt Council recommendation regarding the case of David Phillips Jr v. TPSB - Tom Tolar

Moved by: Tom Tolar

Seconded by: Glenn Westmoreland

Yea                 Trent Anthony, Rose Dominguez, Brett Duncan, Jerry Moore, Joey Piazza, Janice Richards, Tom Tolar, and Glenn Westmoreland

Motion Carries 8-0

  1. PUBLIC INPUT

            There was no Public Input.

  1. ADJOURNMENT

    Due to no other items to discuss, President Tom Tolar adjourned the meeting at 7:07pm.

Tom Tolar, President

Melissa M. Stilley, Secretary- Treasurer

Joey Piazza, Chairman