Tangipahoa Parish School Board Meeting
05/12/2026 - 06:00 PM
Tangipahoa Parish School Board Central Office
59656 Puleston Rd. Amite, LA 70422
MEETING MINUTES
Attendance
Voting Members
Trent Anthony, Board President
Glenn Westmoreland, Board Member and Finance Committee Chairman
Robin Abrams, Board Member and Capital Outlay Committee Chairman
Rose Dominguez, Board Member
Brett Duncan, Board Member and Instructional Accountability and Support Committee Chairman
Jerry Moore, Board Member
Joey Piazza, Board Member and Policy Committee Chairman
Janice Richards, Board Member and Personnel Committee Chairman Tom Tolar, Board Member
Non-Voting Members
Melissa Stilley, Superintendent
Lisa Fussell, Asst. Superintendent
Gary Porter, Asst. Superintendent
Ron Genco, Asst. Superintendent
Jeff McKneely, CFO
Dina Spears, Director of Communications
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM by President Trent Anthony.
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance (All veterans and active military, please render the proper salute)
OPENING ITEMS
Consider approval of Tangipahoa Parish School Board Meeting minutes
Motion to approve and adopt the Tangipahoa Parish School Board Meeting minutes report and all recommendations
Motion made by: Joey Piazza
Motion seconded by: Janice Richards
Voting results: Unanimously approved
Yes: Trent Anthony
Yes: Glenn Westmoreland
Yes: Robin Abrams
Yes: Rose Dominguez
Yes: Brett Duncan
Yes: Jerry Moore
Yes: Joey Piazza
Yes: Janice Richards
Yes: Tom Tolar
(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. Consider approval of Tangipahoa Parish School Board DRC Appeal Meeting minutes
Motion to approve and adopt the Tangipahoa Parish School Board DRC Appeal Meeting minutes report and all recommendations
Motion made by: Glenn Westmoreland
Motion seconded by: Rose Dominguez
Voting results: Unanimously approved
Yes: Trent Anthony
Yes: Glenn Westmoreland
Yes: Robin Abrams
Yes: Rose Dominguez
Yes: Brett Duncan
Yes: Jerry Moore
Yes: Joey Piazza
Yes: Janice Richards
Yes: Tom Tolar
(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)
C. Consider approval of Tangipahoa Parish School Board Capital Outlay Committee Meeting minutes
Motion to approve and adopt the Capital Outlay Committee report and all recommendations
Motion made by: Joey Piazza
Motion seconded by: Janice Richards
Voting results: Unanimously approved
Yes: Trent Anthony
Yes: Glenn Westmoreland
Yes: Robin Abrams
Yes: Rose Dominguez
Yes: Brett Duncan
Yes: Jerry Moore
Yes: Joey Piazza
Yes: Janice Richards
Yes: Tom Tolar
(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)
FINANCIAL UPDATES
Presentation of Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for ACFR June 30, 2025- Mr. Jeff McKneely presented the Certificate of Excellence of Financial Reporting to Ms. Deborah Anderson.
BOARD ACTIONS
Consider approval for "Academic Content Facilitator" job description.
Mr. Bobby Matthews presented the job position and job description for the "Academic Content Facilitator".
Motion to approve the job description
Motion made by: Robin Abrams
Motion seconded by: Janice Richards
Voting results: Unanimously approved
Yes: Trent Anthony
Yes: Glenn Westmoreland
Yes: Robin Abrams
Yes: Rose Dominguez
Yes: Brett Duncan
Yes: Jerry Moore
Yes: Joey Piazza
Yes: Janice Richards
Yes: Tom Tolar
B. Jewel Sumner High School Athletic Track Restoration - Consider Approval
Motion to accept administration recommendation
Motion made by: Tom Tolar
Motion seconded by: Rose Dominguez Voting results:
Yes: Trent Anthony
Yes: Glenn Westmoreland
Yes: Robin Abrams
Yes: Rose Dominguez
Yes: Brett Duncan
Abstain: Jerry Moore
Yes: Joey Piazza
Yes: Janice Richards
Yes: Tom Tolar
C. Ponchatoula High School Athletic Track Restoration - recommendation for approval
Motion to accept administration recommendation
Motion made by: Rose Dominguez Motion seconded by: Joey Piazza
Voting results:
Yes: Trent Anthony
Yes: Glenn Westmoreland
Yes: Robin Abrams
Yes: Rose Dominguez
Yes: Brett Duncan
Abstain: Jerry Moore
Yes: Joey Piazza
Yes: Janice Richards
Yes: Tom Tolar
D. Consider contract extension with East Side Jersey for Milk and Milk Products for 2026-27
Motion to adopt and approve the items "D - L" as grouped.
Motion made by: Tom Tolar
Motion seconded by: Brett Duncan
Voting results: Unanimously approved
Yes: Trent Anthony
Yes: Glenn Westmoreland
Yes: Robin Abrams
Yes: Rose Dominguez Yes: Brett Duncan Yes: Jerry Moore Yes: Joey Piazza
Yes: Janice Richards
Yes: Tom Tolar
Consider contract extension with S & W Wholesale for Frozen Food Products for 2026-27 Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider contract extension with Economical Janitorial & Paper Supplies for 2026-27 Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider contract extension with Shoes for Crews for Cafeteria Shoes for 2026-27 Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider approval of Bid # 2026-02 Small Cafeteria Equipment Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider approval of Bid # 2026-03 Ice Cream Milk Products Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider approval of Bid # 2026-04 SFS Commodity Delivery Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider approval of Bid # 2026-05 Processed Food Products Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider approval of Bid # 2026-07 Cafeteria Janitorial & Paper Supplies Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider approval of bid # 2026-01 Garbage Collection Service Motion made to adopt administration's recommendation.
Motion made by: Joey Piazza
Motion seconded by: Glenn Westmoreland
Voting results: Unanimously approved
Yes: Trent Anthony
Yes: Glenn Westmoreland
Yes: Robin Abrams
Yes: Rose Dominguez
Yes: Brett Duncan
Yes: Jerry Moore
Yes: Joey Piazza
Yes: Janice Richards
Yes: Tom Tolar
5. SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATION
A. General Updates
Community Safety & Partnership
Our graduation ceremonies were not only celebratory but safe and seamless, thanks to the dedicated support of our local partners. I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO), specifically the SLU Police Department under the leadership of Sheriff Gerald Sticker. Their coordination ensured our students and families could focus entirely on the joy of the occasion.
Turning the Tide on Truancy
On Friday, Ms. Lanier shared our most recent attendance data, and the results are a testament to our new strategic approach. By refocusing our outreach and intervention efforts, we have successfully reduced truancy numbers to 31%. Attendance is the foundation of student success, and we are committed to continuing this downward trend to ensure every child is in the classroom every day.
Spotlight on Literacy: Kindergarten Growth
I am thrilled to share the remarkable progress our youngest learners are making in foundational literacy. Using the DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessment, we have tracked significant growth across our Kindergarten classes:
August Benchmark: 42% Proficiency
April Benchmark: 60% Proficiency
This 18% increase in proficiency since the start of the year highlights the hard work of our teachers and the effectiveness of our current reading interventions. We are well on our way to ensuring our students are reading at or above grade level by the time they reach third grade.
6. BOARD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Celebrating the Class of 2026
The Board was unanimous in their praise for our graduates. Mr. Jerry Moore noted that our students successfully met all rigorous requirements and reached their goals, while Mr. Tom Tolar commended the strength and character of this year's class. Mrs. Robin Abrams and Vice President Glenn Westmoreland extended their best wishes to all graduates for a restful and well-deserved summer.
Mr. Joey Piazza offered a special commendation to President Trent Anthony and VP Glenn Westmoreland for their personal dedication in attending every single graduation ceremony this season.
Commending Staff and Safety Partners
The "smooth" success of this school year did not go unnoticed. Mr. Piazza described this as one of the most seamless years in recent memory, attributing that success directly to the tireless work of our administration and staff. Mrs. Rose Dominguez specifically highlighted Board Secretary, Amanda Ragoonath for her work in assisting with streamlining the reports.
We also join Mr. Tolar in a special salute to the Civil Air Patrol. Their presence at every graduation service provided a profound sense of respect, echoing Mr. Tolar’s sentiment: "There is no greater honor than to give honor to our flag."
Academic Excellence & Literacy
Superintendent, Stilley provided an inspiring update on our secondary and advisory programs. Our commitment to "college and career readiness" is yielding incredible data:
10,899 Dual Enrollment credits earned by our high schoolers.
One standout PHS Senior will enter college with Sophomore standing thanks to these credits.
855 Workforce credits and 3,239 Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) earned.
On the literacy front, Ms. Janice Richards commended Mr. Porter for the "Raising the Readers" program at O.W. Dillon. This initiative brought authors directly to our students, fostering high levels of engagement and a genuine love for reading.
Board Announcements & Community Notes
Board Vacancy: Mrs. Dominguez shared that she will be stepping away from the
Board to care for her husband following a recent health setback. She expressed her gratitude for the district and encouraged community members to consider running for the upcoming Board position.
Next Meeting: Our next regularly scheduled meeting is May 19th.
Legal Updates: Per Mr. Tolar’s request, the administration will be providing a formal update regarding the ongoing desegregation case in the near future.
PUBLIC INPUT
No public input submitted.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:51PM
________________________________________
Tangipahoa Parish School Board DRC Appeal
05/12/2026 - 05:00 PM
Tangipahoa Parish School Board Central Office
59656 Puleston Rd. Amite, LA 70422
MEETING MINUTES
Attendance
Voting Members
Trent Anthony, Board President
Glenn Westmoreland, Board Member and Finance Committee Chairman
Robin Abrams, Board Member and Capital Outlay Committee Chairman
Rose Dominguez, Board Member
Jerry Moore, Board Member
Janice Richards, Board Member and Personnel Committee Chairman
Tom Tolar, Board Member
Brett Duncan, Board Member and Instructional Accountability and Support Committee Chairman Absent
Joey Piazza, Board Member and Policy Committee Chairman
CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance (All veterans and active military, please render the proper salute)
OPENING ITEMS
Motion made by: Tom Tolar
Motion seconded by: Joey Piazza
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider the appeal of JH
Motion to accept the appeal with stipulations to be met via academic plan.
Motion made by: Joey Piazza
Motion seconded by: Glenn Westmoreland
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Consider the appeal of "JT"
Motion to approve the appeal with stipulations via an academic plan. Motion made by: Tom Tolar
Motion seconded by: Robin Abrams
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
Appeal Meeting was adjourned at 6:06PM
Cost of notice:$197.50