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Board approves facilities, construction and procurement items; summary of votes
Summary
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board approved multiple construction and procurement items including Independence High lab substantial completion, asbestos abatement, Woodland Park classroom addition, and more. Several votes were unanimous; a small number drew no votes or were tabled.
At its April 1 meeting the Tangipahoa Parish School Board approved a slate of routine and project-specific items, including construction completions, low bids and remediation contracts. Below is a summary of each formal action taken on the record. Where available, vote tallies and mover/second information are included.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of board minutes (03/18/2025): Motion made by Mister Westmoreland, seconded by Miss Dominguez. Voting closed; motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of DRC appeal hearing minutes (03/18/2025): Motion made by Mister Piazza, second by Mister Westmoreland. Voting closed; motion passed unanimously.
- Accounts payable check register for Feb. 16—Mar. 15, 2025: Presented for review; no action needed.
- Capital Outlay Committee of the Whole report: Motion to accept committee report made by Miss Robin, second by Miss Janice. Voting closed; motion passed unanimously.
- Reconsideration on Ponchatoula High grass-cutting contract (motion to reconsider): Motion passed with Miss Dominguez voting no. (See detailed article on this item.)
- Final action on Ponchatoula High grass-cutting contract: Motion to adopt administration's recommendation to award to the low bidder, John Lawler Lawn Man, at $1,188 per cutting. Mover: Mister Anthony; second: Mister Westmoreland. Motion passed; Miss Dominguez, Miss Abrams and Miss Richards voted no.
- Authorization for the superintendent (Melissa Stilley) to serve as the school board representative on the ITEP committee: Motion made by Mister Westmoreland, second by Miss Abrams. Voting closed; motion passed unanimously. Director Ginger Candelosi explained the governor's change requiring a parish-level committee to review Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) applications and provide recommendations.
- Certificate of substantial completion for Independence High Magnet School lab renovation: Motion made by Miss Robin, second by Miss Janice. Voting closed; motion passed unanimously.
- Low bid approval for Hammond High Magnet School gym HVAC project (permanent system): Motion to adopt administration recommendation. Low bid amount reported $956,731, pending court approval. Voting closed; motion passed unanimously.
- Quote approval (temporary rental) for six-month HVAC units for Hammond High gym from Mobile Air and Power Rentals ($8,002.60/month, est. $48,012 total): Motion to table for two weeks to gather mobilization and generator cost details and timelines. Mover: Mister Anthony; second: Mister Westmoreland. Motion to table passed with Mister Duncan and Miss Richards voting no.
- Approval of quote for asbestos abatement (Advanced College and Career gym and kitchen remediation): Low bid $46,000. Motion made by Miss Abrams, second by Miss Richards. Voting closed; motion passed with Mister Moore voting no.
- Low bid approval for Woodland Park Early Learning Center phase 2 classroom addition: Low bid amount $1,879,000. Motion by Mister Duncan, second by Mister Piazza. Voting closed; motion passed unanimously.
- Referral of policies FDC (naming of school) and FE (facility project) to policy committee: Motion to refer made by Mister Westmoreland, second by Mister Duncan. Voting closed; motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: the actions approve construction and remediation work that affect multiple district sites, set procurement precedents and commit district funds. Several items required or referenced court approval and will proceed under those conditions.
What the board requested: for the temporary HVAC request, the board asked administration to return in two weeks with mobilization charges, generator options, sharing feasibility and installation timelines for other approved permanent HVAC projects.
