Tangipahoa school board tables most Phase 3 projects, advances Sumner and Independence gyms after 6-3 vote

The Tangipahoa Parish School Board on Nov. 4 voted to delay a majority of Phase 3 capital outlay projects while approving initial design steps for two gym projects at Sumner and Independence schools. The motion to table all Phase 3 items except items B (Sumner gym) and E (Independence gym) passed on a roll-call vote, 6-3.

The vote followed extended debate over whether the full board should move all committee-recommended projects forward at once or pause certain items so members could review data, costs and designs. "All I'm asking for is a reasonable table for us to be able to come together as a board, discuss the data," a board member said during the discussion arguing for a short delay. Public commenter John Polito urged the board not to delay, saying the committee had already voted to move the designs forward: "Y'all voted already 6 to 3 to move on with design of these projects," Polito said.

Board members who favored tabling said the pause is intended to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds and to collect cost estimates and growth data before hiring architects. One board member clarified the practical effect of the approval: the two gym projects will proceed toward requests for qualifications (RFQs) and initial design steps, but no architects will be hired without a future separate board vote. Board staff noted advertisements for RFQs are unlikely to be published before next week's retreat and that RFQ responses would likely return in January or February.

Several substitute motions were introduced. A proposal to adopt the committee's recommendation and move all Phase 3 projects forward together failed in a roll-call vote; following that failure, the board returned to and approved the original motion to table most items and advance only the two gym projects. The clerk recorded the final tally for the motion to advance items B and E and table the rest as six votes in favor and three opposed.

Why it matters: some of the paused projects were described by staff as those designed to remove portable classrooms and tied to the district's desegregation commitments; gym projects, board members said, are not part of those desegregation remedies. Supporters of moving all projects at once argued for momentum and immediate action; opponents said the board needs a strategic review to prioritize work and avoid unnecessary design spending.

Votes at a glance: • Approval of Oct. 21 minutes — Motion by Mister Westmoreland, seconded by Mister Anthony; roll-call unanimous approval (9-0). • Capital outlay: motion to table all Phase 3 items except items B and E — Passed, 6-3 (yes: Miss Abrams, Mister Anthony, Mister Moore, Miss Richards, Mister Toller, Mister Westmoreland; no: Miss Dominguez, Mister Duncan, Mister Piazza). • Substantial completions (agenda items 4a–4e) — Adopted as a block by roll call (unanimous vote recorded).

Board next steps: staff will prepare RFQ materials and a packet of data for the retreat; any hiring of architects or contract awards will require a subsequent board vote. The board is scheduled to meet again after the retreat to act on projects removed from tonight's approvals.