PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA - Meeting of January 7, 2010
The Chair called the meeting to order and read the following call:
HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Parish of St. John the Baptist
Dear Board Member:
Upon call of the President, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet
in special session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, January 7, 2010.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely,
s/Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D.
Superintendent/Secretary
The Chair called for a moment of silent meditation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Messrs. Jack, Burl, Sanders, Madere, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Triche.
ABSENT: Messrs. Johnson, Ory, Keller.
There were 8 members present and 3 absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of December 3, 2009 and Special Meeting of December 17, 2009. A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Triche, to accept the minutes of December 3, 2009 and Special Meeting of December 17, 2009 as printed and published. There were no objections and the motion to approve the minutes carried. Messrs. Johnson, Ory and Keller were absent.
Dr. Keller arrived at 10:07 and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent.
Dr. Millet introduced Mrs. Precious Joseph, who approached the podium, introduced herself and requested the School Board members consider acting in the capacity of judges in the upcoming Parish Spelling Bee, Social Studies and Science Fairs.
Dr. Millet stated that a calendar had been placed at each Board Member’s seat. She explained that the calendar was provided by Emily C. Watkins Elementary and their Partner in Education, ArcelorMittal (formally Bayou Steel) and that all artwork within was created by students at Emily C. Watkins.
Dr. Millet read the following: The following four key areas are the focus of the United States Department of Education’s reform efforts: Standards and Assessments; Data Systems to Support Instruction; Great Teachers and Great Leaders; and Turning Around the Lowest Achieving Schools.
Our school system wants to win the real race to the top - the one that ensures all students are achieving at high levels. The fastest runners in that race will be the states and school systems that think strategically and focus on the 4 reforms mentioned above. In the end, it is the students we serve who will stream across the finish line to win.
Only local school districts that choose to participate will be direct recipients of the Race to the Top funds. This administration is asking for the Board’s and St. John Association of Educator’s full support as we seek to enter into a Partnership Agreement with the Louisiana State Department of Education Race to the Top Reform Application. Administration has held two informational meetings for the School Board and the SJAE, has provided written information on Race to the Top, and is now requesting a commitment of your approval and support. In order to participate, St. John must submit a signed Partnership Agreement by January 10, 2010 with approval from the president of the School Board and the signature of their local teacher union representative. In conclusion, administration is seeking your support to continue to make a positive impact on improving academic achievement in St. John the Baptist Parish.
Dr. Millet introduced Mrs. Kendria Spears, principal of Fifth Ward Elementary. Mrs. Spears presented an informational PowerPoint explaining why Fifth Ward Elementary is ready to ”Race to the Top”. Upon conclusion of the PowerPoint, Dr. Millet thanked Mrs. Spears and all principals for their hard work.
Mr. Wise questioned the status of the St. John Association of Educator’s stand on the Race to the Top Partnership Agreement. Ms. Carolyn Batiste, President of St. John Association of Educators, stated that a decision had not been made at that time. Ms. Batiste stated that the main concern with SJAE supporting the Race to the Top was the uncertainty of what would happen with the teacher evaluation process. Dr. Millet stated that the administration would work with the St. John Association of Educators when that component of the process became a factor, but she was asking for the Board’s support this morning at the meeting. Mr. Chris Meyer, representative of the Department of Education, approached the podium, introduced himself and stated that the whole concept of the Race to the Top is based on the fact that across the state, all districts will be working toward the same goal. Mr. Wise asked Mr. Meyer when the funds would be available and if there was a timetable for expenditures. Mr. Meyer stated that the money will be in place in the summer of 2010, but the pace of implementation is up to the local districts. Mr. Sanders questioned whether there was an ”opt out” clause and Mr. Meyer replied that although the state would not encourage any district to ”opt out”, there is language in the agreement that says any district would have that option if the need arises. Mr. Jack questioned what would happen with the agreement if the St. John Association of Educators did not sign it. Dr. Millet replied that the district could still submit the application without the approval of the SJAE, but she would be deeply disappointed if the St. John Association of Educators did not support this incredible opportunity for St. John the Baptist Parish students. Mr. Sanders questioned whether the principals had been informed about the Race to the Top. Dr. Millet assured the Board that all principals were presented literature as well as e-mails with all information. Dr. Millet also reported that she had received no negative feedback and the principals fully supported Race to the Top.
A motion was made by Mr. Madere, seconded by the entire Board, to approve the Race to the Top Partnership Agreement. There were no objections and the motion to approve the Race to the Top Partnership Agreement carried. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ory were absent.
Dr. Keller thanked Ms. Kendria Spears for her excellent presentation on Fifth Ward Elementary.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF. a. None
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS: Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources.
a. Personnel Changes (Requires action by the Board). None.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE: Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance.
Request Board approval to accept closed specification on the track surface to be used on the ESJH and WSJH Track Upgrades Project per LR 38:2290. (Requires action by the Board)
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones to accept closed specification on the track surface to be used on the ESJH and WSJH Track Upgrades Project per LR 38:2290. There were no objections and the motion carried. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ory were absent.
Request to waive fees from Knights of Columbus (Requires action by the Board)
A motion was made by Mr. Madere, seconded by Mr. Triche to waive fees from Knights of Columbus. There were no objections and the motion carried. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ory were absent.
Request to waive fees from Choice International Community Development Center (Requires action by the Board)
A motion was made by Mr. Madere, seconded by Mr. Triche to waive fees for Choice International Community Development Center. There were no objections and the motion carried. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ory were absent.
Request approval of Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire (Requires action by the Board)
A motion was made by Mr. Bacas, seconded by Mr. Jones to approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as presented. There were no objections and the motion carried. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ory were absent.
Mr. Peter Montz, Purchasing Agent - Request approval of Resolution giving the Superintendent and Board President authorization to sign an Act of Donation to the Louisiana Department of Transportation (Requires action by the Board)
Resolution
WHEREAS, by law, School Boards are charged with the duty of providing for the operations of public school systems; and
WHEREAS, according to Louisiana Revised Statute 17:81, School Boards are charged with the responsibility to receive land by purchase or donation; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Schools is delegated by the School Board with the authority and responsibility for the efficient administration of the school system, and whereby, contracts obligating the Board or school district shall be countersigned by the President of the Board and the Superintendent, as Secretary/Treasurer.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board hereby authorizes the President of the Board and Superintendent to sign an act of donation to Louisiana Department of Transportation for the property identified as Parcel 1-3 and 1-3-D-1. The State Project No. 848-07-0014 LA 628 Turn Lane, St. John the Baptist Parish.
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CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board in regular session duly convened on December 17, 2009 and that same has not been rescinded or repealed.
RESERVE, LOUISIANA, this 7th day of January, 2010.
/s/Gerald Keller
Gerald J. Keller, Ph.D., President
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
/s/Courtney P. Millet
Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D.Secretary/Treasurer
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
A motion was made by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Jones to approve the Resolution giving the Superintendent and Board President authorization to sign an Act of Donation to the Louisiana Department of Transportation. There were no objections and the motion carried. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ory were absent.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS. None
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. None
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS: a. Committee Reports. None.
ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST. Mr. Wise requested a status of pending legal cases. Mr. Jones questioned Mr. Herbert Smith if he was aware of the heating problems at Leon Godchaux. Mr. Smith replied that he was aware of the problem and it was being taken care of.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Madere offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Jack. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 11:19 a.m.
/s/Gerald Keller
Gerald J. Keller, Ph.D., President
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
/s/Courtney P. Millet
Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D.Secretary/Treasurer
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board