PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA - Meeting of September 16, 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 regular session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, September 16, at 6:00 p.m.

 

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, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller.

 

ABSENT:  Mr. Wise

 

There were 10 members present and 1 absent

 

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of September 2, 2010.  A motion was made by Mrs. DeFrancesch, seconded by Mr. Jones, to accept the minutes of September 2, 2010 as printed and published. There were no objections and the motion to approve the minutes carried (10 Yeas, 1 Absent).

 

Dr. Keller stated that in the interest of fairness, Mr. Danny Becnel was invited to speak to the Board.  Dr. Keller was informed that Mr. Becnel was out of town and unable to attend.

 

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent.   Dr. Millet presented the following PowerPoint slides as an “Education Update” to the Board.

CSRS – Monthly Progress Update on the Master Plan and Program Management Services. Mr. Floyd Luster and Mr. Todd Mann gave an update on all ongoing construction projects.

Mr. Wise arrived at 6:05 p.m. and was recorded as present.

Mr. Sanders requested that an Executive Committee Meeting be held next Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss issues with payment of contractors and sub-contractors.

Dr. Millet congratulated John L. Ory faculty, staff and students for receiving an Exemplary Award for being the top LA GEAR UP School in the state of Louisiana based on Performance Profile Indicators.

 

ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF.

 

a. District Technology Fair Recognition

 

Mrs. Bonnie Dinvaut-Irving introduced student Jeffrey Nicholson, who created and copyrighted his video.  Ms. Dinvaut-Irving also shared some of the winning videos and presented the following students with awards:

 

Elementary (5th & 6th grades): 

Web Page Design:  Keiana Miller-WSJE-School Dudes; Kasia Lewis-WSJE-Cool Class; Cordan Anderson & Blaze Burton-ECW-Caterpillars.

Video/movie:  Markell Francois, Mychelle Lumar, Lamore Boudoin-WSJE-Overweight/Obese; Angelitum Johnson-FW-Bullying; Alasia Narcisse, Maya Trench, Alante Gauthier-WSJE-Our Community.

Podcasting:  Kayla Gibson & Taylor Griffin-ECW-The Life Cycle of a Butterfly; Carol Abney & Akira Miles-ECW-French Quarter.

Multimedia: Jordan Gauthier, Tre’Von Barnes, Damien Lewis-WSJE-Solar System; Dandre Gonsoland-FW-Saints; Taylor Legaux & Robin Joseph-WSJE-Health.

 

Middle (7th & 8th grades)

 

Web Page Design: Brenai Love & Cay’lan Williams-FW-Fashionista; Loumonth Jack-WSJH-Jack’s Wrought Iron Fence; Alon Gaudet & Jimmy Conner-WSJE-Smoking .

Video/movie: Rachel Abraham-JLO-TikTok Leap Parody; Ke’Ira Miller, Treshaun Trench & Brittany August-WSJE-The History of Justin Beber; Timothy Robinson & Tyren Bourgeois-FW-8th Grade Memories.

Desktop Publishing: Andre Lee-LGAP-Tornadoes; Lyre’ Jones, Kaieonne Sorapuru, Michael Sanders-WSJE-Benefit Dinner.

Podcasting: Jalyn Brown-LGAP-Alex Rodriquez; Kyriell Pollard-LGAP-Diary of Anne Frank; Tai’Janae Grier-LGAP-Goosebumps.

Multimedia:  Darius Adams & Judy Chen-LES-Are You My Mother; Harly Morris, Lanyzha Brown & Sydnei Young-WSJE-Helper for Math; Elexi Bailey & Ebonie Bethancourt-WSJH-Our Trip to Washington D.C.

 

High (9th – 12th)

Web Page Design:  Ka’Jah Lewis (KJA Inc.)-WSJH-Math Essentials; Trevor Smith & Samantha Trench-WSJH-Math at the Highest.

Video/movie:  Jeffery Nicholson-WSJH-Fly Above; Gionne Burke & Jasmine Stewart-WSJH-This I Promise You.

Desktop Publishing: Dervon Davis-WSJH-NOLA Brochure; Breyanne Silas & Asia Baker-WSJH-Peaceful.

Multimedia: Coi Duronslet-WSJH-My Family, MiFamilia; Braci Barnes-WSJH-Bracie Barnes.

 

ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS: Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources.

Personnel Changes (Requires action by the Board). Dr. Beard presented the following Personnel Changes for approval:

 

I. PROFESSIONAL

A. New Hires

      1.   Paulette Anders, Teacher - Lake Pontchartrain Elementary

      2.   Michel Delatte, Teacher - Lake Pontchartrain Elementary

      3.   Ria Eymard, Teacher - East St. John Elementary

      4.   Erika Wright, Teacher - LaPlace Elementary

B. Extended Sick Leave

      1.   Jeff Russell, Teacher - East St. John High, September 1 - 27, 2010

      2.   Darlene Reynaud, Teacher - West St. John Elementary, September 16, 2010 - January 7, 2011

C. Sabbatical

      1.   Henry Knight, Teacher - East St. John Elementary, Fall 2010 - Spring 2011

II. CLASSIFIED

A. New Hires

      1.   Chanda Waguespack, 12-month Secretary - Emily C. Watkins

B. Retirement

      1.   Emma Leroux, Aide - Child Development Center, November 21, 2010

C.  Extended Sick Leave

      1.   Reid Day, Low Voltage Technician – Maintenance, August 11 - 31, 2010  

D.  Leave Without Pay

      1.   Reid Day, Low Voltage Technician – Maintenance, September 1, 2010 - August 31, 2011

*Note:  Chandra Waguespack was a late hire for the 2009-2010 school year.

          A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Ory, to accept the Personnel Changes as presented. There were no objections and the motion carried (11 Yeas, 0 Absent).

 

ITEM 7  BUSINESS AND FINANCE:  Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance

 

a.  Recommendation on bus mechanic contract.  Mr. Boughton stated that the Finance Committee recommended that the Board accept proposals and stipulated that the Finance Committee would like to be involved in the specs.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to approve the recommendation to accept proposals.

 

Dr. Keller relinquished the chair to Vice President Patrick Sanders at this time. 

 

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Ory, to table this item until the next meeting.  Upon roll call, there were 7 Yeas (Jack, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Ory, Keller) and 4 Nays (Burl, Johnson, Wise, Triche) and the motion to table carried.

 

Vice President Sanders returned the chair to President Gerald Keller.

 

b.  Mr. Peter Montz, Purchasing Agent – Request Board approval on Property and Casualty Insurance.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Jones, to accept the Proposal Award Recommendation on Property and Casualty Insurance at a total cost of $279,938.00.  Upon roll call, there were 8 Yeas (Jack, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche) 2 Absentions (Ory, Keller).  Mr. Jones was not seated.

 

 

 


c.  Mr. Bob Bourgeois, Coordinator of Information Technology Services – Request permission to file and accept all required documents and forms for the 2011-2012 E-Rate Grant for Priority 1 and 2 items.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Ory, seconded by Mr. Sanders to grant permission to file and accept all required documents and forms for the 2011-2012 E-Rate Grant for Priority 1 and 2 items .  There were no objections and the motion passed (11 Yeas, 0 Nays).

 

d.  Mr. Bob Bourgeois and Mrs. Bonnie Dinvaut-Irving - Request Board approval of Resolution in order to continue to fund Turn On To Learning:  Mobile One-to-One Learning Lab Initiative.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Ory, seconded by Mr. Triche to approve the Resolution in order to continue to fund Turn On To Learning:  Mobile One-to-One Learning Lab Initiative.  There were no objections and the motion passed (11 Yeas, 0 Nays).

 

RESOLUTION

            WHEREAS, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has been informed of the option to withdraw a certain amount of said Tobacco Money invested in the State Treasury pursuant to the authority of La. R.S. 39.99 (Act No. 161 of the 2002 First Extraordinary Session of the Legislature and our investment agreement;

           THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board does request the execution of the “Amendment to Investment Agreement” with the State Treasury pursuant to La. R.S. 39.99; and

            THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board by this Resolution hereby confirm that the Superintendent, Courtney P. Millet, does hereby have the authority to initiate, negotiate, and sign on behalf of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.

            It is hereby affirmed and certified the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the Resolution adopted by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, Reserve, Louisiana during Regular Session held on September 16, 2010, at which a quorum was present and voting.

 

ATTEST:                      /s/ Courtney P. Millet                                                      DATE:  9-16-2010

                          Secretary, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board

 

ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS.

 

a.  None.

 

ITEM 9.   NEW BUSINESS. 

 

a.  Mr. Lloyd LeBlanc – None.

 

ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

 

a. Committee Reports. None.

 

ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST.  Mr. Sanders stated that he had recently discussed using our maintenance workers to clean the footballs stadiums with the Superintendent and requested that this item be included on the Executive Committee Meeting Agenda planned for Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.  Mr. Sanders asked administration for an update on the HVAC system at Emily C. Watkins Elementary School.  Dr. Millet stated that Mr. Kevin Klibert, Attorney has been working with Mr. Herbert Smith on the issues concerning construction at Emily C. Watkins.  Mr. Ory requested that the HVAC system and other construction issues concerning Emily C. Watkins Elementary School be placed on the Executive Committee Meeting Agenda.

 

ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Ory offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Bacas. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

                                   

________________________________

Gerald J. Keller, Ph.D., President

__________________________________

Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Secretary