PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA - Meeting of October 19, 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, on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at 10:00 a.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. Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Triche, Keller.
ABSENT: Messrs. Jack, Burl, Johnson, Ory.
There were 7 members present and 4 absent.
ITEM 3. Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources – Personnel Changes.
PROFESSIONAL
New Hire
Heather Stewart, Teacher, Redirection Center
Retirement
Jacqueline James, Teacher, Lake Pontchartrain, October 26, 2010
Resignation
Aimee Champagne, Teacher, Fifth Ward Elementary, October 15, 2010
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the Personnel Changes as presented. There were no objections and the motion carried. (7 Yeas, 4 Absent).
ITEM 4. CSRS – Accept the low base bid for the construction of the LaPlace Elementary School Renovations and Addition Project from Mapp Construction of $9,690,000 and adjustments to the current LaPlace Elementary School Renovation and Addition Project budget.
Mr. Chris Pellegrin stated that there were a total of 11 bidders on this project and that the top 3 were very close in price. He stated that some cost-saving cuts had been made in order to save money, but the integrity of the final product would be maintained. Mr. Sanders asked if the additional million dollars was in addition to the $1.3 million added previously to this job. Mr. Pellegrin explained that the additional $1.3 million added previously was due to increasing the capacity of students from the original scope from 750 to 1100 students. Mr. Wise stated that although he is opposed to expanding the capacity of students at LaPlace Elementary, he would like to ask administration to not add any unnecessary extras. Dr. Millet assured the Board that administration has worked very closely with the designers and there are no unnecessary extras being added and she recommends approval. Mr. Triche stated that he could not vote in favor of this item because of the cost per square foot as compared with other projects. Mr. Sanders stated that he had not seen the design of the new LaPlace Elementary School, in terms of how many classrooms and space available. Dr. Keller stated that many planning meetings had been held and all Board members are invited to these meetings. Mr. Bacas reiterated Dr. Keller’s statement, adding that he was allowed to make comments at these planning meetings.
The President declared a 10 minute recess at 10:35 a.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to reconvene in regular session. There were no objections and the Board reconvened in regular session at 10:47 a.m. (7 Yeas, 4 Absent).
A motion was made by Mr. Bacas, seconded by Mr. Jones, to accept the base bid for LaPlace Elementary and the budget be adjusted for the additional funds. Upon roll call, there were 6 Yeas (Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Keller), 1 Nay (Triche), 4 Absent (Jack, Burl, Johnson, Ory) and the motion carried.
Mr. Todd Herbert and Mr. Tim Mitch with MAPP Construction introduced themselves to the Board.
Dr. Keller announced that there will be an early special meeting on November 4, 2010 to address concerns with SJAE as well as a regularly scheduled 6 p.m. meeting.
ITEM 5. Executive Session – Update on negotiations. A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Bacas to go into Executive Session. There were no objections and the Board went into Executive Session at 10:50 a.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Bacas, seconded by Mr. Triche, to reconvene in regular session. There were no objections and the Board reconvened in regular session at 11:20 a.m.
ITEM 6. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Triche offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Bacas. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 11:21 a.m. Mr. Wise was not seated.
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Gerald J. Keller, Ph.D., President
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Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Secretary