PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA - Meeting of April 7, 2011

 

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, April7, 2011, 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.

 

Dr. Keller asked that the family of John Diassellis be remembered.  Mr. Diassellis is the former School Board Attorney and recently passed away.

 

ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

 

PRESENT: Messrs. Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche.

 

ABSENT: Jack, Burl, Nicholas, Sanders.

 

There were 7 members present, 4 absent.

 

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of March 17, 2011 and March 24, 2011.  A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Jones, to accept the minutes of March 17, 2011 and March 24, 2011 as printed and published. There were no objections and the motion to approve the minutes carried (7 Yeas, 4 Absent).

 

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent.   Dr. Millet reported the following: 

 

TESTING INFORMATION

We will begin our Phase 2 of the state high stakes testing very soon.  Phase 2 will consist of multiple choice items of the LEAP, iLEAP, and GEE tests which will be administered during the week of April 11th.  After school tutoring/test preparation is now being offered at most of our schools.  Again, our students will be participating in state testing March 22rd and April 11th through 15th.  We are asking parents to make sure that their child is well-rested, on time and present at school every day.  Parents can assist their child in preparing for his/her LEAP, iLEAP, or GEE test using the resources at the following websites: www.louisianapass.org and www.louisianaeagle.org.  Please tune to RTC Channel 70 and our district website for more details.  If you have any questions, please contact Danny Hymel, our district test coordinator.

 

Mr. Jack arrived at 6:04 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

FIRST ANNUAL DISTRICT RECOGNITION CEREMONY

Last Thursday, we held our Annual District Recognition Ceremony in the East St. John High School gymnasium. We honored 250 distinguished students who were the district and regional winners of the Science and Social Studies Fairs and Spelling Bee. Almost 1000 students, parents, family members, administrators, and faculty members attended. The success of the competitions and the awards program is credited to Mr. Glenn Chenier and the GMMS faculty and administration for coordinating the District’s Science and Social Studies Fairs and to Mrs. Sylvia Bailey and the LPE faculty and administration for coordinating the District’s Spelling Bee. I also want to thank Heidi Trosclair and Kim Scioneaux for coordinating the event. The recognition ceremony was a really special evening for the honored students to receive their prestigious awards.

 

A short presentation of photos of the District Recognition Ceremony was shared with the Board and audience.

 

Rev. Nicholas arrived at 6:09 and was recorded as present.

 

VALERO ST. CHARLES REFINERY

I would like to recognize Valero St. Charles Refinery, their employees, the grant committee and Mr. George Vicknair for the generous $10,000.00 grant to the St. John Special Athletes Recreation Club. The St. John Special Athletes Recreation Club was nominated by Valero employee, George Vicknair, to receive the grant based on St. John’s dedication to children and their vital role in our community. This grant was written by Zack Dubose, Adapted Physical Education Teacher, and Cindy Owens, Special Education Program Coordinator. The St. John Special Athletes Club serves 200-300 students on a regular basis from eight schools with students participating in flag football and basketball after school and on weekends. Students must demonstrate appropriate behavior in school in order to participate. Students are taught rules of games, strategies, leadership, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. High school students who participate earn community service hours and mentor younger students. I would also like to recognize Valero employees who have volunteered to assist with the St. John Adapted PE Motor Extravaganza. This motor activity is for all Adapted PE students and their selected peers to participate in using their skills in real life fun activities. The volunteers are instrumental in staging this event. Thank you, Valero St. Charles Refinery.

 

Mr. Vicknair was present and received a plaque.  He thanked the Board for the recognition.

 

Dr. Millet read the following Proclamation and asked that it be recorded in the minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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

 

I.  PROFESSIONAL

 

      A.   Extended Sick Leave

  1. Eric Hancock, Teacher - Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, March 10 - 11, 2011

  2. Libby Ducre, Teacher - LaPlace Elementary, March 15 - 17, 2011

  3. Jennifer Vicknair, Teacher - East St. John Elementary, March 3, 4, & 10, 2011

  4. Carla Hellmers, Teacher - LaPlace Elementary, March 3, 2011

  5. Linda Bailey, Teacher - West St. John High, March 21 - 25, 2011

  6. Tracy Naquin, Teacher - Lake Pontchartrain Elementary,  11 - May 19, 2011

  7. Glenda Pavageau, Teacher - East St. John High, May3 - 19, 2011

           

II.    CLASSIFIED

 

      A.   Retirement

            1. Dave Duhe, Maintenance - Special Projects, February 25, 2011

      B.   Extended Sick Leave

            1.  Mattie Lee, Bus Driver – Transportation, February 3 - March 1, 2011

            2. Cindy Terrio, Secretary - Fifth Ward Elementary, March 28, 2011

            3. Jennifer Peal, Bus Driver – Transportation, March 1 - May 19, 2011

            4. Sharon Early, Janitor - Fifth Ward Elementary, March 3 - March 24, 2011

            5. Wesley Stevenson, Bus Driver – Transportation, April 14 - May 19, 2011

     

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones, to accept the Personnel Changes as presented. There were no objections and the motion carried.

 

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

a.  Authorize administration to study alternatives and accept proposals on the management and maintenance of the bus fleet. 

 

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones, to authorize administration to study alternatives and accept proposals on the management and maintenance of the bus fleet.

 

Following discussion, a substitute motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Rev. Nicholas, to invite 1 or 2 companies to come and give a presentation to the board.  Upon roll call there were, 3 Yeas (Jack, Keller, Nicholas), 7 Nays (Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche), 1 Absent (Sanders) and the substitute motion failed.

 

Upon roll call on the original motion to authorize administration to study alternatives and accept proposals on the management and maintenance of the bus fleet, there were 6 Yeas (DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche), 4 Nays (Jack, Burl, Keller, Nicholas), 1 Absent (Sanders) and the motion carried.

 

b.  Authorize administration to prepare General Fund budget after July 1, 2011.  A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to authorize administration to prepare General Fund budget after July 1, 2011.

 

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Burl, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to authorize administration to prepare General Fund budget by August 1, 2011.  There were no objections and the motion carried (10 Yeas, 1 Absent).

 

c.  Mr. Peter Montz, Purchasing Agent – Request board approval to solicit the following bids and/or proposals:    Proposal 12.01 Fiscal Agent, Proposal 12.02 Official Journal, Bid 12.08 Bus Parts, Bid 12.09 Copier/Computer Paper, Bid 12.10 Office Supplies, Bid 12.11 Instructional Materials, Bid 12.12 General Maintenance, Bid 12.13 Electrical Supplies, Bid 12.14 Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies, Bid 12.15 Plumbing Supplies, Bid 12.16 Custodial Cleaning Supplies, Bid 12.18 Award Items, Proposal 12.20 Food Service Equipment Maintenance, Proposal 12.21 Emergency Construction of Building Components and/or Grounds, Proposal 12.22 Emergency Water Damage Restoration Service.

 

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve solicitation for the following bids and/or proposals:  Proposal 12.01 Fiscal Agent, Proposal 12.02 Official Journal, Bid 12.08 Bus Parts, Bid 12.09 Copier/Computer Paper, Bid 12.10 Office Supplies, Bid 12.11 Instructional Materials, Bid 12.12 General Maintenance, Bid 12.13 Electrical Supplies, Bid 12.14 Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies, Bid 12.15 Plumbing Supplies, Bid 12.16 Custodial Cleaning Supplies, Bid 12.18 Award Items, Proposal 12.20 Food Service Equipment Maintenance, Proposal 12.21 Emergency Construction of Building Components and/or Grounds, Proposal 12.22 Emergency Water Damage Restoration Service.  There was no objection and the motion carried (10 Yeas, 1 Absent).

 

d.  Mrs. Lorraine Jackson, Director of Child Nutrition – Request board approval to solicit bids for the school year 2011-2012 for Milk for cafeterias.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to approve solicitation of bids for Milk for cafeterias for the school year 2011-2012.  There was no objection and the motion carried (10 Yeas, 1 Absent).

 

ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS. a.  None.

 

ITEM 9.   NEW BUSINESS a. Rev Rodney Nicholas, Board Member: 

 

1. Clarification of School Board Policy/Rules of Procedure in reference to time, place, agenda, special meeting, etc.  Rev. Nicholas stated that he wanted to bring this item up once again for clarification on future board meetings and asked that the board follow the published policy in the future when changing meetings.

 

2.  Explanation of Superintendent goals and evaluations.  Rev. Nicholas stated that he was uncertain of the policy on setting the goals and evaluations of the superintendent.  Mr. Wise stated that the goals are set at the retreat in July and the superintendent’s evaluation is also done at the retreat in July.

 

3.  Presentation – Data Center, LLC.  This item was not heard. 

 

b.  Executive Session – Mr. Kevin Klibert – Pending Litigation.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Bacas, seconded by Mr. Burl to convene in Executive Session.  There was no objection and the board convened in Executive Session at 6:55 p.m.

 

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to reconvene in regular session.  There was no objection and the board reconvened in regular session at 7:45 p.m.

 

c. Mr. Lloyd LeBlanc – None.

 

ITEM 10. ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS: a. Committee Reports. None.

 

ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

 

a.  Garyville Mt. Airy Magnet School Baseball Uniforms/Mr. Albert Burl, III

 

Mr. Burl was presented with a plaque for his contribution of uniforms to the Garyville Mt. Airy Magnet School baseball team.

 

ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Rev. Nicholas offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Bacas. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

 

________________________________

Patrick H. Sanders, President

__________________________________

Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Secretary