PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA - Meeting of August 18, 2011
ITEM 1: 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, August 18, 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.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Messrs. Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
ABSENT: Johnson.
There were 10 members present, 1 absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meetings of August 4, 2011 and July 21, 2011.
Mr. Burl stated that he would like to amend the minutes of August 4, 2011 to reflect that he is now in opposition of the motion to accept Item 6a and 6b – Personnel Changes.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Triche, to accept the minutes, as corrected, of the August 4, 2011 meeting as printed and published.
There were no objections and the motion to approve the amended minutes carried. (10 Yeas, 1 Absent)
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent. None.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF. None.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS: Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources.
a. Personnel Changes (Requires action by the Board). Dr. Beard presented the following Personnel Changes for approval:
I. PROFESSIONAL
A. New Hires
Dana Holland, Teacher - West St. John Elementary
Michelle Laurent, Teacher - Fifth Ward Elementary
Linh-An Le, Teacher - Lake Pontchartrain Elementary
Jason Smith, Teacher - West St. John High
Nelann Taylor, Teacher - West St. John High
B. Resignations
Jessica Krattinger, Teacher - West St. John High, August 5, 2011
Kylie Smith, Teacher - Fifth Ward Elementary, August 3, 2011
Michelle Taylor, Teacher - Fifth Ward Elementary, August 15, 2011
C. Sabbaticals:
John Ellis, Jr, Teacher - East St. John High, Fall 2011
D. Retirement:
1. Wilbert Ocmond, Jr., Director of Alternate Programs, August 1, 2011
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the Personnel Changes as presented in globo. Upon roll call, there were:
8 Yeas (Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders)
2 Nays (Jack, Burl)
1 Absent (Johnson)
The motion carried.
Mr. Burl requested a percentage of certified teachers that certified in the area they are currently teaching. Dr. Millet stated that the exact numbers were not readily available at the meeting, but a written report would be given to all Board members.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE: Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance
a. To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of $8,000,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011, of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Mr. Hugh Martin stated that this resolution is authorizing the sale of $8,000,000 in general obligation school construction bonds. The resolution also authorizes that an application be made for a bond rating.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Triche, to adopt the resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of $8,000,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011, of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith. There were no objections and the motion carried. (10 Yeas, 1 Absent)
The following resolution was offered by ____________ and seconded by __________:
RESOLUTION
A resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011, of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, that:
SECTION 1) The President of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the AGoverning Authority@) is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to advertise in accordance with the provisions of law for sealed paper or electronic bids via PARITY7 for the purchase of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011 (the ABonds@) of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the AIssuer@), being a portion of the bonds authorized at a special election held in the Issuer on November 4, 2008, for the purpose of acquiring and/or improving lands for building sites and playgrounds; including construction of necessary sidewalks and streets adjacent thereto; purchasing, erecting and/or improving school buildings and other school related facilities within and for the District, and acquiring the necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public, under the authority conferred by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, Sub-Part A, Part III, Chapter 4, Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority. The Bonds will be initially issued in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (ADTC@), as registered owner of the Bonds, and held in the custody of DTC (unless the successful bidder elects at the time of the sale to require bonds in other than book-entry only form). The Issuer and the Paying Agent acknowledge that they have executed and delivered a Letter of Representation with DTC and that the terms and provisions of said Letter of Representation shall govern in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this resolution and said Letter of Representation. A single certificate will be issued and delivered to DTC for each maturity of the Bonds. The Beneficial Owners will not receive physical delivery of Bond certificates except as provided herein. Beneficial Owners are expected to receive a written confirmation of their purchase providing details for the Bonds acquired. For so long as DTC shall continue to serve as securities depository for the Bonds as provided herein, all transfers of beneficial ownership interest will be made by book-entry only, and no investor or other party purchasing, selling or otherwise transferring beneficial ownership of Bonds is to receive, hold or deliver any Bond certificate.
For every transfer and exchange of the Bonds, the Beneficial Owner may be charged a sum sufficient to cover such Beneficial Owner=s allocable share of any tax, fee or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.
Bond certificates are required to be delivered to and registered in the name of the Beneficial Owner under the following circumstances:
a. DTC determines to discontinue providing its service with respect to the Bonds. Such a determination may be made at any time by giving 30 days= notice to the Issuer and the Paying Agent and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law.
b. The Issuer determines that continuation of the system of book-entry transfer through DTC (or a successor securities depository) is not in the best interests of the Beneficial Owners.
The Issuer and the Paying Agent will recognize DTC or its nominee as the Bondholder for all purposes, including notices and voting.
Neither the Issuer, nor the Paying Agent are responsible for the performance by DTC of any of its obligations, including, without limitation, the payment of moneys received by DTC, the forwarding of notices received by DTC or the giving of any consent or proxy in lieu of consent.
Whenever during the term of the Bonds the beneficial ownership thereof is determined by a book entry at DTC, the requirements of this resolution of holding, delivering or transferring the Bonds shall be deemed modified to require the appropriate person to meet the requirements of DTC as to registering or transferring the book entry to produce the same effect.
If at any time DTC ceases to hold the Bonds, all references herein to DTC shall be of no further force or effect.
The winning bidder (the APurchaser@) at the time of the sale, however, may elect to not receive book-entry only Bonds, in which case the Purchaser will receive one type written Bond per maturity, exchangeable in the manner provided in the Resolution.
SECTION 2. The Bonds will be dated November 1, 2011, will be payable from unlimited ad valorem taxation, will be in the denomination of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) each, or any integral multiple thereof within a single maturity, and will bear interest from date thereof, or the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, at a rate or rates not exceeding six per centum (6%) per annum on any Bond in any interest payment period, said interest to be payable on March 1, 2012, and semiannually thereafter on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Bonds will mature serially on March 1 of each year as follows, to-wit:
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
YEAR AMOUNT YEAR AMOUNT
2013 $265,000 2023 $425,000
2014 280,000 2024 450,000
2015 290,000 2025 470,000
2016 305,000 2026 495,000
2017 320,000 2027 515,000
2018 335,000 2028 540,000
2019 355,000 2029 570,000
2020 370,000 2030 595,000
2021 390,000 2031 625,000
2022 405,000
SECTION 2) Those Bonds maturing March 1, 2022, and thereafter, will be callable for redemption by the Issuer in full or in part at any time on or after March 1, 2021, and if less than a full maturity, then by lot within such maturity, at the principal amount thereof and accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Bonds are not required to be redeemed in inverse order of maturity. In the event a Bond is of a denomination larger than $5,000, a portion of such Bond ($5,000 or any multiple thereof) may be redeemed. Official notice of such call of any of the Bonds for redemption will be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, by notice deposited in the United States mails not less than thirty (30) days prior to the redemption date addressed to the registered owner of each bond to be redeemed at his address as shown on the registration books of the Paying Agent.
SECTION 3) The Bonds shall be sold in the manner required by law, and in accordance with the terms of this resolution, the official Notice of Bond Sale herein set forth, and the Official Statement referred to in Section 6 hereof. In advertising the Bonds for sale, the Parish School Board shall reserve the right to reject any and all bids received.
SECTION 4) The President of the Governing Authority is hereby further empowered, authorized and directed to issue a Notice of Bond Sale and cause the same to be published as required by law, which Notice of Bond Sale shall be in substantially the following form:
OFFICIAL
NOTICE OF BOND SALE
$8,000,000 OF GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2011
OF THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 OF THE PARISH OF
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, STATE OF LOUISIANA
Sealed bids or electronic bids via PARITY7
will be received until 6:00 o'clock p.m., Central Time (Louisiana Time), on
Thursday, September 22, 2011
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the AGoverning Authority@) acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, will receive sealed bids or electronic bids via PARITY7 at the Emily C. Watkins Elementary, 938 Highway 628, LaPlace, Louisiana 70068 until Six (6:00) o'clock p.m., Louisiana Time, Central Time, on Thursday, September 22, 2011, (or such other date as may be determined by the President and advertised by Munifacts Disclosure Service) for the purchase of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011 (the "Bonds") of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Issuer"), being a portion of the bonds authorized at a special election held in the Issuer on November 4, 2008, for the purpose of acquiring and/or improving lands for building sites and playgrounds; including construction of necessary sidewalks and streets adjacent thereto; purchasing, erecting and/or improving school buildings and other school related facilities within and for the District, and acquiring the necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public, under the authority conferred by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, Sub-Part A, Part III, Chapter 4, Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority.
Electronic bids will be received for the Bonds via PARITY7, in the manner described below, until 6:00 p.m., Louisiana time, on Thursday, September 22, 2011.
Bids may be submitted electronically via PARITY7 pursuant to this Official Notice of Bond Sale until 6:00 p.m., Louisiana time, but no bid will be received after the time for receiving bids specified above. To the extent any instructions or directions set forth in PARITY7 conflict with this Official Notice of Bond Sale, the terms of this Official Notice of Bond Sale shall control. For further information about PARITY7, potential bidders may contact PARITY7 at (212) 849-5021.
Each prospective electronic bidder shall be solely responsible to register to bid via PARITY7 as described above. Each qualified prospective electronic bidder shall be solely responsible to make necessary arrangements to access PARITY7 for the purposes of submitting its bid in a timely manner and in compliance with the requirements of the Notice of Sale. Neither the Issuer nor PARITY7, shall have any duty or obligation to provide or assure access to PARITY7 to any prospective bidder, and neither the Issuer nor PARITY7 shall be responsible for a bidder's failure to register to bid or for proper operation of, or have any liability for any delays or interruptions of, or any damages caused by, PARITY7. The Issuer is using PARITY7 as a communication mechanism, and not as the Issuer's agent, to conduct the electronic bidding for the Bonds. No other form of electronic bid or provider of electronic bidding services will be accepted. The Issuer is not bound by any advice and determination of PARITY7 to the effect that any particular bid complies with the terms of this Official Notice of Bond Sale and in particular the bid requirements hereinafter set forth. All costs and expenses incurred by prospective bidders in connection with their registration and submission of bids via PARITY7 are the sole responsibility of the bidders; and the Issuer is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any of such costs or expenses. If a prospective bidder encounters any difficulty in submitting, modifying or withdrawing a bid for the Bonds, he should telephone PARITY7 at (212) 849-5021 and notify the Issuer's Bond Counsel, Foley & Judell, L.L.P. at (504) 568-1249.
Electronic bids must be submitted for the purchase of the Bonds via PARITY7. Bids will be communicated electronically to the Issuer at 6:00 p.m., local Louisiana time, on September 22, 2011. Prior to that time, a prospective bidder may (1) submit the proposed terms of its bid via PARITY7, (2) modify the proposed terms of its bid, in which event the proposed terms as last modified will (unless the bid is withdrawn as described herein) constitute its bid for the Bonds, or (3) withdraw its proposed bid. Once the bids are communicated electronically via PARITY7 to the Issuer, each bid will constitute an irrevocable offer to purchase the Bonds on the terms therein provided. For purposes of the electronic bidding process, the time as maintained on PARITY7 shall constitute the official time.
Bids will also be accepted in written form on the Official Bid Form. The Issuer will receive sealed bids at Emily C. Watkins Elementary, 938 Highway 628, LaPlace, Louisiana 70068, for the purchase of $8,000,000 of principal amount of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011 of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana. Each bid must be in written form on the Official Bid Form in a sealed envelope marked "Proposal for the Purchase of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011 of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana". For purposes of accepting written bids, the time as maintained on PARITY7 shall constitute the official time.
The Bonds will be dated November 1, 2011, will be payable from unlimited ad valorem taxation, and will be in the denomination of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) each, or any integral multiple thereof within a single maturity. The Bonds will bear interest from date thereof or the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, at a rate or rates not exceeding six per centum (6%) per annum on any Bond in any interest payment period, said interest to be payable on March 1, 2012, and semiannually thereafter on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Bonds will mature serially on March 1 of each year as follows, to-wit:
PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL
YEAR AMOUNT YEAR AMOUNT
2013 $265,000 2023 $425,000
2014 280,000 2024 450,000
2015 290,000 2025 470,000
2016 305,000 2026 495,000
2017 320,000 2027 515,000
2018 335,000 2028 540,000
2019 355,000 2029 570,000
2020 370,000 2030 595,000
2021 390,000 2031 625,000
2022 405,000
The Bonds will be issued as fully registered bonds in Abook-entry only@ form and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (ADTC@). DTC will act as securities depository for the bonds, and purchasers of the Bonds will not receive certificates representing their interest in the Bonds purchased. The winning bidder (the APurchaser@) at the time of the sale, however, may elect to not receive book-entry only Bonds, in which case the Purchaser will receive one type written Bond per maturity, exchangeable in the manner provided in the Resolution.
Those Bonds maturing March 1, 2022, and thereafter, will be callable for redemption by the Issuer in full or in part at any time on or after March 1, 2021, and if less than a full maturity, then by lot within such maturity, at the principal amount thereof and accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. Bonds are not required to be redeemed in inverse order of maturity. In the event a Bond is of a denomination larger than $5,000, a portion of such Bond ($5,000 or any multiple thereof) may be redeemed. Official notice of such call of any of the Bonds for redemption will be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, by notice deposited in the United States mails not less than thirty (30) days prior to the redemption date addressed to the registered owner of each bond to be redeemed at his address as shown on the registration books of the Paying Agent.
The principal of the Bonds, upon maturity or redemption, will be payable at the principal corporate trust office of the Paying Agent upon presentation and surrender thereof, and interest on the Bonds will be payable by the Paying Agent by check mailed by the Paying Agent to the registered owner (determined as of the 15th calendar day of the month next preceding said interest payment date) at the address as shown on the books of said Paying Agent. Said Paying Agent will be a qualified bank or trust company selected by the Issuer.
Except as provided under DTC=s book-entry only system, the Bonds may be transferred, registered and assigned only on the registration books of the Paying Agent, and such registration shall be at the expense of the Issuer. A Bond may be assigned by the execution of an assignment form on the Bonds or by other instruments of transfer and assignment acceptable to the Paying Agent. A new Bond or Bonds will be delivered by the Paying Agent to the last assignee (the new registered owner) in exchange for such transferred and assigned Bonds after receipt of the Bonds to be transferred in proper form. Such new Bond or Bonds must be in the denomination of $5,000 or any integral multiple thereof within a single maturity. Neither the Issuer nor the Paying Agent shall be required to issue, register, transfer or exchange (i) any Bond during a period beginning at the opening of business on the 15th day of the month next preceding an interest payment date and ending at the close of business on the interest payment date, or (ii) any Bond called for redemption prior to maturity during a period beginning at the opening of business fifteen (15) days before the date of the mailing of a notice of redemption of such Bonds and ending on the date of such redemption.
In connection with the sale of the Bonds, a good faith deposit of 1% of the principal amount of the Bonds will be required. The manner and timing of such deposit shall be set forth in the Preliminary Official Statement for the Bonds. The good faith deposit of the successful bidder or bidders will be deposited and the proceeds credited against the purchase price of the series of Bonds, or in the case of neglect or refusal to comply with such bid, will be forfeited to the Issuer as and for liquidated damages. No interest will be allowed on the amount of the good faith deposit.
Bidders shall name the rate or rates of interest the Bonds shall bear, not exceeding six per centum (6%) per annum on any Bond in any interest payment period. Bids must stipulate a purchase price for the Bonds of not less than the par value thereof and accrued interest, if any, from the date of the Bonds to the date of delivery of the Bonds. No bid which specifies cancellation of the Bonds will be considered. No bids providing for additional or supplemental interest will be considered.
The Governing Authority will meet at the place and time hereinabove set forth for the receipt of bids. The Bonds will be awarded to the bidder whose bid offers the lowest "true interest cost" to the Issuer for the full authorized amount of the Bonds, to be determined by doubling the semiannual interest rate (compounded semiannually) necessary to discount the debt service payments on the Bonds from the payment dates to November 1, 2011, such that the sum of such present values is equal to the price bid, including any premium bid but not including interest accrued to the date of delivery (the preceding calculation is sometimes referred to as the "Canadian Interest Cost Method" or "Present Value Method"). In the case of a tie bid, the winning bid will be awarded by lot. If any bid for the Bonds shall be acceptable, a prompt award of the bonds will be made. The right is expressly reserved to waive any irregularity in any bid or to reject any and all bids received.
The Official Statement containing pertinent information relative to the authorization, sale and security of the Bonds is being prepared and may be obtained upon its completion from the Issuer's Bond Counsel, Foley & Judell, L.L.P., One Canal Place, Suite 2600, 365 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. The Purchaser will be furnished a reasonable number of final official statements on or before the seventh business day following the sale of the Bonds.
The approving legal opinion of Foley & Judell, L.L.P., Bond Counsel, who have supervised the proceedings, the printed Bonds and the transcripts of record as passed upon will be furnished to the successful bidders without cost to them. Said transcripts will contain the usual closing proofs, including a certificate that up to the time of delivery no litigation has been filed questioning the validity of the Bonds or the respective tax revenues necessary to pay the same.
It is anticipated that the American Bankers' Association Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures (CUSIP) identification numbers will be printed on the Bonds, but the failure to print such numbers shall not constitute cause for refusal by the successful bidder to accept delivery of and to pay for the Bonds. No CUSIP identification number shall be deemed to be part of any Bond or a part of the contract evidenced thereby, and no liability shall hereafter attach to the Issuer or any of the officers or agents thereof because of or on account of such numbers. All expenses in relation to the printing of the CUSIP identification numbers on the Bonds shall be paid by the Issuer. However, the CUSIP Service Bureau charge for the assignment of such numbers shall be the responsibility of and shall be paid by the successful bidder.
In order to assist bidders in complying with S.E.C. Rule 15c2-12(b)(5), the Governing Authority will undertake, pursuant to the resolution providing for the issuance of the Bonds and a Continuing Disclosure Certificate, to provide annual reports and notices of certain events. A description of this undertaking is set forth in the Preliminary Official Statement and will also be set forth in the Final Official Statement.
For information relative to the Bonds and not contained in the Notice of Bond Sale and Official Statement, address Mr. Felix Boughton, Finance Director, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, 118 W. 10th Street, Reserve, Louisiana 70084, or Foley & Judell, L.L.P, One Canal Place, Suite 2600, 365 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, Bond Counsel.
THUS DONE AND SIGNED on this, the 18th day of August, 2011.
SECTION 5) This Governing Authority will meet in open and public session at the time and place set out in the Notice of Bond Sale incorporated herein (or such other date as may be determined by the President of the Governing Authority and advertised by Munifacts Disclosure Service), for the purpose of receiving bids for the Bonds, considering and taking action upon the bids, and taking any other action required by this resolution, or necessary to effectuate the issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds. If any award of the Bonds shall be made, such award shall be made for not less than par and accrued interest, if any, to the best bidder for the Bonds, such award and best bidder to be determined in accordance with the aforesaid Notice of Bond Sale.
SECTION 6) There shall be prepared an Official Bid Form for the submission of bids and an Official Statement which shall contain complete bidding details, security features and other pertinent information relative to the sale and issuance of the Bonds as may be deemed necessary, advisable or desirable, which Official Bid Form and Official Statement shall be distributed to all prospective bidders and other interested parties.
SECTION 7) In order to assist bidders in complying with S.E.C. Rule 15c2-12(b)(5), the Governing Authority will undertake, pursuant to the resolution providing for the issuance of the Bonds and a Continuing Disclosure Certificate, to provide annual reports and notices of certain events. A description of this undertaking will be set forth in the Preliminary Official Statement and the Final Official Statement.
This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
MEMBERS: YEAS: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAINING:
Russell Jack, Jr.
Albert AAli Burl, III
Gerald J. Keller
Patrick H. Sanders
Sherry DeFrancesch
Keith Jones
Phillip Johnson
Russ Wise
Lowell Bacas
Rodney Nicholas
Clarence Triche
And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 18th day of August, 2011.
Secretary President
STATE OF LOUISIANA
PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
I, the undersigned Secretary of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by said Parish School Board on August 18, 2011, authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2011 of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature of the Parish School Board on this, the 18th day of August, 2011.
________________________________________
Secretary
b. Introduce Comprehensive Budget for 2011-2012. Mr. Boughton stated that the budget is being presented for introduction only and the board has the option to adopt the budget as is or with changes. Following discussion, Rev. Nicholas asked that the record reflect that he opposes any and all cuts to the athletic budget.
c. Introduce Salary Schedule for 2011-2012. Mr. Boughton stated that the salary schedule is being presented for introduction only.
A motion was made by the entire board to adopt the resolution to exempt school systems from the State Excise Tax on fuel. There were no objections and the motion passed unanimously.
d. CSRS – EXECUTIVE SESSION – Request Board approval of scope, budget, and funding source for Repairs to Emily C. Watkins Elementary School.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Rev. Nicholas, to convene in Executive Session. Mr. Wise asked that ITEM 9d-Executive Session-Update on Negotations be included at the same time. Mr. LeBlanc, Board Attorney, stated that the two items could be addressed in one Executive Session. There were no objections, and the board convened in Executive Session at 6:35 p.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Bacas, seconded by Dr. Keller, to reconvene in Regular Session. There were no objections and the board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:33 p.m.
Mr. Burl asked what the total cost of repairs would be. Mr. Todd Mann, CSRS, stated that the total project budget necessary to complete the job is $1,546,937.40.
e. CSRS – Request Board approval of Chenevert Architects as the architect for the repairs to Emily C. Watkins Elementary School.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve Chenevert Architects as the architect for the repairs to Emily C. Watkins Elementary School.
Upon roll call, there were:
9 Yeas (Jack, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders)
1 Nays (Burl)
1 Absent (Johnson)
The motion carried.
f. CSRS – Quarterly Progress Update on the Master Plan and Program Management Services provided by CSRS, Inc. This item was deferred to the next meeting.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS. a. None.
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. a. Grievance: 10-18. Mr. Sanders stated that grievance 10-18 had been withdrawn by the SJAE per Iona Holloway.
b. Rev. Nicholas, Board Member – Expedite “Redistricting Plan” (Discuss components of redistricting, select a redistricting agent, etc.). Rev. Nicholas stated it is important to set up a protocol to get the redistricting done. Mr. Sanders stated that he would set up an Executive Committee Meeting for next week to discuss this item.
c. Rev. Nicholas, Board Member – Draft “Diversity Policy” for the school district. Dr. Millet stated that Dr. Leigh Ann Beard has requested that Forethought Consulting send us examples of diversity policies from other school districts in the state.
d. Mr. Felix Boughton – Executive Session – Update on Negotiations. See Item 7d.
e. Lloyd LeBlanc – None.
ADDENDUM ITEM 9f. Dr. Courtney P. Millet – Contract for Professional Services. Dr. Millet stated that Response to Intervention services have been successfully implemented in all our K-8 schools since 2008. These two attached contractees have been providing RtI services to students at LES since at least 2010 and approval of these two contracts is requested.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Bacas to approve the Response to Intervention contracts.
Mrs. Amy Gros introduced herself and addressed the board on this matter.
Mr. Sanders then read the following: “Fellow board members, to the general public. After a week of grappling with the issue at hand, it has come to me that our present Superintendent is so accustomed to having complete autonomy that she will go any length to create a fiasco at the board expense. Rather than sit and discuss the issues and concerns of our system, Superintendent will not meet with any board members without witness present. Therefore, me, the Board President, choose not to have any conversation unless it’s in a public forum. Dr. Millet, fellow board members, to the public, who have put their confidence in me to do what is right, Mrs. Gros, for the children of St. John the Baptist Parish School System. I took an oath of office to do what is right. Our Superintendent adamantly opposes politics from this board as it was known to have been. However, politics have been shifted to her office. Whenever there is a concern that questions the actions taken by administration, there is a mode of defense taken. Board member DeFranchesch, and other gentlemen of this board, you’ve allowed me to chair this board. With this position come a lot of responsibility. In this capacity, I have the distinct privilege of signing diplomas of high school students, which is the highlight of this position. Also the privilege of signing off on contracts, various contracts of all sorts, purchase orders, building new schools, change orders that we talked about earlier, resolutions, etc. On last week I refused to sign the two contracts without additional information provided to me. After a phone conversation with the superintendent and one of her coordinators, there were still some questions in my mind about her process, or the process and the legality about the contracts brought forth for my signatures. The superintendent thought it was necessary to inform the individuals that the board president, and it’s been proven that you know that it’s me, that the board president would not sign the contracts, which indeed created a fiasco among the employees throughout this particular school. Board members were contacted by the contract teachers about this matter, the superintendent even tried persuasive tactics by even having the board attorney to contact me. However, this is not a legal matter. The superintendent and her designee, and/or her designee, in my opinion, has breached confidentiality by using my name publicly in a personnel matter which could have been resolved amicably. With my disgust I did have a phone conversation with the superintendent and I blatantly said to her, do not play me as a damn fool. I’m in no way trying to compromise the education of our children. However, these contractual positions were newly created, so I thought it was necessary to bring these positions before the entire board for its approval. Also keep in mind that these positions have not been introduced to the personnel committee. A specific job description has not been developed. And a concern for the source of funding was a question of mine as well. With the policies we have in place, these are contractual positions and in accordance with our school policies, contract positions are required to obtain general liability insurance of $2 million as well as the contractor must have, must provide his or her own workman’s compensation insurance, errors and omission insurance. Once again Mrs. DeFrancesch, and other gentlemen of the board, by no means are my reasons personal. I do feel the superintendent is attempting to circumvent the process and ignore the policies set forth by this board. I believe that these are important positions, I really do, and probably are needed for the best interest of our students. I also believe that we have a protocol to follow and I’m not going to compromise my integrity for the sake of the superintendent, who believes she must have her way. And she is not going to be a part of, have her way or she is not going to be a part of this team. Unilateral decisions can be made at your personal residence, but not where there is a governing body that you are at liberty to communicate concerns and issues of this district. Now I am asking that this item pertaining to the two contracts of teachers be acted upon by this board or either be tabled and sent through its proper channels, which consist of committee, approval with a valid job description which denotes part time status, and a source of funding and the frame of the job. Board members keep in mind we are bound by a collective bargaining agreement, which sets forth specific stipulations when it comes to employment. And to the two individuals who are seated in the presence of us today, by no means that this is a personal attack on any of you. I have been placed in a position to do a job and in the real world to do what is right. By being an African American male in this position, scrutiny prevails even when you’re being fair. And it’s been proven. Thank you.”
Discussion then followed between board members and Mr. Lloyd LeBlanc. Dr. Millet stated “that these two teachers were chosen for these positions because we believe they have proven their abilities within our system. They have a proven track record which makes them the best choice for this task. I believe that this board has hired me to improve the system and it is my job to utilize the best resources available at the best cost and these ladies fit those criteria.”
Following further discussion by board members, Mr. Wise offered a motion to table this item, which failed due to the lack of a second. Following further discussion, Mr. Wise again offered a motion to table, which was seconded by Mr. Burl.
Upon roll call, there were:
7 Yeas (Jack, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Nicholas, Sanders)
3 Nays (Keller, Bacas, Triche)
1 Absent (Johnson)
The motion carried.
ADDENDUM ITEM 9g. Mr. Russell Jack, Board Member - Discussion of Student Athletic Insurance before the 2011-2012 Budget is approved by the Board.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Jack, seconded by Mr. Burl, to recommend the Board take full responsibility for this student’s accident by reinstating the student athlete insurance retroactively to August 1, 2011. The reinstatement of this insurance will cost $42,176.00.
Upon roll call, there were:
10 Yeas (Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders)
0 Nays
1 Absent (Johnson)
The motion carried.
ITEM 10. ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS: a. Committee Reports. None.
ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST. Mr. Elton Oubre presented the Board with an attendance update. He reported that as of that day, in K-12, St. John Parish Schools are up 81 students over last year’s number. Total enrollment as of today is 6,173.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mrs. DeFrancesch offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Bacas. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
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Patrick H. Sanders, President
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Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Secretary