PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA - Meeting of December 1, 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 Emily C. Watkins Elementary School, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Thursday, December 1, 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. Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
ABSENT: Jack, Burl, Johnson, Wise.
There were 7 members present, 4 absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meetings of November 3, 2011 and November 17, 2011.
A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Triche, to accept the minutes of the November 3, 2011 and November 17, 2011meeting as printed and published. There were no objections.
The motion carried.
7 Yeas - Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
4 Absent - Jack, Burl, Johnson, Wise.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent.
Dr. Millet gave the following report: The First Grade Bell Choir was first developed in 2002 by Ms. Kristina Miller and Ms. Anita Rodriguez. To help with the funding of the choir, the founding teachers held many school-wide fundraising activities, local businesses helped by sponsoring the choir, and a successful RPEI grant was written. The 2011 Bell Choir is under the direction of teachers Mrs. Kristina Miller and Mrs. Leslie Faucheux.
The Bell Choir performed 3 Christmas songs for the audience.
Dr. Millet continued:
We recently held a Christmas Card Contest for all students in St. John the Baptist Parish public schools. The winning card has been printed and will be used by the school board to spread holiday cheer this year. The students are being presented plaques tonight. The winners are:
1st Place - Lori Chen - LaPlace Elementary School - 8th Grade
2nd Place - Ciara Sanders - East St. John High School - 12th Grade
3rd Place - Tie: Terius Taranto - Emily C. Watkins Elementary School - 6th Grade
and Kaley Clayton - East St. John Elementary School - 6th Grade
Thank you to all those students who participated in our contest this year.
PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR
Kendria Spears The Elementary Principal of the Year has fervently proven her leadership skills in many ways. This principal has embraced the opportunity of instructing her staff and all students with a pleasurable attitude. Since beginning her position in 2008, she has taken the initiative to provide the extra support for her staff through professional development and extra instruction for her students during the summer, on Saturdays, before school, and after school. Her strategic ideas have been data driven which has proven relevant and successful in her endeavors. Each year under her administration, her school SPS has shown growth. Her work, ethics, professionalism, and love for education are outstanding and commendable. Congratulations to Ms. Kendria Spears.
Mrs. Kendria Spears was present and addressed Dr. Millet and the Board.
Alison Cupit The Middle School Principal of the Year has worked diligently since 2008 and is an asset to St. John the Baptist school district because she is passionate about meeting the needs of her students. She has had extensive interaction with parents, administrators, and students that is always positive. She fervently works with her teachers so that they understand what should be taught, and ensures their accomplishments with professional support and guidance. Her knowledge of the curriculum and assessments is extensive by evidence of her school’s SPS. She is very organized, competent, and uses sound judgment. SJBS’s mission is to provide ”r;higher academic achievement for all students” which has obviously occurred at this school. The 8th graders at this site have successfully taken and passed the Algebra I EOC test. She continues to raise the bar for her students by participating in the Math Lab program initiated by the LDOE. Congratulations to Ms. Alison Cupit.
Mrs. Alison Cupit was present and addressed Dr. Millet and the Board.
Erica Merrick The High School Principal of the Year has had a positive impact on her school since 2007. She possesses the necessary skills to be an efficient and effective leader as shown in the remarkable growth of her school’s SPS. She is motivated to work hard because she firmly believes that every child wants to succeed. She collaborates with her teachers through curriculum planning and challenges her staff to be active learners. She strives to ensure that her school has a safe and orderly environment which is so important for high school. Based on her professional knowledge and disposition, she is a successful leader. Congratulations to Ms. Erica Merrick.
West St. John High School is one of five schools around the state to be recognized as a 2010-2011 Louisiana GEAR UP Exemplary School. They received this recognition of outstanding achievement because of their excellent LaGearUp Program Performance Score which uses the following measures:
WSJH’s Baseline School Performance Score
Engagement in high-quality professional development
Effective implementation of their LaGearUp grant initiatives
Effective implementation of their Make a Difference grant initiatives
Quality and completeness of their Make a Difference grant application
I would like to give special recognition to WSJH’s LaGearUp Site Coordinator, Belinda Bailey, for her diligence in implementing the grant with timeliness and integrity. Through this grant, students are given the opportunity to explore post-secondary options and visit college campuses. I also want to recognize the school’s principal, Erica Merrick, and the district LaGearUp Coordinator, Heidi Trosclair, for their support of the LaGearUp initiative at WSJH and in our district.
As one of the award-winning schools, WSJH will receive an additional $5000 to support their LaGearUp goals. The school will be recognized during the LaGearUp Annual Explorers Club Leadership Summit and Conference which will be held in the Spring. Congratulations, West St. John High School!
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. Extended Sick Leave
Kim Moliere, Teacher - Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet School, October 18 - 31, 2011
Cindy Coffey, Teacher - East St. John Elementary, October 27 - November 26, 2011
Kathy Foucha, Teacher - Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, November 10 & 11, 2011
II. CLASSIFIED
A. Resignation
Christy McTopy, 12 month Secretary - Milesville, November 10, 2011
B. Extended Sick Leave
Cindy Terrio, 10 month Secretary - Fifth Ward Elementary, October 3 - 31, 2011
Patricia Roussell, Lunch Technician - East St. John High, October 5 - December 16, 2011
Robin Wilson, Food Service Technician - Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet, Nov. 2 - Dec. 1, 2011
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Nicholas, to approve the Personnel Changes as presented in globo. There were no objections.
The motion carried.
7 Yeas - Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
4 Absent - Jack, Burl, Johnson, Wise.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE: a. CSRS - Quarterly Progress Update on the Master Plan and Program Management Services. This item was carried over.
b. CSRS - Request Board approval to award contract to apparent responsible low bidder for the Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School gymnasium & baseball field renovations contingent upon low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements.
Mr. Floyd Luster stated that the apparent responsible low bidder for the Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School gymnasium & baseball field renovation is Honore Companies, LLC. He stated that the bid of $72,300.00 includes Alternate 1.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Triche, to approve Honore Companies, LLC as the apparent responsible low bidder for the Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School gymnasium & baseball field renovations, contingent upon low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements. There were no objections.
The motion carried.
7 Yeas - Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
4 Absent - Jack, Burl, Johnson, Wise.
c. CSRS - Request Board approval to award contract to apparent responsible low bidder for the Leon Godchaux Building Renovations Project contingent upon low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document requirements.
Mr. Floyd Luster stated that the apparent responsible low bidder for the Leon Godchaux Building Renovations Project is Charles Carter Construction Company, Inc. He stated that the bid of $57,400.00 includes Alternate 1.
A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Bacas to approve Charles Carter Construction Company, Inc. as the apparent responsible low bidder for the Leon Godchaux Building Renovations Project, contingent upon low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements. There were no objections.
The motion carried.
7 Yeas - Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
4 Absent - Jack, Burl, Johnson, Wise.
d. CSRS - Request Board approval to award contract to apparent responsible low bidder for the Adult Education Center Renovations Project contingent upon low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document requirements.
Mr. Floyd Luster stated that the apparent responsible low bidder for the Adult Education Center Renovations Project is Honore Companies, LLC. He stated that the bid of $46,500.00 includes Alternate 1.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Triche, to approve Honor Companies, LLC as the apparent responsible low bidder for the Adult Education Center Renovations Project, contingent upon low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document requirements. There were objections.
The motion carried.
7 Yeas - Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
4 Absent - Jack, Burl, Johnson, Wise.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS. a. Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance - Amendment to school rental policy requiring all users to provide proof of and maintain $1,000,000 of general liability insurance.
A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Dr. Keller, to approve the Amendment to school rental policy requiring all users to provide proof of and maintain $1,000,000 of general liability insurance.
A substitute motion was made by Rev. Nicholas to approve the Amendment to school rental policy requiring all users to provide proof of and maintain $1,000,000 of general liability insurance, but to allow a waiver for the little league football.
This motion failed due to the lack of a second.
There was no objection to the original motion.
The original motion carried.
7 Yeas - Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
4 Absent - Jack, Burl, Johnson, Wise.
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. a. Mr. Elton Oubre, Director of CWA/Hearing Officer - Appeal Hearing: 1112-14-1201. Parent is appealing expulsion decision (October 20, 2011). Open or closed.
Mr. Oubre stated that this would be a closed hearing. The president declared a closed hearing at 6:41 p.m.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Bacas Triche, to reconvene in regular session. There were no objections and the board reconvened in regular session at 6:52 p.m.
b. Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance Executive Session - Update on Negotiations. This item was carried over.
c. Lloyd LeBlanc, Board Attorney - Legal Update
ITEM 10. ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS: a. Committee Reports. None.
ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Bacas offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by the Board. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Secretary Patrick H. Sanders, President