2012-05-17

Upon call of the President, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in regular session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at 6:00 p.m.

The Chair called for a moment of silent meditation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

In the absence of the Superintendent, Mr. Herbert Smith was seated for administration.

A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Dr. Keller, to accept the minutes of the May 3, 2012 meeting as printed and published. There were no objections.

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent.

a. Resolution to the family of Wesley Stevenson. Mr. Herbert Smith read the following resolution into the record. Mr. Patrick Sanders presented a plaque to the family of Mr. Wesley Stevenson.

WHEREAS, Mr. Wesley Stevenson served the St. John the Baptist Parish School System for 11 years as a bus driver; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Stevenson served the schools, students, faculties and staff of this parish, and the worthiness of his service will always be remembered; and

WHEREAS, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes his dedication and commitment, this is a resolution of sympathy forwarded to the members of his family; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this school district desires to send a copy of this Resolution to his family in total recognition of the value and the love the system has for him and wishes his family well in their bereavement and that this Resolution be made part of the official record on this date, May 17, 2012, subscribed therein.

ITEM 5b. Ms. Cynthia Clifton, Interim Parish Chair of LSU AgCenter, St. John Parish. Ms. Clifton introduced herself and her staff at the LSU AgCenter and stated that they are looking forward to working with the schools in the upcoming school year.

ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS: Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources. Dr. Beard presented the following Personnel Changes for approval:

A. Extended Sick Leave (Medical)

Alicia Bailey, Teacher - Garyville/Mt. Airy, March 5, 6, April 9, 18, 2012
Holly Manson, Teacher - Emily C. Watkins Elementary, April 17 & 18, 2012
Connie Manuel, Teacher - East St. John High, April 24, 2012
Jennifer Russell, Counselor - East St. John Elementary, May 7-June 7, 2012, July 23, September 10, 2012
Delvikia Mitchell, Teacher - East St. John Elementary, May 9 - 24, 2012

B. Retirement

David Beadle, Teacher - East St. John High, May 25, 2012
Santa Hymel, Teacher - LaPlace Elementary, May 25, 2012

D. Resignation

Odeal Alexis, Teacher - Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet School, May 1, 2012

Eria Taylor, Lunch Manager, May 25, 2012
Pamela Milioto, Paraprofessional - LaPlace Elementary, June 23, 2012

B. Extended Sick Leave (Medical)

Debbie Batiste, Lunch Technician - East St. John Elementary, March 8, 9, 22, 29 and April 13, 2012

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to approve the Personnel Changes as presented in globo. There were no objections,

11 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

The President stated that at the request of Mr. Jack, Item 9b would be heard at this time.

ITEM 9b. Mr. Russell Jack, Board Member – Mr. Russell Jack, Board Member – Discussion to reduce the rental payments for schools. (Requires action by the Board)

Following discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to send this back to the Finance Committee for further study.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Jack, seconded by Mr. Burl, to continue with the cost we were using last year, which is $750, plus $500 deposit, plus insurance.

A second substitute motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Burl to have administration work with Mr. Jack and representatives from the west bank, to determine a fair price for private use and civic groups and report back to the Board and Finance Committee by September 1, 2012. In the interim, the $750, plus $500 deposit, plus insurance price would apply to all rentals of the west bank facilities.

Following further discussion, Mr. Burl rescinded his second to this motion, thus allowing another substitute motion on the floor.

Ms. Chermaine Roybiski, Mr. Ronnie Fiest, and Mr. Lester Rainey spoke in favor of the reduction in cost.

A second substitute motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Rev. Nicholas, to have administration work with Mr. Jack and representatives from the west bank, to determine a fair price for private use and civic groups and report back to the Board and finance Committee by September 1, 2012. In the interim, the $750, plus $500 deposit, plus insurance price (without the use of the kitchen) and the $900, plus $500 deposit, plus insurance price (with the use of the kitchen) would apply to all rentals of both east and west bank facilities. Upon roll call, there were:

10 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

The President stated that at the request of Mr. Jack, Item 9c would be heard at this time.

ITEM 9c. Mr. Russell Jack, Board Member - Discussion to offer stipends to teachers who work at West St. John High or West St. John Elementary in an effort to maintain a consistent faculty.

Mr. Jack stated that the west bank schools are losing good teachers due to the travel involved in going to work on the west bank. He asked that administration look into securing a grant to entice teachers to not only come to work on the west bank, but to stay there long term. Following discussion on this item, Dr. Beard stated that there are currently no grants to apply for but stated that the possibility of securing a grant for this purpose would be examined, not only for the west bank faculties, but for all faculties.

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

7a. To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 21, 2012, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein.

Mr. Hugh Martin, Foley & Judell, stated that he recommends we sell all bonds at the same time and expects to bring a resolution for Board adoption on August 2, 2012 to do so.

A motion was made by the entire board to approve adopting a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 21, 2012, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein. There were no objections.

11 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

The following resolution was offered by the entire board and seconded by the entire board:

A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the result of the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, April 21, 2012, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, that:

SECTION 1. Canvass. This Governing Authority does now proceed in open and public session to examine the official tabulations of votes cast at the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, on SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2012, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein, and said Governing Authority does further proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the special election.

SECTION 2. ProcesVerbal. A Proces Verbal of the canvass of the returns of said election shall be made and a certified copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who shall record the same in his office; another certified copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Recorder of Mortgages in and for the Parish of St. John the Baptist, who shall record the same in the Mortgage Records of said Parish; and another copy thereof shall be retained in the archives of this Governing Authority.

SECTION 3. Promulgation of Election Result. The result of said election shall be promulgated by publication in the manner provided by law.

This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

PROCES VERBAL AND PROCLAMATION OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 OF THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, STATE OF LOUISIANA, ON SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2012.

BE IT KNOWN AND REMEMBERED that on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at six o'clock (6:00) p.m., at its regular meeting place, the Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, Reserve, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), and being the authority ordering the special election held therein on Saturday, April 21, 2012, with the following members present:

Russell Jack, Albert “Ali” Burl, III, Gerald J. Keller, Patrick H. Sanders, Sherry DeFrancesch,

Keith Jones, Phillip Johnson, Russ Wise, Lowell Bacas, Rodney B. Nicholas and Clarence Triche;

did, in open and public session, examine the official certified tabulations of votes cast at the said election, and did examine and canvass the returns of the said election, there having been submitted at said election the following proposition, to wit:

Summary: To authorize not exceeding $11,600,000 of not exceeding 20 year General Obligation School Bonds 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, said bonds to be payable from ad valorem taxes.

Shall School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the “District”), incur debt and issue bonds to the amount of not exceeding Eleven Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,600,000), to run not exceeding twenty (20) years from date thereof, with interest at a rate not exceeding eight per centum (8%) per annum, 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; which bonds will be general obligations of the District and will be payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied and collected in the manner provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974 and statutory authority supplemental thereto, with no estimated increase in the millage rate to be levied in the first year of issue above the 10 mills currently being levied to pay General Obligation Bonds of the District?

There was found by said count and canvass that the following votes had been cast at the said special election IN FAVOR OF and AGAINST, respectively, the proposition as hereinabove set forth at the following polling places, to-wit:

POLLING PLACES			VOTE TABULATION
Ward	Precinct	Location	FOR	AGAINST
01	01	Pleasure Bend Fire Station, 1200 Hwy. 643, Vacherie	14	10
01	02	Edgard Courthouse, 2393 Hwy. 18, Edgard	84	24
01	03	Wallace Fire Station, 5733 Hwy. 18, Vacherie	82	25
01	04	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5^th Street, LaPlace	47	17
01	05	Milesville Special School, 538 West 2^nd Street, LaPlace	48	10
01	06	Milesville Special School, 538 West 2^nd Street, LaPlace	6	5
01	07	Milesville Special School, 538 West 2^nd Street, LaPlace	4	2
01	08	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5^th Street, LaPlace	22	9
01	09	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5^th Street, LaPlace	4	1
02	01	Garyville Magnet School, 240 Hwy. 54, Garyville	54	28
02	02	Garyville Magnet School, 240 Hwy. 54, Garyville	45	14
02	03	St. Peter’s School, 188 West 7^th Street, Reserve	86	35
02	04	St. Peter’s School, 188 West 7^th Street, Reserve	60	52
02	05	St. Peter’s School, 188 West 7^th Street, Reserve	7	0
02	06	Parish Health Unit, 473 Central Avenue, Reserve	9	4
03	01	Parish Health Unit, 473 Central Avenue, Reserve	53	12
03	02	Fifth Ward Elementary School, 158 Panther Drive, Reserve	31	4
03	03	Fifth Ward Elementary School, 158 Panther Drive, Reserve	110	17
03	04	East St. John High School, 3000 Airline Hwy., Reserve	49	8
03	06	East St. John High School, 3000 Airline Hwy., Reserve	2	1
04	01	St. Joan of Arc School Family Life Center, 529 West 5^th Street, LaPlace	0	0
04	02	St. Joan of Arc School Family Life Center, 529 West 5^th Street, LaPlace	52	10
04	03	St. Joan of Arc School Family Life Center, 529 West 5^th Street, LaPlace	50	16
04	08	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace	5	1
04	09	St. Joan of Arc School Family Life Center, 529 West 5^th Street, LaPlace	4	2
04	10	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace	0	0
04	11	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace	0	0
04	12	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace	0	2
04	13	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace	0	0
04	14	Ascension of Our Lord School, 1809 Greenwood, LaPlace	58	12
05	01	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5th Street, LaPlace	11	12
05	02	St. John Baptist Parish Library, 2920 Hwy. 51, LaPlace	22	2
05	03	St. John Baptist Parish Library, 2920 Hwy. 51, LaPlace	87	40
05	04	St. John Baptist Parish Library, 2920 Hwy. 51, LaPlace	67	30
05	06	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5th Street, LaPlace	5	6
05	07	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5th Street LaPlace	13	13
05	08	St. Joan of Arc School Family Life Center, 529 West 5th Street, LaPlace	19	15
06	01	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace	83	24
06	03	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace	55	10
06	04	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace	48	4
06	05	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace	16	1
06	06	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace	19	5
07	02	Ascension of Our Lord School, 1809 Greenwood, LaPlace	87	37
07	03	Ascension of Our Lord School, 1809 Greenwood, LaPlace	48	10
07	04	Ascension of Our Lord School, 1809 Greenwood, LaPlace	63	24
07	05	Ascension of Our Lord School, 1809 Greenwood, LaPlace	26	11
07	07	Ascension of Our Lord School, 1809 Greenwood, LaPlace	26	7
07	08	Ascension of Our Lord School, 1809 Greenwood, LaPlace	62	14
ABSENTEE			192	93
TOTALS			1,935	679
MAJORITY FOR			1,256

The polling places above specified being the only polling places designated at which to hold the said election, it was therefore shown that there was a total of 1,935 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition and a total of 679 votes cast AGAINST the Proposition, as hereinabove set forth, and that there was a majority of 1,256 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition as hereinabove set forth.

Therefore, the Governing Authority did declare and proclaim and does hereby declare and proclaim in open and public session that the Proposition as hereinabove set forth was duly CARRIED by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified electors voting at the said special election held in the District on Saturday, April 21, 2012.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Reserve, Louisiana, on this, the 17th day of May, 2012.

I, the undersigned President of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), do hereby declare, proclaim and announce that the proposition submitted at the special election held in the District on Saturday, April 21, 2012, was CARRIED by a majority of the votes cast at the said special election, all as described and set out in the above ProcsVerbal.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Reserve, Louisiana, on this, the 17^th day of May, 2012.

ITEM 7b. Introduce Comprehensive Amended Budget for 2011-2012. This item was for introduction only.

ITEM 7c. Introduce Comprehensive Budget for 2012-2013. This item was for introduction only.

ITEM 7d. Introduce Salary Schedules for 2012-2013. This item was for introduction only.

ITEM 9a. Mr. Albert Burl, III, Board Member – Discussion of MFP Funds from the State.

Mr. Burl stated that he would like administration to present a resolution for Board adoption asking the state to freeze the MFP for St. John the Baptist Parish at the current rate. Mr. Boughton stated that he would ask the board attorneys to write a resolution to present to the Board.

ITEM 7e. Mrs. Lorraine Jackson, Director of Child Nutrition – Request board approval of awards for the School Year 2012-2013 for Bread, Processed Foods, Frozen Foods, Meat/Meat Products, Milk, Cleaning Supplies, Paper Supplies, and Small Equipment for cafeterias.

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the awards for the School Year 2012-2013 for Bread, Processed Foods, Frozen Foods, Meat/Meat Products, Milk, Cleaning Supplies, Paper Supplies, and Small Equipment for cafeterias as presented. There were no objections.

11 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

ITEM 7f. CSRS - Request Board approval to award contract to apparent responsible low bidder for the Pre-K Playground Improvements at Various Sites Project contingent upon low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements.

Mr. Todd Mann, CSRS, stated that Hahn Enterprise, Inc. was the low bidder with a total cost of $71,801.

A motion was made by Mr. Bacas, seconded by Mr. Jones, to award the contract for the Pre-K Playground Improvements at Various Sites Project to Hahn Enterprise, Inc. for a total cost of $71,801. There were no objections.

11 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

ITEM 7g. CSRS - Request permission from the Board to present an informational item, Quarterly Progress Update on the Master Plan and Program Management Services provided by CSRS, Inc.

Mr. Todd Mann gave the Board an update on all current projects and shared a Powerpoint.

ITEM 9d. Executive Session – Mr. Felix Boughton - Executive session – Update on negotiations.

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Jones, to convene in Executive Session. There were no objections and the Board convened in Executive Session at 7:20 p.m.

A motion was made by Rev. Nicholas, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to reconvene in Regular Session. There were no objections and the Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:50 p.m.

ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST. Mr. Wise asked administration to have blinds installed or the windows tinted on the doors of the board room.

Mr. Sanders stated that the Board meeting scheduled for July 5, 2012, would be moved to either July 12^th or July 19^th, whichever the Board preferred. The date would be announced at the next Board meeting.

ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Bacas offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Rev. Nicholas. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

MEMBERS:	YEAS:	NAYS:	ABSENT:	ABSTAINING:

Russell Jack	X
Albert “Ali” Burl, III	X
Gerald J. Keller	X
Patrick H. Sanders	X
Sherry DeFrancesch	X
Keith Jones	X
Phillip Johnson	X
Russ Wise	X
Lowell Bacas	X
Rodney B. Nicholas	X
Clarence Triche	X