PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA - Meeting of June 7, 2012

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, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, June 7, 2012, at 5:00 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.  

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

ITEM 2.  ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

PRESENT: Messrs. DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

ABSENT:  Jack, Burl, Keller.

There were 8 members present, 3 absent.

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:Meeting of May 17, 2012. 

A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Triche, to accept the minutes of the May 17, 2012 meeting  as printed and published. There were no objections.

The motion carried.

8 Yeas – DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

3 Absent – Jack, Burl, Keller.

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

ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF. 

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

I.    PROFESSIONAL

      A.   Extended Sick Leave (Medical)

1.     Jacqueline Cockerham, Teacher - East St. John High, March 23 - April 10, 2012

2.     Connie Manuel, Teacher - East St. John High, May 21, 2012

      B.   Retirement

1.     Antoine Edwards, Teacher - West St. John High, May 24, 2012

2.     Patricia Populis, Librarian - West St. John Elementary, May 25, 2012

3.     Carol Myers, Teacher – Milesville, May 25, 2012

4.     John Owen, Transportation , July 31, 2012

      C.   Job Abandonment

1.     John Cunningham, Teacher - Emily C. Watkins, May 18, 2012

D.   Resignation

1.     David Hand, Teacher - Emily C. Watkins, May 17, 2012

E.   Leave Without Pay

1.     Cheree Gomez, Teacher - LaPlace Elementary, Fall 2012 - Spring 2013

II.    CLASSIFIED

      A.   Retirement

1.     Sharon Young, Para - LaPlace Elementary, May 7, 2012

2.     Amy Smith, Para - Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, May 25, 2012

3.     Betty Dennis, Head Custodian - Emily C. Watkins Elementary, May 31, 2012

      B.   Extended Sick Leave (Medical)

1.     Guindella Joseph, Para - West St. John High, April 18 - May 25, 2012

2.     Ryshique Williams, Para - East St. John High, May 17 - 18, 2012

      C.   Leave Without Pay

1.     Cheroyen Lewis, Para - East St. John High, Fall 2012

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

The motion carried.

8 Yeas – DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

3 Absent – Jack, Burl, Keller.

Mr. Burl arrived at 5:18 p.m. and was recorded as present.

ADDENDUM ITEM 6b.  Approval of Transportation Supervisor Job Description.  Mr. Bacas stated that there was no quorum at the Personnel Committee meeting, therefore no recommendation could be made by the Committee.  However, Mr. Bacas asked Dr. Beard to please summarize the changes to the job description.  Dr. Beard stated that the main changes are that the minimum qualifications went from an Educational Degree to a Bachelor’s Degree and also 3-5 years of managerial experience had been added.

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Triche to amend the job description to include a high school diploma instead of the Bachelor’s Degree.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Rev. Nicholas, to send the job description back to the Personnel Committee so the Committee could give a recommendation.

The motion carried.

9 Yeas – Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

2 Absent – Jack, Keller.

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

ITEM 7a. Adopt Comprehensive Budget for 2012-2013.

A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Jones, to adopt the Comprehensive Budget for 2012-2013 as presented.

Dr. Keller arrived at 5:25 p.m. and was recorded as present.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to amend the budget to reflect the following:  Allocate half of the reinstated athletic allotment amount of $65,000 to implement music classes at elementary schools and to the bands at the high schools.

A substitute motion was made by Rev. Nicholas, seconded by Mr. Burl, to allocate $50,000 of the reinstated athletic allotment amount of $65,000 to the athletic department and the remaining $15,000 towards implementing a music program.

Following discussion, Rev. Nicholas withdrew his substitute motion.

A substitute motion was made by Dr. Keller to table this item.  There was no second to this motion.

Following further discussion, Mr. Wise withdrew his substitute motion.

Mr. Triche amended his original motion to adopt the Comprehensive Budget for 2012-2013 as presented, with the exception of the $65,000 athletic allotment.

The motion carried.

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

1 Absent – Jack.

ITEM 7c.  Adopt Salary Schedules for 2012-2013.

A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Wise, to adopt the Salary Schedules for 2012-2013 as presented.

The motion carried.

9 Yeas – Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

1 Absent – Jack.

Mr. Jones was not seated.

ITEM 7d. Adopt the millage rates for the tax year 2012.

A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Wise, to adopt the millage rates for the tax year 2012.

A substitute motion was made by Mr. Burl to bring this item to the voters asking for an increase in millage. Mr. Boughton explained that adopting the millage rates at this time would not inhibit the Board’s ability to bring this item to the voters asking for an increase in millage rates. 

Mr. Burl withdrew his substitute motion.

The original motion to adopt the millage rates for the tax year 2012 carried.

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

1 Absent – Jack.

RESOLUTION

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2012 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by St. John the Baptist School Board:

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2012, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

            The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:

CERTIFICATE

            I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the board meeting held on June 7, 2012, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.

            Reserve  Louisiana, this 7^th  day of June, 2012.

               /S/       Patrick H. Sanders, Board President

ITEM 7e. Request Board approval on Proposal 12.29 Firewall and Internet Filtering.

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve Proposal 12.29 Firewall and Internet Filtering.  The proposal award recommendation is to Howard Computer at a cost of $64,552.00 (paid up front for 5 years).

The motion carried.

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

1 Absent – Jack.

ITEM 7f. Recommendation of the following bids:  Bid 13.08 Bus Parts, Bid 13.09 Copier/Computer Paper, Bid 13.10 Office Supplies, Bid 13.11 Instructional Materials, Bid 13.12 General Maintenance, Bid 13.13 Electrical Supplies, Bid 13.14 Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies, Bid 13.15 Plumbing Supplies, Bid 13.16 Custodial Supplies.

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the recommendation of the following bids:  Bid 13.08 Bus Parts, Bid 13.09 Copier/Computer Paper, Bid 13.10 Office Supplies, Bid 13.11 Instructional Materials, Bid 13.12 General Maintenance, Bid 13.13 Electrical Supplies, Bid 13.14 Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies, Bid 13.15 Plumbing Supplies, Bid 13.16 Custodial Supplies. The following award recommendation were approved:

Bid 13.08 Bus Parts – Auto Parts and Supplies (all items)

Bid 13.09 Copier/Computer Paper – Unisource (all items)

Bid 13.10 Office Supplies – Louisiana Office Products (all items)

Bid 13.11 Instructional Materials – see list:

Category I: EARLY CHILDHOOD, HEADSTART AND KINDERGARTEN

KAPLAN – 17% DISCOUNT

Category II: SPECIAL EDUCATION

LAKESHORE LEARNING – 8% DISCOUNT

FLAGHOUSE – 10% DISCOUNT

Category III: GRADES 1 - 8

SCHOOL SPECIALTY – 19%/18% F&E DISCOUNT

Category IV: GRADES 9-12

MACKIN – 5% DISCOUNT

Category V: SCIENTIFIC MATERIALS

SARGENT WELCH – 33% DISCOUNT

CategoryVI: ATHLETIC MATERIALS

BSN – 10% DISCOUNT

S & S WORLDWIDE – 16% DISCOUNT

U S GAMES – 15% DISCOUNT

Category VII: INDUSTRIAL ARTS/VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

MIDWEST – 10% DISCOUNT

Category VIII: MEDICAL SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT

SCHOOL NURSE – 5%

SUPREME MEDICAL – 3%

Category IX: INCENTIVE ITEMS

SUPER DUPER – 1% DISCOUNT

Bid 13.12 –General Maintenance Supplies – Fishers Ace (all items

Bid 13.13 Electrical Supplies – Elliott Electric (all items)

Bid 13.14 – Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies – Baker Distributing (all air conditioning supplies) and Industrial Welding Supplies (all welding supplies)

Bid 13.15 Plumbing Supplies – Southern Pipe and Supply (all items)

Bid 13.16 Custodial Cleaning Supplies – Economical Janitorial (all items)

The motion carried.

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

1 Absent – Jack.

ITEM 7g.  Request Board approval to solicit proposals for Student and Athletic Insurance and General and Fleet Liability Insurance.

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones, to approve the solicitation of proposals on Student and Athletic Insurance and General and Fleet Liability Insurance.

The motion carried.

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

1 Absent – Jack.

The president stated that Item 9c would be discussed at this time.

Mr. Bob Hammonds discussed at length his interpretation of recently passed Louisiana Public School Legislature.

Mr. Brian Blackwell, SJAE legal representative, briefly discussed his interpretation of recently passed Lousiana Public School Legislature.

ITEM 9a. Board Members Russell Jack, Gerald Keller, Patrick Sanders, Sherry DeFrancesch, Keith Jones, Phillip Johnson, Russ Wise, Lowell Bacas, Rodney Nicholas and Clarence Triche – Resolution.

A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Rev. Nicholas, to adopt the following resolution.  Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

1 Abstention – Burl.

1 Absent – Jack.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature has passed and Governor Jindal has signed in law Act 2 of the 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Art. 3, Sec. 15 of the Louisiana Constitution requires that all bills in the Legislature have a single object or purpose; and

WHEREAS, Act 2 of the 2012 is forty-seven (47) pages long and address charter schools, school “scholarships”, and other objects or purposes in apparent violation of Art. 3, Sec. 15 of the Louisiana Constitution; and

Whereas, Art. 8, Sec. 13 of the Louisiana Constitution provides that state funding for public education shall be equitably allocated to the public school systems of the State for the benefit of public education; and

WHEREAS, Act 2 of  2012 calls for state funds to be used in support of students in private and parochial schools and calls for such allocations of public funds to be made directly to those non-public schools, all in apparent violation of Art. 8, Sec. 13 of the Louisiana Constitution; and

WHEREAS, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Art. 1, Sec. 8 of the Louisiana Constitution require the separation of church and state; and

WHEREAS, Act 2 of 2012 authorizes the expenditure of state funds in support of programs of education for students and parochial schools in apparent violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Art. 1, Sec 8 of the Louisiana Constitution;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED, by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board in regular session duly convened that:

Section 1.         The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board authorizes the consideration of litigation in federal and/or state court, either individually or as a member of a group of other public school systems with similar purpose, challenging the constitutionality and/or legality of Act 2 of the 2012 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.

Section 2.         The School Board also authorizes the payment of all reasonable attorney’s fees and other costs incurred if such litigation is filed only by this School Board or on a pro rata basis if such litigation is filed in conjunction with other public school boards of the State.

Section 3.         The Superintendent is directed to report back to the Board at the July 17, 2012 Committee As A Whole Meeting with a recommendation of legal counsel to handle such litigation on behalf of the Board and to present to the Board at that time for its consideration a special counsel resolution employing such attorney for such purpose.

RESOLUTION OFFERED BY: 

RESOLUTION SECONDED BY:

YEAS:

NAYS:

ABSENT:

CERTIFICATE

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board in regular session duly convened on June 7, 2012 and that same has not been rescinded or repealed.

RESERVE, LOUISIANA, this ___ day of ___________, 2012.

Patrick H. Sanders, President                                               Clarence Triche, Vice-President

St. John the Baptist Parish School Board                             St. John the Baptist Parish School Board

ITEM 9h. Executive Session – Update on Negotiations.

A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Dr. Keller, to convene in Executive Session.  There were no objections and the Board convened in Executive Session at 7:12 p.m.

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Bacas to reconvene in Regular Session.  There were no objections and the reconvened in Regular Session at 7:43 p.m.

ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS.  None.

ITEM 9e. Lloyd LeBlanc, Board Attorney – Legal Update.  None.

ITEM 10. ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS:  None.

ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

Mr. Sanders stated that there will be a Special Board meeting Tuesday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. to hear an update on Redistricting.  Also, the Regular Board Meeting scheduled for July 5, 2012, would be rescheduled for Tuesday, July 17^th at 10:00 a.m. at West St. John Elementary School.

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

________________________________                                        ________________________________

Herbert Smith, Secretary                                                            Patrick H. Sanders, President