PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA - Meeting of October 4, 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, October 4, 2012, at 6:00 p.m.

 

An agenda for the meeting is attached.

 

Sincerely, s/Herbert Smith

Superintendent/Secretary

 

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

 

Mr. Smith asked that the families of 2 employees be kept in everyone’s thoughts and prayers.  Mr. Felton Collins and Mr. King Honore both recently passed away.

 

ITEM 2.  ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

 

PRESENT: Messrs. Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.

 

ABSENT:  Jones, Johnson.

 

There were 9 members present, 2 absent.

 

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:Meetings of September 20, 2012. 

 

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mrs. DeFrancesch, to accept the minutes of September 20, 2012 meeting as printed and published.  

 

Mr. Smith asked for a correction to the minutes.  He asked that the minutes reflect that in the Intergovernmental Agreement between St. John School Board and South Central Louisiana Technical College to provide 2 trailers to the Technical College to be used for Adult Education contained an error.  It was stated that the trailers were located at Fifth Ward Elementary, when in fact they were located at the Leon Godchaux campus.  However, the trailers were destroyed by Hurricane Isaac.

 

The motion carried.

 

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

2 Absent – Jones, Johnson.

 

Mr. Jones arrived at 6:11 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.  Mr. Herbert Smith, Superintendent.

 

Mr. Smith gave the following report: 

 

Status of Schools/Attendance

·         Teacher and student attendance at the district’s schools continues to be over 95% post-Hurricane Isaac.

·         However, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary’s daily attendance is 80%; the official enrollment data shows 91% of LPE pre-hurricane students are still enrolled.

·         East St. John High School’s enrollment has actually increased by 9 students post-Hurricane Isaac. Daily student attendance figures average 95%.

 

Transportation

·         Student transportation continues to be one of the district’s biggest challenges due to the re-routing of LPE students and their current displaced residences across the entire district.

·         Over the past couple of weeks, administration has assessed routes and made changes and improvements almost daily to minimize the amount of time students are on the buses. In addition, the consultant has also assisted in making our routes more efficient.

·         One of the LPE parents’ primary concerns was having their different-age level children riding different buses. The district has been steadily working to keep family members on the same bus while also working to decrease the length of the bus routes.

·         We have also worked to alleviate overcrowding on many of the buses and routes by adding additional buses in those zones.

·         All of our bus drivers AND substitutes are currently being used. With this 100% utilization, we have maxed out our resources.

·         As a result of the strategies already put in place, bus routes and ride times have significantly decreased. Additional strategies (like adding more buses to routes) will be implemented over the next week. We anticipate these strategies reducing bus route times even more.

·         Administration would like to commend the transportation department, and the bus drivers particularly, for their time and dedication throughout these extreme circumstances. When we factor in East St. John’s two platoon schedules which start at 7:00 a.m. go through 5:00 p.m. and all of the other schools in between, our drivers have been an integral part of providing the best transportation possible during this crisis.

 

Mr. Smith then asked CSRS for an update on damage assessments at East St. John High School and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School.

 

Dr. Keller asked if administration has attempted to find the students that have not shown up at Lake Pontchartrain.  Mr. Elton Oubre responded that the Child Welfare and Attendance Office has attempted daily to contact the parents of every one of these students.  Comparing October 1, 2011 with October 1, 2012, the district has 299 students less this year.  

 

Mr. Wise stated that we will begin next fiscal year minus $3 million if the state does not respond to our request to freeze the MFP.

 

Mr. Frank Lacourse, CSRS, stated that a walkthrough of East St. John High School was done with many board members, the superintendent, and others.  He gave the board a renovation timeline option by using a “risk vs reward” summary:

 

  1.  Re-open January 2013

 

  1.  

  1. 3 Shift Design and Construction Schedule

  2. Start Remediation Immediately

 

            Risks:

1.     No pre-agreement on eligible scope with FEMA

2.     FEMA funding not in place at time of design or construction

3.     Excess cost due to compressed schedule is not FEMA eligible

4.     High rate of change orders not FEMA eligible

5.     Excess manufacturing costs for long lead items

6.     Excessive cost share

7.     Audit Risk

 

Rewards:

1.     Back in the building sooner

 

B.     Re-open Fall 2013

 

Risks:

1.     Additional Temporary Transportation Costs

 

Rewards:

1.     Maximum Funding Negotiated with FEMA

2.     Funding in Place Prior to Contracting

3.     Agreed Upon Scope of Work with FEMA

4.     Reduced Change Order Risk

5.     Lower Board Cost Share

6.     Cost will be Considered Reasonable by FEMA

7.     Time to Evaluate Funding Options

 

Superintendent Smith asked if the timeline for Lake Pontchartrain Elementary is any different.  Mr. Lacourse stated that the timeline would be very much the same, as both schools sustained roughly the same amount of damage.  Mr. Lacourse stated that if the board decides to wait for the Fall 2013 opening, the cost for the temporary trailers at the Leon Godchaux site would be covered by FEMA.  If the trailers are in place by January, the high school could return to their normal schedule for the 2nd semester as opposed to keeping the “platoon” system.  Mr. Burl asked for it to be recorded in the minutes that he asked for a Special Board meeting the Sunday after Hurricane Isaac and feels if one was held, it would have alleviated many of the problems we are experiencing now.  Mr. Wise asked if and when the teachers would be allowed to enter their classrooms to retrieve personal items.  Mr. Lacourse stated that due to legal/safety issues, he was not sure.  Mr. Wise asked if the Board’s legal counsel, Mr. Kevin Klibert could be at the next Board meeting to answer these questions.

 

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:

 

            A.  Medical Extended Sick Leave:

 

     1. Candice Florent, Teacher, West St. John High School;.  September 25-December 31, 2012

 

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Triche, to approve the personnel changes as presented. There were no objections.

 

The motion carried.

 

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

1 Absent – Johnson.

 

ITEM 6b.  Introduction of policies to be adopted by the Board:  ABB; ABD; BD; BE; CED; CEF; GAMC; GBA; GBAA; GBB; GBC; GBD; GBE; GBG; GBI; GBJ; GBK; GBL; GBM; GBN; GBO; GBRC; GBRHA; GBRIB; GBRIBB; GBRJ; GCA; GCL.

 

This item was for introduction only.  Dr. Beard stated that there will be another Personnel Committee Meeting to discuss these policies the Tuesday before the next Regular Scheduled Board Meeting.

 

President Sanders stated that Addendum Item 9l would be heard at this time because it is a personnel matter.

 

ADDENDUM ITEM 9l.  Dr. Leigh Ann Beard – Introduction to revised job descriptions.

 

This item was for introduction only.  Dr. Beard stated that these job descriptions will also be discussed at the next Personnel Committee Meeting.  Mr. Jack state that schools and administrators at the schools are complaining that there are not enough teachers and asked that Dr. Beard give an explanation at the next Board meeting.  Dr. Beard stated that all personnel decisions are based on student needs.  She stated that she and administration have met almost daily to discuss personnel matters.

 

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

 

ITEM 7a. CSRS – Mr. Hugh Martin – To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of $11,600,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2013, 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 addressed the board and stated that with the adoption of this resolution, bids will be received on December 6, 2012 and the money will be available on January 9, 2013.

 

A motion was made by the entire board to adopt the resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of $11,600,000 of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2013, 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.

 

The motion carried.

 

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

1 Absent – Johnson.

 

The following resolution was offered and seconded unanimously:­

 

                                                                    RESOLUTION

 

A resolution authorizing the advertising for sealed bids for the purchase of Eleven Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,600,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2013, 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 "Governing 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 Eleven Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,600,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2013 (the "Bonds") of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Issuer"), authorized at a special election held in the Issuer on April 21, 2012, 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 ("DTC"), 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 "Purchaser") 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 January 9, 2013, 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 five per centum (5%) per annum on any Bond in any interest payment period, said interest to be payable on September 1, 2013, 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

 

                           2014                         $395,000                           2024                         $620,000

                           2015                           415,000                           2025                           650,000

                           2016                           430,000                           2026                           680,000

                           2017                           450,000                           2027                           710,000

                           2018                           475,000                           2028                           740,000

                           2019                           495,000                           2029                           775,000

                           2020                           520,000                           2030                          810,000

                           2021                           540,000                           2031                           850,000

                           2022                           565,000                           2032                           890,000

                           2023                           590,000

 

SECTION 2)  Those Bonds maturing March 1, 2023, and thereafter, will be callable for redemption by the Issuer in full or in part at any time on or after March 1, 2022, 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

 

$11,600,000 OF GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2013

 

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, December 6, 2012

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that 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,  will receive sealed bids or electronic bids via PARITY7 at the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Meeting Room located in the Central Office, 118 W. 10th Street, Reserve, Louisiana  70084 until Six (6:00) o'clock p.m., Louisiana Time, Central Time, on Thursday, December 6, 2012, (or such other date as may be determined by the President and advertised by Munifacts Disclosure Service) for the purchase of Eleven Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,600,000) of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2013 (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 April 21, 2012,  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, December 6, 2012.

 

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 December 6, 2012.  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 the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Meeting Room located in the Central Office, 118 W. 10th Street, Reserve, Louisiana  70084, for the purchase of $11,600,000 of principal amount of General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2013 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 2013 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 January 9, 2013, 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 five per centum (5%) per annum on any Bond in any interest payment period, said interest to be payable on September 1, 2013, 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

 

                           2014                         $395,000                           2024                         $620,000

                           2015                           415,000                           2025                           650,000

                           2016                           430,000                           2026                           680,000

                           2017                           450,000                           2027                           710,000

                           2018                           475,000                           2028                           740,000

                           2019                           495,000                           2029                           775,000

                           2020                           520,000                           2030                          810,000

                           2021                           540,000                           2031                           850,000

                           2022                           565,000                           2032                           890,000

                           2023                         590,000T

 

he Bonds will be issued as fully registered bonds in "book-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 "Purchaser") 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, 2023, and thereafter, will be callable for redemption by the Issuer in full or in part at any time on or after March 1, 2022, 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 five per centum (5%) 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 January 9, 2013, such that the sum of such present values is equal to the price bid, including any premium bid (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 4th day of October, 2012.

 

                                                                                        /s/ Patrick H. Sanders                    

                                                                                   President

Attest:

 

            /s/ Courtney P. Millet              

Secretary

 

 

 

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.                       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                                                                       

 

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 4th day of October, 2012.

 

/s/ Courtney P. Millet                                                     /s/ Patrick H. Sanders

     Secretary                                                                      President

 

President Sanders declared a 5 minute recess to allow administration to sign the resolution.  The board recessed at 7:01 p.m.

 

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Burl, to reconvene in regular session. There were no objections.  The Board reconvened in regular session at 7:06 p.m.

 

 ITEM 8.  OLD BUSINESS.  None.

 

ITEM 9.  NEW BUSINESS.  a. Mr. Elton Oubre – Appeal 1213-04-1004.  Appeal for early re-admittance.  Mr. Oubre stated that it would be a closed appeal.

 

President Sanders declared a closed session at 7:16 p.m.

 

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Jack, to reconvene in regular session. There were no objections and the board reconvened in regular session at 7:31 p.m.

 

A motion was made by the entire board to accept administration’s recommendation for early re-admittance in the case of 1213-03-1004.  There were no objections.

 

The motion carried.

 

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

1 Absent – Johnson.

 

ITEM 9b.  Dr. Gerald Keller, Board Member – Request approval of resolution relative to Hurricane Isaac

 

Dr. Keller asked Mr. Boughton to explain the resolution.  Mr. Boughton stated that the resolution before them was a resolution requesting the state to freeze our MFP as well as requesting the state to forgive some of the instructional make-up time.  He stated that our share of the damages so far is roughly $6.5 million and without the MFP being frozen, the board will have to find a way to fund this.  Also, health insurance costs are going to rise about 20%, sales tax revenues are on the decline, and the board will have to fund about $900,000 in increased retirement.

 

RESOLUTION

 

ST. JOHNTHE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA

 

WHEREAS, the St. John Parish School Board and its students were one of the most severely affected school systems by Hurricane Isaac, and

 

WHEREAS, the St. John Parish School Board was the only school system to have one third of its students displaced due to Hurricane Isaac, and

 

WHEREAS, the St. John Parish School Board was the only school system to have flooded school buildings due to Hurricane Isaac, and

 

WHEREAS, St. John Parish School Board, despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Isaac, still has the responsibility to provide a public education to St John the Baptist Parish students, and

 

WHEREAS, the preliminary assessment figures exceed $25,000,000 of which only portions are covered by flood insurance and FEMA reimbursements, and  

 

WHEREAS, funding for St. John School District is critical for the ongoing recovery efforts, 

 

WHEREAS, St. John School District’s schools missed 9 days due to Hurricane Isaac and the lack of water and electricity after the hurricane,

 

WHEREAS, the flooding of Lake Ponchartrain Elementary and East St. John High School caused these schools to miss 14 days and 19 days respectively, and whereas East St. John has already received a LSTW (Louisiana Seat Time Waiver for 2012-2013),

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that the St. John Parish School Board does hereby request that the State Legislature freeze the state minimum foundation funding at the current level until the school system is fully recovered and provide a special onetime appropriation, for an amount determined after the final assessment is completed, that will pay the recovery expenses not covered by flood insurance and/or FEMA reimbursements,

 

BE IT RESOLVED, that for the nine schools having missed only 9 days that the St. John School District may reduce the equivalent of five days of instruction or the equivalent number of instructional minutes for the 2012-2013 school year without incurring the penalties set forth in Bulletin 741, Sections 907, 1103, and 2313. Teachers will use intensive compacted curricula and other instructional methods to ensure delivery of content in all subjects.    

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that for the two flooded schools the St. John School District may reduce the equivalent of ten days of instruction or the equivalent number of instructional minutes for the 2012-2013 school year without incurring the penalties set forth in Bulletin 741, Sections 907, 1103, and 2313. Teachers will use intensive compacted curricula and other instructional methods to ensure delivery of content in all subjects.    

 

            The vote, in open meeting, on this resolution was as follows:   

 

Yeas:____10_______        Nays:_____0______               Absent:___1______     

 

CERTIFICATE

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

                                   

_____________________________________                               _____________________________________

/s/Patrick H. Sanders, President                                                 /s/Herbert Smith, Superintendent

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

 

 

ITEM 9c.  Mr. Russell Jack, Board Member – Discussion of the possibility of implementing a local business preference for awarding professional service contracts.

 

Mr. Orenthal Jasmin, Board Attorney, explained that there is an allowance for school boards to show preference to business within the parish.  An Attorney General’s Opinion was provided to all Board members.  Mr. Jasmin stated that Orleans Parish currently has one in place.  Mr. Wise asked to be provided another copy of the Attorney General’s Opinion.

 

ITEM 9d.  Rev. Rodney Nicholas, Board Member – Education Strategic Planning Advisory Committee

 

1.       Proposal to develop a committee to study and do a “Needs Assessment” of ESJH and Lake Pontchartrain.

2.       Study will determine feasibility of building a new school, renovating an existing one or a combination of both to meet future school needs.

3.       Make Recommendations relative to findings.

 

Rev. Nicholas stated that he visited St. Bernard Parish (with some other board members)  to see and speak with them about the recovery following Hurricane Katrina.  He stated that he was disappointed in CSRS in reference to the recovery efforts.  He stated that St Bernard Parish had a school with 8 feet of water that sat for several weeks and they were back in school within 90 days.  Rev. Nicholas stated that he would like to go to the voters for either a sales tax increase or an increase in millage.  He stated that he is asking the board t6o form a committee to study the feasibility of building new schools (for ESJH and LPE) across the highway in front of East St. John Elementary.  Mr. Floyd Luster, CSRS, stated that there are significant problems with the schools that were expedited in St. Bernard Parish, due to rushing the job.

 

A motion was made by Rev. Nicholas, seconded by Mrs. DeFrancesch, to form a subcommittee to study and do a needs assessment of East St. John High School and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary to determine the feasibility of building a new school, renovating an existing one, or a combination of both to meet future school needs. Upon roll call, there were:

 

9 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders

1 Nay – Wise

1 Absent – Johnson.

 

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 9e.  Rev. Rodney Nicholas, Board Member – Redistricting Update

 

This item was deferred until a later date.

 

ITEM 9f.  Rev. Rodney Nicholas, Board Member - Director of Transportation, School Bus Issues, updates & recommendations.

 

1.     Director of Transportation to discuss issues surrounding transportation deficiencies, non-pickups/bus no shows, overcrowding, child safety, bus driver directives, allocation of new buses, bus rentals, directives on how parents should resolve transportation issues, etc.

 

Mr. Peter Montz introduced Mr. Orlando Watkins.  Mr. Watkins stated that the transportation department has been working diligently to meet the challenges Hurricane Isaac has created for the transportation department.  He thanked the drivers, mechanics and all involved to accomplish the task of transporting students from one end of the parish to the other.  He stated that drivers were extending their workday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Routes have been shortened and the travel time has been lessened for students.  The biggest challenge, he stated, is to keep families together on the busses.  Mr. Montz added that 15 busses have been added to the fleet to accomplish keeping the families together.  Mr. Montz wanted to publicly thank St. Bernard Parish for loaning 2 busses to St. John Parish, at no charge, for as long as we need them.  Mr. Jones stated that he wants to make sure the transportation department is stressing safety for our students. 

 

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

 

ADDENDUM ITEM 9h. Ms. Heidi Trosclair – Introduction of Revised School Calendar.

 

Ms. Trosclair stated that the following calendar is being presented for approval at the next Board meeting.

 

 

St. John the Baptist Parish School System

School Calendar 2012 – 2013

Approved by Board on February 16, 2012

Revised October 2012             

 

August

 

6 – 8

Professional Development Days

9

First Day of School for Students

16

First Day for Kindergarten/Universal PreK/LA4/Model Early Students

27

First Day for HeadStart Students

 

September

 

3

Labor Day Holiday

 

 

November

 

6

Election Day Holiday

19 – 23

Semester beginning January 14, 2013 will have an extended school day to meet the required instructional minutes per Bulletin 741 of the Louisiana Department of Education.

 
Thanksgiving Holidays

 

 

December

 

24 – 31

Christmas Holidays

 

 

January

 

1 – 3

New Years’ Holidays

4

Professional Development Day

7

Students Return to School

21

Martin Luther King Holiday

 

 

February

 

11 – 15

Mardi Gras Holidays

 

 

March

 

19 – 21

LEAP Phase I Testing

25 – 31

Easter Holidays

 

 

April

 

1

Easter Holiday

2

Students Return to School

8 – 12

LEAP Phase II Testing

23

EOC Testing Begins

 

 

May

 

30

Last Day for Students (exception – ESJH)

31

Records Day (exception – ESJH)

 

 

June

 

14

Last Day for ESJH Students (1/2 day)

 

 

ADDENDUM ITEM 9i.  Mrs. Lanette Perrin – Introduction of Addendum of Pupil Progression Plan 2012-13 – East St. John High School Only.

 

Ms. Perrin introduces the following addendums to the Pupil Progression Plan and will affect East St. John High only.

 

 

 

ADDENDUM ITEM 9j.   Executive Committee -  Request approval to accept proposals for a professional firm to assist in the search for a new superintendent.

 

A motion as made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Wise, to approve the request to accept proposals for a professional firm to assist in the search for a new superintendent.

 

Mr. Burl stated that he doesn’t feel we need to spend money to search for a superintendent.  Mr. Wise responded that in order to take the politics out of it, we must hire an outside firm.  Dr. Keller stated that he felt it is important to hire a professional firm.

 

Following further discussion, Mr. Wise called for question.  Upon roll call there were:

 

7 Yeas – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Triche, Sanders.

3 Nays – Jack, Burl, Nicholas

1 Abent – Johnson.

The motion to end discussion carried.

 

Upon roll call on the original motion to accept proposals for a professional firm to assist in the search for superintendent, there were:

6 Yeas – Keller, DeFrancesch, Wise, Bacas, Triche, Sanders.

4 Nays – Jack, Burl, Jones, Nicholas

1 Absent – Johnson.

The motion carried.

 

ADDENDUM ITEM 9k.  Executive Committee – Request approval to accept proposals for a professional firm to assist the board in the development of a master plan for the future of St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools.

 

No action taken.

 

ITEM 10. ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS:  

 

ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

 

 Mr. Jack asked Coach Robert  Valdez to speak on his behalf.  Coach Valdez stated that since our groundskeeper was allowed to resign, the football field at West St. John High School has been left in disrepair.  He stated that the field is in terrible shape.  He asked that administration keep in mind when accepting bids, that the contractor know how to manage and keep up a football field.

 

Rev. Nicholas stated that several people had told him that the audio and video of the school board meetings was not up to par and asked if something could be done about it.

 

Mr. Burl stated that he had spoken to Parish President Natalie Robottom  in reference to  East St. John High using the new Regala Park Gym for Basketball this year.

 

ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT:The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Bacas offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Jones. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

 

________________________________                                        ________________________________

Herbert Smith, Secretary                                                            Patrick H. Sanders, President