PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
EDGARD, LA - Meeting of January 10, 2013
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 West St. John Elementary School, Edgard, Louisiana, on Thursday, January 10, 2013, 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 a verbal prayer by Board Member Rodney Nicholas. Dr. Keller stated that two former employees (Lydia Ricard and Joe Zeringue) had recently passed away and asked that they be remembered in prayer.
Board Member Sherry DeFrancesch led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Messrs. Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
ABSENT: None
There were 11 members present, 0 absent.
***** ELECTION OF OFFICERS *****
Rev. Rodney Nicholas nominated Mr. Patrick Sanders for President. Mr. Sanders accepted the nomination. Dr. Gerald Keller nominated Mr. Clarence Triche for President. Mr. Triche accepted the nomination.
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Burl, to close nominations.
The following Board members voted for Patrick Sanders for Board President:
Jack, Burl, Jones, Nicholas, Sanders (5)
The following Board members voted for Clarence Triche for Board President:
Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche (6)
By a 6-5 vote, Mr. Clarence Triche was elected the new President of the Board.
Mr. Sanders thanked the board for the affording him the opportunity to serve as President. Mr. Bacas, Mr. Wise and Mr. Burl all thanked Mr. Sanders for his service.
Mr. Sanders turned the Chair over to Mr. Triche.
Dr. Gerald Keller nominated Mr. Keith Jones for Vice-President. Mr. Jones accepted the nomination. Mr. Burl nominated Rev. Nicholas for Vice-President. Rev. Nicholas accepted the nomination.
Mr. Burl rescinded his nomination of Rev. Nicholas.
There being no objections, Mr. Jones was elected as Vice-President of the Board.
Mr. Sanders stated that ITEM 5 would be addressed at this time.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF. a. Resolution to the family of Rudolph Goff
Mr. Sanders read the following resolution into the official minutes:
RESOLUTION
ST. JOHNTHE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA
WHEREAS, Mr. Rudolph Goff served the St. John the Baptist Parish School System for 17 years as a custodian; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Goff 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, January 10, 2013, subscribed therein.
Mr. Sanders turned the chair over to Mr. Clarence Triche.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:Meeting of December 6, 2012 and December 11, 2012.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to accept the minutes of the December 6, 2012 and December 11, 2012 meetings as printed and published.
Mr. Burl stated that Item 9g of the December 6, 2012 meeting should have been carried over, not tabled (as was stated in the meeting.)
Upon roll call, there were:
6 Yeas – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Bacas, Triche.
5 Nays – Jack, Burl, Wise, Nicholas, Sanders.
The motion carried.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Mr. Herbert Smith, Superintendent.
Mr. Smith asked if the Board would consider waiving policy to allow administration to request Board approval to apply for the continued re-funding for the budget year 2013-2014 in the amount of $1,175,565.
A motion was made by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Jones, to waive policy to allow administration to request Board approval to apply for the continued re-funding for the budget year 2013-2014 in the amount of $1,175,565. There were no objections.
The motion to waive policy carried.
11 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to allow administration to apply for the continued re-funding for the budget year 2013-2014 in the amount of $1,175,565.
There were no objections.
The motion carried.
11 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
Mr. Smith continued with the following report:
East St. John High School
• East St. John High School will return to a full school day starting Monday. The students will continue to be housed at both The Leon Godchaux and ESJH Freshman sites.
• Everyone is excited to get back to normal, with all students and staff members at each site at the same time.
• The renovated campus with the portables is ready to receive the students. Board members are invited to see the renovated campus.
Mr. Frank Lacourse gave the board an update on current projects.
Mr. Smith stated that each board member (with the exception of Mr. Sanders) had submitted a name for the Selection Committee for Disaster Management Services. The members of the committee are:
Nancy Dumas, Remy Amede, Henry Friloux, James Madere, Jacqueline Forest, Byron Perry, Craig Carmen, Alan Reynaud, Thaddeus Victor, and Richard Drexel. Mr. Smith stated that a letter would be sent to the committee members to set up an organizational meeting next week.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS: Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources. None.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE: Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance
ITEM 7a. Mr. Peter Montz – Request board approval to solicit proposals for Property Insurance.
A motion was made by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to approve the solicitation of proposals for Property Insurance. There were no objections.
The motion carried.
11 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
0 Absent
ITEM 7b. Mr. Peter Montz – Request board approval to solicit proposals for Grounds Maintenance.
A motion was made by Rev. Nicholas, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to approve the solicitation of proposals for Grounds Maintenance. There were no objections.
The motion carried.
11 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
0 Absent
ITEM 7c. CSRS – Request board approval to award contract to apparent responsible low bidder for the East St. John High School Baseball and Softball Field Repairs contingent upon low bidder meeting all Louisiana Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements.
Apparent Low Bidder: Alexys Enterprises, Inc. Base Bid: $58,300.00. AE’s Estimate is $69,532.45.
A motion was made by Mr. Bacas, seconded by Dr. Keller, to award the contract for the East St. John High School Baseball and Softball Field Repairs to Alexys Enterprises, Inc. There were no objections.
The motion carried.
11 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
0 Absent
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS. None
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS.
ITEM 9a. Rev. Rodney Nicholas, Board Member – Review Campus Safety Plans
Rev. Nicholas stated that in light of the recent school shootings in Connecticut, he would like to see administration join with the Sheriff’s office and possibly do mock drills, lockdowns, etc. in our schools. He stated that he would like administration to meet with the principals to get suggestions and concerns and then bring these to the Sheriff.
Mr. Smith stated that Mr. Elton Oubre could give a brief update on this subject. Mr. Oubre stated that throughout the year and on an on-going basis, certain areas have been identified concerning safety and are dealt with accordingly. Since the recent events in Connecticut, he has taken a closer look at each school site and there are some concerns, but because of the sensitivity of the subject, he would prefer to meet individually with board members to discuss them. Mr. Oubre also stated that he would be meeting with the Sheriff soon to discuss possible increased police presence in the schools. Mr. Burl stated that, once again, he would like to say that we do not have enough resources officers in the school system.
ITEM 9b. Rev. Rodney Nicholas, Board Member – Title VI Compliance
Rev. Nicholas read the following: “Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d)
a. Who must comply with Title VI?
All entities that receive financial assistance from the federal government. (Source U.S. Department of Justice).
b. Requesting that the School Board legal counsel research how Title VI, confer with appropriate agencies, and give a report to the Board on how Title VI applies to St John the Baptist Parish Public School District, as a recipient of federal financial assistance and grants. Discuss compliance and/or gaps of compliance. Title VI requires all recipients to have a “Title VI Compliance Plan.”
ITEM 9c. Dr. Leigh Ann Beard - Introduction of Overtime Compensation Policy
This item was for introduction only and will be brought to the board at the next meeting for approval.
~ DRAFT ~ Overtime Compensation Policy ~ DRAFT ~
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governing the accrual and use of overtime.
Employees exempt from the FLSA are not paid overtime. Exempt employees with the school system are expected to work the hours required to do their job in an effective and efficient manner.
In the event of an officially-declared natural or man-made disaster requiring non-working days or work outside of their regular work time (7-8 hours/day or 35-40 hours/week), compensatory time or an appropriate stipend may be approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
The Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer will determine whether each employee is designated “exempt” from earning overtime. In general, employees in executive, administrative and professional job classes are exempt.
ITEM 9d. Mr. Orenthal Jasmin, Board Attorney – Legal Update. None
ADDENDUM ITEM 9e. Mr. Russ Wise, Board Member - Allow the board to vote on the creation of a committee to (1) redesign the specifications for selecting a company to oversee renovations at Lake Ponchartrain Elementary and East St. John High School, (2) submit the recommendations to the Board for its approval, (3) review the qualifications of the firms that submit their qualifications, and (4) make a recommendation to the Board for hiring a firm from among them to oversee the completion of the renovation projects.
Mr. Wise stated that this item will be carried over to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
ITEM 10. ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS: None.
ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST.
Mr. Burl asked the President if a new seating arrangement for board members could be put in place. Mr. Triche stated that he was currently working on a new seating arrangement.
Mr. Smith stated that there are 2 grievances that need to be brought before the board and a special meeting may need to be called. Mr. Triche stated that there will be a special board meeting on January 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. to hear the grievances.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT:The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Wise offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Rev. Nicholas. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Herbert Smith, Secretary Clarence Triche, President