PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA - Meeting of February 28, 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 special session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, Reserve, Louisiana, on Tuesday, February 28, 2013, at 10:00 a.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.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Messrs. Keller, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Sanders, Triche.
ABSENT: Jack, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones.
There were 7 members present, 4 absent.
ITEM 3. Proposal 13.24 – Superintendent Search Firm.
Mrs. DeFrancesch arrived at 10:09 a.m. and was recorded as present.
Mr. Jack Arrived at 10:11 a.m. and was recorded as present.
Mr. Jones arrived at 10:12 a.m. and was recorded as present.
Mr. Triche stated that the purpose of this meeting is to interview the two firms that submitted proposals for the Superintendent Search. Both interviews would be conducted via live video conference.
Mr. Gary Soloman, with ProAct Search, introduced himself to the board. Mr. Triche explained to Mr. Soloman that he would be allowed a 10 minute presentation, and the board would have 10 minutes for questions and answers. Following his presentation, Mr. Wise asked how much ProAct Search would charge for their services. Mr. Soloman stated that the fee would be $17,250 and includes everything expect for candidate travel. He noted that as a cost-saving measure, initial interviews could be held via live video conference.
Dr. Keller asked for the proposed timeline until we actually had a new superintendent in place. Mr. Soloman stated it would take 12-14 weeks for the entire process.
Rev. Nicholas asked what year ProAct did the Superintendent Search for East Baton Rouge. Mr. Soloman stated that the search for EBR Superintendent was done in 2011. Nicholas asked how many searches ProAct conducted last year. Mr. Soloman stated that his firm had done 12 searches last year.
Mr. Soloman thanked the board for their time and stated that he looked forward to hearing from the board.
Mr. Benjamin Martindale, with HYI Executive Search, introduced himself to the board. Mr. Triche explained to Mr. Martindale that he would be allowed a 10 minute presentation, and the board would have 10 minutes for questions and answers. Following his presentation, Mr. Wise asked how much HYI Executive Search would charge for their services. Mr. Martindale stated that the fee would be $19,500, but there would be some additional costs for travel, a small advertisement expense, expenses for travel of candidates, and travel for his staff.
Dr. Keller asked for the proposed timeline until we actually had a new superintendent in place. Mr. Martindale stated it would take 12-16 weeks for the entire process.
Rev. Nicholas asked what year HYI Executive Search did the Superintendent Search for East Baton Rouge. Rev. Nicholas asked how many searches HYI Executive Search conducted last year. Mr. Martindale stated that his firm had done 25 searches last year.
Mr. Martindale thanked the board for their time and stated that he looked forward to hearing from the board.
Following the video conferences, Mr. Wise stated the he is concerned that the board is running out of time and he would like to postpone voting on the firm until he can study the material that the 2 firms provided. Dr. Keller stated that he feels the board needs to act now and get this process started. Mr. Sanders stated that he feels the board needs to set priorities for the firm to follow so that whichever firm is chosen will know from the onset what the board expects from them.
A motion was made by Mr. Wise to table this until the board has a chance to study the information provided. This motion lacked a second.
Rev. Nicholas stated that he felt the board should have had ample time to look over the information provided and the board needs to move forward with the decision.
Dr. Keller stated that the LSBA Convention was next week and that would provide an opportunity for the board to speak with other board members from other parishes where both of these firms have done business and get feedback from them.
Mr. Jones stated that although he feels he is a team player, he wanted it on record that he would like to not hire any firm by searching in-house and save the district approximately $30,000.
Mr. Jack stated that he didn’t feel speaking with other board members would help because depending on who you talk to, you would get differing opinions.
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Bacas to table this item pending a visit to the LSBA Convention, thus giving board members a chance to consult with other board members. Upon roll call, there were:
6 Yeas – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Triche
4 Nays – Jack, Johnson, Nicholas, Sanders
1 Absent – Burl
The motion carried.
Mr. Triche stated that this item would be revisited at the March 7, 2013 board meeting.
ITEM 4. 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 11:15 a.m.
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Herbert Smith, Secretary Clarence Triche, President