PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA - Meeting of March 7, 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 Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, Reserve Louisiana, on Thursday, March 7, 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 the Pledge of Allegiance.  

 

ITEM 2.  ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

 

PRESENT: Messrs. Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Nicholas, Triche.

 

ABSENT:  Messrs. Jack, Burl, Jones, Bacas.

 

There were 7 members present, 4 absent.

 

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of February 21, 2013. 

 

A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mrs. DeFrancesch, to accept the minutes of the February 21, 2013 meeting as printed and published. There were no objections.

The motion carried.

 

Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Nicholas, Triche.

Nays – None.

Absent – Jack, Burl, Jones, Bacas.

 

Dr. Keller acknowledged that Ms. Jaclyn Hotard, Councilwoman, was in the audience.

 

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

 

In the absence of the Superintendent, Ms. Heidi Trosclair was seated for administration.  There was no report.

 

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

 

a.  Rev. Rodney Nicholas  - Historic Riverlands: “River Parish Spring Fest,” Brief 5 minute presentation -collaborative effort to allow area schools to participate in Spring Festival.

 

Ms. Rita Perrilloux stated that a “fair” would be held April 5th, 6th and 7th and that with the board’s permission, each student would receive 2 tickets to the rides. 

 

ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS: Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources.  None.

 

a. Introduction of policies to be adopted by the school board: BCB; DFM; EBBH; FDC; GAE; GAE-P; GAMIA; GBA; GBDA; IDDG; IEB; EFBGA; IHAD; JBCBB; JCD; JCDAF; JD; JDD; JDE; JGCD; JGCE.


This item was for introduction only.

 

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

 

None

 

ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS.  a. None

 

ITEM 9.   NEW BUSINESS.

 

ITEM 9a.  Superintendent Search  

 

A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mrs. DeFrancesch, to postpone the superintendent search to allow Mr. Smith another year and to give the board an opportunity to have a wider field of applicants next year.

 

A substitute motion was made by Rev. Nicholas, seconded by Mr. Burl, to hire HYI Executive Search Company for the superintendent search.

 

Upon roll call on the substitute motion to Hire HYI Executive Search Company for the superintendent search, there were:

 

4 Yeas – Burl, Sanders, Johnson, Nicholas.

3 Nays – DeFrancesch, Wise, Triche.

3 Absent – Jack, Jones, Bacas.

1 Abstention – Keller.

The motion failed.

 

The chair declared a 5 minute recess at 6:30 p.m.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Burl, seconded by Dr. Keller, to reconvene in regular session.  There were no objections.  The board reconvened in regular session at 6:35 p.m.

 

Dr. Keller asked that his vote on the substitute motion to Hire HYI Executive Search Company for the superintendent search be changed to a Yea.  As a result, the roll call reflected the following:

 

5 Yeas – Burl, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Nicholas.

3 Nays – DeFrancesch, Wise, Triche.

3 Absent – Jack, Jones, Bacas.

The motion failed.

 

Upon roll call on the original motion to postpone the superintendent search to allow Mr. Smith another year and to give the board an opportunity to have a wider field of applicants next year, there were:

 

4 Yeas – DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Triche.

3 Nays – Burl, Sanders, Nicholas.

3 Absent – Jack, Jones, Bacas.

1 Abstention – Keller.

The motion failed.

 

ITEM 9b.  Pamelyn Smith – Introduction of Head Start 2013-14 Refunding Grant Application (Cycle I).

 

This item was for introduction only.

 

The chair stated that unless there was an objection, ITEM 9d would be heard at this time.

 

ITEM 9d.  Rodney Nicholas – Eliza Eugene, Homework Hut Proposal/Brief Presentation to the Board.

 

Following a presentation by Eliza Eugene, a motion was made by Rev. Nicholas, seconded by Mr. Wise, to give $4500 to Eliza Eugene for the Homework Hut.  There were no objections.

 

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

0 Nays –

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 9c.  Mr. Felix Boughton – Executive session – Update on negotiations

 

A motion was made by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Rev. Nicholas, to convene in executive session.  There were no objections.  The Board convened in executive session at 6:68 p.m.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Dr. Keller, to reconvene in regular session.  There were no objections.  The Board reconvened in regular session at 7:10 p.m.

 

9e.  Mr. Orenthal Jasmin, Board Attorney - Legal Update.  None.

 

ITEM 10. ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS.

 

Mr. Burl asked that the following item be placed on the next agenda for action:  In-house Superintendent Search and not hire a search firm.

 

Dr. Keller asked if administration could talk to the transportation director about having our busses washed.

 

Rev. Nicholas asked administration to make sure parents are notified in a timely manner when there are bus accidents.

 

ITEM 11. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Sanders offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Rev. Nicholas. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

 

________________________________                                        ________________________________

Herbert Smith, Secretary                                                            Clarence Triche, President