PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA – Meeting of May 2, 2013

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, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, at 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 2, 2013.

An agenda for the meeting is attached.

Sincerely,

Clarence Triche, Board President

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

ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

PRESENT:        Messrs. Jack, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas and Triche.

ABSENT:          Messrs. Burl, Jones and Mrs. DeFrancesch.

There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.

ITEM 3.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Meetings of April 2, April 11, and April 18, 2013.

A motion was made by Dr. Keller and seconded by Mr. Sanders to accept the minutes of April 2, April 11, and April 18, 2013 meetings as printed and published.

ITEM 4.  SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:  Herbert Smith

On Saturday, the St. John school district is asking voters to consider a proposition authorizing it to borrow $10.2 million to help repair damage at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary and East St. John High caused by Hurricane Isaac. The district must borrow this money in order to repair and reopen these schools. The authorization will not increase taxes for residents. Please go out and vote Saturday, May 4^th. Thank you.  An EdConnect was sent to parents on Wednesday and another on Friday, with a follow-up on Saturday morning.

Superintendent Smith met with Sheriff Mike Tregre to discuss emergency planning and training for our schools.  Sheriff Tregre will work with the school system during the summer months to plan and implement emergency plans and training.

ITEM 5.  EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF:  None

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.  Request approval of Sales and Tax Collection Contract (Requires action)

Mr. Sanders made a motion to accept the Sales and Tax Collection Contract with ACI, Inc., as presented by administration.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Wise.  There being no objections, motion passed, 3 Absent (Burl, Jones, and DeFrancesch).

ITEM 8:  OLD BUSINESS:  None

Mr. Ali Burl arrived and was recorded present at 5:07 p.m.

ITEM 9:  NEW BUSINESS:

ITEM 9a.  Ms. Heidi Trosclair, Executive Director of Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment – Request approval to allow Smile Louisiana to offer dentistry to our students (Requires action).

Ms. Tammy Davis of Smile Louisiana explained that Smile Louisiana can delivery comprehensive dental services to school children at schools.  Applications are sent home to parents to complete and return to schools giving Smile Louisiana permission to serve their child.

A motion was made by Mr. Sanders to allow Smile Louisiana to delivery comprehensive dental services to our school children.  Mr. Wise seconded the motion.

Mr. Keith Jones arrived at 5:10 p.m. and was recorded present.

After much discussion the Chair called for a roll call.

Roll Call:  9 YEAS (Jack, Burl, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas and Triche), 1 Nay (Keller), and 1 Absent (DeFrancesch).  Motion carried.

ITEM 9b.  Ms. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources – HYA presentation on Superintendent Search.

Dr. Benjamin Martindale and Dr. Louise Coleman, HYA Executive Search, presented a Leadership Profile Report compiled from surveys, interviews, and focus group meetings for desired characteristics of the new superintendent.  After seeking input from St. John Parish School Board members, parents, staff members, students and community it was apparent that a strong educational leader who possesses the following characteristics is desired:

A collaborative and engaged communicator; A strong and confident leader; A knowledgeable and visionary educator; An effective manager; Leadership experiences and accomplishments. 

A motion was made by Dr. Keller to adopt the desired characteristics guide presented by HYA for the Superintendent search.  This motion was seconded by Mr. Bacas.

Rev. Nicholas requested that preferred PhD, culturally sensitive; someone who treats parents as equal partners be added to the desire characteristics.

Dr. Keller amended his motion to include Rev. Nicholas statements of preferred PhD, culturally sensitive, strong track record as an educator, and/or leadership.

There being no objections, motion passed.  1 Absent (DeFrancesch).

Dr. Coleman stated that they will return on June 3, 2013 with a slate of candidates.  This will require an executive session of the entire board.

Louisiana Representative Randall Gaines addressed the school board in reference to the Hurricane Isaac Recovery efforts.

ITEM 9c.  Mr. Orenthal Jasmin, Board Attorney – Legal Update

None

Mr. Jones requested clarification from Mr. Felix Boughton, Finance Director, in reference to a newspaper article stating that $4.6 million dollars are needed to repair Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School.  Mr. Boughton stated that the cost to repair Lake Pontchartrain Elementary will be approximately $30 million dollars. 

Mr. Boughton informed the board that the vote on Saturday, May 4, 2013 is to request the voters to allow the school board to borrow $10.2 million to assist in repairing Lake Pontchartrain Elementary and East St. John High schools. 

Rev. Nicholas and Mr. Jones are participating in a project to assist with rebuilding the housing project of LaPlace.  There is a public meeting scheduled for May 15, 2013 at Emily C. Watkins Elementary School to begin at 5:00 p.m.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 9^th at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Jack informed the board members of the West St. John High Annual Golf Tournament to be held on Friday, May 10^th at the Belle Terre Country Club in LaPlace.

Mr. Jack thanked the Westbank Civic Association for recognizing the honor roll students of West St. John Elementary and West St. John High schools at the 3^rd Annual Honor Roll Celebration scheduled on Friday, May 3, 2013.

ITEM 10.  Adjournment

A motion was made by Mr. Bacas and seconded by Mr. Sanders to adjourn.  There were no objections, 1 Absent (DeFrancesch); the meeting adjourned at 6:12 P.M.

________________________________            __________________________________

Herbert Smith, Secretary                                Clarence Triche, President