2013-11-07

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, on Thursday, November 7, 2013, at 6:00 p.m.

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

PRESENT: Messrs. Jack, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche

9 Yeas - Jack, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche

All South has conducted a detailed room by room assessment of each facility with our architectural and engineering team. We have requested verification from the South Central Regional Code Council, DHH and the State Fire Marshall as to the extent of code upgrades associated with the required repairs. Our environmental team has completed detailed environmental testing throughout both facilities, with the intent of identifying undetected damages and/or clearing each structure. Once the environmental lab analysis is complete, in approximately 3 weeks, we will have a clear determination of the scope of damages for each structure and the necessary repairs to present to the School Board.

We are confident that the Sandy Act Alternative Procedures Pilot Program is a good fit to repair these schools. Unlike standard FEMA projects were the scope of work is clearly defined by FEMA, the Pilot Program allows the School Board the flexibility to chose what FEMA repairs to make and to what degree, without jeopardizing any funding. Also, the Pilot Program allows the School Board to use FEMA funding for upgrades or improvements not generally allowed under standard FEMA procedures. The funding for High School and Elementary School PWs will be pooled into one pot of money for repairs; the school board can use it to restore each facility as they see fit.

All South does not anticipate versioning any of these PWs for scope of work; however, we have identified these deficiencies:

FEMA PWs all include Architecture & Engineering (A/E) cost, Program Management (PM) and Direct Administrative Costs (DAC) for grants management. All or some of the costs need to be versioned into the PWs for the High School and Elementary School. This will add approximately $300-$400k to the PW totals.

FEMA deducts anticipated insurance flood insurance reimbursements through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for each PW. FEMA over-estimated the school district's actual reimbursement by approximately $800K. FEMA will need to correct the PWs by this amount.

FEMA PWs did not capture all the scope of work needed to make repairs. All South is currently in the process of verifying what scope was omitted and the estimated costs. By using FEMA's new Alternative Procedures Pilot Program authorized by Hurricane Sandy legislation, the School Board appears to be able to cover the cost of most of these repairs with the existing PW funding. The pilot program will allow the school board the flexibility to use funds for repairs other than those captured by FEMA.

Currently FEMA has allocated funding to East St. John High School and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary Schools for flood protection for a 100 year flood. All South's engineers are reviewing FEMA's preliminary proposals for feasibility and cost effectiveness and working with GOHSEP and FEMA to develop viable plans for each school.

The property elevations at the High School range between 2-4' above sea level. FEMA's current plan requires a levee or other flood protection to an elevation 8'; the PW has provided approximately $5M for this construction.

The property elevations at the Elementary School range average approximately 6' above sea level. FEMA's current plan requires a levee or other flood protection to an elevation 8'; the PW has provided approximately $4M for this construction.

The parish's Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is submitted to FEMA, classifies schools as "critical facilities." For FEMA, this classification carries a very specific determination. FEMA requires that a critical facility be elevated to a 500 year flood event. In the case of the High School, the elevation would then Increase to 10.3'; for the Elementary School, the elevation would increase to 14.7'.

All South is currently working with GOSHEP and FEMA to verify the appropriate flood protection elevations, and to secure FEMA funding for a design concept that will render each facility secure in the most cost effective way.

All South will submit a proposed scope or repairs and menu of options to the School Board in approximately three weeks. The School Board will need to determine what their recommended scope of work will be so that it can be developed into a general work plan. All South will then submit the general plan, using the Sandy Act, to GOHSEP for their review and comment. Following their concurrence, we will then forward that plan to FEMA for discussion and approval. FEMA needs to approve the Pilot Program plan and funding no later than mid-February.

ITEM 4b. Update by Chasm & Fusion Architects regarding Lake Pontchartrain Temporary Campus

· Pre-Bid Meeting for Temporary Buildings Installation and Site Improvements Package was conducted on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 10:00am CST; seven (7) General Contractors were in attendance.

· St. John the Baptist Parish School (SJBPS) Board awarded Temporary Building Purchase contract to Satellite Shelters Inc. at the Special Board Meeting held on October 24, 2013 at 10:00 am CST.

· Temp. Buildings Installation and Site Improvements bids are due on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 2:00 pm CST.

· Recommendation to award Temporary Buildings Installation and Site Improvements contract to apparent responsible low bidder at St. John The Baptist Parish School Special Board Meeting; to be scheduled Forty-eight (48) hours from scheduled bid opening on November 12, 2013 at 2:00pm CST.

Mr. Triche stated that there will be a special meeting next Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. to approve the bids on the modular classroom buildings installation.

Ms. Trosclair presented a PowerPoint regarding the School Performance Scores, stating that despite last year’s extenuating circumstances due to Hurricane Isaac:

· 5 schools are Top Gains schools for making major growth/progress with their lowest performing students: JLO, LES, ESJE, FWE, and SJAP.

Ms. Trosclair shared the following information and stated that each school’s report card could be found on the state’s website: www.louisianabelieves.com

Mr. Boughton stated that the insurance had increased 8.32% this year. With the plan recommended by the recommendation of the Insurance Committee, the board’s share of the increase is approximately $700,000 and the employee share of the increase is approximately $80,000.

MOTION: To reject the Insurance Committee’s recommendation and direct them to explore other options.

MOTION: Based on the Insurance Committee’s recommendation, to accept the recommended plan as presented.

MOTION: To accept the recommended plan with the board absorbing the total cost of the increase.

Ms. Iona Holloway, SJAE, addressed the board and asked that they absorb the cost of the increase.

Rev. Clayton, SJAE, thanked Dr. Keller for his motion and stated that the increase is actually smaller than last year’s increase, and the board did absorb all costs of the increase last year. He asked the board to reconsider Dr. Keller’s motion and absorb the cost of the increase.

MOTION: To follow the advice of Mr. Ronnie Smith and ask our Insurance Committee to explore other options with a different approach.

Upon roll call on the original motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Jack (Based on the Insurance Committee’s recommendation, to accept the recommended plan as presented), there were:

ITEM 7b. Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval on Bid 14.28 Modular Classroom Buildings Installation

ITEM 9a. Mr. Albert “Ali” Burl – Proposed Resolution authorizing legal counsel to seek an Attorney General’s opinion on the redistricting issue.

Board attorney Orenthal Jasmin requested the board convene in Executive Session (due to possible prospective litigation) so he could share important information regarding this item with the board.

10 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche

ITEM 9b. Rev. Rodney Nicholas – Adopt Resolution requesting that the state appropriate surplus funds to St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to assist in recovery/rebuilding efforts.

Superintendent George stated that he had spoken with Rev. Nicholas and it was Rev. Nicholas’ desire that the board address this item in his absence.

MOTION: To adopt the resolution requesting the state appropriate surplus funds to St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to assist in recovery/rebuilding efforts.

10 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche

WHEREAS, we believe that the St. John the Baptist Parish Council will recognize that a quality public education for the more than 6,500 children in our district; is vital to economic empowerment, community-cultural enrichment, crime prevention, workforce development and the economic stimulation of business and industry in our community.

WHEREAS, Louisiana is expected to close the fiscal year that ended June 30 with about $130 million more than anticipated in official revenue forecasts.

WHEREAS, In response to the Hurricane Isaac disaster, St John Public Schools need to rebuild the most highly affected areas and provide crucial seed money to start the recovery process.

WHEREAS, Louisiana surplus revenue can be used to help this school district that otherwise might not recover due to limited resources.

WHEREAS, St John the Baptist Parish public school district services 80% low income and impoverished children as indicated the number receiving free and reduced lunch.

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 $65,000,000 of which only portions are covered by flood insurance and FEMA reimbursements, and

WHEREAS, the difference between the Board’s damages and all disaster funding will possibly exceed $ 37,000,000

WHEREAS, the St. John the Baptist Parish School District was unequivocally the hardest hit in respect to infrastructure and received the greatest damage to community buildings directly related to Hurricane Isaac;

BE IT RESOLVED that the St. John Parish School Board does hereby request that Governor Jindal, the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Senate allocate revenue to help fund the recovery efforts in the rebuilding of public schools in St. John Parish.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Jindal, the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Senate.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be public record that St. John School System may not be able to fully rebuild its facilities without an allocation of surplus revenue and are requesting assistance from the governor, the House of representatives and the Senate.

ITEM 9c. Mr. Felix Boughton – Executive Session – SJAE Contract Negotiations

10 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche

MOTION: To place the student back at school under contract. The parents are to meet with Mr. Oubre to discuss the contract and the conditions of the contract.

10 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche

Superintendent George stated that he was introducing the calendar of School Board Meetings and would ask for adoption of the calendar at the December meeting.

Date	Time	Location
January 16, 2014	6:00 p.m.	West St. John Elementary
February 6, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
February 20, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
March 20, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
April 3, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
April 17, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
May 1, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
May 15, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
June 5, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
July 17, 2014	6:00 p.m.	West St. John Elementary
August 7, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Emily C. Watkins
August 21, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
September 4, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
September 18, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
October 2, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
October 16, 2014	6:00 p.m	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
November 6, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria
December 11, 2014	6:00 p.m.	Emily C. Watkins

ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT - The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a