PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 2014
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 at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 16, 2014, at 6:00 p.m.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely, s/Kevin R. George
Superintendent/Secretary
The Chair called for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Triche
ABSENT: DeFrancesch, Jones, Nicholas
There were 8 members present, 3 absent.
ITEM 3. Approval of Minutes – Meeting of October 2, 2014.
MOTION BY: Dr. Keller
SECOND BY: Mr. Bacas
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the meeting of October 2, 2014.
No objections.
The motion carried.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Mr. Kevin R. George, Superintendent.
a. Ms. Josie Clement - St. John United Way – Early Childhood Community Network Pilot Project
Ms. Josie Clement introduced Mr. John Olynick, who is the St. John representative of United Way. He stated that the Early Childhood Community Network grant funds will be earmarked for professional development and training for staff and provides funding for birth to 5 year olds. Mr. Olynick stated that he was happy to be a partner in education with St. John Schools and is looking forward to working together in the future.
Mr. Jones arrived at 6:04 p.m. and was recorded as present.
Rev. Nicholas arrived at 6:05 p.m. and was recorded as present.
b. Data Teams Process – Christal Sylvain, Monica Brown, Jasmine Porter
Ms. Sylvain, Brown and Porter shared information regarding the key components of how the Data Teams Process works and explained that each school is implementing this new process.
Several members of the Board expressed gratitude to the team for their comprehensive explanation.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
a. Music Education Program - Gary Dupre, Charae Hosey, Jeremy Rodrigue
Mr. Dupre, Hosey and Rodrigue gave an overview of the new music program in our elementary schools, explaining that this year is a “learning” year in that the students are primarily just being introduced to music this year.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
a. Mr. Felix Boughton – Quarterly Budget Report 14-15
This item was for informational purposes.
ITEM 7b. Land & Facilities Chairperson – Recommendation for Approval of Change Order for Floors at East St. John High School.
Mr. Albert Burl, Chairperson for the Land & Facilities Committee, stated that the committee had met and the committee’s recommendation is to approve the Change Order for the floors at East St. John High School at an approximate cost of $200,000.
MOTION BY: Mr. Burl
SECOND BY: Mr. Jones
MOTION: To approve the Change Order for Floors at East St. John High School.
No objections.
The motion carried.
10 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche
0 Nays –
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
ITEM 7c. Land & Facilities Chairperson – Recommendation of Approval of Change Order for Builder’s Risk Insurance for ESJH Renovation
Mr. Albert Burl, Chairperson for the Land & Facilities Committee, stated that the committee had met and the committee’s recommendation is to approve the Change Order for Builder’s Risk Insurance for ESJH Renovation.
Mr. Burl stated that the insurance was not built in to the original specs because it was believed that the insurance could be purchased by the school board for a lesser price. However, that turned out not to be the case. The insurance will cost approximately $56,000.
MOTION BY: Mr. Burl
SECOND BY: Mr. Bacas
MOTION: To approve the Change Order for Builder’s Risk Insurance for East St. John High School Renovation.
No objections.
The motion carried.
10 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche
0 Nays –
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
ITEM 7d. Land and Facilities Chairperson – Recommendation of Modifications to Change Order Policy
Mr. Albert Burl, Chairperson for the Land & Facilities Committee, stated that the current policy authorizes the Superintendent to execute change orders to the construction contracts on behalf of the Board up to the lesser of 10% of the contract or $25,000, provided they are consistent with the scope of the project, necessary, within the budgeted amount for the project and the responsibility of the Owner in accordance with the contract as determined by the Program Manager. However, in the interest of time and completing the ESJH Renovations project on time and having the students move back into the main campus by August of next year, the Land & Facilities Committee decided to bring this item to the full board for a decision on whether to change this amount or not.
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Mr. Wise
SECOND BY: Mr. Nicholas
MOTION: To approve a change in policy for Change Orders as it relates to the ESJH Renovations Project only – That the Board authorize the Superintendent to:
Approve any Change Order under $25,000;
Any Change Order between $25,000 and $75,000 be brought to the Land & Facilities Committee for a decision (and report to the full Board its decision); and
Any Change Order exceeding $75,000 be brought before the full Board for a decision.
Mr. Orenthal Jasmin, Board Attorney, asked that the motion maker amend the motion to include that if the Land & Facilities rejects any Change Order, then said Change Order would go before the full Board for review. Both Mr. Wise and Mr. Nicholas agreed to include this clause in the motion.
No objections.
The motion carried.
10 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche
0 Nays –
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 10a. Mr. Kevin R. George – Executive Session – Personnel Matter
MOTION BY: Mr. Wise
SECOND BY: Dr. Keller
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session to discuss ITEM 10a.
No objections.
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 7:20 p.m.
MOTION BY: Mr. Johnson
SECOND BY: Mr. Wise
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
No objections.
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:36 p.m.
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mr. Jack reminded the Board and public that West St. John High School would be celebrating their Homecoming on Friday, October 17th and invited all to come out and support the Rams.
Mr. Jones thanked the Executive Secretary for the Breast Cancer Awareness decorations and recognized Ms. Sue Mury, the “lady behind the camera” at all School Board Meetings, who is a breast cancer survivor.
Mr. Jones also wished the Superintendent, Mr. Kevin George, a happy birthday.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT - The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Mr. Johnson
SECOND BY: Mr. Wise
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
No objections.
The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
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Kevin R. George, Secretary
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Clarence Triche, President