PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
LAPLACE, LA – MEETING OF AUGUST 6, 2015
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 Emily C. Watkins Elementary School, 944 La. Hwy. 628, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Thursday, August 6, 2015, 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, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Nicholas, Triche, Jones
ABSENT:
There were 11 members present, 1 absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Meeting of July 23, 2015.
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Nicholas
MOTION: To approve the minutes of the meeting of July 23, 2015.
No objections.
The motion carried.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Supt. George shared the information regarding the reopening of East St. John High School: August 8, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. will be the ribbon cutting and public tours of the newly renovated facility. All are welcome to attend.
ITEM 4a. Update from Lincoln Builders (ESJH)
Mr. Keller, Lincoln Builders, stated that there were just a few items left to wrap up. The only major thing going on is the gym floor and that will not be ready for Saturday. However, Mr. Keller stated that it will be ready for students on Monday.
ITEM 4b. Update from AllSouth Engineers
Ms. Cindy Janecke stated that the pump station was being finished up as well as the fencing on the levee. Other than those items, and small, cosmetic things – everything is a go at ESJHS.
She stated that the demolition on LPE was behind schedule and AllSouth is waiting on an updated schedule from the demo contractor. Yeates and Yeates are putting together the bid documents dn 100% bid documents should be ready by the end of August, with the bid opening scheduled in September.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Teche Action Clinic – Update
Mr. Gary Wilkes, CEO of Teche Action Clinic stated that the district did not qualify for a grant as high as they thought. However, everything will move forward anyway. The clinic will be housed on the campus of East St. John Elementary School and Mr. Wilkes stated for the record that all costs for putting the building in place will be incurred by Teche Action Clinic. He stated that he expects to open bids by the end of the month.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 8a. Ms. Page Eschette – Request Approval of Revised Policy - JR: Student Records
President Jones stated that administration is asking the Board to table this item based on new information from LSBA. Our legal team would like additional time to completely review the new information.
ITEM 8b. Ms. Erica Merrick – Request Approval of proposed changes for the 2015-2016 Pupil Progression Plan
MOTION BY: Wise
SECOND BY: Keller
MOTION: To approve the proposed changes for the 2015-2016 Pupil Progression Plan
No objections.
Upon roll call, there were:
10 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wallace, Nicholas, Triche, Jones
1 Nays - Wise
The motion carried.
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Mr. Peter Montz – Update on LaPlace Elementary School Roof Repairs
Mr. Peter Montz made the following statement:
In January of this year, I was notified about recurring roof leaks at LaPlace Elementary. Upon my assessment, discussion with our maintenance staff and LES staff, I concluded this issue would require assistance to solve. I contacted the General Contractor, MAPP Construction and the architect, Holly and Smith. From March to May, we met at the school numerous times to investigate the cause or causes of the roof leaks then developed a scope of work to correct noted deficiencies. By the end of July, MAPP completed the scope of work at LES. In October, we will meet at the school to verify the repairs have resolved this issue. If additional leaks materialize, we will investigate. Throughout this process, MAPP and HOLLY AND SMITH never pointed fingers, assessed blame to others, claimed no responsibility, or requested compensation. I find this a very refreshing change for the school board, especially when you consider the building we are occupying.
ITEM 9b. Mr. Peter Montz – Change Order #1 on the grounds maintenance contract for 3H Enterprises
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Keller
MOTION: To approve Change Order #1 on the grounds maintenance contract for 3H Enterprises.
No objections.
Upon roll call, there were:
11 Yeas – Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Nicholas, Triche, Jones
0 Nays
The motion carried.
ITEM 9c. Mr. Peter Montz – Introduction to Pilot Procurement Policy for the Transportation Department
This item was for introduction only.
ITEM 9d. Mr. Peter Montz – Authorize administration to do a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for engineering and design services for artificial turf on ESJH and WSJH football fields.
President Jones asked the board for a motion to table this item, providing administration and legal counsel time to gather more information.
MOTION BY: Nicholas
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To table Item 9d, authorizing administration to do a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for engineering and design services for artificial turf on ESJH and WSJH football fields.
No objections.
The motion carried.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Supt. George asked Ms. Cindy Janecke if the Fire Marshall had given the go-ahead on East St. John High. Ms. Janecke stated that everything had passed inspection and the school was ready to receive students on the first day of school, Monday, August 10, 2015.
Supt. George also wanted to be on the record with the following: The fight that was reported in the newspaper as occurring on East St. John Elementary’s School campus, was in fact, a private party and in no way affiliated with East St. John Elementary School or it’s students.
Supt. George also stated the Grand Re-Opening of East St. John High School will take place Saturday, August 8, 2015 at 8:00 a.m.
President Jones stated that Ms. Annette Dietz, a special education diagnostitian, recently passed away unexpectedly and asked that we keep her family in our thoughts and prayers.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT - The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Nicholas
SECOND BY: Keller
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
No objections.
The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
________________________________
Kevin R. George, Secretary
________________________________
Keith A. Jones, President