PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
LAPLACE, LA – MEETING OF APRIL 21, 2016
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 LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 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, led by Rev. Rodney Nicholas, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by 2 members of the New Orleans Golden Eagles.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Wise, Wallace, Nicholas, Triche, Jones
ABSENT: Johnson
There were 10 members present, 1 absent.
ITEM 3a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meetings of April 7, 2016.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Jack
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meetings of April 7, 2016.
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Wise, Wallace, Nicholas, Triche, Jones
0 Nays
1 Absent – Johnson
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Mr. Kevin R. George, Superintendent.
Mr. George stated that state testing will begin next week. He asked all parents to please ensure that all students get proper and encouraged all students to do their best. He also stated the following: “The Louisiana Department of Education lists 81.93 percent of students in St. John Parish Public Schools as “economically disadvantaged.” No other listed school district with at least 80 percent of the student body categorized as economically disadvantaged performed better, and only one (Jefferson Parish) matched St. John with a B rating. No other school system with a higher poverty rate performs better than we do. That means we are doing the best job with the kids with the greatest needs. Good luck to all students, staff, principals and administrators.”
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
a. Mr. Keith Jones - New Orleans Golden Eagles
Mr. Jones introduced Mr. Paul Green and Mr. Cedric Grimes and invited them to tell the Board and public about the New Orleans Golden Eagles. The following was shared:
The New Orleans Golden Eagles (NOGE) is a subsidiary of Black Pilots of America, Inc. (BPA) which is a non-profit organization. Our mission is to educate young men and women in aviation by training youth in skill-related programs. NOGE endorses Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through many activities.
One activity that NOGE support is the BPA Summer Flight Academy (SFA). Held in Houston, TX, cadets receive approximately 10 hours of flight instruction and 40 hours of ground school instruction. Cadets learn all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements to becoming a pilot.
NOGE also conduct flights around the state to introduce different fields of aviation to church bodies, youth groups, and primary/secondary schools. We have flown thousands of students since 1997. These flights are free, normally during weekend fly-in activities. We have certified flight instructors (CFIs) that encourage and inspire youth to seek STEM related careers and/or hobbies. Many began as cadets and some have become military or civilian aircrew members, air traffic controllers, aerospace engineers, and aircraft.
On July 30, 2016, NOGE will conduct a “Fly In” to the Reserve Airport and encouraged the public to come out. There will be free school supplies and anyone present will be able to take flight. Two St. John Parish members/residents were present and introduced themselves: Brandon Dillon and Tristen Green (ESJH Student).
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
a. Ms. Page Eschette – Introduction of revised job description: Head Start Bus Monitor/Center Assistant.
Ms. Eschette explained that the revised job description is adding a job descriptor: Checking the interior of the bus upon completion of the route. She stated that this is just one more “check point” to ensure the bus is empty before parking the bus. Administration will ask for approval at the next board meeting.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
a. Mr. Felix Boughton /Mr. Hugh Martin – To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution providing for the issuance and sale of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2016, of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Mr. Hugh Martin stated that this is very similar to refinancing your home mortgage at a lower interest rate. Mr. Greg Rattler of JP Morgan Chase Bank stated the percentage rate they are offering is 2.90% which is refinancing from 4.20% - a savings of $424,000 over the life of the loan. Mr. Rattler congratulated the Board on their excellent bond rating.
Mr. Burl asked that it be reflected in the record that the School Board is constantly looking for ways to save the public’s money.
MOTION BY: Wise
SECOND BY: Nicholas
MOTION: To adopt the resolution providing for the issuance and sale of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, Series 2016, of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
No objections.
Upon roll call, there were:
10 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Wise, Wallace, Nicholas, Triche, Jones
0 Nays
1 Absent – Johnson
The motion carried.
The following resolution was offered by ____________ and ______________ seconded:
ITEM 7b. Mr. Felix Boughton – Third Quarter Budget Report
Mr. Boughton presented the following budget report:
GENERAL FUND REVENUES
Code Type Original Revised Difference
Appropriation Budget
01 Local revenues $30,472,828 $36,568,812 $6,095,984
02 State revenues $28,353,991 $28,463,421 $109,430
04 Other revenues $2,197,634 $2,197,634 $0
Total Revenues $61,024,453 $67,229,867 $6,205,414
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES
Code Type Original Revised Difference
Appropriation Budget
11 Regular Education $24,795,252 $24,999,266 $204,014
12 Special Education $8,907,986 $9,828,566 $920,580
13 Vocational Ed $1,552,298 $1,398,623 -$153,675
14 Other Instruction $2,149,525 $1,815,760 -$333,765
15 Special Programs $719,392 $691,993 -$27,399
21 Pupil Support $5,016,911 $4,948,875 -$68,036
22 Instructional Staff $823,056 $991,966 $168,910
23 General Admin $1,706,748 $1,773,496 $66,748
24 School Adm $5,425,404 $5,368,139 -$57,265
25 Business Adm $778,489 $828,664 $50,175
26 Maintenance $7,403,272 $11,378,954 $3,975,682
27 Transportation $4,396,164 $4,349,669 -$46,495
28 Central Services $912,717 $913,643 $926
50 Other $9,481 $9,481 $0
$64,596,695 $69,297,095 $4,700,400
Current Year Projected Deficit -$3,572,242 -$2,067,228
Beginning Fund Balance $6,698,616 $6,698,616
Ending Fund Balance $3,126,374 $4,631,388
ITEM 7c. Mr. Felix Boughton – Suspend all work on East St. John Elementary School for ninety (90) days
MOTION BY: Wise
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To suspend all work on East St. John Elementary School for 90 days to allow administration to hire South Central Planning to do a feasibility study on possible realigning school attendance zones.
Mr. Boughton stated that administration is NOT recommending to close ESJE. Due to the failure of the tax proposition, administration wants to give the school board every possible option to NOT move forward with a Reduction In Force (employee layoffs) and this is just one option. He stated that postponing work for 90 days will not push the scheduled re-opening of ESJE at all.
Following extensive discussion by audience members, a substitute motion was offered:
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Nicholas
SECOND BY: Keller
MOTION: To suspend architectural and design work and dedicatqe approximately $5 million to remodeling ESJE and have All South bring a plan to the board for a remodel at $5 million and allocate the remaining (insurance) $5 million to assist in closing the budget gap for this year.
Following further discussion, a second substitute motion was offered:
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To continue with the current plan for rebuilding East St. John Elementary School.
Upon roll call, there were:
9 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Wise, Wallace, Nicholas, Jones
1 Nays – Wise
1 Absent – Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 7d. Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board to consider and take action on a request from Tri-Parish Trophies to extend Bid 16.18, Award/Incentive Items until 06-30-2017. It is currently scheduled to expire on 06-30-2016
Mr. Montz stated that Tri-Parish Trophies had written a letter requesting their contract for Award/Incentive Items be extended for one calendar year with no increase in pricing.
Superintendent’s recommendation: To competitively bid out all contracts.
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Wise
MOTION: To extend the contract in place for Tri-Parish Trophies for Award/Incentive Items until 06-30-2017 with no increase in pricing.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Nicholas
MOTION: To table until the May 4th Financial Workshop
Upon roll call, there were:
7 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Wallace, Nicholas, Jones
3 Nays – Keller, Wise, Triche
1 Absent – Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 7e. Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval on the Re-Bid of Rudolph G. Dinvaut and Joe Keller Memorial Field Replacement
Mr. Montz stated that Mid-America Golf and Landscape, Inc. was the apparent low bidder at $1,842,600.
MOTION BY: Nicholas
SECOND BY: Wise
MOTION: To accept Mid-America Golf and Landscape, Inc. as the apparent low bidder at $1,842,600.
Upon roll call, there were:
9 Yeas - Jack, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Wise, Wallace, Nicholas, Jones
0 Nays
1 Abstention – Triche
1 Absent – Johnson
The motion carried.
8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mr. Jones announced that the 2015-16 Honor Roll Roundup will take place on Wednesday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the San Francisco Sugar Barn.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT - The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
There were no objections.
The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Kevin R. George, Secretary Keith Jones, President