PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
LAPLACE, LA – MEETING OF APRIL 6, 2017
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 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2016.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely, s/Kevin R. George
Superintendent/Secretary
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
The Chair called for the invocation, led by Pastor Nick Peppo, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by student Javaughn Washington (ESJH), who also sang the Star Spangled Banner.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Wallace, Triche, Burl
ABSENT: DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Mitchell
There were 7 members present and 4 members absent.
ITEM 3a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of March 16, 2017
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of March 16, 2017.
No objections.
The motion carried.
7 Yeas - Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Wallace, Triche, Burl
0 Nays
4 Absent - DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise, Mitchell
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Mr. Kevin R. George, Superintendent.
Mr. George thanked Javaughn Washington for his beautifully sung Star Spangled Banner. He announced that K-8 State Testing has begun and asked parents to encourage their students to attend school every day.
Mr. Johnson, Mr. Wise and Ms. Mitchell arrived at 6:08 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Mr. Robert Schaff – Recognition of Literary Rally Winners (ESJH) and Mr. Claude Hill – Recognition of Literary Rally Winners (WSJH)
Mr. Schaff stated that ESJH had the most participants in the history of the school this year at Literary Rally, with over 21 winners. He introduced each and presented them with a medal.
Mr. Claude Hill stated that there were 13 students that attended from WSJH and he introduced and presented each of the 5 winners with a medal.
ITEM 5b. Ms. Heidi Trosclair – School & District Accountability Changes
Ms. Trosclair presented the following:
ITEM 5c. Mrs. Erica Merrick – Gulf Coast Life Skills Organization
Mrs. Merrick presented the following information to the board and introduced several key players in the company:
The Gulf Coast Life skills organization provides free life skills lessons in all SJBP elementary schools. The classes are conducted by experienced Facilitators that share a passion to help students be the best they can be. These classes are offered free of charge. Mrs. Sandra Horne, retired educator from SJBP is responsible for organizing the class schedule and she also teaches lessons with her team of Facilitators.
ITEM 6a. Ms. Page Eschette – Request approval of Modified Policies: DJA – Authorized Signatures; GBA – Contracts and Compensation; JBC – School Admission.
Following discussion on the policies, the Board decided to vote separately on the 3 policies:
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To approve DJA – Authorized Signatures.
No objections.
Upon roll call, there was
10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Jones, Burl
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Mitchell
MOTION: To approve GBA – Contracts and Compensation.
No objections.
Upon roll call, there was
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Jones, Burl
1 Nay - Wise
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To approve JBC – School Admission
No objections.
Upon roll call, there was
10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Jones, Burl
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
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DJA: AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES
CHECKS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall require, in accordance with state law, the President and Superintendent, as secretary-treasurer, the Vice-President in the absence of the President, or any two (2) officers or persons designated by the School Board, to review all expenditures and sign any and all checks issued in payment of said expenditures. The School Board authorizes the use of a facsimile signature device for those persons designated to sign checks. The Superintendent shall establish and maintain appropriate procedures for assuring the proper issuance of all checks.
FACSIMILE SIGNATURE
A facsimile signature stamps device may be used by and/or for the Superintendent and the President of the School Board for the following purposes:
1. Processing payroll checks and accounts payable checks. with the exception of substitute checks; these require actual signatures. These checks will be printed on a specific printer which uses MICR ink and has the secure check device attached that is activated only when a valid signature key is inserted.
2. Emergency situations that arise requiring immediate signatures and either one or both parties with signature responsibility is not available. Example: Certain payroll deductions which according to IRS regulations, must be deposited on a timely basis.
No document shall be stamped that requires actual signatures.
The check printing signature key shall be maintained by the Superintendent or his/her designee. The signature facsimile stamps device shall be kept inside of a safe in the central office main vault. The safe shall be kept locked at all times and only the Business Manager shall have a key to the safe and is responsible for the use of the facsimile stamps device.
Whenever a facsimile stamps device is used under the above described emergency situations, a copy of the stamped check shall be sent to the party whose facsimile stamp was used for their review.
GENERAL CONTRACTS
Contractual agreements approved by a majority vote of the School Board obligating the School Board or School District shall be signed by the School Board President or the Superintendent. Any person purporting to enter into any contract on behalf of the School Board, school district, or any school under the School Board’s jurisdiction, including but not limited to contracts with vendors or contracts of membership in any private or quasi-public entity, shall do so in compliance with policies adopted by the School Board and administrative procedures in effect at the time the contract is executed.
BILLS, INVOICES, STATEMENTS
The School Board directs that only authorized school employees shall sign bills, invoices, or statements in accordance with pertinent accounting procedures.
TEACHER CONTRACTS
The Superintendent shall sign each teacher contract.
SCHOOL CHECKING ACCOUNTS
The School Board authorizes principals to open bank accounts for their schools and related clubs and organizations. The use of checking accounts at schools shall be in accordance with appropriate accounting regulations and procedures maintained by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
The Superintendent shall be given authority to make changes on school checking accounts as each school principal or school administrator changes, or at any other time deemed necessary, without the necessity of any additional resolution being adopted by the School Board. School Board personnel shall monitor the appropriateness of each checking account and shall be authorized to recommend to the Superintendent the closure of any account deemed necessary.
Revised: June, 1991
Revised: August, 1991
Revised: October, 2013
Revised: August 7, 2014
Revised and recoded from DJAA: March, 2017
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:83,17:97; Board minutes, 1-24-91, 6-13-91, 9-5-13, 8-7-14.
GBA: CONTRACTS AND COMPENSATION
CONTRACTS
Contracts of employment between eligible employees and the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall be executed for a specified period of time and compensation in accordance with state law. Unless otherwise stipulated, all employees shall meet all stated position qualifications and/or certification requirements before any contract shall become valid. Renewal or issuance, when possible, of contracts of employment, as well as dismissal or nonrenewal of contract notices, with the exception of performance contracts, shall be issued on or before the last day of each school year, whenever possible.
The execution of an employee contract between the School Board and employee shall be legally binding upon both parties. Teachers without tenure shall be required to have a written contract. Teachers who have gained tenure may not be required to sign a written contract each scholastic year, but shall be required to sign such employment contracts at intervals determined by the School Board. The failure of a non-tenured teacher to sign a contract for the ensuing school session within the specified time, when required, shall be considered as voluntary termination of employment on the part of the teacher, unless under extenuating circumstances, an extension is granted by the Superintendent. Any subsequent resignation or termination of said contract for reasons other than extreme emergencies, as determined by the School Board, shall constitute a breach of contract against which legal action may be taken by the School Board and the employee dealt with accordingly. The Superintendent shall receive, finalize, and accept all resignations of all employees. However, the Superintendent at the next available meeting shall report said resignations to the School Board.
The Superintendent shall sign each teacher contract.
Performance Contracts
Administrative and supervisory personnel in positions that require certification shall be hired under the terms of a performance contract of not less than two (2) nor more than four (4) years, except when such employment is for a temporary position. The School Board shall make the final decision regarding the length of any such performance contract. Prior to the School Board’s approval of any initial or subsequent contract which involves an employee being or having been promoted to a position with a higher salary, the Superintendent shall disclose all terms of the contract to the School Board.
Termination or non-renewal of any performance contract shall be governed by the terms of the contract and applicable law.
COMPENSATION
Salary Schedules
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the School Board shall establish salary schedules by which that shall be used to determine the salaries to be paid to teachers and all other school employees. Salaries of all teachers shall be set by the Superintendent. The salaries of all personnel are generally based upon an established salary schedule and associated regulations; provided, however, that salaries may be stated in and controlled by an employment contract. The salaries as provided in any salary schedule shall be considered as full compensation for all work required and performed within each employee’s prescribed scope of duties and responsibilities.
Salary schedules established for teachers, administrators, and other certified school personnel shall be based upon the following criteria, with no one criterion accounting for more than fifty percent (50%) of the formula used to compute such employees' salaries:
1. Effectiveness, as determined by the performance evaluation program as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:3881 through 3905.
2. Demand, inclusive of area of certification, particular school need, geographic area, and subject area, which may include advanced degree levels.
3. Experience.
No teacher or administrator who is rated ineffective pursuant to the School Board’s performance evaluation program shall receive a higher salary in the year following the evaluation than the teacher/administrator received in the year of the evaluation.
The amount of the annual salary paid to any employee in any school year shall not be reduced below the amount of such salary paid during the previous school year, nor shall the amount of the annual salary paid to any employee be reduced at any time during an academic year. The limitations on the reduction in the amount of the annual salary paid to any employee shall not be applicable to:
1. The correction of any accounting errors or to a reduction necessitated by the elimination of a state program or state funding;
2. Any salary The reduction shall not apply to of any local salary supplement funded, in whole or in part, from a revenue source requiring voter approval, when such voter approval has not been obtained;
3. The limitation on the reduction of salary shall also not apply to An employee who has been promoted and subsequently demoted to a lower position. In this case, the employee’s salary shall return to the salary previously received in the lower position from which promoted; or
4. The elimination, discontinuance, or reorganization of the position to which the employee is assigned that results in the employee working fewer hours, days, or months. In such case, the employee’s salary for that academic year shall not be reduced. After that year, the employee’s salary shall be determined in accordance with the applicable salary schedule for the employee’s position.
Ordinarily, no teacher shall be placed on the payroll of the school district unless the teacher holds a valid certificate as required by law, and a copy of the teacher's contract has been filed with the Superintendent. Exceptions may be made only when qualified teachers with valid certification are not available for employment.
Experience Credit
A year of teaching experience is defined as each scholastic year of employment as a certified teacher in public schools within any of the fifty states of the United States of America, or within any of its territorial possessions; or as a certified teacher in a private or parochial school, as an employee in a state department of education, or as an instructor in an institution of higher learning. All such experience must have been as a teacher in an institution or school accredited by one of the recognized regional accrediting agencies in the United States of America (e.g., SACS). Experience outside the United States of America, its territories or possessions must be in an institution or school accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States of America.
A year of teaching experience shall be granted if the person was employed for at least ninety-one (91) instructional days during one scholastic year, excluding holidays, as verified by the Superintendent. However, not more than one (1) year of experience shall be granted for a period inclusive of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months. All experience must have been on a full-time basis.
Any teacher holding a valid Louisiana teaching certificate in the public school system of Louisiana who has transferred to Louisiana from a public school system of another state and who, at the time of such transfer, held a valid teacher's certificate from that state, shall be given full credit under the salary schedule for the years of satisfactory teaching service previously rendered in the public school system of that state. Credit for previous teaching experience shall also be granted to anyone employed who holds a valid Louisiana teaching certificate and is employed or has been employed by another public school system in the state.
Advanced Degree
When a teacher earns additional college credit, is awarded an advanced degree, or receives additional training that would result in an increase in salary, said teacher shall be paid for the advanced degree or training beginning with the next payroll period after all necessary documentation has been received from the Louisiana Department of Education. It shall be the responsibility of the employee to assure proper notification is given to the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Retirees
The salary of any retiree who is reemployed as a full-time teacher shall be based on the salary schedule which accounts for all prior years of teaching service and pertinent experience. The status of any retiree who is reemployed shall be the same as a full-time active employee, subject to all applicable rules, procedures, policies, and statutes that apply to all such full-time active employees.
The retirement of an employee prior to his/her re-employment as a retiree shall constitute a break in his/her service with the School Board for purposes of tenure and sabbatical leave. The retiree shall not be allowed to carry forward annual leave days accumulated by him/her as of the date of his/her retirement, but he/she may carry forward accumulated sick leave days provided that he/she has returned to employment within five (5) years of his/her last employment as a teacher within the school system. A retiree shall have the right to earn additional sick leave and annual leave, if applicable, on the same basis as other similarly situated newly hired employees while a retiree.
School Employees
Compensation for all school employees shall be based on applicable salary schedules or hourly rates established by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, with the exception that no employee shall receive less than the minimum established by state or federal law.
For the purpose of this subsection, school employee shall mean any employee of the School Board who is not required to hold a teacher's certificate as a condition of employment, including, but not limited to, bus operator, food service worker, paraeducator, custodian, and maintenance personnel.
Single Federal Award/Cost Objective Salary/Work Time Certification
It is the policy of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board that where employees are expected to work solely on a single Federal award or cost objective, charges for their salaries and wages will be supported by semiannual certifications that the employees worked solely on that program for the period covered by the certification. Also, where an employee is expected to work partially on a single Federal award or cost objective, charges for their salaries and wages will be supported by semiannual certifications that the employees worked that part of their time on that program for the period covered by the certification. These semiannual certificates will be prepared by the employee or supervisor official having first-hand knowledge of the work performed by the employee.
Revised: December, 1992 Revised: September 4, 2014
Revised: November, 1993 Revised: September, 2016
Revised: September, 1998
Revised: October, 2001
Combined with GCA and revised: June, 2012
Revised: October 18, 2012
Revised: March 21, 2013
Revised: August 7, 2014
Ref: 29 USC 201 et seq. (Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§11:710, 17:81; 17:83, 17:84, 17:84.1, 17:411, 17:413, 17:418, 17:419.2, 17:421.4, 17:422.6, 17:423, 17:424, 17:424.2, 17:424.3, 17:444, 17:491, 17:492, 17:496, 17:496.1, 17:497, 17:497.1, 17:498; Wright v. Caldwell Parish School Board, 30.448 (La. App. 2 Cir. 6/16/99); Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority et al., 105 S. Ct. 1005 (February 1985); Harrah Independent School District v. Martin, 99 S. Ct. 1062 (1979); Board minutes, 2-2-95, 8-20-98, 12-13-01, 10-18-12, 3-21-13, 8-7-14, 9-4-14.
JBC: SCHOOL ADMISSION
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall admit students to the schools of the school district once the student has been registered for school by the parent or legal guardian, under such rules and regulations as the School Board may prescribe.
The School Board shall grant admission or readmission to school to any person who meets all of the following criteria:
1. Resides within the geographic boundaries of the school system.
2. Meets the eligibility requirements for school entrance pursuant to statutory provisions
3. Is nineteen (19) years of age or younger on September 30th of the calendar year in which the school year begins or is twenty (20) years of age on September 30th of the calendar year in which the school year begins and has sufficient course credits that he/she will be able to graduate within one (1) school year of admission or readmission.
4. Has not received a high school diploma or its equivalent.
5. Is otherwise eligible for enrollment in a public school pursuant to state law and the policies of the School Board and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
If a person meets all of the criteria stated above, the School Board shall not deny admission or readmission based on any of the following characteristics:
1. The person voluntarily withdrew from school.
2. The person is pregnant.
3. The person is a parent.
4. The person is married.
The admission or readmission of a person who will be twenty (20) years of age on September 30th of the calendar year in which the school year begins shall be limited to grade twelve (12).
The admission or readmission of a person with an exceptionality shall be subject to federal and state law governing the age of eligibility for services for students with exceptionalities.
No child shall be admitted to school for the first time until his/her parents do the following:
1. Present to school officials an official birth certificate. A short-form birth certification card shall be acceptable. Only records from the local or state registrar of vital statistics shall be accepted for children born in Louisiana, except as otherwise provided herein. Children born in Louisiana shall be given a fifteen (15) day grace period to secure a copy of their birth record. Children born out of Louisiana shall be given thirty (30) days grace in which to produce a copy of their birth record. In cases where birth certificates and/or birth verification forms cannot be obtained, the school principal may accept whatever positive proof of age, race and parentage is available. It shall be left to the discretion of the Superintendent or designee as to whether or not a child shall continue in school upon failure to comply herewith.
2. Present to school officials satisfactory evidence of immunity to or immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to the age appropriate schedule approved by the Office of Public Health, Department of Health and Hospitals.
3. Present to school officials all official school records of school previously attended or information needed to access such records when transferring from another school to one inside the School District, including necessary authorization to obtain and/or access any and all records of the enrolling student.
4. Present to school officials as a prerequisite to enrolling in the first grade, evidence of having attended at least a full-day public or private kindergarten for a full school year; or satisfactorily passed academic readiness screening administered by the school system prior to the time of enrollment in first grade.
5. Present to school officials evidence of being bona fide residents of the school district, with limited exception. However, children temporarily residing within the jurisdiction of the School Board who have no permanent address, who have been abandoned by their parents, or who are in foster care shall be admitted to school, except as may be allowed by statute.
ADMISSION OF NON-PUBLIC AND HOME SCHOOLING STUDENTS
All students transferring to public schools of St. John Parish from any in-state nonpublic school, any home schooling program or any Louisiana resident transferring from any out-of-state school in the fifth or ninth grade shall be required to take the fourth or eighth grade LEAP 21 English Language Arts and Mathematics Test.
A testing fee for students from nonpublic schools, home schooling programs or out-of-state schools taking the LEAP 21 tests may be charged by the School Board, to be paid prior to taking of the tests. Any testing fee charged shall be refunded upon the student's enrollment in the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School System.
The nonpublic school and parent (or home schooling parent) shall be responsible for providing the St. John the Baptist Parish School District Test Coordinator at least ten (10) working days prior to the testing date, any documentation required for requested standard testing accommodations.
ADMISSION OF EXPELLED STUDENTS
No student who has been expelled in accordance with state law from any school in the state shall be admitted to any school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the School Board.
No student who has been expelled from any school outside the state of Louisiana or any nonpublic school within Louisiana for committing any of the offenses enumerated in state law shall be admitted to any school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the governing body of the admitting school.
ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WHO COMMIT A FELONY
The conviction of any student of a felony or the incarceration of any student in a juvenile institution for an act, whether committed in Louisiana or any other state or country, which had it been committed by an adult would have constituted a felony in Louisiana, may be sufficient cause for the Superintendent to refuse admission of the student to any school in the school district, except upon review and approval of a majority of the elected members of the School Board when a request for admission has been made to the School Board.
ADMISSION OF HOMELESS STUDENTS
Except as provided above with regard to students who have been expelled, no provision in this or any other St. John the Baptist Parish School Board policy shall be interpreted to impede the immediate or continued enrollment of homeless youth, as addressed in policy JBCBB, Homeless Students.
ADMISSION OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Neither the School Board nor any public school shall require the parent or legal guardian of any student to disclose the student’s medical information or special education needs prior to enrolling the student in a public school, unless otherwise specifically required by law.
Nothing herein shall prohibit a public school from providing an enrollment preference to a student with special needs when the student’s parent or legal guardian has voluntarily provided the school with information regarding such needs.
Revised: November, 1993 Revised: April, 2008
Revised: December, 1995 Revised: December 2, 2010
Revised: March, 2000 Revised: May 7, 2015
Revised: August, 2000 Revised: December, 2016
Ref: 42 USC 11431 et seq. (Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:151.3, 17:167, 17:221, 17:221.2, 17:222, 17:235.1, 17:238, 17:416, 17:3913 17:3914; Singleton v. Jackson Municipal Separate School District, 419 F. 2d 1211 (5th Cir., 1970); Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 2-17-00, 6-5-08, 12-2-10, 5-7-15.
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ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 7a. Mr. Peter Montz – Request board approval to solicit bids and proposals for the upcoming fiscal year: Proposal 18.01 Fiscal Agent; Proposal 18.02 Official Journal; Proposal 18.05 Fiscal Auditors; Bid 18.08 Bus Parts; Bid 18.09 Copier/Computer Paper; Bid 18.10 Office Supplies; Bid 18.11 Instructional Materials; Bid 178.12 General Maintenance; Bid 18.13 Electrical Supplies; Bid 18.14 Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies; Bid 18.15 Plumbing Supplies; Bid 18.16 Custodial Cleaning Supplies; Proposal 18.18 Award Items; Proposal 18.20 Food Service Equipment Maintenance.
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To give board approval to solicit bids and proposals for the upcoming fiscal year: Proposal 18.01 Fiscal Agent; Proposal 18.02 Official Journal; Proposal 18.05 Fiscal Auditors; Bid 18.08 Bus Parts; Bid 18.09 Copier/Computer Paper; Bid 18.10 Office Supplies; Bid 18.11 Instructional Materials; Bid 178.12 General Maintenance; Bid 18.13 Electrical Supplies; Bid 18.14 Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies; Bid 18.15 Plumbing Supplies; Bid 18.16 Custodial Cleaning Supplies; Proposal 18.18 Award Items; Proposal 18.20 Food Service Equipment Maintenance.
Upon roll call, there were:
10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl
1 Absent - DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Mr. Recommendation on Disaster Management Recovery Services
Mr. Montz stated that there were 7 submittals. The Committee reviewed and ranked the submittals and the top 3 presented to the L&F Committee. The Committee is recommending All South Consulting Engineers, based on the scores.
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Mitchell
MOTION: To accept All South Consultants for Disaster Management Recovery Services.
Upon roll call, there were:
10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl
1 Absent - DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Mr. Kevin George – Request approval of GMMS Entrance Requirements
MOTION BY: Wise
SECOND BY: Entire Board
MOTION: To approve the GMMS Entrance Requirements as presented.
Upon roll call, there were:
10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl
1 Absent - DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
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STEM Program Proposal
Garyville/ Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School
Need
National STEM Interest
According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in a STEM career. Even among those who do go on to pursue STEM fields in college, only about half chose to work in a related career. The U.S. ranks 29th in math and 22nd in science among industrialized nations. In addition, the DOE noted that a recent survey revealed that only 29 percent of Americans rated our country’s k-12 education in STEM subjects as above average or the best in the world. With STEM companies sitting in the heart of the parish, it is imperative that an interest in these fields is developed in our children so that they may have better opportunities to, in turn, become the innovative, problem solving risk-takers these companies need to continue to thrive.
Socioeconomic
Additionally, developing opportunities for our children to explore STEM companies within our parish can potentially address poverty issues. Given the fact that about 77 percent of students attending our schools are economically disadvantaged, nurturing interests in middle class career opportunities can produce a win-win cycle for the parish. That is, the school system’s performance will be impacted in that there exists a direct correlation between poverty rate and school/ district performance, local STEM companies will be positively impacted because children will begin developing the knowledge base needed to be effective in these companies while in K-12, and cycles of poverty will be broken in families who have long suffered for generations.
Furthermore, the Education Department notes that not enough high school students are given the opportunity to take advantage of advance math and science courses. This need also exists in our parish. Providing kids with more opportunities to take advantage of advanced math, specifically, is important in that there is a relationship between these courses and ACT performance. That is, according to research, taking specific advanced math courses in high school is linked directly to increased ACT scores. With increase ACT scores come more opportunities for TOPS, more university and career choices, and less long term financial burdens and debt upon graduation due to student loans.
Boosting Enrollment and Encouraging Diversity in Magnet Programs
For our k-8 system, there exists a need to provide parents with more choices than traditional versus one magnet, John L. Ory. Ory is a school that already benefits from the development of a positive reputation that says “Magnet” to families. Creating a similar reputation for Garyville/ Mt. Airy Magnet can prove beneficial to families, the community, and the system as a whole in that it would provide parents with a viable alternative to Ory thus increasing competition, which may boost enrollment from the private sector for both schools. However, there must be something offered at each of these schools that is not offered in any other school and parents can clearly distinguish. For instance, hypothetically, parents who choose Garyville know that it is the only school in which their children can complete 8th grade with math as high as geometry under their belts. Likewise, they choose Ory knowing that they can finish with a foreign language, etc. This clear contrast for the district’s magnet programs may prove helpful in improving public perception regarding Garyville as being the district’s Math and Science school.
Program Description
Science
Students will enter high school with strong a background in science content
-All students (k-8) will engage in hands-on LDOE curriculum aligned science projects in science lab on at least once per week
-Grade level science content will be integrated in ELA/ Math/ and Social Studies daily lessons (k-8)
-8th grade students will have opportunity to earn high school science credit in extended day program (accelerated program)
Technology
Students will enter high school with technology backgrounds that are in demand in today’s workforce
-Students (k-2) will visit computer lab at least once per week to engage in curriculum designed to assist in becoming computer literate
-Students (3-5) will visit computer lab at least once per week to engage in activities in which computer literacy skills are applied to classroom projects
-Students (3-5 accelerated) will visit Discovery Center for at least 130 minutes per week to engage in discovery learning activities involving the use of technology
-Students (6-8) will engage in a blended learning environment (8th period) in which they may earn high school credit the following courses (regular):
a. Computer Technology Literacy (6th grade) 1 credit
b. Web Design I (7th grade) 1 credit
c. Web Design II (8th grade) 1 credit
-Students (7th grade) will engage in Journey to Careers course in which curriculum lends itself to strong focus on the use of Web Design I content in relation to career fields
-Students (8th grade) will engage in Speech course in which curriculum lends itself to strong focus on the use of Web Design II content in relation to speeches
Engineering
Students will enter high school with well nurtured backgrounds in engineering
-Students (2-5 accelerated) will visit Discovery Center for at least 130 minutes per week to engage in projects that involve engineering exploration (building simple machines/ leggos/ etc.)
-Students (6-8) will engage in a blended learning environment (8th period) in which they may earn high school credit for the following courses (accelerated):
a. Introduction to Engineering Design (6th grade) 1 credit
b. Principles of Engineering Design (7th grade) 1 credit
c. Oil and Gas Production (8th grade) 1 credit
-Students (7th grade) will engage in Journey to Careers course in which curriculum lends itself to strong focus on Engineering Design content in relation to career fields (accelerated)
-Students (8th grade) will engage in Speech course in which curriculum lends itself to strong focus on Oil and Gas Production content in relation to speeches (accelerated)
-Students (6-8) will have a monthly guest speaker from a local company who will discuss career and importance of education
Math
Students will enter high school prepared to take math beyond Algebra II
-Students (k-2) will visit math computer lab at least once per week to strengthen specific areas of weakness (regular)
-Students (2-5) will visit Discovery Center for at least 130 minutes per week to work on math lessons focused on content at least 1 grade level higher (accelerated)
-Students (2-5) will be required to complete at least 100 minutes per week of math beyond the school day on level or at least 1 grade level higher (accelerated)
-Students (6-8) will visit computer lab at least once per week to strengthen specific areas of weakness
-Students (6-8) will engage in a math district designed curriculum that places them on track to enter high school with Algebra I and Geometry, 2 high school math credits needed to earn TOPS (accelerated)
-Students (6-8) will be required to complete at least 130 minutes per week of math beyond the school day on level or advanced course (accelerated)
Accelerated Program Requirements
Grades k-3
• 75% (Mastery) or above on District's K-2 Benchmark Quarter 3 Benchmarks
Or
• Meet Bulletin 1508 for the Gifted Exceptionality
Or
• Obtain proficient score with K-2 District Entrance Exams
Grades 4-8
• Have Maintained at least a 3.0 Cumulative GPA prior to entry
OR
• Have Maintained at least a 2.5 Cumulative GPA and Earned Mastery or above in Math or Science on most recent Standardized Exams upon entry
Key Pre-Implementation Activities
1. Secure STEM program teachers (Certified in areas of Need)
-Trayvonia Duhe’/ Gary Crane = Math (Accelerated Math courses/ Engineering Courses)
-Osa Betts/ Eureka Dalton = Business Education (Computer Lit courses/ Web Design Courses)
-Ellen Mury = Working towards Science (Accelerated Science Curriculum/ Computer Lit courses/ Web Design Courses)
-Keila Joseph (Magnet k-5)
-Kirstie Carter (Magnet 6-8)
2. Engage specialty teachers in PD on specific content areas/ teachers take courses (1st course spring semester and summer/ 2nd and 3rd per year = 2 years)
3. Seek District Support in developing math and science accelerated curriculum (Dr. Z)
4. Align Journey to Careers/ Speech Curriculum with STEM courses (Teacher leaders after testing/ summer project)
5. Seek district support in developing an 8 period schedule that accommodates special programs (Ms. Heidi/ Dr. Hill)
6. Meet with Marathon Representative to solicit support with programs
7. Purchase Online Software Course Library (Plato)
8. Purchase Technology tools (iPADs/ Netbooks) for 6-8 grade students to engage in courses
RESULTS
Short Term Results
-Increase in overall Science and Math standardized test scores
-Increase in DCAI (# of students earning high school credit hours)
-Increase in overall SPS/ Letter Grade
-Stronger relationship between school and local companies
Long Term Results
-Increased student enrollment
-Increase in diversity (socioeconomic and racial)
-Increase in students earning TOPS
-Increase in students taking advance math (Calculus, Trigonometry, etc.) in high school
-Increase in ACT scores in students who attended Garyville
-Decrease in high school dropout rate in students who attended Garyville
-Increase in percentage of students choosing to enter into STEM fields
Partnerships
1. Marathon Petroleum Corporation
-Provide financial support for online programs and technology tools
-Volunteer 1 hour per month to present/ speak to middle school engineering class
2. District Math Facilitator/ Accountability Team
-Develop accelerated math curriculum for middle school students
-Assist with scheduling needs
-High school credit offerings
3. District Leadership
-Agreement that magnet themed courses offered at Garyville are courses in which only Garyville is allowed to offer
-Promotion of Garyville as the district’s Math/ Science school
Projected Costs
Laptops 150 = $40,000. (estimated)
Carts 4 @ $800. each = 3,200. (total)
Plato Software 1 building license @ 7,000. (total annually)
Study Island Software 1 building license @ 3,000. (total annually/ Title I School-wide plan)
Discovery Center Resources non-reusable items (Title I School-wide plan)
Science Lab Resources (Title School-wide Plan)
Total Projects Cost = $53,200. (year 1 estimate)
Annual costs = $10,000. (estimate)
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ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mr. Burl asked that all Chairs of all the Board Committees please have a report ready for the next Board Meeting, as they will be asked to give a report.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT - The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
There were no objections.
The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Kevin R. George, Secretary Albert A. Burl, III, President