2017-04-20

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

LAPLACE, LA – MEETING OF APRIL 20, 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 LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace, Louisiana, at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 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 6:00 p.m.

The Chair called for the invocation, led by Pastor August, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the St. John the Baptist Parish Schools Talented Music students, who also sang the Star Spangled Banner.

ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

PRESENT: Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

ABSENT: DeFrancesch, Johnson,

There were 9 members present and 2 members absent.

ITEM 3a. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of April 6, 2017

MOTION BY: Jones

SECOND BY: Mitchell

MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of April 6, 2017.

No objections.

The motion carried.

9 Yeas - Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

0 Nays

2 Absent - DeFrancesch, Johnson,

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Mr. Kevin R. George, Superintendent.

Mr. George reminded everyone of the upcoming graduation dates: WSJH, May 20^th at 10:00 a.m. and ESJH, May 24^th at 7 p. m. at the Pontchartrain Center.

Mr. Johnson and Ms. Defrancesch arrived at 6:09 p.m. and was recorded as present.

ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF

ITEM 5a. Mr. Kevin R. George / Mr. Albert Burl, III – Recognition of PTO Presidents

The following were recognized by the District for the contributions to our schools:

DISTRICT PTO: Mrs. Patricia Triche

LPE-Brenda Semersky /Kimberly Bartholomew

WSJE-Kimberly Moll

ESJE- Johnika-Gayden

JLO-Kate Vicknair

GMMS-Emma Morris

ESJH-Paula Henderson

LES-Rhonda Cammon

WSJH-Robin Bailey

ECW –Chanda Robinson

ITEM 5b. Ms. Kristen Brooks – Talented Music Students Perform

The students performed 2 acts from the Lion King.

ITEM 5c. Mr. Albert A. Burl, III – Garyville Timbermill Museum Committee Presentation

Mr. Monica gave the Board some background on the Committee and stated that they are interested in leasing the old Garyville Grammar School for 20 years, to use as a Cultural Center for the community, with an option to buy.

ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS

ITEM 6a. Ms. Serina Duke – Introduction of Revised Policy: GBRIB – Sick Leave

This item was for introduction only.

ITEM 6b. Ms. Serina Duke – Introduction of Revised Policy: KG – Use of Facilities

This item was for introduction only.

ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE

ITEM 7a. Mr. Felix Boughton – Adopt resolution levying millages for the 2017 tax roll.

MOTION BY: Jones

SECOND BY: Triche

MOTION: To adopt a resolution levying millages for the 2017 tax roll.

Upon roll call, there were:

11 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

0 Absent

The motion carried.

**********************

RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2017 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by St. John the Baptist School Board:

MILLAGE

School Constitutional 3.65 mills

School Maintenance 4.33 mills

School Salaries 3.26 mills

School Retiree Benefits .99 mill

School Academic Improvement 2.98 mills

School Salaries 3.98 mills

School Salaries/Health Care 10.12 mills

School Bonds 10.00 mills

Total Mills 39.31 mills

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2017, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.

The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:

YEAS: 0

NAYS: 0

ABSTAINED: 0

ABSENT: 0

CERTIFICATE

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the board meeting held on April 20^th, 2017, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.

Laplace, Louisiana, this 20^th day of April 2017.

________________________________________

Albert A. Burl, III, Board President

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ITEM 7b. Mr. Felix Boughton/Mr. Hugh Martin – A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

MOTION BY: Wise

SECOND BY: Jones

MOTION: To adopt the resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

Upon roll call, there were:

11 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

0 Absent

The motion carried.

*********************

The following resolution was offered by ______________________________ and seconded by _______________________________:

RESOLUTION

A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), that:

SECTION 1. Election Call. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, and under the authority conferred by Article VI, Sections 30 and 32 and Article VIII, Section 13(C) of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of the Louisiana Election Code, and other constitutional and statutory authority, a special election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the District on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017, between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) a.m. and eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, and at the said election there shall be submitted to all registered voters qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and laws of this State and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to-wit:

PROPOSITION

(MILLAGE RENEWAL)

Shall School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the “District”) levy a special tax of eight (8) mills on all property subject to taxation within the District (an estimated $3,418,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the Tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2019 and ending with the year 2028, for the purpose of providing additional support to public elementary and secondary schools in the District, dedicating one (1) mill to pay the District’s unfunded obligations for health benefits for retired employees and to establish a trust fund for said purpose to the extent permitted by law; dedicating four (4) mills to pay salaries and benefits of teachers and other employees; and dedicating three (3) mills to implement a written plan for academic school improvements, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the Parish School Board?

SECTION 2. Publication of Notice of Election. A Notice of Special Election shall be published in the L'Observateur, a newspaper of general circulation within the District, published in LaPlace, Louisiana, and being the official journal of the District, once a week for four consecutive weeks, with the first publication to be made not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the election, which Notice shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as "Exhibit A" and incorporated herein by reference the same as if it were set forth herein in full.

SECTION 3. Canvass. This Governing Authority shall meet at its regular meeting place, the Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Hwy. 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017, at SIX O'CLOCK (6:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election.

SECTION 4. Polling Places. The polling places set forth in the aforesaid Notice of Special Election are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, will be the same persons as those designated in accordance with law.

SECTION 5. Election Commissioners; Voting Machines. The officers designated to serve as Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners pursuant to Section 4 hereof, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, shall hold the said special election as herein provided, and shall make due returns of said election for the meeting of the Governing Authority to be held on Thursday, November 16, 2017, as provided in Section 3 hereof. All registered voters in the District will be entitled to vote at the special election, and voting machines shall be used.

SECTION 6. Authorization of Officers. The Secretary of the Governing Authority is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for and to furnish to said election officers in ample time for the holding of said election, the necessary equipment, forms and other paraphernalia essential to the proper holding of said election and the President and/or Secretary of the Governing Authority are further authorized, empowered and directed to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal law to arrange for the election.

SECTION 7. Furnishing Election Call to Election Officials. Certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Parish Custodian of Voting Machines of St. John the Baptist Parish and the Registrar of Voters of St. John the Baptist Parish, as notification of the special election, in order that each may prepare for said election and perform their respective functions as required by law.

SECTION 8. Application to State Bond Commission. Application is made to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority to hold the special election as herein provided, and in the event said election carries for further consent and authority to continue to levy and collect the special tax provided for therein. A certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the State Bond Commission on behalf of this Governing Authority, together with a letter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application.

This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

MEMBERS: YEAS: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAINING:

Charo Holden

Albert “Ali” Burl, III

Gerald J. Keller

Patrick H. Sanders

Sherry DeFrancesch

Keith Jones

Phillip Johnson

Russ Wise

Shawn Wallace

Nia Mitchell

Clarence Triche

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 20^th day of April, 2017.

/s/ Kevin R. George /s/ Albert A. Burl, III

Secretary President

EXHIBIT "A"

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION

Pursuant to the provisions of a resolution adopted by the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), on April 20, 20176, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the District on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017, and that at the said election there will be submitted to all registered voters in the District qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to-wit:

PROPOSITION

(MILLAGE RENEWAL)

The said special election will be held at the following polling places situated within the District, which polls will open at seven o'clock (7:00) a.m., and close at eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, to-wit:

POLLING PLACES
Ward	Precinct	Location
01	01	Pleasure Bend Fire Station, 1200 Hwy. 643, Vacherie
01	02	St. John Parish Courthouse, 2393 Hwy. 18, Edgard
01	03	Wallace Fire Station, 5733 Hwy. 18, Vacherie
01	04	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5^th Street, LaPlace
01	05	Milesville Special School, 538 West 2^nd Street, LaPlace
01	06	Milesville Special School, 538 West 2^nd Street, LaPlace
01	07	Milesville Special School, 538 West 2^nd Street, LaPlace
01	08	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5^th Street, LaPlace
01	09	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5^th Street, LaPlace
02	01	Garyville Magnet School, 240 Hwy. 54, Garyville
02	02	Garyville Magnet School, 240 Hwy. 54, Garyville
02	03	Parish Health Unit, 473 Central Avenue, Reserve
02	04	Lacour Center@St. Peter’s School, 188 West 7^th Street, Reserve
02	05	Lacour Center@St. Peter’s School, 188 West 7^th Street, Reserve
03	01	Parish Health Unit, 473 Central Avenue, Reserve
03	02	Fifth Ward Elementary School, 158 Panther Drive, Reserve
03	04	Ninth Grade Building, 3000 Airline Hwy., Reserve
04	01	East St. John High School, 3000 West Airline Highway, Reserve
04	02	East St. John High School, 3000 West Airline Highway, Reserve
04	03	East St. John High School, 3000 West Airline Highway, Reserve
04	08	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace
04	10	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace
04	11	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace
04	12	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace
04	13	Percy Hebert Bldg., 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace
04	14	LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace
05	01	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5^th Street, LaPlace
05	03	St. John Baptist Parish Library, 2920 Hwy. 51, LaPlace
05	04	St. John Baptist Parish Library, 2920 Hwy. 51, LaPlace
05	07	John L. Ory Elementary School, 182 West 5^th Street LaPlace
05	08	East St. John High School, 3000 West Airline Highway, Reserve
06	01	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace
06	03	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace
06	04	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace
06	05	Arcuri Center, 1020 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace
07	02	LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace
07	03	LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace
07	05	LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace
07	07	LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace

The polling places set forth above are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, shall be those persons designated according to law.

Notice is further given that a portion of the monies collected from the tax described in the Proposition shall be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement systems in the manner required by law.

The said special election will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and the officers appointed to hold the said election, as provided in this Notice of Special Election, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at its regular meeting place, the Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Hwy. 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2017, at SIX O'CLOCK (6:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election. All registered voters of the District are entitled to vote at said special election and voting machines will be used.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Reserve, Louisiana, on this, the 20^th day of April, 2017.

ATTEST: /s/ Albert A. Burl, III

President

/s/ Kevin R. George

Secretary

STATE OF LOUISIANA

PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

I, the undersigned Secretary of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of the proceedings taken by the Governing Authority on April 20, 20176, ordering and calling a special election to be held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature at Reserve, Louisiana, on this, the 20^th day of April, 2017.

____________________________________

Secretary

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ITEM 7d. Mr. Felix Boughton – Introduce Amended Budget 2016-2017

As this item is for introduction only, there was no discussion. However, Mr. Boughton stated that he would hold a public meeting in May and ask for adoption on May 25, 2017.

ITEM 7d. Mr. Felix Boughton – Introduce Original Budget 2017-2018

This item was for introduction only.

ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS

ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS

ITEM 9a. Mr. Albert Burl, III – Concerned Citizens of St. John

Mr. Perrilloux and Mr. John Cummins reported on the air quality in/around Denka-Dupont.

ITEM 9b. Mr. Kevin Klibert – Executive Session - Litigation Update (Duhon, et al. v. Tatje, et al. 90-1669 consolidated with 13,212, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana)

MOTION BY: Jones

SECOND BY: Mitchell

MOTION: To convene in Executive Session to discuss: Litigation Update (Duhon, et al. v. Tatje, et al. 90-1669 consolidated with 13,212, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana)

Upon roll call, there were:

11 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

0 Absent

The motion carried.

The Board convened in Executive Session at 7:35 p.m.

MOTION BY: Keller

SECOND BY: Mitchell

MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session

Upon roll call, there were:

6 Yeas – Keller, DeFrancesch, Wise, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

5 Absent - Holden, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wallace

The motion carried.

The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 8:10 p.m.

ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

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

MOTION BY: Keller

SECOND BY: Wise

MOTION: Motion for adjournment.

There were no objections.

The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

________________________________ ________________________________

Kevin R. George, Secretary Albert A. Burl, III, President