PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

LAPLACE, LA – MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 21, 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 Hwy. 44, Reserve, LA  at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.

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 Rev. Wallace, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Carlo Travis.

ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

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

ABSENT:          Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson

There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.

ITEM 3a.APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meeting of August 17, 2017

MOTION BY:    Sanders

SECOND BY:    Triche

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meeting of August 17, 2017.

No objections.

The motion carried.

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

ITEM 4a.  District Goals Presentation:  Supt. Kevin George turned the floor over to Dr. Stephen Zafirau and Dr. Jenna Chaisson, who shared the following information:

Mrs. DeFrancesch arrived at 6:39 p.m. and was recorded as present.

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

ITEM 5a.  Dr. Juanita Hill – Perfect 800/TOPS-ACT Recognitions

Dr. Hill recognized the following students for their achievement:

ITEM 5b.  Ms. Drenean Brown - Recognition of Rebecca Holmes – National Music Curriculum Writing

Ms. Rebecca Holmes was recognized for being chosen to assist in writing curriculum in Washington, DC.  Several board members congratulated her, as well as Supt. George.

ITEM 5c.  Resolution:  Representative Graves and Representative Richmond

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:    Entire Board

MOTION:  To approve the Resolution to Representative Graves and Representative Richmond

Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

2 Absent:  Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

----------------------

RESOLUTION NO. 17-001

WHEREAS, the voters of St. John the Baptist Parish approved the thirty (30) year Parishwide Proposition Property Tax (Millage) on April 29, 2017;

WHEREAS, Millage funds are to be used to support the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Levee Project;

WHEREAS, the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Levee Project became eligible for funding upon its passage in Congress and approval by President Barack Obama as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act in December on 2016;

WHEREAS, Hurricane Isaac struck St. John the Baptist Parish on August 29, 2012;

WHEREAS, repairs to St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools stemming from Hurricane Isaac damage totaled over $32,000,000.00;

WHEREAS, the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Levee Project is a cost-saving investment for the Federal government;

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board calls on Congressman Cedric Richmond, Congressman Garrett Graves, Senator William “Bill” Cassidy, and Senator John Kennedy to support legislation authorizing funds for the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Levee Project for constructing, maintaining, operating, extending and/or improving levees, facilities and structures associated with outer flood protection systems within St. John the Baptist Parish;

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on this 21st day of September, 2017.

----------------------

ITEM 5d.   Resolution:  To the family of Herbert Smith, Sr.

ITEM 5e.  Resolution:  To the family of Ruby Porter

Mr. Sanders read the resolutions aloud and they were recorded in the minutes.  Both families were presented a plaque with the resolution.

RESOLUTION

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA

WHEREAS,      the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board and community grieves the loss of a devoted educator, with the death of Herbert Smith, Sr., and

WHEREAS,      Herbert Smith, Sr. was a graduate of Second Ward High School in 1965, earned numerous degrees at Southern University Baton Rouge, and for the following 40-plus years, devoted his entire career to the students of St. John the Baptist Parish School System, and

WHEREAS,      With this Memorial Resolution to be issued to the family of Herbert Smith, Sr., St. John the Baptist Parish School Board hereby recognizes his dedication and commitment to the children and the families of this Parish,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this school district, on behalf of its members, recognizes the significant contributions of Herbert Smith, Sr., over the course of his distinguished career and mourns his death; and this Resolution of sympathy shall be made part of the official record of this School Board on this 21^st day of September, 2017, thus done and subscribed therein.

----------------------

RESOLUTION

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA

WHEREAS,      the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board and community grieves the loss of a devoted educator, with the death of Ruby Leche Porter, and

WHEREAS,      Following her academic career, where she earned multiple advanced  certifications from 5 Louisiana post-secondary schools, and for the next 34-plus years, Ruby Porter devoted herself to being an impactful educator, in various capacities, to the students of St. John the Baptist Parish, and

WHEREAS,      With this Memorial Resolution to be issued to the family of Ruby Porter, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board hereby recognizes her dedication and commitment to the children and the families of this Parish,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this school district, on behalf of its members, recognizes the significant contributions of Ruby Porter, over the course of her distinguished career and mourns her death; and this Resolution of sympathy shall be made part of the official record of this School Board on this 21^st day of September, 2017, thus done and subscribed therein.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 6.  PERSONNEL MATTERS

ITEM 7.  BUSINESS AND FINANCE

ITEM 7a.  Mr. Felix Boughton/Ms. Monica Garcia – To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution authorizing the execution of a non-binding term sheet and a binding commitment letter in connection with the issuance of not to exceed four million dollars ($4,000,000) of Taxable Limited Tax Revenue Bonds (QZAB), in one or more series, of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

MOTION BY:    Entire Board

SECOND BY:   

MOTION:  To approve adopting a resolution authorizing the execution of a non-binding term sheet and a binding commitment letter in connection with the issuance of not to exceed four million dollars ($4,000,000) of Taxable Limited Tax Revenue Bonds (QZAB), in one or more series, of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas –  Holden,  Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

2 Absent – Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 7b.  Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval to solicit bids for Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School replacement contents.

MOTION BY:    Wise

SECOND BY:    Jones

MOTION:  To allow administration to solicit bids for Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School replacement contents.

Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas –  Holden,  Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

2 Absent – Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 7c.  Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval to solicit proposals for school bus air conditioners.

MOTION BY:    Wise

SECOND BY:    Jones

MOTION:  To allow administration to solicit bids for school bus air conditioners.

Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas –  Holden,  Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

2 Absent – Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 7d.  Mr. Peter Montz – Recommendation on RFP 18.26 General and Fleet Liability Insurance

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:    Wise

MOTION:  To accept the recommendation on RFP 18.26 General and Fleet Liability Insurance (Total insurance premium:  $298,458).

Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas –  Holden,  Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

2 Absent – Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 7e.  Ms. Iman Montgomery – Approve Blue Cross Blue Shield Closed Formulary

MOTION BY:    DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:    Mitchell

MOTION:  To continue with the Blue Cross Blue Shield OPEN Formulary.

Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas –  Holden,  Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

2 Absent – Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 7f.  Mr. Felix Boughton – Approve contract with ACI for sales/hotel tax collection

This contract automatically renewed for one year, so no action needed to be taken at this time.

ITEM 8.  OLD BUSINESS                                                       

ITEM 9.  NEW BUSINESS

ITEM 9a.   Ms. Bonnie Dinvaut – Request Board approval of St. John the Baptist Parish School District Technology Plan for 2017-2020  

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:    Sanders

MOTION:  To approve the St. John the Baptist Parish School District Technology Plan for 2017-2020.

Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas –  Holden,  Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

2 Absent – Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9b.  Mr. Kevin George – Request approval of School Name Change:  East St. John Elementary School to East St. John Preparatory Academy

MOTION BY:    Entire Board

SECOND BY:   

MOTION:  To approve the request of School Name Change:  East St. John Elementary School to East St. John Preparatory Academy.

Upon roll call, there were:

9 Yeas –  Holden,  Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

2 Absent – Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9c.  Mr. Kevin George – Request approval of Central Office Reorganization Plan for 2017-2018 School Year

MOTION BY:    Sanders

SECOND BY:    Jones

MOTION:  To approve Central Office Reorganization Plan for 2017-2018 as presented.

Upon roll call, there were:

8 Yeas –  Holden,  Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche

1 Nay – Burl

2 Absent – Keller, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9d.  Ms. Iman Montgomery – Introduction of Modified Policy:  BCB Rules and Procedures

This item was for introduction only.

ITEM 9e.  Mrs. Patricia Triche – Head Start Director’s Reports

This item was for informational purposes only.

ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS                              

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

Mr. Burl thanked Mrs. Patricia Triche for her help in the collection of donations for Hurricane Harvey victims.

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

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:    DeFrancesch

MOTION:          Motion for adjournment.

There were no objections.

The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

________________________________              ________________________________

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