PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

LAPLACE, LA – MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

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, on Thursday, September 20, 2018 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.  He called for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Keith Jones.

ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS: The Chair called for Public Comment.

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

ABSENT:          DeFrancesch

There were 10 members present and 1 member absent.

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Chair called for Public Comment.

ITEM 3a.  Approval of Minutes of the Meetings of August 16, 2018 and Board Retreat Minutes of August 13-14, 2018.

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meeting of August 16, 2018 and Board Retreat Minutes of August 13-14, 2018.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

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

The Chair called for Public Comment.

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

The Chair called for Public Comment.

ITEM 5a.  Head Start Update / Reports / Presentation of 5 Year Goals & Objectives

Mrs. Patricia Triche presented the Board with monthly reports and a copy of the 5 Year Goals & Objectives.

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 5b.  Mrs. Serina Duke – Recognition of Retirees

The Chair called for Public Comment.

Mrs. Serina Duke presented the 2018 Retirees:

ITEM 5c. Mr. Albert Burl, III - Presentation by Dream and Believe Productions, in Observance of the month of October being Anti-Bullying Month - A Stage Play, “Growing Pains”

The Chair called for Public Comment.

Ms. Tawanna Moore addressed the board and stated that, in light of October being National Anti-Bullying Month, she would like to work with the talented art students to present a stage play, “Growing Pains”, which addresses bullying.

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 6.  PERSONNEL MATTERS

ITEM 6a.  Mrs. Serina Duke - Introduction of Revised Job Description:  Head Start Nurse

The Chair called for Public Comment.

This item was for introduction only.

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 7.  BUSINESS AND FINANCE

ITEM 7a.  Felix Boughton – Monthly Budget to Actual

The Chair called for Public Comment.

The following information was shared:

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 7b.  Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval to solicit Proposals for Property Insurance

The Chair called for Public Comment.

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To authorize administration to solicit proposals (RFP) for Property Insurance

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 7c.  Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval to solicit Proposals for School Bus Air Conditioners

The Chair called for Public Comment.

Mr. Sanders requested that at least some of the HeadStart buses be included in receiving air conditioners, especially the bus with the longest route.

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:  To authorize administration to solicit proposals (RFP) for School Bus Air Conditioners.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 7d.  Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval on Proposal 19.26 General and Fleet Liability Insurance

The Chair called for Public Comment.

MOTION BY:    Wise

SECOND BY:   Johnson

MOTION:  To accept Proposal 19.26 General Fleet Liability Insurance at a total cost of $302,067

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 7e.  Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval on Bid 19.19.2 ESJH Double Racks and Weights

The Chair called for Public Comment.

MOTION BY:    Sanders

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To accept Bid 19.19.2 ESJH Double Racks and Weights for a total of $41,960

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 8.  OLD BUSINESS

ITEM 9.  NEW BUSINESS

ITEM 9a. Ms. Iman Montgomery – Request Approval of St. John Association of Educator Collective Bargaining Agreement

The Chair called for Public Comment.

Ms. Montgomery stated that a 60 day extension is being requested.

MOTION BY:    Wise

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To grant a 60 day extension to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Expiring November 18, 2018).

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.  Hammonds, Sills, Adkins & Guice LLP and the Board’s Director of Risk Management are the attorneys of record for this issue.

ITEM 9b.  Ms. Iman Montgomery - Request Approval of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Drug Formulary

The Chair called for Public Comment.

Ms. Montgomery stated that it is the Insurance Committee’s recommendation to remain with the Open Formulary, however, this request is to approve a Closed Formulary.  Mr. Wayne Francingues stated that approving the Closed Formulary would save the District approximately $200,000.

MOTION BY:    Wise

SECOND BY:   Burl

MOTION:  To table

No objections.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:      Sanders

SECOND BY:  

MOTION:  To leave the Drug Formulary as Open for this calendar year.

This motion failed due to the lack of a second.

Upon roll call on the original motion to table, there were:

2 Yeas – Wise, Burl

8 Nays – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche

1 Absent - DeFrancesch

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 9c.  Ms. Iman Montgomery - Request Approval to solicit Request for Quotation (RFQ) for Benefits Administration System

The Chair called for Public Comment.

MOTION BY:    Wise

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:  To authorize administration to solicit Requests for Quotations for Benefits Administration System.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Dr. Keller was granted the floor by the Chair:

MOTION BY:    Keller

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:  To waive policy to amend the agenda to include an action item regarding the CEA between the St. John Sheriff’s Office and St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sandrs, Jones Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

MOTION BY:    Keller

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:  To enter into an agreement, through the presented CEA between the St. John Sheriff’s Office and St. John the Baptist Parish School Board providing for School Resource Officers.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sandrs, Jones Johnson, Wise, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Burl

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

ITEM 9d.  Introduction of New/Revised Policies:  EBBC, JGCF, Employee Use of Social Media, and McKinney Vento Act Dispute Resolution Process

The Chair called for Public Comment.

These items were presented for introduction only.

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 9e.  Ms. Nia Mitchell/Dr. Eric Jones - Recommendation regarding proposal by Dr. Eric Jones

The Chair called for Public Comment.

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To accept the Proposal presented by Dr. Eric Jones at a total cost of $86,850 annually

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche

1 Nay – Wise

1 Abstention – Burl

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Mr. Wise stated for the record that he could not support this proposal for several reasons, among them being that no RFP had been issued and also, the proposal duplicates job descriptions that are already among the duties of existing School Board personnel.

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office was not provided any information related to this topic, nor was this office asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 9f.  Dr. Gerald Keller – Request by the Godchaux-Reserve House Historical Society to use the Leon Godchaux Grammar School grounds for a celebration of the Godchaux-Reserve house on October 16, 2018

The Chair called for Public Comment.

MOTION BY:    Wise

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To grant the request by the Godchaux-Reserve House Historical Society to use the Leon Godchaux Grammar School grounds for a celebration of the Godchaux-Reserve house on October 16, 2018

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Legal Recommendation:  The District Attorney’s Office recommends that the Board comply with Board’s policy KG Use of School Facilities as it would with any other group.

ITEM 9g.  Dr. Gerald Keller – Request authority for the Board President, School Superintendent and legal team to negotiate a lease agreement with the Godchaux-Reserve Historical Society for the use of the former Leon Godchaux Grammar School and grounds

The Chair called for Public Comment.

MOTION BY:    Wise

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To grant the request for give authority for the Board President, School Superintendent and legal team to negotiate a lease agreement with the Godchaux-Reserve Historical Society for the use of the former Leon Godchaux Grammar School and grounds

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent –  DeFrancesch

Legal Recommendation:  This matter has been previously address through DA Opinion 18-0001. However, as a recap “La. R.S. 17:87.6, which was enacted in 2017, allows for the sale, or lease of any school site, building, or facility which is not used and not needed in the operation of any school or schools within its jurisdiction. If the School Board decides to lease this property, the terms of said lease should simply be as prescribed by the Board.

ITEM 9h.  Mr. Russ Wise – Request approval of Resolution seeking and explanation of La Revised Statute 42:15

The Chair called for Public Comment.

Mr. Wise stated that he had requested a resolution be prepared for this item, but that request had not been fulfilled.

No action was taken on this item.

Legal Recommenation:  La. R.S. 42:15. School board meetings; public comment

A. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, each school board subject to the provisions of this Chapter, except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, shall allow public comment at any meeting of the school board prior to taking any vote. The comment period shall be for each agenda item and shall precede each agenda item.

B. The Orleans Parish School Board, at any meeting of the school board, shall provide an opportunity for public comment subject to reasonable rules, regulations, and restrictions as adopted by the school board.

C. For purposes of this Section, a comment period for all comments at the beginning of a meeting shall not suffice to meet the requirements of Subsection A or Subsection B of this Section.

Acts 1997, No. 895, §1, eff. July 10, 1997; Acts 2005, No. 474, §1; Acts 2010, No. 861, §23; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 35, §1.

ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

The Chair called for Public Comment.

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

The Chair called for Public Comment.

ITEM 12.  ADJOURNMENT

The Chair called for Public Comment.

The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:   Wise

MOTION:         Motion for adjournment.

There were no objections.

The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

________________________________                                     ________________________________

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