St. John the Baptist Parish School SystemPROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
LAPLACE, LA – MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 2019
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 West St. John Elementary School, 2555 La Highway 18, Edgard, Louisiana, on Thursday, January 10, 2019 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 6:05 p.m. He called for the invocation, led by Rev. Clayton, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Debra Schum.
ITEM 1a. Swearing in of School Board Members
The Honorable Judge Sterling Snowdy administered the Oath of Office to Mrs. Debra Schum. He then administered the Oath of Office to all Board Members.
ITEM 1b. Election of Officers
The Chair opened the floor for nominations for President.
Mr. Wallace nominated Patrick Sanders for President.
There being no other nominations, Mr. Patrick Sanders was declared President.
Mr. Sanders was seated as Chair and opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President.
Dr. Keller nominated Sherry DeFrancesch for Vice-President.
Ms. Holden nominated Nia Mitchell for Vice-President.
Mr. Jones nominated Phillip Johnson for Vice-President.
Upon roll call on the nomination of Sherry DeFrancesch, there were:
9 Yeas – Keller, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Sanders
2 Nays – Holden, Mitchell
Mrs. Sherry DeFrancesch was nominated as Vice-President.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS: The Chair called for Public Comment.
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
ABSENT: None
There were 11 members present and 0 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Chair called for Public Comment.
ITEM 3a. Approval of Minutes of the Meeting December 13, 2018
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of December 13, 2018.
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
0 Absent
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Mr. Kevin R. George, Superintendent.
ITEM 4a. Public Comment. Mr. Kevin George – School Board Member Credit Hours Earned
Mr. George read the following into the record:
LOUISIANA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION CONTINUING LEARNING UNITS
The Louisiana School Board Association recognizes any school board member that attains twenty (20) or more continuing learning units of training in the calendar year as a Certified Board Member. These credit hours must be recorded in the official record of the School Board, as well as the official journal. Therefore, I will announce the total credit hours for each of our board members for the 2018 calendar year:
Ms. Charo Holden, District 1
– 50.50 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Albert Burl, District 2
– 44.25 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Gerald Keller, District 3
– 50.25 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Patrick Sanders, District 4
– 47.50 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Mrs. Sherry DeFrancesch, District 5
– 22.00 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Keith Jones, District 6
– 69.75 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Phillip Johnson, District 7
– 17.00 Credit Hours
Mr. Russ Wise, District 8
– 46.25 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Shawn Wallace, District 9
– 44.50 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Nia Mitchell, District 10
– 30.00 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Clarence Triche, District 11
– 25.50 Credit Hours – LSBA CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER
Mr. George announced the following: The West St. John Civic Association is sponsoring its annual march and memorial program in memory and honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. The events will be held on the national day of recognition set aside specifically for this purpose, Monday, January 21, 2019. The march will begin at 12 noon from the Roland Borne, Sr. Memorial Library and will move east along River Road to West St. John Elementary School. The memorial program w ill begin immediately after the march in the school’s auditorium. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Corey Batiste and Mrs. Virgie Johnson will serve as the Grand Marshall. The theme this year is, “Examine the past as we go through the present, in order to ensure our future.” Every person, group, organization is invited to come out and celebrate.
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
A motion was made by Mr. Wallace, seconded by Ms. Mitchell, to waive policy and amend the agenda to include: Mr. Kevin Klibert, Becnel Law Firm: Executive Session: Bovie v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, 40th Judicial District Court, Docket No. 72997-B: Discussion of strategy and possible resolution AND Ann Hymel v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration, Claim No. 29993.
Upon roll call, there were:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
The motion to carried.
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Mitchell
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session to address: Bovie v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, 40th Judicial District Court, Docket No. 72997-B: Discussion of strategy and possible resolution AND Ann Hymel v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration, Claim No. 29993
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
The Board convened in Executive Session at 6:35 p.m.
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
2 Not seated – Burl, Jones
The Board reconvened in Regular session at 6:54 p.m.
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda to include a vote in regards to accepting a consent judgement of Bovie v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
1 Not seated – Jones
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To accept the consent judgement of Bovie v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
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40th JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FOR ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH
STATE OF LOUISIANA
NO. 72997 DIVISION “ ”
KENDRA BOVIE, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF
HER MINOR CHILD, LANCE DEWEY
vs.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD
FILED: _______________ ________________________
DEPUTY CLERK
CONSENT JUDGMENT
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board hereby agrees to take the following action immediately:
1) To send a letter to Denka and Dupont stating that the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board demands that:
a. Denka and Dupont immediately take whatever action is necessary to reduce the emissions of chloroprene from their chemical plant to at or below the EPA’s upper limit of acceptability, which is 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter, and
b. Denka and Dupont provide air monitoring consistent with the current EPA air monitoring program for chloroprene in St. John the Baptist Parish at each of the public schools inside Denka’s isopleth and make that data publicly available to inform the parents of students attending those schools what the chloroprene levels are.
2) To send a letter to Chuck Brown, as head of Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, requesting that LDEQ do whatever is necessary to compel Denka and Dupont to immediately take whatever action is necessary to reduce the emissions of chloroprene from their chemical plant to at or below the EPA’s upper limit of acceptability, which is 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter, and
3) To send a letter to Dr. Jimmy Guidry, with the Louisiana Department of Health, requesting that the LDH investigate actual and/or potential health risks, of the school children exposed to chloroprene daily and, if necessary, make recommendations as to any medical regimen and/or treatment, including urine tests, that should be implemented for the safety and health of the school children; and to take whatever action that is necessary to compel Denka and Dupont to reduce the emissions of chloroprene to at or below the EPA’s upper limit of acceptability, which is 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter.
All for the sake of and in the best interest of the children attending schools within Denka’s isopleth.
Plaintiff, Kenda Bovie, individually and on behalf of her minor child, Lance Dewey, hereby agrees to dismiss her mandamus lawsuit against the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, for and in consideration of St. John the Baptist Parish School Board sending the above referenced letters to (1) Denka and Dupont; (2) Chuck Brown and LDEQ; and (3) Dr. Jimmy Guidry and LDH.
Signed this ______ day of _____________________, 2018.
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ITEM 5. EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEM 6a. Public Comment. Mrs. Serina Duke – Remove from table and request approval of Revised Job Description: Supervisor of External Programs Fiscal Officer
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To remove from the table and vote on the approval of Revised Job Description: Supervisor of External Programs Fiscal Officer
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve Revised Job Description: Supervisor of External Programs Fiscal Officer
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
1 Nay – Keller
Mr. Burl asked that administration remove all job descriptions from the website that are not currently filled.
Mr. Sanders asked that administration document the amount of time this employee works on Head Start related items.
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
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St. John the Baptist Parish School System
Job Description
JOB TITLE: Supervisor of External Programs Fiscal Officer
REPORTS TO/EVALUATED BY: Executive Director of Business & Finance
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 Months
SALARY RANGE: Supervisor Salary Schedule
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide accounting services for the
District external programs efficiently and
expeditiously.
For individuals with a disability; hiring decisions will be based only on the individual’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Acts as general accountant and preserves all accounts, vouchers, and contracts for designated external programs.
2. Performs all financial accounting for designated external programs.
3. Maintains updated knowledge of federal programs.
4. Provides accounting services essential to the preparation, administration, and control of designated external program budgets and consults with appropriate individuals on revisions.
5. Prepares the annual budgets for designated external programs.
6. Collaborates with program (curriculum & instruction) staff with grant writing, accounting, and program reporting as needed.
7. Prepares financial and other budget reports for designated external programs, including periodic expense reports and uploaded data.
8. Prepares requests for funds for designated external programs, including eGMS input with uploads of required data.
9. Keeps a subsidiary ledger on outstanding requests for funds and tracks such requests.
10. Supervises Clerk(s)
11. Cooperates with the auditors/monitors, provides information to them, and correct any financial related findings for such designated external programs.
12. Follows the rules and regulations of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
13. Notifies supervisor promptly in case of absence, and communicates in advance the date of return so that provisions can be made.
14. Attends work regularly and arrives punctually.
15. Displays proper respect for superiors.
16. Observes professional lines of communication at all times with individuals inside and outside the school system.
17. Makes use of constructive criticism and avoids use of sarcasm, undue criticism, inappropriate language and behavior, and use of racial and/or ethnic slurs when dealing with others.
18. Fulfill the responsibilities of the Head Start Fiscal Manager.
19. Accepts other duties as may be assigned which are related to the scope of the job.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/HOURS
The Supervisor of External Programs Fiscal Officer is required to work in a central office setting, climate controlled environment adhering to School Board energy policy. Work day is consistent with the central office schedule. Sometimes works evenings, weekends & holidays as required by job responsibilities and supervisors.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Communication must be in standard English both orally and in writing. Must be able to accurately compile and access data, summarize information, and provide written report to supervisor.
EQUIPMENT
Telephone, copy machine, fax machine, and personal computer.
PHYSICAL INVOLVEMENT
Sitting is required part of each work day. Standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting are sometimes required.
MENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Must understand and interpret written and verbal instructions from Executive Director of Business & Finance.
HUMAN RELATIONS INVOLVEMENT
Must be able to work compatibly with the entire central office staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The Supervisor of External Programs Fiscal Officer must have (1) Bachelor Degree in Business or Accounting or Master Degree in Business related field and (2) Two (2) years governmental accounting experience
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
(1) Professional Certification, (2) Extensive Computer Experience, and (3) External Program accounting experience.
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ITEM 6b. Public Comment. Mrs. Serina Duke – Remove from table and request approval of Revised Policy: Bulletin 130
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To remove from the table and vote on the approval of Revised Policy: Bulletin 130
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: Bulletin 130
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
Bulletin 130 is available for viewing in its entirety at St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, 118 West 10th Street, Reserve, LA 70084 or on the School Board website: www.stjohn.k12.la.us
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mr. Felix Boughton –Adopt LA Compliance Questionnaire
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To adopt the LA Compliance Questionnaire as presented.
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval on Bid 19.33 New School Buses
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To accept the submitted offer from Lynn’s Enterprises of $5,277.00 (9 buses and 5 fleet vehicles).
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 7c.Public Comment. Mr. Peter Montz – Request Board approval on Quote 19.32, Sale and Removal of Surplus Vehicles
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To authorize administration to do a request for proposals for the SOC report for ACI.
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 7d. Public Comment. Mr. Peter Montz – Renewal of chiller maintenance contract with Bernhard MCC
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Keller
MOTION: To table
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
0 Nays
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Ms. Iman Montgomery - Introduction to Revised Policy: IFD – Parent and Family Engagement
This item was for introductory purposes only.
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
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IFD: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes that parental involvement parent and family engagement must be a priority of the School Board for children to learn and achieve academic success. Parents and families provide the primary educational environment for children; consequently, parents are vital and necessary partners with the School Board throughout their children's elementary and secondary school careers. The term parent shall refer to any caregiver who assumes responsibility for nurturing and caring for children, and includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents, stepparents, and others. The concept of parental involvement parent and family engagement shall include programs, services, and/or activities on the school site, as well as contributions of parents outside the normal school setting.
It shall be the policy of the School Board and each public school in St. John the Baptist Parish, in meaningful collaboration with parents, teachers, students, administrators, and other educational resources, to establish, develop, and maintain strategies and programs that are intended to enhance the involvement of parents and other caregivers that reflect the needs of students, parents, and families served by the School Board, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. As part of the parental involvement parent and family engagement program, it shall be the responsibility of every school to create a welcoming environment, conducive to learning and supportive for comprehensive family involvement programs that have been developed jointly with parents/families.
DISTRICT LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES
At the district level, the School Board shall:
1. Involve parents and family members in the joint development and amendment of the school district’s plan, which includes components of the district’s parental involvement parent and family engagement program, to be submitted to the Louisiana Department of Education. Such involvement shall involve, but not be limited to, the following:
a) appointing to, and interacting with, each school's School Improvement Team, which is actively involved with assessing needs and addressing these needs in the school;
b) conducting open public workshops on major issues;
c) holding regular School Board meetings, with opportunities for the Board to receive public input and comments;
d) requiring each school to conduct an annual open house meeting;
e) encouraging school based parental organizations, such as PTA, PTO, TEAM, etc.
2. Provide coordination of various programs which involve parents, technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist every public school in St. John the Baptist Parish in planning and implementing effective parental parent and family involvement programs and strategies activities to improve student academic achievement.
3. Coordinate and integrate parental involvement parent and family engagement strategies with other relevant programs that promote parental involvement.
4. Conduct, with the meaningful involvement of parents and family members, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of components and strategies of the School Board's parental involvement parent and family engagement program and assess the components' and strategies' usefulness. The evaluation shall attempt to identify ways of improving the academic quality of the schools served by the School Board, including identifying barriers to greater participation by parents in educational and parental involvement parent and family engagement activities; particular attention shall be directed to parents who are economically disadvantaged, are disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority background. The School Board and each school shall use findings of such evaluation to design strategies for more effective parental and family involvement, and to revise, if necessary, the parental involvement parent and family engagement policies and procedures.
5. Distribute to parents and families, in a language the parents can understand, information about the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board's parental involvement parent and family engagement program, as well as provide proper notification to parents about specific services or special programs, as required by state or federal law. Notification shall also include, at the start of school each year, the right of parents to request and receive timely information on the professional qualifications of their children's classroom teachers.
6. Submit with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Consolidated Application plan to the Louisiana Department of Education comments of parents of participating children who are not satisfied with components of the parental involvement program.
7. Inform and notify parents and organizations of the existence of a parental information and resource center established by the state to provide training, information, and support to parents and individuals who work with parents, School Boards, and schools.
SCHOOL LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of the parental involvement parent and family engagement program, the School Board shall encourage each public school and require those schools receiving federal Title I funds under the jurisdiction of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to:
1. Convene an annual meeting, at a convenient time, to which all parents of participating children shall be invited and encouraged to attend, to inform parents of their school's educational programs and to explain components of the parental involvement program, and the right of the parents to be involved.
2. Offer a flexible number of engagement meetings at convenient times services, and/or activities, on or off school campuses, at various times of the day to maximize parental participation, and may provide transportation, child care, appropriate refreshments, and/or home visits, as such services relate to parental involvement.
3. Involve parents in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of parental involvement parent and family engagement programs, including the planning, development, review, and improvement of the school parental involvement parent and family engagement policy and the joint development of the school-wide parental involvement parent and family engagement program plan.
4. Provide parents, especially those of participating children in NCLB programs:
A. timely information about educational and parental involvement parent and family programs;
B. a description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessment used to measure student progress, and the proficiency level students are expected to meet achievement levels of state academic standards;
C. if requested by parents, opportunities for regular meetings to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible; and,
D. the School Board’s written Parent and Family Engagement policy.
5. If the school-wide parental involvement parent and family engagement program plan is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, submit any parent comments on the plan when the school makes the plan available to school district level personnel.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of the parental involvement parent and family engagement program, to build a capacity for involvement, the School Board and each public school under the jurisdiction of the School Board:
1. Shall provide assistance to parents of children served by the school or School Board, as appropriate, in understanding such topics as the state's academic content standards, state and local academic assessments, the components of the Board's parental involvement program, and how to monitor a child's progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children.
2. Shall provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children's achievement, such as literacy training and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement.
3. Shall educate teachers, pupil services personnel, principals, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school.
4. Shall, to the extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with other outreach educational programs, such as Head Start, and public pre-school and other programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children.
5. Shall ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to parents in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand.
6. May involve parents in the development of training for teachers, principals, and other educators to improve the effectiveness of such training.
7. May provide necessary literacy training from federal and state funds received if the School Board has exhausted all other reasonably available sources of funding for such training.
8. May pay reasonable and necessary expenses associated with parental involvement activities, including transportation, appropriate refreshments, and/or child care costs, to enable parents to participate in school-related meetings and training sessions.
9. May train parents to enhance the involvement of other parents.
10. May arrange school meetings, at a variety of times and places, or conduct in-home conferences between teachers or other educators who work directly with children, with parents who are unable to attend such conferences at school, in order to maximize parental involvement and participation.
11. May adopt and implement model approaches to improving parental involvement.
12. Shall recognize parental activities and/or contributions outside the normal school setting that enhance student academic achievement, such as tutoring, improving attendance, and contributing and preparing school/classroom support materials and services.
12. May establish a district-wide parent advisory council to provide advice on all matters related to parental involvement in programs.
13. May develop appropriate roles for community-based organizations and businesses in parental involvement activities.
14. Shall provide such other reasonable support for parental involvement activities as parents may request.
15. Shall provide, to the extent practicable, full opportunities for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing necessary information and school reports required in a format, and to the extent practicable, in a language such parents understand.
PARENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES
The School Board realizes that a child's education begins at birth. Parents and family members, as their child's primary teachers, play a vital role in the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of their children. A child's development and success is dependent on the direct support a child receives at home. In an effort to promote responsible and successful parenting skills, the Board expects parents to:
1. Make sure children attend school regularly and arrive at school on time.
2. Supervise completion of all homework assignments.
3. Assure proper hygiene and daily cleanliness of their children.
4. Make sure children are dressed properly, in accordance with the uniform or dress code.
5. Make sure that children get adequate amounts of sleep nightly.
6. Visit and discuss their child's academic progress regularly with teachers.
7. Discuss academic progress and school events regularly with their child.
8. Instill proper respect for parents, teachers, and other adults.
9. Volunteer in child's classroom, school, or related activities to the extent feasible and appropriate.
10. When feasible, attend school-sponsored programs in which their child may participate.
11. When feasible, join and be active in parent/teacher organizations.
Statement of Compliance
Each student in grades 4-12 and each parent or guardian of a student in grades 4-12, shall annually sign a Statement of Compliance, in accordance with state law. For students, the Statement of Compliance shall state that the student agrees to attend school regularly, arrive at school on time, demonstrate significant effort toward completion of homework assignments, and follow school and classroom rules. For parents, the Statement of Compliance shall state that the parent or legal guardian agrees to ensure his/her child's daily attendance at school, ensure his/her child's arrival at school on time each day, ensure his/her child completes all assigned homework, and attend all required parent/teacher/principal conferences.
SCHOOL-PARENT COMPACT
Each school shall jointly develop with parents a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the State's high standards. Such compact shall:
1. Describe the school's responsibility to provide high-quality curriculum and instruction in a supportive and effective learning environment that enables the children to meet the State's student academic achievement standards, and the ways in which each parent will be responsible for supporting their children's learning, such as monitoring attendance, homework completion, and television watching; volunteering in their child's classroom; contributing services outside the normal school setting; and participating, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their children, and positive use of extracurricular time.
2. Address the importance of communication between teachers and parents on an ongoing basis through, at a minimum:
A. parent-teacher conferences in elementary schools, at least annually, during which the compact shall be discussed as the compact relates to the individual child's achievement;
B. frequent reports to parents on their children's progress;
C. reasonable access to staff, opportunities to volunteer and participate in their child's class, and scheduled observation of classroom activities; and
D. parental activities and/or contributions away from the school site that enhance academic achievement.
OTHER PROGRAMS
In conjunction with the district services rendered under the School Board's parental involvement program, the School Board shall maintain contact and communication with social service and health agencies, faith-based institutions, and community groups to support key family and community services and issues. In particular, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has a strong relationship with and support from community and/or governmental organizations such as Families in Need of Services (FINS), Partners in Education, and District Parent/Teacher Association (PTA). One of the primary goals of these groups is to support, supplement, and assist in improving involvement of parents of children in the St. John the Baptist Parish public schools.
Revised: February, 2003
Approved: October 15, 2009
Revised: December, 2017
Ref: 20 USC 6312 (Strengthening and Improvement of Elementary and Secondary Schools), 20 USC 6318 (Parent and Family Engagement); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:235.2; Board minutes, 4-19-01, 10-15-09.
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ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The Chair called for Public Comment.
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
The Chair called for Public Comment.
Mr. Burl asked administration for an audit of all jobs on the books that are not currently filled and forward that information to Board members.
Mr. Sanders stated that he recently attended a meeting with the Concerned Citizens group and is asking the Superintendent to provide Board members with a monthly report regarding the emissions at Denka.
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: Burl
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
There were no objections.
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Kevin R. George, Secretary Patrick H. Sanders, President