PROCEEDINGS 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 Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, February 7, 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 6:02 p.m.  He called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Albert Burl.

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

PRESENT:       Burl, Keller, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders

ABSENT:          Holden, DeFrancesch, Johnson

There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.

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

Ms. Carolyn Batiste stated that the comments she made at the January 10, 2019 were not reflected in the minutes.  Therefore, the following comment shall be a part of the record of the January 10, 2019 minutes of the School Board:

Amendment:  Ms. Carolyn Batiste stated that she could not find in any minutes that the Board had allowed the public input on the leasing of the CDC property.

Mr. Johnson arrived at 6:04 p.m. and was recorded as present.

ITEM 3a.  Approval of Minutes of the Meeting of January 10, 2019 and Board Retreat January 28-29, 2019

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meeting of January 10, 2019 and Board Retreat January 28-29, 2019.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Burl, Keller, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders

0 Nays

2 Absent – Holden, DeFrancesch

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

Superintendent Kevin George stated that he has been a member of the Racial Equity Leadership Network, which is an 18-Month Fellowship Program for Executive Leaders in Districts who are committed to addressing historical disparities in their system and realizing a compelling vision of educational equity for every student.  He asked that the Board waive policy to adopt a Resolution in recognition of February being Black History Month.

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:  To waive policy to amend the agenda to include the adoption of a resolution in recognition of Black History Month.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Burl, Keller, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders

0 Nays

2 Absent – Holden, DeFrancesch

MOTION BY:    Entire Seated Board

SECOND BY:  

MOTION:  To adopt the resolution in recognition of Black History Month.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Burl, Keller, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders

0 Nays

2 Absent – Holden, DeFrancesch

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A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH

WHEREAS, in 1925, Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and conceived and announced Negro History Week to be celebrated during the week encompassing the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas in February, 1926;

WHEREAS, as a result of the 1926 celebration, teachers across the United States sought materials to instruct pupils on the study of life and history of African-Americans, and citizens supported efforts to increase education on these and other relevant topics;

WHEREAS, in 1976, then President Gerald R. Ford expanded the celebration to a month and urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every endeavor throughout our history”;

WHEREAS, all St. John the Baptist Parish students, educators and citizens should pay tribute to the contributions of past generations and celebrate the rich legacy of African-Americans;

WHEREAS, all St. John the Baptist Parish students, educators and citizens should honor the remarkable and everlasting contributions African-Americans have made in perfecting our Union, our State, and St. John the Baptist Parish;

WHEREAS, National Black History Month is an opportunity to tell stories of freedom won and honor individuals who lived and wrote such stories; and

WHEREAS, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board of Education honors those who came before by striving toward their example and urges all citizens to follow in their footsteps by celebrating National Black History Month.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION that it celebrates February 2019, as National Black History Month and that it calls upon all St. John the Baptist Parish students, educators and citizens to observe this month with programs, celebrations, ceremonies and activities recognizing the amazing and everlasting efforts and accomplishments of African-Americans in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana and the United States.

Done in meeting duly assembled this, the 7^th day of February, 2019

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Ms. Holden arrived at 6:32 p.m. and was recorded as present.

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

ITEM 5a.  Public Comment.  Ms. Serina Duke - Recognition of teachers earning certification this school year

The following teachers were recognized for earning their certification:

Elizabeth Agerton:  PL—Elem Grades 1-5

Darryl Becnel:  PL—ELA 6-12

Vincent Bello:  Lvl 1—Instrumental Music K-12

Patricia Brown:  OS—PK-3

Jessica Bogle:  PL—ELA 6-12

Kelsey Franklin:  PL—Social Studies 6-12

Halle Gayten:  OS—Kindergarten, Elementary Grades 1-6

Nicole Johnson:  Lvl 1—Elem Grades 1-5

Nathan Joseph:  PL—Middle School Math 4-8

Tai Nicholas:  AN—Talented Theatre

Brandy Nora:  CTTIE

Marchel Rapp:  CTTIE

Jeremy Stroud:  PL—ELA 6-12

Derron Thomas:  CTTIE

Quantrell Toval:  CTTIE

Hope Tregre:  CTTIE

Nicole Williams:  CTTIE

Cory Batiste:  PL – Middle School Science (Application being processed by LDOE)

The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 5b.  Public Comment.  Ms. Serina Duke - Recognition of Students of the Year and District Teachers of the Year

The following students and teachers were recognized:

School Level Students of the Year:

Emily C. Watkins:  5th Grade - Sienna Belvin;  8th Grade - Aysia Brown

East St. John High School:  12^th Grade - Cameron Cage

East St. John Prep:  5^th Grade - Warren LeBeouf III; 8^th Grade - Norelle Frank

Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet: 5^th Grade - Chaela Alexander; 8^th Grade - Emani Payne (STEM/GMMS)

John L. Ory:  5^th Grade - Tyler Jones; 8^th Grade - Cali Boudreaux

LaPlace Elementary:  5^th Grade - Theron Gross; 8^th Grade - Alyssa Munoz 

Lake Pontchartrain Elementary: 5^th Grade - Julian Ruffin; 8^th Grade - Yasmin Moore

West St. John Elementary:  5^th Grade - Cydnee Lewis

West St. John High School:  8^th Grade - Skylar Edwards; 12^th Grade - Amiya Lumar

District Level Students of the Year:

High School:  Cameron Cage – East St. John High School

Middle School:  Emani Payne – Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet

Elementary School:  Chaela Alexander – Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet

District Teachers of the Year:

High School:  Billie Dinvaut Duncan – East St. John High

Middle School:  Kelley Thompson - Lake Pontchartrain

Elementary School:  Kimberly Poullard -  John L. Ory

The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 5c.  Public Comment.  Ms. Nia Mitchell - Presentation of Board Strategic Planning Goals

Board Member Nia Mitchell presented the following goals to the public and Board:

The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 6.  PERSONNEL MATTERS

ITEM 7.  BUSINESS AND FINANCE

ITEM 7a.  Public Comment.  Mr. Felix Boughton – Monthly Budget to Actual

Mr. Boughton presented the following to the Board:

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 Proposal for Property Insurance

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:  To accept the submitted proposal from Louisiana Insurance Agency at an annual cost of $1,053,732.56

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 – Accept substantial completion on Garyville/Mt. Airy Roof Replacement Project

MOTION BY:    Burl

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To accept substantial completion on Garyville/Mt. Airy Roof Replacement Project.

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 – Accept substantial completion on Fifth Ward Elementary Roof Replacement Project

MOTION BY:    Burl

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:  To accept substantial completion on Fifth Ward Elementary Roof Replacement Project.

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 8a.  Public Comment.  Ms. Iman Montgomery – Request Approval of Revised Policy:  IFD – Parent and Family Engagement

MOTION BY:    Burl

SECOND BY:   Keller

MOTION:  To approve Revised Policy:  IFD – Parent and Family Engagement.

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.

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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 9. NEW BUSINESS. 

ITEM 9a.  Public Comment.  Ms. Iman Montgomery – Introduction to Revised Policy:  BCB – School Board Meeting Procedures

This item was for introduction only.

The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue. However, as the Statutory General Counsel to the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, we offer the following advice to the Board relative to the revisions made to section 4B. The revisions of section 4B provide in pertinent part “All voting shall be by voice, or by show of hands”. La. R.S. 42:14 provides in pertinent part: “All votes made by members of a public body shall be viva voce and shall be recorded in the minutes…” AG Op. No. 11-0070, provides:  “This office has previously opined that the ‘viva voce’ language in R.S. 42:14 requires a vote with a ‘live voice,’ and that the person voting must be physically present.  See AG Op. Nos. 07-0040 and 99-385.  Thus, the members of a public body cannot validly authorize an action via a written vote, even if done unanimously.”

            Thus, a vote via show of hands is inconsistent with state law.

ITEM 9b.  Public Comment.  Ms. Iman Montgomery – Waive Policy to Request approval of New Policy:  HC – Charter School Monitoring, Extension, and Renewal (Requires action)

MOTION BY:    Keller

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To waive policy to approve New Policy:  HC – Charter School Monitoring, Extension, and Renewal/

No objections.

Upon Roll Call, there were

4 Yeas - Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Triche

7 Nays – Burl, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

0 Absent

The motion failed.

The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue. However, as the Statutory General Counsel to the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, we offer the following advice to the Board relative to this agenda item. Board policy BCB section 5G9 provides in pertinent part: “All agenda items dealing with the following cannot be voted on at the meeting they are introduced: …8) major policy changes in School Board policy—example, the way the School Board operates. They will be submitted for a vote at the subsequent meeting….Any change in policy must be done by the motion to waive policy and by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the School Board.[1] 

Here, the Board appears to be attempting to introduce and approve a policy within the same meeting. Such action will require 8 votes.

President Sanders turned the Chair over to Vice President DeFrancesch.

ITEM 9c.  Public Comment.  Mr. Patrick H. Sanders – Standing Committees

Mr. Sanders read the Committees into the record.

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Executive Committee (3 Members:  Board President, Vice-President, Board President’s Appointee)

Land & Facilities Committee (5 Members:  Board President Appoints 5 Board Members)

Insurance Committee (10 Members:  5 Members Appointed by SJAE & 5 Members Appointed by School Board)

Finance Committee (7 Members:  2 Board Members, SB President or Appointee, Administration, 2 Employees, Community Member)

Personnel Committee (7 Members:  2 Board Members, SB President or Appointee, Administration, 2 Employees, Community Member)

Discipline Committee (16 Members:  5 Classroom Teachers, 1 SPED Teacher,  2 Guidance Counselors, 2 Principals, 1 Bus Driver, 1 CWA Supervisor, 1 School Board Member, 1 Supt. Appointee, 2 Parents)

Calendar Committee (50% Appointed by the SJAE and 50% Appointed by the Superintendent)

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The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.

ITEM 9d.  Public Comment.  Mr. Patrick H. Sanders – Adopt a hiring freeze on employment, excluding school-based personnel, effective February 8, 2019 (Requires action)

Mr. Jones asked for the Superintendent’s Recommendation.  Supt. George recommended approval.

MOTION BY:    Burl

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To approve a hiring freeze on employment, excluding school based personnel and transportation, effective February 8, 2019.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:      Sanders

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:  To approve a hiring freeze on employment, excluding: school based personnel, transportation, and non-school based (but critical to schools) Special Education personnel, effective February 8, 2019.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders

0 Nays

District Attorney’s Office:

17:81 provides in pertinent part the following

“…(2) Each local public school board shall determine the number of schools to be opened, the location of school houses, and the number of teachers and other school personnel to be employed. The local school superintendent shall have authority to employ teachers by the month or by the year, and to fix their salaries; provided that there shall be no discrimination as to sex in the fixing thereof and provided further, that it is not the purpose of this Section to require or direct the reduction of any salary, or salary schedule, presently in force. The local school superintendent shall see that the provisions of the state school law are complied with.

   (3) Each local public school board shall delegate authority for the hiring and placement of all school personnel, including those for which state certification is required to the local school superintendent. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that all persons have proper certification, as applicable, and are qualified for the position….”

President Sanders assumed the role of Chair.

ITEM 9e.  Public Comment.  Hammonds & Sils/Ms. Iman Montgomery – Executive Session:  Investigative Proceedings Regarding Allegations of Misconduct at Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet School; discussion of character and professional competence of Terran Perry.

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To convene in Executive Session:  Investigative Proceedings Regarding Allegations of Misconduct at Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet School; discussion of character and professional competence of Terran Perry.

No objections.

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 7:11 p.m.

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To reconvene in Regular Session.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders

0 Nays

The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 8:04 p.m.

District Attorney’s Office:  La. R.S. 42:17 requires that the individual that is the subject of discussion must be given at least 24 hour written notice, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays, prior to the scheduled time contained in the notice of the meeting at which such executive session is to take place. The individual can require that the discussion occur in an open meeting.

MOTION BY:    Keller

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To waive policy to discuss proceedings regarding allegations on Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet School.

Upon Roll Call, Ms. Holden’s no vote ended Roll Call, as a unanimous vote is needed to waive policy.

The motion failed.

ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

The Chair called for Public Comment.

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

The Chair called for Public Comment.

Ms. Schum announced that there will be a Community Town Hall on Public Education on March 26th, at 5:00 p.m. in LaPlace.  She stated that she is currently working with the Superintendent to secure a location for this event.  The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Association of Educators, the Louisiana Association of Principals, The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the Louisiana School Boards Association.  All area legislators will be invited to discuss: school funding, teacher/school employee pay, and educator recruitment/retention.

Mr. Sanders announced that there will be an Executive Committee Meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

Mr. Burl asked Mr. Ty Manieri to find out if the Charter School could/would turn over a budget for our Fiscal Manager to examine.  Also, he asked Mr. Manieri to research whether or not the Charter School could “share” a campus with a private school, thus commingling private school and public school funds, such as lunch expenses.

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:    Holden

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:         Motion for adjournment.

There were no objections.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

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Kevin R. George, Secretary                                                      Patrick H. Sanders, President