PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

LAPLACE, LA – MEETING OF JUNE 13, 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, June 13, 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 6:00 p.m.  He called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mr. Burl.

 

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:         

 

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 of May 23, 2019

 

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meeting of May 23, 2019.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

0 Absent

 

Ø  Public Comment.  Ratify the resignation of Superintendent Kevin R. George, effective at close of business on June 13, 2019

 

Public Comment:  Carolyn Batiste asked the Board if ratifying this contract will cost the district any extra money (as in severance pay) or will Kevin George just receive his final paycheck.

 

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To ratify the resignation of Superintendent Kevin R. George, effective at close of business on June 13, 2019.

No objections.

The motion carried.

 

Roll Call:

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

0 Absent

 

Ø  Public Comment.  Appoint an Interim Superintendent

 

Ms. Schum nominated Ms. Heidi Trosclair to be appointed as Interim Superintendent.

 

Mr. Burl nominated Mr. Felix Boughton to be appointed a Interim Superintendent.

 

Upon roll call on the nomination of Ms. Heidi Trosclair as Interim Superintendent, there were:

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

1 Nay – Burl

Ms. Heidi Trosclair was appointed as Interim Superintendent and was seated at the Board table.

 

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

 

ITEM 4a.  Public Comment.  Recognition of Rochelle Darville

 

The following introduction was made:  Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge - Rochelle Touchard, External Relations Manager for Shell Norco, is with us tonight to recognize one of our teachers who was named as winner for the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge.

 

Ms. Touchard then congratulated and presented a banner to Ms. Rochelle Darville and stated that Ms. Darville is the recipient of a classroom makeover worth $15,000.00

 

ITEM 4b.  Public Comment.  Recognition of Paul Panepinto and Rochelle Darville

 

Mr. Panepinto and Ms. Darville were recognized for being chose to participate in the Harvard Case Method: Improving Civics Education.  As participants, both will receive an all-expenses-paid professional development workshop.  The 2 ½ day training will take place on the Harvard campus in August 2019. 

 

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

 

ITEM 6.  PERSONNEL MATTERS

 

ITEM 6a.   Public Comment.  Mrs. Serina Duke – Introduction to Policy - GBBA:  Qualifications and Duties

 

When the Chair called for Public comment, Ms. Carolyn Batiste asked when the Personnel Committee had met regarding this item and asked that the Committee do a better job of announcing when the committees meet.

 

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NEW POLICY:  GBBA - QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES

 

 

TEACHERS

 

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall require that each teacher or substitute teacher hold not less than a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university to be eligible for employment, whenever possible.  Each teacher, including administrative personnel, shall be required to hold a current and valid teacher's certificate issued by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) or demonstrate proficiency in meeting all requirements necessary to obtain such a certificate. 

 

Certification in Progress

 

In the absence of an available, certified teacher, principals may recommend an applicant who is actively making progress toward earning permanent teacher licensure.  The applicant shall be eligible for employment a maximum of three (3) years while working towards certification.

 

To be eligible for initial hire, the applicant must meet the requirements and obtain/maintain an initial Louisiana Temporary Authority to Teach (TAT), as set forth in Bulletin 746, Louisiana Standards for State Certification of School Personnel, §323.  TATs are valid for one (1) year initially and may be renewed twice thereafter provided the applicant has met the specified requirements.   The applicant shall be considered a temporary employee and shall follow the same classification as late-hire employees with employment ending within seven (7) days upon the employment of a certified teacher or the final day of the school year.  Uncertified employees shall not be guaranteed teaching positions until earning permanent licensure.  Personnel who do not meet these requirements may be employed as temporary teachers and shall not be entitled to employee benefits.

 

If the principal determines that the applicant has met the standards of effectiveness, adhered to the corresponding job description, and evaluations and documentation supports satisfactory performance, the teacher may be recommended for a second (2nd) year of employment, but must meet the specified requirements and renew/maintain a TAT or a Practitioner License.  By the end of year two, the applicant must be enrolled in an alternative certification program to continue employment, with proper documentation being submitted for verification. 

 

If the principal determines that the applicant has demonstrated satisfactory performance of duties, adhering to the corresponding job description, and evaluations and documentation supports such determination, the teacher may be recommended for a third (3rd) and final year of employment as a teacher.  The teacher must be enrolled in an alternative certification program, eligible for TAT3, and earn the practitioner license by the end of the first semester of the third (3rd) year of employment.  The teacher shall only be eligible for continued employment if they have met the specified requirements and earned permanent licensure. 

 

JOB DESCRIPTION/DUTIES

 

A written job description shall exist for every employment position with the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, depicting the minimum qualifications and the responsibilities necessary for the position.

 

As part of their work assignment, teachers, as well as other employees, shall perform duties as necessary to reasonably maintain the safety and welfare of students.  They shall at all times perform these duties in a reasonably prudent manner.  There shall be intensive supervision of all students in areas of high risk, such as indoor or outdoor physical education classes, weight rooms, locker/dressing rooms, chemistry and biology labs, home economics classes, as well as other high risk technical education classes, and extracurricular activities including such things as practices, tutoring, try-outs, field trips, and athletic events.

 

Teachers may also be required to attend or conduct such other functions or activities of their respective school as deemed appropriate by the principal within the guidelines of their job description and their job responsibilities.

 

OTHER PERSONNEL

 

The Superintendent shall ensure that other school employees, both current and prospective, have proper certification, as applicable, and are qualified for the position to which employed.

 

New policy:  June, 2019

 

 

Ref:      La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:413, 17:414, 17:441, 17:3884, 17:3904; Harrah Independent School District v. Martin, 99 S. Ct. 1062 (1979); Louisiana Standards for State Certification of School Personnel, Bulletin 746, Louisiana Department of Education.

 

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ITEM 7.  BUSINESS AND FINANCE

 

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

 

MOTION BY:    Burl

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:  To approve the request to solicit Proposals for School Bus Air Conditioners

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

0 Absent

 

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 – Recommendation on Bid 20.14 Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies

 

MOTION BY:    Burl

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To accept the recommendation on Bid 20.14 Air Conditioning/Welding Supplies a presented.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

0 Absent

 

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 Bid 20.19 West St. John High School Weight Room Equipment

 

MOTION BY:    Burl

SECOND BY:   Holden

MOTION:  To accept Bid 20.19 West St. John High school Weight Room Equipment as submitted by ProMaxima at a total cost of $65,010.20

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

0 Absent

 

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.  Dr. Juanita Hill – Request approval of Pupil Progression Plan for SY 2019-2020

 

When the Chair opened the floor for public comment, Ms. Carolyn Batiste asked when the committee met and where it was advertised.  Following extensive discussion, there was a

 

MOTION BY:   Burl

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:         To accept the PPP for Introduction and call a special meeting to approve it, following a public meeting, thus tabling this item.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

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

0 Absent

 

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

 

Mr. Burl left the meeting at 6:34 p.m. and was recorded as absent.

 

Vice-President DeFrancesch assumed the Chair for the following item:

ITEM 9b.  Public Comment.  Mr. Patrick Sanders – Discussion to establish timeline to conduct search process for new Superintendent

 

Mr. Courtney Jointer discussed this item with the Board.  He stated that he recommends the Board establish a timeline for the search.  He also stated that the public survey was released and will close at midnight on June 23rd.  The results will be made public.  Mr. Sanders stated that there will be an Executive Committee will meet next Tuesday, June 18th at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the timeline.

 

MOTION BY:   Schum

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:         To waive policy to amend the agenda to include an action item regarding this item.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders

1 Absent - Burl

 

MOTION BY:   Schum

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:         To give the Executive Committee the authority to establish a timeline for the Superintendent’s Search.

No objections.

The motion carried.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders

1 Absent - Burl

 

President Sanders resumed the seat of Chair.

 

ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

ITEM 12.  ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

MOTION BY:    Holden

SECOND BY:   Mitchell

MOTION:         Motion for adjournment.

There were no objections.

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

 

________________________________                                                                                            ________________________________

Heidi Trosclair, Secretary                                                                                                                     Patrick H. Sanders, President