PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
GODCHAUX GRAMMAR CAFETERIA - RESERVE, LA
SPECIAL MEETING OF OCTOBER 9, 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 special session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely,
Heidi Trosclair
Interim Superintendent/Secretary
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. He called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS: The Chair called for Public Comment.
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
ABSENT: Johnson, Mitchell, Triche
There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Chair called for Public Comment.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Wallace
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
3 Absent - Johnson, Mitchell, Triche
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Ms. Heidi Trosclair, Interim Superintendent.
Ms. Trosclair reported the following:
· Enrollment numbers will be presented at the October 17, 2019 meeting
· 3rd Annual Alumni Tailgate will be this Friday, October 11, 2019
Mr. Johnson arrived at 6:05 p.m. and was recorded as presented.
ITEM 5. EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEM 6a. Public Comment. Mrs. Serina Duke – – Request approval of Revised Job Descriptions: 1) Air Conditioning/Heating Technician/Electrician; 2) Custodian; 3) Drayage/Warehouseman; 4) Electrician; 5) General Maintenance Worker
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To table.
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
2 Absent - Mitchell, Triche
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 6b. Public Comment. Mrs. Serina Duke – Request approval of Revised Policy: Bulletin 130
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: Bulletin 130
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
2 Absent - Mitchell, Triche
Bulletin 130 is available for viewing in its entirety at www.stjohn.k12.la.us
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 6c. Public Comment. Mrs. Serina Duke – Introduction to Revised Job Descriptions: 1) Head Start Family Service Worker; 2) Low Voltage Maintenance Technician; 3) Special Projects Maintenance; 4) Warehouse Controller; 5) Plumber; 6) Special Education Bus Attendant
This item was for introduction only.
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 6d. Public Comment. Mrs. Serina Duke – Introduction to Revised Job Description: Title I District Parent Liaison
This item was for introduction only.
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 6e. Public Comment. Mrs. Serina Duke – Introduction to Revised Policy: GAMB - Dress Code
This item was for introduction only.
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 6f. Public Comment. Mrs. Serina Duke – Introduction to Revised Policy: GBA – Contracts and Compensation
This item was for introduction only.
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Keller
MOTION: To re-adopt the charter contract as adopted in August 2018 with amendments made to reflect location at the STEM site, a 2020-2021 opening, and the removal of the out-of-system admissions preference. The Board will lease the STEM site to LAPC at no cost for the term of the charter, will be responsible for capital repairs to the site for the life of the lease, and will commit to capital improvements for the STEM site as detailed in the attached Excel spreadsheet. The Board will directly complete over $500,000 of repairs in advance of the 2020-2027 school year. Some of the work (as detailed in the spreadsheet) will be completed by June 1, 2020. The Board will also allocate $500,000 to LAPC for capital improvements/asset acquisition over the first three years of the charter (Yr. 1 - $250,000, Yr. 2 - $150,000, Yr. 3 - $100,000). The Board will allow LAPC to utilize competition athletic facilities with LAPC being responsible only for the per use costs of facility clean-up.
Following discussion, there was a SUBSTITUTE MOTION by Mr. Burl to table this item. The substitute motion failed due to the lack of a second.
Upon roll call on the original motion, there was:
8 Yeas - Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
1 Nay – Burl
2 Absent – Mitchell, Triche
The motion carried
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mr. Courtney Joiner – Determine and announce the number of rounds to conduct interviews of the Superintendent Candidates
Mr. Joiner stated there were 16 applications, but 1 was disqualified because the application was received after the deadline, leaving 15 applications. Mr. Joiner read the names of the applicants:
Carol T. Smith; Celeta T. Watson; Corwin K. Robinson; Curt R. Green; Dana E. Nolan; Darryl Kilbert, Sr.; C. Michael Robinson; Dinah M. Robinson; Elida V. Bera; Kelli Y. Joseph; L. Kendall Smith; Margaret S. Cage; Patricia A. Triche; Quentina M. Timoll; Sidney L. Brown.
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To conduct at least 2 rounds of interviews: the first round for initial candidates; the second round for finalists (if necessary).
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
2 Absent – Mitchell, Triche
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Mr. Courtney Joiner – Determine and announce the number of candidates to interview during each round of interviews of the Superintendent Search
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Johnson
MOTION: Each board member will select 6 candidates to interview in the first round by October 17, 2019.
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas - Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
1 Nay – Burl
2 Absent – Mitchell, Triche
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Mr. Courtney Joiner – Determine and announce the timeline regarding the deadlines to conduct and complete the Superintendent Search Process
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To adopt the timeline: Board members select top 6 candidates on October 17, 2019. Set first round interviews for November 5 & 6, 2019. Have second round of interviews for finalists, if necessary, for no later than November 18-19-20, 2019.
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
2 Absent – Mitchell, Triche
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 9e. Public Comment. . Mr. Felix Boughton - Authorize Superintendent to execute agreement regarding: Marathon Ashland, LLC v. St. John the Baptist Parish, Docket # 18-22095-001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009 (La. Tax Comm’n).
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Johnson
MOTION: To authorize Superintendent to execute agreement regarding: Marathon Ashland, LLC v. St. John the Baptist Parish, Docket # 18-22095-001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009 (La. Tax Comm’n).
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
2 Absent – Mitchell, Triche
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 9f. Public Comment. Ms. Iman Montgomery - Authorize Insurance Committee to accept proposals on health insurance.
Ms. Montgomery stated that on September 30, 2019, the committee learned that BCBS asked for a 23.8% increase in rates, therefore the insurance committee would like to seek proposals from other companies.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Johnson
MOTION: To authorize the Insurance Committee to seek proposals on health insurance.
No objections.
The motion carried.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Sanders
2 Absent – Mitchell, Triche
1 Not Seated - Jones
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Mr. Burl stated that he asked parents from GMMS to come to the meeting tonight, and asked administration to call an emergency meeting with the parents of GMMS to address their concerns about the lack of teachers in the classrooms. Also Mr. Burl asked President Sanders to please place the following items on the Next Board Agenda: 1. Requesting the Board to approve the hiring of an independent investigator to determine the leak of sensitive information to the general public without Board approval; and 2. Discussion regarding the possible exposure for the non-compliance of Policy EGE.
Ms. Schum asked for an update on the Ad Hoc Salary Study Committee. Ms. Trosclair asked the board for direction on the make-up of the members (1/2 SJAE and 1/2 Administration).
Ms. Holden stated that WSJH would kick-off Homecoming week this Sunday at Noon with a parade.
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: Jones
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
There were no objections.
The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Heidi Trosclair, Secretary Patrick H. Sanders, President