PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
ST. JOHN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
May 28, 2020 – 5:00 p.m.
Via Zoom Teleconference & Streamed Live on St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools Facebook Page
The Chair called the meeting to order and read the following call: Due to the public health emergency caused by the Covid-19 virus and the “Stay at Home” orders issued by Governor Edwards, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in regular session via teleconference utilizing Zoom Video Conferencing. (See attached Certification of Inability to Operate Due to the Lack of a Quorum.) The meeting will be streamed live on St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools Facebook Page so that members of the public may view the meeting in real time. All public comments regarding agenda items should be sent to: Public-Board-Comments@stjohn.k12.la.us before 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2020. Public comments must include all three (3) of the following: 1. First and Last Name; 2. Agenda Item Number you are commenting on; 3. Your comment. All public comments will be read aloud before each agenda item is discussed.
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. via teleconference (Zoom). The meeting will be open to receive Public Comment at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be in recess until 5:30 p.m. to allow for Public Comment to be received and will reconvene in regular session at 5:30 p.m.
The agenda is attached for the meeting.
The President then read the agenda aloud and recessed the meeting for 30 minutes to allow for public comment.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair reconvened the meeting in Regular Session at 5:30 p.m. He called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mrs. Sara Loupe.
Mr. Wallace asked that we remember Ms. Carrie Mitchell in our prayers. Mr. Sanders asked that we keep the family of Mr. George Floyd in our prayers and Dr. Keller asked that we keep the family of Mrs. Teckla Holder in our prayers.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS: The Chair called for Public Comment.
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
ABSENT: Johnson, Triche
There were 9 members present and 2 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Chair called for Public Comment.
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Wallace
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
2 Absent – Johnson, Triche
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Mr. Cory Butler, Interim Superintendent.
Dr. Hill, Interim Asst. Superintendent, recognized the “Elite” Students.
Mr. Johnson arrived at 5:53 p.m. and was recorded as present.
Mr. Butler stated that we are beginning to spend the Strong Start Grant money, and we are able to begin working on the 1 to 1 initiative. The first round of this money will cover the computers. The second round will include purchasing hot-spots for those students who do not have internet access. We will receive funds for all students. 79.95% of that money will be for public school students, while the remaining 20.05% will be utilized by the private schools in our parish. The total amount of the budget $2,098,168. Our portion of that is $1,677,459.00. The budget includes a portion for mental health counseling. As far as opening schools next year, we are looking at 3 scenarios: 1. Virtual; 2. Combination of Virtual and face to face; 3. Face to face. Administration is also considering the transportation, food service, deep cleaning, etc. for next year. The determination of how the schools will look next school year depends heavily on what the Governor announces June 1st. Parents will be surveyed next week regarding summer school – whether they would prefer virtual or face to face. Also, PPE has been ordered, received and distributed to administrators on site, as well as Lysol and disinfecting wipes. Mr Sanders added that Head Start has been awarded $49,000 additional monies for the Head Start program.
ITEM 5. EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mrs. Sara Loupe – Request approval of the contract for the annual financial audit and agreed upon procedures, and non-attest services with CRI, LLC. (Requires action)
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve extending the contract for the annual financial audit and agreed upon procedures, and non-attest services with CRI, LLC.
No objections.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
2 Nays – Burl, Keller
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mrs. Sara Loupe – Request exception to board policy DC – Annual Operating Budget to allow additional time for preparation and presentation of the 2019-2020 Amended Budget and the 2020-2021 Proposed Budget
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve the exception to board policy DC – Annual Operating Budget to allow additional time for preparation and presentation of the 2019-2020 Amended Budget and the 2020-2021 Proposed Budget.
Following extensive discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To allow the finance department until August 13th board meeting for preparation of the proposed budget for 2020-2021.
No objections.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Not Seated – DeFrancesch
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
*Mr. Jones asked for the record to reflect that he would like clarification from the District Attorney’s Office regarding this item.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mrs. Sara Loupe – Request exception to board policy DJC – Payroll Procedures: Procedures for Adopting Salary Schedule to allow additional time for preparation and presentation of the Salary Schedule
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve the exception to Board Policy DJC - Payroll Procedures: Procedures for Adopting Salary Schedule to allow additional time for preparation and presentation of the Salary Schedule
No objections.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Mrs. Debra Schum – Report on Implementation of Overtime Policy during School Closure
The Chair called for Public Comment.
Alvin Scioneaux - If children are not on campus, maintenance and clerical work should get completed during scheduled hours. Is the school paying employees overtime to work from home? How do you track the overtime timesheets?
Extensive discussion was held regarding this item. Mr. Butler stated that although the implementation of overtime is at the discretion of the Superintendent, he directed each department head to approve/not approve overtime pay for their respective departments.
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda to request that the District Attorney’s Office review EBBD and make recommendations for revisions.
No objections.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Entire Board
MOTION: To forward Policy EBBD to the District Attorney’s Office for review and recommendations of implementation of overtime pay for essential vs non-essential employees during emergency closures and also suspend overtime pay for work done during regular working hours until a recommendation is given by the District Attorney’s Office.
No objections.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Update on Computers for 2020-2021 School Year
Mrs. Schum stated that Mr. Butler covered this item in his Superintendent’s Report.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Update on funding plan (CARES Act) that is being submitted to the LDOE
The Chair called for Public Comment.
Jennifer Frizzell - Does the funding plan associated with the CARES ACT have dedicated amounts for the SPED program? If yes, what amount and if no, how is this being addressed going forward as it relates to allocating funding portions to SPED programs?
Mrs. Schum stated that Mr. Butler covered this item in his Superintendent’s Report.
ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum - Review of CDC guidelines for opening of schools
The Chair called for Public Comment.
Alvin Scioneaux - This is a lot to cover: Bus transportation cleaning and available seating, Classroom schedules, Classroom cleaning and available seating, Lunchroom meal delivery and type of food options, will parents be giving a option on the different types of instructional methods: Classroom, Virtual, or Online courses. Will there be a combination of instructional methods? Will classes be available in the Summer? Currently the schools are reaching about 20% of the student body. If Summer camp are not available this summer, this is a great opportunity to build on the virtual learning. Students will need something to occupy their time and the school can modify their outreach to increase the number of students participating. If the school discontinue learning over the summer, we will lose many students when school starts back up in the Fall.
Jennifer Frizzell - Many of the children in our special education classrooms also have medical conditions that deem them a highly vulnerable population as it relates to COVID19, making small groups vitally necessary. Virtual options are not also possible as it relates to children with learning disabilities. What plans are being discussed to accommodate small group learning for those with medical conditions and intellectual disabilities? What plans are in place to ensure IEPs are followed and students receive the necessary vital services such as speech and OT? Some school districts are considering home bound support for students with learning disabilities, is this being considered by our district at this time and how is this being communicated to parents?
Donna Duhe-Jaufre - We need plans to accommodate special education students since they should not be grouped with regular education students. ID & medical needs, IEPs
Ternica Williams - There is a need to form a committee that has a SPED parent representative should be formed. Discussion of home bound and virtual learning as it relates to SPED. Are there any plans for medically fragile and vulnerable children.
Mrs. Schum stated that the need for Administration to create a committee to address these guidelines is immediate. The committee should include parents of SPED students. Mr. Butler agreed wholeheartedly and stated that administration is already working on this.
ITEM 9e. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum - Discussion of surveying parents regarding varied methods of instruction for the next school year
The Chair called for Public Comment.
Jennifer Frizzell - It is necessary to have a dedicated parent survey and steering committee with SPED parent representation that will address specific needs of students with intellectual disabilities and to ensure that critical aspects of IEPs can be addressed when school reopens. What is the Boards directive to the Superintendent as it relates to surveying parents of special needs students and/or forming a parent involved committee?
Donna Duhe-Jaufre - There needs to be a Sp Ed parent on advisory committee since they cannot be group in with general education students conversation.
Ternica Williams - What is the plan for fulfilling IEP requirements. Is there any plans for Summer learning opportunities that include SPED.
Mrs. Schum asked Mr. Butler when the survey to parents will be implemented. Mr. Butler stated that the survey will be implemented as early as next week. He also stated that due to the uncertainty, there is money allocated in the Strong Start Grant for implementing blended models and there are many variables that are being considered at this time.
ITEM 9f. Public Comment. Mr. Courtney Joiner – Executive Session: Discussion regarding litigation in Ukpolo v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Bd., Docket No. 72848 (40th JDC). (Requires Action)
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session.
No objections.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 8:12 p.m.
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
No objections.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 9:34 p.m.
MOTION BY: Mitchell
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To authorize Courtney Joiner of Hammonds & Sills to make a settlement not to exceed the dollar amount of $200,000, with a portion to be paid by LARMA and a portion to be paid by St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
No objections.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Nay – Jones
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mr. Burl stated that he asked Mr. Clayton review the capacity, specifically the Board Meeting Room, due to the anticipated Phase 2 opening.
Mrs. Schum asked that a Finance Committee and Personnel Committee set a meeting for next week.
Mr. Sanders stated that there have been 36 applicants for the Superintendent vacancy. Round 1 and 2 of Interviews will be held between June 15 and June 30th.
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.
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Not Seated – Burl
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Cory Butler, Interim Superintendent/Secretary Patrick H. Sanders, President