PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
LAPLACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, - LAPLACE, LA
SPECIAL MEETING OF JUNE 17-18, 2020
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 LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely,
Cory Butler
Interim Superintendent/Secretary
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:46 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, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
ABSENT: Johnson
There were 10 members present and 1 member absent.
ITEM 3. SUPERINTENDENT INTERVIEWS:
Bernard Chandler:
Mr. Sanders read the following: “Welcome Mr. Chandler. We would like to thank you for your interest in the Superintendent position with St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools. We will begin by introducing ourselves by telling you our name, how many years we have served on the Board and whether we are a Board Officer.”
Each Board Member introduced themselves to the candidate.
Mr. Sanders Continued: “We appreciated the opportunity to review your information and view your online video prior to this interview. We are going to ask you questions over the next hour, so please consider time constraints as you answer your questions. I will manage the conversation, keep track of the time and facilitate the discussion so as to keep us on schedule. At the end we will give you a chance to ask us some questions as well.”
Bernard Chandler was asked 1 question by each board member. Board members also engaged in follow-up questions.
The Chair opened the floor for any audience members who wanted to ask questions. Ms. Cindy Graham asked Mr. Chandler a question regarding special education.
v The Chair (Mr. Sanders) stated the following: Mr. Chandler, we have discussed many different areas during today’s interview. Is there anything you were hoping we would ask you about that we have not?
v Are there any questions that you would like to ask us, before we conclude?
v Again, we thank you for coming today and for your interest in our great district. Once we conclude this round of interviews, we plan to invite a few applicants and their spouses/ significant others, if they so choose, to engage in a follow-up interview beginning next Wednesday. Our consultants will be in contact with you regarding next steps.
The Chair declared a recess at 6:07 p.m.
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Dr. Lynett Hookfin:
Mr. Sanders read the following: “Welcome Dr. Hookfin. We would like to thank you for your interest in the Superintendent position with St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools. We will begin by introducing ourselves by telling you our name, how many years we have served on the Board and whether we are a Board Officer.”
Each Board Member introduced themselves to the candidate.
Mr. Sanders Continued: “We appreciated the opportunity to review your information and view your online video prior to this interview. We are going to ask you questions over the next hour, so please consider time constraints as you answer your questions. I will manage the conversation, keep track of the time and facilitate the discussion so as to keep us on schedule. At the end we will give you a chance to ask us some questions as well.”
Dr. Lynett Hookfin was asked 1 question by each board member. Board members also engaged in follow-up questions. (The same initial questions were asked by the board members.)
The Chair opened the floor for any audience members who wanted to ask questions. Ms. Cindy Graham asked Dr. Hookfin a question regarding mental health in the school system. Mrs. Elizabeth Leatherwood asked a question regarding language barriers.
v The Chair (Mr. Sanders) stated the following: Dr. Hookfin, we have discussed many different areas during today’s interview. Is there anything you were hoping we would ask you about that we have not?
v Are there any questions that you would like to ask us, before we conclude?
v Again, we thank you for coming today and for your interest in our great district. Once we conclude this round of interviews, we plan to invite a few applicants and their spouses/ significant others, if they so choose, to engage in a follow-up interview beginning next Wednesday. Our consultants will be in contact with you regarding next steps.
Following the conclusion of Dr. Hookfin’s interview, at 7:58 p.m., the Chair declared a recess.
Thursday, June 22, 2020
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To reconvene in regular session.
10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
2 Absent – Burl, Johnson
The motion carried.
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:45 p.m., and read the following call:
Upon call of the President, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in special session at LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
ABSENT: Burl, Johnson
There were 9 members present and 2 members absent.
ITEM 3. SUPERINTENDENT INTERVIEWS:
Dr. Jawan Brown-Alexander:
Mr. Sanders read the following: “Welcome Dr. Jawan Brown-Alexander. We would like to thank you for your interest in the Superintendent position with St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools. We will begin by introducing ourselves by telling you our name, how many years we have served on the Board and whether we are a Board Officer.”
Mr. Burl arrived at 4:51 and was recorded as present.
Each Board Member introduced themselves to the candidate.
Mr. Sanders Continued: “We appreciated the opportunity to review your information and view your online video prior to this interview. We are going to ask you questions over the next hour, so please consider time constraints as you answer your questions. I will manage the conversation, keep track of the time and facilitate the discussion so as to keep us on schedule. At the end we will give you a chance to ask us some questions as well.”
Dr. Brown-Alexander was asked 1 question by each board member. Board members also engaged in follow-up questions.
The Chair opened the floor for any audience members who wanted to ask questions. Ms. Cindy Graham asked Dr. Brown-Alexander a question regarding tier 1 curriculum and special education.
v The Chair (Mr. Sanders) stated the following: Mr. Chandler, we have discussed many different areas during today’s interview. Is there anything you were hoping we would ask you about that we have not?
v Are there any questions that you would like to ask us, before we conclude?
v Again, we thank you for coming today and for your interest in our great district. Once we conclude this round of interviews, we plan to invite a few applicants and their spouses/ significant others, if they so choose, to engage in a follow-up interview beginning next Wednesday. Our consultants will be in contact with you regarding next steps.
The Chair declared a recess at 5:58 p.m.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To reconvene in regular session.
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
1 Absent – Johnson
1 Not Seated - Jones
The motion carried.
The meeting was called to order in regular session at 6:26 p.m.
Dr. Kelli Joseph:
Mr. Sanders read the following: “Welcome Dr. Joseph. We would like to thank you for your interest in the Superintendent position with St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools. We will begin by introducing ourselves by telling you our name, how many years we have served on the Board and whether we are a Board Officer.”
Each Board Member introduced themselves to the candidate.
Mr. Sanders Continued: “We appreciated the opportunity to review your information and view your online video prior to this interview. We are going to ask you questions over the next hour, so please consider time constraints as you answer your questions. I will manage the conversation, keep track of the time and facilitate the discussion so as to keep us on schedule. At the end we will give you a chance to ask us some questions as well.”
Dr. Kelli Joseph was asked 1 question by each board member. Board members also engaged in follow-up questions. (The same initial questions asked of the prior candidate were asked by the board members.)
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To reconvene in regular session.
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
1 Absent – Johnson
1 Not Seated - Jones
The motion carried.
Legal Counsel advised the Board that public comment at this point on the agenda would be out of order.
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Burl
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda.
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
1 Absent – Johnson
1 Not Seated - Jones
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Mitchell
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To amend the agenda to allow questions and answers from the audience.
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
1 Absent – Johnson
1 Not Seated - Jones
The motion carried.
The Chair then opened the floor for any audience members who wanted to ask questions. Ms. Annette Houston asked Dr. Joseph a question regarding parental involvement. Ms. Terry Charles made a statement regarding food services in St. John Parish. Ms. Elizabeth Leatherwood asked a question regarding COVID-19 plans and the assessment index. Ms. Cindy Graham asked a question regarding positive behavior and mental health issues in our schools.
v The Chair (Mr. Sanders) stated the following: Dr. Joseph, we have discussed many different areas during today’s interview. Is there anything you were hoping we would ask you about that we have not?
v Are there any questions that you would like to ask us, before we conclude?
v Again, we thank you for coming today and for your interest in our great district. Once we conclude this round of interviews, we plan to invite a few applicants and their spouses/ significant others, if they so choose, to engage in a follow-up interview beginning next Wednesday. Our consultants will be in contact with you regarding next steps.
Mr. Sanders extended a special thanks to: J.G. Consulting; Dr. Zina Jones; Stacey Waller; Janice Smith & Tara Reno; Joe Williams & Nycole Colbert for the help in conducting these interviews.
ITEM 4. Public Comment. Executive Session: The Board will enter into executive session to discuss the character and professional competence of the Superintendent Semifinalists: Bernard Chandler; Dr. Lynett Hookfin; Dr. Jawan Brown-Alexander; and Dr. Kelli Joseph.
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To convene in Executive session to discuss the character and professional competence of the Superintendent Semifinalists: Bernard Chandler; Dr. Lynett Hookfin; Dr. Jawan Brown-Alexander; and Dr. Kelli Joseph.
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
1 Absent – Johnson
1 Not Seated - Burl
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 8:22 p.m.
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
8 Yeas – Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Absent – Johnson
2 Not Seated – Burl, Triche
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 8:22 p.m.
ITEM 5. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
There were no objections.
8 Yeas – Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
1 Absent – Johnson
2 Not Seated – Burl, Triche
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Cory Butler, Interim Superintendent/Secretary Patrick H. Sanders, President