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, October 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lynett Hookfin
Superintendent/Secretary
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, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
ABSENT: Burl, Sanders
There were 9 members present and 2 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Chair called for Public Comment.
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Mitchell
9 Yeas - Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
2 Absent – Burl, Sanders
Mr. Burl arrived at 6:04 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent.
a. Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Celebrating District Nurses
Mrs. Patricia Triche read the following statement honoring the District Nurses. The nurses were each given a small token of appreciation.
Your dedicated years of service to St. John the Baptist Parish Schools is greatly appreciated.
Thank you to our Nursing Team for making a difference in our great district and making our schools safe for scholars, faculty, staff, and all who enter our buildings. The Nurses that serve at our schools have been working extremely hard during the pandemic: Chanda Celeste Poche - 21 years; Kelly Ratliff - 21 years; Beth Roussel - 21 years; Jennifer Ory - 20 years; Ladasha Hickerson - 15 years; Melissa Louque - 11 years; Alison Schexnayder - 7 years; Contina Brumfield - 4 years; Ashanti Johnson - 4 years; Chanda Allsop -1 year; and Monique Remondet - 3 months
b. Public Comment. Mrs. Tracy Byrd – Retaining and Sustaining Novice Teachers
Mrs. Tracy Byrd, veteran teacher, spoke to the Board regarding the importance of retaining and sustaining novice teachers. Mrs. Byrd emphasized the importance of professional development for all teachers, but particularly new teachers.
c. Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Potential Collegiate/Teacher Pipeline
Dr. Hookfin introduced Mr. Calvin Mackey from STEM NOLA. Mr. Mackey spoke about partnering with the St. John School Board as it relates to “Teacher Pipelines” and acquiring and sustaining teachers in St. John Parish.
d. Public Comment. Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson – Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
St. John the Baptist School District celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The celebrations start on September 15th because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
e. Public Comment. Mr. Claude Hill – Recognition of WSJH Fishing Team
The West St. John High School Fishing Team represented St. John Parish with pride in the most recent Louisiana High School Bass Fishing competition. Khristian Rousseve, Shamar Pierre, Devrin Harper and Jeremy Snyder landed a No. 2 spot for the West St. John Anglers during the Louisiana High School Bass Fishing competition. The team is sponsored by Rochelle Darville.
f. Public Comment. Dr. Brandy Turner – Celebrate a Scholar – Brandon Butler
Brandon Butler is a 2nd grade scholar at Fifth Ward Elementary School. Brandon has made remarkable strides, both academically and behaviorally this school year. He has exhibited panther pride by proudly participating in class; showing good citizenship by leading other scholars to practice social distancing, and his own words, "I'm making good choices this school year." He has been an example to his peers. Congratulations, Brandon!
g. Public Comment. Dr. Shelly Chauvin – Celebrate a Teacher – LaToya Session
Dr. Shelly Chauvin read the following in honor of teacher LaToya Session: It is a pleasure and honor to recognize one of our fabulous teachers in St. John the Baptist Parish. Ms. Session has been in our school system for 14 years four of which have been at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary. She has earned a bachelor's degree from Loyola University and a master's degree from the University of New Orleans. She is an exemplary model of a teacher who is committed to building relationships, making new learning relevant, and providing rigor required to meet every student's needs. She continues to promote the learning and growth of all her students and has high expectations for them. Her determination, perseverance, hard work, commitment, and unwavering work ethic is what makes Ms. Session one of the amazing teachers in our parish. Ms. Session, we thank you and we appreciate all you do to ensure the best education for our students.
h. Public Comment. Ms. Iman Montgomery – Ochsner Partnership Update
Ms. Montgomery gave updates regarding the partnership with Ochsner as it relates to COVID-19.
i. Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Updates from Board Workshop
ITEM 5. EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Public Comment. Dr. Juanita Hill – Phase 3 Re-entry Options
Dr. Hill explained that there was 4 options given to all employees regarding the Re-entry Plans, and then a second survey was sent with the top 2 options. The re-entry plan chosen is as follows:
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
Mr. Burl asked the Superintendent if there were any current employee investigations that the board should be made aware. Ms. Montgomery read the policy (GAMC), stating that the Superintendent apprises the Board of any internal investigations within 30 days of the completion of the investigation.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mrs. Sara Loupe – Adopt resolutions levying millages for the 2020 tax roll
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Holden
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Ms. Iman Montgomery – Request approval of health insurance renewal
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Keller
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Ms. Iman Montgomery – Request approval of dental insurance renewal
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Request permission to file and accept all required documents and forms for the 20221-2022 E-Rate Grant for Priority 1 and 2 items
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Schum
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Mr. David Andras – Request permission to file an RFP for internal fiber and cabling upgrades needed to support a multi gig network at each site for all classrooms
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Wallace
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 9e. Public Comment. Mr. David Andras – Request permission to file an RFP for internal wireless access points or renew existing contracts if needed
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Holden
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
1 Not Seated - Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 9f. Public Comment. Request permission to file an RFP for multi gigabit access switches to support a multi gigabit network at each site to all classrooms
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Mitchell
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 9g. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request board approval to renew our current Workers Compensation Policy with Star Insurance
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Keller
Following discussion, Mr. Jones withdrew his motion.
Following further discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Burl
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To reject the renewal and re-advertise for the Workers Compensation Policy
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
1 Nay – Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mr. Burl asked that the bond attorney be present for the next finance committee meeting, regarding the bonds expiring.
Ms. Mitchell asked if Policy GAMC could be revisited, as she feels the board should be apprised of employee investigations before 30 days past the conclusion of an investigation.
Ms. Schum asked that a Salary Study Committee be called. She also suggested that the Board convene for a Special Work session before the next scheduled Board meeting.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Mitchell
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
There were no objections.
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
_____________________________________ _
Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent/Secretary Patrick H. Sanders, President