PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

EDGARD, LA – MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2021

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 West St. John Elementary School, 2555 La Highway 18, Edgard, Louisiana, on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

An agenda for the meeting is attached.

Sincerely, s/Lynett Hookfin

Superintendent/Secretary

ITEM 1.  CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.  He called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM 1a.  Election of Officers

The Chair opened the floor for nominations for President.

Mr. Jones nominated Ms. Nia Mitchell for President.

There being no other nominations, Dr. Keller asked that the nominations be closed.

With no opposition, Ms. Nia Mitchell was declared President, with a 10 Yea, 1 Absent vote. (Mr. Johnson was absent.)

Ms. Mitchell was seated as Chair and opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President.

Mr. Jones nominated Mr. Shawn Wallace for Vice-President.

There being no other nominations, Dr. Keller asked that the nominations be closed.

With no opposition, Mr. Shawn Wallace was declared Vice-President, with a 10 Yea, 1 Absent vote. (Mr. Johnson was absent.)

Mr. Shawn Wallace was nominated as Vice-President.

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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Chair called for Public Comment.

ITEM 3a.  Approval of Minutes of the Meeting December 10, 2020

MOTION BY:     Holden

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meeting of December 10, 2020

Roll Call:

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

0 Nays

1 Absent – Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.   Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent.

ITEM 4a.  Public Comment Covid-19 Updates

Dr. Hookfin shared the following information:

As of today, there have been 61 employees and 28 students test positive in our schools. 

St. John Parish’s current positivity rate is 13.9%.  St. John Parish has risen 2.9%:

***St. John the Baptist Parish  2963 case(s)  |  114death(s)  |  38,698 tests ***

13.9% Positivity OPH Dash Board

ITEM 4b.  School Board Recognition Month

Mrs. Patricia Triche read the following in recognition of our School Board Members:

As citizens who serve children and represent their communities, individual school board members face complex and demanding challenges. Yet, few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities. In SJBP we recognize the vital contributions of these men and women and focus attention on the crucial role these elected public officials play in the education of our children. They make a difference for students. Their job is to establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, assure schools are accountable to the community and strongly advocate continuous improvement in student learning. That job entails an endless string of meetings and school functions to attend; reams of reports, agendas, proposals and other information to read and study; and a host of difficult decisions to make. School board members come from all walks of life. While they wear many hats in the workday world, school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to the business of leading their school districts. Board members must pull together as a team toward a common goal — helping students achieve. While they may individually disagree on certain issues, their role as a board is to consistently strive toward that goal. The time spent in board meetings represents just a small fraction of the hours school board members devote to leading their districts. Their love of learning and concern and caring for students, staff and the community, drive board members’ desire to lead so students can achieve. We thank you for your commitment to our great school district during this School Board Appreciation Month.

ITEM 4c.  Meal Delivery/Transportation

-          524 meal boxes were delivered yesterday (5 breakfast and 5 lunch)

-          The same deliveries will be made the 20^th and 27^th of this month.

Dr. Hookfin thanked both the transportation department and the food service departments for their work in making this happen for our students.  She stated that the registration period would reopen at some point to allow for more scholars to sign up for this service, especially because we will be 100% Virtual for 4 weeks.  She encouraged parents to sign up for this free service.

ITEM 4d.  Testing Update

Dr. Hill stated that LEAP 2025 testing began January 7^th and will end January 28^th.  Discussion was held regarding testing dates with questions by the Board answered by Dr. Hill.

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

ITEM 5a.  Presentation of Students of the Year

The St. John the Baptist Parish District Students of the Year were announced.  RTC presented the students with a new iPad and a gift bag.  Congratulations to:

5th Grade - Tatayanna Gross - Laplace Elementary, 

8th Grade - Teryn Davis - Lake Pontchartrain Elementary

12th Grade - Christopher Taylor - STEM/ East Saint John High School

ITEM 6.  PERSONNEL MATTERS

ITEM 7.  BUSINESS AND FINANCE

ITEM 7a.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to accept Bid 21.101 Air Conditioning Parts

MOTION BY:     Wallace

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:  To accept Bid 21.101 Air Conditioning Parts as presented. (Bid awarded to Air Nu Inc.)

Roll Call:

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

0 Nays

1 Absent - Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 7b.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to accept Bid 21.20 Food Service Equipment Maintenance

MOTION BY:     Sanders

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:  To accept Bid 21.20 Food Service Equipment Maintenance (Bid awarded to: LeBlanc Mechanical)

Roll Call:

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

0 Nays

1 Absent – Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 8.  OLD BUSINESS

ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS.  ITEM 9a.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Debra Schum – Recommendations for Budget Savings

Public Comment:  Ms. Cindy Graham stated that the agenda item calls for action, however, the public has not been notified regarding what the Board would be voting on.

Mrs. Schum stated that she agrees that this item needs much more discussion before voting.  She asked the Board to focus on these 3 areas:  freeze open job descriptions; freeze overtime unless emergency-related; freeze spending except for essential purchases.  She asked that this be addressed at the workshop on January 28^th.

Following discussion, there was a

MOTION BY:     Jones

SECOND BY:   Holden

MOTION:  To table.

Roll Call:

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

0 Nays

1 Absent - Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9b.  Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Request Board authority to establish a 501(c)(3) foundation

MOTION BY:     Entire Board

SECOND BY:  

MOTION:  To grant authority to establish a 501(c)(3) foundation.

Roll Call:

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

0 Nays

1 Absent - Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9c.  Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Mrs. Debra Schum - Update on South Central Planning report for possible redistricting

Mrs. Schum stated that the proposal was approved by the Board.  Dr. Hookfin stated that the Notice to Proceed was never given to the company to complete the work.  Administration will investigate what happened and what needs to be done to have this work completed.

Dr. Keller left the meeting at 7:09 p.m.

Mr. Triche left the meeting at 7:09 p.m.

ITEM 9d.  Public Comment.  Mr. Wayne Stewart – Review status of charter school proposed by Louisiana Premiere Charter

Mr. Wayne Stewart explained the following:  The Board approved LAPC in January 2020; however, once the pandemic occurred there has been zero communication from LAPC. Approximately 2 months ago, an email was received with a signed agreement. After numerous calls to LAPC’s attorneys left unreturned, it was finally determined that LAPC is not represented by anyone. In late November, the Department of Justice sent a request for information for documentation from LAPC. LAPC never responded to the request for information from the DOJ and the District, through Mr. Jasmin, made a representation that a review of the approval of LAPC would be brought to the Board. Following discussion, the Board asked Mr. Stewart if he would draft a letter to LAPC to determine their intentions.

ITEM 9e.  Public Comment.  Request Board approval to re-advertise for Excess Workers’ Compensation

MOTION BY:     Sanders

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To grant Board approval to re-advertise for Excess Workers’ Compensation.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9f.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to enter into a new contractual agreement with All South Engineers for a period of no more than 2 years under the same terms as the prior contract

MOTION BY:     DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To enter into a new contractual agreement with All South Engineers for a period of no more than 2 years under the same terms as the prior contract.

Following discussion, there was a

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:       Jones

SECOND BY:               Burl

MOTION:  To extend all 11 contracts (Items 9f through 9q) on a month to month basis.  Amended to read:  Enter into a new contractural agreement with all vendors listed in Items 9f through 9q.

Following further discussion, Mr. Jones withdrew his substitute motion.

Upon roll call on the original motion, there was

7 Yeas - Holden, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

1 Nay – Burl

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9g.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend the current agreement with NAPA Auto Parts for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2021

MOTION BY:     DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:   Holden

MOTION:  To extend the current agreement with NAPA Auto Parts for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2021.  Amended to include giving authority to administration to re-advertise this bid.

Following discussion, the original motion was withdrawn and a substitute motion was offered:

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:       Burl

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To extend the current NAPA Auto Parts bid on a month to month basis not to extend beyond June 30, 2021.

 Roll Call:

1 Yea - Burl

7 Nays – Holden, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion failed.

2^ND SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:  Sanders

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise for bus parts.

 Roll Call:

7 Yeas - Holden, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

1 Nay – Burl

3 Absent - Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9h.  Public Comment Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend the current agreement with High Touch (Copy Paper) for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2021

MOTION BY:  Sanders

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:  To authorized administration to re-advertise for Copy Paper.

Roll Call:

6 Yeas - Holden, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Mitchell, Sanders

1 Nay – Burl

4 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Wallace, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9i.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend the current agreement with Louisiana Office Products for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2021

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise for Office Supplies.

Roll Call:

7 Yeas - Holden, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

1 Nay – Burl

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9j.  Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend the current agreement with Fisher’s Ace Hardware for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2021

MOTION BY:     Jones

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise for General Hardware Supplies.

Roll Call:

7 Yeas - Holden, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

1 Nay – Burl

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9k.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend the current agreement with Tri Parish Trophies for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2021

MOTION BY:     Jones

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise for Awards/Incentives.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9l.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend the current agreement with Advanced Marketing & Promotions for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2021

MOTION BY:     Jones

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise for Awards/Incentives.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9m.  Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend the current agreement with L’Observateur for a period not to extend beyond June 30, 2021

MOTION BY:     Sanders

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To enter into a new contractual agreement with L’Observateur as the official journal for the Board, for a period not to extend beyond December 31, 2021.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9n.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to allow administration to advertise for Emergency Construction of Buildings & Components

MOTION BY:     Holden

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise for Emergency Construction of Buildings & Components.

Roll Call:

7 Yeas - Holden, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

1 Nay – Burl

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9o.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to allow administration to advertise for Chiller/Cooling Tower Maintenance

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise for Chiller/Cooling Tower Maintenance.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:   Burl

MOTION:  To table

Roll Call:

5 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Jones, Wallace, Mitchell

2 Nays – Schum, Sanders

4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Triche

The motion failed.

Upon roll call on the original motion, there was

6 Yeas – DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

2 Nays – Holden, Burl

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 9p.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to allow administration to advertise for Grounds Maintenance

MOTION BY:  Sanders

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise for Grounds Maintenance.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:       Burl

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To award the Grounds Maintenance Contract to the current vendors at a 10% reduction for 2 years.

Following discussion, Mr. Sanders withdrew his second to the substitute motion.

Upon roll call on the original motion, there was

5 Yeas – DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Mitchell, Sanders

2 Nays – Burl, Wallace

1 Abstention – Holden

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion failed.

ITEM 9q.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to allow administration to advertise for Fleet Maintenance/Mechanic

MOTION BY:     Jones

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To enter into a new contractual agreement with the current vendor for a period of 2 years at the current rates.

Following discussion, Mrs. Schum offered a SUBSTITUTE MOTION to table.  The substitute motion failed due to the lack of a second.

Upon roll call on the original motion, there was

5 Yeas – Burl, Jones, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

3 Nays – Holden, DeFrancesch, Schum

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The motion failed.

ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

Board Workshop January 28, 2021 @ 4:30 in the Board Room.

ITEM 12.  ADJOURNMENT

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

MOTION BY:    Sanders

SECOND BY:   Burl

MOTION:           Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders

3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche

The meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

________________________________                                      ________________________________

Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary                                                     Nia Mitchell, President