PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

EAST ST. JOHN PREPARATORY SCHOOL ~ LAPLACE, LA

SPECIAL BOARD WORKSHOP OF APRIL 27, 2021 ~ 4:30 p.m.

 

 

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 for a Board Workshop at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School, 3328 Highway 51, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

 

An agenda for the meeting is attached.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Lynett Hookfin

Superintendent/Secretary

 

ITEM 1.  Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m. She called for a moment of silent meditation and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ITEM 2. Roll Call of Members:

 

PRESENT:          Keller, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

ABSENT:            Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson

 

There were 6 members present and 5 members absent. 

 

Mrs. DeFrancesch arrived at 4:36 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

Mr. Burl arrived at 4:46 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

Mrs. Holden arrived at 4:50 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

Mr. Jones arrived at 4:58 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

ITEM 3. Public Comment.  Presentations from Firms regarding Demolition of Old Godchaux Grammar School

 

Three companies presented their plan and qualifications for the demolition of the Old Godchaux Grammar School:

 

1. All South Consulting Engineers, LLC

2. Meyer Engineers, Ltd.

3. Yeates Mancil Architects, LLC

 

ITEM 4.  Public Comment.  District Financial Updates – Mr. Tommy Naquin, CPA (Postlewaite & Netterville)

 

Dr. Lynnett Hookfin stated that the board made the decision to sell the Milesville site and relocate employees.  She stated that as decisions are being made, everyone must keep in mind that we must look at cost savings measures that are needed both short term and long term in order to reach and maintain a healthy budget.  Again, she noted that we have been overstaffed for years and that situation must be addressed. She then asked Mr. Tommy Naquin to present the current financial update.   Mr. Naquin stated that 80%+ of the Board’s budget is comprised of salaries/benefits.  Currently, the monthly cash flow is as follows:

Cash needed per month: $6,792,000.00

Monthly Income:  $5,800,000.00

Monthly Deficit:  $922,000.00

Yearly Deficit:  $11,904,000.00

 

Dr. Hookfin stated that payroll will be met through the end of the fiscal year.  We must apply for and receive a loan in order to meet our obligations beyond that, including payroll.

 

Extensive discussion was held regarding this item.

 

ITEM 5.  Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Update on District’s ESSER 2 and ESSER 3 allocations

 

Ms. Dominique Miller stated that at the end of March, LDOE released the ESSER allocations.  She presented the following information: 

 

 

Dr. Hookfin added that we will use some of the ESSER funding to finance the Summer School Program. 

 

ITEM 6.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion of the Superintendent’s Recommendation of a Staffing Model - 1:22 (K-5); 1:24 (5th-8th); 1:26 (9th-12th)

 

Dr. Hookfin presented the following staffing model that she is recommending to the Board for adoption.

 

 

ITEM 7.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion to close the Connection and Redirection Programs

 

Public Comment.  Ms. Sylvia Bailey, principal, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, citing the success of the programs.

 

Mr. Cory Batiste, teacher, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, citing the successes.

 

Ms. Laura Lipps, teacher, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, citing the successes.

 

Mrs. Schum stated that we will not stop the services for these scholars, only closing the site.

 

Dr. Hill stated that we are required to have an alternative site in the district.  Connections is not a requirement.

 

ITEM 8.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion to Close Fifth Ward Elementary Site

 

Public Comment: Carolyn Batiste spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, citing that Fifth Ward is always on “the chopping block”.

 

Brandy Turner, principal, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, citing the successes that are happening at Fifth Ward.

 

Derron Cook, VP SJAE, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, citing the need to invest in Fifth Ward as opposed to cutting.

 

Sylvia Taylor, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, citing that she is a product of this school.  She does, however, feel that these scholars should be relocated due to the environmental health issues associated with nearby plants.

 

Dr. Hookfin asked Atty. Courtney Joiner if the students are being relocated to an alternate site, would it require court approval by the DOJ in connection with the desegregation order.  Mr. Joiner replied that it would at minimum require a court review, but not necessarily court approval.

 

Mr. Sanders asked that Dr. Hookfin to elaborate on her thoughts concerning this move.  Dr. Hookfin stated that the Assessment Index shows that there was significant growth in some sub-populations.  This is one of the sites in our district that scholars with disabilities have shown growth.  If this site were to be closed, it will be strongly considered that the scholars are kept intact and together.  As a financial leader, she must put all ideas on paper for the Board to consider.

 

ITEM 9.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion to Relocate the STEM Program to Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet site

 

Public Comment.  Glenn Chenier, Principal, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, stating that the STEM scholars deserve to have their own campus.

 

Dr. Kelli Joseph spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure and also asked to see the 2021-2022 budget that should be available for public review.

 

Dr. Hookfin stated that a parent meeting was held last evening.  After speaking with the parents, she realized that it’s not about the move as much as it is about the parents not wanting their scholars on the ESJH Campus.

 

Extensive discussion was held regarding this item.

 

ITEM 10.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion to Relocate the STEM Program to East St. John High School Freshmen Academy

 

Public Comment.  Claudette Rafeal posed the question:  why can’t we move the STEM to WSJH, where there is room at an outstanding high school.

 

Derron Cook, VP SJAE, stated that he feels STEM courses should be offered on all campuses.

 

Dr. Kelli Joseph asked at what point would this item be brought to the federal judge.  Also, she asked to view the 2021-2022 budget.  She stated that she would consider leaving her children at STEM if it’s relocated to WSJH.

 

ITEM 11.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion of non-renewal of the NIET Program

 

Dr. Hill stated that she received documentation from the NIET representatives, stating that NIET is inviting SJBP to take part in a no-cost extension for the 2021-2022 school year.  The requirement for participating is to provide at least one mentor teacher at each site, to continue to provide the performance based compensation and supplements received by the Master and Mentor Teachers. 

Mrs. Schum stated that she has asked for reports from NIET for 2 years now and has yet to receive any data from NIET.

 

President Mitchell asked Dr. Hill to create a 1 pager with all the information she provided tonight regarding this program.

 

ITEM 12.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion to Centralize Bookkeepers

 

Dr. Hookfin stated that this idea was brought about while looking at all possible cost-cutting ideas.  Administration is looking at having bookkeepers supporting more than one school.

 

Mr. Sanders asked if this would become a central office position and how the duties of the secretaries would be affected.  Dr. Hookfin stated that we have to train people how to look at finances.  Does each school site really need a bookkeeper or can they support more than 1 school?

 

Mrs. Schum stated the she has a concern that there would not be someone specific on each school site who is addressing the money on a daily basis and also to keep up with record keeping.  Also, the end of the year audit is big responsibility of our school bookkeepers.

 

ITEM 13.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion to Combine West St. John Elementary School and West St. John High School at the West St. John Elementary School site

 

Public Comment.  Tyler Lewis, teacher, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure.

 

Belinda Bailey, teacher/counselor, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure.

 

Janika Lewis, parent, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure.

 

Nalon Taylor, teacher, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure.

 

Claude Hill, Principal, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure.

 

Derron Cook, VP SJAE, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure.

 

Mr. Triche left the meeting at 8:32 p.m. and was recorded as absent.

 

Mrs. Holden stated that she is angry that this is even on the agenda.  She recommended transporting students from the east bank to the west bank.

 

Extensive discussion was held regarding this item.

 

Mrs. Schum asked if we could revise the Board meeting agenda to add moving STEM to WSJH.  Also, she stated that we just found out that we have bonding capacity to build a STEAM campus and need to pursue that so this move can be a temporary one.

 

ITEM 14.  Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion to Reduce the District Athletic Director positions from two (2) to one (1)

 

Public Comment.  Tyler Lewis, teacher, spoke against supporting this cost-cutting measure, citing the AD would be responsible for too much paperwork with LHSAA.

 

Mr. Wallace stated that he doesn’t feel this is a good move and a conflict of interest.

 

Dr. Hookfin stated that one Athletic Director for 2 high schools is definitely doable.

 

ITEM 15.  Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Discussion of Vendor Contracts

 

Dr. Hookfin stated that due to the late hour, we will discuss vendor contracts at a future meeting.  Mrs. Schum stated that we should start at the $50,000 level.  President Mitchell stated we will have another workshop on May 11th if everyone is agreeable.

 

ITEM 16.  Board Items of Interest

 

Judge Madeline Jasmin asked if the West Bank items could be placed at the beginning of the meeting, as the West Bank community has further to drive home.

 

Mrs. Holden asked to add to the agenda of the Board meeting to request the District Attorney review the deed for WSJE.

 

ITEM 17.  ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

MOTION BY:    Entire Board

SECOND BY:  

MOTION:           Motion for adjournment.

There were no objections.

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.

 

_____________________________________                             ________________________________

Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent/Secretary                                 Nia Mitchell-Williams, President