PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF JUNE 17, 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 LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Thursday, June 17, 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 6:00 p.m.  She 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:        Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

ABSENT:          Holden, Jones, Johnson

There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Chair called for Public Comment.

ITEM 3a.  Approval of Minutes of the Meetings of: May 25, 2021 Board Workshop and May 26, 2021 Board Meeting

Mr. Burl asked that the minutes of the May 26, 2021 Board Meeting reflect a correction on the vote of Item 9b.  Mr. Burl voted nay on this item.

MOTION BY:     Triche

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meetings of May 25, 2021 Board Workshop and May 26, 2021 Board Meeting (with correction noted)

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

3 Absent – Holden, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

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

ITEMA 4a.  Public Comment.  Update on Milesville Appraisal

Dr. Hookfin stated that the appraisal company has asked for more information regarding the building on this property.  Once we have additional information, it will be forwarded to the Board.

ITEM 4b.  Public Comment.  Update on Milesville Polling Precinct

Dr. Hookfin stated that the documentation has been sent to both the Registrar of Voters and the Clerk of Court and we are waiting on direction from these offices.

Mrs. Holden arrived a 6:07 p.m. and was recorded as present.

ITEM 4c.  Public Comment.  Update on 10% Campus Budget Reductions

Mr. David Andras stated that the reduction information has been submitted and will save approximately $2.1 million.  Mr. Burl stated that the Board must adhere to the budget to ensure that the savings is carried through.

ITEM 4d.  Public Comment.  Update on transition of STEM to ESJHS Freshman Building

Public Comment:  Yvette Scioneaux – asked that administration report to the parents regarding the transition of the 9^th graders from the freshman academy.

Dr. Hookfin stated that numerous meetings have taken place regarding the move and that all final plans will be revealed on June 24^th.

ITEM 4e.  Public Comment.  Update on COVID

Public Comment:  Yvette Scioneaux – stated that there was 10 days for employees to use when quarantined, but no days for when an employee actually gets COVID and asked that the Board allow for that.

Dr. Stacey Spies stated that the positivity rate in St. John is now at 4%.  We currently have 4 positive cases in our district.  She also noted that the 10 days may be used for employees who have contracted the virus as well as those who have been quarantined.

ITEM 4f.  Public Comment.  Update on implementation of overtime pay during school closure

Public Comment:  Miguel Ortis (maintenance) – stated that the overtime pay is very sporatic.  Last year, maintenance came back from the pandemic a week before everyone else.  Some got compensated extra, some didn’t – and we lost 3 days.

Yvette Scioneaux – stated that she has never been paid overtime when working past regular working hours and it’s very frustrating that some do and some don’t.

Dr. Hookfin stated that some employees that were compensated during the pandemic shut-down have asked if they could use their sick or vacation time in lieu of paying back the money.  Mrs. Mitchell stated that we will be asking the Legislative Auditor’s office for guidance on this item.

ITEM 4g.  Public Comment.  Introduction of Superintendent’s Plan on closing the Connections Program and the Redesign of the Redirection Program

Dr. Hookfin stated that on April 21, 2021, BESE approved the curriculum and instruction for the alternative program and there is no limitations on where the programs are housed.  Each child will be looked at and services will be provided specifically for each scholar.  Mr. Burl asked if there is a plan.  Dr. Hookfin stated that it will be revealed on June 24^th.

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

ITEM 5a.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Patricia Triche – Summer SHINE Program Presentation

Mrs. Triche shared the following presentation:

Dr. Keller left the meeting at 7:03 p.m. and was recorded as absent.

ITEM 6.  PERSONNEL MATTERS

ITEM 7.  BUSINESS AND FINANCE

ITEM 7a.  Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin - Approval of Resolution No. 1, levying adjusted millage rates

Public Comment:  Carolyn Batiste – State that the district could save a lot of money if the Board would redistrict and cut down the number of board members.

The resolution was read in its entirety.

MOTION BY:     DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To approve Resolution No. 1, levying adjusted millage rates, as presented.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:       Burl

SECOND BY:

MOTION:  To table

Due to the lack of a second, the substitute motion failed.

Upon roll call on the original motion to approve Resolution No. 1, levying adjusted millage rates, there were:

7 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

1 Nay – Burl

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

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RESOLUTION NO. 1

            BE IT RESOLVED, by the St. John the Baptist School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Louisiana, in a public meeting held June 17, 2021, which meeting was conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and the additional requirements of Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B), that the following adjusted millage rates be and they are hereby levied upon the dollar of the assessed valuation of all property subject to ad valorem taxation within said Parish for the year 2021, for the purpose of raising revenue:

MILLAGE

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Assessor of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, shall extend upon the assessment roll for the year 2021 the taxes herein levied, and the tax collector of said Parish shall collect and remit the same to said taxing authority in accordance with law.

            The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:

YEAS:

NAYS:

ABSTAINED:

ABSENT:

CERTIFICATE

            I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the meeting held on June 17, 2021, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.

            Reserve, Louisiana, this 17^th day of June, 2021.

________________________________________

/s/Nia Mitchell, Board President

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ITEM 7b.  Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin - Approval of Resolution No. 2, to roll forward/increasing millage rates, but not in excess of the prior year’s maximum rate(s), on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2021, and when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used only for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied.

The resolution was read in its entirety.

MOTION BY:     Schum

SECOND BY:   Holden

MOTION:  To approve Resolution No. 2, to roll forward/increasing millage rates, but not in excess of the prior year’s maximum rate(s), on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2021, and when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used only for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied

Roll Call:

7 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

1 Nay – Burl

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion failed.  (2/3 of the entire membership is required for passing.)

MOTION BY:     Schum

SECOND BY:   Holden

MOTION:  To Recess.

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

Recess – 7:34 p.m.

MOTION BY:     Triche

SECOND BY:   Holden

MOTION:  To reconvene in Regular Session.

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:52 p.m.

MOTION BY:     Burl

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To reconsider Item 7a - (Approval of Resolution No. 1, levying adjusted millage rates)

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

MOTION BY:     Burl

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To reconsider Item 7b.  (President Mitchell-Williams re-read Item 9b:  Approval of Resolution No. 2, to roll forward/increasing millage rates, but not in excess of the prior year’s maximum rate(s), on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2021, and when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used only for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied.)

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried with 2/3 of the entire membership.

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RESOLUTION NO. 2

            BE IT RESOLVED, by the St. John the Baptist School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Louisiana, in a public meeting held on June 17, 2021, which meeting was conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Law and the additional requirements of Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B), that the taxing district voted to increase the millage rate(s), but not in excess of the prior year’s maximum rate(s), on all taxable property shown on the official assessment roll for the year 2021, and when collected, the revenues from said taxes shall be used only for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been levied. Said millage rate(s) are:

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Assessor of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, shall extend upon the assessment roll for the year 2021 the taxes herein levied, and the tax collector of said Parish shall collect and remit the same to said taxing authority in accordance with law.

The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by no less than two-thirds of the total membership of the taxing authority voting in favor as required by Article VII, Section 23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S. 47:1705(B). The votes were:

YEAS:

            NAYS:

            ABSTAINED

            ABSENT:

CERTIFICATE

            I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the meeting held on June 17, 2021, at which meeting at least two-thirds of the total membership was present and voting.

            Reserve, Louisiana, this 17^th day of June, 2021.

________________________________________

Nia Mitchell, Board President

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ITEM 8.  OLD BUSINESS

ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Request approval of Revised Policy GBRK: Vacation Time

Public Comment.  Garrette Trosclair, President SJAE – Stated that the 2 floating holidays are part of the 260-day employees’ calendar and if they lose those 2 days, they will be owed for working them.

MOTION BY:     Schum

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To approve Revised Policy GBRK:  Vacation Time as presented.

Following discussion, there was a

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:       Sanders

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To approve Revised Policy GBRK:  Vacation Time with amendments as shown below.

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

GBRK:  VACATION LEAVE

All twelve (12) month full-time employees shall earn annual leave at the rate set by the St. John the Baptist School Board.  Employees exceeding their annual leave shall automatically be deducted at full pay.

Annual leave shall be posted at the beginning of each fiscal year.  All annual leave must be turned into the Superintendent for review and approval prior to taking anticipated annual leave.

Any unused annual leave paid at the time of retirement, termination, or discharge shall be paid to the employee or his/her heirs on or before the next regular payday for the pay cycle during which the employee was working at the time of separation or no later than fifteen (15) days following the date of termination, resignation, or retirement, whichever occurs first, at the employee's daily rate of pay.

GUIDELINES

1.         Employees who work a twelve-month fiscal year shall earn paid vacation days

2.         Vacation time will be credited for twelve-month employees, on the first day he/she reports to work after the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1), according to the following schedule:

            Years of Service                                   Vacation Leave

            Less than 5 years                                  10 days

            5 years but less than 9 years      14 days

            9 years but less than 14 years    18 days

            14 years or more                                   20 days

            Individuals who become 12-month employees after the start of the fiscal year will earn vacation leave based on the percentage of the work year remaining at the time of employment.

3.         Employees shall request vacation leave in writing ten (10) days prior to the effective leave.  Vacation leave shall be granted unless work demands prohibit such.  If vacation leave is denied, the employee shall be allowed to reschedule within that same fiscal year.  Employees with the greatest seniority shall be granted his/her preferred vacation date(s) if possible.  An employee shall be allowed to take all of his/her earned vacation leave within a fiscal year.

4.         Under no circumstances shall a department become non-operational because too many employees are on vacation.  If there is a conflict that cannot be resolved by seniority, the Superintendent shall make the final decision.  It is the department supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that this does not happen to his/her department.

5.         Administrators shall not take vacation leave during the months of May and August.

6.         Employees may carry over up to ten (10) unused vacation days from one fiscal year to the next.  An employee can only accumulate up to twenty-five (25) vacations days.  Upon severance of employment, unused vacation days up to twenty-five (25) shall be paid to the employee as severance pay.

7.         With exception of the ten (10) days carried over up to a maximum of twenty-five (25) days, all earned vacation days shall be taken during the fiscal year.  Any vacation days not taken during the fiscal year will be forfeited by the employee.

A.         The Superintendent may modify or amend procedures as applicable when local and state emergencies develop including:

• An actual and imminent threat to public health or safety;

• An actual or imminent threat of natural disaster;

• An emergency situation whereby the governor, the state health officer, or the governing authority of the school system has declared a state of emergency;

The Superintendent shall inform the School Board of such changes.

B.         Administration recommendations:

2020 Floating Holiday Options

1.         Roll over a floating holiday for those employees who have not already used theirs for the 2019-2020 2020-2021 SY but require them to ALL use their day either November 25th or December 23^rd November 22-26, 2021 or December 20-31, 2021 to avoid incapacitating the district. The district may select one of the above dates or allow employees to choose between one of them. These dates/requests are to be submitted to site supervisors two weeks prior to the selected date. Floating holidays which are not used by December 23, 2020 31, 2021, will be lost.

2.         Allow rollover with a stipulation that no more than two weeks’ consecutive vacation days may be scheduled at one time. Priority will be given to the employee who has the most seniority (in alignment with policy GBRK). However, at no point may the number of employees on vacation render the district/site inoperable. Floating holidays must be used by June 30, December 31, 2021. Unused floating holidays will be lost.

3.         Unused floating holidays for the 2019-2020 SY are lost.

C.         Additional Vacation Consideration:

1.         Stagger the number of allowable banked vacation days over the next couple years:

a.         July 2021—allow 40 days’ maximum rollover.

b.         July 2022—allow 30 days’ maximum rollover.

c.          July 2023—return to 25 days’ maximum rollover.

8.         Employees who have more than twenty-five (25) accrued vacation days as of March 15, 2007 shall have the following options:

            Option 1- These employees can continue to carry these outstanding vacation balances until they sever employment.  However, they cannot accumulate any more days and all future vacation days earned must be used within that fiscal year.  The Board will pay the employee the unused accumulated days at severance.

            Option 2- These employees that have accumulated more than twenty-five (25) days as of the date this policy is adopted can elect to get paid for these excess days.  This will be a one-time election that must be made within ninety (90) days from the date of March 15, 2007. This will be an irrevocable election.  If an employee selects this option, he/she will be paid in these five (5) annual installments by July 31^st of each year.  These balances will be paid in these five (5) annual installments regardless of when the employee severs employment.  The Board will notify each affected employee by certified mail and enclose the proper election form.  The election form will have the vacation balance with the annual payoff amount.  If the employee chooses, the Board will pay out the remaining vacation balance at severance of employment.

Revised:  December, 2005

Revised:  April, 2007

Revised:  July 16, 2020

Revised:  April, 2021

Ref:      La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''11:754, 17:81, 23:631; Board minutes, 10-20-05, 6-15-06, 3-15-07, 7-16-20.

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ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. 

ITEM 9a.  Public Comment.

Public Comment.  Mrs. Michelle Guidry – Request Board approval to advertise for bids for the school year 2021-2022 for transporting USDA Commodities to all cafeterias

MOTION BY:   Sanders

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To approve advertising for bids for the school year 2021-2022 for transporting USDA Commodities to all cafeterias

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9b.  Public Comment.  Mr. Albert Burl, III  – Update on Demolition of Leon Godchaux Grammar School

Mr. Burl stated there will be a Special Board Meeting on June 29, 2021 to approve the contractors to begin the demolition.

ITEM 9c.  Public Comment Mrs. Debra Schum – Update on staffing for next school year.

Dr. Hookfin stated that staffing information will be rolled out to principals on Thursday.  She emphasized that we are beginning with the category of Teachers, only because it is important for principals to have this information going forward.  All other categories of employees will follow.

ITEM 9d.  Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Request approval to lift the hiring freeze to ensure the district is in compliance with state requirements by LDOE.

MOTION BY:     Mitchell

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To approve lifting the hiring freeze to ensure the district is in compliance with state requirements by LDOE.

Following discussion, there was a

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:       DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:   Holden

MOTION:  To table.

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9e.  Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Executive Session:  Discussion regarding the professional competencies of Superintendent Dr. Lynett Hookfin

MOTION BY:   DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:  Sanders

MOTION:  To convene in Executive Session to discuss the professional competencies of Superintendent Dr. Lynett Hookfin.

7 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell

4 Absent – Burl, Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

Executive Session:  8:36 p.m.

Mr. Burl left the meeting at 8:37 and was recorded as absent.

Mr. Triche left the meeting at 9:34 p.m. and was recorded as absent,

MOTION BY:   Holden

SECOND BY:  Sanders

MOTION:  To reconvene in Regular Session.

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

5 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

Regular Session:  10:01 p.m.

ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

Mrs. Schum stated that there will be a Finance Committee Meeting next week.

Mrs. DeFrancesch asked if the district is prepared for the possible tropical weather.  Dr. Hookfin stated yes, the district is prepared.

Mrs. Schum asked about the Board Retreat dates.  Mrs. Mitchell stated that she will email possible dates to all board members.

Mrs. Holden asked if transportation could trade out the 2 busses without air conditioning on the west bank with 2 that have air conditioning for the duration of Summer SHINE.

ITEM 12.  ADJOURNMENT

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

MOTION BY:    Holden

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:           Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

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

5 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 10:04 p.m.

________________________________                                      ________________________________

Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary                                                     Nia Mitchell, President