PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

LAPLACE, LA – SPECIAL MEETING OF JUNE 29, 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 special session at Emily C. Watkins Elementary School, 938 Highway 628, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 4:00 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 4:03 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, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Mitchell-Williams

ABSENT:          Holden, Wallace, Triche

There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.

 

ITEM 3. Public Comment.  Approval of Minutes - Meetings of:  June 17, 2021 Public Hearing and June 17, 2021 Board Meeting

 

MOTION BY:     DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To approve the Minutes - Meetings of:  June 17, 2021 Public Hearing and June 17, 2021 Board Meeting.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Mitchell-Williams

3 Absent – Holden, Wallace, Triche

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 4. Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin – To award the Old Leon Godchaux Demolition contract to the qualified low bidder.

 

Ms. Cindy Janecke (All South Engineers) stated that the bid opening was held last Friday and there were 4 bidders on this project.  The low bid ($234,500) was submitted by LLJ Construction LLC. Mr. Burl questioned how much we are paying All South to oversee this project.  Ms. Janecke stated that she believes the fee is “not to exceed $81,100).  Mr. Burl stated for the record that he his not voting for this because $234,000 plus $81,000 is too much money, that we don’t have right now, to spend on demolishing this building when there are other, more important maintenance items that need to be taken care of. Also, we have not submitted a budget yet and we continue to spend money that we don’t know we have.  Ms. Janecke stated that she spoke to John Faucheaux today and he is waiting for the insurance company to let him know how much, if any, the insurance company is willing to pay for this project.  Mr. Burl asked administration what the funding source for this project is.  Dr. Hookfin stated that she will speak with the financial consultants for this information and because the Board declared this a public emergency, the district must complete the project even though the district did not budget for it.  Mr. Burl asked when the project will be complete.  Ms. Janecke stated that the company should start July 6, 2021 and the project  has a completion date of August 1st.

 

MOTION BY:  Keller

SECOND BY:   Sanders

MOTION:  To accept and award the demolition of the Old Leon Godchaux building contract to the low bidder, LLJ Environmental Construction, LLC. ($234,500).

Roll Call:

7 Yeas - Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Mitchell-Williams

1 Nay - Burl

3 Absent – Holden, Wallace, Triche

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 5.  Public Comment.  Carolyn Batiste - Resolution to change the seats on the board to directly benefit and represent the parish population, especially serving the citizens of the parish.

 

There was no one present to speak on this item.

 

Mr. Burl stated that we need to advertise for a firm to complete the required redistricting.

 

ITEM 6. Public Comment.  Board Items of Interest

 

Mrs. Schum stated that there will be a Finance Committee Meeting on July 7th at 4:30 in the Media Center and another one on August 4th a 4:30 p.m. in the Media Center.

 

Mr. Jones asked if there are dates for the retreat.  Mrs. Michell-Williams stated that she will email dates to the Board.

 

Mrs. Schum asked for updates on staffing and whether or not we will have virtual classes next year.

 

Dr. Hookfin stated that there is only 1 parent who has adamantly request virtual and the district will not offer virtual classes next year.  She stated that she is working with that particular parent to ensure her child’s academic needs are met.  As far as the staffing, she presented the Board with preliminary numbers for staffing at each school, but reminded the Board that the numbers are subject to change.  She stated that the RIF is district-wide and phase 1 includes notifying teachers that are involved in the RIF.  Mr. Burl asked Dr. Hookfin what a RIF is.  Dr. Hookfin stated that it is a “Reduction in Force”. Mr. Burl asked why we are having a RIF, to which Dr. Hookfin replied that it is due to continuous overstaffing  at our school sites.

 

Mr. Sanders left at 4:41 p.m. and was recorded as absent.

 

Mrs. Mitchell-Williams recognized Mr. Torres in the audience.

 

ITEM 7.  ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

MOTION BY:    Burl

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:           Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

7 Yeas – Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum

4 Absent – Holden, Sanders, Wallace, Triche

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 4:51 p.m.

 

 

 

________________________________                                      ________________________________

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