PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
EMILY C. WATKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ~ LAPLACE, LA
BOARD WORKSHOP OF AUGUST 10, 2021 ~ 4:00 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 Emily C. Watkins Elementary School, 938 Highway 628, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 4:00 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 4:22 p.m. She called for a moment of silent meditation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. Roll Call of Members:
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Schum, Triche, Mitchell -Williams
ABSENT: Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Wallace
There were 6 members present and 5 members absent.
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams stated that Dr. Keller is ill and Mr. Jones is out of town.
ITEM 3. Public Comment. Albert Burl, III - Update on Grass Cutting RFP
Mrs. Schum stated that it appears that there were no responsive bids on the athletic fields and discussion was held regarding sending out a RFP for that portion of the contract. No action was taken on this item.
Mr. Wallace arrived at 4:57 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4. Public Comment. Albert Burl, III - Update on Fleet Mechanic RFP
Mrs. Schum noted that one RFP had a detailed schedule of preventative maintenance and the other did not. Discussion was held regarding whether preventative maintenance was included in the proposal that did not include a detailed schedule or not. No action was taken on this item.
ITEM 5. Public Comment. Albert Burl, III - Fleet Update/Repairs
Mr. Jarrow (Transportation Dept.) stated that currently, we have about 10% of our fleet that is out of service with engine problems. Mr. Burl asked if we are still renting buses. (yes, 4 busses are currently being rented.) No action was taken on this item.
ITEM 6. Public Comment.Albert Burl, III - Discussion of Work Orders Complete/Not Completed – by school site (Lift Stations)
Mr. Richard Songy (Maintenance Dept.) stated in late June, there were 1400 open work orders that had not been assigned. There are now 913 work orders in progress. He also stated that the lift stations are a problem that needs to be addressed soon. Mr. Songy stated he has visited the vo-tech college to recruit help in various areas, but classes do not start until next week and he will revisit then. No action was taken on this item.
ITEM 7. Public Comment. Albert Burl, III – Update on Leon Godchaux Demolition Site
The following information was given regarding the Demolition site: Demolition of the building and site clean-up is completed. All debris is removed. The contractor has repaired the canopy area at old Leon Godchaux Cafeteria building. The building is now available for Board meetings. The contractor LLJ Environmental had to pump out the site over the weekend due to the very heavy rains last week. The site has to dry out for a few days so that the contractor can grade the site and install the limestone parking lot. They are scheduled to be completed and demobilize by this Friday, August 13, assuming no significant rain. Dr. Keller asked about potential damages possibly incurred by the contractor to the existing asphalt drive. All South’s Resident Inspector is reviewing the site perimeter and will share his photos with our engineer Jack Godbery. Jack will be on site Thursday and will verify if there are any contractor damages.
ITEM 8. Public Comment. Albert Burl, III - Fence Replacement at Joe Keller Stadium
Mr. Burl asked about the repair of the fence that was caused by Entergy was on the property. Mr. Songy stated that he will be getting quotes to repair this damaged area. No action was taken on this item.
ITEM 9. Public Comment. Debra Schum - Discussion of possible projects for Construction Bonds that will become available in January
Mrs. Schum began discussion regarding the prospect of building a STEAM school in our district and/or other construction utilizing the funds that could be made available through construction bonds. The timeliness of this is very important and asked that a representative from Foley & Judell be invited to speak to the Board on this issue. No action was taken on this item.
ITEM 10. Public Comment. Debra Schum - Update on Implementation of RIF
Mrs. Schum stated that she is concerned that not all categories of employees have been looked at to be reduced. For example, school secretaries haven’t been reduced. Mrs. Schum asked for a breakdown of where the 71 students that left the STEM program went. Also, she asked that the RIF be completed by the September board meeting. Mrs. Schum asked how many certified personnel had resigned to date. Dr. Juanita Hill stated that there had been 55 certified teachers that have resigned. An updated chart of current staffing was shared with the Board. No action was taken on this item.
ITEM 11. Nia Mitchell-Williams - Finalize the Template and Indicators for Superintendent Evaluation
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams gave the Board members a copy of the Superintendent Summative Performance Report sample given to her by legal counsel. She asked the Board members to take time to read through it and be prepared to make suggestions of additions/deletions at the Board meeting Thursday. No action was taken on this item.
ITEM 12. Board Items of Interest
Public Comment. Mr. Derron Cook, Vice President of SJAE, spoke against the uniform/cell phone policy at ESJH and STEM being different, citing the divisiveness it is creating.
Mrs. Schum asked if the meeting will be taped on Thursday (yes), and asked that we advertise for “critical shortage” so some of our certified retirees can come teach in our district. She also asked administration for a list of administrative stipends paid for the past year and for what services they were paid.
ITEM 13. Adjournment
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
There were no objections.
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
_____________________________________ ___________________________________
Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent/Secretary Nia Mitchell-Williams, President