PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 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 Emily C. Watkins Elementary School, 938 Highway 628, LaPlace, LA 70068, on Thursday, August 12, 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
Vice President Shawn Wallace was seated as Chair. He called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche
ABSENT: Keller, Jones, Mitchell-Williams
There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Chair called for Public Comment.
Public Comment: Carolyn Batiste
Mr. Jones arrived at 6:04 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 3a. Approval of Minutes of the Meetings of: July 8, 2021
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of July 8, 2021
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche
2 Absent – Keller, Mitchell-Williams
The motion carried.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent.
ITEMA 4a. Public Comment. Update on Staffing
Public Comment. Celebration of New Additions to SJBP Team – Ms. Patricia Triche
Mrs. Triche stated that the new additions would be celebrated at a future meeting. She recognized Kristin Sullivan from Emily C. Watkins, for her heroic actions that saved the life of a co-worker.
ITEM 4b. Public Comment. Beginning of School Updates – Ms. Patricia Triche
Mrs. Triche reported a smooth opening of school with no major problems.
ITEM 4c. Public Comment. COVID Guidelines & Update – Dr. Stacey Spies
Public Comment: Yvette Scioneaux; Darrow Wilson; Cojavanna Singleton; Ranada Jones; Nadia Hart; Shakayla Albert; Jason McBride
SJAE Vice President Derron Cook read the following letter and requested that it be put in the record:
Greeting Dr. Hookfin and Board Members,
As we have all borne witness to the great pains and hardships caused by the Covid 19 pandemic over the past year, it is with great concern that we the members of the St. John Association of Educators are writing this letter in response to your decisions as it relates to the 2021-22 school year and beyond.
In a cooperative spirit and effort of good faith, we have approached the Superintendent and this board on serval occasions, to no avail, to discuss the inequities of district policies as it relates to our staff and students, as well as the overcrowding of classrooms during this pandemic. Despite our concerns, as a body of employees, who are directly affected by the results of your decisions, we are treated with snide and unfavorable attitudes from administration and members of the board. We are again asking officially that the issues presented be taken into consideration and rectified tonight before the general public and all stakeholders of St. John the Baptist Parish Schools.
For the past 5 years our system has operated a program that has given privileges to a select group of students while neglecting to see the harm and discrimination enacted on all other students throughout the district. For 5 years the district has violated its own discipline policy by allowing the students of STEM to wear street clothing and access to cell phones while mandating that all other students wear uniforms, despite their ability to afford such items. While the students of STEM are rewarded just for being apart of this program, students at other district schools are penalized for not adhering to the district’s discipline policy. Such offenses to this policy over the last five years has caused non-STEM students to receive referrals and even up to suspension, all while the students of the STEM received, nor were faced with ability to receive, any strikes for these offenses. This break in policy is not only offensive to all students in the district as it creates a divisive environment amongst all students, but also creates undue policing on all employees within our schools on students outside of the STEM campus.
Out of safety precautions, St. John Association of Educators is asking that the superintendent and this board honor its own policy by placing ALL STUDENTS in uniforms and uphold the districts cellphone mandate across the district equally. In a district that boasts the motto of being “As One” there is no reason to continue to implement a policy that creates such division.
Respectfully,
Garrette Trosclair, SJAE President
The St. John the Baptist Parish COVID Guidelines are listed on the district website: www.stjohn.k12.la.us
President Mitchell-Williams arrived at 7:01 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4d. Public Comment. I’ve Walked These Halls Campaign – Ms. Bonnie Dinvaut.
Ms. Dinvaut stated that the response to this campaign has been overwhelmingly positive and will continue on social media.
ITEM 4e. Public Comment. Human Resources Updates – Dr. Juanita Hill
Dr. Hill gave an update on the current number of vacancies in the district. The Board asked to be kept updated on the Critical Shortage application and an ongoing update on class sizes. Mr. Sanders asked for a potential date for having an HR Director in place. Mr. Burl asked for the date for having a CFO in place and for a report on the completed investigation regarding the HR Director.
ITEM 4f. Public Comment. Technology Distribution Updates – Ms. Tanya Faucheux
Ms. Faucheux gave an update on the distribution of laptops. All teachers have been issued devices, but over 1700 laptops were returned last year with damage. Replacement laptops have been ordered.
Mr. Jones recognized Councilwoman Tyra Duhe-Griffin in the audience.
ITEM 4g. Public Comment. Update on Discipline Handbook – Mr. Robert Schaff
Public Comment: Darrow Wilson; Angela Gaudia; Alvin Scioneaux. Derron Cook asked (on the record) for the Board to correct the inequities in the dress code policy and the cell phone policy.
Mr. Schaff summarized the mandated changes in the student handbook.
ITEM 4h. Public Comment. Curriculum Updates – Ms. Michelle Seymour
Public Comment. Yvette Scioneaux
Ms. Seymour gave an update on curriculum.
ITEM 4i. Public Comment. Financial Update – Mr. Brian Coogan/Mr. David Andras
Mr. Coogan and Mr. Andras gave an update on the finances of the district. Munis training has been scheduled. Budget deadline has been extended to September 30th. ¼ cent excess sales tax check will be paid to all employees on August 27th. Reductions are still in progress.
ITEM 5. EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Public Comment. Shannon Magee/Juanita Hill – Report on 2020-2021 Testing Scores
Public Comment: Carolyn Batiste
Mrs. Magee and Dr. Hill gave an update on the testing scores for the 2020-2021 school year.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Josh Cockfield, LOCA- Executive Session: Discussion of the potential settlement of Docket #: 20-06110, District 6, Nichelle Parquet vs. St. John the Baptist Parish School
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session: Discussion of the potential settlement of Docket #: 20-06110, District 6, Nichelle Parquet vs. St. John the Baptist Parish School.
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
3 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson
The motion carried.
Executive Session: 8:52 p.m.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
Regular Session: 9:08 p.m.
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To authorize LOCA Claims to settle the case: Docket 20-06110, District 6, Nichelle Parquet vs. St. John the Baptist Parish Schools.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mr. Patrick Sanders/Ms. Debra Schum/Mr. Clarence Triche - Request approval to enter into a contractual agreement with ACI St. John, LLC for the services necessary for the collection of sales and use taxes by the School Board, for a period of 4 years, duplicating the terms as the previous contract dated December 18, 2017
Public Comment: Demetria Carter; Carolyn Batiste
Mr. Burl asked for the Superintendent’s recommendation. Dr. Hookfin replied that she feels we should always competitively bid all contracts in an effort to save money. Mr. Burl asked the record to reflect the following comments: When we first began talking about making cuts, we talked about bringing sales tax collection in house for a big cost savings. I cannot vote for a 4-year term. We are not getting the sales tax reports as we should. There are guidelines not being followed as far as settlement authority and proper notification to the Board.
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve a contractual agreement with ACI St. John, LLC for the services necessary for the collection of sales and use taxes by the School Board, for a period of 4 years, with the same compensation as the previous contract dated December 18, 2017.
8 Yeas – Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
2 Nays – Holden, Burl
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mr. Brian Coogan/David Andras – Request Board approval to extend 2019-2020 Salary Schedule until salary negotiations are complete with SJAE
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To approve extending the 2019-2020 salary schedule until salary negotiations are complete with SJAE.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Mr. Brian Coogan/Cindy Janecke – Request approval to award Grass Maintenance Contract
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To award the Grass Maintenance contract to Firmin Enterprise for the active and inactive sites, and authorize the Superintendent to negotiate a lower price with Firmin for the athletic fields.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 8b. Public Comment. Mr. Brian Coogan/Cindy Janecke – Request approval to award Fleet Mechanic Contract
Mr. Jones asked the record to reflect the following comment: There is no difference in the terms for Tyrone’s Detailing, just like the ACI Contract we just voted on, and Tyrone’s is the low bidder.
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To table.
8 Yeas – Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
2 Nays – Holden, Burl
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
At 10:00 p.m., there was a
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To extend the meeting beyond 10:00 p.m.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS.
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Mr. Robert Schaff - Request Approval of the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance Handbook for SY 2021-2022
Public Comment: SJAE Vice President Derron Cook again read the letter from SJAE President Garrette Trosclair, addressing the inequities in the dress code and cell phone policy.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance Handbook for SY 2021-2022.
9 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Nay – Burl
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Request Board approval to issue an RFP/RFQ for Board Member Redistricting Services
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda to include an actionable item to award a contract for Board Member Redistricting Services.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To award a contract to South Central Planning for Board Member Redistricting Services at a cost of $20,000.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams asked the record to show that this is a federal requirement.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Ms. Carolyn Batiste – Redistricting of School Board
Ms. Batiste stated that she feels it would be a significant cost savings to have our school board districts mimic those of the Council, which would reduce the number of seats/members on the School Board.
ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-William/Mr. Clarence Triche/Mrs. Debra Schum – To authorize legal counsel to draft an ordinance intended to consolidate all school board sales and use tax ordinances currently in force and effect, in order to adopt all provisions of the Uniform Local Sales Tax Code, and the statutorily authorized exemptions and exclusions found in Title 47, together with all sales and use tax provisions of Title 61 and 72 of the Louisiana Administrative Code, for purposes of administration, collection and enforcement of said ordinances.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To authorize legal counsel to draft an ordinance intended to consolidate all school board sales and use tax ordinances currently in force and effect, in order to adopt all provisions of the Uniform Local Sales Tax Code, and the statutorily authorized exemptions and exclusions found in Title 47, together with all sales and use tax provisions of Title 61 and 72 of the Louisiana Administrative Code, for purposes of administration, collection and enforcement of said ordinances.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 9e. Public Comment. Mr. Clarence Triche/Mrs. Debra Schum – To authorize legal counsel to preliminarily investigate the legality of the Lease/Pilot Agreement between Pin Oaks and the Port Commission as applies to ad valorem taxes authorized by the School Board related to the improvements made by Pin Oaks on Port Commission property under the Agreement.
Orenthal Jasmin asked for the record, who the term “legal counsel” is referring to as it relates to this item. Mr. Patrick Amadee stated that he is the one who will be working on this item as legal counsel.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To authorize Atty. Patrick Amadee to preliminarily investigate the legality of the Lease/Pilot Agreement between Pin Oaks and the Port Commission as applies to ad valorem taxes authorized by the School Board related to the improvements made by Pin Oaks on Port Commission property under the Agreement.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
ITEM 9f. Public Comment. Ms. Carolyn Batiste – Civics Education/Understanding civic knowledge, civic skills, civic duty
Ms. Batiste stated that true civics education needs to be taught to our scholars.
ITEM 9g. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams - Executive Session: Discussion of Character and Professional Compentency as part of the Board Evaluation of Superintendent Lynett Hookfin
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session: : Discussion of Character and Professional Compentency as part of the Board Evaluation of Superintendent Lynett Hookfin.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell
1 Absent – Keller
The motion carried.
Executive Session: 10:34 p.m.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
Regular Session: 11:41 p.m.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 10a. Public Comment. To adopt a new evaluative tool for the Superintendent
*Add a performance target: to increase the number of certified teachers by 4% ($1000). Mrs. Mitchell-Williams stated that the first time this tool will be utilized will be at the mid-year retreat.
At the October 14, 2021 Regular Meeting, the Board voted to approve the August 12, 2021 minutes with this addition/insertion for Item 10a:
“… it should be noted that Attorney Courtney Joiner, on behalf of Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins, L.L.C. [Special Counsel to the SJBP School Board], was called by the Board to speak on this particular agenda item. During said discussion Mr. Joiner explained the contents of this evaluation tool and provided legal guidance on the subject matter.”
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To adopt the evaluative tool as presented to the Board.
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
A Special Meeting will be held on September 9, 2021 to address the budget.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY:Jones
SECOND BY:Holden
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
3 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 11:49 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary Nia Mitchell, President