PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
LAPLACE, LA – SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 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 Members:
Due to the state of emergency caused by Hurricane Ida, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in special session via teleconference utilizing Zoom Video Conferencing. (See attached Certification of Inability to Operate Due to the Lack of a Quorum.) The meeting will be recorded via Zoom live and posted on St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools website as soon as it is available, so that members of the public may view the meeting. All public comments regarding agenda items should be sent to: Public-Board-Comments@stjohn.k12.la.us before 1:55 p.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021. Public comments must include all three (3) of the following: 1. First and Last Name; 2. Agenda Item Number you are commenting on; 3. Your comment. All public comments will be read aloud before each agenda item is discussed.
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. via teleconference (Zoom).
The agenda is attached for the meeting.
Sincerely, s/Lynett Hookfin
Superintendent/Secretary
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. She called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Mitchell-Williams
ABSENT: Holden, Keller, Johnson, Wallace, Triche
There were 6 members present and 5 members absent.
Mrs. Holden joined the meeting at 2:05 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 3. Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Public Emergency Declaration: Hurricane Ida
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To approve the Public Emergency Declaration: Hurricane Ida as presented.
Roll Call:
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Wallace, Triche
The motion carried.
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St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, State of Louisiana
Office of the Superintendent
PUBLIC EMERGENCY DECLARATION
WHEREAS, On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida impacted all of St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools, causing an extensive amount of damages to the buildings, within St. John the Baptist Parish; and
WHEREAS, immediate emergency actions are required to minimize the effects of the devastating event; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent for St. John the Baptist Parish Schools, by the authority vested in me by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the St. John the Baptist Parish School System is in
A STATE OF PUBLIC EMERGENCY DUE TO THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED EVENT
For the purposes of LSA-R.s. 38:2212(D), thereby allowing administration officials to bypass public bid law in contracting recovery work, and/or obtaining materials and supplies.
THIS EMERGENCY DECLARATION ISSUED AND ADOPTED BY THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD ON THIS 3rd DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2021, RETROACTIVE TO AUGUST 29, 2021.
/s/ Lynett Hookfin
Lynett Hookfin
Superintendent
St. John the Baptist Parish Schools
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ITEM 4. Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin - Hurricane Ida Updates: Damage Assessment, Next Steps for Reopening of Schools
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda to include an action item for emergency services.
Roll Call:
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, Johnson, Wallace, Triche
The motion carried.
Mr. Wallace joined the meeting at 2:38 p.m. and was recorded as present.
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY:
MOTION: To follow the insurance recommendation to immediately secure an emergency response company to secure the buildings, not to exceed $250,000 until the Board can meet with a full scope of damage.
This motion failed due to the lack of a second. Following further discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To allow All South to work with Lemoyne, Blue River, Blue Line, Servepro, Fulcrum to conduct emergency repairs, mitigation and emergency protection needed for all of our school buildings.
Roll Call:
7 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Burl, Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
Following further discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda to include an action item.
Roll Call:
7 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Burl, Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To execute an emergency contract with the Luster Group for debris and tree removal from all sites.
Roll Call:
7 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Burl, Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
All South agreed to help facilitate a contract for Mr. Luster.
ITEM 5. Board Items of Interest
Dr. Hookfin stated that the school buildings will be open contingent upon when utilities are restored. We have approximately 800 families that have relocated to Monroe in a shelter. Many of our employees have evacuated as well. She also stated that Mrs. Patricia Triche will be in charge of donations sent to our district.
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams asked the finance team to find out if the state is extending the deadline for the submission of the budget.
Mrs. Schum asked if we are allowing workers to use our sites to park their vehicles and equipment. Dr. Hookfin replied that the ADA advised to not allow our facilities to be used because we have a policy and we could be held liable if something happens.
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda to include an action item regarding use of facilities in emergency situations.
Roll Call:
6 Yeas – Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
5 Absent – Holden, Burl, Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To give authority to the Superintendent to allow the emergency use of St. John the Baptist Parish Public School properties as needed while in hurricane recovery.
Roll Call:
6 Yeas – Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
5 Absent – Holden, Burl, Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 7. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
6 Yeas – Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
5 Absent – Holden, Burl, Keller, Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 4:19 p.m.
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Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary Nia Mitchell-Williams, President