PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 2021
GODCHAUX GRAMMAR CAFETERIA – RESERVE, LA
The Chair called the meeting to order and read the following call:
HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Parish of St. John the Baptist
Upon call of the President, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in special session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1800 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
This meeting will follow the previously-advertised Public Hearing on the 2021-2022 proposed comprehensive budget, scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
The agenda for the meeting is attached.
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:
PRESENT: Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
ABSENT: Holden, Sanders, Triche
There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.
ITEM 3. NEW BUSINESS.
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Mr. David Andras/Mr. Brian Coogan – Request approval of the Comprehensive Budget for 2021-2022
Public Comment: Cindy Graham – asked when employees will receive the state raise that was granted in the summer by the Legislature.
Mr. Brian Coogan stated that the budget was prepared using the salary projections from the 2021 September payroll and previous expenses from the past 2 years. Mr. Andras stated that the budget reflects a $6.5 million surplus. He further stated that in order to be fiscally responsible, the LDOE requires that we have 3-4 months of operating costs in cash reserves, which means must generate a $6 million surplus for the next 3 years.
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve the Comprehensive Budget for 2021-2022
Mrs. Holden arrived at 5:20 p.m. and was recorded as present.
Mr. Triche arrived at 5:23 p.m. and was recorded as present.
Extensive discussion followed. Ms. Shum asked if the operational loan is shown in the budget. Mr. Andras stated that it is not, because it is a short-term loan and is in-and-out. Mrs. Schum asked if the $7.5 million loan is what is giving us the anticipated $6 million surplus. Mr. Andras stated that no, it is not. Mrs. Schum asked what the projected fund balance is in June of 2020. Mr. Coogan stated that the audit is not complete, but the projected balance is approximately $11 million. Mrs. Schum then asked what the projected fund balance is in June of 2021. Mr. Andras stated that the projection is close to $5 million, but we won’t know for another month or two, as they are still inputting daily transactions. Dr. Keller asked why the projected fund balance is not shown as the beginning balance for this comprehensive budget. Following further discussion, Mrs. Schum withdrew her motion.
ITEM 3b. Public Comment. Ds. Sherry DeFrancesch – Request approval of Health Insurance Plan, as recommended by the Insurance Committee
Public Comment: Cindy Graham asked for an explanation of the insurance plans.
Wayne Francingues and Melody Terral with Gallagher Insurance gave a comparison of the plans both from Blue Cross and United Health Care. Discussion was held with questions and answers from the Board.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve United Health Care Health Insurance Plan, as recommended by the Insurance Committee
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent - Sanders
1 Abstention - Burl
The motion carried.
ITEM 3c. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to advertise to receive proposals for Fiscal Auditors.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To give approval for administration to advertise to receive proposals for Fiscal Auditors.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent - Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 3d. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to advertise to receive proposals for 2022 Property Insurance
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To give approval for administration to advertise to receive proposals for 2022 Property Insurance.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent - Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 3e. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to amend Grounds Maintenance contract to include athletic fields.
Extensive discussion was held regarding the GMMS BB field listed in the scope of work in this amendment, because there is also a softball field. The Board asked if an amendment could be made to the motion to include all athletic fields at GMMS. The motion maker agreed to add all fields at GMMS to the motion. Mrs. Holden asked how administration feels about the additional cost. Dr. Hookfin stated that it is not about the fields, it’s about the fact that we are still utilizing cost-savings measures, but we will have complaints about the grass if we don’t have it cut. We do need to save money, though, because we are still not in the financial status that we need to be in. President Mitchell-Williams stated that she agrees that the amendment needs to specify what we need cut in the contract amendment.
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve the amendment to the Grounds Maintenance contract to include athletic fields (including all fields at GMMS).
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent - Sanders
1 Abstention - Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 3f. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to re-advertise to receive proposals for Fleet Mechanic
Mrs. Gauthier stated that administration is requesting to withdraw this item from the agenda. Mrs. Schum stated that the reason the awarding of this contract was tabled was due to questions on the preventive maintenance schedule in the original proposal submissions. Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To withdraw this item from the agenda.
Following further discussion, Mr. Triche called for question (to end discussion).
Roll Call on the question:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent - Sanders
The motion to end discussion carried.
Upon roll call to withdraw this item from the agenda, there was
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Nay – Burl
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 3g. Mrs. Debra Schum – Update on information for the Millage Renewal Election on November 13, 2021
Mrs. Schum asked how we are sharing the information with the public. Dr. Hookfin stated that the flyer was shared with principals, who plan to put copies in the car rider lines and also asked SJAE to assist with spreading the word. Dr. Hookfin emphasized that this is NOT a new tax, simply a renewal that is critical for paying teachers. She thanked Mrs. Waller for creating the flyer.
ITEM 3h. Public Comment. Stevie Smith/Anna Steyne (All South) - Request approval to issue a Request for Proposals for the removal of leaners, hangers, and stumps as a result of Hurricane Ida throughout school properties
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve issuing a Request for Proposals for the removal of leaners, hangers, and stumps as a result of Hurricane Ida throughout school properties
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 4. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 4a. Mrs. Debra Schum – Update on School Re-Opening Plan.
The following information was shared:
ITEM 4b. Mrs. Debra Schum – Update on Written Communication Plan.
Mrs. Schum stated that she is asking for an update on how Dr. Hookfin plans to communicate to our employees, parents, and scholars. Dr. Hookfin stated that it is important to not bombard our parents with too much information at one time. The most important thing to our community is “when will we open”. Dr. Hookfin asked for suggestions from the Board on what should be included in a weekly communication - what specific information they would like to see going out to the community.
The Board addressed Item 3a at this time:
Mr. Andras stated that administration is requesting to withdraw this item from the agenda.
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To table
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Sanders
The motion carried.
ITEM 12. Board Items of Interest
Dr. Keller asked the Board President to look into what needs to be done as far as public hearings regarding the Redistricting plan. He asked Mrs. Waller to research what was done the last time we did the redistricting.
Mr. Burl asked for the specific language for what’s on the ballot for the tax renewal.
Mr. Jones stated that the Kiwanis Club will visit St. John Parish again. They were here on October 3rd, 2021 giving out meals and supplies and will be back in town this Saturday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. until all meals are served. They will be at Danny Becnel Plaza (across from Home Depot) with meals and supplies until they run out.
Mrs. Schum asked for a report on whether the employees have been paid the $400/$800 state raise and if not, when they will be receiving it.
President Mitchell-Williams thank Girlfriends Group of Atlanta that Judge Lewis connected with East St. John High School. This group has partnered with ESJH to provide uniforms and supplies and are greatly appreciated.
ITEM 7. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Sanders
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary Nia Mitchell-Williams, President