PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF NOVEMBER 11, 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 Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, November 11, 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

In the absence of the President, Vice-President Shawn Wallace was seated as Chair.

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and called for a moment of silent meditation. The Lord’s Prayer was recited, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Board Member and Veteran Phillip Johnson.

The Veterans present were recognized.  Veterans Mr. Robert Schaff and Mr. Phillip Johnson were in attendance.

ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

PRESENT:        Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

ABSENT:          Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

ITEM 3a.  Public Comment.  Meetings of: July 21-22, 2021 Retreat; October 7, 2021; October 14, 2021; November 2, 2021

MOTION BY:     Jones

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meetings of: July 21-22, 2021 Retreat; October 7, 2021; October 14, 2021; November 2, 2021

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.   Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent.

ITEMA 4a.  Public Comment.  Update on Revised Reopening of Schools Plan

Ms. Rebecca Johnson stated the following:  On Thursday, November 4^th, John L. Ory scholars returned to their campus with a full day of learning.  On Monday, November 8^th, ESJH returned to a full day of learning on an alternating A-B Schedule.  There is a monitored teacher help desk for all students who are not on campus who need help with assignments.

 Ms. Kendria Spears stated that there will be a District “FASFA College and Career Night” on Thursday, December 9^th from 6-8 p.m. at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary for all senior scholars.

ITEM 5.  EDUCATION PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF

ITEM 6.  PERSONNEL MATTERS

ITEM 7.  BUSINESS AND FINANCE

ITEM 7a.  Public Comment. Mr. David Andras – Take from the Table and Request Approval of the Comprehensive Budget for 2021-2022

Mr. Andras read the following email from ADA Orenthal Jasmin:  “I have reviewed the documents submitted. The highlighted suggested modification to this proposed budget does not substantially change the proposed budget. Thus, the suggested modification prior to final adoption may be made without the reporting requirements. Per La. R.S. 39:1305 (F), the proposed budget and the accompanying budget adoption instrument may be amended by the School Board at any point prior to final adoption unless otherwise provided in the Board’s adopted policies. Please note that the budget adoption is occurring beyond the period allotted by board policy DC (second meeting in June) or state law (September 15 - La. R.S. 17:88(A)).”

MOTION BY:  Keller

SECOND BY:  Jones

MOTION:  To take from the table the approval of the Comprehensive Budget for 2021-2022.

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

MOTION BY:  Keller

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To approve the Comprehensive Budget for 2021-2022.

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 7b.  Public Comment. Mr. David Andras – Request approval of Revised Salary Schedule to include state raises ($400 support and $800 certified)

Public Comment.  Cindy Graham asked when will the employees actually see the raise.

Mr. Andras stated that upon approval, the employees will receive the raise in December.  However, it will be January or February that the back-pay will be given to the employees.  The full salary schedule can be viewed at www.stjohn.k12.la.us

MOTION BY:  Schum

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To approve the Revised Salary Schedule to include state raises ($400 support and $800 certified).

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 8.  OLD BUSINESS

ITEM 8a.  Public Comment. Mr. Patrick Sanders – Request approval of Revised Policy:  EBBD – Emergency Closing of Schools

Mr. Sanders stated that the Personnel Committee met on Tuesday and approved this policy, but recommended a small verbiage change.  However, the policy would have to be re-introduced and subsequently approved. He asked that the Board approve the policy as presented tonight.

MOTION BY:  Sanders

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To approve Revised Policy:  EBBD – Emergency Closing of Schools, as presented.

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

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EBBD:  EMERGENCY CLOSING OF SCHOOLS

The Superintendent shall be authorized to announce the closing of schools if prevailing or potential hazards threaten the safety and well-being of pupils, staff, or school property.  The decision to close schools shall be made by the Superintendent after conferring, when administratively feasible, with members of the St. John the  Baptist Parish School Board and other community agencies responsible for the safety and well-being of the community. 

Public announcements and releases to news media shall be made or approved by the Superintendent or his authorized designee.  Each Board member shall also be notified of any school closing.

In cases where students are dismissed early, teachers are expected to supervise all students under their jurisdiction until they have departed from the school campus.  In the event of dismissal during the school day, all educational and building employees are to continue their work, unless otherwise notified by the Superintendent.

In the event of school closure for emergencies, the Superintendent shall be authorized to use selected holidays to make up for the instructional days missed.

During severe weather or other emergency situations, the Superintendent, after conferring with the School Board President, shall have the authority to excuse employees of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board from reporting to work.  Emergency situation shall encompass circumstances that would expose school system employees to harmful or unsafe conditions, as determined by the Superintendent.

The Superintendent may provide school system employees with leave with pay for absences from work due to a Declared State of Emergency issued by the St. John the Baptist Parish President or State Governor.  When a Declaration of Emergency has been issued, because of extreme weather or other specified emergency situations, employees shall not report to work except at the request or approval of the Superintendent.   Unless a Declaration of Emergency has been issued, all school system employees shall be expected to report to work.  If the Superintendent officially directs the closure of the school system due to severe weather or other emergency situations, those persons actually scheduled to work during the time period of the declaration shall receive the time off without loss of pay, annual leave, or sick leave.  All personnel, including both non-exempt and essential personnel who are otherwise considered exempt employees, who work at the request or approval of the Superintendent during such closure, shall receive pay at the rate of time and one-half for those actual hours worked, which shall be considered as overtime for the purposes of the Stafford Act provided the following documentation takes place:  1) Employee’s immediate supervisor must assign work to be performed to employee; 2) Employee will track hours worked on the “Daily Time Activity Report” form as well as enter those hours as “disaster/hazard pay” into the stipend system; 3) Employee’s immediate supervisor must observe work performed and approve hours worked in the stipend system; 4) The Superintendent will have final approval of all disaster/hazard pay via the stipend system.

Furthermore, upon the declaration of an emergency, all scheduled vacations for designated essential personnel shall be cancelled.

Adopted:  September 21, 1978

Revised:  September 4, 2014

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ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. 

ITEM 9a.  Mr. Josh Manning (South Central Planning) – Introduction of Redistricting Plans

Mr. Manning displayed the 3 Alternate Maps for the School Board Redistricting and shared a PowerPoint.  He shared next steps with the Board, which include the Board choosing a plan and then holding a public hearing.  The process must be complete by March 1, 2022.

ITEM 9b.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Michelle Seymour - Request approval of Revised School Calendar 2021-2022

Public Comment.  Cindy Graham – stated that the calendar should be submitted to all employees for questions and comments, according to the Union Contract, but this calendar has not been submitted.

Mrs. Schum asked how many minutes per day must be added.  Ms. Seymour stated that 42 minutes per day until February 1, 2022.  Dr. Hookfin stated that the district will communicate with parents from the school site regarding new start and end times.

MOTION BY:  DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:  Johnson

MOTION:  To approve Revised School Calendar 2021-2022

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

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ITEM 9c.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Introduction to the 2022 Board Meeting Calendar

This item was for introduction only.

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St. John the Baptist Parish

School Board Meeting Dates

January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022

LOCATIONS:

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria:  1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana

West St. John Elementary School:  2555 LA Hwy. 18, Edgard, Louisiana

Emily C. Watkins Elementary School:  944 La. Hwy. 628, LaPlace, Louisiana

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ITEM 9d.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to advertise to receive bids for Bus Parts

MOTION BY:  Sanders

SECOND BY:  Jones

MOTION:  To grant approval to advertise to receive bids for Bus Parts.

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 9e.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to advertise to receive bids for Plumbing Supplies

MOTION BY:  Jones

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To grant approval to advertise to receive bids for Plumbing Supplies.

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 9f.  Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to enter into a month-to-month contract with our current fleet mechanic contractor.

MOTION BY:  Sanders

SECOND BY:  Jones

MOTION:  To enter into a month-to-month contract with our current fleet mechanic contractor.

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 9g.  Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to advertise for Hurricane Ida Emergency HVAC Cleaning to Emily C. Watkins Elementary School

MOTION BY:  Jones

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To grant approval to advertise for Hurricane Ida Emergency HVAC Cleaning to Emily C. Watkins Elementary School.

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ITEM 10a.  Update on Capital Loan for District Repairs

Mr. Andras stated the following:  Due to Hurricane Ida, we have expected expenses of at least $31 million. We are requesting the full $30 million initial draw on the loan in order to ensure that we continue to repair our buildings as we wait on insurance and FEMA reimbursements. It could be months before we receive reimbursements from either insurance or FEMA.  Discussion followed.  Mr. Sanders asked for a balance on the LAMP account.  Mr. Andras stated that he will forward the information on the LAMP account to the Board.

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

Dr. Keller asked that the selection of an alternate plan for redistricting be placed on the agenda for the December meeting.

Mrs. Schum – remind everyone that this Saturday, November 13^th, is the election to renew the millage for employees’ salaries and benefits and is a principal part of our current budget. 

ITEM 12.  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:

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche

3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

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Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary                                                     Nia Mitchell, President