PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF DECEMBER 9, 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, December 9, 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

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01 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 Debra Schum.

 

ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

 

PRESENT:        Holden, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

ABSENT:          Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wallace

 

There were 7 members present and 4 members absent.

 

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

ITEM 3a.  Public Comment.  Meeting of: November 11, 2021

 

Public Comment.  Garrette Trosclair, President of SJAE – Publicly stated that because SJAE learned at the Finance Committee meeting yesterday that the state raise given in July will not be paid in December, SJAE objects to the approval of these minutes because Administration was directed to pay this in December.

 

Derron Cook, Vice-President of SJAE – Objected to the minutes due to learning that the state raise will not be distributed in December as administration was directed, per the minutes of November 11, 2021.

 

MOTION BY:     Schum

SECOND BY:   Holden

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meeting of: November 11, 2021

Roll Call:

7 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Nay – Burl

3 Absent – DeFrancesch, Jones, Wallace

The motion carried.

 

Mr. Burl arrived at 6:05 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

Mr. Wallace arrived at 6:07 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

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

 

ITEMA 4a.  Public Comment.  Child Welfare & Attendance Update

 

Mr. Schaff shared the following information:

 

 https://usc-powerpoint.officeapps.live.com/pods/GetClipboardImage.ashx?Id=14fa1af1-c28c-42c6-baa1-7d48e1571e19&DC=PUS6&pkey=b67fc32f-b1af-4f9f-bf4c-e9784c6a01cb&wdwaccluster=PUS6 

 

 https://usc-powerpoint.officeapps.live.com/pods/GetClipboardImage.ashx?Id=3fba1fc6-01a4-449c-b2e6-d4acac20bd30&DC=PUS6&pkey=556cf0d5-1886-418a-846b-a062dfea63d7&wdwaccluster=PUS6

 

 

 https://usc-powerpoint.officeapps.live.com/pods/GetClipboardImage.ashx?Id=077901c6-99cd-487e-9a80-efaf8c5b3351&DC=PUS6&pkey=f2068f03-4c7c-4de0-a829-da44d63bca1d&wdwaccluster=PUS6

 

 https://usc-powerpoint.officeapps.live.com/pods/GetClipboardImage.ashx?Id=be4c7764-4de2-4e03-96cf-19379c82a5a1&DC=PUS6&pkey=4142a04f-fc77-4741-812f-8b484e326204&wdwaccluster=PUS6

 

Mrs. Schum asked that a report of absentees by school be sent to the Board members.

 

Mr. Sanders commended Mr. Schaff on the PBIS program and truancy and asked for more frequent reports.

 

Mr. Burl stated that it is his opinion that the Sheriff’s officers should not be involved in knocking on doors for student’s truancy.  Dr. Hookfin stated that there is no harm intended bringing the Sheriff’s office in to assist and the officers will not go alone, it will only be for support for the team.  Discussion followed.

 

Mrs. Mitchell-Williams reminded Mr. Schaff to send updated numbers to the Board tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 10th).

 

MOTION BY:     Sanders

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To waive policy to amend the agenda to address ITEM 5 at this time.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl,  Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – DeFrancesch, Jones

The motion carried.

 

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

 

ITEM 5a.  Recognition of Retirees

 

Ms. Nycole Colbert, along with Ms. Erica Lumar,  recognized the following retirees:

 

RETIREES FOR OUR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICES!

 

First Name

Last Name

Work Site/Position

Yrs. Of Services

Charlotte

Alexander

STEM/Teacher

6

Conella

Hampton

LES/Custodian

13

Cheroyn

Lewis

GMMS/Teacher

13

Nana

Joseph

GMMS/Teacher

14

Trudy

Labat

LPE/Teacher

18

Jennifer

Russell

ESJP/Counselor

20

Karen

Cherry

MILES/

20

Kathleen

Williams

WSJE/Teacher

20

Mary

Dufresne

ESJH/Teacher

20

Delvikia

Mitchell-Joseph

ESJP/Teacher

21

Jonae

Alexander

FEW/Teacher

21

Kelly

Bailey

Transportation

21

Peggy

Fobb

LES/Secretary

23

Yong

Suk Lowery

STEM/Teacher

23

Delisa

Jasper

GMMS/Custodian

24

Drucella

Tanner

WSJH/Teacher

24

Elizabeth

Thompson

Central/Title II

25

Herman

Clayton

Maintenance

25

Lydia

Roussell-White

ESJH/Teacher

25

Thomas

Becnel

WSJE/Teacher

25

Sandra

Sievers

ECW/Teacher

26

Donna

Mazzeno

Transportation

26

Diana

Mondebello

Transportation

29

Diane

Warner

Transportation

29

Darolyn

Lumar

GMMS/CDC

30

Dr. Glenn

Chenier

STEM/Principal

30

Kathleen

Averett

ESJP/Teacher

30

Carolyn

Lumar

WSJE/Para

32

Angie

Pelt

LES/Teacher

36

 

 

ITEM 5b.  Recognition of Excelling ESJH Athletes

 

Mr. Jeremy Brown, ESJH stated that the ESJH Basketball team is not present because they are playing a game at this time.  He did, however, want to recognize the players, along with their GPA.  He listed the players and their GPA’s.

 

 

ITEM 5c.  Recognition of ECW Roaring Lions

 

Principal Peri Eldridge introduced Audrina Bourgeois – an 8th Grade Student of the Year Nominee (straight A’s). She also introduced Tyreek Grover – a 5th Grade Student of the Year Nominee, who also has straight A’s.  Ms. Eldridge stated that there are 41 students on the “A” Honor Roll and 94 students on the “A-B” Honor Roll.  She also pointed out that approximately 350 of their students will go to the park to play as a reward for keeping 95% of their PBIS points and also for academic growth.

 

ITEM 5d.  Recognition of WSJH Football Team

 

Coach Fisse, representing Coach Johnson who couldn’t be present.  Coach Fisse recognized the WSJH Football team and introduced each.  He stated that the Rams made it to the 3rd Round of the Playoffs again this year!  Congrats WSJH Rams.

 

The Chair stated that we will return to ITEM 4 and then continue to ITEM 5e, as there are students that need to get to FAFSA Night.

 

MOTION BY:     Sanders

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To waive policy to amend the agenda to return to ITEM 4b and continue through the agenda at this time.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl,  Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – DeFrancesch, Jones

The motion carried.

ITEM 4b. FAFSA/College and Career Night

 

Student George Smith, a Senior at STEM, stated the following: 

 

“Good evening. Tonight, St. John the Baptist Parish High Schools are excited to host a  District-Wide FAFSA/College and Career Night for all Seniors and  Graduating Juniors.  The event is taking place now at the Lake  Pontchartrain Campus. Representatives will be onsite from FAFSA and LOFSA to assist parents and  scholars with completing FAFSA.  Scholars will receive assistance with completing scholarships to receive  additional funding for college. The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Mobile Workforce Center onsite to  assist scholars and parents with completing job applications, writing  resumes, and performing job searches.”

 

ITEM 4c.  Update on ESJH Hybrid Schedule

 

Mr. Jeremy Brown updated the Board on the Hybrid Schedule:

 

       ESJH is operating on an A/B Block schedule due to the limited infrastructure available at

Leon C. Godchaux.

       Seniors and Juniors attend together, and Freshmen and Sophomores attend together.

       ESJH has seventy-five (75) Classroom Teachers, however Godchaux has only 37 classrooms  for instruction.

       ESJH has 329 students participating in the Virtual Academy which helps with class size as

well.

       ESJH cannot operate under one schedule unless trailers are brought in to accommodate  the student body.

       ESJH will continue an A/B Block until there is enough space for all staff and students to

attend daily.

       ESJH is offering after-school tutoring for all core subjects and LEAP 2025 course tutoring on

Saturdays.

 

Mrs. Schum  asked for an update on the trailers being brought in to the Leon Godchaux campus.  Dr. Hookfin asked Mrs. Janecke to explain the process of bringing trailers in.  Mrs. Janecke stated that any mobile classroom trailers must be permitted, ramp structures created, special systems – fire alarms, intercoms, etc. would have to be installed, designed and approved by the parish and of course, the state fire marshal and DHH would have to give clearance.  Mrs. Mitchell-Williams asked how long it will take.  Mrs. Janecke stated that they have not been given information yet on when these trailers might arrive or what condition they are in, so she couldn’t give an estimate on time.  Mrs. Schum asked if this will take weeks or months?  Mrs. Janecke stated that it would depend on how many trailers.  One or two would be fairly quick, but more than that would take months.  Dr. Hookfin stated that a school district in Mississippi has graciously donated trailers to us and Mrs. Janice will go to Mississippi next week to make sure the trailers are viable and investigate how much it will cost to move these trailers.  Dr. Hookfin stated that this will not be an overnight process.

 

ITEM 4d.  Update on Pre-K Program

 

Ms. Bonnie Dinvaut stated that its very important that we understand that Early Childhood Education is the foundation of all future learning.  She stated that due to funding and compliance issues, the district needs to move 4 ECW classes housed at LPE. The guidelines allow for only 20 students to be in a classroom at a time.  Because of limited space, we have 2 homerooms occupying 1 classroom. Each class has 11 students, which puts the 1 classroom housing 22 students.  As of December 7th, we are out of compliance with 4 of our LPE classes and 4 of our ECW Pre-K classrooms (at LPE).  She offered several options to help make us compliant, including moving classes to LES’s back building; bringing in trailers at LPE campus; and moving classes to GMMS’s Pre-K wing.  Each option has limitations and time-constraints.  The leadership team has reached out to the US Dept. of Health and Human Services and their reply stated that the program is out of enrollment and compliance and outlines that the Office of Head Start to designate this agency as chronically out of compliance and it is possible that they will withhold or reduce the base grant for that program.  Mr.  Burl asked what is the amount of funding at risk? Ms. Dinvaut stated that she did not have that amount but has a team member looking it up. Mr. Burl asked what administration is recommending at this time.  Dr. Hookfin stated that she would like to utilize the back wing of LES as soon as it is available to house Pre-K classes.  Ms. Dinvaut stated that the dollar amounts that could be at risk are as follows:  $1.3 million for HeadStart; LA 4 is $350,000 and Model Early is $76,000.  Mrs. Mitchell-Williams asked that Ms. Dinvaut please send the point of contact for these programs. Ms. Dinvaut stated that she will forward the email chain to her that includes the points of contact.  Mrs. Schum asked the Superintendent when administration was first made aware of this. Dr. Hookfin stated that there is a string of emails but she was not included on those.  Dr. Hookfin stated that the quickest quick-fix would be to send those students to GMMS.

 

Mr. Jones arrived at 7:39 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

ITEM 4e.  Update on Summer SHINE Program

 

Rebecca Johnson presented information on Summer SHINE:

 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

            

 

 

ITEM 4f.  Staffing:  Update on Filling Vacancies

 

Dr. Hill shared the following information regarding Staffing:

 

 

 

ITEM 5e.  2020-2021 Accountability Update

 

The following information was shared:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Burl asked what our ranking is when compared with other parishes.  SJBP ranking is 59th of 68 districts.  For the record, Mr. Burl stated that we didn’t learn from our mistakes and when the hurricane hit, we should have been prepared.  We are failing our parish and our students.  We are creating a district that our families are being forced to pay for private education. Mrs. Schum stated that our ranking has moved down at least 7 places.  She further stated that we have to accept that where we are is not acceptable and that we have to do some significant, urgent repairs to where we are in our schools and curriculum to make sure we are helping our students to compete with everyone else in our state.  We went from a 67.7 to a 59.7 and if you look at every other district that was affected by Hurricane Ida, we are in a different boat and we must have a very intense plan – school by school.  We need a written plan for each specific school to move our students to a higher level.

 

Mrs. Schum also stated that we should be commending Fifth Ward Elementary, because they had a 4 point growth compared to the state’s average, which was a drop of 2 points.

 

MOTION BY:     Jones

SECOND BY:   Wallace

MOTION:  To waive policy to amend the agenda to move ITEM 9 a, b and c as well as ITEM 7d up to address at this time.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl,  Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 9a.  Public Comment.  Mr. Jason Akers, Foley & Judell, LLP – To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, November 13, 2021, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein.

 

MOTION BY:     Entire Seated Board

SECOND BY:  

MOTION:  To adopt a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, November 13, 2021, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl,  Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

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The following resolution was offered by                   and seconded   by                                     

 

RESOLUTION

 

A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of  Louisiana, on Saturday, November 13,2021, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein.

BEIT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), that:

 

SECTION 1. Canvass. This Governing Authority does now proceed in open and public session to examine the official tabulations of votes cast at the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021 (the "Election"), to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein pursuant to the following proposition (the "Proposition"):

 

PROPOSITION (MILLAGE RENEWAL)

 

Shall School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a special tax of three and forty-seven hundredths (3.47) mills on all of the property subject to taxation in said School District (an estimated $2,665,700 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2022 and ending with the year 2031, for the purpose of providing additional funds for salaries and fringe benefits for all employees (except for privately contracted services) of the school system but not to supplant current revenues being expended for all employee salaries and benefits?

This Governing Authority does further proceed to examine and canvass the returns of the Election

 

SECTION 2. Election Results. According to the official certified tabulation of votes cast at said Election,

There was a total of 1,652 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition and a total of 928 votes cast AGAINST the Proposition, resulting in a majority of 724 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition. The Proposition was therefore duly CARRIED by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified electors voting at the Election. SECTION 3. Promulgation of Election Result. The results of said election shall be promulgated by publication in the manner provided by law, after receipt from the Secretary of State's office of the actual costs of the election, as required by Act 205 of the Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana for the year 2019.

 

SECTION 4. Declaration. The foregoing results of the Election are hereby declared by this Governing Authority and shall be published as required by law.

SECTION 5. Proces Verbal. A Proces Verbal of the canvass of the returns of the Election shall be made and a certified copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who shall record the same in his office; another certified copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Recorder of Mortgages in and for the Parish of St. John the Baptist, who shall record the same in the Mortgage Records of said Parish; and another copy thereof shall be retained in the archives ofthis Governing Authority.

This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

 

YEAS:

 

NAYS:

 

ABSENT:

 

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 9th day of December, 2021.

 

PROCES   VERBAL OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1 OF THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, STATE OF LOUISIANA, ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2021.

 

BE IT KNOWN AND REMEMBERED that on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., at the Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Hwy. 44, Reserve, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State ofLouisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), and being the authority ordering the special election held therein on Saturday, November 13, 2021, with the following members present:

 

 
 


 

There being absent:                                                                                                     _

 

did, in open and public session, examine the official certified tabulations of votes cast at the said election, and did examine and canvass the returns of the said election, there having been submitted at said election the following proposition, to wit:

 

PROPOSITION (MILLAGE RENEWAL)

 

Shall School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a special tax of three and forty-seven hundredths (3.47) mills on all of the property subject to taxation in said School District (an estimated $2,665,700 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period often (10) years, beginning with the year 2022 and ending with the year 2031, for the purpose of providing additional funds for salaries and fringe benefits for all employees (except for privately contracted services) of the school system but not to supplant current revenues being expended for all employee salaries and benefits?

 

There was found by said count and canvass that there was a total of 1,652 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition and a total of 928 votes cast AGAINST the Proposition, as hereinabove set forth, and it was further found and determined that there was a majority of 724 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition as hereinabove set forth.

 

Therefore, the Governing Authority did declare and proclaim and does hereby declare and proclaim in open and public session that the Proposition as hereinabove set forth was duly CARRIED by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified electors voting at the said special election held in the District on Saturday, November 13, 2021.

 

Results by precinct are available from the Secretary of this Governing Authority during regular business hours or via the Louisiana Secretary of State's website (voterportal.sos.la.gov)

Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part of this Proces Verbal is a copy of the Notice of Special Election and proof of publication thereof.

 

THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Reserve, Louisiana, on this, the 9th day of December, 2021.

 

 

ATTEST:                                                                                            Isl Nia Mitchell-Williams                     President

 

 

Isl Dr. Lynett Hookfin Secretary

 

EXHIBIT "A"

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION

 

Pursuant to the provisions ofa resolution adopted by the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), on May 13, 2021, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the District on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2021, and that at the said election there will be submitted  to all registered voters in the District qualified and entitled to vote at the·said election under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to-wit:

 

PROPOSITION (MILLAGE RENEWAL)

 

Shall School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), continue to levy a special tax of three and forty-seven hundredths (3.47) mills on all of the property subject to taxation in said School District (an estimated $2,665,700 reasonably expected at this time to be collected  from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2022 and ending with the year 2031, for the purpose of providing additional funds for salaries and fringe benefits for all employees (except for privately contracted services) of the school system but not to supplant current revenues being expended for all employee salaries and benefits?

 

Said special election will be held at each and every polling place in the Parish of St. John the Baptist, which polls will open at seven o'clock (7:00) a.m. and close at eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541.

 

The polling places for the precincts are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said election, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, shall bethose persons designated according to law.

 

The estimated cost of this election as determined by the Secretary of State based upon the provisions of Chapter 8-A of Title 18 and actual costs of similar elections is $66,000.

 

Notice is further given that a portion of the monies collected from the tax described in the Proposition shall be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement systems in the manner required by law.

 

The said special election will be held in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority, and the officers appointed to hold the said election, as provided in this Notice of Special Election, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, will make due returns thereof to said Governing Authority, and NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that the Governing Authority will meet at the LaPlace Elementary School, 393 Greenwood Drive, LaPlace, Louisiana, on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021, at SIX O'CLOCK (6:00) P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the results of the said special election. All registered voters of the District are entitled to vote at said special election and voting machines will be used.

THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Reserve, Louisiana, on this, the 13th day of May, 202L

 

 

ATTEST:                                                                                            Isl Nia Mitchell-Williams                     President

 

Isl Dr. Lynett Hookfin , Secretary

 

PROCLAMATION

 

I, the undersigned President of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), do hereby declare, proclaim and announce that the proposition submitted at the special election held in the District on Saturday, November 13, 2021, was CARRIED by a majority of the votes cast at the said special election, all as described and set out in the above Proces Verbal.

 

THUS DONE AND SIGNED at Reserve, Louisiana, on this, the 9th day of December, 2021.

 

                                                                                                          Isl Nia Mitchell-Williams                     President

 

 

STATE OF LOUISIANA

 

PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

 

I, the undersigned Secretary of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "Governing Authority"), the governing authority of School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of the proceedings and Proces Verbal made by said Governing Authority on December 9, 2021, providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in the District on Saturday, November 13, 2021, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein.

INF AITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature at Reserve, Louisiana, on this, the 9th day of December, 2021.

 

 
 


Secretary

 

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ITEM 9b.  Public Comment.  Mr. Jason Akers, Foley & Judell, LLP – Announcement of Public Meeting:  Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Hwy. 44, Reserve, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds therein.

 

The notice was read publicly by the Chair.

 

Mr. Burl stated for the record that he is openly opposed to this because there is no plan for how this money will be spent.

 

ITEM 9c.  Public Comment.  Mr. Jason Akers, Foley & Judell, LLP – To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution authorizing the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to proceed with a not to exceed $30,000,000 financing through the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority; and providing for other matters with respect thereto.

 

MOTION BY:     Triche

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To adopt a resolution authorizing the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to proceed with a not to exceed $30,000,000 financing through the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority; and providing for other matters with respect thereto.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl,  Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

Mr. Burl stated for the record that he is concerned about this loan because we have no financial team to track how this money will be spent.

 

Mr. Tobi Cortez stated that we received 3 bids and the interest rate is 1.75% for  5 years, recommending the district draw-down all $30 million and pay all outstanding invoices.  This loan is specific to hurricane repair and recovery.

 

The following information was shared with the Board regarding this loan:

 

·         1.75% interest rate for 5 years (fixed rate)

·         Interest only payments (start on July 1, 2022, make interest payments every Jan 1st and July 1st thereafter)

·         No required principal payments are due until the final maturity date (January 1, 2027).

·         Balloon payments - interest only payments upfront and on the final payment date (maturity date), the outstanding principal and interest are paid on this date.  Basically, the one and only required principal payment date is delayed to the final payment date/ maturity date.     

·         The loan is callable on January 1, 2023.  Basically mean St. John Schools can pay off/ pay down on the $30MM prior to the five year maturity date on or after January 1, 2023.   

o    The $30MM will be deposited with a trustee (this is a LCDA Loan – a trustee must be designated. The bond team can recommend a trustee to the SD;  also can have a call to further discuss this selection.  The trustee role is very similar to the paying agent role that Regions holds on some of your outstanding general obligation debt.)  Keep in mind, the SD will have access to the funds on the day of closing (funding).  The SD may need to expediate a requisition form (or some similar document) to retrieve funds to pay invoices for remediation, etc. The procedure on how to expedite the requisition form will most likely be included in the bond documents – the bond team will direct (provide) the  finance staff and administration to these documents/ procedures prior to closing. 

·         The debt service schedule with the actual numbers has not been sent to the District but the payments dates (structure) are set.  See below:

o    First Interest Payment – July 1, 2022

o    Semi - Annual Interest Payments Jan 1st and July 1st until January 1, 2027

o    Only required principal payment is on January 1, 2027 – but the loan can be paid off after January 1, 2023 and before the maturity date. 

o    All loan payments (interest and principal) must not come from property tax revenues used for debt service to pay on your general obligation bonds. Excess revenues (again not from property tax levied for your GO debt) / FEMA reimbursements/ insurance reimbursements can be used to pay on the LCDA loan.

 

*************************************************************************************

The following resolution was offered by _________ and seconded by ____________:

 

­RESOLUTION

A resolution authorizing the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to proceed with a not to exceed $30,000,000 financing through the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority; and providing for other matters with respect thereto.

 

WHEREAS, Chapter 10-D of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended, comprised of La. R.S. 33:4548.1 through 33:4548.16, inclusive, is known as the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority Act (the "Act"); and

 

            WHEREAS, the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "School Board") is a participating political subdivision of the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (the "Authority") in accordance with the Act; and

 

WHEREAS, this School Board has determined that it is in the its best interest to request the Authority to authorize, sell and issue the Authority's not to exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) Hurricane Recovery Revenue Bonds (St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Project) (the "Bonds"), in one or more series, the proceeds of which will be loaned by the Authority to the School Board (the "Loan") pursuant to the provisions of a Loan and Assignment Agreement by and between the Authority and the Parish (the "Loan Agreement"), which Loan proceeds will be used by the School Board to (i) paying costs associated with debris removal or the demolition, rehabilitation, repair, reconstruction, renovation restoration and improvement of the School Board's campuses and facilities resulting from Hurricane Ida, and (ii) pay the costs of issuance of the Bonds (collectively, the "Project"); and

 

WHEREAS, for the payment and security of the Bonds, the Loan Agreement will provide for a pledge by the School Board of the funds, income, revenue, fees, receipts or charges of any nature from any source whatsoever on deposit with or accruing from time to time to the School Board, including without limitation any reimbursements for Project expenditures, provided that no such funds, income, revenue, fees, receipts or charges shall be so included in this definition which have been or are in the future legally dedicated and required for purposes inconsistent with the Project by the electorate, by the terms of specific grants, by the terms of particular obligations issued or to be issued (to the extent pledged or budgeted to pay debt service on such other obligations) or by operation of law, and provided further that the full faith and credit of the School Board is not pledged and there is no obligation to levy or increase taxes or other sources of revenue above any legal limits applicable to the School Board from time to time (collectively, "Lawfully Available Funds"), thereby obligating the School Board to pay to the Authority amounts necessary to allow the Authority to make principal and interest payments on the Bonds;

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, acting as the governing authority of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, for school purposes, that:

 

The School Board hereby requests that the Authority authorize and issue the Authority's Hurricane Recovery Revenue Bonds (St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Project) (the "Bonds"), in one or more series in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $30,000,000, the proceeds of which shall be loaned to the School Board pursuant to the Loan Agreement and will be used by the School Board to finance the Project.

 

The Bonds shall be issued and sold by the Authority only as fully registered bonds in the denominations of $5,000 or any integral multiple in excess thereof. The Bonds shall mature no later than ten (10) years from the date of issuance, and shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed five percent (5%) per annum.

 

            SECTION 3.      The selection by the Authority of _____________________ (the ''Purchaser") upon the recommendation of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as placement agent, is hereby acknowledged and approved by the Governing Authority, provided that the Purchaser's proposal does not exceed the parameters set forth in Section 2 above. The President and Secretary of the School Board are hereby authorized to execute the Bond Purchase Agreement and other School Board Documents, as described in Section 4 hereof, in order to evidence such approval.

 

SECTION 4. The form and terms of the Loan Agreement, the Bond Purchase Agreement, the Continuing Disclosure Certificate and all other ancillary documents necessary or required in connection with the Bonds (the " School Board Documents") are hereby authorized and approved in the forms approved by bond counsel to the Authority. The Loan Agreement shall obligate the School Board to pay to the Authority amounts necessary from Lawfully Available Funds to allow the Authority to make principal and interest payments on the Bonds and to secure the payment thereof. The School Board does hereby irrevocably and irrepealably pledge and dedicate its Lawfully Available Funds in an amount sufficient for the payment of its obligations pursuant to the Loan Agreement. It is the intention of the School Board that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, this pledge shall be valid and binding from the time when it is made, that its Lawfully Available Funds so pledged and then or thereafter received by the School Board shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery or further act, and that the lien of such pledge and the obligation to perform the contractual agreements contained herein and in the Loan Agreement shall have priority over any or all other obligations and liabilities of the School Board in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement, and that this pledge shall be valid and binding against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the School Board, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. The School Board’s Lawfully Available Funds shall be and remain pledged for the security and payment of the Bonds in principal and interest until the Bonds shall have been fully paid and discharged.

 

SECTION 5. The execution and delivery of a Preliminary Official Statement and an Official Statement, in the forms approved by bond counsel and the municipal advisor to the Authority, are hereby approved.

 

SECTION 6. The President and Secretary of the School Board are hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents and take all further action necessary or reasonably required to effect the Loan from the Authority evidenced by the Loan Agreement and are specifically authorized to approve any changes to the Loan Agreement and all other ancillary documents approved by counsel to the School Board and bond counsel to the Authority, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by their execution hereof.  

 

SECTION 7. The School Board covenants and agrees that, to the extent permitted by the laws of the State of Louisiana, it will comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any amendments thereto (the "Code") to establish, maintain and preserve the exclusion from "gross income" of interest on the tax-exempt Bonds under the Code. The School Board further covenants and agrees that it will not take any action, fail to take any action or permit any action within its control to be taken, or permit at any time or times any of the proceeds of the Bonds or any other funds of the School Board to be used directly or indirectly in any manner, the effect of which would be to cause the Bonds to be "arbitrage bonds" or would result in inclusion of interest on any Bonds in gross income under the Code, including, without limitation, (i) the failure to comply with the limitation on investment of Bond proceeds; or (ii) the failure to pay any required rebate of arbitrage earnings to the United State of America; or (iii) use of Bond proceeds in a manner that would cause the Bonds to be "private activity bonds."

 

SECTION 8. The Authority is hereby requested to take all actions necessary to issue and sell the Bonds.

 

SECTION 9. The President and Secretary of the School Board are hereby authorized and directed to do any and all things necessary and incidental to carry out the provisions of this Resolution and effect the completion of the Project and to assist the Authority in carrying out its functions in connection with the financing.

 

SECTION 10. This Bond Resolution shall become effective immediately.

 

This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

 

YEAS:

 

            NAYS:

 

            ABSENT:

       ABSTAIN:

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 9th day of December, 2021.

 

 

                       /s/ Lynett Hookfin                                                            /s/ Nia Mitchell                        

                             Secretary                                                                     President

 

STATE OF LOUISIANA

 

PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

I, the undersigned Secretary of the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by said governing authority on December 9, 2021, authorizing the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to proceed with a not to exceed $30,000,000 financing through the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority; and providing for other matters with respect thereto.

IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature on this the 9th day of December, 2021.

                                                                                                                                                                               ________________________________

                                                                                                                 Secretary

 

*******************************************************************************************

 

ITEM 7d.  Public Comment.  Mr. Thomas Hook/Mr. Patrick Amadee- Request approval of: Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana Consolidated Sales and Use Tax Ordinance

 

Mr. Patrick Amadee stated that this was discussed at the Board Retreat and it simply unifies the 10 sales tax ordinances.  The Parish Council and the Sheriff’s Office need to agree to the unification as well.  Following discussion, there was a

 

MOTION BY:     Triche

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To table this item.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Burl,  Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams

2 Nays – Holden, Triche

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 7a.  Public Comment.  Mr. David Andras – Financial Update

 

Mr. Brian Coogan stated that the June 30, 2020 audit has been complete and has been submitted to the Legislative Auditor by CRI.  Dr. Keller asked why this has not been brought to the Board by CRI for a presentation and for adoption.  Mr. Burl asked about Page 78.  Mr. Coogan stated that the last page is 78, but it was put on letterhead and they failed to type “78” at the bottom.

 

Mr. Burl asked if the state sent money to SJBP for the raise granted in the summer ($800/$400).  Mr. Coogan stated that he is not aware of the funds being fronted, but it could possibly be part of the MFP calculation.  Mr. Sanders stated for the record that it is totally unacceptable that the Superintendent and Finance Department does not know if these funds have been sent to SJBP and nobody has followed through with distributing this money to our employees. Mr. Triche echoed what Mr. Sanders stated, following up with the fact that we have an election coming up that our staff will not support after not receiving this money.  Mr. Wallace stated that we need to build morale and after asking our staff to come back into the buildings following a devastating hurricane, we need to get these funds to our employees.  Mr. Burl stated that the Board approved this and directed administration to have  this money included in the next pay-period and asked if another motion needs to be made.  Mr. Sanders stated that administration has been directed to make this happen and the Board is saying that it will happen with the December payroll, there is no need for another motion.

 

ITEM 7b.  Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request the Board reject all bids for the Fleet Maintenance Contract

 

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:  Schum

MOTION:  To reject all bids for the Fleet Maintenance Contract

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 7c.  Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request the Board take from the table and Request Approval to re-advertise to receive proposals for the Fleet Maintenance Contract

 

MOTION BY:  Jones

SECOND BY:  Sanders

MOTION:  To take from the table the request from administration to re-advertise to receive proposals for the Fleet Maintenance Contract

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

MOTION BY:  Wallace

SECOND BY:  Jones

MOTION:  To authorize administration to re-advertise to receive proposals for the Fleet Maintenance Contract

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 7e.  Public Comment. Mrs. Cindy Janecke – Request approval to authorize NY Architects to design specs for roof repair and interior repairs to East St. John High School

 

MOTION BY:  Burl

SECOND BY:  Wallace

MOTION:  To authorize NY Architects to design specs for roof repair and interior repairs to East St. John High School

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – DeFrancesch, Jones

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 7f.  Public Comment. Mrs. Cindy Janecke – Request approval to authorize Meyers Engineers to design specs for interior and exterior repairs at LES

 

MOTION BY:  Burl

SECOND BY:  Keller

MOTION:  To authorize Meyers Engineers to design specs for interior and exterior repairs at LES

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – DeFrancesch, Jones

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 7g.  Public Comment. Mrs. Cindy Janecke – Request approval to advertise for permanent repairs at West St. John Elementary

 

MOTION BY:  Burl

SECOND BY:  Wallace

MOTION:  To authorize administration to advertise for permanent repairs at West St. John Elementary

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – DeFrancesch, Jones

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 7h.  Public Comment. Mrs. Cindy Janecke – Request approval to advertise for bids for Lake Pontchartrain Elementary Cafetorium and other Hurricane Ida Repairs

 

MOTION BY:  Triche

SECOND BY:  Wallace

MOTION:  To authorize administration to advertise for bids for Lake Pontchartrain Elementary Cafetorium and other Hurricane Ida Repairs

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – DeFrancesch, Jones

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 8.  OLD BUSINESS

 

ITEM 8a.  Public Comment. Mr. Josh Manning (South Central Planning) – Selection of an Alternate Redistricting Plan

 

MOTION BY:  Keller

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To select Alternate Redistricting Plan #1.

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 8b.  Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Request approval of the 2022 School Board Meeting Calendar

 

Mrs. Schum asked that a Workshop be added to the calendar on January 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria.

 

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:  Jones

MOTION:  To waive policy to change the January meeting location to Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria and move the April 14, 2022 location to West St. John Elementary School, due to hurricane damages at WSJE.

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:  Jones

MOTION:  To approve the calendar as presented with the addition of the January 12th Workshop.

10 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Nay – Burl

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Meeting Dates

January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022

 

Date

Time

Location

January 12, 2022 Workshop

January 13, 2022

6:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

*Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

February 10, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

March 10, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

April 14, 2022

6:00 p.m.

West St. John Elementary

May 12, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

May 26, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

June 9, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

June 23, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

July 14, 2022

6:00 p.m.

West St. John Elementary

August 4, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Emily C. Watkins Elementary

August 18, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

September 15, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

October 13, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

November 10, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria

December 8, 2022

6:00 p.m.

Emily C. Watkins Elementary

 

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

 

*********************************************************

 

ITEM 8c.  Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Status on the Written Communication Plan

Mrs. Schum stated that on October 7, 2021, the Board passed a motion to direct the Superintendent to provide a written communication plan that will provide employees, parents, students and School Board members with updated information about schools and other pertinent information for the continued opening of schools on a weekly basis using emails/texting system, effectively immediately.  I’m looking for an update on when that will begin and it should continue weekly until all of our schools are open.  Dr. Hookfin stated that parents received information about our revised plan once we had our reopening and they were given information at the campus level about specific details.  In our principal meeting, we talked about communications that needed to go out to parents to inform parents about what needed to be done at individual school sites. Now that the majority of our campuses are full time, and we are now moving forward with our finances and we have our scores, we will begin to then put out information district-wide. I think that our parents would have been inundated with information knowing that our kids needed to return and receive information specifically about what needed to happen at every campus.  So, now that we’re moving forward, then the weekly updates will begin.  I’m going to begin, as I stated to the Board in an email, touring schools to discuss finances and then to speak about the individual campus scores and the work that it takes to become a successful campus and also to increase academic performance.  Mrs. Schum stated that people drive by the campuses and see nothing happening, and although we, as the Board, get these updates at the meetings, the public does not, so that needs to come from administration to our parents and employees.  Mr. Sanders asked if we could add a virtual piece to the communications (photos) showing the damages and the progress that has been made, that would be helpful.

 

ITEM 8d.  Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to award contract for HVAC Cleaning at Emily C. Watkins Elementary School

 

Mrs. Gauthier stated the recommendation by the architect is Guarantee Restoration Services at a cost of $145,000. The lowest bidder (Fulcrum Construction Service) did not have a bid bond, and the next lowest (Upscale Consultants) used the wrong unit price form.

 

MOTION BY:  Jones

SECOND BY:  Wallace

MOTION:  To award the HVAC Cleaning at Emily C. Watkins Elementary School contract to Guarantee Restoration Services at a cost of $145,000.

 

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:  Burl

SECOND BY:  Holden

MOTION:  To award the contract to the lowest bidder – Fulcrum Construction Services at $93,004.85.

2 Yeas – Holden, Burl

7 Nays – Keller, Sanders, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Abstention – Jones

1 Absent - DeFrancesch

 

Upon roll call on the original motion to award the contract to the lowest bidder – Fulcrum Construction Services at $93,004.85.

6 Yeas – Keller, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

3 Nays – Holden, Burl, Johnson

1 Abstention - Sanders

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. 

 

ITEM 9a.  Public Comment.  Mr. Jason Akers, Foley & Judell, LLP – To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, November 13, 2021, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein.

 

This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.

 

ITEM 9b.  Public Comment.  Mr. Jason Akers, Foley & Judell, LLP – Announcement of Public Meeting:  Notice is hereby given that at its meeting to be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Hwy. 44, Reserve, Louisiana, the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, plans to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling an election to be held in School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds therein.

 

This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.

 

ITEM 9c.  Public Comment.  Mr. Jason Akers, Foley & Judell, LLP – To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution authorizing the Parish School Board of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, to proceed with a not to exceed $30,000,000 financing through the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority; and providing for other matters with respect thereto.

 

This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.

 

At 9:48 p.m., there was a

 

MOTION BY:  Triche

SECOND BY:  Keller

MOTION:  To extend the meeting beyond 10:00 p.m.

8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Nays – Holden, Burl

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 9d.  Public Comment.  Mr. Courtney Joiner – Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in Latoyia Webber et al. vs. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, Docket No. C-69848 (40th JDC)

 

ITEM 9e.  Public Comment.  Mr. Jeff Diez - Executive Session to discuss pending litigation: K. Robinson ind. and obo her minor child, DH v. St. John the Baptist School Board - Suit No. 69,490-A

 

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:  Schum

MOTION:  To convene in Executive Session to address ITEM 9d - discuss pending litigation in Latoyia Webber et al. vs. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, Docket No. C-69848 (40th JDC)

9 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Burl, DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:  Schum

MOTION:  To convene in Executive Session to address ITEM 9e - discuss pending litigation: K. Robinson ind. and obo her minor child, DH v. St. John the Baptist School Board - Suit No. 69,490-A

9 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Burl, DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

The Board convened in Executive Session at 9:49 p.m.

 

MOTION BY:  Jones

SECOND BY:  Schum

MOTION:  To reconvene in Regular Session.

9 Yeas – Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Holden, DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 10:11 p.m.

 

MOTION BY:  Keller

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To grant settlement authority to Courtney Joiner in the case of Latoyia Webber et al. vs. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, Docket No. C-69848

9 Yeas – Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Holden, DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

MOTION BY:  Keller

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To grant settlement authority to Jeff Diez in the case of K. Robinson ind. and obo her minor child, DH v. St. John the Baptist School Board - Suit No. 69,490-A

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 9f.  Public Comment. Dr. Gerald Keller – Discussion/Approval to hire the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office to attend school board meetings for legal advice

 

Dr. Keller withdrew this item from the agenda.

 

ITEM 9g.  Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Direct the Superintendent to provide a written plan to address increasing academic achievement and addressing any deficiencies in the SPS at all schools no later than January 2022

 

Public Comment.  Matthew Cox, Teacher at JLO – Read many letters from his students stating that they have not had a science teacher for most of this year and it is unfair to them. 

 

Mike Brooks – Substitute Teacher at JLO – Stated that the need for a science teacher for 6th, 7th and 8th grade and he echoed what Mr. Cox stated.  The students are asking for a teacher and he promised the students that he would address the Board with their questions.

 

Mrs. Schum stated that there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration and that it should be specific to each school.  Things like the information that was shared by the teachers just now…making sure we are seeking certified teachers, addressing teacher vacancies.  Mrs. Schum stated that administration has had these scores since the summer and based on those scores, whenever the 2nd semester begins, we need to hit the ground running.

 

MOTION BY:  Schum

SECOND BY:  Sanders

MOTION:  To direct the Superintendent to provide a written plan to address increasing academic achievement and addressing any deficiencies in the SPS at all schools no later than the January 2022 Retreat.

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 9h.  Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams - Discussion and action to appoint special counsel for matters involving actual or potential disputes between the School Board and the Superintendent.

 

Mrs. Mitchell-Williams stated that this item is on the agenda because we received a written notice from Dr. Hookfin’s counsel and because we, the Board, share the services of counsel with the Superintendent (both the District Attorney’s Office and Hammonds & Sills), we will need to hire a special counsel to respond to the concerns that Dr. Hookfin’s attorney made in the letter.

 

MOTION BY:  Sanders

SECOND BY:  Triche

MOTION:  To have a resolution drawn up to hire special counsel for matters involving actual or potential disputes between the School Board and the Superintendent.

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

Dr. Keller asked administration if we have not had a science teacher at JLO all year?  Dr. Hookfin stated that we began the school year with a teacher, but she will email details to the Board regarding this.

 

Mrs. Holden asked what positions were vacant at each school and asked for the breakdown to be sent to the Board.  Dr. Hookfin stated that the breakdown of positions that are vacant are included in the Finance PowerPoint that was emailed to the Board.

 

Mrs. Schum stated that at the L&F Meeting, it was stated that we needed to have a Special Meeting to award a contract to a Fiscal Auditor before December 31, 2021.  The bids will be opened December 17th at 10:00 a.m.  Following discussion, the Special Meeting will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Meeting Room.

 

Mr. Sanders asked Dr. Hookfin for an update on Human Resources and CFO.  Dr. Hookfin stated that 2nd round interviews was conducted.  We do have a finalist that will be announced to the Board very soon for HR.  As far as the CFO position, we had an applicant that I have shared information with the Board via email.  Mr. Sanders stated although Dr. Hookfin had sent information regarding a restructuring of the finance department, Act 1 and 2 gave authority to Superintendents to hire/fire in 2012.  But there was a statute left out and was not a part of Act 1 and 2:  RS 17:84, that gives the Board the authority to hire an Asst. Superintendent and a Deputy Superintendent of Finance and things of that nature.  We’ve been struggling with these positions since the inception of the Superintendent and in January we should, as a Board and with the Personnel Committee, look at positions in administration that are not filled that we consider important and with the need of this district to move forward and get operations done, I’d like to call a Personnel Committee Meeting in January to discuss these options and to have some legal advice in regards to RS 17:84, which still gives the Board the authority to hire some of these positions, that would report directly to the Board.  We have been struggling with this and ignoring this and we really need to address the issue and consider looking at positions that this statute gives us the authority to look at.  Mr. Burl agreed with Mr. Sanders, pointing out that we have a need for someone to oversee the budget and where the money is being spent.

 

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

 

ITEM 12.  ADJOURNMENT

 

The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a

 

MOTION BY:    Jones

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:           Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:46 p.m.

 

________________________________                                      ________________________________

Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary                                                     Nia Mitchell, President