PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – SPECIAL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2022
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 special session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 5:00 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 6:00 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 Sherry DeFrancesch.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
ABSENT: Holden, Burl, Johnson
There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.
ITEM 3. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Board approval of Public Emergency Declaration
Mrs. Schum stated the Governor allowed districts to move forward with an extension of emergency declaration. The emergency declaration extension will allow the Board to extend contracts beyond the Board’s thresholds without going out to bid, thus helping us to make the repairs to our buildings a little bit quicker.
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Entire Seated Board
MOTION: To approve the Public Emergency Declaration
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Johnson
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 damage to the buildings within St. John the Baptist Parish· and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to the Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Assistance and Disaster Act, La. R.S. 29:721, et seq., a state of emergency was declared through Proclamation Number 165 JBE 2021;
WHEREAS, On September 24, 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards renewed the state of emergency caused by Hurricane Ida in Proclamation Number 178 JBE 2021;
WHEREAS, On February 3, 2022 Governor John Bel Edwards issued an Amendment to State of Emergency – Hurricane Ida through Proclamation Number 12 JBE 2022 which, among other things, suspended the Louisiana Public Bid Law (La. R.S. 38:2211, et seq.) and their corresponding rules and regulation, for the purposes of allowing the procurement of any good or services necessary to respond to this emergency, including emergency contracts, cooperative endeavor agreements, and any other emergency amendments to existing contracts;
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. 38:22 l 2(D) and St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Policy DJED, thereby allowing administration officials to bypass public bid law in contracting recovery work, and/or obtaining materials and supplies.
These provisions are effective until the expiration of Proclamation Number 12 JBE 2021 as issued by Governor John Bel Edwards.
THIS EMERGENCY DECLARATIOION ISSUED AND ADOPTED BY THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD ON THIS _____ DAY OF February, 2022.
_________________________________
Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent
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Mrs. Holden arrived at 6:05 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Update on East-bank and West-bank Community Forums – list of dates and times
Mrs. Schum asked if Dr. Hookfin had a list of dates for the Community Forums.
Dr. Hookfin reported that we currently have 2 forums set: Fifth Ward Elementary – March 8th at 4:30 p.m.; and Westbank – March 21st at 6:00 p.m. She stated that we will have additional dates scheduled, but are finalizing plans with principals and community members.
Mr. Sanders stated for the record that it is not reasonable for the working parents to attend a forum at 4:30 p.m. and suggested that the time be changed to 6:00 p.m. Dr. Hookfin agreed to change the time to 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 5. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to enter into a contract with Transformyx to replace IT staff
Ms. Gauthier stated that this contract is to maintain the previous years’ staffing levels in the technology department until July 1, 2022. It will be paid through ESSR funding. The IT Department currently has 2 employees and 5 outside contractors. We are losing 1 employee due to resignation on February 25, 2022 and 1 other because the contract cannot be extended without Board approval. The current recommended staffing model for a school board IT Department is 1 person per 500 devices. We currently maintain 8,771 devices. If we take no action, we would be at 28% of the recommended staffing levels. This means the IT Department would not be able to support the schools during high stakes testing cycles and virtual learning district-wide. Therefore, administration is requesting Board approval to engage with Transformyx in a temporary contract until July 1, 2022.
Mr. Wallace asked how much will this cost. Mrs. Gauthier stated up to $156,000. Dr. Keller asked Mr. Andras (IT Supervisor) if he is recommending this? Mr. Andras stated yes. Mr. Sanders asked if we offered the resigning employee more money to stay and reduce this cost? Mr. Andras stated yes, we did and right now, the resigning employee, we calculated how much the replacement would be and it was $103,000. Mrs. Schum stated that she understands why we need to hire a replacement for the resigning employee, but doesn’t understand why we can’t extend the other employees’ contract. Mr. Andras stated that employee is contracted through Verapro and we need Board permission to extend that contract beyond the allowable $100,000.
Following extensive discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve a temporary contract with Transformyx for a Senior Network Engineer @ $105/hour, not to exceed 780 hours and to permit IT to exceed the $100,000 cap with Verapro through June 30, 2022.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Burl, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 6. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to award the Award/Incentive Items contract to Tri Parish Trophies
Mrs. Gauthier stated that Tri Parish was the lowest responsible bidder and that last year, the district spent $56,000 on this contract.
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve award the Award/Incentive Items contract to Tri Parish Trophies
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Burl, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 7. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to renew Excess Worker’s Compensation Insurance with Gallagher
Last year, the cost for this insurance was $100,972 and it is being offered this year with no cost increase.
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To approve the renewal of Excess Worker’s Compensation Insurance with Gallagher.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Burl, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to award the Office Journal Service contract to L’Observateur for one year, with the option to renew for the next year without advertising
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To award the Office Journal Service contract to L’Observateur for one year, with the option to renew for the next year without advertising.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Burl, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green - Introduction to Revised Policy: DJE – Purchasing
This item was for introduction only.
Mr. Sanders stated that policy has been that policies are brought to Personnel Committee, then goes to the Board for introduction and then voted on at a subsequent meeting. Mrs. Mitchell-Williams stated that these policies should go to the Finance Committee as well before bringing it back to the Board.
ITEM 10. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green - Introduction to Revised Policy: DJE – Purchasing
This item was for introduction only. This item was not addressed.
ITEM 11. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Executive Session: Discussion of Character and Professional Competency as part of the Board Evaluation of Superintendent Lynett Hookfin
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session: Discussion of Character and Professional Competency as part of the Board Evaluation of Superintendent Lynett Hookfin.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Burl, Johnson
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 6:42 p.m.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
3 Absent – Burl, Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:26 p.m.
ITEM 12. Board Items of Interest
Mrs. Schum asked if the parents of ESJH have been sent communication regarding the move back to the campus on March 14th. Dr. Hookfin stated that the communication with the parents has not occurred yet, as they are still finalizing plans. The staff has been informed of where we are at this time, but parents won’t receive the communication until the plans are finalized. Mrs. Mitchell-Williams asked if that communication to the parents will go out before the Mardi Gras break. Dr. Hookfin stated that it will go out by next week.
Mrs. Holden asked for an update on the Athletic Director position. Dr. Hookfin stated that she can provide an update by tomorrow. Dr. Green is in communication with the finalist for next steps, and then an announcement will be made. The second round occurred yesterday and we will be making an announcement very soon.
Mrs. Schum asked about the CFO position and asked that Dr. Hookfin send the Board a list of the people on the interview committee for the CFO position.
Mrs. Schum also asked about the plans for the location of Emily C. Watkins, as the Board was told that if we are going to utilize the trailers, a decision would have to be made in early March. Dr. Hookfin stated that we will be in communication with All South to ensure that our next steps are confirmed before sharing this information with the public. Mrs. Schum asked what the timeline is for options, and asked that Dr. Hookfin have these plans/options ready to present at the March 9th Board Workshop. Mr. Wallace asked that Dr. Hookfin get the parents’ input on the location of Emily C. Watkins before making a final decision.
Mrs. Holden congratulated ESJH Lady Cats Basketball for making it to the second round of the State Playoffs. Mrs. Schum congratulated ESJH Lady Cats Coach, Stacha James, because she is an ESJH graduate who played basketball when she was a student and this is a great accomplishment.
Dr. Keller asked about the status of the CFO Position. Dr. Hookfin stated that information was shared with the Board via email, but she will share the information with him after the meeting.
Mr. Wallace thanked the staff at WSJH, Mr. Hill and his staff, for their hospitality and allowing the girls and boys to utilize the gymnasium this year.
ITEM 12. Adjournment
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas –Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Burl, Johnson
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
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Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary Nia Mitchell, President