PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF MAY 12, 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 regular session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, May 12, 2022 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, led by Board Member Clarence Triche, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Board Member Shawn Wallace.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
ABSENT: Keller, Jones, Johnson
There were 8 members present and 3 member absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. April 11, 2022 (Workshop); April 12, 2022 and May 3, 2022 (Special Meeting)
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meetings of: April 11, 2022 (Workshop); April 12, 2022 and May 3, 2022 (Special Meeting)
Roll Call:
7 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Nay – Burl
3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
A motion was made by the entire seated Board to waive policy and address ITEM 5 at this time.
There were no objections.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Dr. Juanita Hill – ACT Top Performers
Dr. Hill presented the following:
ITEM 5a. Dr. Juanita Hill – ACT Elite Recognition
Dr. Hill presented the following:
ITEM 5c. Mr. Derron Cook – NAACP ACT-SO Recognition of Participants
Mr. Cook presented the following information and recognized the participants:
St. John the Baptist Parish Student Participants include:
Leah Whitlow
Jaci Donald
Kaci Williams
Kori Williams
Kenyin Keller
Nanyeri Morales
Lyric Rousseve
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.
ITEMA 4a. Testing Updates
Mrs. Rebecca Johnson gave an update regarding testing.
ITEM 4b. Academic Updates – Summer SHINE
Ms. Rebecca Johnson shared the following information:
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Ms. Tiffaney Trosclair, Foley & Judell / Mrs. Jawanza Joseph - 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, April 30, 2022, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein.
MOTION BY: Entire Seated Board
SECOND BY:
MOTION: To approve the 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, April 30, 2022, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
Mrs. Schum again thanked the public for giving the Board the opportunity to make our schools great.
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The following resolution was offered by and seconded by :
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, April 30, 2022, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of the Parish 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, APRIL 30, 2022 (the “Election”), to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds therein pursuant to the following proposition (the “Proposition”):
Shall School District No. 1 of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana (the "District"), incur debt and issue bonds to the amount of not exceeding $58,000,000, in one or more series, to run not exceeding 20 years from date thereof, with interest at a rate not exceeding 6% per annum, for the purpose of financing capital expenditures for school purposes for the District, including constructing, acquiring and/or improving schools and related facilities, together with equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public, and refinancing prior obligations of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board incurred for such purposes, and which bonds will be general obligations of the District and will be payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied and collected in the manner provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974 and statutory authority supplemental thereto, with no estimated increase in the millage rate to be levied in the first year of issue above the 11 mills currently being levied to pay other general obligation bonds of the District?
This Governing Authority does further proceed to examine and canvass the returns of the Election thereof.
SECTION 2. Election Results. According to the official certified tabulation of votes cast at said Election, there was a total of 952 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition and a total of 293 votes cast AGAINST the Proposition, resulting in a majority of 659 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.
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. Procès Verbal. A Procès 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 of this Governing Authority.
This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YEAS:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTION:
And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 12th day of May, 2022.
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Secretary President
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ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier - Request approval to advertise for Lift Stations/Backflow Preventive Maintenance Service agreement
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve advertising for Lift Stations/Backflow Preventive Maintenance Service agreement
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to remove from the table and approve the Extension of Verapro Staffing, according to the current rate sheet, not to exceed $100,000 per quarter for one year
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To remove from the table (extension of Verapro Staffing)
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve the extension of Verapro Staffing, according to the current rate sheet, not to exceed $125,000 per quarter for one year.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 7d. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier/Mr. David Andras – Request approval to enter into a software service agreement with Munis
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To approve entering into a software service agreement with Munis.
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 7e. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier - Presentation regarding Program Management for Capital Projects Construction and Repair Work
Public Comment. Mr. Derron Cook – thanked the voters of St. John for the passage of the bond issue.
Mr. Marco Gonzales, with Volkert, Inc. presented information regarding the company’s approach and methodology regarding Program Management. He shared several examples of work done by Volkert in and around Louisiana school districts.
ITEM 7f. Public Comment. Mr. Courtney Joiner - Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in Demetria L. Robinson-Carter o/b/o Demetria L. Robinson-Carter, LLC v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, Docket No.71583 (40th Judicial District Court).
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in Demetria L. Robinson-Carter o/b/o Demetria L. Robinson-Carter, LLC v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, Docket No.71583 (40th Judicial District Court)
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 8:14 p.m.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 8:40 p.m.
ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Request approval of Revised Policy DJED: Bids & Quotes
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy DJED: Bids & Quotes
7 Yeas – Holden, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Nay – Burl
3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
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BIDS AND QUOTATIONS
PUBLIC WORKS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall advertise and let by contract, except in cases of emergencies as provided below, all public work exceeding $100,000 250,000 or such sum as allowed by law, including labor, materials, equipment, and administrative overhead not to exceed fifteen percent (15%). The contract shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder who has bid according to the contract, plans, and specifications advertised. Public works which are estimated to cost less than the contract limit may be undertaken by the School Board with its own employees.
As an evidence of good faith of the bidder, the School Board shall require bidders for construction, improvement, repair, or other work to attach to the bid submitted, a bid bond, certified check, or cashier's check for not more than five percent (5%) of the contract work to be done. The School Board may require a bid bond or certified or cashier's check of not more than five percent (5%) of the estimated price on bids taken for supplies and materials.
When any bid is accepted for construction or doing any public works, a written contract shall be entered into by the successful bidder and the School Board, and the successful bidder shall furnish a bond in an amount not less than one-half of the amount of the contract, for the faithful performance of his or her duties.
When using state or locally generated funds,under no circumstances shall there be a division or separation of any public work project into smaller projects, which division or separation would have the effect of avoiding the requirement that public work be advertised and let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with statutory provisions.
The School Board shall retain the option of requiring all bids that are let out for public works be submitted electronically.
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
All purchases of materials or supplies exceeding the sum of $20,000 to be paid out of public funds shall be advertised and let by contract to the lowest responsible bidder who has bid according to the specifications as advertised. In addition, purchases of materials or supplies of at least $10,000, but not more than $20,000, shall be made by obtaining not less than three (3) written quotations. Purchases of materials or supplies of at least $2,000, but not more than $10,000.00, shall be made by obtaining not less than three (3) telephone or facsimile documented quotations. A written confirmation of the accepted offer shall be obtained and made a part of the purchase file. The School Board may require a written contract or bond when purchasing the materials or supplies. If quotations are received that are lower than the quote accepted, a notation shall be entered into the file as to the reasons for rejection of the lower quotes.
When using state or locally generated funds,purchases cannot be divided by departments or by a school if the effect is to evade the state's public bid law. Purchases of commodities that are bought in small but recurring amounts through the year shall be bid on an annual basis.
The School Board shall retain the option of requiring all bids that are let out for materials and supplies be submitted electronically.
In lieu of formal bids, the School Board may use a reverse auction or competitive online solicitation process for the purchase of equipment, supplies, and other materials or consulting services, as outlined in policy DJE, Purchasing.
EMERGENCIES
In cases of an emergency or extreme emergency when time is not sufficient to advertise for bids for public works or purchase of materials, the School Board or designee is permitted by law to declare through resolution that a public emergency or extreme public emergency exists and extend a contract for more than the sums mentioned without going out to bid;. However, in such cases every effort shall be made by the administration School Board personnel to secure competitive quotations through negotiations. The accepted quote shall be confirmed and documented in writing. State law permits a person designated by the School Board to declare the existence of an extreme public emergency. This designated person shall be the Superintendent and/or his/her designee. Notices of an emergency or extreme emergency shall be published in the School Board’s official journal within ten (10) days of the emergency being certified by the School Board or designee.
An emergency is defined by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §38:2211 as
“An unforeseen mischance bringing with it destruction or injury of life or property or the imminent threat of such destruction or injury or as the result of an order from any judicial body to take any immediate action which requires construction or repairs absent compliance with the formalities of this Part, where the mischance or court order will not admit of the delay incident to advertising as provided in this Part."
An extreme public emergency is defined by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §38:2211 as
“A catastrophic event which causes the loss of ability to obtain a quorum of the members necessary to certify the emergency prior to making the expenditure to acquire materials or supplies or to make repairs necessary for the protection of life, property, or continued function of the public entity.”
BID ADVERTISEMENTS
All advertisements for bids for public works shall appear in the newspaper selected as the official journal for the School Board, except in emergencies as may be declared by the School Board. Any advertisement for any contract for public works, when published, shall appear once a week for three (3) different weeks in a newspaper in the locality and the first advertisement shall appear at least twenty-five (25) days before the opening of bids. Any advertisement for any contract or purchase of materials or supplies shall be published two (2) times in a newspaper in the locality, the first advertisement appearing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the opening of bids.
In addition to newspaper advertisements, the School Board shall also publish advertisements and accept bids by electronic media in accordance with uniform standards promulgated by the state. In any advertisement, the first publication shall not occur on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
If the School Board issues or causes to be issued any addendum modifying plans and specifications within a period of seven (7) days prior to the advertised time for opening of bids, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and any other legal holidays, the School Board shall transmit a copy of the addendum to all prime bidders who have requested bid documents by one of the following methods: (1) facsimile transmission; (2) e-mail; or (3) hand delivery. The transmission shall be completed within twenty-four (24) hours of the issuance of the addendum. In addition, a copy of the addendum shall be sent by regular mail.
The School Board shall not issue or cause to be issued any addendum modifying plans and specifications within a period of seventy-two (72) hours prior to the advertised time for the opening of bids, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and any other legal holidays; however, if the necessity arises to issue an addendum modifying plans and specifications within the seventy-two hour period prior to the advertised time for the opening of bids, then the opening of bids shall be extended at least seven (7) days, but not to exceed twenty-one (21) days, without the requirement of readvertising. The addendum shall state the revised time and date for the opening of bids.
OPENING OF BIDS
All bids shall be opened in public in the presence of one or more witnesses, at the time and place designated in the invitation for bids. Each bid, together with the name of the bidder, shall be recorded and open to public inspection. However, the School Board shall not accept or take any bids including receiving any hand delivered bids, on days which are recognized as holidays by the United States Postal Service. The Superintendent and/or other appropriate administrators shall review, summarize and report bids to the Board with recommendations for final action.
BID AWARD
In order to protect the integrity of the competitive bidding process, the determination of responsiveness by the bidder must be made from the bid documents at the time of the bid opening. Any deviation from or failure to supply information required by the bid documents, may result in the bid being rejected as non-responsive.
The Superintendent and/or other appropriate administrators shall review, summarize and report bids to the School Board with recommendations for bid award unless the School Board grants permission for staff to evaluate, award, and notify the School Board at a later date.
DISQUALIFICATION OF BIDDER FOR NON-RESPONSIBILITY
If the School Board proposes to disqualify any bidder for non-responsibility (the possibility that the bidder may not satisfactorily fulfill the contract being bid), the School Board shall:
1. Give written notice of the proposed disqualification to such bidder, and include in the written notice all reasons for the proposed disqualification; and,
2. Give such bidder, who is proposed to be disqualified, the opportunity to be heard at an informal hearing to be conducted not later than five (5) business days after the issuance of the notice of the proposed disqualification, at which such bidder is afforded the opportunity to refute the reasons for the disqualification; and
3. Conduct the informal hearing prior to the award of the public work.
No award of the contract for the public work shall be made by the School Board prior to the expiration of at least five (5) working days following the date of issuance of the written ruling from the informal hearing.
EXCLUSION/REJECTION OF BIDS
The School Board, after the opening of bids, shall require each bidder or bidding entity to attest or submit an attestation that the sole proprietor, partner, incorporator, director, manager, officer, or other like individual who owns at least ten percent (10%) of the bidding entity, has not been convicted of, or has not entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to any of the crimes or equivalent federal crimes listed in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §38:2227.
In awarding bids or contracts, the School Board shall be authorized to reject the lowest bid from a business in which any individual with ownership interest of five percent (5%) or more has been convicted of, pled guilty or nolo contendere to any a state felony crime or equivalent federal crime committed in the solicitation or execution of a contract or bid under the state laws governing public contracts; professional, personal, consulting, and social services procurement; or the Louisiana Procurement Code.
Any contract between the School Board and a person or entity entered into as a result of fraud, bribery, corruption, or other criminal acts, for which a final conviction has been obtained, shall be null and void.
Any person whose conviction causes the nullity of a contract shall be responsible for payment of all costs, attorney fees, and damages incurred in the rebidding of the contract.
Revised: December, 1991 Revised: October 15, 2009
Revised: December, 1992 Revised: December 3, 2009
Revised: November, 1993 Revised: November, 2010
Revised: December, 1995 Revised: November, 2011
Revised: October, 1996 Revised: August 7, 2014
Revised: October, 1997 Revised: May, 2017
Revised: November, 1999 Revised: August, 2020
Revised: June, 2002 Revised: October, 2021
Revised: August, 2003
Revised: November, 2003
Revised: November, 2006
Ref: 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principals, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards), 48 CFR 2.101 (Definitions); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§9:2716, 9:2717, 38:2181, 38:2182, 38:2211, 38:2212, 38:2212.1, 38:2212.9, 38:2214, 38:2218, 38:2227, 38:2241, 38:2251, 38:2271, 39:1551, 39:1552, 39:1553, 39:1554, 39:1554.1, 39:1556, 39:1557, 39:1558, 39:1597, 39:1710; Board minutes, 6-20-96, 8-15-02, 10-15-09, 12-3-09, 8-7-14.
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ITEM 8b. Public Comment. Request approval of Revised Policy JCBE: Public School Choice
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy JCBE: Public School Choice
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
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PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE
FEDERAL PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE
The St. John the Baptist School Board is required by both Federal law and the Louisiana School Accountability Program to develop and maintain a Public School Choice policy for any school with a School Performance Score (SPS) below levels set by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). School Choice allows eligible students to transfer to an academically acceptable school.
Once schools eligible to receive students have been identified, a school-site utilization study shall be conducted as needed in all schools to determine the extent to which capacity exists to possibly accommodate students from schools offering choice, including students with special needs and/or students with disabilities. Only those schools that are labeled academically acceptable shall be considered eligible to receive students.
The Superintendent and staff shall be responsible for developing and managing a School Choice Plan, which shall determine the schools to which students may transfer, which students shall have priority in transferring, and all other regulations and procedures for supervising school choice within the school district.
Notification
Notification of parents of their school choice options shall be sent as early as possible, but not later than the first day of the school year for the schools that are required to offer choice. If there are no choice options available, this information shall be included in the notification sent parents.
Eligibility of Students
All students in a school required to offer choice shall be eligible to transfer. However, the School Board shall give priority to students from the lowest performing schools.
LOUISIANA PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE
Unless a violation of a court order, the parent or legal guardian of any student may seek to enroll his/her child in the public school of his/her choice, without regard to residence, school system geographic boundaries, or attendance zones, provided that:
1. The public school in which the student was most recently enrolled, or would otherwise attend, received a school performance letter grade of D or F for the most recent school year, and
2. The school to which the student seeks to enroll received a school performance letter grade of A, B, or C, for the most recent school year, and has sufficient capacity at the appropriate grade level.
3. The authority to enroll a student in the public school of choice shall not be permitted and shall not be exercised if doing so violates the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
4. If the district denies the enrollment request of a prospective student for an intra-district transfer, the parent or legal guardian of the student may request a review of the denial of the transfer requested by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Within ninety days of receipt of a request for review, the state board shall determine if the capacity policy established for the school was followed. If the state board determines that the school's policy was not followed, the district shall reconsider the transfer request. However, the state board shall not approve any transfer request that would exceed the enrollment capacity of a school or classroom, as established by the school's governing authority.
5. For purposes of determining capacity, as determined by School Board staffing policy, a school which has an anticipated enrollment of 80% or greater of its optimal total student capacity, in the grade in which the student seeks to enroll, shall be deemed to have insufficient capacity to allow for a School Choice enrollment. Capacity may also be adjusted downward due to Covid-19 social distancing requirements, damage resulting from natural disasters, or other factors of a similar nature.
6. The transfer request period, which shall begin no later than March first and end no earlier than March twenty-eighth, annually.
7. Prior to the transfer request period, the district shall notify parents and legal guardians of students enrolled in a school that received a "D" or "F" school performance letter grade pursuant to the state's school and district accountability system for the most recent school year of the following:
a. The schools under the jurisdiction of the governing authority that received an "A", "B", or "C" school performance letter grade, if any.
b. The process for submitting student transfer requests.
c. The page on the state Department of Education's website that contains school performance data.
d. (3) Such policies shall be posted to the school governing authority's website and reported to the state Department of Education
8. District schools' performance scores may be accessed on the Louisiana Department of Education website via the below link:
https://www.louisianabelieves.com/resources/library/performance-scores
Transportation shall not be provided to a student who enrolls in a public school that is located outside the geographic boundaries of the School Board in which the student resides, if providing such transportation will result in additional cost to the School Board.
The Superintendent shall be authorized to develop pertinent administrative regulations and procedures governing students seeking enrollment under the Louisiana Public School Choice section of this policy. Such regulations and procedures shall include entering into interdistrict agreements with other city, parish, or local School Boards to provide for the admission of students, and the transfer of school funds or other payments by one School Board to another for, or on account of, such attendance.
Enrollment under Louisiana Public School Choice shall only be for one school year, or applicable portion thereof if a student enrolls after the start of the school year."
New Policy: August, 2004
Approved: October 15, 2009
Revised: October 2, 2014
Revised: May 12, 2022
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:105, 17:4035.1
Louisiana School, District, and State Accountability System, Bulletin 111, Louisiana Department of Education
Board minutes, 10-15-09, 10-2-14
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ITEM 8c. Public Comment. Ms. Michelle Seymour – Request approval of School Calendar for 2022-2023
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve the School Calendar for 2022-2023
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8d. Public Comment. Ms. Terry Charles – Request approval to award contract to the lowest bidder for: Bread/Bread Products
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest bidder for: Bread/Bread Products (Bimbo Bakeries USA: 8 Items)
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8e. Public Comment. Ms. Terry Charles – Request approval to award contract to the lowest bidder for: Frozen Food
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest bidder for: Frozen Food (Diamond Food Distributors – 35 Items; Pon Food Corporation – 42 Items)
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8f. Public Comment. Ms. Terry Charles – Request approval to award contract to the lowest bidder for: Meat/Meat Products
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest bidder for: Meat/Meat Products (Diamond Food Distributors – 26 Items; Pon Food Corporation – 34 Items)
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8g. Public Comment. Request approval to award contract to the lowest bidder for: Processed Foods
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest bidder for: Processed Foods (Diamond Food Distributors – 69 Items; Pon Food Corporation – 102 Items)
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8h. Public Comment. Ms. Terry Charles – Request approval to award contract to the lowest bidder for: Cleaning Supplies
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest bidder for: Cleaning Supplies (Economical Janitorial/Supplies – 22 Items; SFS PAC – 8 Items)
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8i. Public Comment. Ms. Terry Charles – Request approval to award contract to the lowest bidder for: Paper Supplies
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest bidder for: Paper Supplies (Economical Janitorial/Supplies – 58 Items; Pon Foods – 3; Interboro – 2 Items)
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8j. Public Comment. Ms. Terry Charles – Request approval to award contract to the lowest bidder for: Milk/Milk Products
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest bidder for: Milk/Milk Products (Borden’s Dairy – 5 Items)
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8k. Public Comment. Ms. Terry Charles – Request approval to award contract to the lowest bidder for: Small Equipment
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest bidder for: Small Equipment (Economical – 48 Items; Hotel Restaurant & Supplies – 31 Items; Lafayette Restaurant & Supply - 5 Items)
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8l. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke - Request Board approval to award contract for Roofing repairs to East St. John High School (L&F approved to advance low bidder to Board on April 26th)
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To award contract for Roofing repairs of East St. John High School to Industrial Roofing and Construction, LLC.
6 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
5 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 8m. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke - Request Board approval to award contract for field house, ball fields, and dugout repairs at East St. John High School
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To award contract for field house, ball fields, and dugout repairs at East St. John High School to D.L. Daigle & Co. Inc.
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 8n. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke - Request Board approval to award contract for Fencing repairs to West St. John High School Athletic Fields
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To award contract for Fencing repairs at West St. John High School Athletic Fields to U.S. Fence and Gate, Inc.
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS.
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke – Request Board approval to advertise bids for Central Office Repairs
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To approve advertising for bids for Central Office Repairs.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
3 Absent – Keller, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke – Request Board approval to advertise bids for John L. Ory Magnet Elementary Repairs
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To approve advertising for bids for John L. Ory Magnet Elementary Repairs.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke – Request Board approval to advertise bids for Garyville Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School Repairs
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Jones
MOTION: To approve advertising for bids for Garyville Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School Repairs.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke – Request Board approval to advertise bids for West St. John Elementary Exterior and Annex Repairs
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve advertising for bids for West St. John Elementary Exterior and Annex Repairs
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9e. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke – Request Board approval to advertise bids for Leon Godchaux Repairs
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve advertising for bids for Leon Godchaux Repairs
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9f. Public Comment. Ms. Cindy Janecke – Request Board approval to advertise bids for West St. John High School Repairs
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve advertising for bids for West St. John High School Repairs
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9g. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Discussion regarding: Amending the budget to voluntarily supplement the salary of an assigned Assistant District Attorney, in accordance with LA Attorney General Opinion 1988-485
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams stated that the District Attorney’s Office is our Statutory General Counsel and because Mr. Jasmin is such a huge asset, she is asking the Board to voluntarily supplement the salary of an assigned Assistant District Attorney, in accordance with LA Attorney General Opinion 1988-485. This will be brought to the Finance Committee for a recommendation before the next Board meeting.
Dr. Keller arrived at 9:32 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 9h. Public Comment. Mrs. Rebecca Johnson – Request approval to discontinue the NIET Grant and utilize alternate funding for Mentor and Master Teachers as recommended by the Finance Committee
Mrs. Johnson stated that the Mentor and Master Teachers will be funded through Title I, Title II and ESSR Funding.
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To discontinue the NIET Grant and utilize alternate funding for Mentor and Master Teachers as recommended by the Finance Committee.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Abstention - Johnson
The motion carried.
ITEM 9i. Public Comment. Mrs. Charo Holden - Update and discussion/plan for demolition and debris removal of the Old Lucy School
Mrs. Holden stated that we have received complaints from the community regarding this property. Mr. Orenthal Jasmin stated that the he was informed that the leaseholder is asking to terminate the lease 5 months early (set to expire in October 2022). He continued that if this is in fact true, he will work with administration to draft an early-termination agreement, but will have more information more next week.
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams asked that this be brought to Land and Facilities Committee next week.
ITEM 9j. Public Comment. Mrs. Jawanza Joseph – Discussion regarding Salary Study Committee
Mrs. Joseph stated that it was discussed in Finance Committee to re-establish this committee as soon as possible. Mrs. Schum asked if we could call a meeting for May 25th and the first order of business would be to re-establish who will continue to serve on this committee.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To waive policy to introduce Revised Policy GBRK: Vacation Leave
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Abstention - Johnson
The motion carried.
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams stated that this item will be on the May 26th meeting agenda for approval. This is necessary to avoid having too many employees out during the month of June.
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FILE: GBRK
All twelve (12) month full-time employees shall earn annual leave at the rate set by the St. John the Baptist School Board. Employees exceeding their annual leave shall automatically be deducted at full pay.
Annual leave shall be posted at the beginning of each fiscal year. All annual leave must be turned into the Superintendent for review and approval prior to taking anticipated annual leave.
Any unused annual leave paid at the time of retirement, termination, or discharge shall be paid to the employee or his/her heirs on or before the next regular payday for the pay cycle during which the employee was working at the time of separation or no later than fifteen (15) days following the date of termination, resignation, or retirement, whichever occurs first, at the employee's daily rate of pay.
GUIDELINES
1. Employees who work a twelve-month fiscal year shall earn paid vacation days
2. Vacation time will be credited for twelve-month employees, on the first day he/she reports to work after the beginning of the fiscal year (July 1), according to the following schedule:
|
Years of Service |
Vacation Leave |
|
Less than 5 years |
10 days |
|
5 years but less than 9 years |
14 days |
|
9 years but less than 14 years |
18 days |
|
14 years or more |
20 days |
Individuals who become 12-month employees after the start of the fiscal year will earn vacation leave based on the percentage of the work year remaining at the time of employment.
1. Employees shall request vacation leave in writing ten (10) days prior to the effective leave. Vacation leave shall be granted unless work demands prohibit such. If vacation leave is denied, the employee shall be allowed to reschedule within that same fiscal year. Employees with the greatest seniority shall be granted his/her preferred vacation date(s) if possible. An employee shall be allowed to take all of his/her earned vacation leave within a fiscal year.
2. Under no circumstances shall a department become non-operational because too many employees are on vacation. If there is a conflict that cannot be resolved by seniority, the Superintendent shall make the final decision. It is the department supervisor’s responsibility to ensure that this does not happen to his/her department.
3. Administrators shall not take vacation leave during the months of May and August.
4. Employees may carry over up to twenty-five (25) unused vacation days from one fiscal year to the next. An employee can only accumulate up to twenty-five vacations days. Upon severance of employment, unused vacation days up to twenty-five (25) shall be paid to the employee as severance pay.
5. With exception of the ten (10) days carried over up to a maximum of twenty-five days, all earned vacation days shall be taken during the fiscal year. Any vacation days not taken during the fiscal year will be forfeited by the employee.
a. The Superintendent may modify or amend procedures as applicable when local and state emergencies develop including:
· An actual and imminent threat to public health or safety;
· An actual or imminent threat of natural disaster;
· An emergency situation whereby the governor, the state health officer, or the governing authority of the school system has declared a state of emergency;
The Superintendent shall inform the School Board of such changes.
b. Administration recommendations - Additional Vacation Considerations:
Stagger the number of allowable banked vacation days over the next couple years:
a. July 2022—allow 40 days’ maximum rollover.
b. July 2023—allow 30 days’ maximum rollover.
c. July 2024—return to 25 days’ maximum rollover.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§11:754, 11:786, 11:788, 17:81, 23:631
Board minutes, 10-20-05, 6-15-06, 3-15-07, 7-16-20, 6-17-21
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
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ITEM 10a. Appointment of Interim Superintendent
Mrs. DeFrancesch nominated Mrs. Rebecca Johnson for Interim Superintendent.
President Mitchell-Williams asked if there were any other nominations. There being none, she called for a Roll Call on the nomination of Mrs. Rebecca Johnson for Interim Superintendent.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Abstention - Johnson
The motion carried.
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams stated that there will be an Executive Committee next Tuesday, May 17th, at 5:00 p.m. to negotiate a contract with Mrs. Johnson.
Mrs. Johnson introduced herself to the public and shared a brief summary of her experience and background in education. She thanked the Board for having confidence in her to lead the district.
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mr. Burl stated that we have spent a lot of money ($40,000) searching for a Superintendent. He reminded the Board that they need to be mindful of how they proceed.
Mrs. Schum shared that the Special Education Prom is this Saturday and she discovered that they are $500 short of meeting their goal to pay for this very special night. She thanked Mr. Jones for his generous donation and pledged to match that donation. Mrs. Mitchell-Williams pledged to match the donation as well. Checks should be made payable to: ESJHS AA Community Department.
Mr. Wallace reminded Board members that the Personal Financial Statements are due May 16th to the Ethics Department.
Mrs. Holden asked about the water leak in the front of the gymnasium at West St. John High School. Mr. Songy stated that there is a water leak under the cement and the principal asked that they maintenance department not bust up the concrete this close to graduation.
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Keller
MOTION: To extend the Board meeting beyond 10:00 p.m.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
1 Abstention – Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
Mrs. Johnson stated that June 6th and 7th will be early dismissal for students, to allow teachers this time to get the student records completed (in lieu of a Records’ Day).
Mr. Jones asked that a Resolution be on the next agenda in honor of Gerald Williams.
Mrs. Holden stated that WSJH has a 100% Completion Rate for FAFSA.
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, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams
1 Abstention – Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:14 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Rebecca Johnson, Secretary Nia Mitchell, President