PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF MAY 26, 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 26, 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.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
ABSENT: Burl, Schum
There were 9 members present and 2 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Meeting of May 12, 2022
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of: May 12, 2022
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Burl, Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ITEMA 4a. Testing Updates
Mrs. Rebecca Johnson gave an update regarding testing and shared the following information:
ITEM 4b. Update on Staffing
Mrs. Johnson shared the following information:
ITEM 4c. Head Start Director – Policy Council Recommendation
Mrs. Johnson stated that the Head Start Policy Council met yesterday regarding the Head Start Director and has recommended Ms. Melissa Watson as the new Head Start Director.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Recognition of Talented Art Scholars
Ms. Jones, JLO Principal introduced 2 of their Talent Arts students, Payton Bergeron and Katherine Cox, who performed “The Best Little Theatre in Town” for the audience and the Board.
ITEM 5b. Recognition of WSJH Track & Field Student Ty’jon Monroe
Principal Claude Hill recognized Ty’jon Monroe for his accomplishments:
· State Championship for the 110 meter hurdles last year
· State Championship for the 110 meter hurdles this year – back to back in this event.
· Also, Ty’jon has been named Salutatorian of his Senior Class
ITEM 5c. Resolution to the family of Gerald Williams
The following resolution was read by Board Member Keith Jones and presented to the family:
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD ~ RESERVE, LA
WHEREAS, Mr. Gerald Williams was a graduate of East St. John High School, Class of 1984; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was named an All District Athletic as a Pitcher with a 5 and 0 record and named on the All Parish Team with a 405 batting average; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams was selected in the 14th Round of the 1987 Draft by the New York Yankees; and
WHEREAS, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board offers this Resolution of Sympathy to the members of his family, to which a copy will be forwarded; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this School Board, on behalf of its members, wishes that this Resolution be placed in the official record of this School Board on this 26th day of May, in the year of our Lord 2022.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Ms. Jawanza Joseph - Adopt resolution levying millages for the 2022 tax roll
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve the resolution levying millages for the 2022 tax roll
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Keller, Schum
The motion carried.
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RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED, that the following millages are hereby levied on the 2022 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by St. John the Baptist Parish School Board:
MILLAGE
School District No. 1 Maintenance & Operations 4.330 mills
School District No. 1 Additional Funding 3.470 mills
School District No. 1 Salaries & Benefits 10.560 mills
School District No. 1 Support 8.000 mills
School District No. 1 Bond 0.190 mills
School District No. 1 Bond 5.620 mills
School District No. 1 Bond 1.650 mills
School District No. 1 Bond 1.770 mills
School District No. 1 Bond 1.770 mills
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of the Parish of St. John the Baptist, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2022, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.
The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:
YEAS:
NAYS:
ABSTAINED:
ABSENT:
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted at the board meeting held on May 26, 2022, at which meeting a quorum was present and voting.
Reserve, Louisiana, this 26th day of May, 2022.
Nia Mitchell-Williams, Board President
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ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mrs. Dominique Miller – Request approval of Head Start Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and Quality Improvement (QI) funding application (Finance Committee Approval 05-24-22)
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve the Head Start Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and Quality Improvement (QI) funding application
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Request approval to suspend the payment of all stipends while a review is conducted and to require full Board approval for all extra-duty stipends going forward (Finance Committee Approval 05-24-22)
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To suspend the payment of all stipends of Central Office Employees while a review is conducted and to require full Board approval for all extra-duty stipends going forward, effective June 10, 2022.
Following discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To suspend the payment of all stipends of Central Office Employees while a review is conducted and to require full Board approval for all extra-duty stipends going forward, effective June 3, 2022
Roll Call:
5 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson
Nays – Sanders, Jones, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent - Schum
The motion failed.
Upon roll call on the original motion to suspend the payment of all stipends of Central Office Employees while a review is conducted and to require full Board approval for all extra-duty stipends going forward, effective June 10, 2022, there were:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Nay – Burl
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 7d. Public Comment. Mr. Curt Green – Request approval to continue the use of Kelly Services for substitutes for the 2022-23 school year (Finance Committee Approval 05-24-22)
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To continue the use of Kelly Services for substitutes for the 2022-23 school year.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 7e. Public Comment. Mr. Curt Green – Request approval to suspend the hiring freeze to advertise and hire a payroll clerk (Finance Committee Approval 05-24-22)
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To suspend the hiring freeze, for this position only, to advertise and hire a payroll clerk.
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 7f. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier - Request approval to award the Chiller and HVAC Maintenance Service Agreement Contract to the Lowest Bidder - Bernhard MCC.
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To award the Chiller and HVAC Maintenance Service Agreement Contract to the Lowest Bidder - Bernhard MCC
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 7f. Public Comment. Request approval to award the Electrical Supplies Contract to the Lowest Bidder – Notoco.
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To award the Electrical Supplies Contract to the Lowest Bidder – Notoco
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Request approval to amend the budget to voluntarily supplement the salary of an assigned Assistant District Attorney, in accordance with LA Attorney General Opinion 1988-485 (Finance Committee Approval 05-24-22)
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To amend the budget to voluntarily supplement the salary of an assigned Assistant District Attorney, in accordance with LA Attorney General Opinion 1988-485 at a cost of $2,500/month ($30,000 annually).
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
ITEM 8b. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Request approval of Revised Policy GBRK - Vacation Leave (Introduced 5-12-22)
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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FILE:GBRK – VACATION LEAVE
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 postedat 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 employeeor his/her heirs on or before the next regularpayday for the pay cycle during which the employee was working at the time of separation or no laterthan 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 fiscalyear shall earn paid vacationdays
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 preferredvacation 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 conflictthat 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 happento 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 vacationdays from one fiscal year to the next. An employee can only accumulate up to twenty-five vacations days. Upon severance of employment, unusedvacation days up to twenty-five (25) shall be paid to the employee as severance pay.
5. With exception of the ten (10) days carriedover 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 actualand imminent threatto public healthor safety;
· An actualor imminent threatof natural disaster;
· An emergencysituation 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’ maximumrollover.
b. July 2023—allow 30 days’ maximumrollover.
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 ParishSchool Board
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ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS.
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Mr. Shawn Wallace obo the Executive Committee – Request approval of Interim Superintendent’s Contract as negotiated and presented by the Executive Committee (Executive Committee Approval 05-23-22)
Public Comment. Mr. Alvin Scioneaux asked that the Board allow the Interim Superintendent to utilize her skill set to better this district.
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve the Interim Superintendent’s Contract as negotiated and presented by the Executive Committee.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Jones, Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mr. Shawn Wallace obo the Executive Committee - Request the Board grant authority to the Board President to sign the approved contract for Interim Superintendent Rebecca Johnson on behalf of the School Board
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To grant authority to the Board President to sign the approved contract for Interim Superintendent Rebecca Johnson on behalf of the School Board
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Mr. Orenthal Jasmin – Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in the matter of: Docket No. C-77965 Fulcrum Enterprises, LLC vs St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Mr. Orenthal Jasmin – Executive Session to discuss pending litigation it the matter of: Docket No. C-76968 Shondrell Perrilloux Campbell vs St. John the Baptist Parish Public School Board
ITEM 9e. Public Comment. Mr. Joshua Cockfield – Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in the matter of: Lydia Trammell v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, OWCA No. 21-01942, District 09
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session to discuss: Item 9c - pending litigation in the matter of: Docket No. C-77965 Fulcrum Enterprises, LLC vs St. John the Baptist Parish School Board; and Item 9d - pending litigation in the matter of: Docket No. C-76968 Shondrell Perrilloux Campbell vs St. John the Baptist Parish Public School Board; and Item 9e - pending litigation in the matter of: Lydia Trammell v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, OWCA No. 21-01942, District 09
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 7:32 p.m.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
3 Absent – Burl, Jones, Schum
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 8:22 p.m.
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To give settlement authority to Joshua Cockfield in the matter of Lydia Trammell v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, OWCA No. 21-01942, District 09.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
2 Absent – Jones, Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 9f. Public Comment. Mrs. Rebecca Johnson – Request approval of District Organizational Chart as presented
MOTION BY: Sanders
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve the District Organizational Chart as presented.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Nay - Burl
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
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ITEM 9g. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction to Revised Policy IDCC – Kindergarten
This item was for introduction only.
ITEM 9h. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction to Revised Policy JCD - Student Conduct
This item was for introduction only.
ITEM 9i. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction to Revised Policy GBRIB - Sick Leave
This item was for introduction only.
ITEM 9j. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction to Revised Policy GBRB - Employee Attendance
This item was for introduction only.
ITEM 9k. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction to Revised Policy GBDA - Employment of Retired Personnel
This item was for introduction only.
ITEM 9l. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request approval to accept the Early Termination Amendment to the Lease for the Old Lucy School (Requires action)
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To accept the Early Termination Amendment to the lease for the Old Lucy School and grant authority to the Board President to sign referenced agreement.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 9m. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams - Discussion/Recommendation/Approval regarding hiring a Program Management firm for Capital Projects Construction and Repair Work (Requires action)
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To table.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 9n. Public Comment. Mr. Albert A. Burl, III – Receive report on the number of legal counsel firms (lawyers) currently contracted with the Board (scope of services, total amount paid from fiscal year 2021 to present).
Mr. Burl pulled this item from the agenda.
ITEM 9o. Public Comment Mr. Albert A. Burl, III – Receive report on CIR Implementation Plan (details regarding IEP Implementation, inspection/monitoring of IEP plans, and how we are addressing students that are more than 2 years behind).
Mr. Burl pulled this item from the agenda.
ITEM 9p. Public Comment. Mr. Albert A. Burl, III – Receive report on Postlethwaite & Netterville (P&N) (current work and total amount paid since June 2021).
Total amount paid in 2021: $127,456.00
Total amount paid in 2022: $242,738.00
ITEM 9q. Public Comment. Mr. Albert A. Burl, III - Receive report on the number of contracts issued since fiscal year 2021 through present, including the dollar amount of each.
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To table.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 9r. Public Comment. Mr. Albert A. Burl, III – Receive report on the number of contracts issued during the emergency declaration, including the dollar amount of each.
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To table.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
ITEM 9s. Public Comment. Mr. Albert A. Burl, III – Receive report on the Repairs at Emily C. Watkins Elementary School
Public Comment. Derron Cook, SJAE – Asked the Board to consider going virtual for the final 2 days of school to allow teachers time to pack classrooms and input grades.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
WSJH Graduation this Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
Salary Study Committee to be held June 2nd at 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Sanders asked if there are any problems naming Vals and Sals this year. Mrs. Johnson replied that there are issues at East St. John High but they are working them out.
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams stated that in light of the recent troubling events at area high school graduations, administration and the Board will hold a graduation safety meeting with Sheriff Tregre tomorrow.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Jones
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Schum
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Rebecca Johnson, Secretary Nia Mitchell, President