PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 15, 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 (Board Meeting Room), 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

An agenda for the meeting is attached.

Sincerely, s/Rebecca Johnson

Interim 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 silence (Mr. Triche led the Lord’s Prayer), followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mrs. Holden.

ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

ABSENT: Sanders, Jones, Johnson

There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.

The Chair asked the record to reflect that Mr. Jones was attending Open House at Emily C. Watkins and would be late for this meeting.

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Meetings of: August 15-16, 2022 Board Retreat; August 18, 2022; August 31, 2022 Board Workshop

MOTION BY: Triche

SECOND BY: Wallace

MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meetings of: August 15-16, 2022 Board Retreat; August 18, 2022; August 31, 2022 Board Workshop

Roll Call:

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

3 Absent – Sanders, Jones, Johnson

2 Abstention – Holden, Burl

The motion carried.

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mrs. Johnson gave the following report:

Mrs. Johnson addressed the Coursewhere Usage (Edmentum) (Item 9e) in the high schools and discussion was held. Mr. Burl stated for the record that the overuse of Coursewhere is unacceptable in his opinion, nothing can or should replace a teacher in the classroom.

Mrs. Johnson also addressed the Consent Decree, stating that she had emailed the Board an update on this. Mr. Bob Hammonds sent an email, which was also forwarded to the Board, stating that the Board’s fall of 2022 will be filed November 30, 2022. Mr. Burl stated that at the Retreat, Mr. Hammonds stated that he had filed the report timely, and now he is stating that he did not. He continued that the District Attorney’s office had us caught up last year and then we turned it over to Hammonds and Sils, and now we are not up to date.

Mrs. Schum asked that we begin to collect “exit surveys”, much like we do for employees, for students that are leaving our district.

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

ITEM 5a. Resolution to the family of Chermaine Roybiskie read into the Record

The following resolution was read into the record. The family was presented with a copy of the resolution at the services for Mrs. Roybiskie. Mrs. Holden thanked administration for having this prepared and providing this resolution on the day of Mrs. Roybiskie’s services.

RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY

WHEREAS, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board grieves the loss of a former teacher, a knowledgeable mentor and a friend to all who met her, with the death of Mrs. Chermaine Roybiskie; and

WHEREAS, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes Mrs. Roybiskie’s service to this community and unyielding devotion to all faculty and staff, but most of all, the students of St. John the Baptist Parish; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her dedication and service to St. John the Baptist Parish School System, the members of its Board offer this Resolution of Sympathy to the members of her family, to which a copy will be forwarded; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, on behalf of its members, recognizes the significant contributions of Chermaine B. Roybiskie to this district, and mourns her death;

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be read into the record, and placed in the minutes, the archives, and official records of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board at its meeting on the 15th day of September in the year of our Lord 2022.

A motion was made by Mr. Wallace, seconded by Mr. Triche to amend the agenda to address ITEM 9a at this time.

Upon roll call, there were:

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

3 Absent – Sanders, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Request: Atty. Evan Alvarez/Atty. Andrew Barr – Request to enter into Executive Session, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), to discuss the status and strategy in the lawsuit captioned, Fulcrum Enterprises, LLC v. St. John The Baptist Parish School Board, Suit No. C-77965, 40^th Judicial District Court, Parish of St. John the Baptist; and to consider action deemed necessary as a result.

MOTION BY: DeFrancesch

SECOND BY: Holden

MOTION: To enter into Executive Session, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), to discuss the status and strategy in the lawsuit captioned, Fulcrum Enterprises, LLC v. St. John The Baptist Parish School Board, Suit No. C-77965, 40^th Judicial District Court, Parish of St. John the Baptist; and to consider action deemed necessary as a result.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

3 Absent – Sanders, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

Executive Session: 6:38 p.m.

MOTION BY: DeFrancesch

SECOND BY: Holden

MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

3 Absent – Sanders, Jones, Johnson

The motion carried.

Regular Session: 7:19 p.m.

Mr. Jones arrived at 7:21 p.m. and was recorded as present.

ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS.

Mr. Burl stated for the record that the Board is in the process of cleaning up the Policy Manual and there will be policies for introduction as well as approval at each meeting until the Policy Manual is current. President Mitchell-Williams continued that we are aligning our policies with state laws that have been passed. In other words, we must revise our policies to reflect the laws that are already in place. To accomplish this, the Board has decided to introduce 5 policies each meeting, along with approving 5 that have been introduced at a previous meeting until our manual is brought up to date.

ITEM 6a. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Request approval of Revised Policy BCB: School Board Meeting Procedures

Public Comment: Shondrell Perrilloux

MOTION BY: Holden

SECOND BY: Wallace

MOTION: To approve Revised Policy BCB: School Board Meeting Procedures

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

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BCB: SCHOOL BOARD MEETING PROCEDURES


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has adopted the following Rules of Procedure in order to facilitate the conduction of School Board business:

TIME, PLACE AND AGENDA OF REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

A. The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has the authority to hold as many School Board Meetings per month as the School Board deems necessary, but is required by state law to conduct at least one meeting per month to consider those items contained on the agenda prepared for that meeting, and each meeting shall be conducted in accordance with School Board policy.

B. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules of Procedure, all meetings of the School Board shall be held at its domicile and offices at 104 West 10th Street, Reserve, Louisiana. Once every six (6) months, however, regular meetings shall be held at a West Bank school site. (Last meeting in January and last meeting in July.) Upon School Board approval a change to the venue of any regular scheduled meeting can be made.

C. A regular meeting of the School Board may be cancelled, or time and place thereof changed, upon written public notice given no later than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, before any regular or re-scheduled meeting. Notice of such change and notice of the agenda for any regular School Board meeting shall be given by:

1. Posting a copy of the notice, and agenda, on the front door of the School Board office; or by publication of same in the official journal of the School Board no less than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, before the meeting; and,

2. Electronically mailing a copy of the notice, and agenda, to any member of the news media who requests notice of such meetings; any such member of the news media shall be given notice of all meetings in the same manner as is given to members of the School Board.

3. Providing notice and a copy of the agenda on the School Board’s official website no less than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, immediately preceding the meeting.

D. At any regular meeting of the School Board, no business may be transacted which does not come within the purpose or purposes set forth in the agenda for the meeting, except upon unanimous approval of the members of the School Board present at that meeting. The motion to add an item not on the agenda shall identify the item with reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the proposed addition to the agenda, and shall be entered into the minutes. In keeping with state law and School Board policy, prior to any vote to add an item to the agenda, there shall be an opportunity for public comment on the motion.

SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD

A. Special meetings of the School Board may be called only by the President or by a majority of the entire School Board except that, when the President is out of the parish, ill, or otherwise unavailable, the Vice President of the School Board may call a special meeting of the School Board.

B. No special meeting may be called except upon written notice to the members of the School Board, Superintendent, and public or by a motion adopted at an official School Board meeting. Such written notice must be signed by the President, Vice President, or a majority of the members of the entire School Board, as the case may be. Such written notice must be electronically mailed at least twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, prior to the time of such special meeting. In the event that electronic mail is not available, other options of delivery include: United States mail (postage prepaid) or hand delivery; additionally, the Superintendent shall attempt to contact all School Board Members by telephone. Such written notice shall also be posted on the front door of the School Board office and forwarded to any member of the news media who has requested to be sent copies of such notice.

C. The written notice required herein, or the motion adopted at an official School Board meeting, shall state the date, time and place of such special meeting and shall specify the matters to be considered at such meeting. No matter or item not stated in the agenda for the special meeting shall be considered by the School Board at such meeting except upon unanimous approval of the members of the School Board present at that meeting. The motion to add an item not on the agenda shall identify the item with reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the proposed addition to the agenda, and shall be entered into the minutes. In keeping with state law and School Board policy, prior to any vote to add an item to the agenda, there shall be an opportunity for public comment on the motion.

D. In cases of extraordinary emergency (Acts of God), the time and notice requirements of this Section shall not be required; provided, however, that the person or persons calling such special meeting shall give such notice thereof as they deem appropriate and circumstances permit, including notice to the news media in the same manner as notice is given to School Board members, and provided further that the existence of an extraordinary emergency and waiver of the time and notice requirements must be approved by a favorable vote of a majority of the total School Board at such special meeting.

E. STUDENT HEARINGS - All review hearings on student expulsions and early readmittances shall be held during regular scheduled Board Meetings.

F. TENURE HEARINGS - All tenure and other hearings shall be held in accordance with La. R.S. 17:443.

G. SCHOOL BOARD RETREATS – School Board shall conduct two (2) retreats per year.

QUORUM AND VOTE NECESSARY FOR AFFIRMATIVE

A. No meeting of the School Board may be officially convened and conducted unless a quorum (simple majority of the total membership of the School Board) is present.

B. Except as provided in Sections II(C), V(A), (G) and (H), VI(A), (C) (D), VII, IX(B), X(E), and XII hereof, any motion, resolution or other action of the School Board shall be deemed valid only upon a favorable vote of a majority of the members of the total School Board taken at a properly called regular or special meeting of the School Board which is open to the public accordance with Sections 11-28 of Title 42 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, as such statute may be now or hereafter amended.

C. Should a quorum cease to be present after a meeting has been officially convened, the presiding officer shall recess the meeting for such time as is deemed appropriate to attempt to re-establish a quorum and may thereafter declare the meeting adjourned if such presiding officer determines that quorum cannot be obtained within a reasonable time.

VOTING PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS

A. All voting shall be by voice or by the use of an electronic voting board which will reflect simultaneously a "yes," "no," or "abstain" vote for each and all members present. When the voting board does not correctly reflect the voting intent of a member of the School Board, that member may correct his/her vote by immediately advising the presiding officer of such error prior to announcement of the vote by the presiding officer. A roll call vote may be requested by any member and/or ordered by the President, with the vote of each member recorded in the minutes. On voice votes, the name of each voting "nay" shall be recorded in the minutes.

B. When the voting board is not available, the vote may be taken by roll call of the members present at the discretion of the presiding officer. Each School Board Member must be present in his/her seat in the School Board meeting room in order to have his/her vote counted on the voting board or otherwise; and no School Board Member or other person may cast a vote, in any manner, for another member of the School Board.

C. There shall be no voting by proxy and no voting by secret ballot.

D. In determining whether a particular motion, resolution or action of the School Board has received the requisite number of "yea" votes, an "abstention" shall not be counted and that member shall be considered as not voting. This rule shall apply regardless of whether the required number of favorable votes must be of the total membership of the School Board, of those members present, or, of those members present and voting.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING AGENDA

A. The Superintendent with the approval of the President, shall prepare a written agenda for each regular School Board meeting which shall list the specific items of business for which School Board action is required and, except for "Administrative Matters" as described in Section VIII hereof, no matter may be considered by the School Board which has not been listed on such agenda except after a motion to suspend these rules to consider a specific item has been adopted by unanimous approval of the members of the School Board present at that meeting. The person requesting suspension of the rules must include in such motion the specific matter or item to be considered and the action being requested of the School Board for such motion to suspend the rules to be properly before the School Board for vote. In keeping with state law and School Board policy, prior to any vote to add an item to the agenda, there shall be an opportunity for public comment on the motion.

B. No business, item or matter may be placed upon the agenda for any School Board meeting except at the discretion of a member of the School Board or the Superintendent, and no business matter or item not listed on such agenda may be considered by the School Board or discussed at the meeting without a suspension of the rules as provided hereinabove.

C. The agenda for any particular meeting of the School Board shall be considered as closed as of 2:00 p.m. on the ~~Friday~~ Thursday immediately preceding such School Board meeting and the Superintendent is hereby specifically prohibited from placing any item, with the exception of items under "Administrative Matters," on the agenda after that time regardless of who makes the request. The agenda shall not be changed less than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, prior to the scheduled time of the meeting.

D. Upon the agenda being closed, the Superintendent shall immediately prepare the written agenda and forward the same by electronic mail to each member of the School Board, the Superintendent, the School Board's General Counsel, and all newspapers and television and radio stations who have submitted a written request for such notification and agenda. The Superintendent shall, at the same time, post a copy of the agenda on the front door of the School Board office building, and on the School Board’s official website, and have copies available for interested citizens. In the event that electronic mail is not available, other options of delivery to School Board members include: United States mail (postage prepaid) or hand delivery.

E. Each item on the agenda shall be listed separately and described with reasonable specificity. Before the School Board may take any action on the agenda item, the presiding officer shall read aloud the description of the item.

F. Any citizen or organization may request consideration by the School Board of an item concerning matters within the jurisdiction of the Board at a particular School Board meeting by submitting such request in writing to the Superintendent, together with a brief explanation of the subject matter and the action requested of the School Board, by 2:00 p.m. on the Thursday immediately preceding the week in which consideration is requested. Within twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after the written request is received, the Superintendent shall notify the citizen or organization making such request as to whether or not the Superintendent has placed such item on the agenda.

G. The written agenda prepared by the Superintendent shall list the business of the board for a particular meeting in the following order:

AGENDA FOR REGULAR MEETING OF _____________.

1. Call to order, invocation and pledge of allegiance.

2. Student presentation on individual school.

3. Roll call for determination of a quorum present.

4. Approval of minutes.

5. Educational presentations and recognitions by the School Board or staff.

6. Superintendent's Report.

7. Personnel Matters.

8. Unfinished Business. Under unfinished business will be listed items from previous agendas which were not completed and/or which were specifically deferred to this particular meeting. These items shall be listed exactly as they appear on the previous agenda.

9. New Business. Recommendations of the Superintendent and/or School Board Committees. Under the Item "New Business" shall appear those items requested for the agenda by the Superintendent, a member of the School Board, or a School Board Committee prior to the closing of the agenda. The Superintendent's recommendations and reports and recommendations of the School Board Committees shall be listed first, followed by other items that are requested. All agenda items dealing with the following cannot be voted on at the meeting they are introduced: 1) curriculum changes; 2) budget adoptions or revisions - all; 3) student attendance zones; 4) School Board member district lines or changes; 5) teacher allotments; 6) bond issues; 7) tax proposals; and 8) major policy changes in School Board policy -- example, the way the School Board operates. They will be submitted for a vote at the subsequent meeting. All material covering these items will be distributed at or before the meeting they are introduced. Any change in policy must be done by the motion to waive policy and by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the School Board. The School Board reserves the right to waive policy at its discretion. All agenda items requiring action by the School Board must be stipulated following each item - example, (Requires action by the School Board).

10. Administrative Matters. Matters under this item are limited to those presented by the Superintendent believes should be brought to the attention of the School Board and/or matters which have come to his/her attention after the agenda for that meeting was officially closed and which he/she believes need immediate action by the School Board. Any items under “Administrative Matter” which require School Board action may be considered only after suspension of the rules by a favorable vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the School Board.

11. School Board Related Items of Interest

12. Adjournment. Meetings of the School Board may be adjourned on motion of the presiding officer or any member of the School Board and will carry unless objections are raised. In the event objection to the adjournment is raised, a vote shall be taken on the motion to adjourn, without need of a second to the motion, and the meeting shall be adjourned on the vote of majority of the members present and voting.

No matter, item, business or subject which is not specifically listed on the agenda of a particular meeting may be considered or discussed at a School Board meeting except after a motion to suspend the rules to consider such matter has been duly made, seconded and carried by upon unanimous approval of the members of the School Board present at that meeting.

H. Subject to the exceptions listed below, no item, matter, subject or business which has been considered and voted on at a previous School Board meeting, regardless of the nature of the motion voted upon and regardless of the outcome of the vote, may be considered at a subsequent School Board meeting until after the expiration of the sixty (60) days from such vote, unless a motion to suspend the rules to reconsider such item has first been duly made, seconded and carried by the favorable vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the School Board. This prohibition shall not apply where the previous motion was to defer action on the item for a specific period of time or until a specific School Board meeting or where the previous motion was to refer the matter to staff personnel or to a committee of the School Board for further study. This prohibition shall also not apply to consideration of items supplemental to an item previously acted upon, but shall apply only where the purpose of the item is to change previous School Board action.

CONDUCT OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

The purpose of School Board meetings is to allow the duly elected representatives of the people to consider and act upon matters of importance to the operation of the school system which are within the jurisdiction and authority of the School Board. It is in the best interests of the citizens of this parish that such meetings be conducted in an orderly and expeditious manner which permits full presentation of information and viewpoints by interested citizens, followed by thorough discussion among the School Board, the Superintendent and designated members of the staff, and concluded with debate and final decision by the School Board on those items of business listed on the agenda. To that end, the following rules shall govern the conduct of all meetings of the School Board and its committees and sub-committees.

A. The President of the School Board, or in his/her absence, the Vice President of the School Board, shall serve as the presiding officer until a temporary chairman for that meeting has been elected by a majority vote of those School Board members present and voting.

B.     After the call to order, invocation, pledge of allegiance, student presentation, roll call, and action on the minutes of any previous meeting, the presiding officer shall call, in the order listed on the agenda, first the items under new business, and shall recognize first the Superintendent or the School Board member who caused such item to be placed on the agenda.  The Superintendent or School Board member shall then explain the item, and make or recommend, as the case may be, such motion as he/she shall desire.

The presiding officer shall allow public comment, no more than five (5) minutes for any one individual, at any meeting of the School Board prior to taking any vote. The comment period shall be for each agenda item and shall precede each agenda item. The presiding officer shall, with the approval of the School Board, set a time limitation on an agenda item.  At the conclusion of public input, the presiding officer shall recognize any members of the School Board, the Superintendent and members of the staff designated by the Superintendent, who wish to be heard on that item, in the order the presiding officer deems advisable.  Each School Board member shall be allowed ten (10) minutes to express his/her initial views on any agenda item, motion, substitute motion, or amendment related to each agenda item and five (5) minutes for further comment.  No member of the School Board or staff shall speak without first being recognized by the presiding officer.

Items of business not on the agenda may not be suggested from the floor for discussion except by unanimous approval of the members present at a meeting.  The motion to add an item not on the agenda shall identify the item with reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the proposed addition to the agenda, and shall be entered into the minutes. In the event that the Board should add an item to its agenda after the Board meeting begins, the presiding officer shall orally request of the audience whether anyone in attendance would like to speak on the added agenda item. Each person indicating a desire to do so shall be given an opportunity to address the Board on each agenda item added. The Board shall delay deliberations on that agenda item until such time as all interested members of the public have had an opportunity to speak.

C. After discussion by the member of the School Board and the Superintendent has been completed, the presiding officer shall call for the vote upon the pending motion or any amendments or substitute motions which may have been made. During School Board discussion of any agenda item, any School Board member, at any time, may move the question on any pending motion, substitute motion, amending motion, etc. and thus conclude further discussion of same, provided there is an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting on the motion for the previous question.

D. The presiding officer of any meeting shall conduct such meeting in accordance with the School Board policy and procedure and shall have authority to make rulings or interpretation of School Board policy and procedure and any other matter or question which may arise with regard to conducting the meeting, including recognition of speakers, whether a speaker is out of order, etc. The decision of the presiding officer shall be final, unless appealed by a School Board member to the entire School Board as set forth hereinbelow.

E. Any member of the School Board who disagrees with a decision by the presiding officer may appeal such decision to the total School Board. Such appeal may be taken by a statement to that effect and no second is required. The presiding officer shall immediately call for a vote on the question of whether or not the ruling of the presiding officer shall be sustained. Upon a favorable vote of a majority of those School Board members present and voting, including the presiding officer, the rules of the presiding officer shall have been sustained.

F. In the conduct of meetings of the School Board any question not covered by these Rules of Procedure shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised.

ORDER AND DECORUM AT SCHOOL BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS

It is in the public interest, and the public demands, that meetings of the School Board or its committees, in handling the public's business, be conducted in an orderly and dignified manner. To this end, the following rules are established for the conduct of all persons, including School Board members and staff members, attending a meeting of the School Board or its committees:

A. No signs, posters, placards, etc. shall be affixed to the walls, doors, etc. of the School Board office building or any room therein, except by the School Board staff in connection with School Board business and then only with permission of the Superintendent. No sign, placard, or poster which is carried by hand shall be permitted in the School Board office building or any of its rooms.

B. All persons attending meetings of the School Board or of its committees must be recognized by the presiding officer before speaking. In return, the presiding officer and other School Board members shall courteously receive the comments made by such persons.

C. Any person who fails or refuses to obey the rulings and directions of the presiding officer, or otherwise disrupts the meeting in any manner, shall be requested by the presiding officer to leave the meeting room for the remainder of the meeting. If any person refuses to follow the directions of the presiding officer, the presiding officer shall cause such person to be removed from the meeting as may be authorized by applicable laws of the State of Louisiana.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

Administrative matters shall be limited to matters of administration which the Superintendent believes should be brought to the attention of the School Board and/or matters which have come to his attention after the agenda for that meeting was officially closed and which he believes need immediate action by the School Board. Any items under "Administrative Matters" which require School Board action may be considered only after suspension of the rules by a favorable vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the School Board.

OPEN MEETINGS AND EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

A. All meetings of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, all committees of the School Board, and/or any other body created or established by the School Board shall be open to the public and shall be held in accordance with the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§42:11 - 42:28 of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law, and these Rules of Procedure.

B. The School Board, its committees and other bodies created or established by it may go into Executive Session by a vote of two-thirds of the members present for the purposes permitted by, and in accordance with, the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§42:11-42:28 of the Louisiana Open Meetings Law. The School Board may go into Executive Session at any time and regardless of whether the matter to be discussed in Executive Session is listed on the agenda. No person, other than a General Counsel, shall be admitted to an Executive Session of the School Board without permission of the School Board President.

COMMITTEES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD

A. All committees of the School Board, ~~whether standing committees~~, and all other bodies created or established by the School Board, ~~preferably~~ should not hold their meetings during the weeks ~~that the School Board is not having a~~ of regularly scheduled School Board Meetings, with the exception of the Finance Committee and the Land and Facilities Committee, who may find it necessary to convene the week of the regularly scheduled School Board Meeting. The time and place of such committee meetings may be changed after due notice and in accordance with these Rules of Procedure.

B. If a committee goes into executive session in accordance with these Rules of Procedure, no person other than a School Board member, the Superintendent, and the General Counsel shall be admitted to such executive session without permission of the committee chairman.

C. In the absence of a quorum of committee members, the School Board President shall be allowed to participate as a voting member of the committee.

D. The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board is accountable to the community and values and promotes open communications with the residents of the school community. The School Board’s work is to facilitate comprehensive discussions of school district matters.

School Board Standing Committees

School Board appointments to the School Board Standing Committees shall be made by the School Board President at the direction of the School Board.

Standing committees shall be guided by the following Rules and Procedures:

1. All committees of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, whether standing committees and all other bodies created by the Board, shall hold their meetings at the domicile and office of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board at 118 West 10th Street, Reserve, Louisiana. The time and place of such committee meetings may be changed after due notice.

2. Committee meetings shall be announced in the same manner as regular or special meetings and should be governed by provisions of the Open Meetings Law.

3. Within the Louisiana Public Records Act, committees may have access to school personnel and District information. However, all access to personnel and information shall be coordinated with the Superintendent.

4. Committees shall report to the School Board on a regular basis. Each report shall be in written form with a copy for each School Board member and the Superintendent. A copy of the minutes of each meeting should be forwarded to the Superintendent’s office for filing.

5. In order to encourage free and open exchange of thoughts and ideas, committee meetings shall be conducted as informally as possible. Committees are subject to the following:

a. The chairperson of each committee shall begin the committee meetings by calling on the person who placed an item on the agenda and asking him/her to explain the item and the action or recommendation sought from the committee.

b. Following a motion and second to that effect, the members of the committee shall discuss the motion and any substitute or amending motions made in connection with that item.

c. Following such committee discussion, and immediately prior to any vote on that item, the committee chairperson shall inquire of the audience if there are person(s) who wish to be heard on that agenda item and/or any motions under consideration by the committee.

d. Chairperson may limit discussion of an item on the basis of time.

e. Each person appearing before a committee shall be required to first identify themselves and the group or organization that he/she represents, if any.

f. After all such persons have presented their comments to the committee; the committee chairperson shall ask if there are any committee members who would like to make additional comments.

g. If amendments or substitute motions are proposed by members of the committee, the chairperson shall again provide opportunity for public input as to such amendments or substitute motions.

h. At the conclusion of all comments by the audience and committee members, a voice vote of the members present should be made on the motion (s) before the committee.

i. A simple majority of the membership present at the meeting is needed for a motion to pass or fail.

j. For those items stipulated as requiring two-thirds majority, the concurrence of members present is required.

k. Any motion for action must be initiated by a committee member and subsequently seconded by a committee member.

6. The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Personnel, and Communication/Pupil Services Standing Committees shall be composed of seven (7) members. A quorum is required for these committees to take action and is composed of four (4) members. The Finance/Auxiliary Standing Committee shall be composed of seven (7), with a quorum of four (4) members required for this committee to take action.

7. Standing committees include the following membership:

a. Two appointed School Board members;

b. School Board President or School Board designee;

c. School Superintendent’s designee;

d. Two employees;

e. One parent or community member;

8. School Board Appointments

a. The term of office for each School Board standing committee is two (2) years. The term begins in January of even numbered years.

b. School Board member chairs each committee meeting and he/she will be selected by the majority vote of the committee membership.

9. School Board Agenda Items

a. An agenda must be established for each meeting of each committee and public notice thereof. The agenda for each committee meeting shall be closed at noon on the last Friday prior to the week in which the committee is meeting and only School Board members, committee members, the Superintendent or his/her designee may place an item on the agenda for any committee meeting of the proposed agenda item and the action on that item which is being sought.

b. No item or matter which is not on the official agenda of a committee for a particular meeting of that committee may be discussed or considered at such meeting except after unanimous approval of the membership present and voting to suspend the rules to consider such items.

c. The Superintendent, or his/her designee assigned to a particular committee, shall be responsible for seeing that any committee recommendation requiring action by the School Board is placed on the agenda for the next School Board meeting with a brief explanation of the subject matter of the item.

d. No item considered by a committee shall be placed on the agenda for a School Board meeting unless the committee is requesting action by the School Board on such item or the committee specifically votes to place such item on the School Board agenda for School Board discussion. However, this provision shall not be construed in such a manner as to limit the right of an individual School Board member, or the School Superintendent, to place an item on the School Board agenda that he/she so desires.

10. School Board Standing Committee Elections

a. To qualify for service on the Finance/Auxiliary, Personnel or Communication/Pupil Services Committees, an employee in the appropriate category (teacher or support personnel) must:

i. Have three (3) years successful work experience in the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board System

ii. Be currently employed full-time by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board

iii. Sign an official nominating ballot indicating his/her understanding of the responsibilities if elected to represent his/her peers

iv. Agree to serve on the committee to which he/she will be assigned

11. Teacher category (regular and special education): classroom teacher, guidance counselor, speech therapist, disciplinarian, curriculum coordinator, pupil appraisal

12. Support personnel category: maintenance workers, bus drivers, bus aides, secretaries, food service personnel, custodians, warehouse workers, teacher aides

13. Parents or community members wishing to serve on a committee must:

a. Be a voting resident of St. John the Baptist Parish

b. Cannot be an employee of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board

c. Sign an official nominating ballot indicating his/her understanding of the responsibilities if elected to represent his/her peers

d. Agree to serve on the committee to which he/she will be assigned

14. School administrators are not eligible to serve on any standing committees

15. Standing Committee Election Process

a. Each principal and site base administrator must distribute nomination ballots to all parents

b. Nomination ballots will be delivered by District email to all employees

c. Principals and site base administrators are to forward nomination ballots to the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Personnel Department.

d. Ballots are to be distributed the first Wednesday of December and must be returned by the third Wednesday of December. No nomination ballots will be accepted after 4:00 p.m.

e. An official ballot will be compiled and distributed to employees by the second week of January.

f. Ballots will be color coded and distributed to individuals in each category (teachers-blue; support personnel-yellow; parent-community-white) and returned to the Personnel Department.

16. School Board Committee Replacements

a. Attendance at School Board committee meetings is essential

b. If a committee member misses over fifty percent (50%) of the meetings over a six-month period, or misses three (3) meetings in a row without a valid excuse, that committee member forfeits his/her seat on that standing committee and will be replaced

c. Replacement will come from the list of candidates who qualified for the election ballot via a random selection process

d. In the event that there are no remaining replacement ballots, the replacement shall be recommended by the Superintendent for School Board approval

17. The respective School Board standing committees shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

FINANCE/AUXILLIARY COMMITTEE (7 MEMBERS)

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Review and report on accounting and purchasing procedures;

· Recommend the annual budget schedule;

· Represent the School Board during the various budget preparation states;

· Represent the School Board in public meetings where public matters are discussed;

· Monitor the cafeteria and transportation programs;

· Develop and recommend a maintenance and replacement schedule for buildings and grounds;

· Conduct periodic inspection of school facilities and report to the School Board; and

· Recommend studies and provide School Board liaison to administration on matters pertaining to transportation, security, space, and community use of facilities.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (7 MEMBERS)

Duties and Responsibilities:

· This committee deals with all matters related to personnel such as:

o Assisting in the establishment of new positions and aid in the development of job descriptions

o Assisting in the development of personnel policies

o Reviewing of policies, procedures, or action affecting personnel

o Reviewing of implementation of federal and state mandates regarding personnel

o Reviewing of budgetary (salary) recommendations

COMMUNICATION/PUPIL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Conduct or coordinate curriculum studies undertaken by the School Board

· Report to the School Board on the status of the curriculum and suggest areas in need of study

· Periodically study and report on student progress and on standardized test results

· Study and recommend textbook usage

· Evaluate curriculum in view of school population trends

· Recommend budget changes in view of curriculum developments

· Assume responsibilities for extra-curricular and co-curricular activities

· Encourage the formation and growth of community groups concerned with the District and provide the School Board liaison with these groups

· Advise on behalf of the School Board the public relations policy adopted by the School Board

· Advise School Board liaison on matters pertaining to public relations

· Advise and recommend School Board action on public relations program of the administration including the continuing education program

18. Board Committees

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Develop a consensus-based vision of what the school district can be

· Create working environment that equips and sustains progress toward the vision

· Articulate common values to guide decision-making and problem solving

· Demonstrate leadership that supports shared responsibility, decision-making, and problem solving

· Establish motivational conditions that ensure growth in community, system, school and interpersonal capacities

Membership: The Strategic Planning committee shall be composed of five (5) members of the School Board, approved from recommendations of the President. This committee shall have a chairperson from its membership, who shall be elected by the members of the committee. The term of appointment shall be for a period of two (2) years or the remaining term of the member, whichever is shorter. Nothing herein shall prevent membership on a committee for consecutive terms.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (3 MEMBERS)

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Review and develop the Superintendent’s contract

· Assist in the annual Superintendent’s evaluation

· Review the School Board’s policy manual of operation and make recommendations on policies to the full School Board for approval

Membership: School Board President, Vice-President, and School Board President’s appointment

LANDS AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE (5 MEMBERS)

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Develop and recommend a maintenance and replacement schedule for building, grounds, and major mechanical systems;

· Review periodic inspection reports of school facilities and report to the School Board;

· Recommend studies and serve as the liaison to administration on matters pertaining to facilities, security, space and community use of facilities;

· Monitor all matters involving procurement, public bid, construction projects, awarding of contracts, awarding of leases and right of ways, 16th Section Land issues;

· Receive project status reports from the School Board’s engineers and architects on all public works projects.

Membership: The Land and Facilities committee shall be composed of five (5) members of the School Board, approved from recommendations of the President. This committee shall have a chairperson from its membership, who shall be elected by the members of the committee. The term of appointment shall be for a period of two (2) years or the remaining term of the member, whichever is shorter. Nothing herein shall prevent membership on a committee for consecutive terms.

19. School Board SJAE Contract Committees

INSURANCE COMMITTEE

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provide input into the selection process for determining the providers for the employee’s medical, prescription drugs, life insurance, vision, and dental insurance plans

· Review quotes for medical plans for school employees

· Receive and analyze school insurance reports

Membership: Five (5) members appointed by the St. John Association of Educators and five (5) members appointed by the School Board.

CALENDAR COMMITTEE

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Shall meet no later than March 1 of each school year for the purpose of constructing a school calendar applicable to the following school year

· The tentative calendar should be submitted to all employees for comments and the final draft of the school calendar should be submitted to the school board for adoption

Membership: Fifty percent (50%) of the membership should be appointed by the St. John Association of Educators and the remainder should be designated by the Superintendent.

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Review programs now in progress

· Identify problems relating to curriculum development

· Stimulate studies and research

· Assist in finding consultant help when needed

· Make recommendations based upon the results of study and research

· Make recommendations on the adoption of textbooks, library books, and other instructional materials

Membership: Three (3) teachers appointed by the St. John Association of Educators; two (2) administrators appointed by the School Board; one (1) parent/community member; and one (1) School Board member.

20. State Mandated Committee

DISCIPLINE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Review all School Board discipline policies and make recommendations to the School Board for appropriate revisions to such policies

· Review and recommend changes of student dress code

Membership: 16 members as follows:

· Five (5) classroom teachers to be elected by their peers with at least one teacher each representing elementary, middle or junior high, and high school

· One (1) special education teacher to be elected by their peers

· Two (2) guidance counselors to be elected by their peers

· Two (2) principals to be elected by their peers, one representing an elementary school and one representing a high school

· One (1) school bus operator to be elected by their peers

· One (1) child welfare and attendance supervisor

· One (1) School Board member to be elected by their peers

· The local Superintendent or his/her designee

· Two (2) parents to be appointed by a method as provided by rules and regulations adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

OFFICERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD: ELECTION THEREOF

A. Pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:54, the School Board, at its first meeting in January of odd numbered years, shall elect a President and a Vice President from its membership for a term of two (2) years, or expiration of his/her term in office, whichever is shorter. The term of office of such officers shall terminate upon the election of their respective successors. The officers may be removed during their term of office by a majority vote of the total School Board.

B. The elections of these officers shall be conducted in the following manner:

1. The office of President of the School Board shall be filled first from nominations by other School Board members, which nominations do not require a second.

2. If more than one person is nominated for the office of President, a vote shall be taken after nominations are closed. All School Board members, including the nominees, may vote but may vote for only one nominee.

3. If a nominee receives the votes of a majority of the members of the total School Board on the first ballot, that nominee shall be declared elected.

4. If no nominee receives a majority of the votes of the total School Board on the first ballot, a second vote shall be taken between the two nominees receiving the most votes. If there is a tie vote between more than two candidates for the highest number of votes, or between two or more candidates for the second highest number of votes, all such candidates shall be included in the run-off election.

5. In the run-off election, the nominee receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected, provided, however, that such nominee must have received the vote of a majority of the total School Board.

6. In the event of a tie vote, or in the event of no nominee receiving the favorable vote of a majority of the total School Board, voting shall continue until a nominee receives the vote of the majority of the total School Board.

C. After the office of President has been filled, the office of Vice President shall be filled in the same manner as set forth above.

REPEAL OR SUSPENSION OF RULES OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETING PROCEDURES

Rules of Procedure

Procedures for the conducting of meetings of the School Board and its official committees may not be repealed or amended except by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the School Board.

SEVERABILITY

If any provision, item, section, paragraph, clause or phrase of this act, or the application thereof, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision, item, section, paragraph, clause, phrase or application of these Rules of Procedure which can be given effect without the invalid provisions, items, section, paragraphs, clauses, phrases or applications, and to this end the provisions of these Rules of Procedure are hereby declared to be severable.

Revised: September, 1985	Revised: November 6, 2008
Revised: February, 1989	Revised: March, 2009
Revised: June, 1989	Revised: March 21, 2013
Revised: June, 1991	Revised: September 4, 2014
Revised: January, 1992	Revised: October, 2014
Revised: March, 1995	Revised: April 1, 2015
Revised: April, 1995	Revised: July, 2016
Revised: July, 1998	Revised: September 8, 2016
Revised: June, 2004	Revised: October 19, 2017
Revised: September, 2007	Revised: July 19, 2018

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:11, 42:12, 42:13, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:17, 42:18, 42:19, 42:20, 42:21, 42:22, 42:23, 42:24, 42:25, 42:26, 42:27, 42:28

Jackson v. Assumption Parish School Board, App. 1 Cir. 1995, 652 So2d 549, 1994-0901 (La. App. 1 Circ. 3/3/95)

Board minutes, 11-8-84, 8-8-85, 2-1-89, 2-28-91, 10-17-91, 12-18-94, 2-16-95, 5-7-98, 3-18-04, 8-16-07, 11-6-08, 12-4-08, 3-21-13, 9-4-14, 9-18-14, 4-1-15, 9-8-16, 10-19-17, 7-19-18

St. John the Baptist Parish School Board

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ITEM 6b. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Request approval of Policy BE: School Board Ethics (Executive Committee Recommended Approval 08-31-22).

MOTION BY: Wallace

SECOND BY: Triche

MOTION: To approve Policy BE: School Board Ethics

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

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BE: School Board Ethics


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

Recognizing that as a member of a public School Board and that each St. John the Baptist School Board member is filling a position of public trust, responsibility, and authority endowed by the State of Louisiana, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, individually and collectively, shall subscribe to the principles of the Louisiana School Boards Association, by which a School Board member should be guided.

In addition, certain actions of elected officials may be considered improper, and in some circumstances, illegal. Actions which may present a conflict of interest, acceptance of gifts, or solicitations, or gratuities, abuse of authority of office or position, and decisions regarding the employment of a family member of an official are all subject to statutory restrictions. The ethical conduct of School Board members, as well as other designated officials, shall be in accordance with state law.

ETHICS EDUCATION AND TRAINING

All School Board members and employees shall be required to receive a minimum of one

(1) hour of education and training on the Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics annually. Education and training shall be provided by employees of the Louisiana Board of Ethics or others authorized to provide such training by the Louisiana Board of Ethics, and shall be administered through seminars or via the Internet.

GIFTS

Acceptance of personal gifts by any School Board member or employee of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board from persons or firms doing business with the School Board, or any department or school thereof, is prohibited. Reduced cost and/or free travel expenses are also defined as gifts with regard to this policy provision. This policy provision does not preclude acceptance of food, drinks, or refreshment of a social nature or participation in a social event, provided the value of the food, drink, or refreshment does not exceed that amount permitted under state law. It also shall not preclude the acceptance of campaign contributions for use in meeting campaign expenses by any employee or School Board member who is or becomes a candidate for election to any public office.

NEPOTISM

No member of the immediate family of an agency head shall be employed in his/her agency. No member of the immediate family of a member of a governing authority or the chief executive of a governmental entity shall be employed by the governmental entity, with limited exception as outlined below.

The provisions above shall not prohibit the continued employment of any public employee nor shall it be construed to hinder, alter, or in any way affect normal promotional advancements for such public employee where a member of a public employee's immediate family becomes the agency head of such public employee's agency, provided that such public employee has been employed in the agency for a period of at least one year prior to the member of the public employee's immediate family becoming the agency head.

Exceptions

Any School Board member or Superintendent whose immediate family member is employed, or who may be employed, as excepted below shall recuse himself from any decision involving the promotion or assignment of teaching or service location of such employee.

1. Any member of the immediate family of any School Board member or the Superintendent may be employed as a classroom teacher provided that such family member is certified to teach or is temporarily authorized to teach while pursuing certification.

2. For any School Board in a parish having a population of fewer than sixty thousand (60,000) according to the latest federal decennial census, any member of the immediate family of any School Board member or of the Superintendent may be employed as a special education related services professional provided that such family member is licensed in an appropriate field for special education related services and such family member is the only applicant who meets the qualifications for the position who has applied for the position after it has been advertised for at least thirty days in the official journal of the School Board. A special education related services professional shall include the following when employed to provide special education services: a social worker, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist/pathologist, teacher of hearing impaired students, teacher of visually impaired students, or nurse.

3. Any immediate family member of a member of the School Board or the Superintendent who is employed pursuant to paragraphs 1 or 2 above may be promoted to an administrative position, provided that such family member has the appropriate qualifications and certifications for the promotional position. For the purposes of such promotions, the term certifications shall not include any temporary or provisional certification or certifications.

4. An immediate family member of an athletic director of a school may be employed as a coach at such school.

5. Any member of the immediate family of any School Board member or of the Superintendent may be employed as a school bus operator provided that such family member is certified as a school bus operator.

6. ABUSE OF OFFICE

No School Board member, Superintendent, or employee shall use the authority of his/her office or position, directly or indirectly, in a manner intended to compel or coerce any person or other public servant to provide himself/herself, any other public servant, or other person with anything of economic value.

No School Board member shall act in an individual capacity to use the authority of his/her office or position as a member of the School Board in a manner intended to interfere with, compel or coerce any personnel decision, including the hiring, promotion, discipline, demotion, transfer, discharge, or assignment of work to any school employee.

No School Board member shall use the authority of his/her office or position as a member of the School Board in a manner intended to interfere with, compel, or coerce any school employee to make any decision concerning benefits, work assignment, or membership in any organization.

TRANSACTIONS AFTER TERMINATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE

No former agency head or elected official shall, for a period of two (2) years following the termination of his/her public service as the head of such agency or as an elected public official serving in such agency, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction, involving that agency or render any service on a contractual basis to or for the School Board.

No former member of the School Board shall, for a period of two (2) years following the termination of his/her public service on such School Board, contract with, be employed in any capacity by, or be appointed to any position by the School Board, except that the School Board may employ a former member for any classroom teaching position which requires a valid Louisiana teaching certificate or a school psychologist with a valid certificate in school psychology, provided the former School Board member holds such a certificate.

No former School Board employee shall, for a period of two (2) years following the termination of his/her employment, assist another person, for compensation, in a transaction, or in an appearance in connection with a transaction in which such former public employee participated at any time during his/her public employment and involving the School Board by which he/she was formerly employed, or for a period of two (2) such years following termination of his/her employment, render any service which such former public employee has rendered to the School Board during the term of his/her public employment on a contractual basis, regardless of the parties to the contract, to, for, or on behalf of the School Board with which he/she was formerly employed.

FEDERAL GUIDELINES: CONFLICT OF INTEREST

In addition to other ethics provisions, in receiving federal funds the School Board shall ensure compliance with federal guidelines covering conflict of interest and governing the actions of officers and employees engaged in the selection, award and administration of contracts. No employee, officer, or agent shall participate in the selection, award, or administration of a contract supported by federal funds if a real or apparent conflict of interest would be involved. Such a conflict may arise when the employee, officer, or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in, or a tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract. The officers, employees, and agents of the School Board shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from contractors or parties to contracts.

Employees and volunteers shall be required to report any actual, possible, or perceived conflict of interest which they or others have, or may have, to their immediate supervisor as soon as they become aware of the conflict. A School Board member shall report the perceived conflict of interest to the Superintendent and School Board attorney.

Anyone who engages in activities that violate these provisions, including failure to disclose a conflict of interest, may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, and/or other appropriate sanctions.

DEFINITIONS

Agency means a department, office, division, agency, commission, board, committee, or other organizational unit of a governmental entity. For public servants of political subdivisions, it shall mean the agency in which the public servant serves, except that for members of any governing authority and for the elected or appointed chief executive of a governmental entity, it shall mean the governmental entity.

Agency head means the chief executive or administrative officer of an agency or any member of a board or commission who exercises supervision over the agency.

Immediate family as the term relates to a public servant means his/her children, the spouses of his/her children, his/her brothers and their spouses, his/her sisters and their spouses, his/her parents, his/her spouse, and the parents of his/her spouse.

Public servant means a public employee or an elected official.

Revised: November, 1999

Revised: August, 2003

Revised: September, 2006

Revised: April, 2009

Recoded: January, 2010

Revised: December 2, 2010

Revised: September 22, 2011

Revised: October 18, 2012

Revised: March 17, 2016

Revised: June, 2016

Revised: February 15, 2017

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ITEM 6c. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Request approval of Policy ABC: Board Member Legal Status

MOTION BY: Wallace

SECOND BY: DeFrancesch

MOTION: To approve Revised Policy ABC: Board Member Legal Status

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

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ABC: BOARD MEMBERS LEGAL STATUS


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

The legal status of each duly appointed or elected member of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board is that of a public official who cannot be removed from his/her office except as provided by state law. The legal obligations pursuant to each School Board member shall not commence until he/she has been duly elected or appointed and officially taken office. His/her official capacity as a School Board member shall continue until the expiration of his/her term in office, unless otherwise vacated.

Such status does not authorize said member to act for or bind the School Board individually. The powers and duties vested in the School Board shall only be exercised by action of the School Board as a whole at duly called and organized meetings. In this respect, no motion or resolution shall be declared adopted without the concurrence of a simple majority of the School Board present and voting, unless otherwise stipulated.

While School Board members may enjoy a degree of immunity from damage suits, individual School Board members are not absolutely free from liability. The members may not be immune from liability, especially civil rights cases, if actions taken were presumed to be legal and resulted in deprivation of rights, or if they knew or reasonably should have known that their actions taken were unconstitutional, or if such actions were taken with malicious intent to cause a deprivation of rights. Moreover, liability may be equally applicable, not just from policies, ordinances, regulations, or decisions officially adopted by the School Board, but also for a custom or standard practice or procedure, even though such a custom, practice or procedure has not received formal School Board approval. ·

OATH OF OFFICE

Each member of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall take the oath of office as prescribed by the state constitution at the time of his/her election or as soon thereafter, but not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of his/her commission certificate. The person administering the oath shall certify said commission. Said oath shall be deposited and recorded in the office of the Louisiana Secretary of State. Said oath shall also be recorded in the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court's office.

New policy: April, 2016

Ref: Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VIII, Sec. 9; Art. X, Sec. 30; La. Rev. Stat. Ann.

§§17:51, 17:52, 17:61, 17:81; Wood v. Strickland, 95 S. Ct. 992 (1975); Monell v. Department of Social Services of New York, 98 S. Ct. 2018, 2035-36 (1978); Owen

v. City of Independence. No., 98 S. Ct. 3318 (1978).

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ITEM 6d. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Request approval of Policy CE: School Superintendent

Public Comment: Sylvia Taylor; Annette Houston; Eliza Eugene; Shondrell Perrilloux

MOTION BY: DeFrancesch

SECOND BY: Keller

MOTION: To approve Policy CE: School Superintendent

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

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

CE: School Superintendent


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall delegate to the Superintendent the authority and responsibility for the efficient administration of the school system. The Superintendent shall perform his/her administrative functions in accord with the policies adopted by the School Board. The execution of all decisions made by the Board concerning the internal operation of the school system shall be delegated to the Superintendent.

The Superintendent shall be the chief executive officer and educational advisor of the School Board and shall discharge his/her duties as prescribed by the Constitution and statutes of the State of Louisiana, as well as Board policies. As the instructional leader of the school district and its chief executive officer, the Superintendent shall have primary responsibility for personnel actions in the district. The Superintendent shall also be the secretary and treasurer of the School Board.

While retaining ultimate responsibility, the Superintendent shall be authorized to delegate certain duties to other members of his/her administrative staff. This shall include, as appropriate, any administrative or supervisory employee.

The School Board shall appoint the Superintendent for a period not to exceed four (4) years, which period, however, may extend no longer than two years after the expiration of the term of office of the membership of the Board electing the Superintendent. The salary, vacation, and other benefits of the Superintendent shall be determined by the Board upon his/her appointment. The Superintendent need not reside in the St. John the Baptist Parish School District.

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT

The Superintendent shall maintain his/her office in the School Board office during regular office hours Monday through Friday, except on designated holidays, to receive the reports of teachers and others and to transact the business required of him/her, except during the time he/she is visiting schools or attending to his/her duties elsewhere.

Revised: June, 1998

Revised: August, 2005

Approved: October 15, 2009

Revised: November, 2010

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:54, 17:81, 17:90; Board minutes, 10-15-09.

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ITEM 6e. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Request approval of Policy CED: Employment of Superintendent

MOTION BY: Wallace

SECOND BY: Triche

MOTION: To approve Policy CED: Employment of Superintendent

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

Public Comment: Shondrell Perrilloux

CED: EMPLOYMENT OF SUPERINTENDENT


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall employ the Superintendent pursuant to a written contract for a period not to exceed four (4) years, which period, however, may extend no longer than two (2) years after the expiration of the term of office of the members of the Board electing the Superintendent. The election of the Superintendent shall require a favorable vote of a majority of the entire membership of the School Board.

Such contract shall contain, but need not be limited to, specific performance objectives/performance targets as required by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:54. In case of a discrepancy between the contract and any policy, the contract provisions shall prevail.

The School Board shall submit to the State Superintendent of Education a copy of any executed, negotiated, or renegotiated employment contract with the Superintendent.

The Superintendent may choose not to enter into a subsequent contract and may either terminate his/her employment or, if he/she has acquired permanent status as a teacher, resume employment as a teacher.

The School Board shall negotiate and offer the Superintendent a new contract at the expiration of each existing contract unless a majority of the Board membership votes at least ninety (90) days prior to the termination of the existing contract against offering a new contract. For new or extended contracts entered into after July 1, 2012, the School Board shall notify the Superintendent of termination of his/her contract not less than thirty

(30) days prior to contract termination.

If the Superintendent is found incompetent, unworthy, or inefficient, or is found to have failed to fulfill the terms and performance objectives of his/her contract or to comply with School Board policy, then the Superintendent shall be removed from office prior to the expiration of his/her contract by the concurring vote of at least two-thirds (½) of the membership of the entire School Board at any regular or special meeting after due notice. Before the Superintendent can be removed during the contract period, he/she shall have the right to written charges and a fair hearing before the Board after written notice.

A School Board may place a Superintendent on paid administrative leave prior to the expiration of his/her contract:

1. For the purpose of investigating cause for termination.

2. Without cause during the final three (3) months of the term of his/her contract when the School Board has voted not to extend a new contract offer.

3. At a time as agreed by the Superintendent. as provided for in his/her contract.

Paid administrative leave shall be subject to the following:

1. Approval of a maiority of the membership of the School Board.

2. A three (3) month time limit within a six (6) month period.

3. All compensation afforded under the terms of the existing contract.

The School Board shall notify the State Superintendent of Education any time it terminates or fails to renew its employment contract with the Superintendent, along with the reasons therefor.

INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT

The School Board may, by a majority vote of its membership, select a person to serve as the interim Superintendent in the event of the death, resignation, or termination of the Superintendent or his/her being placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with this policy.

An interim Superintendent shall have the same authority as a Superintendent. If at any point in the final three (3) months of a Superintendent's contract he/she has been placed on notice that the School Board has voted not to offer him/her a new contract and an interim Superintendent has been selected in accordance with State law, the authority delegated to the Superintendent by the School Board for hiring and placement of all school personnel shall extend to the interim Superintendent without action of the School Board.

The election of an interim Superintendent is not subject to the School Board's policy applicable to the process of selection or employment of a Superintendent or to the requirement or content of a contract.

A School Board shall not employ an interim Superintendent for longer than six (6) months in any given twelve (12) month period unless the appointment is made during the final year of the term of the majority of members.

Approved: October 15, 2009

Revised: November, 2010

Revised: October 18, 2012

Revised: August, 2020

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:54; Board minutes, 10-15-09, 10-18-12.

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ITEM 6f. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Request approval of Policy IDFAB: Sports Injury Management and Concussions

MOTION BY: Wallace

SECOND BY: Triche

MOTION: To approve Policy IDFAB: Sports Injury Management and Concussions

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

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IDFAB: SPORTS INJURY MANAGEMENT AND CUNCUSSIONS


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

COMPREHENSIVE SPORTS INJURY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall require each high school that sponsors or sanctions any athletic activity and which requires a participating student to regularly practice or train and compete to implement a sports injury management program. The injury management program shall:

1. Establish a ~~set of injuries to be classified as "serious sports injuries" for the~~ ~~purposes of the program and define the signs and symptoms of suoh injuries~~ comprehensive emergency action plan for each sport located on the school's campus.

A. The emergency action plan shall be reviewed annually prior to each sport season with all appropriate personnel who are designated by the athletic director's office.

8. The comprehensive emergency action plan shall follow the best practices of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

2. Require that any coach, game official, on-field licensed health care provider, or licensed athletic trainer remove a student from practice, training, or competition if any of the following circumstances occur:

A. The student reports any defined sign or symptom of a serious sports injury.

8. The coach or licensed athletic trainer determines that the student exhibits any defined sign or symptom of a serious sports injury.

C. The coach is notified that the student has reported or exhibited any defined sign or symptom of a serious sports injury by any of the following persons:

(1) A licensed, registered, or certified medical practitioner operating within their respective scope of practice.

(2) A licensed athletic trainer.

(3) Any other licensed, registered, or certified individual whose scope of practice includes rthe recognition of symptoms associated with serious sports injuries.

(4) An official responsible for judging or supervising the athletic competition.

3. Ensure that any student who, in accordance with statutory provisions is safely removed from practice, training, or competition:

A Shall, as soon as practicable after reporting or exhibiting any sign or symptom of a serious sports injury, be examined by a health professional duly licensed in Louisiana to provide health care services or medical treatment.

B. May be allowed to return to practice, training, or competition only after the student provides to the coach and aR licensed athletic trainer written authorization from a health professional duly licensed in Louisiana to provide health care services or medical treatment.

4. Require that for the purpose of serving the students, school, community, and protecting public safety, each coach ~~or official in school sponsored or~~ ~~school sanctioned athletic actii.iities~~ certified by the Coaches Education and Certification Program receive annual documented training regarding the nature and risks of serious sports injuries in accordance with the National High School Coaches Association and the Louisiana High School Coaches Association.

5. Subject to availability of financial resources and supply of the necessary workforce, rely to the greatest possible extent on athletic trainers licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to provide athletic health care at high school athletic competitions.

6. Require that each school participating in interscholastic athletics. follow best practices for any activity that does not occur in a climate-controlled facility. These practices shall follow the modified guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers' Association regarding the heat acclimatization and wet bulb globe temperature policy. These policies shall occur on all school campuses where summer conditioning, pre-season practices or games, or fall or spring sports take place. or when a coach is present.

Heat acclimatization means a series of changes or adaptations that occur in response to heat stress in a controlled environment over the course of seven to fourteen days. These adaptations are beneficial to exercise in the heat and allow the body to cope with heat stress.

Wet bulb temperature globe means a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle. and solar radiation.

7. Include a protocol for licensed athletic trainers. if utilized by the school or school system, to be available for practices or games to assist in the management of emergency and nonemergency care for participants.

The school shall ensure that before a student is allowed to participate in any school sponsored or school-sanctioned athletic activity, the student and the parent or guardian of the student shall document that they have viewed information provided in written or verifiable electronic form by the school or school district, regarding risks of serious sports injuries.

The sports injury protocols outlined above do not apply to concussions, the protocols of which are outlined below, in accordance with the Louisiana Youth Concussion Act of 2011, La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§40:1089.1-40:1089.5.

CONCUSSIONS

Prior to beginning of each athletic season, the School Board shall provide pertinent information to all coaches, officials, volunteers, youth athletes, and their parents or legal guardian which informs of the nature and risk of concussion and head injury, including the risks associated with continuing to play after a concussion or head injury. Each youth athlete and his or her parents or legal guardian shall be required to sign a concussion and head injury information sheet which provides adequate notice of the statutory requirements which must be satisfied in order for an athlete who has or is suspected to have suffered a concussion or head injury to return to play.

Each coach, whether such coach is employed or a volunteer, and every official of a youth athletic activity that involves interscholastic play shall be required to complete an annual concussion recognition education course which is in accordance with the statutes.

Removal from and Return to Play

A coach who is required to complete concussion recognition education shall immediately remove any youth athlete from a game, competition, or practice if any of the following occurs:

1. The youth athlete reports any defined sign.or symptom of a concussion and is reasonably suspected of having sustained a concussion.

2. The coach, athletic trainer, or official determines that the youth athlete exhibits any defined sign or symptom of a concussion and he/she reasonably suspects that the youth athlete has sustained a concussion.

3. The coach or official is notified that the youth athlete has reported or exhibited any defined sign or symptom of a concussion and is reasonably suspected of sustaining a concussion by any of the following persons:

A. A licensed, registered, or certified medical health care provider operating within their respective scope of practice. The medical health care provider performing an evaluation upon a youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion or brain injury may be a volunteer.

B. Any other licensed, registered, or certified individual whose scope of practice includes the recognition of concussion symptoms. The individual performing an evaluation upon a youth athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion or brain injury may be a volunteer.

If a youth athlete is removed from play and the signs and symptoms cannot be readily explained by a condition other than concussion, the coach shall notify the athlete's parent or legal guardian and shall not permit the youth athlete to return to play or participate in any supervised team activities involving physical exertion, including games, competitions, or practices, until the youth athlete is evaluated by a health care provider and receives written clearance from the health care provider for a full or graduated return to play.

After a youth athlete who has sustained a concussion or head injury has been evaluated and received clearance for a graduated return to play from a health care provider, an organization or association of which a school or school district is a member, a public school, or an athletic league may allow a licensed athletic trainer with specific knowledge of the athlete's condition to manage the athlete's graduated return to play.

New policy: September 22, 2011

Revised: June, 2014

Revised: August, 2020

\Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§40:1087.1, 40:1089.1, 40:1089.2, 40:1089.3, 40:1089.4,

40:1089.5; Board minutes, 9-22-11.

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ITEM 6g. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction of Revised Policy: JGCE – Child Abuse

This item was for introduction only.

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CHILD ABUSE

LEGEND


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

The St. John the Baptist School Board shall ~~endeavor to ensure~~ ~~that all~~ require that instances of suspected child abuse and/or neglect ~~are~~ be reported in accordance with appropriate state and local laws and ~~regulations~~ procedures. Therefore, the School Board directs that all school personnel be informed of their responsibilities under law as mandatory reporters when performing their occupational duties.

Students shall be provided age- and grade-appropriate instruction relative to child assault awareness and prevention, and how students may report abuse or assault to the child protection toll-free hotline operated by the State Department of Children and Family Services, and where students may locate the number for the hotline.

Each public school shall post the hotline number in a prominent location on its website.

DEFINITIONS

Abuse means any one of the following acts which seriously endanger the physical, mental, or emotional health of the child:

1. The infliction, attempted infliction, or, as a result of inadequate supervision, the allowance of the infliction or attempted infliction of physical or mental injury upon the child by a parent or any other person.

2. The exploitation or overwork of a child by a parent or any other person, including but not limited to commercial sexual exploitation of the child.

3. The involvement of the child in any sexual act with a parent or any other person, or the aiding or toleration by the parent, ~~or the~~ caretaker ~~of the child's sexual involvement with~~ or any other person or of the child's involvement in (i) any sexual act with any other person; (ii) pornographic displays; (iii)or any ~~other involvement of a child in~~ sexual activity constituting a crime under Louisiana law ~~the laws of this state~~; or (iv) a coerced abortion conducted upon a child.

Caretaker means any person legally obligated to provide or secure adequate care for a child, including a parent, tutor, guardian, legal custodian, foster home parent, an employee of a public or private day care center, an operator or employee of a registered family child day care home, or other person providing a residence for the child.

Child, for purposes of child abuse, ~~is defined as~~ means a person under eighteen (18) years of age, who prior to juvenile proceedings, has not been judicially emancipated or emancipated by marriage.

A mandatory reporter is means any person ~~considered to be a teaching or child care provider performing their occupational duties, such as any person~~ who provides or assists in the teaching, training, or supervision of a child, including any public or private teacher, teacher’s aide, instructional aide, school principal, school staff member, bus operator, coach, professor, technical or vocational instructor, technical or vocational school staff member, college or university administrator, college or university staff member, social worker, probation officer, foster home parent, group home or other child care institutional staff member, personnel of residential home facilities, a licensed or unlicensed day care provider, or any individual who provides such services to a child in a voluntary or professional capacity.

A permitted reporter means any other person having cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare is endangered as a result of abuse or neglect.

Neglect means the refusal or ~~willful~~ unreasonable failure of a parent or caretaker to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, care, treatment, or counseling for any injury, illness, or condition of the child, as a result of which the child's physical, mental, or emotional health is substantially threatened or impaired. Neglect includes prenatal neglect. In accordance with statutory provisions, the inability of a parent or caretaker to provide for a child due to inadequate financial resources shall not, for that reason alone, be considered neglect. Whenever, in lieu of medical care, a child is being provided treatment in accordance with the tenets of a well‑recognized religious method of healing which has a reasonable, proven record of success, the child shall not, for that reason alone, be considered to be neglected or maltreated. However, nothing herein shall prohibit the court from ordering medical services for the child when there is substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare.

PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT

A permitted reporter shall make a report through the designated state child protection reporting hotline phone number or in person at any child welfare office of the state.

~~Any~~ A mandatory reporter, notwithstanding any claim of privileged communication, who has cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare is endangered as a result of abuse or neglect~~, as defined by this policy,~~ or that abuse or neglect was a contributing factor in a child's death, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall immediately report suspected abuse/neglect in accordance with the following guidelines:

~~1. When the mandatory reporter suspects that a child has been abused/neglected, he/she shall immediately:~~

A. When the suspected abuser is believed to be a parent or caretaker, make the report to the Department of Children and Family Services through the designated state child protection reporting hotline telephone number.

B. When the abuse or neglect is believed to be perpetrated by someone other than a parent or caretaker, and a parent or caretaker is not believed to have any responsibility for the abuse or neglect, make the report to a local or state law enforcement agency.

1. Reports in which the abuse or neglect is believed to be perpetrated by a parent or caretaker, a person who maintains an interpersonal dating or engagement relationship with the parent or caretaker or a person living in the same residence with the parent or caretaker as a spouse whether married or not, the mandatory reporter shall make the report to the Department of Children and Family Services through the designated state child protection reporting hotline telephone number, via the Department of Children and Family Services Mandated Reporter Portal online, or in person at any child welfare office.

2. Reports in which the abuse or neglect is believed to be perpetrated by someone other than a caretaker, a person who maintains an interpersonal dating or engagement relationship with the parent or caretaker, or a person living in the same residence with the parent or caretaker as a spouse whether married or not, and the caretaker is not believed to have any responsibility for the abuse or neglect shall be made immediately to a local or state law enforcement agency.

3. Dual reporting to both ~~agencies~~ the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services and the local or state law enforcement agency is permitted.

4. A report made to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services by facsimile does not relieve the reporter of his/her duty to report in accordance with the applicable requirements.

Reporting Procedure

1. If the initial report was in oral form, it shall be followed by a written report ~~on the approved form, which written report shall be delivered~~ made within five (5) days ~~to the local child protection agency~~ via the online Mandated Reporter Portal of the Department of Children and Family Services, or by mail to the centralized intake unit of the Department at the address provided on the website of the Department, or, if necessary, to the local law enforcement agency to whom the initial report was made.

2. The report shall contain the following information if known by the reporter:

A. The name, address, age, sex, and race of the child.

B. The nature, extent, and cause of the child's injuries or endangered condition, including any previous known or suspected abuse to this child or the child's siblings.

C. The name and address of the child's parent(s) or other caretaker.

D. The names and all the ages of all other members of the child's household.

E. The name and address of the reporter.

F. An account of how this child came to the reporter's attention.

G. Any explanation of the cause of the child's injury or condition offered by the child, the caretaker, or any other person.

H. The number of times the reporter has filed a report on the child or the child’s siblings.

I. Any other information which the reporter believes might be important or relevant.

3. The report shall also name the person or persons who are thought to have caused or contributed to the child's condition, if known, and the report shall contain the name of such person if he/she is named by the child.

4. The reporter shall also immediately notify the principal or his/her designee of the school attended by the child of the fact that a report has been filed and the agency(ies) to which it was reported.

INVESTIGATION OF REPORTS

Admission of the investigator on school premises or access to the child in school shall not be denied by school officials.

ALLEGATION AGAINST SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OR VOLUNTEERS

When an employee is accused of the use of impermissible corporal punishment or moral offenses involving students, the principal shall initiate an investigation (see procedures under policy GAMC, Investigations). If the offender is a central office employee, or principal, the immediate supervisor will initiate an investigation.

Upon any school employee receiving a report of, or information about, child abuse, against another school employee or volunteer, and the employee receiving said information has cause to believe the truthfulness thereof, the reporting procedure as outlined in this policy shall be followed, depending upon whether the employee or volunteer is considered a caretaker or someone other than a caretaker.

The school employee shall also, as soon as reasonably possible, notify the appropriate immediate supervisor of the accused individual, and that supervisor in turn will as soon as reasonably possible, notify the Superintendent or his/her designee. The Superintendent and the School Board's attorney will determine what appropriate action the school system may take over and above the investigation being conducted by the appropriate state agency. In any incident involving an employee or volunteer which is reported to the Superintendent or his/her designee, the person shall be removed from all activities involving direct contact with students until the matter is resolved.

ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL OFFENSES

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be required to notify the local law enforcement agency of any allegation made by a student of the commission of a sex offense as defined by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:541. Such notification shall be made by the Superintendent or his/her designee within twenty-four (24) hours of the time the student notified the Superintendent or other appropriate personnel. Any school employee who receives information from a student concerning the possible commission of a sexual offense shall immediately comply with the reporting procedure outlined in this policy and inform the Superintendent and/or his/her designee.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The circumstances and information of the initial report, the fact that a report was made to an agency, and the written report shall be held in confidence and shall not be disseminated to third parties other than those persons or agencies designated by this policy or required by state law. Any written report or other written information regarding the report shall be kept in a confidential file separate from the child's routine school records and accessible only by the principal/designee/supervisory employee or by court order.

INSERVICE TRAINING

At the beginning of each school year, each principal shall provide mandated inservice training for mandatory reporters and other school personnel and volunteers on how to recognize and report suspected child abuse or child neglect. Each employee and volunteer shall sign a form indicating he/she has received and understands the guidelines for reporting child abuse/neglect.

Teaching or child care providers shall be required to complete an online training course provided by the Department of Children and Family Services between June first and August thirty-first annually. A record of completion of the course by the teaching or child care provider shall be provided to and retained by the School Board. The School Board shall retain a list of all teaching or child care providers who have not complied with the training requirements provided by State law.

IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY

Any person who in good faith makes a report, cooperates in any investigation arising as a result of such report, or participates in judicial proceedings authorized under the Louisiana Children's Code shall have immunity from civil or criminal liability that otherwise might be incurred or imposed. This immunity, however, does not extend to (1) a person who participates in or conspires with a participant or an accessory to an offense involving the abuse or neglect of a child; (2) any person who makes a report known to be false or with reckless disregard for the truth of the report.

LIABILITY

The Louisiana Children's Code and Louisiana criminal law provide substantial penalties for mandatory reporters who fail to report facts which would support a reasonable belief that child abuse or neglect has occurred. Additionally, educators or other employees of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board who fail or refuse to report child abuse/neglect as provided by law or by this policy may be subject to disciplinary and/or dismissal proceedings for neglect of duty.

Revised: November, 2003

Revised: September, 2004

Revised: November, 2007

Revised: March 21, 2013

Revised: March 15, 2018

Revised: October, 2018

Revised: August, 2020

Revised: August, 2022

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403, 15:539, 15:541, 17:81.6; La. Children's Code, Title VI, Art. 601, 603, 609, 610; Board minutes, 3-21-13, 3-15-18.

ITEM 6h. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction of Revised Policy: JBD – Student Absences and Excuses

This item was for introduction only.

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STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES

LEGEND


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes that the fundamental right to attend the public schools places upon students the accompanying responsibility to be faithful in attendance. Regular attendance can be assumed to be essential for a student's successful progress in the instructional program.

The parent or legal guardian shall enforce the attendance of the student at the school to which the student is assigned.

The principal of a school, or his/her designee, shall notify the parent or legal guardian in writing on or before a student's third unexcused absence or unexcused occurrence of being tardy, and shall hold a conference with such student's parent or legal guardian. This notification shall include information relative to the parent or legal guardian’s legal responsibility to enforce the student’s attendance at school and the civil penalties that may be incurred if the student is determined to be habitually absent or habitually tardy. The student's parent or legal guardian shall sign a receipt for such notification.

Each school shall attempt to provide verbal notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian, and, if such verbal notification cannot be provided, then the school shall provide written notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian when that child has been absent from school for five (5) school days in schools operating on a semester basis, and for ten (10) days in schools not operating on a semester basis. The accumulation of days absent need not be consecutive.

No public elementary or secondary school pupil shall be permitted for any reason to absent himself/herself from school attendance during the school day upon his/her own authority, unless legally emancipated. The principal or designee shall make all reasonable efforts to verbally notify the parent or other person responsible for the pupil's school attendance of any such prohibited absence by a pupil.

TYPES OF ABSENCES

The days absent for elementary and secondary school students shall include non-exempted excused absences, exempted excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.

1. Non-exempted excused absences are absences incurred due to personal illness or serious illness in the family (documented by acceptable excuses, including a parental note) which are not considered for purposes of truancy, but which are considered when determining whether or not a student is eligible to make up work and tests, receive credit for work completed, and receive credit for a course and/or school year completed.

2. Exempted excused absences are absences which are not considered for purposes of truancy and which are not considered when determining whether or not a student is eligible to make up work and tests, receive credit for work completed, and receive credit for a course and/or school year completed.

3. Unexcused absences are any absences not meeting the requirements set forth in the excused absences and extenuating circumstances definitions, including but not limited to absences due to any job (including agriculture and domestic services, even in the student’s own home or for their own parents or tutors) unless it is a part of an approved instructional program. Students shall be given failing grades for those days missed and shall not be given an opportunity to make up work.

4. Suspensions are non-exempted absences for which a student is allowed to make up his/her work and is eligible for consideration for credit provided it is completed satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The absence shall be considered when determining whether or not a student may or may not be promoted, but shall not be considered for purposes of truancy. Students absent from school as a result of any suspension shall be counted as absent.

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

Exceptions to the attendance regulation shall be the enumerated extenuating circumstances below that are verified by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance or the school principal/designee where indicated. These exempted absences do not apply in determining whether a student meets the minimum minutes of instruction required to receive credit.

1. Extended personal physical or emotional illness as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state.

2. Extended hospital stay in which a student is absent as verified by a physician or dentist.

3. Extended recuperation from an accident in which a student is absent as verified by a physician, dentist, or nurse practitioner licensed in the state.

4. Extended contagious disease within a family in which a student is absent as verified by a physician or dentist licensed in the state.

5. Quarantine due to prolonged exposure to or direct contact with a person diagnosed with a contagious, deadly, disease, as ordered by state or local health officials.

6. Observance of special and recognized holidays of the student's own faith.

7. Visitation with a parent who is a member of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard of a state and such parent has been called to duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting. Excused absences in this situation shall not exceed five (5) school days per school year.

8. Absences as verified by the principal or his/her designee as stated below:

A. Prior school system-approved travel for education;

B. Death in the immediate family (not to exceed one week); or,

C. Natural catastrophe and/or disaster.

9. Expectant and parenting high school students shall be granted excused absences as delineated in policy JQE, Expectant and Parenting Students.

For any other extenuating circumstances, the student’s parents or legal guardian must make a formal appeal in accordance with the due process procedures established by the school system.

Students who are verified as meeting extenuating circumstances, and therefore eligible to receive grades shall not receive those grades if they are unable to complete makeup work or pass the course.

SCHOOL-APPROVED ACTIVITIES

Students participating in school-approved field trips or other instructional activities that necessitate their being away from school shall be considered to be present and shall be given the opportunity to make up work.

CHILD PERFORMERS

Minors employed to perform or render artistic or creative services under a contract or employment arrangement for two (2) or more days within a 30-day period must receive instruction pursuant to statutory provisions.

WRITTEN EXCUSES

For a student to be eligible to receive credit and make up work following an absence, the student shall be required in each instance to submit parental confirmation of the reasons for the absence. If a student is tardy or absent, the parent or guardian must submit a written excuse, signed and dated, to school authorities upon the student's return to classes, stating the reason for the student's absence from school. A doctor's, dentist’s, or nurse practitioner’s written statement of student's incapacity to attend school shall be required for those absences for three (3) or more consecutive days due to illness, contagious illness in a family, hospitalization, or accidents. All excuses for a student's absence, including medical verification of extended personal illness, must be presented within five (5) school days of the student's return to school, or the student's absence shall be considered unexcused and the student not allowed to make up work missed.

REPORTING ABSENCES

The attendance of all school pupils shall be checked each school day and at the beginning of each class period and shall be verified by the teacher keeping such record, which shall be open to inspection by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance or duly authorized representative at all reasonable times. All schools shall immediately report to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance any unexplained, unexcused, or illegal absence, or habitual tardiness.

The Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance shall, after written notice to the parent or legal guardian of a child, or a personal visit of notification, report any such child who is habitually absent or who is habitually tardy to the family or juvenile court of the parish as a truant child, there to be dealt with in such manner as the court may determine.

APPEAL OF ABSENCES

When a student exceeds the maximum number of absences allowed the parents or student may make a formal appeal to the principal if they feel any of the absences are because of extenuating circumstances. If they feel that the decision is unfavorable, they shall appeal to the Superintendent or his/her designee. After a review by the Superintendent or his/her designee, a decision shall be made and communicated to the parents or legal guardian by letter.

High school students in danger of failing due to excessive absences may be allowed to make up missed time in class sessions held outside the regular class time. The make-up sessions must be completed before the end of the current semester and all other applicable policies must also be met.

TARDINESS

A student shall be considered tardy to class if the student is not in the classroom when the bell to begin class ceases. A student shall be considered tardy to school if the student is not in his/her homeroom/first period class when the bell to begin homeroom/class ceases. Tardy shall also mean leaving or checking out of school unexcused prior to the regularly scheduled dismissal. Habitual tardiness on the part of students shall not be tolerated.

Students who exhibit habitual tardiness shall be subject to disciplinary action, appropriate under the circumstances. Parents of students who continue to be tardy shall be notified for a conference with the principal, and the student may be subject to suspension from school and the parent/legal guardian subject to court fines or community service.

Revised: February, 1989 Revised: December 2, 2010

Revised: December, 1995 Revised: May, 2011

Revised: April, 2008 Revised: March 17, 2016

Revised: September, 2008 Revised: July, 2022

Approved: October 15, 2009

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:221.8, 17:226, 17:226.1, 17:230, 17:232, 17:233; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 12-15-88, 10-15-09, 12-2-10, 3-17-16.

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ITEM 6i. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction of Revised Policy: IDDFA – Special Education Advisory Council

This item was for introduction only.

Public Comment: Jennifer Frizzell

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SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

LEGEND


Deleted from the policy	New changes to the policy	Moved to a section within the policy

The ~~Superintendent, prior to January 1, 2020, shall create a~~ St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Special Education Advisory Council~~, which~~ shall provide advice and recommendations regarding special education policies, procedures, and resources. The council shall also engage in outreach activities to the community at largeto increase the level of knowledge, support, and collaboration with respect to special education.

The number of council members and composition of the council shall be determined by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall appoint the council members in accordance with the following statutory requirements:

1 Except as included herein, fifty percent (50%) of the membership shall be parents or legal guardians of students with an exceptionality, other than gifted and talented, who are enrolled in a school under the jurisdiction of or who are receiving special education services from the ~~public school governing authority~~ School Board, none of whom shall be employees of the School Board. One high school student with an exceptionality, other than gifted and talented, and one person who represents an entity that serves students with disabilities or families of students with disabilities and who is not an employee of the School Board may be counted to meet the requirement.

~~2. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership shall be teachers, principals, or paraprofessionals.~~

2. ~~Twenty-five percent (25%)~~ At least ten percent (10%) of the membership shall be ~~other~~ special education stakeholders who are not represented by council members selected under the provisions of 1 and 3 hereof.

3. At least one member shall be a teacher, principal, or paraprofessional who serves students with disabilities and who works in a school under the jurisdiction of the School Board.

In selecting council members, an effort shall be made to include parents of students in elementary, middle, and high school grades.

A council should be comprised of at least eight (8) members. If a council has fewer than eight members, the Superintendent shall provide an explanation of his/her decision to establish a council with fewer than eight (8) members. The explanation shall be provided to the council, and the council shall include it as an addendum to the report required below.

The Superintendent shall designate the chairperson of the council. The chairperson shall be responsible for calling the council’s meetings, preside over the meetings, and establish the agendas for the meetings, all in consultation with the Superintendent.

The Special Education Advisory Council shall meet at least three (3) times during a school year. Minutes shall be taken of the proceedings of all Special Education Advisory Council meetings. A written report shall be prepared by the Special Education Advisory Council and submitted to the Superintendent in May of each year regarding its activities. The Superintendent shall ensure that the report is posted on the School Board's website, and all such reports shall be submitted to the state Department of Education.

No liability or cause of action against the public school district, public charter school or other public school, or any officer or employee thereof for any action taken by members of the Special Education Advisory Council.

New policy: February 13, 2020

Revised: August, 2022

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:1944.1, 42:12, 42:13, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:17, 42:19, 42:20 42:24, 42:25; Board minutes, 2-13-20.

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ITEM 6j. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction of New Policy: IDDFC – Cameras in Special Education Classrooms

This item was for introduction only. Mr. Burl asked if this has been implemented yet. Mrs. Johnson answered that we have not, but will as soon as the state provides the funding for this.

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CAMERAS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall develop procedures pursuant to this policy, and upon approval of such request, and receipt of funding, shall install and operate the cameras, for the installation and operation of cameras that record both video and audio in special education classrooms, in accordance with state law, and the policy and procedures of the School Board.

For purposes of this policy, classroom shall mean a self-contained classroom or other special education setting in which a majority of students in regular attendance are provided special education and related services and are assigned to one or more self-contained classrooms or other special education settings for at least fifty percent (50%) of the instructional day and for which a parent or legal guardian has requested a camera to be installed. Classroom shall not mean special education classrooms and other special education settings where the only students with exceptionalities receiving special education and related services are those who have been deemed to be gifted or talented and have not been identified as also having a disability.

The School Board shall ensure/provide:

1. Proper location and placement of cameras. The recording of the interior of a restroom or any area designated for students to change or remove clothing shall be prohibited.

2. Written notice of the placement of the cameras shall be provided to persons who enter a classroom where a camera is installed, including teachers and other school employees, students in the classroom, the students' parents and legal guardians, and authorized visitors.

3. Training concerning the provisions of this policy for any teacher or other school employee who provides services in a classroom where cameras are installed.

4. Procedures for proper retention, storage, and disposal of the video and audio data recorded. Recordings shall be retained for at least one month from the recording date.

5. Protection of student privacy and development of procedures for determining to whom and under what circumstances the recordings may be disclosed including:

A. Limiting viewing of the recordings to the Superintendent or his/her designee and the parent or legal guardian of a recorded student upon request.

B. Requiring any person who views a recording and who suspects the recordings show a violation of state or federal law to report the suspected violation to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

6. Each camera installed shall be in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code.

7. Procedures for the approval or disapproval of a request for the installation and operation of cameras in a classroom.

8. Procedures regarding how a parent or legal guardian may request to review a recording, under what circumstances a request may be made, and any limitations to a request.

9. Procedures regarding how a parent or legal guardian may request the installation and operation of cameras in his child's classroom.

Recordings made pursuant to this policy shall be confidential and shall not be public record. However, a recording may be viewed by the Superintendent or his/her designee, the parent or legal guardian of a recorded student, or by law enforcement officials as provided in the policies required by item number 5 above.

The recordings shall not be considered "personally identifiable information" as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914.

New policy: August, 2022

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:1948.

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ITEM 6k. Public Comment. Dr. Curt Green – Introduction of New Policy: JM – Student Voter Registration

This item was for introduction only.

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STUDENT VOTER REGISTRATION

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall provide an opportunity for each high school senior who is at least seventeen (17) years old to register to vote by using a school computer to fill out an electronic voter registration application or by using the state mail voter registration application form.

No political or partisan group or organization shall be allowed to participate in the registration process.

New policy: July, 2022

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. '17:2119.

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ITEM 7. BUSINESS & FINANCE. ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to award Custodial Supplies contract to the lowest responsive bidder (Economical Janitorial Supplies)

MOTION BY: Triche

SECOND BY: Jones

MOTION: To award Custodial Supplies contract to the lowest responsive bidder (Economical Janitorial Supplies)

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mrs. Jawanza Joseph – Request approval of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire

MOTION BY: Schum

SECOND BY: Wallace

MOTION: To approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as presented.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to accept proposal for Fleet and General Liability insurance policy with the responsive proposer, (La Insurance Services).

MOTION BY: Triche

SECOND BY: DeFrancesch

MOTION: To approve the proposal for Fleet and General Liability insurance with the responsive proposer, La Insurance Services, at a total cost of $304,801.47

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS

ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Motion to suspend the rules to reconsider award of the low responsive bidder for West St. John High Exterior and Roofing Repair, CDX Construction, LLC

MOTION BY: Holden

SECOND BY: Burl

MOTION: To suspend the rules to reconsider the award of the low responsive bidder for West St. John High Exterior and Roofing Repair – CDX Construction.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 8b. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Motion to clarify the amount of the award of West St. John High Exterior and Roofing Repair, CDX Construction, LLC

Mrs. Gauthier explained that at the August 18, 2022 meeting, this item was not clear on the amount of the award. The award was approved for a total of $450,000, but it should have been a total of $690,000. The base bid was $240,000 with an Add Alternate of $450,000. The Add Alternate of $450,000 will only be utilized if the underlying structure of the roof was damaged.

MOTION BY: Holden

SECOND BY: Wallace

MOTION: To clarify that the contract awarded for West St. John High Exterior and Roofing Repair is for a total of $690,000 ($240,000 base bid and a $450,000 Add Alternate).

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Request: Atty. Evan Alvarez/Atty. Andrew Barr – Request to enter into Executive Session, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), to discuss the status and strategy in the lawsuit captioned, Fulcrum Enterprises, LLC v. St. John The Baptist Parish School Board, Suit No. C-77965, 40^th Judicial District Court, Parish of St. John the Baptist; and to consider action deemed necessary as a result.

This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.

ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mrs. Rebecca Johnson – Request approval of contract with Attuned Education Partners to assist in the development of a Strategic Plan

Mrs. Johnson stated that this contract has been reviewed by the District Attorney’s office, and is in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Education. This contract may be reimbursable at the end of the contract. We were not allowed in the beginning of this cohort, but last year, following the hurricane, we requested that the LDOE allow us into this cohort to ensure that we have a strategic plan that aligns with our vision and mission and we do what is best for the students of this district. Mrs. Johnson stated that she pushed out a survey to all stakeholders through social media, Edconnect and email and we have had an extremely low response with community stakeholders answering the survey. This is your time to give your honest feedback on the strengths and growths of this district and we need this data to be able to make this plan effective. The survey will be reposted following tonight’s meeting in both English and Spanish.

Mrs. Schum read the deliverables from this contract to help the public understand the direction we are trying to move in:

1. Capacity-building program

2. Develop and facilitate commitment to a set of norms across the leadership team

3. Engage the school system’s stakeholders in the development of the strategic plan

4. Create a diagnostic report identifying the school system’s strengths and growth areas

5. Revisit the school system’s vision

6. Set outcome goals

7. Articulate decision-making rights

8. Identify proprieties; develop and sequence initiatives and deliverables

9. Create a plan for allocating human capital, financial resources, and the training resources required to support implementation of the initiatives

10. Develop a dashboard with metrics and targets to measure impact and progress against the plan

11. Create an implementation plan detailing deliverables, action steps, owners, and timelines for the upcoming year.

12. Prepare a communication plan by which to share the school system’s priorities and initiatives with stakeholders

13. Launch progress monitoring

MOTION BY: Triche

SECOND BY: DeFrancesch

MOTION: To approve the contract with Attuned Education Partners to assist in the development of a Strategic Plan at a cost of $74,999

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Mr. Claude Hill – Request approval to waive the policy of introduction of the Pupil Progression Plan 2022-2023 and request approval of the Pupil Progression Plan

Mr. Hill respectfully asked the Board to waive the introductory policy with regards to the 2022-2023 Pupil Progression Plan and approve it tonight. Although we have requested an extension from LDOE, we are hoping to submit our approved district plan before October 1, 2022.

MOTION BY: Holden

SECOND BY: DeFrancesch

MOTION: To waive the introductory policy to allow a vote on approval of the 2022-20323 Pupil Progression Plan.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Nay - Burl

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

MOTION BY: DeFrancesch

SECOND BY: Schum

MOTION: To approve the 2022-20323 Pupil Progression Plan.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Holden, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Nay - Burl

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

*The 2022-2023 Pupil Progression Plan is available for viewing in its entirety on our website at www.stjohn.k12.la.us

ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum – Discussion and action on the Superintendent Selection Process

Public Comment: Shondrell Perrilloux; Annette Houston; Derron Cook; Raydell Morris; Robert Schaff; Eliza Eugene; Madeline Jasmine

Mrs. Schum stated that she believes that our district is in a state of critical urgency and we need a permanent leader and that this item is not to talk about anything other than the process of the Superintendent Selection Process. If we choose to advertise, we must advertise for a minimum of 2 weeks, then there is a minimum application process of 30 days, so the earliest we could get applications would be mid-November. Our district needs consistency and continuity. She stated that it is one of 3 of our job duties as Board members to choose a permanent Superintendent. If we don’t have conversation about this, we will never get it done. Furthermore, our job does not stop because it’s an election year. We cannot stop doing our job for 3 months until the election is over. She stated that the Board needs to make some decisions about the timeline and when we are looking to fill this position. She stated that she feels that the Board cannot just sit idle and take no action for the next 3 months. Mr. Jones stated that the Executive Committee made a recommendation to the Board to hire the current Interim Superintendent and the Board fully supports her. He stated that our legal counsel in Baton Rouge, Bob Hammonds, stated that he recommended that it is not, however, a good idea to hire a Superintendent in an election year. I think we need to slow down on this item and follow our legal counsel’s advice to not hire a Superintendent at this time.

MOTION BY: Schum

SECOND BY: Wallace

MOTION: To have discussion and take action on the Superintendent Selection Process

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Jones

SECOND BY: Holden

MOTION: To table

Roll Call:

8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

1 Nay – Schum

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

ITEM 9e. Public Comment. Mr. Albert Burl, III – Update on the usage of the Edmentum Program

This item was addressed under the Superintendent’s Report.

ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

Mr. Jones asked what the dollar amount on a contract that can be awarded without Board approval. Mrs. Gauthier stated that it is $250,000 for capital improvement and for any professional service contract, there is no specified dollar amount in Board policy and must be brought to the Board for approval. Mr. Jones asked the Interim Superintendent if she has signed any professional service contracts in the past 60 days. Mrs. Johnson stated that she has approved the School Leadership Center contract, which is a Tier 1 vendor approved through our SuperApp, which is the state contract. This company is approved to service our CIR and UIR schools and SuperApp. Mr. Jones asked if the Board approved this contract. Mrs. Johnson stated that it did not. Mrs. Gauthier stated that it would not have to go before the Board because it’s a state contract. Mr. Jones asked Mrs. Johnson to please email the Board all contract that she signed in the last 90 days.

ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT

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

MOTION BY: Keller

SECOND BY: Wallace

MOTION: Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Sanders, Johnson

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.

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Rebecca Johnson, Secretary Nia Mitchell, President