2023-08-24

Upon call of the President, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in regular session at Emily C. Watkins Elementary School, 938 Highway 628, LaPlace, LA, on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and called for the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENT: Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Meetings of: July 26, 2023 Retreat; July 26, 2023 Workshop; July 31, 2023 Special Meeting; and August 10, 2023

MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meetings of: July 26, 2023 Retreat; July 26, 2023 Workshop; July 31, 2023 Special Meeting; and August 10, 2023

10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

Following the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Shawn Wallace read the following resolution into the record:

WHEREAS, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board grieves the loss of a former employee and a friend to all who met her, with the death of Ethelene Nicholson, fondly known as “Ms. Nick”; and

WHEREAS, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes Ms. Nicholson’s service to this community and unyielding devotion to the students of St. John the Baptist Parish for 50 years; 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 Ethelene Nicholson 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 24th day of August in the year of our Lord 2023.

ITEM 6a. Public Comment. Mrs. Rosalind Davis – REQUEST APPROVAL of New Policy: BCAD – Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings

MOTION: To approve New Policy: BCAD – Teleconference/Remote Participation in School Board Meetings

10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall allow teleconference/remote participation in School Board meetings via electronic means as provided by Louisiana statutes.

A School Board member who has a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act shall be allowed to participate and vote in a meeting via electronic means, as defined below.

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board may conduct and its members may attend and participate in a meeting via electronic means provided that all of the following conditions are met:

1. The Governor has declared a state of emergency or disaster involving a geographic area within the jurisdiction of the School Board and the nature of the emergency or disaster would cause a meeting of the School Board conducted pursuant to the other provisions of this policy to be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the public.

2. The President of the School Board certifies on the notice of the meeting that the agenda of the meeting is limited to one or more of the following:

A. Matters that are directly related to the School Board’s response to the disaster or emergency and are critical to the health, safety, or welfare of the public.

B. Matters that if they are delayed will cause curtailment of vital public services or severe economic dislocation and hardship.

C. Matters that are critical to continuation of the business of the School Board and that are not able to be postponed to a meeting held in accordance with the other provisions of this policy due to a legal requirement or other deadline that cannot be postponed or delayed by the School Board.

D. Other matters that are critical or time-sensitive and that in the determination of the presiding officer should not be delayed; however, such maters shall not be considered at the meeting unless the members of the School Board present at the meeting approve the consideration of the matters by a two-thirds vote.

3. The School Board and its President comply with all of the requirements of this policy.

No later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to a meeting conducted pursuant to the provisions of this policy, the School Board shall provide for all of the following:

1. The notice and agenda for the meeting, which shall be posted on the School Board’s website, emailed to any member of the public or the news media who requests notice of meetings of the School Board, and widely distributed to every known news media outlet that broadcasts or publishes news within the geographic area within the jurisdiction of the School Board.

2. Detailed information regarding how members of the public may participate in the meeting and submit comments regarding matters on the agenda, which information shall be posted on the School Board’s website, emailed to any member of the public or the news media who requests notice of meetings of the School Board, and widely distributed to every known news media outlet that broadcasts or publishes news within the geographic area within the jurisdiction of the School Board.

1. The School Board shall provide a mechanism to receive public comment electronically both prior to and during the meeting.

2. The School Board shall properly identify and acknowledge all public comments during the meeting and shall maintain those comments in its record of the meeting.

3. The President of the School Board shall ensure that each person participating in the meeting is properly identified.

4. The President shall ensure that all parts of the meeting, excluding any matter discussed in executive session, are clear and audible to all participants in the meeting including the public.

For the purposes of this policy, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

1. Meeting via electronic means shall mean a meeting occurring via teleconference or video conference.

2. Teleconference shall mean a method of communication which enables persons in different locations to participate in a meeting and to hear and otherwise communicate with each other.

3. Video conference shall mean a method of communication which enables persons in different locations to participate in a meeting and to see, hear, and otherwise communicate with each other.

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:1, 17:81, 42:12, 42:13, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:17, 42:17.2.1, 42:19, 42:20, 42:24, 42:25.

ITEM 6b. Public Comment. Mrs. Rosalind Davis – Request approval of New Policy: EDCB – Carpool and Bus Line Safety

10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall require safety rules for carpool and bus lines at any school that includes any of the grades kindergarten through five. The safety rules shall require, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Students shall remain a safe distance from the pick-up area behind something material or immaterial intended to block passage, as deemed appropriate for the particular school building.

2. Students shall wait in the pick-up area and wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop.

3. A student being dropped off shall remain in the appropriate passenger restraint until the vehicle in which he/she is a passenger comes to a complete stop.

4. A student in grades kindergarten through three shall be accompanied by a school employee while he/she is walking to and from a pick-up area.

ITEM 6c. Public Comment. Mrs. Rosalind Davis – Request approval of Revised Policy: EBBB – School and Student Safety

10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board is committed to providing a safe environment for the students and employees of its schools. The School Board shall take immediate action to address any potential threats of violence or terrorism to students and employees as required by the Louisiana School and Student Safety Act (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:409.1-17:410).

The School Board shall develop, in consultation with local law enforcement agencies, age appropriate information regarding internet and cell phone safety and online content that is a potential threat to school safety. The information shall include how to recognize and report potential threats to school safety posted on the internet, including but not limited to social media posts. This information shall be distributed or explained to school personnel and students at the beginning of each school year, and posted on an easily accessible page of each school’s website, as well as the website of the School Board. Such information shall include instruction on how to detect potential threats to school safety, visual examples of possible threats, and the process for reporting such threats.

Risk is imminentmeans that the available facts, when viewed in light of surrounding circumstances, would cause a reasonable person to believe that the event stated in the threat is about to happen.

School is as defined by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:236 as an institution for the teaching of children, consisting of an adequate physical plant, whether owned or leased, instructional staff members, and students, and which operates a minimum session of not less than one hundred eighty (180) days.

Threat is credible means that the available facts, when viewed in light of surrounding circumstances, would cause a reasonable person to believe that the person communicating the threat actually intends to carry out the threat.

Threat of terrorism means communication, whether oral, visual, or written, including but not limited to electronic mail, letters, notes, social media posts, text messages, blogs, or posts on any social networking website, of any crime of violence that would reasonably cause any student, teacher, principal, or school employee to be in sustained fear for his safety, cause the evacuation of a building, or cause other serious disruption to the operation of a school.

Threat of violencemeans communication, whether oral, visual, or written, including but not limited to electronic mail, letters, notes, social media posts, text messages, blogs, or posts on any social networking website, of any intent to kill, maim, or cause great bodily harm to a student, teacher, principal, or school employee on school property or at any school function.

Any administrator, teacher, counselor, bus operator, or other school employee, whether full-time or part-time, who learns of a threat of violence or threat of terrorism, whether through oral communication, written communication, or electronic communication, shall immediately report the threat to a local law enforcement agency and, if the employee is not the school administrator, to the school administrator.

Upon being informed of the threat, the school administrator shall make reasonable efforts to attempt to inform all persons who are targets of the threat and shall take all necessary measures to protect their lives and safety.

The school administrator next shall make reasonable efforts to attempt to notify the appropriate personnel within the School District administration.

The school administrator and the School District administrator then shall determine if risk is imminent for any other persons because of the threat, and if so, notify them and make reasonable efforts to attempt to take measures to protect their lives and safety.

The school administrator and the School District administrator then shall determine whether to notify parents of the students at the school.

No person shall have a cause of action against any person for any action taken or statement made in adherence with the requirement for reporting as provided herein. However, the immunity from liability provided in this policy shall not apply to any action or statement if the action or statement was maliciously, willfully, and deliberately intended to cause harm to, harass, or otherwise deceive law enforcement or school officials.

The Superintendent shall develop and maintain administrative procedures for reporting potential threats to school safety. The reporting procedures, at a minimum, shall include:

1. A standardized form to be used by students and school personnel to report potential threats which requests, at a minimum, the following information:

D. Method by which the threat was made, including the social media outlet or website where the threat was posted, a screenshot or recording of the threat, if available, and any printed evidence of the threat.

2. A process for allowing school personnel to assist students in completing the standardized form.

4. A process for allowing anonymous reporting and for safeguarding the identity of a person who reports a threat.

5. For every threat reported, a school administrator shall record, on the form provided, the action taken by the school.

If information reported to a school is deemed a threat the school shall present the form and evidence to local law enforcement agencies.

If the information poses an immediate threat, school administrators shall follow procedures provided in the school’s Crisis Management and Response Plan.

When any threat of violence or terrorism has been reported to a school administrator, an investigation shall be made according to administrative procedures which shall include, at a minimum:

1. Conducting an interview with the person reporting a threat, the person allegedly making a threat, and all witnesses, and;

2. Securing any evidence, including but not limited to statements, writings, recordings, electronic messages, and photographs.

If the investigation results in evidence or information that raises a concern that a threat is credible, the school and School District shall implement measures to provide for ongoing protection of the safety and lives of all students and staff at the school.

If a law enforcement agency, based on its investigation as required by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:409.4, determines that a student's threat is credible and imminent, it shall report it to the district attorney, who may file a petition no later than seven (7) days after receiving such report with the appropriate judicial district court for medical, psychological, and psychiatric examination. Where the district attorney, in his/her discretion, decides not to file the petition or does not file such petition during the requisite period, the student who is the subject of a complaint and investigation shall be permitted to return to school unless the student is charged with assault on a teacher as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:38.2 or battery on a teacher as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:34.3. The school shall permit a student who is the subject of a complaint and investigation to return to school if at any point prior to a hearing the threat is determined not to be credible after an investigation by the school administration, a law enforcement agency, or the district attorney or by order of the court after a hearing unless the student is charged with assault on a teacher as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:38.2 or battery on a teacher as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:34.3. The school administrator shall notify any person who was a target of the threat at least two (2) school days prior to the student's return. The school administrator or his/her designee may conduct a search of the student or his property for weapons upon the student's return.

If the person who is reported to a local law enforcement agency is not a student, he or she shall not be permitted to be within five hundred feet (500’) of any school until he or she has undergone a formal medical or mental health evaluation and has been deemed by a healthcare professional not to be dangerous to himself/herself or others. After such a determination, the person shall not be permitted in a school unless he has notified the school administrator of his intent to visit the school and he is notified that the administrator has provided at least two (2) school days' notice regarding the visit to anyone in the school who was directly threatened by the person. The school administrator may deny such person the right to visit the school.

No person shall have a cause of action against any person for an action taken or statement made in adherence with this policy unless based on conduct that is maliciously, willfully, and deliberately intended to cause harm or harass.

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:236, 17:409.1, 17:409.2, 17:409.3, 17:409.4, 17:409.5, 17:410; Board minutes, 12-8-22.

ITEM 6d. Mrs. Rosalind Davis – Introduction of Revised Policy: BCBI – Public Participation in School Board Meetings

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board desires all citizens of the parish to attend School Board meetings so that they may become better acquainted with the schools, and in order for the School Board to have an opportunity to hear the desires and/or ideas of the public on educational issues within St. John the Baptist Parish.

It is the policy of the School Board to conduct all meetings in full view of and with welcomed participation by the public. However, the School Board reserves the right to recess into or call executive sessions for discussing matters as provided by state law. During executive sessions, no action shall be taken or resolutions made.

All delegations or individuals who wish to appear before the School Board and place an item on the agenda shall do so in accordance with policy BCBD, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination. Each delegation appearing before the School Board shall select in advance one (1) person as its spokesperson and statements shall be presented in a concise manner.

A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an agenda item. Comments from the public shall occur after introduction of the item to be voted on and before any discussion by School Board members. However, a person is not entitled to take up business before the School Board unless the item in which he/she is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting, except during the public session of the agenda.

As the School Board reaches each item on its agenda listed for which a vote shall be taken, the School Board President shall recognize those persons indicating a desire to speak on that item. No individual may speak without first being recognized by the presiding officer. Each person may speak for not more than five (5) minutes on each item, and may speak only once on each agenda item. When the individual has been recognized to speak on an agenda item, that individual shall approach the podium. The individual shall limit his/her comments to matters that are strictly relevant to that agenda item. The individual shall refrain from asking questions or making requests of the School Board or staff. No defamatory or accusatory comments or comments relative to the performance of specific employees or potential employees shall be permitted. The School Board President shall, with the approval of the School Board, set a time limitation for an agenda item.

In the event that the School Board should add an item listed for which a vote shall be taken to its agenda after the School Board meeting begins, the School Board President 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 School Board on each agenda item added. Public comment shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes on any one agenda item, unless the School Board President authorizes the extension of such time to allow more public input.

At the conclusion of all public input on each agenda item, the School Board shall deliberate the matter and take such action as it considers appropriate. There shall be no further public input allowed on each agenda item after the School Board has begun its deliberation of that item.

Copies of this procedure shall be available for distribution to the public during regular business hours and at meetings of the School Board and its committees.

The School Board shall allow any member of the public with a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, or a designated caregiver of such a person, to participate in its meetings via teleconference or video conference, and shall facilitate participation by any such person who requests that accommodation prior to the meeting. Members of the public who desire to participate in this fashion shall certify that they meet the definition of a person with a disability recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act when they submit, prior to public meetings, their requests to comment on agenda items and shall comply with the same rules and regulations on speaking applicable to those participating in person at such meetings.

ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to award a welding supplies contract to the lowest responsive bidder

MOTION: To approve awarding a welding supplies contract to the lowest responsive bidder (Industrial Welding Supply).

10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to advertise for a maintenance contractor to maintain School Board backflow preventers and lift stations

ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to award a pest control contract to a qualified, responsive proposer

10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

ITEM 7d. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to advertise for a custodial supply vendor

10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Mr. Claude Hill, Jr. – Request approval of the 2023-2024 Pupil Progression Plan

ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Mrs. Kendria Spears – Request to enter into a Professional Services contract with School Leadership Center of Greater New Orleans to provide executive leadership coaching, at a cost not to exceed $20,000.

MOTION: To approve administration entering into a Professional Services contract with School Leadership Center of Greater New Orleans to provide executive leadership coaching, at a cost not to exceed $20,000.

9 Yeas – Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mr. Shawn Wallace obo the Executive Committee – Discussion and approval of Timeline for the Superintendent Search Process (Requires action)

MOTION: To approve the Timeline for the Superintendent Search Process (as shown)

10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Mr. Shawn Wallace obo the Executive Committee – Discussion and approval of the Advertisement for the Superintendent Search (Requires action)

ADVERTISEMENT FOR POSITION OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board is seeking an exceptional leader with a track record of success to serve as its next Superintendent of Schools. The successful candidate will be tasked with leading 10 schools, 3 program sites, and nearly 5,000 students. Applications for the position are currently being accepted, and it is the hope of the Board to fill the position by December 2023.

Applicants must be certified (or eligible for immediate certification) by the Louisiana Department of Education to serve as a school superintendent in Louisiana. The Board will offer an extremely competitive salary and a comprehensive, multi-year contract to the successful applicant. The salary will be commensurate with the experience of the successful candidate and requirements of the position. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to earn additional compensation for successful performance.

The deadline to apply for the position is October 27, 2023. Interested persons may obtain the job application by visiting our website at www.stjohn.k12.la.us. Completed applications - with a cover letter - must be mailed to:

St. John Superintendent Search

P.O. Drawer 526

Reserve, Louisiana 70084

The cover letter should explain why the applicant is the ideal candidate for the position. Only applications received by mail at the post office drawer and postmarked by October 27, 2023, will be considered. Applications delivered in any other fashion will not be considered. Please note that applications for this position are considered public records in Louisiana and are subject to release upon request to the media or other interested parties.

9 Yeas – Burl, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

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

10 Yeas – Burl, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

Timeline (Approved by Executive Committee 08-22-23)
September 6 & 13, 2023	Advertise in L’Observateur
September 3 & 17, 2023	Advertise in Advocate
October 27, 2023	Deadline to Apply
November 1, 2023	Retrieve Applications from PO Box
November 9, 2023	Decide/Announce Candidates to be Interviewed
November 13-16, 2023	First Round Interviews
November 27-30, 2023	Second Round Interviews (if necessary)
November 30, 2023	Special Meeting - Select Superintendent (or 3^rd Interviews)