PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8, 2024
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, LA, on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and called for a prayer, led by Mr. Mamou, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mrs. Holden
ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
ABSENT: Morris, DeFrancesch
There were 9 members present and 2 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Morris arrived at 6:03 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Meeting of: January 11, 2024; January 18, 2024; and January 29-30, 2024 Board Retreat
MOTION BY: Mamou
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of: January 11, 2024; January 18, 2024; and January 29-30, 2024 Board Retreat
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ITEM 4a. District Updates
Dr. Perry gave an update on the following: Accountability; School Site Visits; Curriculum & Instruction; Upcoming Advisory Panel; Human Resources; Finance; Transportation and Land and Facilities
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Dr. Kim Johnson – Recognition of Staff
Dr. Johnson presented plaque of appreciation to Mrs. Janice Smith and Mr. Lester Smith for their 56 and 53 (respectively) years of service. She thanked them for their continued support of the students of St. John Parish.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
ITEM 6a. Public Comment. Mrs. Dominique Miller – Request approval to waive policy to modify Policy DJEG: Contracts Policy and Procedures
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To waive policy to modify Policy DJEG: Contracts Policy and Procedures
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
ITEM 6b. Public Comment. Mrs. Dominique Miller – Introduction of and Request Approval of Revisions to Policy DJEG: Contracts Policy and Procedures
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To approve Revisions to Policy DJEG: Contracts Policy and Procedures
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
ITEM 6c. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Chief Operating Officer
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Chief Operating Officer
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Abstention - Burl
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
ITEM 6d. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Chief Academic Officer
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Chief Academic Officer
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Abstention - Burl
1 Absent – DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
Mrs. DeFrancesch arrived at 6:45 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 6e. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Director of Risk Management and Strategic Initiatives
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Frizell
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Director of Risk Management and Strategic Initiatives
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Abstention - Burl
The motion carried.
ITEM 6f. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Chief of Staff
MOTION BY: Mitchell Williams
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Chief of Staff
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Abstention – Burl
1 Absent - Morris
The motion carried.
ITEM 6g. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Coordinator of Safety and Security
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Coordinator of Safety and Security
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Abstention – Burl
1 Absent - Morris
The motion carried.
ITEM 6h. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Director of Special Education
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Director of Special Education
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 6i. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Director of Compliance and Special Education Services
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Director of Compliance and Special Education Services
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 6j. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Director of Student Services
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Director of Student Services
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Abstention - Burl
The motion carried.
ITEM 6k. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Supervisor of Secondary Education (6-12)
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Supervisor of Secondary Education (6-12)
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 6l. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Supervisor of Elementary Education (K-5)
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Supervisor of Elementary Education (K-5)
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 6m. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Transportation Supervisor
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Transportation Supervisor
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Abstention - Burl
The motion carried.
ITEM 6n. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Human Resources Generalist
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Human Resources Generalist
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Abstention - Burl
The motion carried.
ITEM 6o. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Director of Data and Accountability
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Director of Data and Accountability
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
ITEM 6p. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Supervisor of Secondary SPED Services & LEAP Connect Programming
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Supervisor of Secondary SPED Services & LEAP Connect Programming
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 6q. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Supervisor of Special Education Services – PreK and Elementary
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Supervisor of Special Education Services – PreK and Elementary
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 6r. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Pupil Appraisal/Child Search Supervisor
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Pupil Appraisal/Child Search Supervisor
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 6s. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Supervisor of Special Services and IEP’s
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Supervisor of Special Services and IEP’s
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 6t. Public Comment. Dr. Kim Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: IEP Coordinator
Public Comment: Yevette Scioneaux
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve Job Description: IEP Coordinator
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent - Holden
The motion carried.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS & FINANCE.
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mr. Raydel Morris/Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval to declare surplus vehicles and surplus trailers and authorize administration to begin the auction process
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To declare surplus vehicles and surplus trailers and authorize administration to begin the auction process
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mrs. Dominique Miller – Authorize administration to proceed with HVAC upgrades as pre-approved in ESSER grant and recommended by the L&F Committee
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To proceed with HVAC upgrades as pre-approved in ESSER grant and recommended by the L&F Committee
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Dr. Cleo Perry, Jr. – Request Board approval of a Service Agreement with TransformED Group, LLC
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve the Service Agreement with TransformED Group, LLC
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 7d. Public Comment. Mrs. Lindsey Vicknair – Discussion regarding redistricting School Board member boundaries to reduce the number of Board seats for the 2026 election year as a cost saving measure for the district
Mrs. Vicknair stated that she asked that this be put on the agenda so the Board could discuss. She stated that she had done some research. Jefferson Parish has 46,000 students with 9 Board members, EBR has 41,000 students with 9 Board members, St. Charles Parish has 9,000 students with 8 Board members, Ascension has 24,000 students with 11 Board members. We have about 5,000 students with 11 Board members. In 2020, Lafourche Parish brought their Board members from 15 down to 9 to match their Parish Council. In 2020, EBR went from 11 Board members down to 9. I’d like to start the process of talking to South Central Planning or other vendors to see what our districts would look like if we reduced our number of Board members. We could save on salaries, some of us use the benefits, some of us use the travel, conferences, etc. I just think we need to take an internal look at this. Mrs. Schum suggested matching the Council and Mrs. Triche asked that we remember the deseg order when doing this. Mr. Burl asked if anyone spoke with a lawyer about this because this can’t be done now. It can only be done with the census, so the next time we can do this would be 2030.
ITEM 7e. Public Comment. Mrs. Dominique Miller - Request approval to renegotiate the Volkert contract to set aside $15,000,000 for Hurricane Ida-related costs, renegotiate to address the loss of interest, and negotiate the terms of the contract
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve the renegotiation of the Volkert contract to set aside $15,000,000 for Hurricane Ida-related costs, renegotiate to address the loss of interest, and negotiate the terms of the contract
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
1 Nay – Burl
1 Absent – Vicknair
The motion carried.
Mr. Burl asked that the record reflect that he objects to the $15,000,000 being taken out of the bond money, not the renegotiation of the contract.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Ms. Jaye Ambrose – Request Board approval to proceed with the district-wide HVAC assessments
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To proceed with the district-wide HVAC assessments
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 8b. Public Comment. Ms. Jaye Ambrose – Request approval to award contract to the lowest quote for the Concrete Repairs on the Driveways at LaPlace Elementary and East St. John Prep
Joseph Savoire stated that the Luster Group submitted the lowest responsive quote: LES-$47,000 and ESP-$57,000
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To award contract to the lowest quote for the Concrete Repairs on the Driveways at LaPlace Elementary and East St. John Prep
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 8c. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request approval to award Property Insurance contract to a qualified, responsive proposer
Mr. John Faucheux was present and stated that the annual premium is $4,392,922. There were other bids received additional bids for lowering the top limit. The insurance is based on the total insured values. Mr. Faucheaux stated that the district could save approximately $200,000 by lowering the top limit to $300 million and lowering the named-storm limit from $50 million to $40 million, which would lower the annual premium to $4,189,249.25
There was extensive discussion regarding removing unused property from the insured list and also asked that an appraisal be conducted this year.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To award Property Insurance contract to LA Insurance Service, the only qualified, responsive proposer with an annual premium of $4,189,249.25.
Mrs. Holden made a substitute motion, seconded by Mamou, to move this item to the next meeting, but later rescinded the substitute motion.
Upon Roll Call on the original motion to award Property Insurance contract to LA Insurance Service, the only qualified, responsive proposer, with an annual premium of $4,189,249.25
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent - Mitchell-Williams
The motion carried.
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller - Request approval to advertise to receive bids for Bus Parts
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve advertising to receive bids for Bus Parts
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay –Morris
The motion carried.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request approval to advertise to receive bids for General Maintenance Supplies
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve advertising to receive bids for General Maintenance Supplies
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request approval to advertise to receive bids for Award/Incentive Items and T-Shirts
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve advertising to receive bids for Award/Incentive Items and T-Shirts
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Mr. Raydel Morris – Public Relations contract discussion
Mr. Morris stated that he wants the superintendent to put this contract on the agenda because with all these changes in the organizational chart, I think we can save these funds and if we have someone on staff to perform these services. I’d like to know when it expires and how much it is worth.
ITEM 9e. Public Comment. Dr. Cleo Perry, Jr. - Request Approval of Organizational Chart as recommended by Lean Frog
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve the Organizational Chart as recommended by Lean Frog
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent - Burl
The motion carried.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Triche: Wishes everyone a Happy and Safe Mardi Gras
Mamou: Wishes everyone a safe break
Holden: Excited to see what’s to come in our district and thanked Dr. Perry for his eloquent delivery of information.
Schum: Reminded everyone tht there is a Special Olympics breakfast tomorrow morning at 9:00 at the Sheriff’s training center
Dr. Perry: Thanked the Board for their support
Wallace: Thanked staff for their hard work, you are appreciated. Thank ESJH for recognizing the Board for the month of January.
Dr. Perry: Please keep the Wallace family in their prayers.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Dr. Cleo Perry, Secretary Shawn Wallace, President