PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA - Meeting of March 2, 2010
The Chair called the meeting to order and read the following call:
HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Parish of St. John the Baptist
Dear Board Member:
Upon call of the President, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet
in regular session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely,
s/Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D.
Superintendent/Secretary
The Chair called for a moment of silent meditation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Messrs. Jack, Burl, Madere, Jones, Wise, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller.
ABSENT: Mr. Sanders, Johnson.
There were 9 members present and 2 absent.
Mr. Johnson arrived at 10:02 a.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meetings of February 18, 2010. A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Madere, to accept the minutes of February 18, 2010 as printed and published. There were no objections and the motion to approve the minutes carried. Mr. Sanders was absent.
The Chair called for a 5 minute recess at 10:03 a.m.
A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to reconvene in Regular Session. There were no objections and the Board reconvened in Regular Session at 10:08 a.m.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent.
a. Dr. Millet stated that the 2010-2011 School Calendar was being presented for introduction purposes. She stated that all principals had received a copy of this calendar for their review. This item will be brought back to the Board for approval on March 18, 2010.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF. None.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS: Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources.
a. Personnel Changes (Requires action by the Board). Dr. Beard presented the following Personnel Changes for approval:
I. PROFESSIONAL
A. Extended Sick Leave
1. Carla Hellmers, Teacher, LaPlace Elementary, February 4, 2010
II. CLASSIFIED
Extended Sick Leave
Michelle Guidry, Field Manager, School Food Nutrition, February 3, 2010-May 31, 2010.
Cindy Terrio, Secretary, Fifth Ward Elementary, February 8-19, 2010
Brigitte Price, Aide, LaPlace Elementary, February 10-12, 2010
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Jones, to accept the Personnel Changes as presented. There were no objections and the motion carried. Mr. Sanders was absent.
ITEM 6b. Recommendation to fill the position of Principal at West St. John Elementary School (Requires action by the Board). Dr. Beard stated that due to the retirement of Mrs. Gail Creecy, applications were received and interviews were conducted for this position by a committee consisting of the following: Dr. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent; Mr. Herbert Smith, Assistant Superintendent; Bonnie Dinvaut, Coordinator of Educational Technology; Ms. Malleanor Hall, Special Education Teacher, West St. John Elementary; Page Eschette, Coordinator of Federal and State Programs; and Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources. Dr. Beard stated that the following applicants were interviewed: Ms. Gail Gros, Ms. Serina Singleton, Ms. Juanita Hill, Ms. Sylvia Bailey, Ms. Shirley Trench, Ms. Zina Jones, Ms. Lakesia Bryant, Ms. Vachella Jones, Ms. Shelly Chavin. As a result of the interviews, the committee recommended Ms. Serina Singleton for the position of West St. John Elementary Principal.
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Ory, to accept the recommendation of Ms. Serina Singleton for the position of Principal of West St. John Elementary School.
Mr. Jack asked the Superintendent to explain how the committee arrives at a decision. Dr. Millet stated that interviews were conducted for this position by a committee consisting of the following: Dr. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent; Mr. Herbert Smith, Assistant Superintendent; Bonnie Dinvaut, Coordinator of Educational Technology; Ms. Malleanor Hall, Special Education Teacher, West St. John Elementary; Page Eschette, Coordinator of Federal and State Programs; and Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources. Ms. Hall was chosen by the faculty to represent the school on the committee. Dr. Millet stated that all applicants were required to compose a faculty memo, complete an on-the-spot writing assignment, and answer questions from the committee. Dr. Millet explained that at the conclusion of the interview process, the committee chose Ms. Serina Singleton as the best candidate for the job of leading West. St. John Elementary School.
Mr. Sanders arrived at 10:12 a.m. and was recorded as present.
Following further discussion, Mr. Jack offered a substitute motion, seconded by Mr. Burl, to table ITEM 6b. Upon roll call, there were 2 Yeas (Jack, Burl) and 9 Nays (Sanders, Madere, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller) and the motion to table ITEM 6b failed.
Upon roll call on the original motion to accept the recommendation of Ms. Serina Singleton for the position of Principal of West St. John Elementary School, there were 10 Yeas (Jack, Sanders, Madere, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller) and 1 Nay (Burl), and the motion to accept the recommendation of Ms. Serina Singleton for the position of Principal of West St. John Elementary School, carried.
Ms. Singleton was present and introduced herself to the Board.
Mr. Jack welcomed Ms. Singleton to the West Bank community.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS AND FINANCE: Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance.
a. CSRS, Inc. - Request Board approval to award contract to the apparent low bidder for the Base Bid and Alternate I for the Garyville/Mt. Airy Renovation Project contingent upon low bidder meeting all LA Public Bid Law and Contract Document Requirements (Requires action by the Board). Mr. Chris Pellegrin, CSRS, explained to the Board that the State Licensing Board met on February 18, 2010 to take action in regards to AME Disaster Recovery. Mr. Pellegrin stated that during the licensing board meeting, Mr. Moliere (owner of AME Disaster Recovery) removed his name as the qualifying party from the company’s state contractor’s license. AME has 60 days from that February 18, 2010 licensing board meeting to find an employee who can pass a written examination and become a qualifying party or the company will lose its state license. Mr. Pellegrin stated that the St. John School Board currently has 4 options: 1) Continue with the award with AME and see what happens with their license; 2) Disqualify AME based on being a irresponsible bidder (vacate the bid); 3) Cancel the project altogether (which could not be pursued for another 12 months); or 4) Award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, but including Alternate I (which would change the lowest responsible bidder).
Mr. Lloyd LeBlanc, Board attorney, stated that he recommends the Board vacate the lowest bid received due to irresponsibility of the lowest bidder, allow the district attorney to conduct an informal due process hearing with the contractor to show responsibility to administration (within 30 days), and bring a recommendation to the Board at the March 18, 2010 Board meeting.
A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Jack, to follow the recommendation of the Board attorney to vacate the lowest bid and allow the district attorney to have an informal due process hearing with the lowest bidder, with a representative from administration, and report back to the Board with a recommendation at the March 18, 2010 Board meeting.
A substitute motion was made by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Jack, to continue with the awarded contract with AME and see what happens with AME’s license in 60 days.
Mr. Ory stated that he feels it is important that the public understand why the Board is taking action on this contract at this time and that the owner of AME Disaster Recovery is a convicted felon, accused of bribery. Mr. Ory stated that it is important to have full knowledge of a company’s background before awarding a contract to them.
Mr. LeBlanc noted that had he been aware of the problems surrounding this company at the time of acceptance, he would not have recommended accepting the bid.
Dr. Millet then stated that it is important to note that at the time of acceptance of this contract, the company met all requirements under the state low bidder qualifications. It was not until recently that a licensing issue surfaced with this company.
Mr. Lloyd LeBlanc stated that, as per Louisiana state law, if the substitute motion passes, and the Board opts to wait the 60 days, then as of March 30, 2010, AME would automatically win the bid by default.
Upon roll call on the substitute motion to continue with the awarded contract with AME and see what happens with AME’s license, there were 3 Yeas (Jack, Burl, Sanders) and 8 Nays (Madere, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller), and the motion failed.
Upon roll call on the original motion to follow the recommendation of the Board attorney to vacate the lowest bid and allow the district attorney to have an informal due process hearing with the lowest bidder, with a representative from administration, and report back to the Board with a recommendation at the March 18, 2010 Board meeting, there were 11 Yeas (Jack, Burl, Sanders, Madere, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller) and the motion carried.
Mr. Patrick Sanders stated that he wants to ensure that minority companies are being considered, specifically that African-American-owned companies are playing a role in the contracts being awarded.
ITEM 7b. Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance - Request Board approval of policy requiring disclosure of agents fees and fee splitting agreements (Requires action by the Board). Mr. Boughton explained that the policy was created to be proactive in disclosing any potential conflicts of interest when awarding insurance policies. He stated that the intent of the policy was to ensure that everything is being disclosed before the insurance policies are awarded.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Madere, to approve the policy requiring disclosure of agents fees and fee splitting agreements.
Mr. John Millet introduced himself to the Board and stated that in 2005, the St. John School Board entered into an agreement with First TPA to act as the insurance consultant. He asked if First TPA is required to disclose any fees collected. Mr. Boughton answered that it is his opinion that with this policy in place, yes, all transactions and all monies that change hands are required to be disclosed.
Mr. Wise stated that he would like an all inclusive sentence in the beginning of the policy so that there would be no way to misread the policy, which could potentially create an unintentional loophole. He further stated that he would like the Board to consider expanding this type of policy to include all other contracts.
Mr. Sanders made a substitute motion, seconded by Mr. Madere, to table this item and send it to the Executive Committee to be reworded. Upon roll call there were 10 Yeas (Jack, Sanders, Madere, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller) and 1 Nay (Burl) and the motion to table carried.
ITEM 7c. Waive school rental fees for the Wallace Indians Organization (Requires action by the Board).
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Ory, to waive school rental fees for the Wallace Indians Organization. There were no objections and the motion passed unanimously.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS. None
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS. a. Mr. Lloyd LeBlanc, Board Attorney - Legal Update. None.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS: a. Committee Reports. None.
ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST. Mr. Burl stated that he had 2 items of interest to discuss. 1) He stated that he recently read an article in the Baton Rouge newspaper that the state would be cutting the educational budget. He requested that administration look into freezing all non-essential, instructional activities except for LEAP preparation; and 2) He had been approached by a teacher for a donation for an educational field trip. Mr. Burl asked administration if there was a way to make educational field trip transportation any less expensive than it currently is. Dr. Millet stated that the School Board provides free transportation for two field trips, per class, per year - one out-of-parish trip and one in-parish trip.
Mr. Sanders stated that he would like to see a criminal background check for all contractors be required as part of the bid process. Mr. Wise suggested that a notarized affidavit stating there was no criminal background be included with the bid. Mr. Sanders requested that the appropriate committee work on creating a policy that would require the inclusion of such background information by any business or principal owners of companies that St. John the Baptist Parish School Board awards contracts to.
Mr. Keith Jones stated that today was National Read Across America Day. He stated that he had enjoyed reading to the students of Emily C. Watkins this morning and encouraged all Board members to visit the schools to read with our students.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Jones offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Jack. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
/s/Gerald Keller
Gerald J. Keller, Ph.D.
President
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
/s/Courtney P. Millet
Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D.
Secretary/Treasurer
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board