PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA - Meeting of September 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 Thursday, September 2, at 6:00 p.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, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller.
ABSENT: Burl
There were 10 members present and 1 absent
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Meetings of August 17, 2010 and August 19, 2010. A motion was made by Mr. Triche, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to accept the minutes of August 17, 2010 and August 19, 2010 as printed and published. There were no objections and the motion to approve the minutes carried (10 Yeas, 1 Absent).
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Superintendent. None.
Dr. Keller stated that the Board would deviate from the agenda to allow Judge Jude Gravois, candidate for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, to introduce himself to the Board. Judge Gravois introduced himself, thanked the Board for allowing him to address them and asked for their support in his quest for re-election.
Dr. Millet congratulated Board Member Mr. Matthew Ory and his wife on the birth of their daughter, Chloe Alexandra.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF.
a. None.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS: Dr. Leigh Ann Beard, Director of Human Resources.
Personnel Changes (Requires action by the Board). Dr. Beard presented the following Personnel Changes for approval:
I. PROFESSIONAL
A. New Hires
1. Charlotte Rhea, Teacher, Garyille/Mt. Magnet School
B. Resignations
1. Grace McCullough, Teacher, East St. John High, June 1, 2010
2. Nicholas Wachtler, Teacher, East St. John High, June 1, 2010
C. Sabbatical
1. Douglass Lawson, Social Worker, Milesville, Fall 2010
D. Retirement
1. Sherial Lewis, Teacher, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, May 22, 2010
2. Stephen Ocmand, Teacher, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, August 19, 2010
II. CLASSIFIED
A. Leave Without Pay
1. Debora Bourgeois, Aide, LaPlace Elementary, November 2009, November 2010
2. Eloise Dixon, Lunch Technician, East St. John High, August 5, 2010, December 31, 2010
3. Kyan Jenkins, Bus Driver – Transportation, August 5, 2010, December 1, 2010
4. Michelle Guidry, Field Manager, School Food & Nutrition, August 16 and 30, 2010
B. Extended Sick Leave
1.Reid Day, Low Voltage Technician – Maintenance, July 1, 2010, August 10, 2010
2.Debra King, Secretary, East St. John High, July 22, 2010, August 25, 2010
C. Resignations
1.Clyde Jones, Bus Driver, Transportation, August 20, 2010
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to accept the Personnel Changes as presented. There were no objections and the motion carried (10 Yeas, 1 Absent).
ITEM 7 BUSINESS AND FINANCE: Mr. Felix Boughton, Executive Director of Business and Finance
a. None.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS.
a. None.
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS.
a. Mr. Russell Jack, Board Member – Request Board approval to waive fees for the use of West St. John High School Gymnasium by the Girls in Action. Ms. Krischell Thomas, President of the Girls in Action, introduced herself and 3 of the members: Makayla Edwards, Diandra Baham, and Kadasha Lewis. Ms. Thomas gave a brief overview of the Girls in Action. Administration, along with Mr. Jack, presented a plaque to the Girls in Action Club for organizing the Back to School Summit held at West St. John High School.
Following discussion with Mr. Lloyd LeBlanc, Board Attorney, Dr. Keller stated that due to the fact that this could be considered a school sponsored event, no action was necessary on this item.
Mr. Russ Wise requested that a policy be placed on the agenda in the future regarding waiving fees for a non-profit organization.
b. Mr. Lloyd LeBlanc – None.
ITEM 10. ADMINSTRATIVE MATTERS:
a. Committee Reports. None.
Dr. Millet asked that Mr. Freddie “Jamie” Coleman with Louisiana Workforce Commission in the River Parishes be allowed to speak. Mr. Coleman introduced himself to the Board, stating he was at the meeting to introduce himself so the he could become familiar with the Board and employees. He stated that he was there to make sure everyone is aware that there are offices in St. James, St. John and St. Charles Parish.
ITEM 11. BOARD-RELATED ITEMS OF INTEREST. A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. DeFrancesch, to waive Board policy and open discussion to reserve the front row of seats at future board meetings for the PTO President of each of our schools. Upon roll call, there were 10 Yeas (Jack, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Wise, Bacas, Ory, Triche, Keller) and 1 Absent (Burl) and the motion to waive Board policy carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Wise, seconded by Mr. Sanders, to dedicate the front row of seats at all Board meetings for the PTO President of each school. Upon roll call, there were 5 Yeas (Jack, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Wise), 3 Nays (Jones, Bacas, Keller), 2 Abstentions (Ory, Triche) and 1 Absent (Burl) and the motion failed.
Dr. Millet offered condolences to Mr. Ali Burl, Board Member, on the passing of his grandmother.
Dr. Keller offered condolences to Mr. Vernon Bailey on the passing of his mother.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Mr. Ory offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Triche. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
________________________________
Gerald J. Keller, Ph.D., President
__________________________________
Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Secretary