PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA - Meeting of February 14, 2012
ITEM 1: 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 special session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, Reserve, Louisiana, on Tuesday, February 14 2012, 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.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Messrs. Keller, Johnson, Bacas, Nicholas, Triche, Sanders.
ABSENT: Jack, Burl, DeFrancesch, Jones, Wise.
There were 6 members present, 5 absent.
ITEM 3. Mr. Elton Oubre, Director of CWA/Hearing Officer – Appeal Hearing: 1112-08-0214. Parent is appealing expulsion decision of January 20, 2012. Open or closed.
Mr. Oubre stated that Appeal Hearing 1112-08-0214 has been cancelled by the parent.
ITEM 4. Mr. Elton Oubre, Director of CWA/Hearing Officer – Appeal Hearing: 1112-09-0214. Parent is appealing expulsion decision of January 20, 2012. Open or closed.
Mr. Oubre stated that the parent requested Appeal Hearing 1112-09-0214 be an open hearing.
Ms. Connie Dickerson, Assistant Principal of East St. John High School, stated that DeShana Brown, a 16-year-old female student was recommended for expulsion for violation of the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance regulations. Specifically, Deshana was found to be in violation of the following infraction: Instigates or participates in a fight. On January 9, 2012, a fight ensued in the cafeteria between 2 groups of female students. Deshana was identified as being an active participant in the fight at the school. Deshana claimed that she was not fighting, the school resource officer could verify she was not fighting because he was escorting her to the office, and she was trying to stop the fight. The investigation proved many of Deshana’s statements to be inaccurate. Ms. Dickerson showed four videos to negate Deshana’s statement that she was not involved in the fight.
Mrs. DeFrancesch arrived at 10:15 a.m. and was recorded as present.
Mr. Jones arrived at 10:28 a.m. and was recorded as present.
Ms. Cheryl Brown, mother of Deshana Brown, stated that Deshana told her that she was not involved in the fight and she believes her daughter.
Deshana Brown stated that she would like to return to school and that she was only trying to stop the fight.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Jones, to convene in executive session. There were no objections and the board convened in executive session at 10:56 a.m.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Bacas, to reconvene in regular session. There were no objections and the board reconvened in regular session at 11:25 a.m.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Johnson, to uphold the administration’s decision to expel Deshana Brown (Appeal Hearing 1112-09-0214). Upon roll call, there were:
5 Yeas (Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Bacas, Triche)
2 Nays (Nicholas, Sanders)
1 Abstention (Jones)
3 Absent (Jack, Burl, Wise)
The motion failed.
ITEM 5. Mr. Elton Oubre, Director of CWA/Hearing Officer – Appeal Hearing: 1112-10-0214. Parent is appealing expulsion decision of January 31, 2012. Open or closed.
Mr. Oubre stated that the parent requested Appeal Hearing 1112-10-0214 be an open hearing.
Mr. Jason Beber, Assistant Principal at East St. John High School, stated that Arianna Runner, a 17-year-old, female student was recommended for expulsion for violation of the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance regulation. Specifically, Arianna was found to be in violation of the following infraction: Uses/possession of a controlled substance. On January 13, 2012, while supervising the cafeteria, Mr. Beber stated that he observed two students (one male and one female) smoking between the two buildings (cafeteria and shop building). Mr. Beber requested the assistance of Detail Officer Tassin to verify his observations. Once verified by Officer Tassin, Mr. Beber and Officer Tassin exited the cafeteria and approached the students. As they approached the students, they smelled a strong odor believed to be that of marijuana. The student was identified as Ariana and an unnamed male. These were the same students observed smoking through the cafeteria window. When questioned, Arianna stated that the unnamed male asked her to walk with him. Arianna confirmed that she participated in smoking but said it was only one puff. When asked if she knew what it was that she was smoking, Arianna replied yes.
Mr. Elton Oubre stated that he happened to be in the office when Arianna and the unnamed male were brought in and could verify that there was a strong odor of marijuana on the students.
Vanessa Linton, mother of Arianna, stated that she brought Arianna to the doctor and had a drug test done on Vanessa. Ms. Linton stated that the test results were negative. Ms. Linton stated that she feels the due process procedure was not fair to her daughter.
Arianna Runner stated that she doesn’t feel as though Mr. Oubre gave her the benefit of the doubt. She stated that she admitted to having puffed the “cigarette”, but feels expulsion is too harsh for her first offense.
A motion was made by Rev. Nicholas, seconded by Mr. Jones, to convene in executive session. There were no objections and the board convened in executive session at 12:15 p.m.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Triche, to reconvene in regular session. There were no objections and the board reconvened in regular session at 12:51 p.m.
A motion was made by Dr. Keller, seconded by Mr. Triche, to uphold the administration’s decision to expel Arianna Runner (Appeal Hearing 1112-10-0214). Upon roll call, there were:
5 Yeas (Keller, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Bacas, Triche)
2 Nays (Jones, Sanders)
1 Abstention (Nicholas)
3 Absent (Jack, Burl, Wise)
The motion failed.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT: The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, Dr. Keller offered a motion for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Jones. There were no objections. The meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Courtney P. Millet, Ph.D., Secretary Patrick H. Sanders, President