PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
GODCHAUX GRAMMAR CAFETERIA - RESERVE, LA
SPECIAL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 6, 2020
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, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Tuesday, February 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely,
Cory Butler
Interim Superintendent/Secretary
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. He called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS: The Chair called for Public Comment.
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
ABSENT: Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
There were 7 members present and 4 members absent.
ITEM 3. Public Comment. Request to waive Board policy to request approval of job description for financial position
MOTION BY: Mitchell
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To waive policy to request approval of job description for financial position.
Roll call:
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Mitchell
MOTION: To approve the job description for financial position
Roll call:
6 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
1 Abstention - Triche
The motion carried.
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ST. JOHN PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Chief Financial Officer
REPORTS TO / EVALUATED BY: Superintendent or Designee
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 months, 240 days
SALARY RANGE: Executive Director Salary Schedule
SUPERVISES: Purchasing Agent, External Programs Fiscal Officer, Bookkeeping and Accounting Department Staff
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES: To administer the business affairs of the district in such a way as to provide the best possible educational services with the financial resources available.
For individuals with a disability, hiring decisions will be based on the individual's ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
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PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Follows policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
2. Attends work regularly and arrives punctually.
3. Follows the time and/or duty schedule authorized by supervisor/designee for the work day.
4. Notifies supervisor promptly in case of absence and communicates in advance the date of return so proper provisions can be made.
5. Works cooperatively with others.
6. Displays proper respect for superiors.
7. Observes professional lines of communication at all times with individuals inside and outside the school system.
8. Makes use of constructive criticism and avoids the use of sarcasm, undue criticism, inappropriate language and behavior, and the use of racial and ethnic slurs when dealing with others.
9. Serves as an acceptable model for students, demonstrates personal and intellectual honesty and respects the rights of others.
10. Performs other duties as may be assigned which are related to the scope of the job
11. Supervises the management of the financial affairs of the schools.
12. Assumes responsibility for budget development and long-range financial planning.
13. Establishes and supervises a program of accounting adequate to record in detail all money and credit transactions.
14. Supervises all accounting operations
15. Acts as payroll officer for the district.
16. Supervises the collection, safekeeping, and distribution of all funds.
17. Manages the district’s real estate programs.
18. Administers a budge control system for the district.
19. Acts as an advisor to the Superintendent on all questions relating to the business and financial affairs of the district.
20. Arranges for the internal auditing of school accounts.
21. Interprets the financial concerns of the district to the community.
22. Develops financial plans for facility expansion
23. Furnishes to the school board periodic financial report of revenues and expenditures compared to budget projection.
24. Directs the activities of the bookkeeping and accounting departments.
25. Directs the preparation of the General Fund Budget and reviews for accuracy of receipts and expenditures.
26. Directs the preparation of the tax millages to be levied and maintains reports on revenues derived therefrom.
27. Directs the preparation of the financial segments of the Annual Statistical Report.
28. Assures that all properties and equipment have been adequately insured.
29. Directs the implementation and development of a data based computer network for the storage and dissemination of information between the district office and the schools.
30. Directs the preparation of yearly W-2 Income Tax Statements.
31. Disseminates to the Board statements of values of the bonded indebtedness of the district.
32. Issues to the board monthly updates on Construction Funds Projects.
33. Assesses local rates of investment and locates idle funds in the most appropriate yields of interest.
34. Serves as liaison to bonding attorneys in the sale and delivery of bonds sold by the school board.
35. Directs the maintenance of a Bond Register on all outstanding bonds and makes payments as bonds and interest become due.
36. Reviews annually the budgets of all departments and schools.
37. Assigns, coordinates and monitors all activities of assigned personnel.
38. Works with parish council and monitors all sales tax activity.
39. Collaboratively assists in the development of the professional growth plan for all personnel assigned to supervise.
40. Assisted by his/her evaluator, collaboratively develop and implement a professional growth plan based on the district’s Personnel Evaluation criteria.
41. Oversees district finances and acts as the school board’s accountant.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Chief Financial Officer is required to: 1) work in an office type setting, climate-controlled environment adhering to school board energy policy; 2) sometimes work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by job responsibilities and supervisors; 3) often visit schools and attend meetings in various locations locally and outside the parish.
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS
The Chief Financial Officer must be able to: 1) communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing; 2) have ability to accurately give and receive information via telecommunication system; 3) communicate successfully and pleasantly with the public and St. John Parish school system employees;
4) accurately compile data, summarize information and provide written reports to supervisor; 5) represent school system at various public functions.
EQUIPMENT USED
Telephone, copy machine, facsimile machine, calculator, and computer.
PHYSICAL INVOLVEMENT
Must be able to operate office equipment. Standing, walking, reaching, bending lifting up to 10-50 pounds is sometimes required. Ability to provide own transportation to schools, work locations, and meeting sites. Mobility skills necessary to access a variety of work locations.
MENTAL INVOLVEMENT
The Chief Financial Officer must: 1) understand and interpret written and verbal instructions from supervisor; 2) must be able to work independently with minimal supervision; 3) have ability to manage, direct, supervise and evaluate staff; 4) comply with federal, state and parish regulations.
HUMAN RELATIONS INVOLVEMENT
The Chief Financial Officer must be able: 1) to work compatibly in group settings;
2) to respond positively to supervision and to accept suggestions for improvement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: 1) Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance or an MBA. 2) Five to ten years related experience in accounting or finance 3) Previous supervisory experience required, preferably in a school or government setting, 4) Must earn LASBO certification within the first five years of employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1)Master’s Degree in Finance or Accounting; 2) Certified Public Accountant licensed in Louisiana
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ITEM 4. Public Comment. Mr. Albert Burl – Discussion and take action regarding the grass maintenance contract
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Wallace
MOTION: To allow the current sub-contractor (Firm Enterprise) to complete the current grass-cutting contract until September 2020, at which time the contract will be re-bid.
No objections.
Roll Call:
6 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Sanders
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
1 Abstention - Triche
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 6:28 p.m.
ITEM 5. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
ITEM 6. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Mitchell
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
7 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell, Triche, Sanders
4 Absent – Keller, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Cory Butler, Interim Superintendent/Secretary Patrick H. Sanders, President
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LEGAL REPORT AS SUBMITTED BY THE
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE:
SPECIAL MEETING
AGENDA - ST. JOHN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
February 6, 2020 – 6:00 p.m.
Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria - Reserve, Louisiana
This Legal Report is the official communication of legal advice and recommendation(s) to the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board. This document is a public record. This Legal Report shall be incorporated into the approved minutes of the meeting specified above and made a part of the official public record of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
Each public officer in St. John the Baptist Parish is required by LSA–R.S. 42:141 to take the oath of office prescribed for in Article 10 §30 of the Louisiana Constitution. In accordance therewith, each public officer has a duty to support the constitution and laws of the United States and the constitution and laws of this state, including but not limited to the Louisiana Open Meetings Law, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Policies and Robert’s Rules of Order.
The District Attorney’s office is available to render written opinions, upon the submission of a duly passed motion or resolution of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board stating the legal question. A minimum of forty–five (45) calendar days from the date a motion or resolution is passed may be required to render an opinion, if it is necessary to gather facts and documents for a comprehensive legal review and analysis.
1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
3. Public Comment. Request to waive Board policy to request approval of job description for financial position (Requires action)
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
4. Public Comment. Mr. Albert Burl – Discussion and take action regarding the grass maintenance contract (Requires action)
The District Attorney’s Office was not consulted or asked to review any materials related to this issue.
5. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
6. ADJOURNMENT
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