PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF MARCH 25, 2021
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 Emily C. Watkins Elementary School, 938 Highway 628, LaPlace, Louisiana, on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
An agenda for the meeting is attached.
Sincerely, s/Lynett Hookfin
Superintendent/Secretary
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. She 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, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
ABSENT: Jones, Triche
There were 9 members present and 2 members absent.
The Chair called for a recess at 6:41 p.m.
There was a motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mrs. Schum, to reconvene in regular session. Upon roll call, there were:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
2 Absent – Jones, Triche
The Board reconvened in regular session at 6:57 p.m.
ITEM 3. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Request approval to declare the old Leon Godchaux School Building as surplus property and seek an emergency RFP for demolition
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda for Item 3 to read as follows: Resolution to declare a public emergency to allow administration officials to bypass public bid law in contracting out demolition/disposal work relative to the roof collapse at the Godchaux Grammar Building.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
2 Absent – Jones, Triche
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Keller
SECOND BY: Sanders
MOTION: To approve a resolution to declare a public emergency to allow administration officials to bypass public bid law in contracting out demolition/disposal work relative to the roof collapse at the Godchaux Grammar Building.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
2 Absent – Jones, Triche
The motion carried.
Board President Mitchell-Williams thanked Mr. Albert Burl, III for his diligence in expediting this process.
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St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, State of Louisiana
Office of the Superintendent
PUBLIC EMERGENCY DECLARATION
WHEREAS, the unforeseen mischance associated with the collapse of the Leon Godchaux Grammar School roof has created an imminent public safety and environmental hazard at the site of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board; and
WHEREAS, immediate emergency actions are required to minimize the effects of this occurrence; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes 38:2211(A) (5) (a), and 38:2212(P) an emergency declaration would be legally permissible; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Lynett Hookfin, Superintendent for St. John the Baptist Parish Schools, by the authority vested in me by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, do hereby certify that the St. John the Baptist Parish School System is in
a state of public emergency due to the above-described event
for the purposes of LSA-R.S. 38:2212(P), thereby allowing administration officials to bypass public bid law in contracting out demolition/proper disposal work, and/or obtaining materials and supplies.
THIS EMERGENCY DECLARATION ISSUED ON THIS ______ DAY OF March, 2021, AND EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE.
_______________________________
Lynett Hookfin
Superintendent
St. John the Baptist Parish Schools
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Vice President Shawn Wallace was seated as Chair.
ITEM 4. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Motion to suspend the rules to reconsider in order to request Board approval to advertise for Grounds Maintenance.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To suspend the rules to reconsider in order to request Board approval to advertise for Grounds Maintenance.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
2 Absent – Jones, Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 5. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Request Board approval to advertise for Grounds Maintenance (Requires action)
Public Comment: Ms. Eliza Eugene asked the board to consider breaking up this contract into smaller jobs so that the ones who actually do the grass cutting are able to bid on the jobs.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: Request Board approval to advertise for Grounds Maintenance.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas - Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
1 Abstention – Holden
2 Absent – Jones, Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 6. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Motion to suspend the rules to reconsider in order to request Board approval to advertise for Fleet Mechanic
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To suspend the rules to reconsider in order to request Board approval to advertise for Fleet Mechanic.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
2 Absent – Jones, Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 7. Public Comment. Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Request Board approval to advertise for Fleet Maintenance/Mechanic
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Johnson
MOTION: Request Board approval to advertise for Grounds Maintenance.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell
2 Absent – Jones, Triche
The motion carried.
Mrs. Mitchell-Williams was seated as Chair.
ITEM 8. Public Comment. Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Request Board approval to begin the process of creating an Academic Committee
Mr. Sanders asked what an Academic Committee is and why we need it. Dr. Hookfin stated that it is a committee that will focus on instruction, test scores, graduation requirements, etc., as well as helping to make decisions regarding our curriculum. Mr. Burl stated that if the curriculum positions were filled, this would not be a necessary committee. Mr. Sanders stated that he is in support of this, but would like something in writing showing the number of committee members, how they will be chosen, and goals and objectives of said committee. Ms. Holden asked that there be some consistency with meeting times and dates. Following further discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To authorize the Superintendent to begin the process of creating an Academic Committee.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, DeFrancesch, Wallace, Keller, Schum, Jones, Sanders, Mitchell
1 Nay – Burl
2 Absent – Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9. Board Items of Interest
Mr. Sanders stated that he asked for an Organizational Chart and perhaps was not clear. He wants the Superintendent to provide the Board with her Organizational Chart going forward and what she would like the Board to vote on as her organizational chart. He also asked that she provide a chart that shows what she needs now and what she would like to have when our financial situation is better. Dr. Hookfin stated that she will have that for the April meeting.
Mrs. Schum stated that it would be helpful to know basic names of people who are taking care of particular departments (contacts). She also asked administration to clarify what is happening with vacation time because there are questions about whether employees will lose vacation time or not. Mrs. Schum asked that all committees meet at least once before the end of April. She asked that administration provide regarding closing or combining sites, overtime pay issue, and looking at the insurance policy to save money.
Dr. Keller asked that expiring administrative contracts be looked at because there is a time limit on when those have to be given a notice of non-renewal.
Mr. Burl asked if there is something wrong with email. Dr. Hookfin stated that we have been under several phishing attacks and Mr. Andras confirmed this. Dr. Hookfin asked that if anyone notices something out of the ordinary with email, please contact our technology department.
ITEM 10. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Wallace, Keller, Schum, Jones, Sanders, Mitchell
2 Absent – Johnson, Triche
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary Nia Mitchell-Williams, President