PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

SPECIAL MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2021

GODCHAUX GRAMMAR CAFETERIA – RESERVE, LA

The Chair called the meeting to order and read the following call:

HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD

Parish of St. John the Baptist

 Upon call of the President, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in special session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1800 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

The agenda for the meeting is attached.

ITEM 1.  CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  She called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

PRESENT:        Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

ABSENT:          Johnson

There were 10 members present and 1 member absent.

Mr. Johnson joined the meeting at 6:09 p.m. and was recorded as present.

ITEM 3. Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Presentation of School Reopening Plan

The following information was shared:

Extensive discussion was held regarding this item.

Mrs. Mitchell-Williams read the list of architects selected:  Domain Architecture; GFP Architecture & Interior Design; Lachin Architects; Mathes Brierre Architects; Meyers Engineers, Ltd.; N-Y Associates, Inc.; Tipton Associates; Yeates Mancil Architects

ITEM 4. Public Comment.  Dr. Lynett Hookfin – Request Approval of Revised Policy:  EBBD – Emergency Closing of Schools

Public Comment:  Cindy Graham spoke in opposition of this item.

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:  Jones

MOTION:  To approve Revised Policy:  EBBD – Emergency Closing of Schools.

Following discussion, there was a

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:  Schum

SECOND BY:  DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To send Revised Policy:  EBBD – Emergency Closing of Schools, to the Personnel Committee and ask the District Attorney’s Office for a legal opinion.

Roll Call:

11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

Vice President Wallace was seated as Chair for the following item.

ITEM 5.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Nia Mitchell-Williams – Request Approval to temporarily suspend school uniform policy.

MOTION BY:  DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:  Sanders

MOTION:  To approve a temporary suspension of school uniform policy until the end of the 2021-2022 School Year.

Roll Call:

11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Triche, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

President Mitchell was seated as Chair.

ITEM 6.  Public Comment.  Mr. David Andras/Mr. Brian Coogan – Request Approval of the Louisiana Audit Compliance Questionnaire.

MOTION BY:  Holden

SECOND BY:  DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To approve the Louisiana Audit Compliance Questionnaire as presented.

Following discussion, there was a

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:  Wallace

SECOND BY:  Jones

MOTION:  To amend the agenda to defer this item to the end of the agenda.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 7.  Ms. Sherry DeFrancesch – Introduction of New Policy:  EGAC – Health and Group Hospitalization Insurance.

Ms. DeFrancesch asked that this item be pulled from the agenda at this time.

ITEM 8.  Dr. Juanita Hill - Introduction to Pupil Progression Plan Additions and Revisions.

This item was for introduction only.

ITEM 9.  Public Comment.  Mr. Clarence Triche – Request Approval of a Resolution to suspend interest and penalty provided for in its sales and use tax ordinances, for the affected businesses for any payments which would have been due for the months of September and October of 2021.

President Mitchell-Williams read the Resolution:

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HURRICANE IDA TAX PAYER EXTENSION ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SALES & USE TAX DEPARTMENT

Due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida and the ongoing state of emergency, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board is granting automatic extensions to certain taxpayers in impacted areas. Taxpayers eligible  for automatic sales tax extensions include businesses who have had to close and are no longer able to operate or conduct business in the state and whose home or principal places of business where critical tax records are kept is one of the following parishes: Ascension, Lafourche, St. Helena, Terrebonne, Assumption, Livingston, St. James, Washington, East Baton Rouge, Orleans, St. John the Baptist, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Plaquemines, St. Martin, West  Feliciana, Iberia, Pointe Coupee, St. Mary, Iberville, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Jefferson, St. Charles, and Tangipahoa. For businesses that remained operating for all or part of the recovery time in the state of Louisiana but you are having difficulty complying with the deadlines, you may be eligible for an extension and/or interest and penalty relief. A request for an extension or   abatement of interest and penalties must be submitted in writing by email to info@lalocaltax.com  or by USPS to Sales Tax Office, PO Box 2066, LaPlace,  LA 70069.

Extensions or abatements will be granted at the discretion of the Collector based upon the individual circumstances of the taxpayer. Waiver and/or extensions do not apply for any tax that was due before August 26, 2021.

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MOTION BY:  Keller

SECOND BY:  Schum

MOTION:  To approve the resolution as read by President Mitchell-Williams.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams

1 Nay – Burl

1 Absent – Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 10.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Debra Schum – Direct the Superintendent to Provide the Board and the community no later than October 11, 2021 with a  comprehensive written plan for re-opening schools in St. John Parish that includes but is not limited to: the dates  and timelines specific schools will open, student assignment to which school site, if we are platooning which schools will be morning /afternoon shift, number of staff that are able to report for October 11th, and breakfast and lunch plans.

MOTION BY:  Schum

SECOND BY:  Sanders

MOTION:  To direct the Superintendent to Provide the Board and the community no later than October 11, 2021 with a  comprehensive written plan for re-opening schools in St. John Parish that includes but is not limited to: the dates  and timelines specific schools will open, student assignment to which school site, if we are platooning which schools will be morning /afternoon shift, number of staff that are able to report for October 11th, and breakfast and lunch plans.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Burl, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 11.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Debra Schum - Direct the Superintendent to provide a written communication plan that will provide Employees, Parents/Students and School Board members with updated information about schools and other pertinent information for the continued opening of schools on a weekly basis using email/texting system effective immediately.

Public Comment.  Tara Cox spoke regarding the lack of communication from the district to parents throughout the post-Ida plans for reopening.

Mrs. Schum read a timeline that listed requests for enhanced communication from the Superintendent.

MOTION BY:  Schum

SECOND BY:  Sanders

MOTION:  To direct the Superintendent to provide a written communication plan that will provide Employees, Parents/Students and School Board members with updated information about schools and other pertinent information for the continued opening of schools on a weekly basis using email/texting system effective immediately.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – Triche

The motion carried.

The Board addressed Item 6 at this time.

MOTION BY:    Sanders

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To defer this item to the October 14, 2021 School Board Meeting to allow the Board President to consult with legal counsel regarding signing this document.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams

2 Absent – Keller, Triche

The motion carried.

ITEM 12.  Board Items of Interest

Mrs. Holden stated that although the focus is on remediating and repairing buildings, we must not forget to take care of the grounds as well.  There is trash and debris that remain on the grounds at many sights.

ITEM 7.  ADJOURNMENT

The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a

MOTION BY:    Wallace

SECOND BY:   Jones

MOTION:           Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Keller, Sanders, DeFrancesch, Jones, Johnson, Schum, Wallace, Mitchell-Williams

1 Absent – Triche

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.

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Dr. Lynett Hookfin, Secretary                                                     Nia Mitchell-Williams, President