ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 6-7, 2023 SCHOOL BOARD RETREAT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023

The board retreat was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 4914 Constitution Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA.

School Board President Shawn Wallace called the retreat to order at 9:00 a.m., followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Lindsey Vicknair.

Roll Call: 

Present:  Patricia Triche, Raydel Morris, Jennifer Frizzell, Samuel Mamou, Debra Schum, Nia Mitchell-Williams, Lindsey Vicknair, Shawn Wallace.

Absent:  Charo Holden, Albert Burl, Sherry DeFrancesch.

With 8 present and 3 absent, there was a quorum.

Mr. Shawn Wallace delivered his opening remarks, welcoming everyone and thanking everyone for being present.

Mrs. Holden and Mrs. DeFrancesch arrived at 9:03 a.m. and was recorded as present.

Mr. Burl arrived at 10:53 a.m. and was recorded as present.

(9:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m.)

Ø  9:15-12:45 - Public Comment.  Board Powers, Duties & Roles and Responsibilities/Superintendent & Board Relations

·         Patrice Pujol, NIET Executive-in-Residence

Dr. Pujol share a PowerPoint and spoke to the Board about their responsibilities and duties and the relationship between the Superintendent and the Board.

(1:00-4:42 p.m.)

Ø  Public Comment.  Capital Projects ~ Capital Planning

·         Marco Gonzales, Asst. Vice President, Volkert, Inc.

DeeDee Riggins (Government Consultants) and Marco Gonzales (Volkert) spoke to the Board regarding bond ratings and the importance of “public trust” when planning for capital projects.

Mrs. Vicknair left the retreat at 2:45 p.m. and was recorded as absent.

A motion was made by Mr. Mamou, seconded by Mrs. Triche, to recess and reconvene Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

Roll Call:

10 Yeas:  Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace

1 Absent:  Vicknair

Motion carried.

The Board recessed at 4:42 p.m.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2023

A motion was made by Schum, seconded by Ms. Frizzell to reconvene in Regular Session. 

Roll Call:

7 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace

4 Absent – Burl, DeFrancesch, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair

Motion carried.

The board reconvened in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 9:02 a.m.

Roll Call:

Present:  Holden, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace

Absent:  Burl, DeFrancesch, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair

With 7 present and 4 absent, there was a quorum.

Ø   Public Comment.  Act 1 & School Board Member Ethics

·            Courtney Joiner, Attorney

Attorney Joiner was unable to present at the retreat, due to unforseen circumstances.

(9:15 a.m.-12:54 p.m.)

Ø  Public Comment.  Feedback & Discussion on Strategic Planning

·            Rebecca Johnson, Superintendent

Mrs. Johnson spoke to the Board regarding the Strategic Planning Process.  She shared with them the strategic plan document that she, along with her staff, is currently working on. She explained, in detail, how the strategic planning process works and many questions were asked by the Board Members.

With all business having been addressed, a motion was made by Mr. Mamou, seconded by Mrs. Holden to adjourn. There were no objections.

The meeting adjourned at 12:54 p.m.

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Shawn Wallace, President

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Rebecca Johnson, Superintendent