PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
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 regular session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria (Board Meeting Room), 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, LA, on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. and called for the invocation, led by Mr. Mamou, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Chair asked that we keep the family of the recent house fire victims in our prayers. Our district lost a student in this tragedy.
ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Burl, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace
ABSENT: Holden, Triche, Morris Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair
There were 6 members present and 5 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Meeting of: August 24, 2023
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of: August 24, 2023
Roll Call:
6 Yeas - Burl, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace
5 Absent – Holden, Triche, Morris Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Frizzell
MOTION: To amend the agenda and address Item 9a at this time,
Roll Call:
6 Yeas - Burl, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace
5 Absent – Holden, Triche, Morris Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair
The motion carried.
Mr. Morris arrived at 6:11 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Ms. Billie Dinvaut-Duncan/Ms. Misty Slayter, RPCC/Mr. Quinton Taylor, RPCC Chancellor – Request Board approval of implementation of Early College Option in conjunction with RPCC for the 2024-2025 school year, subject to consent decree approval
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve the implementation of the Early College Option, in conjunction with RPCC for the 2024-2025 school year, subject to consent decree approval.
Roll Call:
6 Yeas - Burl, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace
5 Absent – Holden, Triche, Morris Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair
The motion carried.
Mrs. Holden arrived at 6:12 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
LEAN FROG gave a Zoom presentation to the Board regarding the Organizational and Salary Study they were hired to do. The representative stated that they should be able to wrap up both by December.
Interim Superintendent Kendria Spears gave the following report:
Mrs. Spears introduced Ms. Jaye Ambrose, the new Land and Facilities Supervisor. Mrs. Ambrose told the Board that she looks forward to working with everyone in the district and thanked all for the warm welcome.
ESJH will have their Homecoming on September 29th and WSJH will host their Homecoming on October 6th.
There will be New Teacher Training on September 21st and Master Teacher Training on September 22nd.
The District enrollment is now at 4880 (as of September 12th).
Teacher Vacancies have been reduced and the HR Director advertisement has been pulled until a later date.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
ITEM 6a. Public Comment. Mrs. Rosalind Davis – Request approval of New Policy: BCBI - Public Participation in School Board Meetings
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BCBI - Public Participation in School Board Meetings
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To table and allow legal counsel to review.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
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BCBI: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board desires all citizens of the parish to attend School Board meetings so that they may become better acquainted with the schools, and in order for the School Board to have an opportunity to hear the desires and/or ideas of the public on educational issues within St. John the Baptist Parish.
It is the policy of the School Board to conduct all meetings in full view of and with welcomed participation by the public. However, the School Board reserves the right to recess into or call executive sessions for discussing matters as provided by state law. During executive sessions, no action shall be taken or resolutions made.
REQUEST FOR ITEM TO BE PLACED ON AGENDA
All delegations or individuals who wish to appear before the School Board and place an item on the agenda shall do so in accordance with policy BCBD, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination. Each delegation appearing before the School Board shall select in advance one (1) person as its spokesperson and statements shall be presented in a concise manner.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an agenda item. Comments from the public shall occur after introduction of the item to be voted on and before any discussion by School Board members. However, a person is not entitled to take up business before the School Board unless the item in which he/she is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting, except during the public session of the agenda.
As the School Board reaches each item on its agenda, the School Board President shall recognize those persons indicating a desire to speak on that item. No individual may speak without first being recognized by the presiding officer. Each person may speak for not more than five (5) minutes on each item, and may speak only once on each agenda item. When the individual has been recognized to speak on an agenda item, that individual shall approach the podium. The individual shall limit his/her comments to matters that are strictly relevant to that agenda item. The individual shall refrain from asking questions or making requests of the School Board or staff. No defamatory or accusatory comments or comments relative to the performance of specific employees or potential employees shall be permitted. The School Board President shall, with the approval of the School Board, set a time limitation for an agenda item.
In the event that the School Board should add an item to its agenda after the School Board meeting begins, the School Board President shall orally request of the audience whether anyone in attendance would like to speak on the added agenda item. Each person indicating a desire to do so shall be given an opportunity to address the School Board on each agenda item added. Public comment shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes on any one agenda item, unless the School Board President authorizes the extension of such time to allow more public input.
At the conclusion of all public input on each agenda item, the School Board shall deliberate the matter and take such action as it considers appropriate. There shall be no further public input allowed on each agenda item after the School Board has begun its deliberation of that item.
Copies of this procedure shall be available for distribution to the public during regular business hours and at meetings of the School Board and its committees.
New policy: April, 2023
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ITEM 7. BUSINESS & FINANCE.
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Request Board approval to cancel RFP for Staffing Services
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve cancelling the RFP for Staffing Services.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to award a one-year contract to Kelly Services for staff services
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve a one-year contract to Kelly Services for staffing services.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend the contract on Backflow Preventers and Lift Stations with Gallo
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To extend the contract on Backflow Preventers and Lift Stations with Gallo for one year.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 7d. Public Comment. Request Board approval to Extend Workers Comp Insurance contract to LOCA
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To approve Extend Workers Comp Insurance contract to LOCA for 1 year.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 7e. Public Comment. Mr. Clay Slagle, Volkert - Request Board approval to advertise for Geotechnical Contractor for Bond Projects
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve advertising for Geotechnical Contractor for Bond Projects.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 7f. Public Comment. Mrs. Dominique Miller – Request approval of Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 7g. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to award a one-year contract to Louisiana Service of Norco to handle General Liability & Fleet Insurance Policy
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To award a one-year contract to Louisiana Service of Norco to handle General Liability & Fleet Insurance Policy
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
The Board asked Mr. Faucheux to make sure we are not insuring vehicles that are out of service, in an effort to reduce the cost of this insurance,
ITEM 7h. Public Comment. Mrs. Kendria Spears – Request Board approval of the Sheriff’s Office contract for Traffic Detail and SROs with amendments as needed, after review by legal counsel
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve the amended version of the current Sheriff’s Office Contract.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS.
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Ms. Billie Dinvaut-Duncan/Ms. Misty Slayter, RPCC/Mr. Quinton Taylor, RPCC Chancellor – Request Board approval of implementation of Early College Option in conjunction with RPCC for the 2024-2025 school year, subject to consent decree approval
This item was addressed earlier in the meeting.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mrs. Kendria Spears – Request to enter into a Professional Services contract with Chief of Minds to assist the HR Department with processing the backlog of teacher certifications
Public Comment: Carolyn Batiste, Shondrell Perrilloux, Derron Cook
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve entering into a Professional Services contract with Chief of Minds to assist the HR Department with processing the backlog of teacher certifications
Following extensive discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve entering into a Professional Services contract with Chief of Minds to assist the HR Department with processing the backlog of teacher certifications, for 60 days, with weekly reports to the Board and approval from the Board to continue beyond 60 days.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
1 Nay – Burl
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Atty. Courtney Joiner - In accordance with La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), the board shall enter into executive session to discuss litigation in the case of Charles Julien v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Bd, No. 21-01081 (Eastern District of Louisiana)
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session to discuss litigation in the case of Charles Julien v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Bd, No. 21-01081 (Eastern District of Louisiana)
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
3 Absent – Triche, Morris, Vicknair
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 7:55 p.m.
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 8:44 p.m.
ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Atty. Courtney Joiner - Discussion and approval of recommendation in the case of Charles Julien v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Bd, No. 21-01081 (Eastern District of Louisiana)
No action was taken on this item.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
· Mr. Mamou – thanked the employees for showing up and doing an awesome job every day.
· Ms. Frizzell – Congrats to ECW for being voted the “Best of the River Parishes”
· Mr. Morris – Looking forward to the Workshop on Sept. 28th for discussions that need to happen.
· Mrs. Schum – Trailblazer September 26th in Baton Rouge; also Rotary is selling football squares to raise money for 1st grade libraries in our district
· Mrs. Spears – Asked that we keep in our prayers, the Chopin family, who lost 3 family members to a tragic house fire this past week. Also, please keep our GMMS family in your prayers, as one victim was a 2nd grader at GMMS.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch. Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
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Kendria Spears, Secretary Shawn Wallace, President