PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

GODCHAUX GRAMMAR CAFETERIA ~ RESERVE, LA

BOARD WORKSHOP OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 ~ 5:00 p.m.

 

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 for a Board Workshop at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

 

Sincerely,

Shawn Wallace

Board President

 

 

ITEM 1.  Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. Mr. Mamou led the group in prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mr. Morris.

 

ITEM 2. Roll Call of Members:

 

PRESENT:          Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace

ABSENT:            Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair

 

There were 6 members present and 5 members absent.

 

ITEM 3. Public Comment. Mrs. Dominique Miller – Update on Finances (ESSER Funds, MFP Reduction, Health Insurance)

Mrs. Miller shared the following information and discussion was held:

 

 

 

Ms. DeFrancesch arrived at 5:06 p.m. and was recorded as present.

Mrs. Mitchell-Williams arrived at 5:10 p.m. and was recorded as present.

Mrs. Vicknair arrived at 5:12 p.m. and was recorded as present.

 

ITEM 4. Public Comment. Mr. Clay Slagle, Volkert (requested by Mrs. Schum) – Priority List for Bond Projects / Update on Bond Projects

Mr. Slagle shared the following information and extensive discussion was held:

 

 

Mrs. Schum stated that the Board never agreed to fund turf fields or additional parking at ESJH Stadium.

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Discussion on John L. Ory Parking Lot Extension Quotes

 Mrs. Gauthier stated that the lowest quote was $19,500 and the highest was $58,375.  Following discussion, the Board asked that this item be brought to Land and Facilities to discuss next steps after verifying whether or not this could possibly be a long-term solution.

 

ITEM 6. Public comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Discussion on Fleet Mechanic Proposals

Public Comment.  Mr. Millet; Anthony Roudeze

Mrs. Gauthier presented the proposals to the Board. She stated that the cost of this contract has gone up substantially, with one quote being $750,000/annually (Cox Mobility) and another being $614,862 (Tony’s Diesel Repair LLC).  There was extensive discussion on this item and will be brought to the full Board for discussion/approval.

 

ITEM 7. Public Comment.  Mrs. Debra Schum – Discussion on strategy to fill vacant teacher positions

Ms. Rosalind Davis stated that the teacher vacancies is a fluid number and changes daily.  She stated that we are using long-term subs and sometimes Master Teachers.  For special education classes, BlazerWorks is being utilized to fill those vacancies.  We are utilizing Indeed.com as well.  Discussion was held and administration was asked to look into whether we can offer to pay teachers to teach on their off period and stay late for their planning.

 

ITEM 8. Public Comment.  Mr. Ulysses Jarrow – Update on Transportation/Bus Solutions to Shortages and Routes/Driver & Monitor Vacancies including an Update on the Fleet/Surplus Vehicles

Public Comment:  Derron Cook; Clarissa Alvis

Mr. Jarrow presented the following information:

 

 

 

ITEM 9. Public Comment.  Mr. Albert Burl, III – Update on former Connection students and the services that are currently being provided to these students

The following information was presented by Ms. Rachael Chaney:

 

 

ITEM 6. Board Items of Interest

There will be a special board meeting on October 4th at 4:30 p.m.

Morris:  Asked for an update on the salt-water intrusion; Also asked for an agenda item on the October 12th meeting regarding the Timbermill group wanting to lease the building in Garyville.

 

ITEM 7.  Adjournment

 

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

 

MOTION BY:    Mitchell-Williams

SECOND BY:   Morris

MOTION:           Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

11 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 12:01 p.m.

 

 

______________________________                                          ________________________________

Kendria Spears, Secretary                                                         Shawn Wallace, President