PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF OCTOBER 12, 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, October 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and called for the invocation, led by Mr. Mamou, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mrs. Holden.
ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
ABSENT: DeFrancesch, Frizzell
There were 9 members present and 25 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Meeting of: September 14, 2023; September 28, 2023; and October 4, 2023
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of: September 14, 2023; September 28, 2023; and October 4, 2023
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Absent – DeFrancesch, Frizzell
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To amend the agenda to address ITEM 5 at this time.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Absent – DeFrancesch, Frizzell
The motion carried.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Dr. Juanita Hill – Recognition of the newly-selected members to serve on the Student Advisory Council
Dr. Hill recognized the following students:
Mrs. DeFrancesch arrived at 6:10 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:
Interim Superintendent Kendria Spears gave the following report:
Good evening,
Tonight’s report will focus on key areas to support our district. As your superintendent, my focus is on teaching and learning. SJBP Strategic Plan Update: SJBP has been working on the strategic plan to ensure that everything that happens in St. John is aligned to the Strategic Plan. The plan focuses on 3 priorities which include: A student advisory group has been developed. The curriculum team has defined a vision of excellence for unit and lesson plan internalization in Elementary school and middle schools that set expectations for curriculum specialists, teachers, and leaders.
Priority 1: Exceptional Student Experience: Cultivate a joyful, engaging, and inclusive student culture.
Priority 2: Excellent Instruction: Strengthen implementation of our high-quality curricula;
Priority 3: Thriving Team: Grow, recruit, hire and retain teachers and foster a positive staff culture through progress and accountability.
To address the priorities, SJBP has completed the following tasks as it relates to the strategic plan:
· The curriculum team is conducting quarterly curriculum Professional development and New Teacher Cohort Professional development.
· The curriculum team is also supporting Best Practice structures of Teacher Collaboration and Instructional leadership team meetings.
· A training plan was created for school leaders to determine when and how intervention is to be given to our students. It will be precise and will include what teachers are doing intervention and the times these interventions will occur with identified students.
· We held our District Instructional leadership team meeting with district leaders to establish goals based on standardized data to determine strengths and weaknesses. Each department has been tasked with developing priority goals aligned to the strategic plan to address focus areas.
· To address Priority 3: Teacher recruitment: SJBP implemented the following strategies to recruit and retain certified teachers: Offered a sign on bonus for hard to staff schools at (WSJH, WSJE-$5,000) (ESJH, ESJP,GMM,LES-$3,000)
· Advertised on SJBP district Platform
· Advertised on the Indeed Platform
· Advertised on social media
· Registered to attend Recruiting Job Fairs
We also Partnered with Chief of Minds to process and update teacher certifications. As of today, Thursday, October 12th, approximately 50 teachers have submitted their application packet to renew their teaching certificates and those teachers received a case number from LDOE.
Our HR department has ongoing communication with teacher certification programs to increase the number of certified teachers in our district as we continue to focus on the SJBP Teacher Certification Scholarship Program.
Staffing/Vacancies: These are teaching vacancies only.
• ESJH: 8 Teaching Vacancies
• LES: 4 Teaching Vacancies
• ESJP: 0 Teaching Vacancies
• WSJH: 1 Teaching Vacancy (Band Director)
• WSJE: 0 Fully Staffed
• FWE: 0 FULLY STAFFED
• LPE: 0 FULLY STAFFED
• JLO: 0 FULLY STAFFED
• GMMS: 2 Teaching Vacancies
• ECW: 0 FULLY STAFFED
• SJAP: 0 FULLY STAFFED
• STEM: 1 Teaching Vacancy
Transportation Updates:
We are excited to share some significant transportation updates with you, as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our school transportation system.
• Over the past month, we have been diligently working alongside Mr. Kevin Ebarb from EdGear, to carefully review and revise our transportation routes. The primary objective of this effort has been to optimize our routes, ensuring that we can provide the best possible transportation services to our students.
• Tonight, we have the privilege of welcoming Mr. Kevin Ebarb to our School Board meeting, where he will provide a comprehensive update on the progress we've made and the improvements we are implementing.
Current Student Enrollment:
• Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) for 2023-2024 is 4912 and total enrollment (including Head Start and early childhood programs) is 5217.
• MFP for last year in 2022-2023 (October 1 count) was 4814 and total enrollment was 5095.
This data represents a growth of 98 in MFP and 122 growth in total enrollment.
School Safety: As a reminder,
• Security checkpoint: Metal detectors will be used for everyone entering sporting events, including football games.
• Metal detectors and/or wands will also be used at all events in the school gymnasiums. Searches, if necessary, will be conducted as a requirement to enter.
• Clear bag policy. Only clear bags and purses at school events.
• Tickets will now be non-refundable and there is no re-entry. Anyone who leaves an event during the game will not be allowed to enter without going through screening again and purchasing an additional ticket.
• Any student in grades K – 8 attending an event must be accompanied by an adult.
SJBP Events:
· National Hispanic Heritage Family Night: was held Tuesday, October 10th from 6 -8 pm at LPE. Thanks to all school sites, teachers, staff, parents, and community members for making this a successful night. A Special thank you to SJBP EL Team.
· SJBP College and Career Fair was held yesterday in conjunction with the Tri-Parish Kiwanis Club and Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans. There were over 80 vendors registered to participate in this event and I would like to thank all vendors, colleges, universities, plants, governmental organizations, the Tri Parish Kiwanis, Junior Achievement, Ms. Karla Morris, Ms. Dana James, SJBP HS Curriculum Team, and SJBP District Level Teams for making this event a HUGE SUCCESS. On behalf of SJBP School Board………THANK YOU!
Kevin Ebard with EdGear gave a presentation to the Board regarding the Transportation (Bus) Routes.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS & FINANCE.
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mrs. Dominique Miller – Request approval of one-time state stipend payment for full-time employees active as of November 1, 2023, to be paid on or before Friday, Nov. 17, 2023
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve the one-time state stipend payment for full-time employees active as of November 1, 2023, to be paid on or before Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Frizzell
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to ratify Mrs. Kendria Spears’s execution of the LA UMBI/PD (Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage) Rejection Form applicable to the 10/1/23 through 10/1/24 renewal of the District’s vehicle insurance policy
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To to ratify Mrs. Kendria Spears’s execution of the LA UMBI/PD (Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage) Rejection Form applicable to the 10/1/23 through 10/1/24 renewal of the District’s vehicle insurance policy and approve the Resolution read by Mrs. Janice Gauthier.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Frizzell
The motion carried.
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ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend or advertise for Excess Workers’ Comp. Insurance
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To extend the current Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Following discussion, Mrs. Mitchell-Williams rescinded her motion and no action was taken on this item.
ITEM 7d. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend or advertise for Disaster Management Recovery Consultant Services
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve extending the Disaster Management Recovery Consultant Services with All South Engineers through December 31, 2024.
Roll Call:
6 Yeas – Triche, DeFrancesch, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
4 Absent – Holden, Burl, Morris, Mamou
1 Absent - Frizzell
The motion carried.
ITEM 7e. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to award the Fleet Mechanic Contract to a responsive qualified Mechanic Shop
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To award the Fleet Mechanic Contract to Tony’s Diesel at an annual cost of $390,000.
Following discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY : Mamou
MOTION: To table
Roll Call:
3 Yeas – Burl, Morris, Mamou
7 Nays – Holden, Triche, DeFrancesch, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Frizzell
The motion failed.
Upon roll call on the original motion to award the contract to Tony’s Disel at an annual cost of $390,000, there were:
8 Yeas – Holden, Triche, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Nays – Burl, Morris
1 Absent – Frizzell.
The motion carried.
ITEM 7f. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to advertise for Property Insurance
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve advertising for Property Insurance.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Frizzell
The motion carried.
ITEM 7g. Public Comment. Mr. Albert Burl, III obo L&F Committee - Request Board approval to add “Security Upgrades to All Campuses” to the approved Capital Projects List
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To add “Security Upgrades to All Campuses” to the approved Capital Projects List
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Frizzell
The motion carried.
ITEM 7h. Public Comment. Mr. Albert Burl, III obo L&F Committee – Authorize architect(s) to design and prepare construction documents to put out for bid: 1. Security & Lighting; 2. HVAC at all sites; 3. Gymnasiums at LES and ECW, Gymnasium Floors at ESJH and WSJH, and Field House at WSJH; 4. STEM labs at both high schools; and 5. Restrooms district-wide
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To authorize architect(s) to design and prepare construction documents to put out for bid: 1. Security & Lighting; 2. HVAC at all sites; 3. Gymnasiums at LES and ECW, Gymnasium Floors at ESJH and WSJH, and Field House at WSJH; 4. STEM labs at both high schools; and 5. Restrooms district-wide.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Frizzell
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Frizzell
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), to discuss the status in the lawsuit captioned, Fulcrum Enterprises, LLC v. St. John The Baptist Parish School Board, Suit No. C-77965, 40th Judicial District Court, Parish of St. John the Baptist.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Frizzell
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 7:11 p.m.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Absent – Frizzell, Mitchell-Williams
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:25 p.m.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To waive policy to add an executive matter (action item) to the agenda.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Absent – Frizzell, Mitchell-Williams
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To accept the settlement agreement as presented by Hammonds & Sills.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Absent – Frizzell, Mitchell-Williams
The motion carried.
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
· Mrs. Triche – October is the month to show our appreciate to our Principals.
· Mr. Mamou – Accepting donations of snacks for our football team
· Mrs. Holden – Thank you to the administration for the very successful Career Fair held yesterday. Job well done – it was very nice.
· Mrs. Schum – St. John Education Foundation will offer $500 mini grants to all teachers. This will be presented at the Principal’s Meeting on October 24th.
· Mrs. Triche – the Rotary Club will be sponsoring 2 football pools to raise money for libraries at all schools (public, private and parochial). Mrs. Schum – shout out to the Reserve Library for donating over 1,000 books to the school libraries.
· Mrs. Spears – National Hispanic Night was a huge success and everyone did a wonderful job! Also, the College and Career Fair was also a huge success. Thank you to all the vendors, colleges, universities, local plants, governmental agencies, the Tri-Parish Kiwanis Club, Junior Achievement, and the Curriculum Teams. Also, thanks to the School Board members who came out to support.
· Mr. Wallace – Monday and Tuesday are our Fall Break for our students. Thanks to all faculty and staff for all the hard work they put in every day.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Absent – Frizzell, Mitchell-Williams
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
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Kendria Spears, Secretary Shawn Wallace, President