PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA – SPECIAL MEETING OF OCTOBER 26, 2023

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

Upon call of the President, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in special session at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

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

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. and called for the invocation (led by Board Member Samual Mamou), followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

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

ABSENT:          Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

There were 8 members present and 3 member absent.

ITEM 3. Public Comment.  Mr. Derron Cook obo St. John Association of Educators – Proclamation in Memory of Wilhelmina Rose Bernard Armour

Mr. Cook read the following proclamation into the official record:

St. John Association of Educators Resolution 

Whereas Mrs. Wilhelmina Rose Armour, a woman of great stature, passed away on October 17, 2023; and  

Whereas Her teaching career began at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in 1954, she entered the St. John the Baptist Parish school system in 1969 of which she taught English, Language Arts, and Social Studies at Leon Godchaux High School and East St. John High School. She was named Teacher of the year in 1982 for St. John Parish. 

Whereas in 1979, transitioned as Assistant Principal to East St. John High School, remaining through her retirement in 1990. 

Whereas in 1984 she organized and led the St John Teachers Strike as the first president for the St. John Association of Educators, stating "In defiance I lay down my pen," resulting in St. John first and standing Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Whereas she was elected to the LEA/NEA board of directors and served as Host Committee Chair for the 1988 convention held in New Orleans. 

Whereas she developed, initiated, and taught Black History in the St. John Parish Public school system, Initiated and sponsored the ESJ High Risk/High Expectation program, served as president of the S.J.A.E.  She was instrumental in organizing school, curriculum, educational programs, and school sponsored activities into her retiring from the St. John Parish public-school system in 1990, where she continued advocate for children and education. 

Be it resolved that in honor of this great leader and SJAE’s first president, who has served as a beacon for all to follow, SJAE will establish the Wilhelmenia Rose Armour Leadership and Advocacy Award to celebrate, in the spirit of her legacy, member(s), citizens, or organizations that embrace the work of advocacy and education in St. John the Baptist Parish. 

Humbly submitted in appreciation by Mr. Derron C. Cook, Sr., president of St. John Association of Educators on October 24, 2023. 

ITEM 4. Public Comment.  Ms. Sherry DeFrancesch – Request approval of Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Option 1) for the Health Insurance Plan for Calendar Year 2024. Approval recommended by Insurance Committee 10-19-2023

MOTION BY:     DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:   Frizzell

MOTION:  To approve Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Option 1) for the Health Insurance Plan for Calendar Year 2024.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace

3 Absent - Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 5.  Public Comment.  Ms. Dominique Miller – Request Board approval of employee-portion cost of health insurance premiums for Calendar Year 2024

MOTION BY:     DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:   Frizzell

MOTION:  To approve the School Board Percentage cost of health insurance premiums for Calendar Year 2024:  Employee Only - 95%;  Employee +1 - 83%;  Family - 77%

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace

3 Absent - Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

ITEM 4.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

ITEM 5.  ADJOURNMENT

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

MOTION BY:    Vicknair

SECOND BY:   Mamou

MOTION:           Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

8 Yeas - Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace

3 Absent - Holden, Burl, Mitchell-Williams

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 5:19 p.m.

________________________________                                      ________________________________

Kendria Spears, Secretary                                                         Shawn Wallace, President