PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF DECEMBER 7, 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 Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School, 3328 Highway 51, LaPlace, LA, on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
ABSENT: Holden, Mamou
There were 9 members present and 2 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Mamou arrived at 6:01 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Meeting of: November 9, 2023, 2023; November 27, 2023; and November 28, 2023
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of: November 9, 2023, 2023; November 27, 2023; and November 28, 2023
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Holden
The motion carried.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ITEM 4a. Recognition of Marathon Petroleum’s Partnership with Career Technical Education Program
ITEM 4b. LEAP 2025 Top Gains Schools
Interim Superintendent Spears reported the following:
Mrs. Spears introduced the following employees who have completed the certification process utilizing the grant from Marathon: Alexis Banks, Jada Butler, Demetra Charles, Dalacia Davis, Laquilla Hart, Crystal O’Connor, Tara Perrilloux, Madison Roussell, Amanda Whitlock, Courtney Williams. Marathon representatives were present and addressed the Board and audience.
Mrs. Holden arrived at 6:05 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4b. LEAP 2025 Top Gains Schools
Mrs. Spears recognized West St. John Elementary and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary for earning the LEAP 2025 Top Gains Schools awarded by the State Department of Education, and presented the schools with a banner.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Resolution to the Family of Ronald Parquet
President Wallace read the following resolution into the record:
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY
WHEREAS, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board grieves the loss of a former employee and a friend to all who met him, with the death of Ronald Parquet; and
WHEREAS, St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes Mr. Parquet’s service to this community and his devotion to St. John the Baptist Parish Public School Board’s Maintenance Department for the last 15 years; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his dedication and service to St. John the Baptist Parish School System, the members of its Board offer this Resolution of Sympathy to the members of his family, to which a copy will be forwarded; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, on behalf of its members, recognizes the significant contributions of Ronald Parquet to this district, and mourns his death;
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution will be read into the record, and placed in the minutes, the archives, and official records of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board at its meeting on the 7th day of December in the year of our Lord 2023.
ITEM 5b. Mrs. Rosalind Davis - Recognition of: Students of the Year; Teachers of the Year
STUDENTS OF THE YEAR:
|
School |
5th Grade |
8th Grade |
12th Grade |
|
ESJH |
|
|
Haley Mendez |
|
WSJH |
|
Khailin Williams |
Rianna Lewis |
|
LES |
Journee Williams |
Noe’ Lopez |
|
|
LPE |
Andrew Murray |
Kynnedi Simms |
|
|
GMM |
Roselyn Lopez |
Aeiress Lee |
|
|
JLO |
Dylan Graffeo |
Tatyanna Gross |
|
|
ECW |
Hermione Brooks |
Reginae Williams |
|
|
ESJP |
Matthew Lane |
Alex Soriano |
|
|
WSJE |
Zoe Oubre |
|
|
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR:
|
School |
Elementary |
Middle |
High |
New Teacher |
|
LPE |
Shannon Cosse |
Denia Guidry |
|
|
|
LES |
Monique Cannon |
Laquella Hart |
|
Gabrielle Warren |
|
ECW |
Erika Wright |
Angela Tsuruda |
|
Christina Williams |
|
GMMS |
Ashton Jones |
Shantrese Roussell |
|
|
|
FWE |
|
|
|
|
|
FWE |
Chrystol O’Connor |
|
|
|
|
JLO |
Lisette Watkins |
Heather Noah |
|
|
|
WSJE |
Tremere Freeman |
Ashanti Lumar-Cannon |
|
Braion Sorapuru |
|
ESJP |
|
Ambrea Perriloux |
|
Shaina Williams |
|
ESJH |
|
|
Brandy Nora |
|
|
WSJH |
|
|
Denneal Jones |
|
|
STEM |
|
Eric Johnson |
Theresa Green |
|
Early Childhood Teacher of the Year-Melissa Whiteside
HeadStart Teacher of the Year-Charlotte Smith
ITEM 5c. Dr. Juanita Hill – ACT Elite Recognition
The following students were recognized:
ITEM 5d. Dr. Juanita Hill/Mrs. Shannon Smith Magee – Accountability Update
The following information was shared:
p
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS & FINANCE.
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mr. Clay Slagle - Request Board approval to award a geo-technical services contract to a lowest responsive bidder
Mr. Slagle stated that there was 4 responses, 2 of which were non-responsive due to the omission of some prices. The lowest responsive bidder was Gulf South.
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To award the geo-technical services contract to the lowest responsive bidder (Gulf South)
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
0 Absent
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment Mrs. Janice Gauthier – Request Board approval to extend Excess Worker’s Comp Insurance with Gallagher
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To extend Excess Workers’ Comp Insurance with Gallagher.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
0 Absent
The motion carried.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier - Request approval of contract with Eisner Amper to provide accounting consultation services for the 23-24 fiscal year
Mrs. Miller, CFO, stated that this is the same contract that we’ve been working under with P&N, but P&N sold the company to Eisner Amper, so a contract with the new name is what administration is asking for approval of.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve the contract with Eisner Amper to provide accounting consultation services for the 23-24 fiscal year.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
0 Absent
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Mr. Shawn Wallace – Request approval of the School Board Meeting Calendar for Calendar Year 2024
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve the School Board Meeting Calendar for Calendar Year 2024 as presented.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 May – Burl
The motion carried.
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
· Schum – Workshop on January 11th – asking that the information be presented from Lean Frog.
· Burl – Merry Christmas to all
· Triche – Thanks to Ms. Tara and Mr. Joe for always setting things up for our meetings. Also thanked the technology department, and Mrs. Janice. She asked for a breakdown of the cost of transportation for extracurricular activities. Thanked Mrs. Spears for leading our district in the absence of a permanent superintendent.
· Mamou – Thanks to Ms. Janice, Mrs. Spears, Mrs. Davis for stepping in and leading the district when needed.
· Frizzell – LPE Holiday Concert will be Wednesday, December 13th at 5:30 p.m.
· Vicknair – Thanks to Mrs. Janice and wish her well in retirement!
· Mamou – Merry Christmas to all! Thanked Mrs. Spears and Mrs. Davis for stepping up when needed.
· Mitchell-Williams – Thanks to Mrs. Janice for all her work and we appreciate you! Also thanked Mrs. Spears for stepping in and leading our district.
· Holden – To all the curriculum team, principals and campus leaders that are doing the work to move our district forward, thank you so much!
· Mrs. Spears – thanked key people for assisting her in her role of Interim Superintendent: The Leadership Team, Mr. Orenthal Jasmin, Brandon Baker and the tech team, Derron Cook, Stacey Waller, Curricular Team, Maintenance Team, and Mrs. Janice.
· Wallace – January Board Retreat – Either January 22-23 or January 29-30. Please let him know which dates work best for you and we will call the retreat for the date that the majority can attend. Also, next week, we will have an Executive Committee on Tuesday and a Special Board Meeting on Thursday. Thanked Mrs. Spears for stepping in and taking care of the district. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Kendria Spears, Secretary Shawn Wallace, President