PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF JUNE 22, 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, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

The agenda for the meeting is attached.

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

The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and called for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

PRESENT:       Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace

ABSENT:          Vicknair

There were 10 members present and 1 member absent.

ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

ITEM 3a.  Public Comment.  Meeting of: May 25, 2023

MOTION BY:    Schum

SECOND BY:   DeFrancesch

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the meeting of: May 25, 2023

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT:  Mrs. Rebecca Johnson

Mrs. Johnson gave the following report:

Each year the Louisiana Department of Education working from statutory law requires all districts to ensure that all of its employees complete mandatory training. These "Safe Schools" trainings consist of over eight hours of course work. These web-based courses, which include post-tests, include topics such as active shooter training, management of conflict, First Aid, substance abuse, managing disruptive behavior, anti-bullying, and suicide prevention.

As of June 8th, 98% of all employees of the district completed these courses. Last school year it was 88%.

Finally, I would like to formally recognize the following departments and schools for having 100% of its employees complete 100% of the trainings:

WSHS; WSJE; ESJP; STEM; GMMS; ESJHS; SJAP; FWE; and Central Office

Update on Public Relations:  Regarding Social Media - Reach is up 87.2%, post frequency and consistency is up 38.5% and median post reactions, comments and shares is up 45%.

Facebook page visits are up 20.7%

ITEM 5.  EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF

ITEM 5a.  Public Comment.  Recognition of Support Employees of the Year & End of School Recognitions

The following awards were given:

Support Employees of the Year 2022-2023

End-of-Year Recognition Awards - Schools and Scholars

End-of-Year School Awards:

School Culture and Climate Award - East St. John Preparatory Academy

Attendance Award – John L. Ory Magnet School   95.61%

Lowest Truancy Award – John L. Ory Magnet School   17.3%

Most Improved Attendance Rate Award – East St. John Preparatory Academy   +3.88%

Most Improved Truancy Award – East St. John Preparatory Academy   -20.5%

PBIS Data Wall Award - Fifth Ward Elementary School

PBIS Bus Behavior Bucks Award – Fifth Ward Elementary School

End-of-Year Scholar JPoints Champions:

East St. John High School – Legend Taylor

East St. John Preparatory Academy – Sarai Gaines

Emily C. Watkins Elementary School – Reginae Williams

Fifth Ward Elementary School – Josiah Jordan

Garyville Mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet School – Jace Joseph

John L. Ory Magnet School – Aibrean Crusto

Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School – Crhistian Mejia Acosta

LaPlace Elementary School – Kylee Williams

STEM Magnet High School – Liza Green

St. John Success Academy – Amaya Nicholson

West St. John Elementary School – A’Myre Green

West St. John High School – E’Miray Fletcher

Most Consecutive Years of Perfect Attendance:

Sarai Gaines – four years (currently a scholar at East St. John Preparatory)

ITEM 6.  PERSONNEL MATTERS.    None.

ITEM 7.  BUSINESS & FINANCE. 

ITEM 7a.  Public Comment.  Ms. Jawanza Joseph – Request approval of the 2022-2023 Revised Budget

MOTION BY:    Frizzell

SECOND BY:   Mitchell-Williams

MOTION:  To approve the 2022-2023 Revised Budget as presented.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas –Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace

1 Abstention - Burl

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 7b.  Public Comment. Ms. Jawanza Joseph – Request approval of the 2023-2024 Proposed Budget.

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   Schum

MOTION:  To approve the 2023-2024 Proposed Budget as present.

Following discussion, there was a

SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY:   Burl

SECOND BY:   Morris

MOTION:  To table.

Roll Call:

4 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, Mamou

6 Nays – Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace

1 Absent - Vicknair

The motion failed.

Following further discussion, the Chair called for a Roll Call on the original motion to approve the 2023-2024 Proposed Budget:

Roll Call:

7 Yeas –Holden, Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace

2 Nays – Burl, Morris

1 Abstention - Mamou

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 7c.  Public Comment.  Ms. Jawanza Joseph – Introduction to the 2023-2024 Salary Schedule

MOTION BY:    Morris

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To approve the 2023-2024 Salary Schedule as presented.

Roll Call:

9 Yeas – Holden, Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace

1 Nay – Burl

1 Absent – DeFrancesch

The motion carried.

ITEM 8.  OLD BUSINESS

ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS.

ITEM 9a.  Public Comment.  Atty. Evan Alvarez/Atty. Andrew Barr – Request to enter into 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; and to consider action deemed necessary as a result

MOTION BY:    DeFrancesch

SECOND BY:   Mitchell-Williams

MOTION:  To enter into 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; and to consider action deemed necessary as a result.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

The Board convened in Executive Session at 7:13 p.m.

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   Mitchell-Williams

MOTION:  To reconvene in Regular Session

Roll Call:

7 Yeas – Triche, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace

4 Absent – Holden, Burl, DeFrancesch, Vicknair

The motion carried.

The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:57 p.m.

ITEM 9b.  Public Comment.  tty. Evan Alvarez/Atty. Andrew Barr  - Consider and take action deemed necessary as a result of agenda item 9a Executive Session.

MOTION BY:    Schum

SECOND BY:   Mitchell-Williams

MOTION:  To accept the recommendation of legal counsel pursuant to 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, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 9c.  Public Comment. Mr. David Andras - Permission to file and accept all required documents and forms for the 2024-2025 E-Rate Grant for Priority 1 and 2 items.

MOTION BY:    Mitchell-Williams

SECOND BY:   Frizzell

MOTION:  To allow administration to file for, sign and accept all required documents and forms for the Federal 2024-2025 E-Rate Grant

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

MOTION BY:    Holden

SECOND BY:   Mitchell-Williams

MOTION:  To waive policy to amend the agenda to take action on Item 9d.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 9d.  Public Comment.  Mr. David Andras - Permission to file RFP for district internet service with the optional DDOS protection for the E-Rate years 2024-2029

MOTION BY:    Morris

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To allow administration to file for, sign and accept all required documents and forms for the Federal 2024-2025 district internet service. (priority 1 E-Rate Grant)

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 9e.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier - Request Board approval to Advertise for Pest Control Service Contract

MOTION BY:    Mitchell-Williams

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To allow administration to advertise for Pest Control Service Contract

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 9f.  Public Comment. Mrs. Janice Gauthier - Request Board approval to Advertise for Food Service Equipment Maintenance Services Contract

MOTION BY:    Morris

SECOND BY:   Mamou

MOTION:  To allow administration to advertise for Food Service Equipment Maintenance Services Contract

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 9g.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier - Request Board approval to Advertise for Welding Supplies

MOTION BY:    Mitchell-Williams

SECOND BY:   Morris

MOTION:  To allow administration to advertise for Welding Supplies

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

ITEM 9h.  Public Comment.  Mrs. Janice Gauthier - Status update on outstanding repair projects being handled by fleet mechanic vendor (Tyrone’s Detailing, Wrecker Service, and Auto Repair, LLC)

Mrs. Gauthier gave the board an update on the status of the repair projects regarding the fleet:

On May 17^th, a meeting was held with the fleet mechanic to discuss the repair and preventive maintenance on the school board buses.  A mutual agreement was made that Mr. Lennix would perform preventive maintenance on 30 of the buses before the start of school.  A list of the first 15 buses was sent to Mr. Lennix on May 29^th and he was to complete those in 15 days, at which time the second list of 15 buses would be released to him for preventive maintenance.  With this agreement, it would ensure that our buses are ready to start the new school year.  At that time, we had 43 buses that were operational and 30 that were out of service.  38 of the 43 were to have Preventive Maintenance performed.

·        30 buses needed Air Conditioning repairs as of June 22^nd (20 AC Repairs have been performed by a Mobile Service)

·        13 of the original buses sent to the fleet mechanic have had Preventive Maintenance but have been performed by a different vendor; 1 preventive maintenance has been done by our current fleet mechanic to date

ITEM 9i.  Public Comment.  Mr. Robert Schaff – Request approval of the 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct & Attendance Handbook

MOTION BY:    Frizzell

SECOND BY:   Triche

MOTION:  To approve the 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct & Attendance Handbook

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

The 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct & Attendance Handbook can be viewed on the School Board website:  www.stjohn.k12.la.us

ITEM 9j.  Public Comment.  Mr. Robert Schaff – Introduction to Revised Policy:  KG – Use of Facilities

This item was for introduction only.

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FILE: KG

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board believes that the function of school facilities is to

accommodate approved school programs for students and to assist in meeting the educational, cultural,

civic, social, and recreational needs of the community.

The use of school facilities by the community is considered a secondary function and shall be scheduled

at times which do not interfere with regular school activities and athletic events including play-off games.  For this reason school facilities will be available to the community for use only after 4:00 p.m. on school days when a school day does not follow.

REQUEST REFUSAL

The School Board reserves the right to refuse any facilities request which:

Concerns any activities prohibited by state, local, and/or School Board laws and/or policies;

Is made for the purpose of regular commercial ventures or business for profit;

Is made by anyone who has failed to follow policy KG, Use of School Facilities;

Is considered contrary to the best interests of the school system.

Any decision to refuse a request rests with the School Board and/or the Superintendent. School principals may recommend that a request be refused for stated reasons. Should a request be refused by a principal, the organization making the request is obliged to relay the refusal to the Central Office for solicitation of the principal’s “stated reasons.” All like organizations will be treated equitably with regard to refusal of requests.

REQUEST PROVISIONS

The use or school facilities by the community shall be based on a pre-numbered and properly documented Use of Facilities Request/Lease form.

The form must be obtained from the School Board office. When a request form is obtained from the

School Board office the requester must submit the following information:

Organization/User Name

Organization/User Address

KG: Use of Facilities ~ Page | 2

Organization/User telephone Number

Organization/User Contact Person Name

Contact Person Address

Contact Person Telephone Number

The agreement shall contain, but not limited to the following:

A “Hold Harmless” statement having the effect of holding the School Board free from any liability that

may arise while the facilities are in use.

A statement by the user claiming that they have been apprised of, understand and agree with the monetary terms of the agreement and the policy KG, Use of School Facilities.

A statement that the user shall assume all responsibility for damages and/or maintenance expenses

incurred, directly or indirectly resulting from their use.

RENTAL OF SCHOOL FACILITIES (BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS)

The School Board cannot legally absorb any cost for use of its facilities by any non-school system group.

This amounts to a donation of public funds, which is not legal.

School rentals are divided into six categories with the following charges:

*Normal function rental (i.e. wedding receptions, parties, non-school dances, etc.)

These rentals are basically everything that is not rented by a non-profit organization or where a

cooperative endeavor is not entered into. A $200 deposit will be required for normal function rentals. The fees for this type of rental will be for a minimum of four-hour blocks for $200 per block. The function can exceed the allotted four hours by an additional two hours. The user will be charged $75 for all hours over the four hour minimum. The School Board will only accept certified checks, cashier’s checks, money orders or credit cards.

For all normal function rentals the user must provide security through the Sheriff’s office to be present at all times during the function. The user will pay the Sheriff’s office for this security. The school employee assigned to the function will be instructed to cancel the function if a deputy is not present.  The deputy(ies) assigned by the Sheriff’s Office names/cell numbers, and email addresses will be provided as a part of the application.  The number required is determined by the district (see chart below). 

Non-profit organizations – A non-profit organization is an organization approved by the internal

revenue service as non-profit and is not a governmental agency.  Proof of such status must be provided. A $200 deposit will be required for nonprofit organizations. The fees for this type of rental will be for a minimum of four-hour blocks for $200 per block. The School Board will only accept certified checks, cashier’s checks or money orders.  The deputy(ies) assigned by the Sheriff’s Office names/cell numbers, and email addresses will be provided as a part of the application.  The number required  is determined by the number of attendees at an event. Requirements are at least 2 deputies required and an additional officer required for every 50 people above 100.

Cooperative endeavors

A cooperative endeavor can be entered into whereby the School Board can absorb some or all of the costs associated with the rental as long as the school system benefits from the use. Only the Board can enter into this type of agreement.  The endeavors would need to be presented for school board approval at a regularly scheduled meeting. 

Functions given to benefit a community need (i.e. benefit supper)

The School Board recognizes that its buildings are part of the community. If a function is given for a

community need, the person/organization will be charged a flat $200 without a deposit for each four-hour block. The principal will determine a “community need”. His/her decision can be appealed to the

Superintendent and then to the Board. All other rules for the facility will be followed.

School-related function

A school can use its facilities, in conjunction with another organization, for a function that directly

benefits St. John the Baptist Parish School System students. Only the Superintendent can approve this

type of facility use. Because this is school-related, all fees are waived.

Repass Rental

The school can be used for a repass function limited to two (2) hours. The fee will be $50 per hour.

RULES FOR FACILITY USE

One school employee must be present for the opening (unlocking), the use and closing (locking) of any

facility used by a non-school system group.

School system custodians will be used for clean-up after use by any non-school system group. Two

school custodians will be approved for four hours of cleaning or one custodian for eight hours.

The user will be allowed four hours for decorating and must be accompanied by a School Board

employee. Only decorations will be allowed that will not permanently damage the site. The School

Board employee will be approved for those four hours.

After approval of all uses, the principal shall schedule the function and use of custodians.

Under no circumstances shall any furniture or equipment be moved from one school to another except for school related activities.

A school system cook must be present for the entire time of any approved use involving kitchen

equipment. The cook may be approved up to for six hours. In the interest of safety, there shall be no

exception to this provision. After approval of all uses involving kitchen equipment, the lunch department

shall be notified of the particulars to make a determination of and schedule the use of cooks.

KG: Use of Facilities ~ Page | 4

Facility rentals will only be approved if all fees are paid at least two weeks prior to the scheduled event.

All users/renters shall carry General Liability insurance with a limit of no less than $1,000,000 combined

single limit and provide a Certificate of Insurance, as evidence, including St. John the Baptist Parish

School District being named as an Additional Insured. If alcohol is to be consumed during event, the

liability policy shall contain a provision to cover alcohol consumption.

1.         Smoking is not allowed!  Possessing any lighted tobacco product is prohibited on all school system property and on all school system-owned buses and vehicles.  This applies even when students are not on campus and includes parking lots and any other outside portions of school property in addition to all buildings.

2.         Alcohol is strictly prohibited!

3.         Under no circumstances are FIREARMS allowed on campus!

4.         All users of facilities MUST adhere to all fire codes.  NO OPEN FLAMES WILL BE PERMITTED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS OR INSIDE OF BUILDINGS.

5.       Use of kitchen facilities is not permitted.

6.       All rooms and areas are to be left in a clean and orderly condition after usage.

7.       When St. John the Baptist Parish Public School officials determine security is needed for an event, it shall be the responsibility of the user of the facility to provide the number of security officials as deemed necessary to cover the event.  The user of the facility shall also provide a letter signed by an official of the company providing the security.

    USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES TABLE OF FEES - *Normal Function Rental

There is no charge for user-provided sound system. 

The District reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of required security officers based on the nature and scope of the event.

Costs for school employee supervision, custodial or maintenance services, equipment use or operations or any other special requests will be added to the user fee in an amount equal to the actual costs to the School District.

My acceptance of these procedures, guidelines, and policies certifies that I am either the President of this organization or the President has authorized me to accept the procedures, guidelines, and policies.

Revised: July, 1994 Revised: March, 2009

Revised: September, 1994 Revised: February 17, 2011

Revised: July, 1999 Revised: December 1, 2011

Revised: May, 2003 Revised: September 4, 2014

Revised: June, 2005

Ref: Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VII, Sec.14

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:91.7, 17:81, 17:240

Board minutes, 4-14-94, 6-3-99, 4-3-03, 3-17-05, 1-14-09, 2-17-11, 9-4-14

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ITEM 10.  ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ITEM 11.  BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST

Board Retreat: July 26^th at LaPlace Elementary School (Media Center)

ITEM 12.  ADJOURNMENT

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

MOTION BY:    Triche

SECOND BY:   Morris

MOTION:         Motion for adjournment.

Roll Call:

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

1 Absent – Vicknair

The motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

________________________________                                    ________________________________

Rebecca Johnson, Secretary                                                     Shawn Wallace, President