PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF January 18, 2024
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 the West St. John Elementary School, 2555 LA Hwy. 18, Edgard, Louisiana, on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and called for a prayer, led by Mr. Mamou, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mrs. Vicknair
ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Burl, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
ABSENT: Holden, Triche, DeFrancesch
There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Meeting of: December 4, 2023; December 7, 2023 and December 14, 2023
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of: December 4, 2023; December 7, 2023 and December 14, 2023
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Burl, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
3 Absent – Holden, Triche, DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
Ms. DeFrancesch arrived at 6:08 p.m. and was recorded as present.
Mrs. Holden arrived at 6:08 p.m. and was recorded as present.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ITEM 4a. School Board Member Credit Hours Earned
Dr. Perry announced the following:
LOUISIANA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION CONTINUING LEARNING UNITS - 2023
LRS 17:53 mandates that all school board members must receive a minimum of six hours of training annually while serving on the school board. School Board Member credit hours must be recorded in the official record of the School Board, as well as the official journal annually.
The total credit hours for each of our board members for the 2023 calendar year:
Ms. Charo Holden, District 1
– 18.5 Credit Hours
Mr. Albert Burl, District 2
– 11 Credit Hours
Mrs. Patricia Triche, District 3
– 18.75 Credit Hours
Mr. Raydel Morris, District 4
– 20 Credit Hours
Mrs. Sherry DeFrancesch, District 5
– 15 Credit Hours
Ms. Jennifer Frizzell, District 6
– 30.5 Credit Hours
Mr. Samuel Mamou, District 7
– 27.5 Credit Hours
Ms. Debbie Schum, District 8
– 33.25 Credit Hours
Mr. Shawn Wallace, District 9
– 22.5 Credit Hours
Ms. Nia Mitchell, District 10
– 11 Credit Hours
Mrs. Lindsey Vicknair, District 11
– 14.5 Credit Hours
ITEM 4b. District Updates
Dr. Perry gave the following updates:
Department Engagement: Last week, I met with all departments to review priorities and goals and review work accomplished so far as well as identifying goals and priorities for next week and the coming weeks.
Personnel Update: We have filled 3 positions: Asst. Superintendent – Dr. Jaimee Williams, who will start January 19th; Human Resources Director – Dr. Kimberly Johnson, who will start January 25th; and Purchasing Director – Mr. George Miller, who will begin next week. We are currently advertising for the following position: Federal Programs Coordinator
School Visits: The plan was to visit all schools, but due to the inclement weather, that was put off. I will begin these visits next week.
Office Restructuring: In an effort to make the Central Office more efficient, several employees were moved around to keep departments in close proximity of each other. This will ensure a “one-stop-shop” for a smoother work flow.
Collective Bargaining Collaboration: SJAE members, bus drivers, administrative leadership team met to discuss the bus drivers’ extra runs and define what “extra runs” actually means.
Bus Driver Updates: Mr. Jarrow, myself, Mrs. Dominique Miller, and Edulog ,et to review the current subscription and discovered there is training built in. Edulog will do an upload tonight to obtain accurate student data.
School Closures: During the wintery weather conditions, a boil water advisory was issue. Directives were given to all site leaders to cover all water fountains and bottled water was distributed to all sites for drinking/cooking.
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. SJBPS Education Foundation Mini Grant Presentation
The following teachers were awarded a $500 Mini Grant by the SJBPS Education Foundation:
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
ITEM 7. BUSINESS & FINANCE.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Mr. Ulysses Jarrow – Update on Transportation Routing Service
Mr. Jarrow shared the following information and discussion was held:
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Mr. Joshua Cockfield – Executive Session – Workers’ Compensation Claim (LCA-0023825) - Settlement Authorization Request (Requires Action)
ITEM 9b.Public Comment. Atty. Bob Hammonds – Request to enter into Executive Session, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), to discuss strategy and ongoing litigation in the case of Kathy Duhon et al. v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Bd., Doc. No. 90-1669 (Eastern District of Louisiana) (Judge Jay Zaney) (Requires action)
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session to discuss Item 9a: Workers’ Compensation Claim (LCA-0023825) - Settlement Authorization Request and also Item 9b: To discuss strategy and ongoing litigation in the case of Kathy Duhon et al. v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Bd., Doc. No. 90-1669 (Eastern District of Louisiana) (Judge Jay Zaney)
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 6:31 p.m.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 7:57 p.m.
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To grant settlement authority to Joshua Cockfield in the matter of Workers’ Compensation Claim (LCA-0023825) - Settlement Authorization Request
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Atty. Bob Hammonds – Consider and take action as a result of the strategy session on Kathy Duhon et al. v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Bd., Doc. No. 90-1669 (Eastern District of Louisiana) (Judge Jay Zaney). (Requires action)
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To authorize Bob Hammonds and the Superintendent to hold Public Meetings on January 30, 31 and February 1, 2024 (times TBA), to receive public input on the possibility of redistricting our schools.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay – Burl
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
Mr. Burl asked that his statement be placed in the official record:
“I think this is out of order because based on the consent decree, it has nothing to do with the closing of Fifth Ward. The agenda item says Kathy Duhon and has nothing in there to do with closing Fifth Ward. The decision that is about to be made, we don’t even know what would be the main purpose. The entire plan was never voted for or adopted officially at a board meeting.”
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
· Mrs. Schum - Finance Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23rd at 4:30 p.m.
· Mr. Mamou – asked the Superintendent to plan a tour of all schools
· Mr. Burl – asked for a copy of the consent decree that was sent in November 2023
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 8:10 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Dr. Cleo Perry, Secretary Shawn Wallace, President