PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF JULY 11, 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 Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria (Board Meeting Room), 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, LA, on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. and called for a prayer, led by Mrs. Holden, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Burl, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace
ABSENT: Triche, DeFrancesch, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair
With 7 members present and 4 members absent, there was a quorum.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Approval of Minutes from the Meeting of: June 20, 2024
Public Comment. Alvin Scioneaux, Malachai Batiste
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meeting of: June 20, 2024
Roll Call:
6 Yeas – Holden, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Wallace
1 Nay – Burl
4 Absent – Triche, DeFrancesch, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair
The motion carried.
Mr. DeFrancesch arrived at 6:11 p.m. and Mrs. Mitchell-Wiliams arrived at 6:23 p.m.
ITEM 4. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ITEM 4a. District Updates
Dr. Perry presented the following updates:
ITEM 5. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5a. Youth Leadership Initiative - LA Representative Ken Brass, Entergy Representative Florance Dumas, and Elevated Gents Representative Corde Barne
Entergy Louisiana has awarded $5,000 for both high schools for the Salute First Leadership Program; State Rep. Ken Brass also awarded $70,000 for both high schools to use toward leadership and character development initiatives.
ITEM 6a. Public Comment. Request approval of Revised Policy: II – Testing Program
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: II – Testing Program
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
********************************
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall take every precaution to assure that all tests administered within the school system shall be conducted in such a manner so as not to compromise in any way the testing results. For criterion-referenced, norm- referenced, alternate assessments and certain other tests administered by or through the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), testing materials and procedures, as well as any electronic data, computer media, or passwords related to student testing, shall be properly supervised in strict compliance with regulations outlined by BESE and the School Board. In addition, all secure tests, answer documents, student log-in information, and supplementary secure materials shall be stored under lock and key in designated areas when not in use.
Employees shall be responsible for reporting irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests. Although procedures for reporting irregularities to district personnel are listed below, employees may report such information directly to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE), which shall investigate the allegations. No employee shall make a report of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests knowing that the information included is false. No employee shall knowingly obstruct the procedures for receiving and investigating a report of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests.
No public school administrator or member of a School Board shall retaliate against an employee who in good faith participates in an investigation of testing administration improprieties or irregularities. Retaliation shall include discharging, demoting, suspending, threatening, harassing, or discriminating of an employee who in good faith reports testing administration improprieties or irregularities.
DEFINITIONS
Access—access to secure test materials means physically handling the materials, not reading, reviewing, or analyzing test items or student responses, either before, during, or after testing, except where providing approved accommodations.
Secure Materials―test materials that contain test items or student responses and to which access is restricted. Secure test materials include:
1. student test booklets;
2. student answer documents;
3. student log-in information; and
4. any other materials that contain test items or student responses.
Testing Irregularity―any incident in test handling or administration that leads to a question regarding the security of the test or the accuracy of the test data.
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
All cell phones or other similar technological devices with imaging or text-messaging capabilities that are the property of students, test administrators, and school test coordinators must be placed in and remain in the off position while test booklets and answer documents secure test materials are in the vicinity. Except for devices required for approved accommodations or online assessments, if a student is in possession of and/or uses a cell phone or electronic device in any manner during the administration of a statewide test, the phone or electronic device will be confiscated until assurance can be evidenced that all traces of information, in print, image, or verbal form, have been removed from all local and cloud storage and that no such traces remain on the device.
If evidence exists on the cell phone or other electronic device that indicates the device was used during the test administration and/or test material was recorded and/or transmitted, the student’s score shall be voided.
Violation of the no cell phone or electronic device rule may result in discipline in accordance with School Board policy.
VIOLATIONS OF TEST SECURITY
Any changes made by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and incorporated into Bulletin 118, Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices, Chapter 53, Test Security, will be considered as part of this policy and will be implemented by the School Board.
It shall be a violation of test security for any person to do any of the following:
1. Administer tests in a manner that is inconsistent with the administrative instructions provided by the Louisiana Department of Education LDE and the School Board that would give examinees an unfair advantage or disadvantage;
2. Give examinees access to test questions prior to testing;
3. Examine any test item at any time (except for students during the test or test administrators while providing the accommodations Tests Read Aloud or Communication Assistance, Transferred Answers, or Answers Recorded for students determined to be eligible for those accommodations);
4. At any time, copy, reproduce, record, store electronically, discuss, or use in a manner inconsistent with test regulations all or part of any secure test item, test booklet, answer document, or supplementary secure materials;
5. Coach examinees in any manner during testing or alter or interfere with examinees' responses in any manner;
6. Provide answers to students in any manner during the test, including provision of cues, clues, hints, and/or actual answers in any form -- written, printed, verbal or nonverbal;
7. Administer published parallel, previously administered, or current forms of any statewide assessment as a practice test or study guide; including all forms of the Iowa test.
8. Fail to follow security regulations for distribution and return of secure test booklets, answer documents, student log-in information, supplementary secure materials, as well as overages as directed; or fail to account for and secure test materials before, during, or after testing;
9. Conduct testing in environments that differ from the usual classroom environment (excluding computer labs used for online testing) without prior written permission from the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Assessments and Accountability LDE except for the purpose of providing accommodations;
10. Fail to report any testing irregularities immediately to the District Test Coordinator, who must report such incidents to the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Assessments and Accountability LDE;
11. Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist in, encourage, or fail to report any of the acts prohibited in this section.
STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE
A copy of the School Board's test security policy and procedures for handling emergencies during online testing that are in compliance with the state’s test security policy and a Statement of Assurance regarding the School Board’s test security policy shall be submitted annually to the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Assessments and Accountability. This statement shall include the name of the individual designated by the Superintendent to procure test materials.
PROCEDURES FOR TEST SECURITY
Test materials, including all test booklets, answer documents, student log-in information, supplementary secure materials containing secure test questions, videotapes, and completed observation sheets, shall be kept secure and accounted for in accordance with procedures specified in the test administration manuals and other communications provided by the Louisiana Department of Education.
Procedures for the security of test materials shall include:
1. The Superintendent shall designate annually designate one individual in the district as District Test Coordinator, and, if necessary, one individual as Backup District Test Coordinator, who shall be authorized to procure test materials which are utilized in testing programs administered by or through BESE or the Louisiana Department of Education. The name of the individuals so designated shall be provided in writing to the Division of Assessments and Accountability, Louisiana Department of Education LDE, and included on the statement of assurance.
2. If during the academic year the person appointed as District Test Coordinator changes, the Superintendent shall notify the LDE, Division of Assessments and Accountability in writing within fifteen (15) days of the change of appointment.
3. The former District Test Coordinator shall inform the new District Test Coordinator of the location of placement tests and other relevant testing materials.
4. All persons involved in the administration of tests or that have access to test materials or student test data shall annually receive proper training and development for handling and securing all testing materials, as well as proper security maintenance, access to electronic data and confidentiality requirements. A record of such activities shall be maintained by the School Board. Such activities shall be coordinated and supervised by the District Test Coordinator. School testing coordinators shall in turn inservice all school level personnel having access to testing materials on security, administration, and confidentiality of individual or aggregated student test data.
5. The District Test Coordinator shall provide for and assure the security of all test materials prior to distribution to the schools and upon return of test materials from the schools.
a. All test materials, except district and school test coordinator manuals and test administration manuals, shall be kept in a designated, locked secure storage area prior to, during, and after administration of any test; all secure materials, including any parallel forms of a test, shall be kept in locked storage at both the district and school levels; secure materials must never be left in open areas or unattended; test administrators shall be given access to the tests and any supplementary secure materials only on the day the test is to be administered, and these are to be retrieved immediately after testing is completed for the day and stored in a designated locked, secure storage area each day of testing.
b. All test booklets, answer documents, student log-in information, and supplementary secure materials shall be accounted for and written documentation kept by test administrators and proctors for each point at which test materials are distributed and returned.
6. The School Board also shall maintain procedures to code testing materials at no more than two (2) secure central locations and to house the testing materials at the central locations until no more than three (3) working days prior to test administration, to the extent practicable.
7. Any discrepancies noted in the serial numbers of test booklets, answer documents, and any supplementary secure materials, or the quantity received from contractors shall be reported to the Division of Student Assessments and Accountability (LDE) by the District Test Coordinator prior to the administration of the test.
8. In the event the test booklets, answer documents, student log-in information, or supplementary secure materials are determined to be missing while in the possession of the school district or in the event of any other testing irregularities or breaches of security, the District Test Coordinator shall immediately notify by telephone the Division of Student Assessments and Accountability (LDE) and follow the detailed procedures for investigating and reporting specified in BESE's Test Security Policy.
9. Only personnel trained in test security and administration shall be allowed to have access to or administer any statewide assessments.
10.Individuals shall adhere to all procedures specified in all operational manuals that govern the mandated testing programs, as well as ensure the security of individual student test data in electronic formats, including encryption of student demographics in any email correspondence.
11.All test administrators and proctors shall be required to sign the Oath of Security and return it to the School Test Coordinator to keep on file for three (3) years. The School Test Coordinator and principal shall be required to sign an Oath of Security and return it to the District Test Coordinator to be kept on file at the School Board office for three (3) years.
12.A list of personnel authorized to have access to the locked, secure storage area where all test materials are stored shall be maintained by the School Board. School personnel authorized to have access to the locked secure storage area shall only include the School Test Coordinator, principal, or assistant principal of each school. Additionally, a list of all individuals who have access to student level test data shall be maintained.
13.The School Board shall ensure that individual student test data in electronic and paper formats, are protected from unauthorized access and disclosure. The District Test Coordinator and other authorized users of state testing and reporting systems shall be responsible for ensuring the security of all passwords, any disks or CD's with downloaded individual student test data, and student-level data open on a computer screen. Any student information from these state testing and reporting systems shall not be disclosed to anyone other than a state, district, or school official, or parent/guardian as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). All users who are granted a password to these systems shall abide by FERPA provisions.
a. School level passwords for access to individual school data shall be provided to school principals by the District Test Coordinator as requested. Principals shall be responsible for distributing the password as needed to school personnel and to provide for security and confidentiality of the school level password.
b. All school users shall be required to sign a confidentiality agreement guaranteeing they will not share any password with unauthorized individuals and maintain the confidentiality of student data. A copy of the confidentiality agreement shall be sent to the District Test Coordinator for safekeeping, or for school users, maintained by the principal of each school. Signed confidentiality agreements shall be valid until the District Test Coordinator receives notification that the confidentiality agreement available online has been revised. A new confidentiality agreement shall be signed by all users each year after the new password letter for schools and districts has been automatically generated in August of each year. If a breach in security occurs, principals shall immediately contact the District Test Coordinator or his/her backup for a replacement password. Users who have access to these systems and leave their positions at a district or school site shall not use or share any passwords. District Test Coordinators shall send their signed confidentiality agreements to the Louisiana Department of Education LDE.
14.Any testing irregularities, including anonymous complaints, access to electronic data, missing test materials, or instances of plagiarism or excessive wrong-to- right erasures on a test, or breaches in test security, including access to electronic data, shall be reported in writing to the District Test Coordinator, who will conduct an investigation and report the findings to the Superintendent.
15.The District Test Coordinator shall initiate the investigation of all reports of testing irregularities, including anonymous complaints, in accordance with procedures outlined by the Louisiana Department of Education LDE in Bulletin 118, Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices, and/or the School Board. The District Test Coordinator may elicit the assistance of school district administrative personnel as well as other persons deemed appropriate to assist in any investigation. Once the investigation has been completed, a report of the results of the investigation shall be submitted to the Division of Assessments and Accountability, Louisiana Department of Education, LDE and the Superintendent.
Investigation Process
Procedures for investigating any testing irregularity (including cheating), and any employees accused of improprieties shall follow the procedures outlined in Bulletin 118, Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices, but shall include the following:
A. In instances where any testing irregularities may have occurred, an initial written report of the alleged irregularity shall be prepared by the site administrator where the instance occurred. Said documentation shall then be forwarded to the building principal, school test coordinator, the District Test Coordinator, and the Superintendent.
B. The District Test Coordinator shall review the allegation of test security violation and conduct an investigation of any such allegations, documenting all investigative activities. The formal investigation will include, but not be limited to:
1. The location of the designated, locked, secure area for storage of materials shall be examined, and the individuals with access to secure materials shall be identified;
2. Interviews regarding testing administration and security procedures shall be conducted with the principal, school test coordinator(s), test administrator(s), and proctor(s) at the identified schools. All individuals who had access to the test materials at any time shall be interviewed, when necessary;
3. Interviews shall be conducted with students in the identified classes regarding testing procedures, layout of the classroom, access to test materials before the test, and access to unauthorized materials during testing;
4. Compilation of any documents to support or to refute allegations made. All individuals who had access to the test materials at any time must be interviewed.
A written summary of the findings of the investigation shall be provided the Superintendent.
C. If the investigation conducted provides evidence to indicate that a breach of test security did indeed occur, individuals involved in such security breach shall be identified, and depending upon the nature of the violation, appropriate corrective and/or punitive action may be pursued.
1. Students found to have purposefully violated test security shall have test results voided and will be referred to the site administrator for appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with provisions of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board Policy Manual.
2. Any teachers or other school personnel found to have purposefully violated test security shall be charged with violation of state and/or School Board policy and disciplinary action shall be pursued in accordance with the provisions of state statutes, with direction from the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
D. After completion of the investigation, the School Board shall provide a report of the investigation and a written plan of action to the State Superintendent within thirty (30) calendar days of the initiation of the investigation. At a minimum, the report shall include the nature of the situation, the time and place of occurrence, and the names of the persons involved in or witness to the occurrence.
E. In accordance with provisions of BESE's Test Security Policy, it is understood that the Louisiana Department of Education may conduct its own investigation into allegations of test security violations. In such instances, the District Test Coordinator and Superintendent shall aid and assist state department officials in the conduction of their investigation and provide documentation of information obtained in local investigative efforts.
TEST ENVIRONMENT
Testing shall be conducted in class-sized groups. Bulletin 741, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, (§913A) statesthat K-3 classroom enrollment should beno more than 26 students, and in grades 4-12, no more than 33, except in certain activity types of classes in which the teaching approach and the material and equipment are appropriate for large groups. For grades K-8, the maximum class size for health and physical education classes may be no more than 40. Class size for exceptional students is generally smaller [Bulletin 741, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators (§915)]. Permission for testing in environments that differ from the usual classroom environment (excluding computer labs used for online testing) must shall be obtained in writing from the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Assessments and Accountability LDE at least thirty (30) days prior to testing. If testing outside the usual classroom setting is approved by the LDE Division of Assessments and Accountability, the School Board shall provide at least one proctor for every thirty (30) students.
To the extent practicable, the School Board shall maintain administrative procedures to assign a different test administrator for a class than the teacher of record for the class, except for teachers testing students with accommodations and younger students, grades 3 through 8.
The School Board shall also maintain administrative procedures for the monitoring of test sites to ensure appropriate test security procedures are being followed and to observe test administration procedures.
EMERGENCIES DURING TESTING
For emergencies that require evacuation of the classroom during administration of statewide assessments, test administrators shall follow the procedures outlined in Bulletin 118, Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices. If test security has been compromised, the District Test Coordinator shall notify the LDE, Division of Assessments and Accountability, as soon as possible.
The School Board, through the Superintendent and staff, shall develop an emergency plan and procedures that include steps to be followed in the event of an emergency that results in disruption of online testing. If online testing is disrupted by emergencies, lost internet connections, lost power, or computer crashes and students are unable to continue testing on the same day, the school test coordinator should document what occurred as a testing irregularity and notify the District Test Coordinator. If the student will be unable to return to testing by the end of the day after the disruption, the District Test Coordinator must immediately notify the LDE, Division of Assessments and Accountability.
CONDITIONS AND PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
The State Superintendent of Education may disallow test results which may have been achieved in a manner which is violative in violation of test security. In addition:
1. In cases where test results are not accepted because of breach of test security or action by the Louisiana Department of Education, any programmatic, evaluative, or graduation criteria dependent upon the data shall be deemed not to have been met.
2. Anyone known to be involved in the presentation of forged, counterfeit, or altered identification for the purposes of obtaining admission to a test administration site for any test administered by or through the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Louisiana Department of Education shall have breached test security. Any individual(s) or student who knowingly causes or allows the presentation of forged, counterfeit, or altered identification for the purpose of obtaining admission to any test administration site shall forfeit all test scores and will be allowed to retake the test at the next test administration.
3. Test scores may be voided at the school level in cases of cheating or other violations of test security. When either cheating or the violation of test security is suspected, a committee to include at least the principal, school test coordinator, and test administrator shall be convened to determine whether or not a score should be voided. A written report documenting and describing the incident(s) shall be completed. In the event the decision is made to void scores because of cheating, the student and parents shall be notified and offered an opportunity for a hearing to be conducted by the principal with the test administrator and school test coordinator also present. The principal shall make the final decision regarding voiding of test scores or breach of ethics. If the decision is made to void test scores, the school test coordinator must submit a letter on school letterhead with the principal's and school test coordinator's signatures to the District Test Coordinator. Attached to the letter should be the written record of the breach of security or cheating, dates and times of all meetings/hearings relating to the incidents with signatures of all present at these meetings/hearings, and documentation of phone calls to parents. Any witnesses to cheating or breach of security should complete a written statement describing the incident and sign and date the statement. These should be submitted with the written report.
4. Any teacher or other personnel who breaches test security or allows breaches in test security shall be disciplined in accordance with the provisions of School Board policy and regulations adopted by the BESE and any applicable state laws. Any violation of test security or breach of ethics on the part of an employee of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board before, during, or after testing (including erasure analysis and/or other evidence that results in the voiding of test scores) shall be investigated by the District Test Coordinator. If the violation occurred at the school level, the building principal shall participate in the investigation. In the event sufficient evidence exists to support a violation in test security or breach of ethics, a written report shall be submitted to the Superintendent. A hearing shall be conducted by the Superintendent with the employee(s) under investigation, the District Test Coordinator, the building principal, and the Director of Personnel present. If the Superintendent determines that a violation of test security or breach of ethics has occurred, appropriate recommendations for disciplinary action shall be made and action taken in accordance with School Board policy.
5. In the event that an employee has participated in activities to provide answers or otherwise alter test scores, the recommendation will be dismissal. All evidence of violations of test security and breach of ethics reported to the Superintendent by the Louisiana Department of Education shall require a written report from those suspected of violations, the building principal, and the school test coordinator regardless of whether or not the claims are substantiated.
6. Anonymous complaints received by either the Superintendent or the District Test Coordinator regarding violations of test security or breach of ethics shall be investigated by the District Test Coordinator. If evidence exists to support the complaint(s), appropriate action as described above shall be initiated.
7. If the School Board wishes to contest any LDE void determination resulting from LDE data forensic findings or other LDE investigations, the Superintendent shall submit an appeal request in writing to the LDE in accordance with Bulletin 118, Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices.
Revised: June, 2001 Revised: November,2010
Revised: November, 2001 Revised: February2, 2012
Revised: May, 2003 Revised: December10, 2015
Revised: April, 2006 Revised: February,2020
Revised: April,2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:24, 17:81, 17:81.6, 49:953; Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices, Bulletin 118, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 5-3-01, 6-5-08, 2-2-12, 12-10-15.
********************************
ITEM 6b. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of New Policy: EFD – Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve New Policy: EFD – Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
********************************
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes the importance of maintaining and protecting computer hardware and software, including necessary equipment and supplies to maintain computer operations in the event of a disaster. The School Board shall authorize the Superintendent and/or his/her designee to maintain appropriate regulations and procedures for the proper usage of School Board owned or leased computer equipment and the protection of electronic media,applications, and stored user data.
Such regulations and procedures shall assure that:
1. All electronic devices (computers, servers, mobile devices, printers, appliances, etc.) receive available system and software patches, firmware and other updates in a timely manner.
2. All electronic devices (computers, servers, mobile devices, tablets, etc.) should have licensed anti-virus software and be automatically updated daily by the software vendor where applicable.
3. Data critical to daily operations is identified and documented.
4. Backup frequency objectives are clearly defined and procedures are in place to verify the backups are occurring.
5. Backups may be stored locally but should also reside in a separate physical location isolated from the local network where backups are occurring (offsite and/or cloud, etc.).
6. Periodic testing and verification should be performed to ensure that backups can be restored within the recovery time objective (RTO) as defined by the School Board.
7. A Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery Plan shall be created that clearly establishes actions to be taken before,during, and after an occurrence, undesirable event,or disaster. The Plan shall be developed, defined, and tested at regular intervals in order to restore critical functions and reestablish normal operations within the RTO (Recovery Time Objective) established by the School Board.
PATCH MANAGEMENT
The security of computer systems is critical to the continued operations of the School Board.A consistent and comprehensive patch management procedure will substantially reduce risks such as viruses, malware,ransomware, and various cyber-crimes that target un-patched systems. Patch management shall be handled in accordance with the standard procedures outlined in the Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery Plan. Exceptions to the standard procedure may be permitted when justified. Any exceptions must be fully documented. The standard procedure for patch management shall include the following:
· Identification of the systems and devices to be patched and updated and are documented and regularly reviewed/verified. Devices to be patched shall include computers, servers, mobile devices,tablets, printers, appliances and other devices as established by the Technology Department.
· Software and procedures to identify and apply patches, security updates, drivers and firmware are documented and regularly reviewed/verified.
· Patch management frequency is clearly documented and procedures and/or reporting shall verify that updates are occurring at the established intervals.
ANTI-VIRUS
A comprehensive anti-virus deployment substantially reduces risks such as viruses, malware, ransomware, and various cyber-crimes that target systems without protection. Anti-virus deployment shall be handled in accordance with the standard procedures outlined in the Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery Plan. Exceptions to the standard procedures may be permitted when justified. Any exceptions shall be fully documented. The standard procedure for anti-virus deployment shall include the following:
· Identification of the systems and devices that are capable of running anti-virus software shall be documented and regularly reviewed/verified.
· Systems capable of running anti-virus software shall include computers, servers, mobile devices and tablets, and other devices as established by the Technology Department.
· The Technology Department shall be responsible to identify and adopt an anti- virus platform that is consistent with secure industry standards. Under no circumstances shall freeware Anti-virus products be used on School Board systems.
· Software and procedures to install anti-virus software, verify system health and automatically apply updates are documented and regularly reviewed/verified.
· The Technology Deportment shall be responsible for regularly performing network scans to identify unprotected systems and adding those systems into the anti-virus deployment.
BACKUP - IDENTIFICATION OF DATA
Important and/or critical data as defined by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board inthe Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery Plan includes the following file types:
● Word processor, spread sheet, and presentation files used in educational or administrative applications necessary to perform job description duties for the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board
● Database files used for educational or administrative purposes
● Browser bookmark or favorites; e-mail lists
Picture/movie files such as (.bmp, .jpeg, .jpg, .tiff, .mpeg, .wav, .mp3, etc.) shall not be backed up unless special circumstances arise. Permission shall be directed to the Technology Department to request backup of these file types.
BACKUP – FREQUENCY AND STORAGE
Backup of all important and/or critical computer data shall be handled in accordance with the standard procedures outlined by the Technology Department. Exceptions to the standard procedures may be permitted when justified. Any exceptions must be fully documented. The standard procedure for systems backup shall be as follows:
· All student records in the student information system, including special education records, shall be backed up nightly to offsite storage.
· Accounting (Payroll,General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Purchasing, etc.) records shall be backed up daily to on-site,off-site, and disaster recovery off-site backups. In addition, incremental backups shall be done automatically throughout the day to disaster recovery off-site backups.
· Any educational application (all email,drive storage, calendars, and contacts shall be backed up by a third-party company to cloud storage).
· Student, teacher,and administration files are the responsibility of the individual to back up:
o The School Board recommends backing up to the individual’s Google Drive or similar application as approved by the Technology Department. This location should be backed up continuously throughout the day.
o All servers not managed by a third party shall be backed up daily to the central office backup server Monday through Friday. Servers shall then be backed up on weekends to offsite and archival cloud storage.
BACKUP – VERIFICATION AND TEST RESTORES
The Technology Department shall be responsible for establishing procedures to verify backups and perform test restores on files and systems. The standard procedure for verification and testing shall include:
· Backup verification and test restore objectives shall be clearly defined and procedures are in place to confirm the verifications and test restores are occurring.
· Backup verification shall include regularly reviewing backup selection sets, and confirming that selection sets are complete and correct.
· Backup verification shall also include procedures or reporting to verify that backups are occurring at the established intervals.
· Periodic test restores shall be performed on files and folders and systems where possible in an appropriate test environment (example: sandbox). The interval for test restores shall be clearly defined and procedures are in place to verify the test restores are occurring.
BACKUP – RESTORATION OF FILES
Active files that are accidentally damaged or deleted can normally be restored from backup within one working day provided the Technology Department is notified in a timely manner. Files can only be restored to the state they were in at the time the most recent relevant backup was taken.
Accounting systems can be activated under the Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery Plan established with the software vendor in a timeline established by the software vendor.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND TECHNOLOGY DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN
In the event of an occurrence, undesirable event or disaster (“event”), the restoration of computing services is critical to the continued operations of the School Board. A Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery Plan shall be created that clearly establishes actions in preparation of an event,procedures to follow during an event, and the review and recommendations that should occur after the event. Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery shall be handled in accordance with the standard procedures outlined by the Technology Department. Exceptions to the standard procedures may be permitted when justified. Any exceptions must be fully documented and approved by the School Board. The standard procedures for Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery shall include:
· Business Impact Analysis (BIA) shall be performed to differentiate critical (urgent) and non-critical (non-urgent) organization functions/activities. A function may be considered critical if dictated by law. For each function, two (2) values shall be assigned: RPO (Recovery Point Objective) and RTO (Recovery Time Objective). A Recovery Point Objective (RPO) shall be assigned to all functions that identifies the acceptable latency of data that will not be recovered (usually based on backup frequency).
· A Recovery Time Objective (RTO) shall be assigned to all functions that identifies the acceptable amount of time to restore the function.
· The Technology Department shall use the results of the BIA to determine which systems and processes are most critical, and what order those systems and processes should be restored. The identification of critical systems and the order of restoration shall be documented and reviewed at regular intervals.
· The Plan shall identify personnel and vendors that will oversee disaster planning, testing and critical recovery efforts during an Event, with a clear delineation of responsibilities.
· The Plan shall identify a list of employees, vendors, students, agencies, etc. that should be notified at the onset of an Event. The list shall include current contact information including phone and email addresses. A notification procedure should be established and contact information should be verified at regular intervals.
· The Technology Department shall be responsible for establishing an environment for testing the Plan (example:sandbox), and testing should be performed annually at a minimum. The Plan shall be updated as necessary to achieve the RPO and RTO objectives, or other objectives as identified by the Technology Department or School Board.
· If an event occurs, the Technology Department shall be responsible to perform a review and analysis (Post Mortem) of the event, and make recommendations to the School Board to prevent such Event in the future. The Plan shall be updated as necessary to achieve the RPO and RTO objectives, or other objectives as identified by the Technology Department or School Board.
· The Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery Plan, and the results/findings from the latest recovery testing shall be presented to the School Board annually for review and approval.
CYBERSECURITY TRAINING
The School Board shall identify employees or School Board members who have access to the School Board's information technology assets and require those employees and School Board members to complete cybersecurity training. Each School Board member or employee with access to the School Board’s information technology assets shall complete this training within the first thirty(30) days of initial service or employment with the agency.
The Superintendent shall verify and report to the Department of State Civil Service on the completion of cybersecurity training by employees. The Superintendent shall periodically require an internal review to ensure compliance.
The School Board shall require any contractor who has access to School Board information technology assets to complete cybersecurity training during the term of the contract and during any renewal period.
Completion of cybersecurity shall be included in the terms of a contract awarded by a state or local government agency to a contractor who has access to its information technology assets.
The person who oversees contract management for the School Board shall report each such contractor's completion to the Superintendent and periodically review agency contracts to ensure compliance. The Superintendent shall verify and report to the Department of State Civil Service on the completion of cybersecurity training by each such contractor.
New policy:August, 2020
********************************
ITEM 6c. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy: JBH – Attendance Reports for Student Drivers
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: JBH – Attendance Reports for Student Drivers
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
********************************
In accordance with state law, students are obligated to attend school regularly, and be in attendance a minimum number of days during the school year. In order for a minor to obtain or renew a driver’s license or learner’s permit for the operation of a motor vehicle, the minor shall present evidence to the Office of Motor Vehicles that the minor is enrolled and is attending school or a recognized program or has completed the required minimum units of credit for graduation. Such documentation shall be verified by the principal on forms provided by the LouisianaDepartment of Education, and said documentation shall be valid for ninety (90) days from the date of issuance. Upon request of any minor who is enrolled and attending a school and who is eligible to apply for a driver’s license, the Superintendent, principal, or appropriate designee shall provide to him/her documentation of his/her meeting the required attendance requirements.
A student who does not meet the required minimum school attendance provisions may be subject to denial or suspension of his/her driver’s license or learner’s permit. It is the policy of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to provide written notification of a minor student who has been determined by the principal to be a dropout or habitually absent or tardy to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles for denial or suspension of driving privileges.
In addition, a minor student’s driver’s license or permit may also be suspended when written notification is received by the Office of Motor Vehicles from the principal that the minor student has been expelled or suspended from school or assigned to an alternative educational setting for ten (10) or more consecutive school days. Such disciplinary action shall be limited to expulsions, suspensions, or alternative educational assignments for infractions involving the sale or possession of drugs, alcohol, or any other illegal substance, the possession of a firearm, or an infraction involving assault or battery of a member of the school faculty or staff.
The School Board, through the principal, shall provide written notification to any minor whom the principal has determined to be a dropout or habitually absent or tardy and his/her parent or guardian that the principal intends to subject the minor to driver’s license denial or suspension. The written notification shall advise the minor of his/her right to seek a hearing of the School Board of such determination or to make a request of the School Board to obtain a hardship waiver within fifteen (15) days of the mailing of the notification. The principal shall send a copy of the notification to the School Board.
If the School Board is notified of a request for a hearing or a request for a hardship license within fifteen (15) days after the date of mailing the written notification, the School Board shall hold a hearing to make a determination upon such request. If no such request is received by the School Board,or if the School Board determines after a hearing that such student is a dropout or is habitually absent or tardy and is not entitled to a hardship waiver, then the School Board shall provide written notification to the Office of Motor Vehicles that the minor’s license should be suspended or denied.
HARDSHIP WAIVER
The School Board may waive the attendance requirements for any minor for whom a personal, family, or economic hardship requires the minor to have a driver’s license for his/her own, or his/her family’s employment or medical care as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:226.The minor or his/her parent or legal guardian may present other evidence that indicates compliance with attendance requirements outlined in state law at the waiver hearing.
The School Board shall notify the Office of Motor Vehicles of the outcome of the minor’s hardship waiver hearing within twenty-four (24) hours after conducting the hearing.
DEFINITIONS
Dropout, for purposes of this policy,means a person fifteen (15) years of age or older but less than eighteen (18) years old, who was enrolled in a school and withdrew or who was enrolled at the end of the previous school year and is not enrolled on October first of the following school year or who has more than ten (10) consecutive days of unexcused absences from school or fifteen (15) days total unexcused absences during a single semester.
Dropout does not mean a person who:
1. is temporarily absent due to illness, suspension, or expulsion;
2. is attending or has graduated or completed another educational program approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education;
3. transferred to a nonpublic school, a correctional institution, or an approved home school program or moved out of state.
Habitually absent or tardy is when either condition continues to exist after all reasonable efforts by a principal or other appropriate authority have failed to correct the condition after the fifth (5th) unexcused absence or fifth (5th) unexcused occurrence of being tardy within any month or if a pattern of five (5) absences a month is established or as otherwise provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:233.
Minor means an unemancipated child who is at least fifteen (15) years of age but less than eighteen (18) years of age.
New policy:December 2, 2010
Revised: June 18, 2015
Revised: August,2020
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81,17:221, 17:226, 17:233,17:416, 32:414, 32:431,
32:431.1; Board minutes,12-2-10, 6-18-15.
********************************
ITEM 6d. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy: GBQ - Retirement
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: GBQ - Retirement
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
********************************
GBQ: RETIREMENT
It shall be the policy of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to require written notice of retirement of all employees who wish to retire. Such retirement shall become effective at the end of the fiscal year or as may be approved by the Board. The Superintendent shall accept any notice of retirement on behalf of the School Board and such retirement shall be considered effective for the end of the fiscal year or as may be approved by the Superintendent. Once received by the Superintendent or designee, the decision to retire may not be rescinded.
All employees shall be required, as a condition of employment, to become members of the retirement system for which they are eligible. Employees shall also be required to officially inform the School Board in writing of their plans to retire.
No individual shall be discharged or forced to retire becauseof age.
Revised: March,2021
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§11:133, 11:203,11:204, 11:701 11:761,11:778, 11:1002, 11:1141, 17:81, 17:425, 17:160, 17:425, 17:571 et seq., 17:591,17:882, 17:891, 17:1231, 42:691.
********************************
ITEM 6e. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy: JCDAB – Dangerous Weapons
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: JCDAB – Dangerous Weapons
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
********************************
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall authorize the principal of each school to automatically suspend, and recommend expulsion for, any student found in possession of a dangerous weapon on the school grounds, on school buses and/or at any school- sponsored event,at any time, during or after regular school hours, with limited exception. A dangerous weapon means any gas, liquid, or other substance or instrumentality, which in the manner used, is likely to produce death or great bodily harm. When the student is found in possession of a weapon, the Superintendent shall be immediately notified and the principal shall take appropriate disciplinary action. (moved below)
If a student is detained for carrying, or the principal or designee confiscates or seizes a firearm or concealed dangerous weapon from a student while on school property, on a school bus, or at a school function, the principal or school official shall immediately report the detention of the student or seizure of the firearm or weapon to the police department or sheriff's office where the school is located and shall deliver any firearm or weapon seized to that agency.
Failure to report the detention of the student or seizure of a firearm or concealed weapon by a principal or school official to a law enforcement agency within seventy-two (72) hours may result in a misdemeanor offense with a fine of up to $500 or a sentence of up to 40 hours of community service, or both.
If a student is detained for carrying a concealed weapon on campus, the principal shall immediately notify the student's parents.
A Dangerous weapon means any gas, liquid, or other substance or instrumentality, which in the manner used, is likely to produce death or great bodily harm. When the student is found in possession of a weapon, the Superintendent shall be immediately notified and the principal shall take appropriate disciplinary action. (moved from above)
Firearm means any pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, submachine gun, blackpowder weapon, or assault rifle that is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.
It is unlawful for a student or nonstudent to intentionally possess a firearm or dangerous weapon on school property at a school sponsored function or within 1000 feet of school property or while on a school bus at any time. The area surrounding the school campus or within 1000 feet of any such school campus, or within a school bus shall be designated firearm-free zones. The School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the Louisiana Department of Education, shall designate and mark firearm free zones which surround all schools and school property.
Revised: November,1989
Revised: December,1992
Revised: November,1993
Revised: October,1994
Recoded: June, 2003
Revised: July, 2021
Ref: La. Rev. Stat.Ann. 14:2, 14:95,14:95.2, 14:95.6, 17:416,17:416.3.
********************************
ITEM 6f. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to Revised Policy JCDAC – Student Alcohol and Drug Use
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
JCDAC: STUDENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board is dedicated to providing a drug-free learning environment for the students attending public schools. The Board directs that each student shall be specifically prohibited from being under the influence of, bringing on, consuming, or having in his possession on a school bus, on school premises, or at a school function away from the school, any alcoholic beverages, intoxicating liquors, narcotic drugs, prescription medications, marijuana, inhalants, imitation or counterfeit controlled substances, or other controlled substance as defined by state statutes,unless dispensed by a licensed physician as allowed by law. The Superintendent shall be responsible for maintaining appropriate procedures for the detection of alcohol, drugs,or any imitation or other controlled substances. Any student found in violation of the above shall be suspended and recommended for expulsion by the principal.
Any violations of criminal laws, state or federal, committed on school property shall be prosecuted as provided by law. School officials, teachers and/or Board employees shall report all violators to the principal, who in turn, shall notify the proper law enforcement agency and shall cooperate with the prosecuting attorney's office in the prosecution of charges. Any student who distributes, sells or dispenses in any manner or form whatsoever a controlled dangerous substance as defined by state law to another student or anyone else while on the school premises shall be expelled pursuant to the provisions and guidelines as set forth in state law.
The principal shall immediately notify the parents or legal guardian, by telephone, of any student found in violation of this policy. If the parents or legal guardian cannot be reached by phone, the principal shall then notify them of the action by sending a letter within twenty- four (24) hours. Care shall be given to afford due process to all students.
REPORTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
State law mandates that teachers and other school employees report suspected substance abuse in school. These cases shall be reported to the principal and the Student Assistance Team in the school. The principal must report each case of possession, distributing, sales or manufacturing to the proper law enforcement authority. Reports shall also be made to the appropriate person at each school, who shall investigate, research, and report on instances or reports of possession of prohibited substances or beverages. Designated personnel shall report its findings along with the recommendation for treatment, counseling or other appropriate action to the principal.
Referral of Student Required
Any student arrested for possession of, or intentional distribution of, or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property shall be referred by the school principal or his/her designee, within five (5) days after such arrest, for testing or screening by a qualified medical professional for evidence of abuse of alcohol, illegal narcotics, drugs, or other controlled dangerous substances.
If evidence of abuse is found, the principal or his/her designee shall refer the student to an alcohol and drug abuse treatment professional chosen by the student’s parent or legal guardian. If it is determined by the professional that the student needs treatment, and if the student agrees to cooperate in the recommended treatment as certified in writing by the medical professional, such documentation may be used to initiate reopening the student’s disciplinary case. The School Board shall take into consideration the student’s agreement to receive treatment as a positive factor in the final decision relative to any final disciplinary action.
DRUG-FREE ZONES
It is unlawful for anyone to use, distribute, be under the influence of, manufacture or possess any controlled substances as defined by statute on or around school property or an area within 1,000 2,000 feet of any property used for school purposes by any school, or on a school bus. These areas shall be designated as Drug-Free Zones. The School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the Louisiana Department of Education, shall designate and mark Drug-Free Zones which surround all schools and school property.
Revised: December, 1992
Revised: November, 1999
Revised: July, 2021
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403.1, 17:405, 17:416, 40:617.1, 40:961, 40:962, 40:963,
40:964, 40:967, 40:968, 40:969, 40:970, 40:971, 40:971.1.
********************************
ITEM 6g. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to Revised Policy JDD - Suspension
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes its authority to maintain good order and discipline within the schools of the school district. Therefore, the School Board recognizes the principal's authority to suspend a student for a specified period of time in accordance with statutory provisions.
In each case of suspension, the school principal, or his or her designee, Prior to any out- of-school suspension or assignment to alternative placement, the school principal or his/her designee shall advise the student of the particular misconduct of which he/she is accused as well as the basis for such accusation, and the student shall be given an opportunity at that time to explain his/her version of the facts. The principal/designee shall contact the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the student to notify them of the suspension, and establish a date and time for a conference with the principal or designee as a requirement for readmitting the student. Notice shall be given by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the student's registration card, or by electronic communication or by sending a certified letter sent to the address shown on the student 's registration card. The principal shall promptly advise the Superintendent or designee of all such suspensions, stating the reasons for the suspensions.
Students suspended for more than ten (10) days shall remain under the supervision of the school system using an alternative education program designed to continue the educational process in an alternative educational placement. The student shall be placed in an alternative school or an alternative education program and shall be required to attend and participate in such school, program, or educational services.
A student who is suspended for longer than ten (10) shall be provided with academic instruction at an alternative setting in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416.2.
No suspended student shall be allowed to leave the school premises during the school day until the parent, guardian, or other proper authorities assume responsibility for him/her, unless immediate removal from school due to danger or threat of disruption to academic process is warranted.
If the parent, tutor, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the truancy laws shall be effective. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parent, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond to the notice, the principal may determine whether readmitting the student is in the best interest of the student. On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the student shall not be readmitted unless the parent,tutor, or legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.
In any case where If a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a student to attend a conference or meeting regarding the student's behavior and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his/her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.
When a student is suspended for a second time within one school year, the principal may require a counseling session be held with the parent and student by the school counselor. If no counselor is available, In the event there is no school counselor assigned to that school, the principal may require a conference may be held with between the parent, student and all the student 's teachers and the principal or other administrator.
Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing drugs or weapons offenses during the same school year, shall upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the student's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the School Board.
A student suspended for damages to any property belonging to the school system or to property contracted to the school system or any property on school grounds owned by a school employee or student shall not be readmitted until payment in full has been made for such damage, an alternative restitution arrangement has been executed, an alternative payment plan has been arranged, or until directed by the Superintendent. If the property damaged is a school bus owned by, contracted to, or jointly owned by any school board, a student suspended for such damage shall not be permitted to enter or ride any school bus until payment in full has been made for the damage, an alternative restitution arrangement has been executed, an alternative payment plan has been arranged, or until directed by the Superintendent.
The principal and other appropriate personnel shall be required to file written documentation of all suspensions. Said documentation shall include the circumstances surrounding any suspension, the reason for suspension, and any other pertinent facts concerning the disciplinary action. The principal shall file copies of his/her report with the Superintendent, other appropriate personnel and the parent or guardian and retain a copy for his/her records.
Upon the seizure by any teacher, principal, school security guard, or other school administrator of any firearm,knife, or other dangerous implement which could be used as a weapon or inflict injury, the principal or his or her designee shall be required to report the confiscation to appropriate law enforcement officials.
APPEALS
Any parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a student suspended shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent or his/her designee, who shall conduct a hearing on the merits. If the parent or legal guardian is not present for the hearing after having been properly notified, the hearing may proceed and the results of the hearing shall be mailed to the parent or legal guardian within three (3) school days by certified mail, return receipt requested. The decision of the Superintendent on the merits of the case, as well as the term of the out-of-school suspension, shall be final, reserving to the Superintendent the right to remit any portion of the time of out-of-school suspension.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parent or legal guardian of a student who has been recommended for expulsion but suspended instead following a hearing conducted by the Superintendent or his/her designee shall have the right to request review by the School Board of the findings of the Superintendent or designee at a time set by the School Board. Such request must be made within five (5) days after the decision is rendered, or the decision of the Superintendent or designee shall be final. The School Board may affirm, modify, or reverse the action previously taken.
The parent or legal guardian of the student may, within ten (10) school days, appeal to the judicial district court an adverse ruling of the School Board in upholding the action of the Superintendent or designee. The court may reverse or revise the ruling of the School Board upon a finding that the ruling of the School Board was based on an absence of any relevant evidence in support thereof.
MANDATORY SUSPENSION
Firearms, Knives, Other Dangerous Instrumentalities, Drugs
The principal or his/her designee shall be required to suspend a student who:
1. is found carrying or possessing a firearm or a knife with a blade two and one-half (2 ½) inches or longer, or another dangerous instrumentality, except as provided below under the section entitled Suspension Not Applicable; or
2. possesses, distributes, sells, gives, or loans any controlled dangerous substance governed by state law, in any form.
Additionally, the principal or his/her designee shall immediately recommend the student's expulsion to the Superintendent, for the above offenses, except in the case of a student less than eleven (11) years of age in pre-kindergarten through grade 5 who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade two and one half (2 ½) inches or longer, the principal may, but shall not be required to recommend the student's expulsion. A student found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade less than two and one half (2 ½) inches in length may be suspended by the school principal, but, in appropriate cases, at a minimum, shall be placed in in-school suspension.
The parent or tutor of a pupil who has been recommended for expulsion, including if the recommendation is reduced to a suspension, shall have the right to request reviewby the School Board of such recommendation, or appeal to the parish district court, as appropriate, in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416.
Assault or Batteryof School Employees
Whenever a student is formally accused of violating state law or school disciplinary regulations, or both, by committing assault or battery on any school employee, the principal shall suspend the student from school immediately and the student shall be removed immediately from the school premises without the benefit of required out-of- school suspension procedures; provided, however, that such the necessary notifications and other procedures shall follow be implemented as soon as practicable. The student shall not be readmitted to the school to which the employee is assigned until all hearings and appeals associated with the alleged violation have been exhausted.
SUSPENSION NOT APPLICABLE
Suspension of a student shall not apply to the following:
1. A student carrying or possessing a firearm or knife for purposes of involvement in a school class, course, or school-approved cocurricular or extracurricular activity or any other activity approved by appropriate school officials.
2. A student possessing any controlled dangerous substance that has been obtained directly or due to a valid prescription or order from a licensed physician medical provider. However, such the student shall carry evidence of that the prescription or physician's medical provider’s order on his/her person at all times when in possession of any controlled dangerous substance which shall be subject to verification. Evidence of the prescription or medical provider’s order includes possession of the controlled dangerous substance in its original packaging as received from the pharmacy.
In addition, school officials, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall have total discretion and shall exercise such discretion in imposing on a student any disciplinary actions authorized by state law for possession by a studentof a firearm or knife on school property when such firearm or knife is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the student 's intent to use the firearm or knife in a criminal manner.
DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS
A student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall not be suspended from school or suspended from riding on any school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.
CREDIT FOR SCHOOL WORK MISSED
A student who is suspended for ten (10) days or fewer shall be assigned school work missed while he/she is suspended and shall receive either partial or full the same credit originally available for such work, upon the recommendation of the student’s teacher, if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the principal or his/her designee.
A student who is suspended for more than ten (10) days and receives educational services at an alternative school site, shall be assigned work by a certified teacher and shall receive credit for school work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the teacher. Such work shall be aligned with the curriculum used at the school from which the student is suspended.
RECUSAL OF ADMINISTRATOR IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS
Any school administrator or administrator's designee who is required to make a recommendation, decide an issue, or take action in a matter involving the discipline of a student shall recuse himself/herself whenever a member of the immediate family of the administrator or administrator's designee is involved in any manner in the discipline matter. In case of recusal,the action to be taken shall be done so by the Superintendent or an impartial designee of the Superintendent.
Immediate family means the individual's children, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouse and the children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the spouse.
SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OR EXCEPTIONALITIES
Suspension of students with disabilities or exceptionalities, or an Individualized Education Program or Section504 Individualized Accommodation Plan, shall be in accordance with to the extent allowed by applicable state or federal law and regulations or the provisions of the student’s specific plan.
DEFINITIONS
Definitions of terms used herein shall have the meaning set forth in policy JD, Discipline.
Revised: December,1992 Revised: March21, 2013
Revised: August,1994 Revised: October17, 2013
Revised: December,1995 Revised: August,2015
Revised: July, 1996 Revised: March17, 2016
Revised: September, 1997 Revised: December10, 2020
Revised: August,1999 Revised: July, 2021
Revised: August, 2003
Revised: August, 2005
Revised: September, 2006
Revised: August, 2007
Revised: October 15,2009
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:223, 17:416,17:416.1, 17:416.2, 17:416.3;Goss v.
Lopez, 95 S. Ct. 729 (1973); Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 10-15-09, 3-21-13, 10-17-13, 3-17-16, 12-10-20.
********************************
ITEM 6h. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to Revised Policy ID - Curriculum
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
********************************
ITEM 6i. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to Revised Policy IDDF – Education of Students with Exceptionalities
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall make available a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive educational environment to each student with an exceptionality, ages three through twenty-one, who is a resident of the geographical boundaries of the school district. Special education and related services may be provided by the School Board to eligible children with exceptionalities under three years of age. Generally, identified children shall be screened and evaluated to determine eligibility to receive special education and related services. If it is determined through the evaluation process that a child has a disability and, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services, then the child is classified in accordance with Louisiana’s Pupil Appraisal Handbook, Bulletin1508, and becomes eligible to receive special education services. All special education services shall be provided to eligible students with exceptionalities in accordance with the regulations outlined in Regulations for the Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706 and all other applicable federal and state regulations.
The School Board shall establish and maintain policies and procedures in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations to ensure that students with exceptionalities and their parents are provided the necessary procedural safeguards with respect to the provision of free appropriate public education by the School Board.
SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT
The School Board recognizes that, in order for students to receive a free appropriate public education, a safe learning environment needs to be provided. In doing so, the School Board also recognizes that there are circumstances in school under which reasonable and appropriate measures and techniques will need to be employed in dealing with students with exceptionalities who pose an imminent risk of harm to self or others.
The School Board fully supports the use of positive behavior interventions and support when addressing student behavior. The School Board reserves its right, however,to use physical restraint and/or seclusion consistent with state law to address the behavior of a student with an exceptionality when school personnel reasonably believe the behavior poses an imminent risk of harm to the student or others. The School Board shall not preclude the use of physical restraint and/or seclusion performed consistent with the requirements of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or behavior intervention/management plan.
The provisions regarding seclusion and restraint shall not be applicable to a student who has been deemed to be gifted or talented under Bulletin 1508, unless the student has been identified as also having a disability under Bulletin 1508.
Definitions
Imminent risk of harm shall mean an immediate and impending threat of a person causing substantial physical injury to self or others.
Seclusion shall mean a procedure that isolates and confines a student in a separate room or area until he or she is no longer an immediate danger to self or others.
Seclusion room means a room or other confined area, used on an individual basis, in which a student is removed from the regular classroom setting for a limited time to allow the student the opportunity to regain control in a private setting and from which the student is involuntarily prevented from leaving.
Mechanical restraint means the application of any device or object used to limit a person’s movement. Mechanical restraint does not include: (1) A protective or stabilizing device used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and which is used in compliance with orders issued by an appropriately licensed healthcare provider; and (2) Any device used by a duly licensed law enforcement officer in the execution of his/her official duties.
Physical restraint means bodily force used to limit a person’s movement. Physical restraint does not include: (1) Consensual, solicited, or unintentional contact; (2) Momentary blocking of a student’s action if the student’s action is likely to result in harm to the student or other person;(3) Holding of a student,by one school employee, for the purpose of calming or comforting the student, provided the student’s freedom of movement or normal access to his or her body is not restricted; (4) Minimal physical contact for the purpose of safely escorting a student from one area to another;(5) Minimal physical contact for the purpose of assisting the student in completing a task or response.
Positive behavior interventions and support means a systematic approach to embed evidence-based practices and data-driven decision making when addressing student behavior in order to improve school climate and culture.
School employee means a teacher, paraprofessional, administrator, support staff member, or a provider of related services.
Documentation and Notification
The parent or other legal guardian of a student who has been placed in seclusion or physically restrained shall be notified as soon as possible. The student’s parent or other legal guardian shall also be notified in writing, within twenty-four (24) hours, of each incident of seclusion or physical restraint. Such notice shall include the reason for such seclusion or physical restraint, the procedures used, the length of time of the student’s seclusion or physical restraint, and the names and titles of any school employee involved. The director or supervisor of special education shall be notified any time a student is placed in seclusion or is physically restrained.
A school employee who has placed a student in seclusion or who has physically restrained a student shall document and report each incident. Such report shall be submitted to the school principal not later than the school day immediately following the day on which the student was placed in seclusion or physically restrained and a copy shall be provided to the student’s parent or legal guardian.
The guidelines and procedures regarding seclusion and restraint maintained by the Superintendent and staff shall be provided to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE), all school employees, and every parent of a student identified with a disability under Bulletin 1508.
All instances where seclusion or physical restraint is used to address student behavior of students with disabilities under Bulletin 1508 shall be reported, in accordance with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) policy, by the School Board to the LDE.
Guidelines and Procedures
The School Board shall require the Superintendent and staff to maintain adequate written guidelines and procedures governing the use of seclusion and physical restraint of students in accordance with federal and state law, as well as regulations and guidelines promulgated by BESE. The School Board shall approve written guidelines and procedures regarding appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention using seclusion and/or restraint. The written guidelines and procedures shall be provided to all school employees and every parent of a student with an exceptionality and shall include reporting requirements and follow-up procedures, including notification requirements for school officials, notification to the student’s parent or legal guardian, and reporting of seclusion and restraint incidents to the LDE.
The written guidelines and procedures shall be posted at each school under the jurisdiction of the School Board, and on the School Board’s website.
Follow-Up
Following any situation resulting in the use of seclusion or restraint of a student, a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) should be considered. If a student subject to the use of seclusion or physical restraint is involved in five (5) such incidents in the school year, the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team shall review and revise the student’s Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) to include any appropriate and necessary behavioral supports. Thereafter, if the student’s challenging behavior continues or escalates, requiring repeated use of seclusion or physical restraint practices, the special education director or supervisor or his/her designee shall review the student’s plans at least once every three (3) weeks.
Employee Training Requirements
The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for conducting or obtaining appropriate training programs for school personnel designed to address the use of seclusion and restraint techniques with students with disabilities. In addition, positive behavioral intervention strategies, crisis intervention, and de-escalation, as well as other procedures, may also be included in any training.
Charter Schools
Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a charter school established and operated in accordance with State law, including its approved charter and the school’s officers and employees, shall be subject to the School Board’s policy and written procedures and guidelines regarding the use of seclusion and restraint with students with exceptionalities.
Adopted: September 21, 1978; Revised: August,2021; Revised: April,2009; Revised: December,2011; Revised: September 6, 2012; Revised: October 17, 2013; Revised: September, 2016; Revised: February 15, 2017;
Ref: 20 USCA 1400 et seq. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); 34 CFR (Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:7, 17:416.21, 17:1941, 17:1942, 17:1943,17:1944, 17:1945,
17:1946, 17:1947; Pupil Appraisal Handbook, Bulletin 1508, Louisiana Department of Education; Regulations for the Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 4-2-09, 9-6-12, 10-17-13, 2-15-17.
********************************
ITEM 6j. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to Revised Policy JBA – Compulsory School Attendance Ages
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
Except as provided by law, every child in the state is required by state law to attend public or private nonpublic school from the child's seventh (7th) birthday until his/her eighteenth (18th) birthday, unless the child graduates prior to his/her eighteenth (18th) birthday. Any child below the age of seven (7) who legally enrolls in school shall also be required to attend school. If a child in these age brackets was a resident of this parish when school opened and enters school late without having attended another public or private nonpublic school or approved home study program during the current school session within or without the parish,a statement should be secured from the parents or guardian giving the reasons why the child has not been in school .If these reasons are not satisfactory, the matter should be referred to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, who may find it necessary to refer it to the proper court.
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the parent or legal guardian of a child who resides in Louisiana and who is age five (5) by September thirtieth of the calendar year in which the school year begins through eighteen (18) shall send the child to a public or nonpublic school,as defined by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:236, unlessthe child's parentor legal guardian opted to defer enrollment of his/her child in kindergarten pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:151.3(D) or the child graduates from high school prior to his/her eighteenth birthday. A child below the age of five (5) who legally enrolls in school shall also be subject to these provisions.
EXCEPTIONS
Certain exceptions to the compulsory attendance laws are allowed as provided by state law and included in policy JBD, Absences and Excuses. In addition, statutes provide for the following:
1. The parent, tutor, or other person responsible for the school attendance of a child between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) who is enrolled in school may request that the student be allowed to attend an effective adult education program or a career and technical education program.
2. A child who is at least seventeen (17) years of age and who, after successfully completing a program established by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education,has been issued a Louisiana high school equivalency diploma in accordance with criteria established by the Louisiana Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges shall be considered exited from high school and shall not be subject to compulsory attendance laws.
3. Compulsory attendance does not apply to any child who is under the age of seventeen (17) and is attending or seeking admission to a National Guard Youth Challenge Program in Louisiana.
FAILURE TO COMPLY
Failure to abide by the compulsory school attendance laws of the state may result in a referral to Families in Need of Services (FINS) which is a state mandated program or to the District Court with jurisdiction.
Revised: August,2001 Revised: December 2, 2010
Revised: June, 2002 Revised: August,2011
Revised: April,2009 Revised: August, 2021
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:151.3, 17:221,17:226, 17:226.1, 17:233;La. Children’s
Code, Art. 730; Bulletin 741, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 8-15-02, 4-2-09, 12-2-10.
********************************
ITEM 6k. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to New Policy: BBA – Officers of the School Board
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BBA: OFFICERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
The St. John the Baptist School Board, at its first meeting in January of odd numbered years, shall elect a President and a Vice President from its membership for a term of two (2) years, or expiration of his/her term in office, whichever is shorter. The term of office of such officers shall terminate upon the election of their respective successors. The officers may be removed during their term of office by a majority vote of the total School Board.
PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT
The President shall preside at all meetings of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board and shall call special meetings when required. He/she shall sign, along with the Superintendent, the minutes and other official documents, including School Board resolutions, which require the signature of the President. He/she shall perform other duties as prescribed by law or School Board policy. In the absence of the President or in the event of his or her death, or his or her inability or failure to act, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of the President. If the President and Vice-President are absent from a meeting at which a quorum is present, the Superintendent shall preside until the members elect one of their members to serve as Chair for that meeting.
SECRETARY/TREASURER
The Superintendent shall serve as the secretary and treasurer of the School Board. As secretary, he/she shall keep and preserve all School Board records, receive all reports required by the School Board, and see that such reports are in proper form, complete and accurate. He/she shall announce all meetings, prepare the agenda of all meetings, and attend all meetings of the School Board and of its committees. In case the Secretary is absent, the School Board may appoint another member of the School Board, or other school personnel under the jurisdiction of the School Board to act as Secretary.
As Treasurer, the Superintendent shall have the authority to sign and execute any and all documents associated with all financial transactions duly approved by the School Board. He/she shall also be designated as the official custodian of all funds to which the School Board is entitled by law and shall be responsible for the proper safeguarding and accounting for all such funds.
The Treasurer shall issue a receipt for any monies coming into his or her hands and deposit such monies in accordance with the laws governing the deposit of public funds. He/she shall issue such warrants in payment of expenses lawfully incurred on behalf of the School Board.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The elections of the officers of the School Board shall be conducted in the following manner:
1. The office of President of the School Board shall be filled first from nominations by other School Board members, which nominations do not require a second.
2. If more than one person is nominated for the office of President, a vote shall be taken after nominations are closed. All School Board members, including the nominees, may vote but may vote for only one nominee.
3. If a nominee receives the votes of a majority of the members of the total School Board on the first ballot, that nominee shall be declared elected.
4. If no nominee receives a majority of the votes of the total School Board on the first ballot, a second vote shall be taken between the two nominees receiving the most votes. If there is a tie vote between more than two candidates for the highest number of votes, or between two or more candidates for the second highest number of votes, all such candidates shall be included in the run-off election.
5. In the run-off election, the nominee receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected, provided, however, that such nominee must have received the vote of a majority of the total School Board.
6. In the event of a tie vote, or in the event of no nominee receiving the favorable vote of a majority of the total School Board, voting shall continue until a nominee receives the vote of the majority of the total School Board.
C. After the office of President has been filled, the office of Vice President shall be filled in the same manner as set forth above.
New policy: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:54, 17:55, 17:56, 17:83, 17:91, 17:95.
********************************
ITEM 6l. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to New Policy: BBC – School Board Committees
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BBC: SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEES
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The agenda, time and date of committee meetings shall be set by the Committee Chairperson in consultation with the Superintendent and the School Board President.
Items of business may not be added to a committee’s meeting agenda except by unanimous approval of the members present at the meeting.
All School Board committee meetings shall be subject to the same policies and statutory provisions as regular and special meetings of the School Board. As such, all committee meetings shall be advertised according to state statutes and School Board policy and shall be open to the public, except in those instances allowed as provided by state law. A majority of the committee membership shall constitute a quorum for purposes of making recommendations. Only appointed members of the Committee shall be allowed to vote on items submitted for its consideration and approval.
Minutes shall be taken of the proceedings of all committee meetings and a draft copy shall be sent to all School Board members. The approved minutes shall be sent to the superintendent’s office for filing.
All committees of the School Board, and all other bodies created or established by the School Board preferably should not hold their meetings during the weeks of regularly scheduled School Board meetings, with the exception of the Finance Committee and the Lands and Facilities Committee, who may find it necessary to convene the week of the regularly scheduled School Board meeting. The time and place of such committee meetings may be changed after due notice and in accordance with School Board policy.
If a committee goes into executive session in accordance with School Board policy, no person other than a School Board member, the Superintendent, and the General Counsel shall be admitted to such executive session without permission of the committee chairman.
In the absence of a quorum of committee members, the School Board President shall be allowed to participate as a voting member of the committee. If a quorum is not achieved in a reasonable amount of time (15 minutes), the meeting will be rescheduled, and discussion shall not take place.
COMMITTEES
Appointments to School Board Committees shall be made by the School Board President at the direction of the School Board.
Committees shall be guided by the following rules and procedures:
1. Committee meetings shall be announced in the same manner as regular or special meetings and should be governed by provisions of the Open Meetings Law.
2. Within the Louisiana Public Records Act, committees may have access to school personnel and District information, as outlined in School Board policy. However, all access to personnel and information shall be coordinated with the Superintendent.
3. Committees shall report to the School Board on a regular basis.
4. Chairperson may limit discussion of an item on the basis of time.
5. A simple majority of the membership present at the meeting is needed for a motion to pass or fail.
6. Any motion for action must be initiated by a committee member and subsequently seconded by a committee member.
7. The following are Committees of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board:
A. Executive Committee – comprised of: Three (3) Members – Board President, Board Vice-President, and 1 Board President Appointee
1. Duties and Responsibilities:
a. Review and develop the Superintendent’s contract;
b. Assist in the annual Superintendent’s evaluation;
c. Review the School Board’s policy manual of operation and make recommendations on policies to the full School Board for approval.
B. Finance Committee – comprised of: Two (2) appointed School Board members; The School Board President or his/her designee; The Superintendent or his/her designee; Two employees; and One parent or community member.
· The Finance Committee will conduct business for any and all matters pertaining to and relative to School Board Finance.
C. Personnel Committee - comprised of: Seven (7) Members - 2 appointed School Board members; The School Board President or his/her designee; The Superintendent or his/her designee; 2 employees; and 1 parent or community member.
· The Personnel Committee will conduct business for any and all matters pertaining to and relative to School Board Personnel.
D. Curriculum Committee - comprised of: Seven (7) Members - 1 School Board Member, 3 SJAE Appointed Teachers, 2 Superintendent-Appointed Administrators, 1 Parent/Community Member.
· The Curriculum Committee will conduct business for any and all matters pertaining to and relative to Curriculum.
E. Discipline Committee – comprised of: Sixteen (16) Members - 5 Classroom Teachers, 1 SPED Teacher, 2 Guidance Counselors, 2 Principals, 1 Bus Driver, 1 CWA Supervisor, 1 School Board Member, 1 Supt. Appointee, 2 Parents
· The Discipline Committee will conduct business for any and all matters pertaining to and relative to Student Discipline.
F. Insurance Committee – comprised of: Ten (10) Members - 5 Appointed by SJAE & 5 Appointed by School Board
· The Insurance Committee will conduct business for any and all matters pertaining to and relative to Employee Insurance.
G. Calendar Committee – comprised of: 50% Appointed by the SJAE and 50% Appointed by the Superintendent
· The Calendar Committee will conduct business for any and all matters pertaining to and relative to School Board Calendars.
H. Land and Facilities Committee – comprised of: Five (5) Members of the School Board, approved from recommendations of the President.
· The Land and Facilities Committee will conduct business for any and all matters pertaining to and relative to School Board Land and Facilities.
I. Strategic Planning Committee – comprised of: 7 (Seven) Members: Five (5) Members of the School Board, approved from recommendations of the President and 2 members from administration (Chief of Academics and Chief of Operations).
Purpose and Mission: The Strategic Planning Committee ensures alignment of the values, mission and key performance indicators that represent all stakeholders of St. John the Baptist Parish Schools.
· The Strategic Planning Committee will conduct business for any and all matters pertaining to and relative to School Board Strategic Planning.
J. Special Committees – Other special committees may from time to time be appointed by the President or School Board to study specific issues. The membership of any special committee need not be restricted to members of the School Board, but may include such persons who may have knowledge or interest in the subject studied. Special committees shall report their findings to the School Board.
8. School Board Committee Appointments
A. The term of office for each School Board standing committee is two (2) years. The term begins in January of odd numbered years.
B. One (1) School Board member shall chair each committee meeting and he/she shall be selected by the majority vote of the committee membership. Committees may choose to elect a Vice-Chair.
9. School Board Committee Elections
A. To qualify for service on any School Board Committee, an employee in the appropriate category (teacher or support personnel) shall:
(1) Have three (3) years successful work experience with the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
(2) Be currently employed full-time by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
(3) Sign an official nominating ballot indicating his/her understanding of the responsibilities if elected to represent his/her peers.
10. Parents or community members wishing to serve on a committee shall:
(1) Be a voting resident of St. John the Baptist Parish.
(2) Cannot be an employee of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
(3) Sign an official nominating ballot indicating his/her understanding of the responsibilities if elected to represent his/her peers.
11. Committee Election Process
A. The Human Resources Department will distribute nomination ballots to all employees and parents electronically.
B. Ballots shall be distributed the first week of November and remain open for 14 calendar days.
12. School Board Committee Replacements
A. If a committee member misses over fifty percent (50%) of the meetings over a six-month period, or misses three (3) meetings in a row without a valid excuse, that committee member forfeits his/her seat on that standing committee and shall be replaced.
B. Replacement shall come from the list of candidates who qualified for the Committee.
New policy: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:55, 17:81, 42:19; Board minutes, 9-4-14, 9-18-14, 4-1-15, 9-8-16.
********************************
ITEM 6m. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to New Policy: BC – School Board Meetings
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BC: SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet a minimum of once per month, as required by law, and each meeting shall be conducted in accordance with School Board policy.
Except as otherwise provided herein, all meetings of the School Board shall be held at its domicile and offices at 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana. Once every six (6) months, however, regular meetings shall be held at a West Bank school site. (Last meeting in January and last meeting in July.) Upon School Board approval, a change to the venue of any regular scheduled meeting can be made, provided Policy BCBI and BCAB accommodations are available at the location.
A regular meeting of the School Board may be cancelled, or time and place thereof changed, in accordance with open meetings law.
At any regular or special meeting of the School Board, no business may be transacted which does not come within the purpose or purposes set forth in the agenda for the meeting, except upon unanimous approval of the members of the School Board present at that meeting. The motion to add an item not on the agenda shall identify the item with reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the proposed addition to the agenda, and shall be entered into the minutes. In keeping with state law and School Board policy, prior to any vote to add an item to the agenda, there shall be an opportunity for public comment on the motion.
The public and news media shall be informed of the dates of all regular and special meetings.
All meetings shall be open to the public except meetings that meet the criteria described in Louisiana law for being closed meetings.
Official actions or decisions shall be made only in official meetings of the School Board wherein a quorum is present. No member of the School Board, nor any committee of the School Board, shall have the power to act in the name of the School Board outside of official School Board meetings unless so designated by a majority of the School Board duly convened.
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
Special meetings of the School Board may be called only by the President or by a majority of the entire School Board except that, when the President is out of the parish, ill, or otherwise unavailable, the Vice President of the School Board may call a special meeting of the School Board.
Written notice must be signed by the President, Vice President, or a majority of the members of the entire School Board, as the case may be, when a special meeting is called and proper written notice is given. Such written notice shall be electronically mailed at least twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, prior to the time of such special meeting. In the event that electronic mail is not available, other options of delivery include: United States mail (postage prepaid) or hand delivery. Such written notice shall also be posted on the front door of the School Board office and forwarded to any member of the news media who has requested to be sent copies of such notice. Additionally, the Superintendent shall attempt to contact all School Board Members by telephone.
In cases of extraordinary emergency, the time and notice requirements of this policy shall not be required; provided, however, that the person or persons calling such special meeting shall give such notice thereof as they deem appropriate and circumstances permit, including notice to the news media in the same manner as notice is given to School Board members, and provided further that the existence of an extraordinary emergency and waiver of the time and notice requirements must be approved by a favorable vote of a majority of the total School Board at such special meeting.
Any call for a special meeting shall specify the items to be considered and only such items shall be considered.
Student Hearings
All review hearings on student expulsions and early readmittances shall be held during regular scheduled School Board meetings.
Tenure Hearings
All tenure and other hearings shall be held in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:443.
School Board Retreats
School Board shall conduct two (2) retreats per year.
QUORUM
No meeting of the School Board may be officially convened and conducted unless a quorum (simple majority of the total membership of the School Board) is present within fifteen (15) minutes of the advertised start time.
Should a quorum cease to be present after a meeting has been officially convened, the presiding officer shall recess the meeting for such time as is deemed appropriate to attempt to re-establish a quorum (up to fifteen (15) minutes, and may thereafter declare the meeting adjourned if such presiding officer determines that quorum cannot be re-established.
New policy: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 42:12, 42:13, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:17, 42:19, 42:20, 42:24, 42:25; Board minutes, 8-16-07, 11-6-08, 10-9-17, 7-19-18, 8-15-19
********************************
ITEM 6n. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to Revised Policy: BCB – School Board Meeting Procedures
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BCB: SCHOOL BOARD MEETING PROCEDURES
It is the desire of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board that meetings be formal enough for orderly procedure, but informal enough to be natural, to encourage free discussion, and to promote group thinking and action. In matters of procedures not covered by law, School Board policy, or the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), meetings of the School Board, including committee meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order (Revised). The President shall be entitled to discuss and vote on all matters before the School Board.
CONDUCT OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The purpose of School Board meetings is to allow the duly elected representatives of the people to consider and act upon matters of importance to the operation of the school system which are within the jurisdiction and authority of the School Board. It is in the best interests of the citizens of this parish that such meetings be conducted in an orderly and expeditious manner which permits full presentation of information and viewpoints by interested citizens, followed by thorough discussion among the School Board, the Superintendent and designated members of the staff, and concluded with debate and final decision by the School Board on those items of business listed on the agenda. To that end, the following rules shall govern the conduct of all meetings of the School Board and its committees and sub-committees.
The President of the School Board, or in his/her absence, the Vice President of the School Board, shall serve as the presiding officer. until a temporary chairman for that meeting has been elected by a majority vote of those School Board members present and voting.
After the call to order, invocation, pledge of allegiance, roll call, approval of minutes, educational presentations/recognitions, Superintendent’s report and legal business, the presiding officer shall call, in the order listed on the agenda, first the items under old business then new business, and shall recognize first the Superintendent (or his administrative designee) or the School Board member who caused such item to be placed on the agenda. The Superintendent or School Board member shall then explain the item, and make or recommend, as the case may be, such motion as he/she shall desire.
The presiding officer shall allow public comment, no more than three (3) minutes five (5) minutes for any one individual, at any meeting of the School Board prior to taking any vote. The comment period shall be for each agenda item and shall precede each agenda item. The presiding officer shall, with the approval of the School Board, set a time limitation on an agenda item. At the conclusion of public input, the presiding officer shall recognize any members of the School Board, the Superintendent and members of the staff designated by the Superintendent, who wish to be heard on that item, in the order the presiding officer deems advisable. Each School Board member shall be allowed ten (10) minutes to express his/her initial views on any agenda item, motion, substitute motion, or amendment related to each agenda item and five (5) minutes for further comment. No member of the School Board or staff shall speak without first being recognized by the presiding officer.
Items of business not on the agenda may not be suggested from the floor for discussion except by unanimous approval of the members present at a meeting. The motion to add an item not on the agenda shall identify the item with reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the proposed addition to the agenda, and shall be entered into the minutes. In the event that the School Board should add an item to its agenda after the School Board meeting begins, the presiding officer shall orally request of the audience whether anyone in attendance would like to speak on the added agenda item. Each person indicating a desire to do so shall be given an opportunity to address the School Board on each agenda item added. The School Board shall delay deliberations on that agenda item until such time as all interested members of the public have had an opportunity to speak.
After discussion by the member of the School Board and the Superintendent has been completed, the presiding officer shall call for the vote upon the pending motion or any amendments or substitute motions which may have been made. During School Board discussion of any agenda item, any School Board member, at any time, may move the question on any pending motion, substitute motion, amending motion, etc. and thus conclude further discussion of same, provided there is an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting on the motion for the previous question.
The presiding officer of any meeting shall conduct such meeting in accordance with the School Board policy and procedure and shall have authority to make rulings or interpretation of School Board policy and procedure and any other matter or question which may arise with regard to conducting the meeting, including recognition of speakers, whether a speaker is out of order, etc. The decision of the presiding officer shall be final, unless appealed by a School Board member to the entire School Board as set forth hereinbelow.
Any member of the School Board who disagrees with a decision by the presiding officer may appeal such decision to the total School Board. Such appeal may be taken by a statement to that effect and no second is required. The presiding officer shall immediately call for a vote on the question of whether or not the ruling of the presiding officer shall be sustained. Upon a favorable vote of a majority of those School Board members present and voting, including the presiding officer, the rules of the presiding officer shall have been sustained.
ORDER AND DECORUM AT SCHOOL BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
It is in the public interest, and the public demands, that meetings of the School Board or its committees, in handling the public's business, be conducted in an orderly and dignified manner. To this end, the following rules are established for the conduct of all persons, including School Board members and staff members, attending a meeting of the School Board or its committees:
1. No signs, posters, placards, etc. shall be affixed to the walls, doors, etc. of the School Board office building or any room therein, except by the School Board staff in connection with School Board business and then only with permission of the Superintendent. No sign, placard, or poster which is carried by hand shall be permitted in the School Board office building or any of its rooms.
2. All persons attending meetings of the School Board or of its committees must be recognized by the presiding officer before speaking. In return, the presiding officer and other School Board members shall courteously receive the comments made by such persons.
3. Any person who fails or refuses to obey the rulings and directions of the presiding officer, or otherwise disrupts the meeting in any manner, shall be requested by the presiding officer to leave the meeting room for the remainder of the meeting. If any person refuses to follow the directions of the presiding officer, the presiding officer shall cause such person to be removed from the meeting as may be authorized by applicable laws of the State of Louisiana.
REPEAL OR SUSPENSION OF RULES OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETING PROCEDURES
Procedures for the conducting of meetings of the School Board and its official committees may not be repealed or amended except by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the School Board.
Revised: September, 1985 Revised: March 21, 2013
Revised: February, 1989 Revised: September 4, 2014
Revised: June, 1989 Revised: October, 2014
Revised: June, 1991 Revised: April 1, 2015
Revised: January, 1992 Revised: July, 2016
Revised: March, 1995 Revised: September 8, 2016
Revised: April, 1995 Revised: October 19, 2017
Revised: July, 1998 Revised: July 9, 2018
Revised: June, 2004 Revised: March 14, 2019
Revised: September, 2007 Revised: August 15, 2019
Revised: November 6, 2008 Revised: September 15, 2022
Revised: March, 2009 Revised: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:11, 42:12, 42:13, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:17, 42:18, 42:19, 42:20, 42:21, 42:22, 42:23, 42:24, 42:25, 42:26, 42:27, 42:28; Jackson v. Assumption Parish School Board, App. 1 Cir. 1995, 652 So2d 549, 1994-0901 (La. App. 1 Circ. 3/3/95) ; Board minutes, 11-8-84, 8-8-85, 2-1-89, 2-28-91, 10-17-91, 12-18-94; 2-16-95, 5-7-98, 3-18-04, 8-16-07, 11-6-08, 12-4-08, 3-21-13, 9-4-14, 9-18-14, 4-1-15, 9-8-16, 10-19-17, 3-14-19. 8-15-19, 9-15-22.
********************************
ITEM 6o. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to New Policy: BCBB – Notification of School Board Meetings
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BCBB: NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall give written public notice of all regular meetings, and shall be duly adopted at the December meeting for the following calendar year. The School Board shall also give written public notice of any regular, special, or rescheduled meeting, no later than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, before the meeting. In cases of extraordinary emergencies, such notice shall not be required; however, the School Board shall give such notice of the meeting as it deems appropriate and circumstances permit.
Notice of committee meetings shall be given no later than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, prior to the meeting.
Public notice of any meeting shall include the agenda, date, time, and place of the meeting. The agenda included in the notice shall be reasonably clear so as to advise the public in general terms of each subject to be discussed at the public meeting. In addition, included in the written notice shall be information on any matters to be discussed in executive session, as follows:
1. A statement identifying the court, case number, and the parties relative to any pending litigation to be considered at the meeting.
2. A statement identifying the parties involved and reasonably identifying the subject matter of any prospective litigation for which formal written demand has been made that is to be considered at the meeting.
Written public notice given by the School Board shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Posting a copy of the notice at the School Board's central office or by digital publication of the notice in the School Board's official journal no less than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, before the scheduled time of the meeting.
2. Emailing a copy of the notice to any member of the news media who requests notice of such meetings; any such member of the news media shall be given notice of all meetings in the same manner as is given to members of the School Board.
3. Posting the notice on the School Board’s website no less than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, prior to the meeting. The failure to timely post notice on the website or the inability of the public to access the website due to any type of technological failure shall not be a violation of the written public notice requirements.
New policy: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:19, 42:19.1, 42:23
********************************
ITEM 6p. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to New Policy: BCBD – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination
Public Comment: Derron Cook
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BCBD: AGENDA PREPARATION AND DISSEMINATION
The Superintendent in consultation with the President, shall prepare a written agenda for each regular or special St. John the Baptist School Board meeting which shall list the specific items of business for which School Board action is required and, except for "Administrative Matters" as described below, no matter may be considered by the School Board which has not been listed on such agenda except after a motion to suspend these rules to consider a specific item has been adopted by unanimous approval of the members of the School Board present at that meeting. The person requesting suspension of the rules shall include in such motion the specific matter or item to be considered and the action being requested of the School Board for such motion to suspend the rules to be properly before the School Board for vote. In keeping with state law and School Board policy, prior to any vote to add an item to the agenda, there shall be an opportunity for public comment on the motion.
No business, item or matter may be placed upon the agenda for any School Board meeting except at the discretion of a member of the School Board or the Superintendent, and no business matter or item not listed on such agenda may be considered by the School Board or discussed at the meeting without a suspension of the rules as provided hereinabove.
School Board members may request an item or matter to be placed upon the agenda for any School Board meeting but will be placed on the agenda at the discretion of the School Board President or the Superintendent. No business matter or item not listed on such agenda may be considered by the School Board or discussed at the meeting without a suspension of the rules as provided herinabove.
The agenda for any particular meeting of the School Board shall be considered as closed as of 2:00 p.m. on the Thursday immediately preceding such School Board meeting and the Superintendent is hereby specifically prohibited from placing any item, with the exception of items under "Administrative Matters," on the agenda after that time regardless of who makes the request. The agenda shall not be changed less than twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, prior to the scheduled time of the meeting.
Upon the agenda being closed, the Superintendent shall immediately prepare the written agenda and forward the same by electronic mail to each member of the School Board, the Superintendent, the School Board's General Counsel, and all newspapers and television and radio stations who have submitted a written request for such notification and agenda. The Superintendent shall, at the same time, post a copy of the agenda on School Board’s official website, and have copies available for interested citizens. In the event that electronic mail is not available, other options of delivery to School Board members include: United States mail (postage prepaid) or hand delivery.
Each item on the agenda shall be listed separately and described with reasonable specificity. Before the School Board may take any action on the agenda item, the presiding officer shall read aloud the description of the item.
Any citizen or organization may request consideration by the School Board of an item concerning matters within the jurisdiction of the School Board at a particular School Board meeting by submitting such request in writing to the Superintendent, together with a brief explanation of the subject matter and the action requested of the School Board, by 2:00 p.m. on the Thursday immediately preceding the week in which consideration is requested. Within twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after the written request is received, the Superintendent shall notify the citizen or organization making such request as to whether or not the Superintendent has placed such item on the agenda.
The written agenda prepared by the Superintendent shall list the business of the School Board for a particular meeting in the following order:
Agenda for Regular Meeting of the School Board
1. Call to order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll call of Members
3. Approval of Minutes
4. Educational Presentations and Recognitions
5. Superintendent's Report
6. Legal Business
7. Old Business - Under old business shall be listed items from previous agendas which were not completed and/or which were specifically deferred to this particular meeting.
8. New Business - Recommendations of the Superintendent and/or School Board Committees. Under the Item "New Business" shall appear those items requested for the agenda by the Superintendent, a member of the School Board, or a School Board Committee prior to the closing of the agenda. The Superintendent's recommendations and reports and recommendations of the School Board Committees shall be listed first, followed by other items that are requested. All agenda items dealing with the following cannot be voted on at the meeting they are introduced: 1) curriculum changes; 2) budget adoptions or revisions - all; 3) student attendance zones; 4) School Board member district lines or changes; 5) bond issues; 6) tax proposals; and 7) major policy changes in School Board policy -- example, the way the School Board operates. They shall be submitted for a vote at the subsequent meeting. All material covering these items shall be distributed at or before the meeting they are introduced. Any change in policy being voted upon under new business shall require a motion to waive policy and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the School Board. All agenda items requiring action by the School Board shall be stipulated following each item - example, (Requires action).
10. Administrative Matters
Administrative matters shall be limited to those the Superintendent believes should be brought to the attention of the School Board and/or matters which have come to his/her attention after the agenda for that meeting was officially closed and which he/she believes need immediate action by the School Board. Any items under "Administrative Matters" which require School Board action may be considered only after suspension of the rules by a unanimous vote of the School Board members present and voting.
11. School Board Related Items of Interest
12. Adjournment. Meetings of the School Board may be adjourned on motion of the presiding officer or any member of the School Board and shall be approved unless objections are raised. In the event objection to the adjournment is raised, a vote shall be taken on the motion to adjourn, without need of a second to the motion, and the meeting shall be adjourned on the vote of a majority of the members present and voting.
Subject to the exceptions included below, no item, matter, subject or business which has been considered and voted on at a previous School Board meeting, regardless of the nature of the motion voted upon and regardless of the outcome of the vote, may be considered at a subsequent School Board meeting until after the expiration of the sixty (60) days from such vote, unless a motion to suspend the rules to reconsider such item has first been duly made, seconded and carried by the favorable vote of two-thirds of the total membership of the School Board. This prohibition shall not apply where the previous motion was to defer action on the item for a specific period of time or until a specific School Board meeting or where the previous motion was to refer the matter to staff personnel or to a committee of the School Board for further study. This prohibition shall also not apply to consideration of items supplemental to an item previously acted upon, but shall apply only where the purpose of the item is to change previous School Board action.
New policy: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:19; Jackson v. Assumption Parish School Board, App. 1 Cir. 1995, 652 So2d 549, 1994-0901 (La. App. 1 Circ; 3/3/95); Board minutes, 11-6-08, 3-21-13.
********************************
ITEM 6q. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to New Policy: BCBG – Voting Method at School Board Meetings
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BCBG: VOTING METHOD AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
An affirmative vote of a simple majority of the members present and voting shall be necessary for the passage of any motion, except in such instances as the law or other policies of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board may require a larger vote. Every member present, including the President, shall be entitled to one vote.
All voting shall be by voice or by the use of an electronic voting system which shall reflect simultaneously a "yes," "no," or "abstain" vote for each and all members present. When any vote does not correctly reflect the voting intent of a member of the School Board, that member may correct his/her vote by immediately advising the presiding officer of such error prior to the announcement of the vote by the presiding officer. Once the announcement of the outcome of the vote is made by the presiding officer, no Board member will be allowed to change their vote. A roll call vote may be requested by any member and/or ordered by the President, with the vote of each member recorded in the minutes. All yea, nay and abstain votes shall be recorded, by name, in the official minutes.
The vote may be taken by roll call of the members present at the discretion of the presiding officer. Each School Board Member must be present in his/her seat in order to have his/her vote counted unless exemptions provided by Policy BCAD have been made; and no School Board Member or other person may cast a vote, in any manner, for another member of the School Board.
There shall be no voting by proxy and no voting by secret ballot.
In determining whether a particular motion, resolution or action of the School Board has received the requisite number of "yea" votes, an "abstention" shall not be counted and that member shall be considered as not voting. This rule shall apply regardless of whether the required number of favorable votes must be of the total membership of the School Board, of those members present, or, of those members present and voting.
No action shall be taken by the School Board except as set forth above at a properly called regular or special meeting.
New policy: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 18:602, 42:14, 42:1120; Board minutes, 3-14-19.
********************************
ITEM 6r. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to New Policy: BCBI – Public Participation in School Board Meetings
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BCBI: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board desires all citizens of the parish to attend School Board meetings so that they may become better acquainted with the schools, and in order for the School Board to have an opportunity to hear the desires and/or ideas of the public on educational issues within St. John the Baptist Parish.
It is the policy of the School Board to conduct all meetings in full view of and with welcomed participation by the public. However, the School Board reserves the right to recess into or call executive sessions for discussing matters as provided by state law. During executive sessions, no action shall be taken or resolutions made.
REQUEST FOR ITEM TO BE PLACED ON AGENDA
All delegations or individuals who wish to appear before the School Board and place an item on the agenda shall do so in accordance with policy BCBD, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination. Each delegation appearing before the School Board shall select in advance one (1) person as its spokesperson and statements shall be presented in a concise manner.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
A public comment period shall be held before any vote is taken on an agenda item. Comments from the public shall occur after introduction of the item to be voted on and before any discussion by School Board members. However, a person is not entitled to take up business before the School Board unless the item in which he/she is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting, except during the public session of the agenda.
As the School Board reaches each item on its agenda, the School Board President shall recognize those persons indicating a desire to speak on that item. No individual may speak without first being recognized by the presiding officer. Each person may speak for not more than three (3) minutes five (5) minutes on each item, and may speak only once on each agenda item. When the individual has been recognized to speak on an agenda item, that individual shall approach the podium. The individual shall limit his/her comments to matters that are strictly relevant to that agenda item. The individual shall refrain from asking questions or making requests of the School Board or staff. No defamatory or accusatory comments or comments relative to the performance of specific employees or potential employees shall be permitted. The School Board President shall, may with the approval of the School Board, set a time limitation for an agenda item.
In the event that the School Board should add an item to its agenda after the School Board meeting begins, the School Board President shall orally request of the audience whether anyone in attendance would like to speak on the added agenda item. Each person indicating a desire to do so shall be given an opportunity to address the School Board on each agenda item added. Public comment shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes collectively on any one agenda item, unless the School Board President authorizes the extension of such time to allow more public input.
At the conclusion of all public input on each agenda item, the School Board may shall deliberate the matter and take such action as it considers appropriate. There shall be no further public input allowed on each agenda item after the School Board has begun its deliberation of that item.
Copies of this procedure shall be available for distribution to the public during regular business hours and at meetings of the School Board and its committees.
New policy: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 42:14, 42:15, 42:16, 42:23.
********************************
ITEM 6s. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to Revised Policy: BCBK – Executive Sessions
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BCBK: EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall be authorized to hold executive sessions upon an affirmative vote, taken at an open meeting for which notice has been given in accordance with state law, of two-thirds of the members present. The vote of each member on the question of holding an executive session and the reason for holding such an executive session shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the meeting.
Such executive sessions shall be restricted only to matters allowed to be exempted from discussion at open meetings. No final or binding action shall be taken at such a closed meeting; nor shall such closed meetings be used as a subterfuge to defeat the statutory intent for conducting executive sessions.
Executive sessions shall be attended only by members of the School Board, the Superintendent, and any other persons designated by the School Board. No person, other than a General Counsel, shall be admitted to an Executive Session of the School Board without permission of the School Board President. All matters discussed in any closed meeting shall be regarded as confidential by all persons in attendance and shall not be divulged to the public.
Executive sessions may be held for the following reasons:
1. Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person, provided that such person is notified in writing at least twenty-four (24) hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, before the scheduled time contained in the notice of the meeting at which such executive session is to take place, and that such person may require that such discussion be held at an open meeting. However, an executive session shall not be used for discussion of the appointment of a person to the School Board or, except as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §39:1593(C)(2)(c), for discussing the award of a public contract. In cases of extraordinary emergency, written notice to such person shall not be required; however, the School Board shall give such notice as it deems appropriate and circumstances permit.
2. Strategy sessions or negotiations with respect to collective bargaining or litigation, when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the School Board. Attached to the written public notice of the meeting shall be whether or not such matters will be discussed in an executive session. The notice shall indicate the following:
A statement identifying the court, case number, and the parties relative to any pending litigation to be considered at the meeting.
A statement identifying the parties involved and reasonably identifying the subject matter of any prospective litigation for which formal written demand has been made that is to be considered at the meeting.
In cases of extraordinary emergency, such notice shall not be required; however, the School Board shall give such notice of the meeting as it deems appropriate and circumstances permit.
3. Discussion regarding the report, development, or course of action regarding security personnel, plans, or devices, including discussions concerning cybersecurity plans, financial security procedures, and assessment and implementation of any such plans or procedures.
4. Investigative proceedings regarding allegations of misconduct.
5. Cases of extraordinary emergency, which shall be limited to natural disaster, threat of epidemic, civil disturbances, suppression of insurrections, or the repelling of invasions, or other matters of similar magnitude.
6. Discussions between the School Board and individual students or the parents or tutors of such students, or both, who are within the jurisdiction of the respective school system, regarding problems of such students, their parents, or tutors. Such a discussion may be held in open meetings at the request of the student, parent or tutor.
7. Any other matters now provided for or as may be provided for by the Legislature.
Revised: August, 1989
Revised: September 22, 2011
Revised: April 1, 2015
Revised: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:12, 42:13, 42:14, 42:16, 42:17, 42:19, 42:24, 42:25, 42:28; Board minutes, 9-22-11, 4-1-15.
********************************
ITEM 6t. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to Revised Policy: BD – School Board Policy
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BD: SCHOOL BOARD POLICY
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall formulate policies to guide the action of those to whom it delegates authority. These guides shall constitute the policies governing the operation of the school district. They shall be recorded in writing and made a part of the official School Board Policy Manual.
The formulation and adoption of School Board policies shall constitute the primary method by which the School Board shall exercise its leadership in the operation of the school district. When establishing School Board policies, the School Board shall prioritize student achievement, financial efficiency, and workforce development on a local, regional, and statewide basis. The study and evaluation of reports concerning the execution of its written policies shall constitute the basic method by which the School Board shall exercise its control over the operation of the school district.
The policies of the School Board are meant to be interpreted in terms of Louisiana laws, rules and regulations of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and all other regulatory agencies within the local parish, state, and federal levels of government.
POLICY ADOPTION
Generally, for a policy to be adopted by the School Board, it must receive a simple majority of School Board members present and voting. A policy recommended to the School Board shall be introduced at one meeting and officially adopted at the next meeting, unless the School Board votes otherwise. This practice provides School Board members time to study the proposed policy and to give interested parties an opportunity to respond. Approval of a policy change being introduced for the first time shall require a motion to waive policy and a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the School Board members present and voting.
The formal adoption of School Board policies shall be recorded in the minutes of the School Board. The official minutes shall constitute the authority for any change made in the formal adoption of School Board policies and shall be recorded in the minutes of the School Board. The official minutes shall constitute the authority for any change made in the Policy Manual.
The School Board is recognized as the legal body authorized to approve policies for the School District, and shall not delegate or relinquish that authority to another party or group. The School Board welcomes comments and suggestions on local policy matters, and will comply with all laws addressing proper involvement of other parties in the policy process.
POLICY REVIEW
The School Board shall may periodically direct the systematic review of its policies. The Superintendent shall appropriately involve representative groups of administrators, teachers, supervisors, students, support personnel and lay citizens relative to policies affecting each group.
The School Board shall establish a discipline policy review committee in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416.8. The purpose of the discipline policy review committee shall be to review discipline policies of the School Board to assure consistency with state law, receive input into the effectiveness of established policy, and make recommendations to improve policy provisions, and to assist the School Board in the orderly operation of the school district. In particular, state law requires a policy review committee to review the School Board’s student discipline policies annually to make recommendations for appropriate revisions.
A public hearing shall be held on the recommendations to improve policy revisions and to assist the School Board in the orderly operation of the school district before the School Board considers revising any of the discipline policies. State law also requires the administrators, teachers and parents of each public school to meet annually and develop or review the discipline regulations for their school and assure compliance with School Board policy and state law.
POLICY DISSEMINATION
The School Board shall direct the Superintendent to establish and maintain an orderly plan for disseminating School Board policies and administrative rules and regulations.
School Board policies and administrative rules and regulations shall be made accessible to all employees of the school district directly or indirectly affected by those policies. School Board policies and administrative rules and regulations shall also be made accessible to members of the School Board, students and members of the community served by the school district.
SUSPENSION OF POLICY
The operation of policy or section of policy not established by law or contract may be temporarily suspended by a majority vote of School Board members present and voting at a regular or special meeting.
ADMINISTRATION IN ABSENCE OF POLICY
In cases where action must be taken within the school system where the School Board has no formalized policy statement, the Superintendent shall have the power to act. His or her decisions, however, shall be subject to review by action of the School Board at its regular meeting. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to inform the School Board promptly of such action and of the need for policy if in his or her best judgment, a need for such policy exists.
Revised: August, 1994
Revised: August, 1999
Revised: October 18, 2012
Revised: December 10, 2020
Revised: April, 2023
Ref: Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VI, Sec. 10; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 17:416.8; Board minutes, 10-18-12, 12-10-20.
********************************
ITEM 6u. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction to New Policy: BDA – Administrative Regulations and Procedures
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
BDA: ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board delegates to the Superintendent the function of specifying administrative regulations and procedures designed to effectively implement the policies of the School Board. They shall be defined in written form and organized by subject or date with adequate indexing to facilitate proper use and ease of filing. Distribution shall include the members of the School Board. The administrative regulations and procedures established by the Superintendent and staff shall not require School Board approval, but shall in every respect be consistent with the policies of the School Board.
The School Board itself shall strive to formulate and adopt regulations only when specific state laws require School Board adoption. The School Board may also do so when the Superintendent recommends School Board adoption in light of strong community attitudes or probable staff responses.
INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL REGULATIONS
Each principal shall be authorized and instructed to prepare and promulgate such regulations as he/she may deem necessary for the proper administration of his/her school and to require compliance by all students enrolled or teachers and other school employees assigned to his/her school. School regulations shall not be inconsistent with the policies and regulations of the School Board, the Superintendent, the Louisiana Department of Education, or the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).
New policy: April, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. '17:81.
********************************
ITEM 6v. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Introduction to Revised Job Description: Teacher
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
********************************
ITEM 6w. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Introduction to Revised Job Description: Interventionist
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
********************************
ITEM 6x. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Introduction to Revised Job Description: School Counselor
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
********************************
ITEM 6y. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Introduction to Revised Job Description: HR Clerk
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
********************************
ITEM 6z. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Introduction to Revised Job Description: Receptionist
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
********************************
ITEM 6aa. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Introduction to Revised Job Description: Coordinator of Data and Accountability
This item was for introduction only.
********************************
********************************
ITEM 7. BUSINESS & FINANCE.
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Ms. Jaye Ambrose – Request Board approval to extend Gallo Mechanical Contract for inspections on district lift stations and backflow preventers.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To extend Gallo Mechanical Contract for inspections on district lift stations and backflow preventers
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To table
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Ms. Jaye Ambrose – Request Board approval to advertise for General Liability and Fleet Insurance
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To approve advertising for General Liability and Fleet Insurance
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request Board approval of the Revised Principals’ Supplemental Pay in the 2024-2025 Salary Schedule
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve Revised Principals’ Supplemental Pay in the 2024-2025 Salary Schedule as presented.
Following discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Holden
MOTION: To approve the Revised Principals’ Supplemental Pay in the 2024-2025 Salary Schedule with the following addition: “If the principal vacates the position at the end of the year and has not satisfied the 95%, the pay will be recouped from their final paycheck.”
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request Board approval of revised 2024-2025 School Calendar
*The calendar presented had August 3rd listed as a Professional Development Day, and August 3rd is a Saturday. The correct calendar is shown below.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve the revised 2024-2025 School Calendar with correction noted above.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
*******************************
*******************************
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mamou – Asked for an update on HVAC issues (particularly FWE)
Burl – Asked for an update on all pending litigation
Morris – Asked President Wallace to consider holding a special meeting to approve the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance Handbook; and also asked that “Dangerous Weapons Free Zone” signs be placed at all school sites.
Holden – Asked for an update on summer maintenance and also that the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance Handbook be emailed to the Board ASAP.
Schum - Asked that a tour (for Board Members) of all schools be scheduled before the start of school (2nd request for this); and also that administration explain the new grading scale to parents.
Wallace – Special Meeting to be held Thursday, July 18th to approve the Student Code of Conduct and Attendance Handbook
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
2 Absent – Triche, Vicknair
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
________________________________ ________________________________
Dr. Cleo Perry, Secretary Shawn Wallace, President