PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF AUGUST 8, 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, August 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and called for a moment of silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
ABSENT: Burl
With 10 members present and 1 member absent, there was a quorum.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Approval of Minutes from the meetings of: July 11, 2024; July 18, 2024; and July 24, 2024
Public Comment. Alvin Scioneaux
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meetings of: July 11, 2024; July 18, 2024; and July 24, 2024
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent – Burl
The motion carried.
Mr. Burl arrived at 6:09 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. Sheriff Mike Tregre - Presentation to the Board
Sheriff Tregre addressed the Board, stating that he is donating 2 tents to the School Board to be used as they see fit. He stated that in the past, he would lend these tents to us and would use inmate labor to set them up, however, incarceration numbers are very low (which is a great thing), and he doesn’t have the manpower to set them up anymore. He did offer to train school board personnel on how to put them up and take them down properly.
Sheriff Tregre shared with the Board that there is a vaping problem among our youth and needs the schools’ help to curtail it. He stated that the “main” store that was selling products to our youth has been shut down, though. Additional SROs were hired over the summer. The Board is very grateful for the donation of the tents and the partnership we share with the Sheriff’s Office.
ITEM 6. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
ITEM 6a. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy JR – Student Privacy and Education Records
This item was for introduction only.
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The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board acknowledges and affirms that parents, guardians, and students eighteen (18) years of age or older (eligible students) have certain rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Louisiana law with respectto the privacy, inspection, review,and disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records.
DEFINITIONS
1. Disclosure shall mean to provide or permit access to, or the release, transfer, or other communication of personally identifiable information (PII) contained in education records by any means, including oral, written, or electronic means, to any party except the party identified as the party that provided or created the record.
2. Educational records shall be defined as records which are directly related to a student and are maintained by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board or school or by a person acting for the School Board or school. Excluded from the term educational records are records of instructional, supervisory or administrative personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any other individual except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record; records of a law enforcement unit of the School Board (if any); records created or received by the School Board after an individual is no longer a student in attendance and that are not directly related to the individual's attendance as a student; and grades on peer-graded papers before they are collected and recorded by a teacher.
3. Eligible Student means a student who has reached eighteen (18) years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary education.
4. Legitimate educational interest shall be defined as the interest that requires regular access for purposes of adding material, periodic review, filing new student data and/or removing inadequate, ambiguous, no longer relevant data; the interest having the educational wellbeing of the student in mind for purposes of continuing, improving or changing the education program of the student and the interest in which the person has a legitimate need to know. The Superintendent shall have the authority to determine those individuals who have legitimate educational interests for purposes of this policy, except that any such authorization must be consistent with federal law (FERPA).
5. Parent or legal guardian shall mean a student's natural parent, legal guardian, or other person or entity responsible for the student in the absence of a parent or legal guardian.
6. Personally identifiable information shall be defined as information about an individual that may be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single individual, including but not limited to the following:
a. The student's name;
b. The name of the student's parent or other family members;
c. The address of the student or student's family member;
d. A personal identifier that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity such as social security number, date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, or biometric records.
e. Race and ethnicity data.
f. Any other information that is linked or linkable to a specific student such as medical, educational, financial, and employment information.
g. Two (2) or more pieces of information that separately or when linked together can be used to reasonably ascertain the identity of the person.
7. School official shall be defined as a teacher, school principal, School Board member, counselor, attorney, accountant, human resources professional, information systems specialist, support or clerical personnel, school resource officer, authorized volunteer, or any school system employee who is authorized to perform a function or service on behalf of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board. A contractor, consultant, volunteer, or other party to whom a school or institution has outsourced institutional services or functions is also considered a school official provided that they are performing an institutional service or function for which the School Board would otherwise use employees and is under the direct control of the School Board with respect to the use and maintenance of education records. See 34 CFR §99.31(a)(1)(i)(B).
FERPA PRIVACY RIGHTS
1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within forty-five (45) days of the day the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board receives a request for access.
Parents or eligible students who wish to inspect their child's or their education records should submit to the school principal [or appropriate school official] a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The schoolofficial will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request an amendment to the student's education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate or misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights.
Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the school to amend their child's or their education records should write the school principal [or appropriate school official] indicating their desire, clearly identify the part of the records they believe to be inaccurate or misleading, and specify why it should be amended. If the decision is not to amend the record as requested, the Superintendent, or designee, shall notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of his/her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to provide written consent to the disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) contained within the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA and Louisiana law authorize the disclosure without consent.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School Board to comply with the requirements of FERPA.
STUDENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
To protect the privacy of its students, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will utilize and assign to each studentin its jurisdiction a unique student identification number in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914(C)(3). The student identification numbers shall not include or be based on social security numbers.
STUDENT INFORMATION DISCLOSURES
1. In accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914(H) and FERPA, access to student PII may be authorized by the Superintendent without parent/eligible student consent to school officials with legitimate educational interests. Disclosure of personally identifiable information from students' education records is also authorized without consent of the parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets other conditions set forth below. The School Board is required to record disclosures of PII, except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the parent or eligible student. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures.
2. The Superintendent is authorized to disclose PII from the education records of a student, without obtaining prior written consent of the parents or the eligible student, as follows:
a. To other school officials whom the school has determined to have legitimate educational interests in accordance with the annual notification of FERPA rights. For contractors, the student PII may be transferred to computers operated and maintained by the contractor and the contractor shall not allow access to or release student PII to any person or entity except as specified in the contract.
b. Upon request, to officials of another school, school system or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, and for compliance with state and federal reporting requirements. In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), if a student with a disability is enrolled,or is going to enroll in a private school that is not located in the geographic jurisdiction of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board of the parent's residence, parental consent must be obtained before any personally identifiable information about the student is released between the School Board and the private school.
c. To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or the Louisiana Department of Education. Disclosures may be made in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State-supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with federal and State legal requirements that relate to those programs. Student information provided to School Board members, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE), or the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) shall be identifiable only by a student's identification number and aggregate data and shall be disclosed solely for the purpose of satisfying state and federal reporting requirements. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf, or as expressly authorized by statute, if applicable requirements are met.
d. In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary for such purposes to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. Once the parent, guardian, or student of majority age has granted written consent for collection of certain data in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914(K), such data shall be used for purposes of processing a student’s application for admission to a Louisiana postsecondary education institution or to the Board of Regents and the office of student financial assistance, as a program under its jurisdiction, for receipt of financial aid pursuant to such consent. Failure to provide such consent may result in delays or prevent successful application for admission to a postsecondary educational institution and state and federal student aid. Consent provided under La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914(K) shall continue unless withdrawn in writing.
e. To the Louisiana Board of Regents, and the office of student financial assistance, as a program under its jurisdiction, to be used only by staff for required grant program reporting for the purposes of providing reports to each public school governing authority on the postsecondary remediation needs, retention rates, and graduation rates for each high school under its jurisdiction and for the purpose of evaluating comparative postsecondary performance outcomes based upon student transcript data in order to develop policies designed to improve student academic achievement.
f. To State and local officials or authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed as authorized by a State statute that concerns the juvenile justice system and the system’s ability to effectively serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records were released.
g. To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school,in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction, if applicable requirements are met. In no case shall a contractor be permitted to use student information to conduct predictive modeling for the purpose of limiting the educational opportunities of students.
h. To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions.
i. To parents of an eligible student, if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes.
j. To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, subject to the requirements of federal and State law.
k. To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to the requirements of federal and State law.
l. To an agency caseworker or other representative of a State or local child welfare agency or tribal organization who is authorized to access a student’s case plan when such agency or organization is legally responsible, in accordance with State or tribal law, for the care and protection of the student in foster care placement.
m. To the Secretary of Agriculture or authorized representatives of the Food and Nutrition Service for purposes of conducting program monitoring, evaluations, and performance measurements of programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, under certain conditions.
n. Information provided in accordance with a contract between the School Board and a public or private entity which has been contracted to perform student or education services, but only to the extent provided for in such a contract. Pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3913, information concerning the release of PII pursuant to any contract shall be available at the School Board’s central office.
o. Information required to be reported pursuant to Article 609 of the Louisiana Children’s Code.
3. A statement shall be provided notifying the student’s parent or legal guardian of exactly what items of student information will be collected and that disclosure of the student information collected shall be restricted to Louisiana postsecondary education institutions to be used for the purposes of processing applications for admission and for compliance with state and federal reporting requirements to the Board of Regents and to the office of student financial assistance, as a program under the board’s jurisdiction, to be used for the purposes of processing applications for admission and for state and federal financial aid, for required grant program reporting, for providing reports to the school governing authority on the postsecondary education remediation needs, retention rates, and graduation rates for each high school under its jurisdiction, and for evaluating comparative postsecondary education performance outcomes based on student transcript data in order to develop policies designed to improve student academic achievement. Annual notification shall be provided to the student's parent or legal guardian as to the right and process used to withdraw consent.
DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Unless directed in writing otherwise by a student’s parent, legal guardian or a student who has reached the age of majority, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approves a person employed in a school or person authorized by the Superintendent to provide access to certain student personally identifiable information to further a legitimate educational purpose, in accordance with FERPA and La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914 as follows:
1. Information to facilitate a student’s participation in a school-sanctioned extracurricular activity, including but not limited to a sport, organization or club;
2. Information to facilitate the operation and daily activities within district facilities, including but not limited to the display and use of student information in and around student facilities;
3. Programs and activities related to school-sanctioned performances or productions, events, award programs, and graduations;
4. University transcript requests, scholarships, and admissions;
5. LHSAA, NCAA, and other related sports programs or sanctioning entities;
6. Online resources and educational tools;
7. School photography and yearbook providers;
8. Any other information considered “Directory Information”, to the extent allowed in FERPA.
In addition, two federal laws require School Boards receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with the following information – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the School Board that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent. [Note: These laws are Section 9528 of the ESEA (20 U.S.C. §7908) and 10 U.S.C. §503(c).]. In accordance with federal statutory provisions, the School Board shall honor the requests of military recruiters for names, addresses and phone numbers of high school students, unless parents have specified that such information not be released to military recruiters. Opt-out procedures will be provided in the student handbook.
ELECTRONIC DATA GOVERNANCE
Except as provided below, no person or public or private entity shall access a public school computer system on which student information is stored. No official or employee of a public school system shall authorize access to such a computer system to any person or public or private entity except as authorized in this policy.
The following persons may access a public school computer system on which student information for students at a particular school is stored:
1. A student who has reached the age of eighteen or is judicially emancipated or emancipated by marriage and the parent or legal guardian of a student who is under the age of eighteen (18) and not emancipated. For a student who has reached the age of eighteen (18) or is emancipated, such access is limited to information about the student. For the parent or legal guardian of a student who has not reached the age of eighteen and is not emancipated, such access shall be limited to information about the student. A student who has reached the age of eighteen or is emancipated and the parent or legal guardian of a student who has not reached the age of eighteen and is not emancipated may authorize, in writing, another person to access such information.
2. A teacher of record. Such access shall be limited to information about his current students.
3. The school principal and school registrar.
4. A school system employee employed at the school and designated by the principal. Such access shall be limited to student information necessary to perform his/her duties.
5. A person authorized by the Superintendent to maintain or repair the computer system or to provide services that the school system would otherwise provide.
6. A person authorized by the state to audit student records. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914(D)(2).
The following persons may access a computer system of a city, parish, or other local public school system on which student information for students from throughout the system is stored:
1. The Superintendent of the school system.
2. A school system employee designated by the Superintendent. Such access shall be limited to student information necessary to perform his/her duties.
3. A person authorized by the Superintendent to maintain or repair the computer system or to provide services that the school system would otherwise provide.
4. A person authorized by the state to audit student records. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:3914(D)(3).
Any person who is authorized to access a public school computer system, except a parent or legal guardian, shall maintain the confidentiality of any student information to which he/she has access.
PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (PPRA)
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall notify and permit parents/guardians/ eligible students the opportunity to opt out of participation in student surveys, analyses, or evaluations that concern one or more of the following eight areas ("protected information surveys"):political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student's parent; mental or psychological problems of the student or family; sex behavior or attitudes; illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; critical appraisals of others with whom students have close family relationships; legally recognized privileged relationships (such as lawyers, doctors, or ministers); religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs; or income (other than required by law to determine program eligibility. This requirement applies to the collection, disclosure, or use of student information for marketing purposes. Protected information survey opt-out forms shall be published in the student handbook and on the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board's website.
CREATION OF PROCEDURES
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board recognizes its responsibility for establishing procedures governing the privacy of student records, consistent with federal and state laws and regulations. The School Board directs the Superintendent, or designee, to develop and maintain procedures for ensuring and exercising rights provided under this policy. Copies of implementing procedures shall be available at the School Board's central office and in each school office. Any access or disclosure and release of personally identifiable student information by the School Board and its assigns must be in accordance with federal and state law and regulations and authorized by the Superintendent.
EXEMPTION
This policy shall not apply to the completion or correction of required submissions to the Louisiana Department of Education or response(s) to financial audits commenced prior to the 2015-2016 school year.
REQUIREMENT FOR WRITTEN CONSENT
Written parental/eligible student consent shall be obtained prior to the release of any PII, unless the release of such PII is expressly authorized without written consent by this policy or by law.
Revised: October,2001 Revised: October17, 2013
Revised: February, 2003 Revised: September 17, 2015
Revised: October 15,2009 Revised: October,2018
Revised: December 2, 2010 Revised: August,2021
Ref: 20 USC § 1232(g-i); 34 C.F.R. Part 99 (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act); 20 USC §1400 et seq. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); 20 USC §7908 (Armed Forces Recruiter Access to Student Information); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§9:351, 17:81, 17:112, 17:221.3,17:3914, 44:4, 44:4.1, 44:31, 44:32; La. Civil Code Arts. 131, 134, 250; Louisiana Attorney General Opinion No. 15-0103; Board minutes,10-15-09, 12-2-10, 10-17-13,9-17-15.
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ITEM 6b. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy GAAA – Equal Opportunity Employment
This item was for introduction only.
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POLICY: GAAA – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
It shall be the policy of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board that all applicants for admission and employment, students, parents, or legal guardians of students, or employees, sources of referral of applicants and employment, unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreement with the School Board and any and all entities having business with the School Board are hereby notified that the School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or veteran status in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities, including any notices required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or Part 106 of Title 34 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. The School Board pledges to protect qualified applicants and employees with disabilities from discrimination in hiring, promotion, termination, pay, job training, fringe benefits, classification, referral, and other aspects of employment on the basis of disability. The School Board shall also provide qualified applicants and employees with disabilities with reasonable accommodations that do not impose undue hardship on the School District. Thus, the School Board pledges compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, (“ADA”), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,as amended (“Section504”).
The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall investigate any and all complaints that maybe brought against the School Board or any individual school in the school district in regard to any alleged discriminatory action for appropriate treatment by the Superintendent and/or the School Board.
Any inquiries, concerns, or complaints related to discrimination based on sex should be brought to the attention of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board's Title IX Coordinator. The name and contact information for the Title IX Coordinator may be found on the district website and in student handbooks.
All employees shall be responsible for complying with this policy. Inquiries, concerns,or complaints related to any form of harassment or discrimination should be immediately reported to the immediate supervisor who, in turn, shall report the incident to the Superintendent and/or his/her designee. If the supervisor is the alleged harasser or discriminator, or the employee does not wish to report the matter to his/her supervisor, the employee may submit the complaint directly to the Superintendent or his/her designee for appropriate inquiry including, when appropriate, investigation. Except for complaints of sexual harassment of students, employees, and applicants, the investigation shall proceed in accordance with policy GAMC, Employee Investigations. Further, the School Board prohibits retaliation against any individual for making a complaint under this policy or participating in the investigation of any such complaint.
Adopted: September 21, 1978
Revised: September 17, 2020
Revised: July, 2022
Ref: U.S. Constitution, Amend. XIV, Sec. 1; 20 USC 1681 (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972); 29 USC 621 et seq. (Age Discrimination in Employment); 29 USC 701 et seq. (Vocational Rehabilitation and Other Rehabilitation Services); 42 USC 2000d (1964 Civil Rights Act); 42 USC 12101 (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990); Constitution of Louisiana, Art. I, Sec. 3, Art. X, Sec. 10; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:111, 23:301, 23:302,23:303, 23:311, 23:312,23:314, 23:322, 23:323, 23:332, 23:334, 23:341, 23:342,23:352, 23:368; Griggs v. Duke Power Company,
91 S. Ct. 849 (1979);Singleton v. Jackson Municipal Separate School District, 419
F.2d 1211 (5th Cir. 1979);Board minutes, 9-17-20.
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ITEM 6c. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy JD – Discipline
This item was for introduction only.
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It is the purpose of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to operate the schools in a manner that will provide an orderly process of education and that will provide for the welfare and safety of all students who attend these schools. The school's primary goal is to educate, not discipline; however,when the behavior of the individual student comes in conflict with rights of others, corrective actions may be necessary both for the benefit of that individual and the school as a whole.
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall endeavor to address student behavior with a focus on evidence-based interventions and supports, and to prioritize classroom- and school-based interventions in lieu of out-of-school disciplinary removals to address student misconduct in order to minimize the loss of academic instructional time. Every teacher and other school employee shall endeavor to hold each student accountable for his/her behavior in school, or on the playgrounds of the school,on any school bus, on the street or while going to or returning from school, during intermission or recess, or at any school sponsored activity or function.
To assist the teacher, the School Board shall establish regulations for the use of disciplinary measures within the schools and continually monitor and appraise their usefulness. Discipline shall be administered uniformly, consistently, and in a nondiscriminatory manner, in accordance with the School Board’s Student Code of Conduct.
Principals shall have both the authority and the duty to take disciplinary action whenever the behavior of any student(s) materially interferes with or substantially disrupts the maintenance of a proper atmosphere for learning within the classroom or other parts of the school. However,no student shall be disciplined in any manner by the School Board or school administrator, teacher, or other school employee for the use of force upon another person when it can be reasonably concluded that the use of such force more probably than not was committed solely for the purpose of preventing a forcible offense against the student or a forcible offense provided that the force used shall be reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent such offense. A student who is the aggressor or who brings on a difficulty cannot claim the right stated above to defend himself/herself.
Each teacher may take disciplinary action to correct a student who violates school rules, or who interferes with an orderly education process. The disciplinary action taken by the teacher shall be in accordance with such regulations and procedures established by the School Board.
Disciplinary action by a school employee may include, but is not limited to:
1. Oral or written reprimands.
2. Referral for a counseling session which shall include but shall not be limited to conflict resolution, social responsibility, family responsibility, peer mediation, and stress management.
3. Written notification of parents of disruptive or unacceptable behavior,a copy of which shall be provided to the principal.
4. Other disciplinary measures approved by the principal and faculty of the school and in compliance with School Board policy.
VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION
The School Board has made virtual classes available to students in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such virtual instruction may be continued thereafter and when school is closed due to inclement weather, disasters, and other emergencies. The provisions of this Policy and those of all student handbooks and codes of conduct shall be applicable to misconduct, whether on-campus, during virtual instruction, on a school bus, on the streets to and from school, or at a school event or activity.
The St. John the Baptist School Board has extended its on-campus conduct expectations to the virtual classroom, with a few modifications that factor in the home setting. Conduct that is unacceptable and which would lead to the imposition of discipline in the regular classroom is typically unacceptable in the virtual classroom as well. Regardless of the model of instruction, student conduct is governed by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416 and the Student Code of Conduct and/or Student Handbook. At the same time, for alleged misconduct which occurs during virtual instruction, school-based administrators shall consider the need for maintaining order and appropriate conduct, the school’s interest being impacted, and the student’s and family’s right to privacy and constitutional rights while at home or in a location that is not school property.
A student and his/her family shall not waive their constitutional rights by electing virtual instruction. At the same time, students engaging in virtual instruction shall insure that, prior to logging into and during any virtual classroom, the view from their camera is free of any object, writing,picture, or other display which, if possessed on school buses,in the classroom, or on school property, would subject the student to disciplinary action.
Students are cautioned that the virtual classroom is for instruction and for engaging with peers and teachers for educational purposes. Students must not handle or display items, toys, messages, images, or personal property or engage in conduct unrelated to the lessons taking place. Students who engage in conduct in the virtual classroom that violates the Student Code of Conduct and this Virtual Discipline policy may be subject to discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and this policy.
The following non-exclusive list of behaviors are prohibited in the virtual classroom and may result in disciplinary action:
Bullying and/or cyberbullying
The use of harassing or discriminatory language
Use of obscene language, profanity, inappropriate language, writing or drawings Displaying obscene gestures, drawings, images, audios, videos, etc.
Displaying pornography or nudity whether in a printed or digital context Committing lewd or sexual acts or simulations*
Repeated disruptions of the classroom
Display of nudity, indecent dress, disrobing, etc.
Exhibiting disrespect for the teacher or other school personnel Interference with the instructional audio or video
The handling or display of weapons or facsimile weapons Use or display of drugs, alcohol,tobacco, or vaping devices Cheating on assignments, ie. sharing work, answers, etc.
Divulging confidential information Violation of computer/password security
Violations of the Board’s/School’s Acceptable Use Policy or Device Contract
The context in which student behavior occurs is important, however, and will be taken into consideration by School and District administrators in determining whether there has been a violation of the Code of Conduct. As with all other forms of misconduct, the level of discipline, if any, for violations in a virtual setting will depend upon the age of the student, seriousness of the offense,the disruptive nature of the misconduct, whether the conduct involved violence or the threat of violence, whether the misconduct impacted the safety or orderly environment of the classroom, the student’s prior disciplinary record,etc.
*School and/or district officials may be required,as mandatory reporters, to alert local law enforcement and/or the Department of Children and Family Services if they observe conduct, messages, images, or objects that raise legitimate concern for the safety and well-being of students in the virtual classroom. This may include students handling weapons in the virtual classroom, even if it is subsequently learned that the weapon is a toy or facsimile, as it is not always possible to determine remotely whether the weapon is real or not.
STUDENT REMOVAL FROM CLASSROOM
When a student’s behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other students, poses an immediate threat to the safety of students or the teacher, or when a student violates the school’s code of conduct the teacher may have the student immediately removed from his/her classroom and placed in custody of the principal or his/her designee.
Any student removed from class in kindergarten through grade five shall not be permitted to return to class for at least thirty (30) minutes unless agreed to by the teacher initiating the disciplinary action. A student removed from class in grades six through twelve shall not be permitted to return to class during the same class period,unless agreed to by the teacher initiating the disciplinary action.
Whenever a teacher is struck by a student,the student, in addition to any other discipline given, shall be permanently removed from the teacher's classroom, unless the teacher objects, or unless the principal, with the concurrence of the building level committee, finds the striking incident to be entirely inadvertent.
Upon the student being removed from class and sent to the principal's office, the principal or designee shall advise the student of the particular misconduct of which he 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 or his/her designee then shall conduct a counseling session with the student as may be appropriate to establish a course of action, consistent with School Board policy to identify and correct the behavior for which the student is being disciplined.
Once removed, the student shall not be readmitted to the classroom until the principal has implemented at least one of the following disciplinary measures:
1. Conferencing with the principal or his/her designee.
2. Referral to counseling.
3. Peer mediation.
4. Referral to the school building level committee.
5. Restorative justice practices.
6. Loss of privileges
7. Detention
8. In-school suspension
9. Out-of-school suspension
10. Initiation of expulsion hearings
11. Referral for assignment to an alternative setting
12. Requiring the completion of all assigned school work and homework that would have been assigned and completed by the student during the period of out-of-school suspension.
13. Any other disciplinary measure authorized by the principal with the concurrence of the teacher or building level committee.
Parental Notification
The principal or his/her designee shall provide oral or written notification to the parent or legal guardian of any student removed from the classroom. Such notification shall include a description of any disciplinary action taken.
When a student has been removed from a classroom, the teacher or the principal or his/her designee may require the parent, or legal guardian of the student to have a conference with the teacher or the principal or his/her designee in the presence of the principal or his or her designee before the student is readmitted. Such conference may be in person or by telephone or other virtual means.
Upon the student’s third removal from the same classroom, the teacher and principal shall discuss the disruptive behavior patterns of the student and the potentially appropriate disciplinary measure before the principal implements a disciplinary measure. In addition, a conference between the teacher or other appropriate school employee and the student’s parent,or legal guardian may be required prior to the student being readmitted to that same classroom. Such conference may be in person or by telephone or other virtual means. If such conference is required by the school, the school shall give written notice to the parent.
For students who experience multiple behavioral incidents or disciplinary referrals, a principal or his designee shall consider a referral of the matter to an appropriate school building level committee. If the disruptive behavior persists, the teacher may request that the principal transfer the student into another setting.
PARENT CONFERENCES
In any case where a teacher,principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent or legal guardian of a student to attend a conference or meeting regarding the student’s behavior, and after notice,the parent 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. Notice of the conference, specifying the time and date of the conference, shall be given by contacting the parent or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the student’s registration card or by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the student’s registration card.
REPORTS TO PRINCIPAL
Any teacher or other school employee may report to the principal any student who acts in a disorderly manner or is in violation of school rules, or any misconduct or violation of school rules by a student who may or may not be known to the teacher or employee. Incidents of alleged discipline violations shall be reported on the School Behavior Report/School Bus Behavior Report form provided by the Louisiana Department of Education. The forms shall be submitted in accordance with procedures outlined by the School District, the Superintendent, and school system personnel. The principal shall review and act upon such information submitted, to determine if suspension or other disciplinary action is necessary.
Should the principal fail to act on any report of misconduct or school violation, he/she shall explain the reasons for doing so to the Superintendent or his/her designee and to the teacher or school employee, student,parent, or legal guardian reporting the violation.
DELINQUENT STUDENTS
Students who regularly disrupt the normal school environment shall be considered as delinquent, and may be reported by appropriate school personnel to the juvenile court. Any student that exhibits disruptive behavior, an incorrigible attitude, or any other discipline problems in general may be recommended by the principal for expulsion, assignment to an appropriate alternative educational placement, or transfer to adult education if the student is:
1. Seventeen (17) years of age or older with less than five (5) units of credit toward graduation;
2. Eighteen (18) years of age or older with less than ten (10) units of credit toward graduation; or
3. Nineteen (19) years of age or older with less than fifteen (15) units of credit toward graduation.
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.
DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES OR EXCEPTIONALITIES
Discipline of students with disabilities or exceptionalities, or an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Individualized Accommodation Plan, shall be to the extent allowed by applicable state or federal law and regulations or the provisions of the student’s specific plan.
DEFINITIONS
Out-of-school suspension means the removal of a student from all classes of instruction on public school grounds and all other school-sponsored activities.
In-school suspension means removing a student from his/her normal classroom setting but maintaining him under supervision within the school. Students participating in in- school suspension shall receive credit for work performed during the in-school suspension. However, any student who fails to comply fully with the rules for in-school suspension may be subject to immediate out-of-school suspension.
Detention shall mean activities, assignments, or work held before the normal school day, after the normal school day, or on weekends. Failure or refusal by a student to participate in assigned detention may subject the student to immediate out-of-school suspension. Assignments, activities, or work which may be assigned during detention include, but are not limited to, counseling, homework assignments, behavior modification program, or other activities aimed at improving the behavior and conduct of the student.
Expulsion (unless otherwise defined as a permanent expulsion by law) shall mean the removal of a student from school for at least one school semester. During an expulsion the Superintendent shall place the student in an alternative school or in an alternative educational placement.
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.
Virtual instruction means instruction provided to a student through an electronic delivery medium, including, but not limited to, electronic learning platforms that connect to a student in a remote location to classroom instruction.
Revised: December, 1990 Revised: October15, 2009
Revised: December, 1992 Revised: March21, 2013
Revised: November, 1993 Revised: December10, 2020
Revised: August, 1994 Revised: July, 2021
Revised: September, 1997 Revised: July, 2022
Revised: August,1999
Revised: June, 2003
Ref: 42 USC 12112 et seq. (Equal Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:223, 17:224, 17:233, 17:239,17:252, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.13; Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706,Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 10-15-09, 3-21- 13, 12-10-20.
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ITEM 6d. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy JGFC – Student Dismissal Precautions
This item was for introduction only.
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The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall not permit a school or grade to be dismissed before the regular hour for dismissal except with the approval of the office of the Superintendent. No teacher or school staff member may permit any individual student to leave school prior to the regular hour of dismissal except by permission of the principal.
No student may be permitted to leave school prior to the dismissal hour at the request of or in the company of anyone other than a school employee, police officer, court official, parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the child, unless the permission of the parent or legal guardian has been first secured and only then upon proof of identity. If any police or court official requests the dismissal of a student during school hours,parents or legal guardian should be notified as soon as possible.
A child shall only be released to the parent awarded legal custody of the child if the parents are divorced or legally separated. The school shall be notified by the parent(s) should any changes in custody occur during the school year. A child shall be released to a non-custodial parent only if there is written permission for doing so signed by the custodial parent on file with the school office.
No student shall be released from school early on the basis of a phone call which has not been validated. No student shall be permitted to check himself/herself out of school, unless legally emancipated.
STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL
Students are required to check out through the principal's office before leaving the school campus during the hours school is in session.
Students shall not be sent off campus to perform an errand or act as messengers.
Students are required to remain at school during the lunch hour except when special diet problems have been verified in writing by the parent or guardian.
Students who seek special permission to leave school on a repeated basis must have parents come to school and make application and arrangement for a special permit as may be granted by the principal.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:221,17:226, 17:232.
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ITEM 6e. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised GBDA – Employment of Retired Personnel
This item was for introduction only.
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The Superintendent, or principal, with the approval of the Superintendent, may employ retired employees in accordance with the requirements of law and guidelines of the appropriate retirement system. A retired employee who is hired under such circumstances shall not, however, be guaranteed any position/employment with the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board.
Certified personnel who are members of the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) and who are retired may be rehiredin accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§11:710 and 11:710.1, and guidelines of that retirement system. The School Board shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, notify the TRSL in writing of such employment, the date of re-employment, and a determination as to whether the person is a retired teacher. Upon termination, the School Board shall provide the same notice to the TRSL.
Bus operators who have retired from service may be employed and returned to service as full-time bus operators in accordance with the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §11:1007 and the guidelines of the Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (LSERS). Whenever a retired bus operator is re-employed, the School Board shall notify LSERS in writing withinten (10) days of such employment of the date employment began. Upon the bus operator's termination, the School Board shall provide LSERS in writing with information and notice of the termination.
Any retired non-certified employee, other than a bus operator, may be re-employed as a full-time, part-time, temporary, or substitute employee, in accordance with the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §11:1006 and the guidelines of the Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (LSERS). The School Board shall notify LSERS in writing of such employment and shall notify LSERS in writing of the termination of such employment.
The School Board acknowledges that the TRSL and the LSERS have their own governing boards and their own regulations and interpretations of state laws impacting retirement. Accordingly, School Board staff members do not have the authority to give advice to employees, retirees, or others on retirement matters. Individuals seeking information about retirement matters should contact their respective retirement systems directly.
New policy: August,2010 Revised: December,2018
Revised: September 22, 2011 Revised: August,2020
Revised: March 21, 2013 Revised: June 6, 2022
Revised: November, 2015 Revised: August,2022
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§11:710,11:710.1, 11:1006, 11:1007,17:81; Board minutes, 9-22-11, 3-21-13, 6-9-22.
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ITEM 6f. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request Approval Revised Policy ID – Curriculum
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy ID – Curriculum
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board has the responsibility to establish and maintain a quality program of instruction for the elementary and secondary schools of the school district.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for coordinating and maintaining the instructional program in accordance with the provisions of the state constitution, state statutes, rules and regulations of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), and the policies of the School Board.
The organization and scheduling of subjects in the curriculum of the school district shall conform to BESE requirements and statewide content standards for required subjects. The curriculum shall provide learning experiences and prospective achievement for each child according to their individual needs and offer pupils a basic body of understanding, attitudes, knowledge, and skills.
By the end of the eighth (8th) grade, every student, with the assistance of his/her parent or other legal custodian and school counselor, and for a student with an exceptionality, except a student identified as gifted or talented and who has no other exceptionality, the student’s Individualized Education Program team, in conjunction with the student’s parent or legal guardian, if applicable, shall begin to develop an Individual Graduation Plan to guide future academic course work in order for the student to explore education and career possibilities. The plan shall be reviewed annually and updated revised as necessary to identify the courses to be taken each year until all required core courses are completed. Upon completion of the review, each student’s Individual Graduation Plan shall be signed by the student,the student’s parent or other legal custodian guardian, and the school counselor.
Prior to revising a student's individual graduation plan, the school counselor shall meet with the student's parent or legal guardian either in person or virtually to explain the possible impacts the revisions to the plan might have on the student's graduation requirements and postsecondary education goals. Any revisions to a student's plan shall be approved in writing by the student's parent or legal guardian.
CAREER MAJOR
The curriculum design within the high schools shall include a career major comprised of challenging academic courses and modern career and technical studies. Such a curriculum design shall allow each high school student to choose a career option at the high school level, which includes activities designed to introduce students to occupations in demand in Louisiana. The School Board shall develop and offer one or more career major programs aligned to state and regional workforce demands, pursuant to policies adopted by BESE.
ELECTIVES
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has granted school systems the authority to develop, review,and approve all locally-initiated electives, in accordance with the Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741. The process shall ensure alignment with standards-based initiatives, compliance with current BESE policies, and all laws and regulations pertaining to students with disabilities. Elective courses shall enhance, expand,and/or refine the core curriculum. Elective courses shall not replace, duplicate, or significantly overlap the content of core curriculum or other approved electives.
Proper documentation of all approved electives shall be maintained by the School Board. Revised: December, 1997 Revised: August, 2021
Revised: July, 1999
Revised: October, 2001
Revised: December 2, 2010
Revised: October 17,2013
Revised: May 7, 2015
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:154, 17:181,17:182, 17:183, 17:183.1,17:183.2,
17:183.3, 17:183.5, 17:261, 17:262, 17:2925; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 12-2-10, 10-17-13, 5-7-15.
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ITEM 6g. Public Comment. Request approval of Revised Policy JBA – Compulsory School Attendance Ages
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy JBA – Compulsory School Attendance Ages
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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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, unless the child's parent or 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; Bulletin741, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 8-15-02, 4-2-09, 12-2-10.
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ITEM 6h. Public Comment. Request approval of New Policy: BBA – Officers of the School Board
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BBA – Officers of the School Board
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
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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.
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ITEM 6i. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of New Policy: BBC – School Board Committees
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BBC – School Board Committees
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
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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.
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ITEM 6j. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of New Policy: BC – School Board Meetings
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BC – School Board Meetings
Roll Call:
7 Yeas – Holden, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
4 Nays – Burl, Triche, Morris, Mamou
The motion carried.
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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
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ITEM 6k. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy: BCB – School Board Meeting Procedures
MOTION BY: Vicknair
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: BCB – School Board Meeting Procedures
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
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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.
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ITEM 6l. Public Comment. Request approval of New Policy: BCBB – Notification of School Board Meetings
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BCBB – Notification of School Board Meetings
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
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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
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ITEM 6m. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of New Policy: BCBD – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BCBD – Agenda Preparation and Dissemination with revision: Add “Committee Reports” as #7
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
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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. Committee Reports
8. 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.
9. 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.
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ITEM 6n. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of New Policy: BCBG – Voting Method at School Board Meetings
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BCBG – Voting Method at School Board Meetings
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
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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.
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ITEM 6o. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of New Policy: BCBI – Public Participation in School Board Meetings
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BCBI – Public Participation in School Board Meetings
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
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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.
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ITEM 6p. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy: BCBK – Executive Sessions
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: BCBK – Executive Sessions
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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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.
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ITEM 6q. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy: BD – School Board Policy
MOTION BY: Vicknair
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy: BD – School Board Policy
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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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.
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ITEM 6r. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of New Policy: BDA – Administrative Regulations and Procedures
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve New Policy: BDA – Administrative Regulations and Procedures
Following discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Burl
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve Policy BDA with the addition of the following: “Any administrative regulation or procedural changes that are made and deemed necessary by the Superintendent, the school board would not be liable for.”
Following further discussion, Mr. Mamou rescinded his second to the substitute motion.
Upon roll call on the original motion there were
9 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Nays – Burl, Mamou
The motion carried.
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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.
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ITEM 6s. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of New Policy: School Board Member Code of Ethics
The Board asked that the title of this policy be changed to: School Board Member Code of Conduct
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ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOLS
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CODE OF ETHICS CONDUCT
The St. John the Baptist School Board desires to operate in the most ethical and conscientious manner possible and to that end the board adopts this Code of Ethics, and each member of the board agrees that he or she will:
1. Recognize that the authority of the board rests only with the board as a whole and not with individual board members and act accordingly.
2. Support the delegation of authority for the day-to-day administration of the school system to the local superintendent and act accordingly.
3. Honor the chain of command and refer to problems or complaints consistent with the chain of command.
4. Not undermine the authority of the superintendent or intrude into responsibilities that properly belong to the superintendent or school administration, including such functions as hiring, transferring, or dismissing employees.
5. Outside of Committee requests, make requests for reports and other written information through the Board President and Superintendent, with copies provided to all Board members. Upon receipt of the information, Board members will refrain from replying to the email.
6. Use reasonable efforts to keep the superintendent informed of concerns or specific recommendations that any member of the board may bring to the board.
7. Participate in all required training programs developed for board members by the board, state law and state board of ethics.
8. Comply with state law and state board of ethics regulations.
9. Agree to be a good steward of financial accountability, and refrain from using the position as an elected School board member to pursue personal financial gain.
10. Refrain from creating a hostile work environment where the Superintendent, Board members, and all employees are not subjected to workspaces that harassment or verbal abuse is pervasive.
11. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled and called board meetings.
12. Be informed and prepared to discuss issues to be considered on the board agenda.
13. Maintain the confidentiality of all discussions and other matters pertaining to the school system during executive session of the board.
14. Work with other board members to establish effective policies for the school system.
15. Periodically review and evaluate the effectiveness of all policies.
16. File annually with the local superintendent and with the school board secretary a written statement certifying that he or she is in compliance with this code of ethics.
CENSURE OF BOARD MEMBERS
It is the policy of the St John the Baptist Parish School Board that all Board members conduct themselves in a professional manner accordance with the Code of Ethics adopted by the Board. A “censure” under this policy is the process by which SJBPS School Board, acting by a two-thirds majority vote (i.e. eight affirmative votes), can reprimand or condemn the actions of a member for any violation of law or policy or any other conduct committed by a Board member which tends to injure the good name of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board and/or undermines the effectiveness of the SJBP School Board or the Board of Education. A censure is an expression of formal disapproval by the Board.
The Board, in addition to or in lieu of censure, may vote to:
1. Request the Board President to remove the Board Member as member of any Board Committee(s).
If a member of the SJBPSB believes that a fellow Board member should be formally censured by the Board, the following protocol shall apply:
1. All Board proceedings related to a ensure motion, with the exception of the disclosure of confidential information as permitted by the Open Meetings Law, shall be conducted in an open meeting.
2. The member(s) shall provide ten (10) days advance written notice of their desire to make a censure motion to all Board members and the Board Attorney. The notice shall include the reason or reason(s) for the proposed censure.
3. Any member(s) affected by the request may provide a written response to all Board members and the Board Attorney no later than two (2) days prior to the next scheduled Board meeting. If the Chair elects not to place the motion on the agenda of the next scheduled meeting of the Board, a member may request that the motion be added through an appropriate motion to amend the agenda at the time of the meeting.
4. A censure motion must obtain a second before there can be any discussion by the Board.
5. A censure motion that receives a second may be debated by the Board in open session. However, Board members may not discuss confidential personnel, student or attorney-client matters during any open session debate. Disclosure of confidential personnel, student, or attorney -client matters must be addressed in executive session.
6. Following the debate, the Board may take one of the following actions in open session:
a. Approve the motion by a two-thirds majority;
b. Reject the motion; or
c. Table the motion by a simple majority for any reason, including but not limited to, the desire of the majority to gather additional information and/or permit the affected member(s) to respond further.
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ITEM 6t. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request approval of Revised Job Description: Teacher
MOTION BY: Vicknair
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve Revised Job Description: Teacher
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay - Burl
The motion carried.
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ITEM 6u. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request approval of Revised Job Description: Interventionist
Dr. Johnson stated that the SJAE President had requested a verbiage change and administration agreed: Delete the word “paraprofessional” from this job description completely.
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve Revised Job Description: Interventionist
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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ST. JOHN PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM
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ITEM 6v. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request approval of Revised Job Description: School Counselor
Dr. Johnson stated that the SJAE President had requested the following verbiage change and administration has agreed to it: Change “well-being” to “social-emotional” and “Board of Ethics” to “American School Counselors Association”.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve Revised Job Description: School Counselor
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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ITEM 6w. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request approval of Revised Job Description: HR Clerk
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Revised Job Description: HR Clerk
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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ITEM 6x. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request approval of Revised Job Description: Receptionist
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve Revised Job Description: Receptionist
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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ITEM 6y. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request approval of Revised Job Description: Coordinator of Data and Accountability
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve Revised Job Description: Coordinator of Data and Accountability
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
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ITEM 6z. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request approval of Revised Job Description Title Change: Special Education Bus Driver
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve Revised Job Description Title Change: Special Education Bus Driver
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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ITEM 6aa. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson – Request approval of Job Description: Special Education Bus Attendant
SJAE President – asked that the CDL requirement be removed from this job description.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To approve Job Description: Special Education Bus Attendant
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
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ITEM 7. BUSINESS & FINANCE.
ITEM 7a. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request approval to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with St. John the Baptist Fire Department regarding surplus buses to be used for training purposes
Mr. Miller stated that the Fire Department has agreed to an in-kind donation in the form of fire risk assessments and fire safety training for both staff and students of St. John Parish Schools.
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To declare 3 buses surplus and enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with St. John the Baptist Fire Department to donate these 3 buses to be used for training purposes – Buses: #15, #23, #47
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 7b. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request approval to extend Gallo Lift Station/Backflow preventers maintenance contract for 1 year
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve an extension to Gallo Lift Station/Backflow preventers maintenance contract for 1 year at a cost of $36,647
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 7c. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request approval to award a contract for improvements to WSJE, GMMS, LPE and ESJP
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To approve awarding a contract for improvements to WSJE, GMMS, LPE and ESJP to Stalling Construction ($3,987,000 / Alt. $21,700).
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 7d. Public Comment. Mr. Ryan Smith – Request approval of change directive for Emily C. Watkins Security and Gym Project for value engineering deductive change order
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To approve the change directive for Emily C. Watkins Security and Gym Project for value engineering deductive change order.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Public Comment. Public Comment. Atty. Kyle Celestin - Request to enter into Executive Session, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), to discuss the status and strategy in the lawsuit captioned, Randy Williams v. Elizabeth Blank and the St. John The Baptist Parish School Board, Suit No. C-78822, 40th Judicial District Court, Parish of St. John the Baptist
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To convene in Executive Session pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(2), to discuss the status and strategy in the lawsuit captioned, Randy Williams v. Elizabeth Blank and the St. John The Baptist Parish School Board, Suit No. C-78822, 40th Judicial District Court, Parish of St. John the Baptist.
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
The Board convened in Executive Session at 8:33 p.m.
MOTION BY: Vicknair
SECOND BY: Frizzell
MOTION: To reconvene in Regular Session
Roll Call:
11 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
The motion carried.
The Board reconvened in Regular Session at 8:56 p.m.
MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Triche
MOTION: To grant settlement authority to Atty. Kyle Celestin in the lawsuit captioned, Randy Williams v. Elizabeth Blank and the St. John The Baptist Parish School Board, Suit No. C-78822, 40th Judicial District Court, Parish of St. John the Baptist
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent - Morris
The motion carried.
ITEM 9b. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Update from Sedgwick regarding final insurance payments for Hurricane Ida
Following extensive discussion, there was a
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda and add an action item.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent - Morris
The motion carried.
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To grant authority to Atty. Alvarez to agree to a 6 month extension in an attempt to settle the insurance payments in a way that is favorable to all parties, but also grant the authority for Atty. Alvarez to file suit on behalf of the School Board in the event that an agreement is not reached within the extended time period.
Roll Call:
9 Yeas - Holden, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay – Burl
1 Absent - Frizzell
The motion carried.
The Board requested that both Sedgwick and AllSouth report an update to the Board at one Board meeting every month for the duration of the 6 month extension.
ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Mr. Raydel Morris – Discussion regarding 45-day notice of contract expiration
Mr. Morris asked that all contracts be brought to the Board at least 45 days before a decision by the Board is needed.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Triche – Requesting ESSER funds be used to give all employees a stipend and wants it to be the same amount across the board. Also, she stated that Kiki’s Kookies and Bergeron’s are 2 new businesses in St. John Parish.
Holden – Asked that the electronic voting system be installed as soon as possible. Thanked all faculty and staff for a great opening of school. She requested that administration speak to the staff regarding things that are needed at the school level.
Mitchell-Williams – Thanks for a great start and thanks for Mr. Miller for his hard work and dedication regarding transportation.
Morris – Asked that the Volkert contract be placed on the next Board agenda.
Schum – Finance Committee will meet next Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. She also thanked the faculties and staff at all schools for a great opening of schools.
Perry – Thanked all faculty and staff for their dedication to a smooth opening of schools. He also stated that he has asked Mr. Miller to expedite improving transportation, but not at the expense of safety. Safety is always first!
Wallace – Welcomed all back to school.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Vicknair
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas - Holden, Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent - Frizzell
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.
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Dr. Cleo Perry, Secretary Shawn Wallace, President