PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
RESERVE, LA – MEETING OF AUGUST 22, 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 22, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and called for the invocation to be led by Mr. Anthony Miller, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2a. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:
PRESENT: Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace ABSENT: Holden, Burl, Triche
With 8 members present and 3 members absent, there was a quorum.
ITEM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ITEM 3a. Public Comment. Approval of Minutes from the meetings of: July 29, 2024 (Board Retreat) and August 8, 2024
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve the minutes from the meetings of: July 29, 2024 (Board Retreat) and August 8, 2024
Roll Call:
8 Yeas - Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
3 Absent – Holden, Burl, Triche
The motion carried.
Mr. Burl arrived at 6:04 p.m., Mrs. Holden arrived at 6:11 p.m. and both were recorded as present.
ITEM 4. EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS BY THE BOARD OR STAFF
ITEM 5. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
ITEM 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS
ITEM 8. OLD BUSINESS
ITEM 8a. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy JR – Student Privacy and Education Records
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy JR – Student Privacy and Education Records
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
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POLICY: JR - STUDENT PRIVACY AND EDUCATION RECORDS
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 respect to 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 school official 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 student in 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: October 17, 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. 150103; Board minutes, 10-15-09, 12-2-10, 10-17-13, 9-17-15.
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ITEM 8b. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy GAAA – Equal Opportunity Employment
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy GAAA – Equal Opportunity Employment
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Absent –Triche, Mamou
The motion carried.
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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 (“Section 504”).
The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall investigate any and all complaints that may be 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 8c. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of Revised Policy JGFC – Student Dismissal Precautions
MOTION BY: Vicknair
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve Revised Policy JGFC – Student Dismissal
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
2 Absent –Triche, Mamou
The motion carried.
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POLICY: JGFC - STUDENT DISMISSAL
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 8d. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Request approval of New Policy: School Board Member Code of Conduct
Mrs. Schum asked that the last word of this policy be changed from “ethics” to “conduct”, so the language will match the title.
MOTION BY: Vicknair
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve New Policy: School Board Member Code of Conduct with revision.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
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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 conduct, 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 conduct.
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ITEM 9. NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 9a. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of New Policy: Censure of School Board Members
The item was for introduction only.
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ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOLS
NEW POLICY: 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 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 9b. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy: GBRID – Miliary Leave
The item was for introduction only.
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GBRID: MILITARY LEAVE
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall grant military leave to employees of theBoard upon proper submission of an application for such leave. Leave with pay for military purposes shall be granted when leave is not to exceed fifteen (15) days in one calendaryear. Leave without pay shall begranted when leave is for morethan fifteen (15). All requests for military leave shall be presented to the Board for approval and must be accompanied by proper documents attesting to call to duty.
An employee on extended military leave (longer than fifteen (15) days) may be required to apply for reinstatement of his/her former position withinthirty (30) days after end of leave; the employee shall then be reinstated at the salary then in force inthe salary schedule. The Board may transfer the employee to aposition of like seniority, status and pay, if in the opinion of theBoard, such action is beneficial to the school system.
An employee shall not lose salary schedule advancement and shall receive step increases corresponding to the time spent in military service upon resumption of employment with the Board. Any tenure rights which any employee may have acquired prior to military leave shall not be affected.
ACTIVE DUTY
Any regular employee of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board who is serving in the military service or in the armed forces of the United States shall be granted a leave of absence for the period dating from his/her induction, enlistment, enrollment, or call to service. Such leave shall not affect tenure rights acquired prior thereto. An employee, upon return, must apply for reinstatement to the former position within thirty (30) days after discharge or release from active duty.
An employee who is ordered to duty shall notify the immediate supervisor as early as possible so that scheduling arrangements can be made. The employee shall also notify the Human Resources Department within three (3) days of receipt of orders and shall submit to the Human Resources Department a copy of the official orders. While on military leave, employees shall continue to accrue leave and other benefits which they are entitled to receive in their normal assignment.
In the event of a national emergency, the School Board shall pay the employee an amount which when combined with the base pay for military service shall equal but not exceed the employee’s regular School Board salary. This arrangement shall remain in effect for the duration of the period of deployment.
RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS
According to the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Military Relief Act, a teacher may use any amount or combination of annual, paid or compensatory leave. In the event that a teacher is called to active duty because of an official national military conflict or war, the teacher shall remain eligible for credit with the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). To support and show appreciation of teachers defending the United States of America, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board agrees to pay the teacher’s retirement contribution and the School Board’s contribution when a teacher is on active duty. Payment shall be made on the first anniversary of return to his/her position with St. John the Baptist Parish schools.
The employee also has the option of continuing his/her dependent health insurance coverage by paying the regular monthly dependent coverage provisions.
An individual whose employment as a teacher is interrupted by induction into military service shall be placed, upon return to employment as a teacher, on the step of the salary schedule that he would have been on if his/her employment had not been interrupted.
Military service means service as a member of the United States Armed Forces during a war declared by the United States Congress or in a peacetime campaign or expedition for which campaign badges are authorized.
RESERVE, NATIONAL GUARD, OR SIMILAR DUTY
All employees of the School Board who are members of the Officers’ Reserve Corps of the Army of the United States, the National Guard of the United States, the Naval Reserve Corps, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Citizens’ Military Training Corps, or the Civil Air Patrol, either as officers or enlisted persons, are entitled to a leave of absence without loss of pay, time, annual leave, or efficiency rating, on all days which they are ordered to duty with troops, or at field experiences, or for instruction, not to exceed fifteen (15) days in any one calendar year, and when relieved from duty, are to be restored to the positions held by them when ordered to duty.
As professional educators interested in maintaining excellence in the educational system, it is expected that all teachers shall make every possible effort to such military leaves during vacation periods. This effort shall be considered as one of the specified duties of all teachers.
Except in the event of a declared national emergency, such leave in excess of fifteen (15) days in any one calendar year shall be leave without pay, unless the employee or teacher affected applies for, qualifies for, and is granted one of the other forms of leave provided by the School Board.
Revised: August, 2022
Ref: 38 USC §4301-4333 (Employment and Re-employment Rights of Members of the Uniformed Services); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:423.1,17:1215, 29:401, 29:402, 29:403, 29:404, 29:405, 29:406, 29:407, 29:410, 42:394, 42:401, et seq. 42:402, 42:403; Board minutes, 6-17-76, 9-21-78, 4-3-03.
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ITEM 9c. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy: JBCE – Public School Choice
The item was for introduction only.
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JBCE: PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE
FEDERAL PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE
The St. John the Baptist School Board is required by both Federal law and the Louisiana School Accountability Program to develop and maintain a Public School Choice policy for any school with a School Performance Score (SPS) below levels set by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). School Choice allows eligible students to transfer to an academically acceptable school.
Once schools eligible to receive students have been identified, a school-site utilization study shall be conducted as needed in all schools to determine the extent to which capacity exists to possibly accommodate students from schools offering choice, including students with special needs and/or students with disabilities. Only those schools that are labeled academically acceptable shall be considered eligible to receive students.
The Superintendent and staff shall be responsible for developing and managing a School Choice Plan, which shall determine the schools to which students may transfer, which students shall have priority in transferring, and all other regulations and procedures for supervising school choice within the school district.
Notification
Notification of parents of their school choice options shall be sent as early as possible, but not later than the first day of the school year for the schools that are required to offer choice. If there are no choice options available, this information shall be included in the notification sent parents.
Eligibility of Students
All students in a school required to offer choice shall be eligible to transfer. However, the School Board shall give priority to students from the lowest performing schools.
LOUISIANA PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE
Unless a violation of a court order, the parent or legal guardian of any student may seek to enroll his/her child in the public school of his/her choice, without regard to residence, school system geographic boundaries, or attendance zones, provided that:
1. The public school in which the student was most recently enrolled, or would otherwise attend, received a school performance letter grade of D or F for the most recent school year, and
2. The school to which the student seeks to enroll received a school performance letter grade of A, B, or C, for the most recent school year, and has sufficient capacity at the appropriate grade level.
3. The authority to enroll a student in the public school of choice shall not be permitted and shall not be exercised if doing so violates the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
4. If the district denies the enrollment request of a prospective student for an intra-district transfer, the parent or legal guardian of the student may request a review of the denial of the transfer requested by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Within ninety days of receipt of a request for review, the state board shall determine if the capacity policy established for the school was followed. If the state board determines that the school's policy was not followed, the district shall reconsider the transfer request. However, the state board shall not approve any transfer request that would exceed the enrollment capacity of a school or classroom, as established by the school's governing authority.
5. For purposes of determining capacity, as determined by School Board staffing policy, a school which has an anticipated enrollment of 80% or greater of its optimal total student capacity, in the grade in which the student seeks to enroll, shall be deemed to have insufficient capacity to allow for a School Choice enrollment. Capacity may also be adjusted downward due to Covid-19 social distancing requirements, damage resulting from natural disasters, or other factors of a similar nature.
6. The transfer request period, which shall begin no later than March first and end no earlier than March twenty-eighth, annually.
7. Prior to the transfer request period, the district shall notify parents and legal guardians of students enrolled in a school that received a "D" or "F" school performance letter grade pursuant to the state's school district accountability system for the most recent school year of the following:
A. The schools under the jurisdiction of the governing authority that received an "A", "B", or "C" school performance letter grade, if any.
B. The process for submitting student transfer requests.
C. The page on the state Department of Education's website that contains school performance data.
D. (3) Such policies shall be posted to the school governing authority's website and reported to the state Department of Education
8. District schools' performance scores may be accessed on the Louisiana Department of Education website via the below link: https://www.louisianabelieves.com/resources/library/performance-scores
Transportation shall not be provided to a student who enrolls in a public school that is located outside the geographic boundaries of the School Board in which the student resides, if providing such transportation will result in additional cost to the School Board.
The Superintendent shall be authorized to develop pertinent administrative regulations and procedures governing students seeking enrollment under the Louisiana Public School Choice section of this policy. Such regulations and procedures shall include entering into interdistrict agreements with other city, parish, or local School Boards to provide for the admission of students, and the transfer of school funds or other payments by one School Board to another for, or on account of, such attendance.
Enrollment under Louisiana Public School Choice shall only be for one school year, or applicable portion thereof if a student enrolls after the start of the school year."
PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OF CHOICE
For the purposes of this policy, a program of choice shall mean a public high school program that allows a student to concurrently pursue a high school diploma and one of the following:
1. A postsecondary degree, credential, or certificate.
2. A state-registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship.
A student may enroll in a program of choice offered within his/her school system, without regard to attendance zones, provided that both of the following apply:
1. The program of choice and the high school offering the program have available capacity at the appropriate grade level.
2. The program of choice is not offered at the public high school in which the student was most recently enrolled or would otherwise attend.
Capacity for each high school and each program of shall be determined as provided above under Louisiana Public School Choice, and the transfer request period shall be the same as for Louisiana Public School Choice.
The School Board shall determine and make available the process for submitting a transfer request, admission requirements, if any, for each program of choice, and the process for requesting review by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:4035.1 of a denial of a request to transfer to a program of choice.
The School Board shall partner with local businesses and public postsecondary education institutions to grow programs of choice that are relevant to the school's local area and to the state and that lead to careers in high-demand, high-paying fields, and work to ensure that programs of choice are evenly distributed, to the greatest extent possible, among the high schools in the school system.
The authority to enroll a student in a program of choice shall not be permitted and shall not be exercised if doing so violates an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
The provisions of this policy shall not be construed as requiring a high school or a program of choice with selective admission requirements to enroll a student who does not meet the admission requirements, regardless of whether the school or program of choice has available capacity.
New policy: August, 2004
Approved: October 15, 2009
Revised: October 2, 2014
Revised: May 12, 2022
Revised: August, 2022
Ref: 20 USC 6316; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:105, 17:4035.1, 17:4035.2; Louisiana School, District, and State Accountability System, Bulletin 111, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 10-15-09, 10-2-14, 5-12-22.
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ITEM 9d. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy: JGCE – Child Abuse
The item was for introduction only.
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JGCE: CHILD ABUSE
The St. John the Baptist School Board shall endeavor to ensure that all require thatinstances of suspected child abuse and/or neglect are be reported in accordance with appropriate state and local laws and regulations procedures. Therefore, the School Board directs that all school personnel be informed of their responsibilities under law as mandatory reporters when performing their occupational duties.
Students shall be provided age- and grade-appropriate instruction relative to child assault awareness and prevention, and how students may report abuse or assault to the child protection toll-free hotline operated by the State Department of Children and Family Services, and where students may locate the number for the hotline.
Each public school shall post the hotline number in a prominent location on its website.
DEFINITIONS
Abuse means any one of the following acts which seriously endanger the physical, mental, or emotional health of the child:
1. The infliction, attempted infliction, or, as a result of inadequate supervision, the allowance of the infliction or attempted infliction of physical or mental injury upon the child by a parent or any other person.
2. The exploitation or overwork of a child by a parent or any other person, including but not limited to commercial sexual exploitation of the child.
3. The involvement of the child in any sexual act with a parent or any other person, or the aiding or toleration by the parent, or the caretaker of the child's sexual involvement with or any other person or of the child's involvement in (i) any sexual act with any other person; (ii) pornographic displays; (iii) or any other involvement of a child in sexual activity constituting a crime under Louisiana law the laws of this state; or (iv) a coerced abortion conducted upon a child.
Caretaker means any person legally obligated to provide or secure adequate care for a child, including a parent, tutor, guardian, legal custodian, foster home parent, an employee of a public or private day care center, an operator or employee of a registered family child day care home, or other person providing a residence for the child.
Child, for purposes of child abuse, is defined as means a person under eighteen (18) years of age, who prior to juvenile proceedings, has not been judicially emancipated or emancipated by marriage.
A mandatory reporter is means any person considered tobe a teaching or child care providerperforming their occupational duties, such as any person who provides or assists in the teaching, training, or supervision of a child, including any public or private teacher, teacher’s aide, instructional aide, school principal, school staff member, bus operator, coach, professor, technical or vocational instructor, technical or vocational school staff member, college or university administrator, college or university staff member, social worker, probation officer, foster home parent, group home or other child care institutional staff member, personnel of residential home facilities, a licensed or unlicensed day care provider, or any individual who provides such services to a child in a voluntary or professional capacity.
A permitted reporter means any other person having cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare is endangered as a result of abuse or neglect.
Neglect means the refusal or willful unreasonable failure of a parent or caretaker to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, care, treatment, or counseling for any injury, illness, or condition of the child, as a result of which the child's physical, mental, or emotional health is substantially threatened or impaired. Neglect includes prenatal neglect. In accordance with statutory provisions, the inability of a parent or caretaker to provide for a child due to inadequate financial resources shall not, for that reason alone, be considered neglect. Whenever, in lieu of medical care, a child is being provided treatment in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized religious method of healing which has a reasonable, proven record of success, the child shall not, for that reason alone, be considered to be neglected or maltreated. However, nothing herein shall prohibit the court from ordering medical services for the child when there is substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare.
PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT
A permitted reporter shall make a report through the designated state child protection reporting hotline phone number or in person at any child welfare office of the state.
Any A mandatory reporter, notwithstanding any claim of privileged communication, who has cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare is endangered as a result of abuse or neglect, as defined by this policy, or that abuse or neglect was a contributing factor in a child's death, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall immediately report suspected abuse/neglect in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. When themandatory reporter suspectsthat a child has been abused/neglected,he/she shall immediately:
A. When the suspected abuseris believed to be a parent or caretaker, make the report to theDepartment of Children and Family Services through the designated state child protection reporting hotline telephone number.
B. When the abuse or neglect isbelieved to be perpetrated by someone other than a parent or caretaker, and a parent or caretaker is not believed tohave any responsibility for the abuse or neglect, make the report to a local or state law enforcement agency.
1. Reports in which the abuse or neglect is believed to be perpetrated by a parent or caretaker, a person who maintains an interpersonal dating or engagement relationship with the parent or caretaker or a person living in the same residence with the parent or caretaker as a spouse whether married or not, the mandatory reporter shall make the report to the Department of Children and Family Services through the designated state child protection reporting hotline telephone number, via the Department of Children and Family Services Mandated Reporter Portal online, or in person at any child welfare office.
2. Reports in which the abuse or neglect is believed to be perpetrated by someone other than a caretaker, a person who maintains an interpersonal dating or engagement relationship with the parent or caretaker, or a person living in the same residence with the parent or caretaker as a spouse whether married or not, and the caretaker is not believed to have any responsibility for the abuse or neglect shall be made immediately to a local or state law enforcement agency.
3. Dual reporting to both agencies the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services and the local or state law enforcement agency is permitted.
4. A report made to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services by facsimile does not relieve the reporter of his/her duty to report in accordance with the applicable requirements.
Reporting Procedure
1. If the initial report was in oral form, it shall be followed by a written report on the approved form, which written report shall be
delivered made within five (5) days to the local child protection agency via the online Mandated Reporter Portal of the Department of Children and Family Services, or by mail to the centralized intake unit of the Department at the address provided on the website of the Department, or, if necessary, to the local law enforcement agency to whom the initial report was made.
2. The report shall contain the following information if known by the reporter:
A. The name, address, age, sex, and race of the child.
B. The nature, extent, and cause of the child's injuries or endangered condition, including any previous known or suspected abuse to this child or the child's siblings.
C. The name and address of the child's parent(s) or other caretaker.
D. The names and all the ages of all other members of the child's household.
E. The name and address of the reporter.
F. An account of how this child came to the reporter's attention.
G. Any explanation of the cause of the child's injury or condition offered by the child, the caretaker, or any other person.
H. The number of times the reporter has filed a report on the child or the child’s siblings.
I. Any other information which the reporter believes might be important or relevant.
3. The report shall also name the person or persons who are thought to have caused or contributed to the child's condition, if known,
and the report shall contain the name of such person if he/she is named by the child.
4. The reporter shall also immediately notify the principal or his/her designee of the school attended by the child of the fact that a
report has been filed and the agency(ies) to which it was reported.
INVESTIGATION OF REPORTS
Admission of the investigator on school premises or access to the child in school shall not be denied by school officials.
ALLEGATION AGAINST SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OR VOLUNTEERS
When an employee is accused of the use of impermissible corporal punishment or moral offenses involving students, the principal shall initiate an investigation (see procedures under policy GAMC, Investigations). If the offender is a central office employee, or principal, the immediate supervisor will initiate an investigation.
Upon any school employee receiving a report of, or information about, child abuse, against another school employee or volunteer, and the employee receiving said information has cause to believe the truthfulness thereof, the reporting procedure as outlined in this policy shall be followed, depending upon whether the employee or volunteer is considered a caretaker or someone other than a caretaker.
The school employee shall also, as soon as reasonably possible, notify the appropriate immediate supervisor of the accused individual, and that supervisor in turn will as soon as reasonably possible, notify the Superintendent or his/her designee. The Superintendent and the School Board's attorney will determine what appropriate action the school system may take over and above the investigation being conducted by the appropriate state agency. In any incident involving an employee or volunteer which is reported to the Superintendent or his/her designee, the person shall be removed from all activities involving direct contact with students until the matter is resolved.
ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL OFFENSES
The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be required to notify the local law enforcement agency of any allegation made by a student of the commission of a sex offense as defined by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:541. Such notification shall be made by the Superintendent or his/her designee within twenty-four (24) hours of the time the student notified the Superintendent or other appropriate personnel. Any school employee who receives information from a student concerning the possible commission of a sexual offense shall immediately comply with the reporting procedure outlined in this policy and inform the Superintendent and/or his/her designee.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The circumstances and information of the initial report, the fact that a report was made to an agency, and the written report shall be held in confidence and shall not be disseminated to third parties other than those persons or agencies designated by this policy or required by state law. Any written report or other written information regarding the report shall be kept in a confidential file separate from the child's routine school records and accessible only by the principal/designee/supervisory employee or by court order.
INSERVICE TRAINING
At the beginning of each school year, each principal shall provide mandated inservice training for mandatory reporters and other school personnel and volunteers on how to recognize and report suspected child abuse or child neglect. Each employee and volunteer shall sign a form indicating he/she has received and understands theguidelines for reporting child abuse/neglect.
Teaching or child care providers shall be required to complete an online training course provided by the Department of Children and Family Services between June first and August thirty-first annually. A record of completion of the course by the teaching or child care provider shall be provided to and retained by the School Board. The School Board shall retain a list of all teaching or child care providers who have not complied with the training requirements provided by State law.
IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY
Any person who in good faith makes a report, cooperates in any investigation arising as a result of such report, or participates in judicial proceedings authorized under the Louisiana Children's Code shall have immunity from civil or criminal liability that otherwise might be incurred or imposed. This immunity, however, does not extend to (1) a person who participates in or conspires with a participant or an accessory to an offense involving the abuse or neglect of a child; (2) any person who makes a report known to be false or with reckless disregard for the truth of the report.
LIABILITY
The Louisiana Children's Code and Louisiana criminal law provide substantial penalties for mandatory reporters who fail to report facts which would support a reasonable belief that child abuse or neglect has occurred. Additionally, educators or other employees of the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board who fail or refuse to report child abuse/neglect as provided by law or by this policy may be subject to disciplinary and/or dismissal proceedings for neglect of duty.
Revised: November, 2003
Revised: September, 2004
Revised: November, 2007
Revised: March 21, 2013
Revised: March 15, 2018
Revised: October, 2018
Revised: August, 2020
Revised: August, 2022
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403, 15:539, 15:541, 17:81.6; La. Children's Code, Title VI, Art. 601, 603, 609, 610; Board minutes, 3-21-13, 3-15-18.
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ITEM 9e. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy: LEH – Patriotic Organizations
The item was for introduction only.
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LEH: PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS
Any patriotic organization may use any St. John the Baptist Parish School Board public school building or property for student participation in its activities at times other than instructional time during the school day. Patriotic organization means a youth group that is listed as a patriotic society in Title 36 of the United States Code.
Each principal shall grant representatives of any patriotic organization the opportunity to speak with and recruit students to participate in the organization during school hours for the purpose of informing students of how the organization may further the students' educational interests and civic involvement in order to better their schools, their communities, and themselves.
The organization shall provide verbal or written notice to the principal of its intent to speak to the students and submit proof of liability insurance for the organization. The principal shall provide verbal or written approval of the specific day and time for the organization to address the students.
New policy: August, 2022
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ITEM 9f. Public Comment. Mr. Alvarez Hertzock – Introduction of Revised Policy: IDCJ – Continuous Learning
The item was for introduction only.
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NEW POLICY IDCJ: CONTINUOUS LEARNING
In an effort to provide required instruction to students in times of extended school closures, the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board shall implement the Continuous Learning Plan, which allows modified operations for continuous learning on a short-, medium-, or long-term basis. The Continuous Learning Plan shall be posted on the School Board’s website. It shall be updated annually by June 30th, and reviewed by stakeholders.
Short-term modified operations: A significant portion of the students/staff are not able to be on campus for 1-2 days for face-to face, direct instruction. Continuous learning expectations may be limited or smaller in scope depending on resource availability (e.g. community is without electricity for two (2) days).
Medium-term modified operations: A significant portion of the students/staff are not able to be on campus for 3-10 days for face-to face, direct instruction.
Long-Term Modified Operations: A significant portion of the students/staff are not able to be on campus for more than ten (10) days for face-to face, direct instruction. Operations should have more consistency and expectations of routines and instruction.
The plan shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Technology and connectivity;
2. Student and staff responsibilities;
3. Attendance;
4. Family strategic communication, engagement, and support; and,
5. Instructional quality.
Remote instruction is an educational model in which the student and educator are not physically present in a traditional classroom environment where instruction may be facilitated by the use of computers, technology, and the internet. Hybrid instruction is instruction provided via a combination of face-to-face and remote models.
New policy: July, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:232; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education.
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ITEM 9g. Public Comment. Mr. Ryan Smith – Request Board approval to accept the lowest responsive bidder for the new LaPlace Elementary School Gymnasium (Brunt Construction)
Mr. Burl asked if this was the same contractor that is building Emily C. Watkins Gymnasium. When confirmed that it is, Mr. Burl asked that Mr. Ryan Smith check to ensure that it’s legal for the contractor to purchase materials for 2 sites (if this is what’s happening in this case), in order to save money.
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve the lowest responsive bidder for the new LaPlace Elementary School Gymnasium (Brunt
Construction).
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9h. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval of Amendment to the Volkert Contract for Project Management Services/Capital Bond Projects
Mrs. Frizzell asked if legal had been consulted on this amendment. Mr. Keith Green, ADA, stated that he had, in fact, assisted in crafting the document.
Mr. Morris stated that he would like to have it in writing that Volkert has agreed to stay and see all projects through completion, for no extra fees, beyond the contract expiration date.
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve the Amendment to the Volkert Contract for Project Management Services/Capital Bond
Projects
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9i. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval to extend the Fleet Mechanic Services contract for 1 year
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Mitchell-Williams
MOTION: To approve extending the Fleet Mechanic Services contract for 1 year at the same cost.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9j. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval to extend the Third Party Administration contract to handle Worker’s Compensation Claims
Public Comment. Dustin Breaux
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To extend the Third Party Administration contract to handle Workers’ Compensation Claims
Following discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Frizzell
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To table
Roll Call:
6 Yeas – Holden, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Vicknair, Wallace
4 Nays – burl, DeFrancesch, Schum, Mitchell-Williams
1 Absent – Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9k. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval to advertise for Property Insurance Public Comment. Dustin Breaux
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: DeFrancesch
MOTION: To approve advertising for Property Insurance
Following discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Vicknair
SECOND BY: Mamou
MOTION: To approve advertising and move to the appropriate committee to determine the process
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9l. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval to reject all RFQ packages for Health Insurance Broker and advertise at a later date
Public Comment. Natalie Tatje
MOTION BY: DeFrancesch
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To reject all RFQ packages for Health Insurance Broker and advertise at a later date.
Following extensive discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Morris
SECONED BY: Holden
MOTION: To reject all RFQ packages and hire Natalie Tatje’s firm as our health insurance broker.
Following further discussion, Mrs. Holden rescinded her second to the substitute motion.
Upon roll call on the original motion, there were
9 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay – Frizzell
1 Absent –Triche
The original motion carried.
Mrs. Holden stated that she would like to see this advertised as soon as possible.
ITEM 9m. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval to extend or advertise for Disaster Management Services
MOTION BY: Schum
SECOND BY: Vicknair
Following discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Burl
SECONED BY: Mamou
MOTION: To table.
Roll Call:
6 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Frizzell, Mamou, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
3 Nays – DeFrancesch, Schum, Vicknair
1 Abstention - Morris
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9n. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval to extend a 1-year agreement for grounds maintenance at the Old Lucy School property with an increase cost of 2 cuts per year
MOTION BY: Holden
SECOND BY: Frizzell
Following discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Morris
SECONED BY: Frizzell
MOTION: To table.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Burl, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay – Holden
2 Absent –Triche, DeFrancesch
The motion carried.
ITEM 9o. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller – Request Board approval to advertise for Custodial Cleaning Supplies
MOTION BY: Morris
SECOND BY: Vicknair
MOTION: To approve advertising for Custodial Cleaning Supplies.
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9p. Public Comment. Mr. Shawn Wallace – Request Board approval to appoint Mr. Raydel Morris to the Finance Committee (seat vacated by Mr. Albert Burl, III)
MOTION BY: Mitchell-Williams
SECOND BY: Morris
MOTION: To waive policy to amend the agenda and remove this item, giving the responsibility of appointing
Committee members back to the President.
Following discussion, there was a
SUBSTITUTE MOTION BY: Wallace
SECONED BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve appointing Mr. Raydel Morris to the Finance Committee (seat vacated by Mr. Albert Burl,
III)
Roll Call:
10 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 9q. Public Comment. Mr. Shawn Wallace – Request Board approval to change the September Workshop from September 26, 2024 to September 19, 2024
MOTION BY: Wallace
SECOND BY: Schum
MOTION: To approve changing the September Workshop from September 26, 2024 to September 19, 2024
Roll Call:
9 Yeas – Holden, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Vicknair, Wallace
1 Nay – Burl
1 Absent –Triche
The motion carried.
ITEM 10. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
ITEM 11. BOARD ITEMS OF INTEREST
Mamou – Reminded Board members that collectively, we need to operate with a good decorum
Burl – Wants to ensure that transparency gets back on track
Holden – Asked that the Insurance Committee attempt to readvertise for a broker as soon as possible.
Frizzell – Asked administration to please send all contracts to legal for approval before bringing to the Board
Mitchell-Williams – Thanked all employees for doing the work! Our children are being educated and safe – thank you!
DeFrancesch – Insurance Committee meeting is next Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
Vicknair – Asked administration to provide a list of all properties
Schum – Monday, August 26th @ 10:00 a.m. at the State Dept. (Claiborne Bldg.) to discuss the accountability
Perry – Thanked all teachers, bus drivers, parents and community for patience – we will continue to do what’s best for our students.
Wallace – Had the opportunity to visit schools – there were teachers teaching, students learning. Thanks to staff and administrative team. Also, offered condolences to Dr. Johnson on the loss of her father.
ITEM 12. ADJOURNMENT
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.