PROCEEDINGS OF THE ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
GODCHAUX GRAMMAR CAFETERIA ~ RESERVE, LA
BOARD WORKSHOP OF APRIL 25, 2024 ~ 5:00 p.m.
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 for a Board Workshop at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria, 1600 Highway 44, Reserve, Louisiana, on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Shawn Wallace
Board President
ITEM 1. Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. The Chair called for silent meditation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. Roll Call of Members:
PRESENT: Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
ABSENT: Holden, Mamou, Vicknair
There were 8 members present and 3 members absent.
ITEM 3. Public Comment. Mr. Anthony Miller - Discussion regarding a request made by St. John the Baptist Parish to purchase School Board property located at 1880 Highway 44, Reserve, LA (Leon Godchaux site)
Mrs. Vicknair arrived at 5:07 p.m and Mrs. Holden arrived at 5:16 p.m. Both were recorded as present.
Mr. Miller stated that Board Policy DFN governs the sale of property for the School Board. DFN states:
Whenever the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board determines that any school lands or other immovable property under its control are no longer needed for school purposes and that the best interest of the School Board would be served by the sale of such lands, the School Board shall have authority to dispose of such lands at public auction, under sealed bids, or by a licensed real estate broker.
The School Board may obtain appraisals from up to three (3) Louisiana state-licensed commercial real estate appraisers to ascertain the current value of the property.
The appraisals shall be obtained within six (6) months prior to conducting the sale of the property.
PROCEDURES
Real estate that has been declared as no longer needed for public school purposes shall be disposed of as outlined below:
1. Sale Utilizing Public Auction or Sealed Bids
A. At least one (1) real estate appraisal shall be obtained reflecting the fair market value.
B. Local governmental authorities shall be notified that such property is no longer needed for school purposes and invited to submit a proposal if there is a need for such property.
C. Advertisement for sealed bids shall be published in the School Board’s official journal on at least three (3) separate days for at least thirty (30) days prior to the date the land is to be offered for sale, or as otherwise provided for in state law.
D. Upon receipt and opening of bids at the time designated, all bids shall be considered by the School Board and the property sold to the highest bidder in accordance with such terms and conditions as the School Board shall determine. The School Board shall reserve the right to reject any and all bids.
1. The first time the School Board offers a particular property for sale, the minimum bid shall be eighty-five percent (85%) of the appraised value of the property.
2. If the School Board fails to sell the property because the maximum bid received was not equal to or greater than the minimum bid in item D 1) above, the School Board may make a second effort to sell the property. The minimum bid for a second effort to sell the same property shall be eighty percent (80%) of the appraised value.
3. If the School Board has twice failed to sell property because the maximum bid received was not equal to or greater than the minimum bid provided above, there shall be no minimum bid at the third effort to sell the property, and the School Board may sell the property to the highest bidder.
2. Sale of School Board Property Utilizing Real Estate Broker
A. In lieu of public auction or sealed bids, and when it is in the best interest of the School Board, the School Board may contract for the services of a licensed real estate broker to conduct the sale of the property. The licensed commercial real estate broker shall be selected utilizing a request for quotes/qualifications process based on the following minimum qualifications:
· Licensed within the State of Louisiana;
· Ability to provide substantial real estate-related analytical data and financial information; and
· Well-established local and regional business relationships and partnerships to promote effective business solutions.
B. The term of the contract shall not exceed six (6) months. A minimum sale price and a time period within which the sale is to occur shall be specified by the School Board as conditions of the contract. Payment to the real estate broker for conducting the sale shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the sale price and shall be contingent upon completion of the sale in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract. The School Board shall have the right to cancel the contract at any time for any reason prior to the sale and conduct the sale as otherwise provided by law.
C. No member or immediate family, as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §42:1102, of the School Board or legislature shall perform the services of appraiser or real estate broker authorized by this Section.
The deed evidencing act of sale executed by the President of the School Board shall be full and complete evidence of the sale, shall convey a good and valid title to the property sold, and shall have the force and effect of a notarial act.
Mr. Peter Montz and Ms. Alexa Valentine, representing St. John Parish, stated that the Parish Government is interested in purchasing this property with CBDG funds to be used for: parish events, emergency staging for weather events, and to relocate the public works department. Mr. Montz stated that there are a plethora of rules/regulations that must be followed, including the grant rules, school board policy, federal policy, counsel policy and, of course, the most restrictive of these would be followed. The first step, according to the grant, would be to secure a “letter of intent to sell” from the School Board, if the Board choose to do so. There was much discussion regarding this item. The Board asked that Mr. Miller investigate further and keep the Board apprised of the information he collects. They would like to know: the cost of the current property insurance; whether or not the Board could sell outright to the Parish or if it must be declared surplus and follow the auction procedures; whether the School Board owns the property outright; and if there are 2 separate deeds to this property. Further, the Board asked that legal representation be present at the May 9th meeting to speak on this matter, or if not available, if the Board could receive something in writing from legal counsel regarding this before the May 9th meeting.
ITEM 4. Public Comment. Dr. Kimberly Johnson - Discussion regarding Comprehensive Staffing Model
Dr. Johnson presented the following information:
ITEM 5. Public Comment. Mrs. Debra Schum - Discussion regarding closing Fifth Ward Elementary School
The following information was shared and discussion was held. Mrs. Schum stated that the time to consolidate is now, as it would help with the staffing model, and we need to cut operating costs drastically.
Following the presentation, there was extensive discussion regarding this item. Mrs. Schum stated that this is not about Fifth Ward Elementary. It is to ensure that the same resources are available to all schools and this is the time to look at options and that if we don’t do something drastically different, we will not be able to have our schools to be up to the same caliber as neighboring schools. We know that, based on our budget numbers, we will no longer receive ESSER funding, our student population is steadily declining and we continue to kick the can down the road on the consolidation. She thanked Dr. Perry and his administration for pulling all the information together so the Board can make a sound decision. Following extensive discussion, Mr. Wallace stated that this item will be on the agenda for May 9, 2024 and the Board will have to make a decision one way or the other.
ITEM 6. Public Comment. Dr. Cleo Perry – Discussion regarding plans for the Alternative Program for the 2024-2025 academic year
This item was pulled from the agenda, as it was partially addressed in the previous agenda item discussion.
Mr. Wallace asked if there were any comments from the Board at this time.
* Triche – Would like to give employees a stipend with the ESSER funds.
* Holden – Asked that the Board be sent calendar invites to all End of the Year events. Added that the West Bank Civic Association will host a banquet for the honor roll students on May 3rd.
* Strategic Planning Committee will meet April 30, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.
ITEM 7. Adjournment
The agenda having been completed, and there being no further business, there was a
MOTION BY: Triche
SECOND BY: Frizzell
MOTION: Motion for adjournment.
Roll Call:
8 Yeas – Holden, Burl, Triche, DeFrancesch, Schum, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace
3 Absent – Morris, Mamou, Vicknair
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
______________________________ ________________________________
Dr. Cleo Perry, Jr., Secretary Shawn Wallace, President