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4-10-2025 Board Meeting

Added Apr 11, 2025 •

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yes we do ready upon upon call of the president of St John the Baptist Parish School Board will meet in regular session at Lake Pancha train Elementary 3328 Highway 51 on Thursday April 10th 2025 at 6 p.m. at this time I'm going to ask Mr Mamou if he will um lead us in an invocation you have to as a board we ask you that you would just continue to use us to make wise decision for our district is my prayer to continue to bless the students of St John Parish and she also will bless Dr Perry and his staff you continue you guys to give you the praise and glory of Jesus Amen and um Brazil will you lead us in the pledge I think it's behind to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands 1 nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all roll call told him Miss Holden Mr Burrell Miss Trish yes Mr Morris Mr francese here miss friselle here here Mr Wallace here miss Mitchell Williams present Miss vickner Miss sham here I have 9 present and 2 absent and we do have a quorum item number 3 approval of minutes public comment public comment closed moved by Miss Trish do I have a second second second by Mr Wallace any any questions roll call Miss Trish Mr Morris Mr francese yes Miss friselle yes Mr Mamou Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams yes Miss McNair Michelle yes 9 A2 absent item number 4 educational presentations and recognitions by the board or staff because somebody um we're we're going to try to allow for people to make it here who who may need some extra time so I'm going to ask if somebody can um give us a motion to waive policy to move number 5 up second motion by Miss bigner second by Miss W uh Miss Mitchell Williams uh to um move agenda item 5 ahead and and uh and the way policy to do that all right roll call Miss Trish Mr Morris yes Mr francese yes Miss Brazil yes Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Miss vickner yes Miss sham yes 9 years 2 apps that motion passes so we will now move item number 5 um and go forward with the superintendent's report superintendent Perry good afternoon board good afternoon parents good afternoon students uh today is the superintendent's reports and on the next slide uh I will go over our why engagement academic updates operational updates human resource updates and our financial updates next slide as always our wise our students these are some Scholars uh from West St John High School who were on their way to represent us with salute first next slide all right a few things that happened this month I had a chance to speak at the river uh region Chamber of Commerce uh I was joined with Dr Ken erlong which is the superintendent of St shows uh Paris school system also Mr Chris Kimball who was superintendent of St James and also Dr Quinton Taylor who was a chancellor of River City Parish Community College and this form is normally known as a superintendent Forum which is renamed came to river region Chamber of Commerce uh meeting showcased next slide um salute first had their first Gala and during this Gala our very own Dr Johnson to my left was recognized for being a Trailblazer uh also if you see the young man in the gray suit up top he is actually um Dr Taylor who is the husband of Fantasia and if you see fantastic agent to the right hand side of the screen uh he has Fantasia also was there and she sung some songs she did her thing uh also I missed my VIP with I'm still I'm still mad about that today uh I had a VIP but of course you know when you bring your wife with you uh she has to get dressed so I missed my VIP moment with Miss Fantasia but anyway we'll keep going um in attendance we had Dr Johnson myself Miss Ambrose miss lewmar Mr Brown coach Thomas West St John uh staff and students and also miss Mitchell was was present as well next slide CPI training um I attended the CPI training along with uh District membership ship uh Behavior interventionists regular and special ed teachers and this is me doing some moves uh we really blocking an attack by um a crazy Intruder uh Mr Miller all right and also to the to the right hand side we have teachers who also practicing how to um re restrain students in a non-violent manner so this was a training that we all went to so now we're all what is called CPI certified all right next Slide the next slide is uh example uh of a meeting we had recently with the ads from both East St John high school and West St John high school on March 24th this meeting is focused was to uh discuss the vision for the 26 school year also discussed recruitment efforts to make sure that we are uh reaching to the elementary and middle schools as well but also to um go into the highways and byways to get our students back who are in other parent purchase also review goals for each Sports discuss Personnel updates and also discuss promotional efforts to um advertise the good things going on in our athletic programs next slide we had a training on March 18th and March and April 8th um by go self which was on Alice the active shooter overview this was also a partnership with our sros and also Mr Harris our safety and Court uh Safety and Security coordinator uh along with Miss Wendy Gil and Paul tupps from the governor's office of Homeland Security and emergency preparedness uh this was very informative And Timely but this is also um the first of many trainings this is to really just give teachers the overview our goal is to definitely engage in some real scenarios and also build that muscle memory of what happens or what to do in case of an emergency our next slide is the special Olympics which was held on March 21st uh St John the Baptist held its annual Special Olympics in partnership with the Special Olympics of Louisiana shout out goes out to Miss cherelle gri Jones and her team at milesville next slide is our test coordinators meeting during this meetings Miss Simmons which is our director of accountability held a meeting with St John the Baptist testing coordinators to review spring test schedules and review testing security protocols also we have a job fair on March 26th uh St John the Baptist Paris held a job fair but also I must get kudos to uh Dr Johnson and her team uh they've been traveling to several College to retain uh talent that are about to graduate this semester from schools so we're definitely trying to recruit uh the best and the brightest we also next slide I'm sorry we also had a groundbreaking on March 25th and the plaza Elementary uh this is the groundbreaking for their new gym also on April the 7th I had a panel uh with the West Bank uh civic association to discuss the following leadership Vision community relations uh the update on the the planning and also the stem Eco and awards programs I was joined with by Mr Miller during this meeting all right our next few slides going to be on the academic updates so just real quick uh as you can see that we um I wanted to show some kpis here so we want to look at our dibels data so the beginning of the year we see that 35% of our students was below um middle of year 38 of our kids were below right now we're only 500 students tested so far we do see an upward Trend that are showing that 95% of the district's K2 2 Scholars who score below Benchmark on the M muy dibels are shown at least 50% growth towards their eoi go all right so that's a good thing for us and we still have to put some more kids in but we are seeing you see the blue line on the end we see a lot of kids are according to uh get out of that below Market into the Benchmark mark all right next slide some key highlights um there's been a renewed Focus for ACT success in preparation uh pre-act has been administered to all 10 greatest we also see an increased implementation of Albert uh first it was 40 active users so now it's over a thousand uh we also see a significant Improvement in seniors on track for graduation compared to last year it was 79 stew uh 79 seniors who was in Jeopardy of not graduating to right now at the same time this year is only 21 so we're definitely not going that out getting the kids on track to graduate next slide um these are our efforts for the classroom walkthrough so you see in September when we first introduced our walk through to is 54 walkthroughs conducted but total from now from then to now we have conducted 878 walkthroughs as teacher and District and you will see it starts slacking off a little bit in April because of testing um but definitely we are in the classrooms we are looking for instruction I know most of the kids in the front may see me in your school if you do just wait hot yeah thank you all right next slide we have the autism um night which would be Tuesday April 22nd from 5:00 to 6:30 and this is uh as you know April is Autism Awareness Month and the St John Baptist Paris schools will have a Autism Walk and Run and an awareness night at East St John Prep okay next slide don't forget everyone leap testing will begin April 29th through May 6th so parents while you're in here take that note uh leap will begin April 29th through May 6th all right next slide operation updates so the goals for operations is to have 85% of work order submitted also 89% 98% of students drop off and pick up rates for the school year and also to maintain at least a 99 9.9% uh technology uh rating so you go to the next Slide the maintenance uh beginning of the year it was 78% mid years 86% and currently we have a 88% uh monthly work order completion rate next slide and this is uh this was actually a slide that Mr Miller did so I didn't um correct it um of course in August everybody was mad I know I was upset because I wanted to see um timely pick up and we I want to say for the most part we got that address got that address so currently we have a 97% on-time student Dropout pickup and I must say right here that if you're having issues that we haven't heard about definitely wait till the last slide and take down um some information to give me a contact so we can personally investigate your situation all right trans uh technology they has they have maintained a 99% uh uptime for the network all right next slide human resource updates we're almost through okay um as you noticed uh teacher absences are down so we're down 882 teacher absence which is good which means teachers are in the classroom also you can look and you can see the next about over uh job fairs hosted in the year 2223 uh on record there was 1 job fair hosted in the year 2324 there was 2 job fairs held and in the year 2425 currently we are before I had 5 job restaffing and career affairs next slide uh I must also congratulate Dr Johnson her team uh they have been doing a amazing job getting Partnerships to get our people certified so she has currently she's currently working with 10 colleges uh as you see on the screen uh we also have a special uh commitment from reach University that they're doing a specialized program with us as well so I want to thank her and the team also for what she does we're getting teacher certified next slide uh just some practice shout outs I must also congratulate Miss Boss Miss Bailey Miss Reese and Dr Jones uh HR department started a practice preparation cohort get people certified and currently we have 22 teachers in the parish who are in this cohort and these are some things they said uh they love the program it really it really gives you what you need to be successful I feel confident in moving forward preparing to take the exam so we have our own people our principles and our Master teachers teaching our teachers how to become certified so kudos to you Miss Dr Johnson your team uh also teacher evaluations last year this was a um a point of uh concern we had 56% completed last year uh and then now we at at 95.9% of evaluations completed on our teachers so good job with that also I must give uh Miss Monique Simmons around Applause too for her um in February just as of February there were 97 eras that was that was uh caught and to this date she only had 2 errors remaining this is very impactful when it comes to determining uh in mfp count for our um school funding Finance updates this is the last time I think teachers will be eligible to receive an annual incentive for Effectiveness pay and this goes out tomorrow um and the criteria that that was approved by the board uh if you scored a 2.5 to a 3.499 or above this is considered effective proficient and you will be you will receive uh $500 tomorrow teach us who score a 3.5 or above are rated highly effective proficient and we'll be rewarded 800 tomorrow so all teachers who score below 2.5 are not eligible for this payment last slide um any parent who has any concern please feel free to email me at Superintendent at St john. K12 La us and all concerns are monitored by myself and Miss Waller this wall all right this wallet and you will receive a um a response within 40 204 to 48 hours it's now concludes my superintendent report thank you thank you superintendent Perry that a great list of information um we'll now go back to item let me try can you hear me in the back can people wave if you can hear me in the back but I need to speak louder you can hear me I see a wave okay got it um and so at this time we're going to move back to item number 4 educational presentations and recognitions by the border staff um and I guess we will turn it over to um Dr Jamie Williams there we go good evening distinguished board superintendent president sham as well as our families who are here I am very delighted to present to you the winners of our social studies Fair um our district social studies Fair these students are represent the greatest that we have to offer in terms of social studies and history these students definitely worked on was very hard on these projects and they showed creativity but also a very deep knowledge of culture history and the world around them a lot of the winners actually are going to compete in the state social studies Fair which is happening on May 6th in Lake Charles so first I would like to give a big Round of Applause Just for all of our winners before we start presenting names I would also like to give a families who support them a big round of applause because we know without you this could not happen so without further Ado I'm going to ask Dr Perry in the show if you don't mind you can stand here and students as I call your name I'm going to call each category up at a time and we're going to ask that you walk right here Dr Perry or Michelle will give you your certificate and we'll take pictures first in anthropology Division 1 Marley Moore from Lake Pond Elementary in second place skyless avesta from ECW division 2 first place winner Veronica Mayo from the plaza Elementary and second place Jason Ray Jr also from the plus Elementary School Miss Marley division 3 first place winner Michaela key from East St John High School and second place division 3 NAA Davis from West St John High School division 3 teams first place Canard and Emma Adamson from East St John High School all right moving on to economics Division 1 first place Asia budro from garyville second place Eric banford also from GMS division 2 first pet first place polar Maxi from the plas Elementary School second place jamaiah Milton from East St John Prep division 3 first place Sai games from East St John High School Second Place Regina Williams from East St John High School division 3 teams first place Khalil Greene gathers and Antonio Jones from East St John High School up next geography Division 1 first place winner Gabriella Watkins from Lake Monta train Elementary in second place Ava Joseph and John L ory oh all right Division 1 teams first place winner Brothers Christopher lemus and selvie lemus from Lake Pancha train Elementary division 2 first place lastly Mark Martin from leelas elementary school in second place Joanne Herrera Corona from garyville magnet division 2 teams first place Crystal Roshes and Amaya and having some Martin is Deon from lacrosse Elementary School second place Garcia and Heidi Martinez merville magnet division 3 dear T tan from East St John High School second place siamo from East St John High division 3 teams first Place Garen Jackson and Kyla Smith from East St John High School next category 1 of my favorites Louisiana history Division 1 first place winner zarya Hawkins from garyville magnet in second place Katherine Martin is from Emily C Watkins division 2 first place winner Amari tarrio from the plaza Elementary School in second place Wyatt Larry from East St John Prep division 3 first place Darien Gales from West St John High School second place Jolla Gardner from East St John High division 3 teams first place Jeremiah Hamilton and DeAnthony Porter from East St John High School second place teams Sabrina silik and Gabriella Robinson from East St John High all right moving on to history Division 1 first place Roman graphia from John El ory also first place Julia Hawkins from Lake Ponta train Elementary and second place Brad and ba from Lake Ponta train Elementary division 2 history first place the Leo Landry from the plus Elementary second place Malia Evie from leelas elementary and also second place ymia Lopez ryz from Lake Ponta train Elementary division 2 teams first place James Thompson and Brendan Aber from John L ory second place teams Darion Thomas and Corbin gates from John Lurie division 3 first place star raffield from West St John High School second place Ivan Miller from West St John High division 3 teams first place Asia Carter cider and Caitlin Randall from East St John High School second place teams Devin the enemy and Terrence Russell from East St John High Devin Baptist stop you say Devin Baptist here we go all right 2 more categories next we have political science Division 1 first place winner Keegan ortego from John L ory in second place Ethan Maher from January division 2 Kindle Griffin first place from Lake Ponta train Elementary and second place Leila Rio from llas elementary school all right the Vision 2 teams first place will be on Dodson and Jami bright from a pass Elementary School second place teams Jesus Garcia and Leandro candido from East St John Prep division 3 Georgia ginard from East St John High in second place Noel Lopez from East St John High School division 3 teams first place Sean Youngblood and Chase story from East St John High School second place team Kylie Thomas and Diana Tate from East St John High it's Diana last but not least sociology Division 1 first place winner the Mason from Emily C Watkins second place Division 1 Mia Brown from John Lurie division 2 first place winner Jonathan Dennis from Lake Poncho train Elementary second place winner Gabriella Paris from the plaza Elementary also second place winner Jalisa Amador from Emily C Watkins division 2 teams Sydney Tibido and Lacey Elms from John Lurie division 3 first place Bryson durgen from East St John High School second place Amaya Aaron from East St John High School all right division 3 teams first place Caitlyn Ai and Vivian cases from East St John High second place teams Henry Pardam and Ian Gonzalez hippo from East St John High School all right that concludes our social studies Fair presentations for tonight I want to personally congratulate each 1 of our winners if we can there's enough room if we can I'm going to ask Mr herzo to help us kind of orchestrate this if we can get all of our winners here so we can take a group picture we can come up to the front please I'd like to say thank you for all of your hard work and Elementary to the front of the podium all right high school students come behind the podium and elementary students in the front on the okay high school students behind the podium the elementary students in front help us out by trying to have the shorter people in front of the taller people hold your certificates right over your chest make sure it's right upside down make sure your name is facing the right way all right I'm gonna have to get behind y'all let me get back I'm gonna let the parents get theirs first so do not move don't make kids my parents if you can just give me 10 seconds I promise you this will all be on Facebook those of you who are kind of blocking me if you could just watch out for a second all right mom's parents if you can just give me a second uh get this 1 Photo okay RTS everyone look up here towards me look this way big smiles all right everybody look this way 1 2 3 all right thank you do you have muscle okay thank you congratulations hey you can leave it you can leave it to the side no we're good yeah I won't um we're going to ask for a 2-minute recess to to the agenda um and come in from the recess um at this time we're going to move to item 6 I'm um we're going to continue with the agenda but students and family y'all can exit into the lobby please I got Envy okay Andy at this at this time we're going to move to item number 6 legal business we have no items item number 7 committee reports and we can go it um Miss friselle I'll recognize you for a committee report thank you um president shown the finance committee met on April 8th 2025 at 4 pm at the school board office we had a presentation from Tom hook with ACI who gave us an update on sales tax and our Parish um and then the action items the committee had um we had unanimous approval to recommend to the full board items um l m and n for this evening with unanimous votes for approval for recommend for approval and we had 1 topic which was tabled pending additional information which was for the contract back for the school cash management system we asked for additional information and we'll bring that up again at our May um finance committee meeting that concludes our report thank you very much Miss friselle do we have another committee uh yes um I like to report on executive president chairman I'd like to report on the executive committee which met on March 31st and uh we approved uh bcbd uh policies which is up for introduction tonight and we set the committee dates for the remaining of the year thank you Mr Wallace Holden yes Landon facilities committee met on April 8th uh 2025 at 9:35 a.m. um in which I was selected as temporary chair to conduct a meeting um we tabled uh the items uh for selection of new officers um items 9 F 9h 9 I 9 J and 9 P were all unanimously uh recommended for approval on to Knights uh meeting um that was it thank you very much um I think that concludes committee report oh no I'm sorry we have insurance committee Miss uh branches Insurance committee met on the 7th we elected a new chair Miss vickner yay and um we heard from Gallagher he gave us our um our claims for the past few months well since uh September and we we didn't take any other action thank you very much um at this time we will move on to item number 8 Old business uh which we have none at this point and we will move to item number 9 new business and um just for other people to make sure there is a yellow card that if you wish to speak you need to complete and I think um they are located ated on uh the side table if there's anyone for any agenda item if you wish to speak and at this time I do have 1 card for Mr Don Cook to speak on item a so I'm going to read the item and then I'm going to let Mr could come up to speak item a public comment Mr Alvarez hog introduction to revised policy GB r i a general leaves of absence Mr cook good evening board I am here to speak uh in opposition to uh the introduction of 9A which is uh again uh GB r i a leave leave of absence uh just reading from I guess some of the changes that are being made again an employee who is absent due to illness or injury sick leave immediately prior to or after a holiday regardless of the number of these absent so be required to provide a certificate from a clinician certifying such absence Upon returning to work we know that there's a violation of the contract if our CDA we know that employees uh have the what they can miss uh up to 5 days on the sixth day they are to uh or to be acquired to to to return sorry what a letter from their doctor uh stating their absence and again that would be in violation of uh Tim 1g of the CBA and so uh we are opposing this uh this changing policy thank you thank you Mr cook and um at this uh time we will move to Item B 9B public comment Mr Alvarez hog introduction of revised policy GB rib sick leave oh I'm sorry let me back up Mr Herzog I jumped I jumped too quick on that Mr hog sorry no no problem Madam president um item a introduction to provides policy g b r i a general Le absences for your uh introduction uh today Show do you yeah yeah I'm sorry Mr Burrell do you want you want to let him introduce and then okay yeah okay you want to just talk about uh it adds uh use of lead for employees shall not be permitted to take any type of lead immediately prior to or after a holiday except for sickly pre-approved vacation personal leave with a 10-day notice and any employee who due to illness or injury um sickly be immediately prior to or after a holiday regardless of the number of days absent shall be required to provide a certificate from a clinician certified such as upon return to work additionally failure to certify sick leave with ticket from a clinician or to receive prior approval from your supervisor for vacation slash personal leave prior to or after a holiday regardless of the number of days absent shall result in leave with no pay for each day missed all right thank you Mr hers you're welcome um Mr Burrell do you are you do you want you need to make a motion a second to discuss because this is not an action item this is for introduction only I think we just I can make a comment just on it when they're doing the the research for just 1 item we just need I just need you to make a motion if you want to have a motion in a second for us to have conversation make a motion all right now we if we can just get a legal opinion as far as um accumulated sick time because um I'm having situations and well I know which mores uh companies uh is a crewed by each month if you don't take any days of sick time so um I know we have some people it's not like you get a bunch of uh sick days at the beginning of uh school year and whatnot so we need clarification on how much time is given at the beginning of school year because normally it's based on years of service and um that and what is approved it has to be the crude not used in the month prior before it can be um Extended so we could we could just get clarification on that from a legal premium thank you Mr at this time we'll move on to item 9 B all right Miss to the same item if we want a legal opinion on something don't we have to vote to get a legal opinion or can we just ask we can but this is not an action item so we can't really vote on anything but I think Mr Burrell is asking is so that we can make an informed vote at the next meeting to be able to get that information so how do we go about getting it legally my my my suggestion would be maybe we can have Mr hog check with um the da and bring it to the executive committee prior to the next meeting I just wanted to span that because I think that's what he wants it so we can both have an informed any any other clarification we're going to move on to number 9 B public comment Mr Alvarez introduction to revised policy GB rib sick leave and we do have a uh public comment card from Mr Don Cook um and Mr cook at this time if you'd like to address 9B all right thank you Dylan cook SJ again arrives in opposition to uh GB rib again for the same reasons 5 days absent 6 day you are to have a clinician's uh note um also again we are looking at uh of course what I guess determines or or or qualifies the person to uh actually write write a note however again we're just writing that position number 1 to uh that absence that restrictions in though uh taking a day off uh for sick the day before or the day after a holiday it is definitely again in violation of the contract thank you Mr cook seeing no questions we'll move on to item oh I'm sorry Mr Herzog president 2 GB rib sick leave um as definitions to special circumstances defines or changes uh the definition from physician to clinician um and it also changes some verbage around an emergency versus a necessity thank you Mr hock not the we're not move we're not voting on this tonight this is for introduction so the time really to ask the questions is when we have it as an action item any any other comments all right we're going to move to item number 9 C public comment Mr cover sock introduction to revised policy BCB agenda preparation and dissemination I have um no cards for public comment so I'm going to ask Mr Herzog to come up thank you madam president board uh item bcbd agenda preparation and dissemination um Alters the time stamps from uh a closing of an agenda from 2 to 12:00 p.m. um for submission and consideration it also changes it from Thursday to Friday and also does the same thing on your second page again 2 to 12 p.m. and then from Thursday to Friday it also adds a consent agenda item on number 8 in the order of agenda thank you Mr to her on comment you have to make a motion to discuss all right a motion to discuss by Miss Trish uh second by Mr Burrell I would love for if uh we could have um designation on these changes and policy if it's coming from the state or if it's coming from uh executive committee can we do that yes that we we can make sure Mr hog I mean because if it if it's coming from the state is it it's a change in the law correct correct okay so if you don't have that listed here that means it's coming from the board it'll be listed on the bottom of each policy change so the policy change that you'll see from the state or have the Louisiana revised Statute number associated with it this 1 is uh the last 1 I just read thank you comes from committee that's what I want to do yes ma'am what was the Statute it is it says it's not what was the uh you see the legislative order the legislative um statute what was the legislative statute for this 1 last 1 is not from the legislature the last 1 I read is from executive committee whatever the 2 Pryor much document so between 80 to 1 yes that is correct okay that means that the board can set any policy so he's pretty much Germaine that the boy can set his own policy absolutely okay so and actually I'll let it is not a director from the state it's just saying that the board give us Authority that we can set policy for the board yeah Mr Morris yes um kind of backing up a little bit have any of these 3 policies is because of State or because of the board the first 2 that I read were from State uh the last 1 that I read was from the executive committee okay thank questions hey this time we will move on to item number 9 d public comment Miss Lindsay vickner to direct Administration to seek proposals to initiate the redistricting process for school board member districts and preparation for the 2026 election public comment closed I do not have any cards for that item so I'm going to um 90 thank you Miss sham I would just like to um begin the process where and we asked Administration to begin seeking proposals to see what that would look like whether we reduced from 11 members to speaking we need a motion oh sorry I'm sorry sorry motion to approve it was far as action why can't we talk because we have to have a motion in a second to make a motion to discuss a motion to discuss was made by Miss uh friselle second second by Miss Trish now miss McNair okay perfect thank you um so I would like to bring this to everyone I know we've spoken about it a few times before and workshops in different meetings but I would like Administration to begin seeking proposals and see what it would look like if we reduced from 11 to 9 and 11 to 7 um when as we're looking to have cost-saving measures and really be fiscally responsible we in real ity looking at our surrounding districts and the numbers of students that they have we are the largest board compared to others based off of the number of students so I would just like to begin that process all right any other comments Mr Burrell yes and which I did look at that list I don't know it was towards the end if it was sent to him in tangible 1 had um it was the largest number of board members I was 15 board members 15 council members uh what approximately under 30,000 people um and I forgot which 1 it is but uh Bill what um the largest uh other avenues that we need to look at I'm saying we're required to do this every 10 years we just did in 2020 uh so when we're looking at this who's going to be the 1 that's going to be doing the canvasing and to go out and make sure that all uh residents are in the um in their homes so we can do the redistricting and last time uh well overheard someone talking about it that we was going to follow um the lines of the uh Council the council only has 2 um boardroom or council members and they have 2 at large so um it would be hard for us to go ahead on and do it plus um the last time we did it uh we had an issue and I pull up the documentation and we can't just do it based on uh we we have 3 board members that are scheduled to um be um retiring um at the end of uh this term because of term limits because um uh in looking at that we actually be on out of the deal 3 board members everybody else um had a decrease 3 board members actually increase uh number 3 in uh division uh uh Board District 3 uh Mr Keller actually uh increased the number of residents in his district by 26 and District 11 actually increase the number of residents in 3 so while and when we first talked to South Central planning the idea will goal was to get to 3862 and most of the people um took and so we try to get even number where are close to it but you actually had some districts that increased the number of residents that they all right so that's 2 things that we got we need to make sure that that is open and fair and also um that the uh it's going to be equal representation uh throughout the entire Parish and plus the sensors uh we're going to have to pay for that when they do it every 10 years these the uh federal government pay for it so if we do this and for the next it's going to come out our Market we have to pay for the sensors but then in 2030 we're going to have to have another census and it's going to change again so and we're really looking at uh board members um um which I don't think that we're the biggest expenses of um the revenue so because if we start looking at day-to-day I eat every day well I stopped by I went back to uh MNS um boxes going out of MNS to um central office uh for every meeting if they don't have a meeting they don't have food so um if we turn around if we going to do cross cutting across the board uh I think need to look at everything all right any other board members Miss vnar I'm sorry who's that Mr Morris I I need to take my glasses off to see down the table I'm sitting here listening this and I wasn't I guess I was absent when we brought it up and stuff but I yeah I did have the workshop I would have some but 1 of the things that we missing this is not based on students our membership is based on population and if we had to do it on students some of us won't be there because we don't have that many students and and some areas are um overpopulated so this is based on the census the residents it's not based on students and stuff so we have to do it in 5 more years so if we expend the funds now then we're going to come back 5 more years and do it again so that mean within the 10 year span we did it 3 times and so that's that's spending money that's all I have thank you Mr Morris oh wait miss Mr Mamou yeah um I guess for me um you know uh you know uh I think uh I definitely understand want to go ahead and uh you know uh downsize um I think though uh Administration has enough when they play this as it is now what I don't want to see happen is that they start to prioritize this over other issues that we already have in the district and so um I do I do think that we need to go ahead and look at it in some in some shape or fashion but what I do is you have it once again is that you to prioritize and focus on this we need to be focusing on other things on how our district gets run the day today and so um looking at it if you look at talking about the census as well you know if they're going to do a census in 2030 and we we've done it in 2020 we're do it again um this year and turn around again doing in in in in 2030 does that really make a lot of sense to keep doing it like that so that's something for us to look at as a whole um you know as we begin to focus on this I just don't want to see us um or the administration begin it's been all their time focusing on this when they could be make sure that everything else is when when this will be focusing on different areas in our district did you um want to speak all right yeah I just wanted to say I hear you and I appreciate all of your responses I didn't I'm not asking to vote on it I'm just asking to begin the process and find out because in reality none of us really know it's all hearsay and what we've been Googling and reading so yeah I agree it does not make sense if we're going to spend $0 to save $20,000 but I just would like I don't I don't know what the hard facts are I just know what I've read and um I and I'm not a I don't think we should have 7 board members and 2 at large member like the parish council does but I just think that when looking at our populations St John Parish is steadily declining across the board and residents and you know in that reflects our students and spending the amount of money that we spend monthly on board members salaries board member meals board member insurance it's an expense so if we're asking for all of our schools to cut we need to take an internal look and if that vote me out of a job have at it I feel like I did my job by reducing expenses I'm not here to make money off of this I just would like to know and have some hard facts that's all thank you Miss Holden yes so um I do agree um seeking for proposals doesn't mean that we have to actually uh accept it um but we do need to explore all avenues of cost-saving measures um and if we uh start redistricting now um even when the census in 2030 occurs right does that mean that we definitely have to redistrict again um I'm not sure of that um but um as indicated it's just it seemed as the more feasible time to do it will be when you have 3 at least 3 board members being termed out thank you Miss Holden any other board members Mr Mr Mamou yeah I'm once again it's going to see my point um we we we become I guess in my my eyes when we're starting uh to have a habit of um I think sometime we get all focused and so I think once again I'm not against the idea um but once again I think as a board we need to make sure that we're focused on what's what's the priorities in our in our school district and sometimes we can come up with different um ideas and cost saving measures that we talked about this over and over and over again and then we get our focus and off track and so I think and make sure that if you're going to start diving into this that um that we have our priority set up um and and mapped out on exactly what our parties are as a board once again not saying um that I'm for against uh if we downsize um if I have a seat or not is what it is um but at the same time I do think that sometimes we we have begin this pattern um of discussing bringing up this item or this issue you know and and then we talk about it for 5 or 6 months and then we turn around and don't even do anything it looks like for example with the school uh with the school closings you know we talked about moving ory and different things like that we talked about it for this long period of time and then we turned around and everything that we discussed didn't even happen to a certain extent so I just want to make sure that if we are going to dive into this that we have our priority set set up straight on exactly what what is our priority as a board um if they're going to be doing a census in 2030 um I just don't see the point in some cases in doing it 20 2020 2026 and they do it against 2030 just seems like we just you know kind of spinning our Wheels when it comes down to that so that's just my stance this um when it comes down this issue here all right this time um Mr Wallace yes um 1 of the things uh I'm hearing that uh the district is uh decreasing by population um as a super yes Dr Paras superintendent and his staff that's going to be day priority to grow these schools and to see that our population and our student count so increase so that's uh should be our focus and goes to work with their superintendent and his staff to see that this District grow as student count and the population will grow because once uh 1 of the things that being looked at when you first come in to a district you want to know what is the economic development in the district uh and where we stand as a school as a district so I I think that's 1 of the things that we need to focus on and let them do what they have to do to grow this District um I just wanted to ask if there is time do we know if there's time yeah 3 of us are leaving and that makes sense but we're Midway through April and can this process happen be voted on and occur before October or are you just going to have an election where 3 new people are going to get elected and then tell them they don't I I they don't have a seat is it possible to do this before October so it's we would have to do it before next July because qualifying would be next July 2026 July August or July and then you we would the election would be November I guess I don't know the exact dates but we have over a year and again I am not I'm sorry it wasn't my turn to talk am I okay okay I'm Sorry Miss franchise I'm sorry there's so many of us all right Mr Bells did you have another comment all right yeah and which is going to take a year because they're the literary have to do the sensors they have to go home to home so and then we talking about call saving the reason why we're doing this I'm saying each board member makes less than $10,000 so we're saving uh dollars um if we're going to look at Cost starting have we started um preparing the budget for next year that's really not on the on this item know Mr it it it ties in everything where we talking about cost cutting and budget so what I'm saying if we're going to look at every being in totality and I'm saying if we going to try to save those dollars uh for board members there because I don't take vacations and I don't go on trips so um if we going ahead on and turn around and do that I think we need to go ahead on and look at everything uh what we spending on t-shirts we'll be spending on travel expenses we'll be spending on um extra time uh from a a person doing their job going from 1 school to another on travel so we need to look at everything if if um that's going to be the total goal and uh we keep on asking the question keep on saying that call 7 but no 1's bringing to us where we in need and we're short on funds so I guess uh I attend the next finance committee meeting and see if we can now find out uh where we are at all right thank any other board members I do have 2 comments that I want to make 1 is um regarding increase and decrease in District my first time as a board member when we went through the redistricting I know that my district had to be um some lessened and certain streets were taken away from my area because the rule is that all districts have to be as close to equal as possible so I think you had the right number Mr Burrell 3,062 but there's a you know a plus or minus range that happens in that part so as far as whatever decision is made by the board and redistricting some districts will always lose members and some will gain because it has to be that District each representative represents basically the same number of people in their District so that's going no matter when it happens if it happens now or if it happens later there is going to be shifts and increases and decreases in the district and then the the second comment I have is um that I think what Miss vignier is asking not we are not voting on this at this time is to get him more information to determine if it is I hear what people are saying about this is not our major Focus at this point but it is if it is going to be a focus it would have to be taken care of and we would have to get a bid so at this point we're under discussion no motion has been made to um go out for bids so um unless there's a substitute motion um I I'll give it time for if there's a substitute motion and if not unless there's other comments I think we'll move on to number 9 it says required action that means if we are but we the motion that was made was to discuss so we discussed no no but I mean oh did you is that the motion that you made yes it is I thought this was only the motion to discuss you made the motion to seek proposals yes yes the motion miss friselle me was to discuss is she made the motion she made so that that's why I'm saying it says to seek proposals but when I understand Miss Trish but when she made the motion she made it to discuss so if somebody I make a motion there you go to um and and direct Administration and to um put out an RFP for um the redistricting process all right Miss friselle has now made a motion to direct the strict Administration to uh go out for proposals on the redistricting process do I have a second second by Miss vigna okay and unless there's additional discussion we will vote on that ocean there any additional discussion all right let's go roll call Miss Holden yes Mr Burrell Miss Trish know Mr Morris no Mr francese Miss Brazil Mr know Mr Wallace no Miss Mitchell Williams know Miss McNair and Miss sham have 4 years and 7 days and that moves fails okay we will move to I public comment Mr Anthony Miller request board to extend act for 2 years Jessie finger Junior and public comment I do not have a card so public comment is closed Mr Miller thank thank you president sham good evening members of the board superintendent Perry uh this is a request to extend the contracts for the next 2 years for 3 of the current it contractors where's that funded from uh it is funded from the general fund okay yes ma'am yes ma'am they have been on contract since uh 2022 and their contracts will expire on June 30th of this year so move motion by Miss Trish second by Mr Wallace any uh comments I have a I have a question all right um Mr Burrell with first and Miss Mitchell Miller um currently how many um contractors do we have in the IT department there are a total of um 9 I believe 8 8 contractors and then you have 1 who who is a district employee all right because I know normally uh we renew contracts are around the same time correct um so um but I know um I think it was a great there paying for uh like some of the uh employees sure or will they Grant still be um paying for that or is that coming in on a general fund now uh I believe that Grant still is in place I need to see how long but I don't think it applies to these 3 employees in particular for these 3 contractors rather they're not employees with these 3 contractors in particular mhm yeah and the only reason I'm asking this question um seems like um the IT department is growing and I could have sworn I know we were getting federal funds when um for that we just uh retired um and he was over the IT department David and yeah so it was the Erin and I want to say that that that that Grant is not um available or it was starting to whine and dying so uh we need to make sure that um we have the qualified people but we need to make sure that with the other grants when those contract ends so if we have to downsize and the IT department we need to make sure that we have the most qualified in each um Department before we turn around and entering the contract and then we over contract understood all right Miss Mitchell Williams yeah just 2 questions the first 1 is do we have any concerns in IT department I know we we can't talk about um publicly about people's performance but um we're renewing so I'm guessing that means we don't know I don't have any concerns they've been performing let me very well and then the second question is I know a while back we discussed um the pros and cons of it departments um contractors being contractors versus being employees is that something that um has been thought about we got do we believe that it's most cost effective to stay as contractors keep them as contractors I would say considering um where we are as far as the rates currently with what we're paying the contractors and not having to pay the fringe benefits um it is probably more fiscally responsible at this point with the love a couple with the level of experience that these contractors have and the intimate knowledge they have with our setup and how in integral they've been and helping us establish it systems and things that we have in place now it actually really makes more sense to keep them as contractors any other board members roll call Miss Holden oh can I wage um the funding source is going to be this is general fund okay and do we need a total cost for all 3 the total cost is uh or for this year is estimated to be 217,000 and we have the budget process yes ma'am oh yes sir okay all right then just make sure that we we have funds for um okay yes is it Miss Holden yes Mr Burrell yes Miss Trish yes Mr Morris yes Mr francese yes Mr Brazil yes Mr Mammoth yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Miss vickner yes Miss yes 11 years that motion passes we will now move to item F public comment Mr Anthony Miller requests board approval to extend the capital Bond Architects contracts for 1 Year New York Associates NY Associates not New York Yates and Mansell and Lakin um I have no cards in front of me for public comment so we will um go to Mr Miller thank thank you once again this is a request to uh extend the contract for uh 1 year for or extend the contract that expires on June 30th of this year it uh was entered into on July 1st of 2023 the grand total for the contract for these uh 3 separate um architectural firms is 2,437,142 it is based on the stable Louisiana's architect fee from 2022 and it is funded through the capital Bond project so Landon facilities approved all these correct there was a uh approval from Lennon facilities to recommend so I'll make a motion all right moved by Miss uh Trish seconded by Miss Mr Williams any other board members yes Mr Burrell all right um quick question I know when we first uh already contracts based on the work that they have done or already on retainer it is actually based on the work that they do so you can see um in your packet you should have itemized how they're paid out I think that they they get a percentage of the work that is done and so it's based on that so it's not a necessarily flat container fee is a percentage of the work as they do it all right but when the contract when it because they didn't start working on anything until they were assigned the uh the contract so when we assigned them the work to do we enter in their contract whereas um they were under contract for a certain period of time so the contract was started on 20 on July 1st of 2023 but they so they may not have been assigned work I can see and you can see in your packet where for some of them they started receiving payments for services for specific projects and specific schools uh 1 is early as um September of 2023 another 1 I or August of 2023 and the other in October of 2023 all right yeah well I didn't know that they were on on the timeline but I have a question uh with um like king um and it's based on they're coming with and additional change order and on the original sum of that they're contract was awarded it is roughly $4 million um they have come in and did 2 uh change orders amounting to approximately 1.2 million and that new contract uh system is with change Auto is like 5.2 it's almost a 25% increase um since I I don't is that been around I don't think that a 25% increase uh is standard and I don't see how they could have did that with a no bid so um I have concerns about those change orders was there properly procured and and a 25% increase on their initial contract I think this could lead us to um possible litigation if they uh underbid uh a contract receive it and then turn around well the contractor and now they'll get um rewarded with change orders in the amount of 1.2 million so what I would ask you mentioned 2 specific specific instances you give me the specifics on those instances then we can research that further I cannot speak to that in this moment in detail all right it was in the document that you provided uh to the board um and it was mainly West St John's and the inclusion of the um performance arts performance arts the sound system and the chairs everything that was uh included in the auditorium yes so that's 1 yes and the other 1 the when it came and said that we needed the panel on the boards at the uh schools uh Gary my name may be West End Elementary and then we to go back is it cheaper to just replace it or just cover the uh door and I want to see it can be cheaper just replace that so uh yeah I'm very concerned about uh 25% increase sure and their original contract some gotcha do you want the project manager to speak to those in detail those 2 specific instances or would you like to have that conversation like right right so how the Architects so this extension for The Architects contract is um so there was an RFQ that went out to sea to seek um uh Architects that you could just initiate you know any projects that you want it for this uh Bond project so you actually have 4 Architects that um you qualified and that's what this extension is um I mean they're already under contract that they have to finish the projects that they're doing if there's any new projects that come up then that's where um you know this extension comes in as far as um what you're saying there so West St John Elementary is assigned to Lain Architects so any so they have been responsible for the uh design and you know through the award process through the bid process um and then through construction and close out so they're the professional of record for um for that building um so whether it goes through um a construction punch so so in their fees are based off of that Construction contract so they'll the you apply the state fee curve and that's their uh payments if they if so if the Construction contract has a change order or something goes out to bid The Architects still gets the fee based off of whatever that contract award it is okay so so whether it's a a change order for um just like you're saying for um garyville or for West St John Elementary or for anything um you know that that will change the the architect's fee or if it just goes out to just a full and open bid that contract gets awarded and then they still get their fee based off of that contract yes but my concern is on these 2 projects uh for the change orders where they um contractors that was current you're working on those projects yes okay and uh was that add alternates at alternate know so I mean it's it's all within the same scope of the contract and so as long as it stays Within scope then that's that's how the the law reads is that you know if it's um a construction that's over 250,000 that's out of scope then that has to be put out for bid if if it's within scope if you just say we went and we decided to you know if it's if it's a lighting contract and you try to do um you know HVAC work with it you couldn't do that you'd have to stay within can you please repeat the the law you say about 250 250 yes yes what was it so anything over that's out of scope that's over 250,000 has to be put out for bit otherwise if it stays within scope then that that limit doesn't apply so there's no it so you're saying these 2 the 1 for 760 and then for 4 um 30 we're in the scope of work yes but it wasn't the add alternate yes because it was because again the the mill work was originally part of it to go from I mean that that's that sort of and then in essence what the change order is for is that if you go in the middle work is worse off than you originally thought it was and that that's exactly what that change order was for is to is to include that in there all right so as you as the project manager for this you are um 100% certain that uh there's no conflict in 1 change order for 760,000 and another change order for 430 27000 yes the the yes but that's so but for this agenda item it is again just extending the ability to um tasks the architect directly that you well that's that's what the the agenda okay but let me talk about the architect so who hired the architect so I'm gonna I'm just gonna stop discussion for a moment you've had the floor for about 10 minutes and at this policy that we can have 10 and 5 10 minutes I timed it okay okay and and what I'm gonna get a robot I'm just gonna say that we hit this this was passed in um it was recommended for approval right and and LNF to come to the board so I I'm just saying we spent 10 minutes on this particular item and I'm going to ask that we move and if there's somebody else that would like to speak no not 5 more minutes okay but you've been on for 10 minutes I got 10 and 5 you read the policy the board members have 10 and 5 minutes 10 minutes and then after somebody else has spoken so I'm going to recognize Miss Holden yeah and then if you would like to come back after her then you can come back okay all right Coleman um Mr Miller just a quick question the extension of The Architects contract for 1 year will that acrew any additional cost uh it's going to be basic again because they receive a fee or a percentage it's going to be based on the work that they would be assigned or any additional work that they would be assigned within that so additional work that may be needed during that time yes ma'am okay all right all right Mr Burrell all right no I know 1 thing that I'm going to check uh because you're asking for the additional time the um notice to proceed was given out in James which that had to start within 30 days if if it hasn't started in 30 days it creates another issue where we may have to go out and wrebbit it so when I asked him about the architect I'm not worried I'm not with concerned about the architect fees because I know that they're set in stone but is the contractor did the our architect uh do follow proper procedure and make sure that everything was properly prepared and that was the um best price and there was no competition for those change orders so you're asking Mr Miller no Max and the project manager so and but he's already said on record and but I'm not talking but the king because his fee is Set uh I'm just concerned about that uh this is the second time that uh the contractor has come in and did a change order and for 1.1 million 1.2 I know if I had bid on this project and I came in $500 less and now these people are able to come in I don't want to open up this board to any possible uh litigation because of this so I'm going to take schedule word on it but uh for now but I still will um check on it and see if uh this is on up and up right no change orders have to be approved I mean I I'll wait till we get to that line item but just for for understanding that has to be approved by by The Horde if you reject the change order it's fine it just goes out for Republic fit so that that's the decision to me all right but on a on a dates that you said that it it was only um good for 30 days so uh are price is still good the um equipment the supplies that were purchased for these for the change order you sent this did you review what that's change order number 7 we going to change our number 7 okay all right all right any other board members roll call Miss Holden yes Mr burrow I think we need to vote on this in separate because everyone was giving a contract separately Mr Mr um Burrell the the motion is already on the floor we've already started voting so we need to continue okay thank you what was the vote Miss Trish yes Mr Mars yes Mr franchise yes Mr Brazil yes Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams yes Miss vickner Miss sham yes I have 10 years and 1 extension 8 we will move to item G public comment Mr Anthony Miller requests board approval to extend the office supply contract for 1 year Louisiana Office Products I have no yellow card so uh so moved second all right moved by Miss Mitchell Williams seconded by Miss Trish uh any board members roll call Miss Holden yes Mr barl yes Miss Trish yes Mr Morris Mr francese yes Mr friselle Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams yes Miss vickner yes Michelle yes 11 years that motion passes we will move to item 9 H public comment Mr Anthony Miller requests board approval to management contract 1 second motion by uh Mitchell Williams I'm missed about the second miss all right Miss Trish is the second board members roll call Miss Holden yes Mr Burrell yes Miss Trish yes Mr bars yes Mr francese yes Mr Brazil yes Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Mr yes 11 years that item passes item 9i public comment Mr Anthony Miller discussion recommendation to extend the asbestos maintenance plan contracts for 1 year with Ritter Consulting motion to approve I have no public comment closed motion to approve by uh Miss friselle seconded by Mr Morris board members oh wait Mr B Mr burrow yes I say we um extending it I know when we first hired them they had to come in and do an updated plan so what are the um doing at this point so at this point this would be for um maintenance of that plan so including making sure that all of our binders that have to be um rechecked and re-up for all of our sites continue to make sure we are staying in compliance with that 1 example is we did receive a letter from the state about 3 weeks ago for 1 facilities that was asking some validation of uh ensuring that we were in compliance as it related to it as best those uh maintenance and uh abatement and we were able to forward that correspondence 2 Ritter they actually pulled the information and responded to the state on our behalf so they will continue to do those types of things okay all right any other board members roll call Miss Holden yes Mr Burrell why that's true yes Mr Morris yes Mr francese yes Mr Roselle yes Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Miss vickner Miss sham 11 years this is item 9 J public comment Mr Anthony Miller discussion and recommendation to extend Roofing maintenance and repair contract for 1 year so approving second moved by Miss Trish seconded by Mr Wallace board members roll call yes I had a question Mr Burrell yes um and I kind of glanced over the report had the complete all um expression of all I was um sites Mr Miller uh yeah I'm double-checking they have so if you see there everywhere where you see the 2400 line item that is an instance where they went out to do the inspection and the only reason I'm asking I this 1 that we first um um contracted it was for on 3 year basis but I didn't know we had to maintain it um um any required more than uh 3 years of reporting every so the agreement which uh should be in your packet is an agreement and the term of the agreement is effective July 1st 2024 to June 30th of 2025 1 of them as needed basis okay roll call Miss Holden yes Mr Burrell yes Mr Trish yes Mr Morris Mr francese yes for sale yeah Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams yes Miss vickner Miss sham yes 11 years item k public comment Dr Kim Johnson introduction of new job description CTE supervisor Dr Johnson Public comment is closed we uh I do not have a card for that item and I was like I remember that clearly what about this book yes uh respectfully um uh can you have um the that's right I just need to um make a statement to Mr Miller and ask for a clarification can we what are you asking for Mr Mill I just want to make 1 comment on it we've already we've already moved on that item I'm just I would suggest if you want to have the comment just speak to him after the meeting no I want to say publicly because you still having Roofing problems with some of these schools and especially Mr Burrell we're not on that agenda item I'm sorry I'm going to have to read out of order well it was on the uh Roofing Miss we are not we already passed that motion we've moved on we're on item k Miss Johnson that's why I asked you but I know from now on I make sure I ask all my questions during those items miss Mr burrow you're on item k all right good afternoon board members um tonight I am before you um to introduce of the CTE supervisor job description um as a quick background this job description was approved by the board last spring uh when we adopted our new org chart uh key features of this position includes leading and providing oversight and direction to our Career and Technical education program Mr Burrell I mean Mr Morris I'm sorry yes so we're not you're not asking us to vote on this this it should be for introduction only okay alright mistakes yes all right thank you all right any other questions all right we'll move on to item l yes sir okay thank you thank you Miss thank you Mr Green um all right on item K do we have a motion I see no ocean so that item fails we will move to item L thank you on item l or item item L it failed so we will be able to bring it back next month because it failed for lack of a motion that was introduction okay I just wanted to got you thank you Mr Green now we'll move to item mail public comment uh Dr Kimberly Johnson request test board approval to change the pay structure for differentiated compensation pay um I have no card requesting uh public comment so public comment is closed Dr Johnson all right I am before you tonight board members requesting do I Miss Trish second seconded by uh Miss Mitchell Williams board members yes uh Mr Burrell when would this go into effect next school year all right and um the people that uh so um that's why I asked if the budget uh are we preparing the budget now because this is uh currently on the uh salary schedule so this will be updated and change on the seller schedule this is oh this money is coming from ldoe okay um I thought there was like 190,000 dollars and it's 112 this year and we'll receive our next um portion of it on July 1 this is not money that would affect our general fund okay so when did LA l o d e provide These funds um I can't give you the exact date I'm going to let Dr Perry respond okay okay you gotta wait for a second I think all right so during the call today we discussed the um the stipend for this this is again this is um this will not affect the general budget this comes directly from the ldoe to help us to staff uh hard to staff areas uh this this money is geared for science math and sped uh for your secondary programs so we are uh this this this is already passed the last time we just a change to uh dedicate dedicate this money to our main and to our our um freshman Success Academy and um our hardest staff areas in math science and specialist specialist Mr Burrell yes and so and to my previous question when did we receive this money we had the money from last year we have 112,000 from last year in December we had in the beginning we're not exactly but it's it's already allocated to us 112,000 we also have uh more I think a total of 239 write 100,000 39 the reason why um we had a special meeting in December because it was about to run out of time and we had to spend these funds um the money that was allocated for uh Fifth Ward um has been there for a couple years so my concern is if we're saying that we haven't at um 5th Ward and it wasn't a part of these um funds why are we taking these funds if we're still going to be servicing those students in those areas you need to clarify yeah so uh these are are focusing on last year got a dedicated you know these funds are the funds we had last year they were dedicated to uh Staffing hard to staff areas so this fund Source was given to us by the state uh last year we only use a portion of this funding source to uh higher uh teachers for Math and Science we still have a total of 112,000 from last year we have a new budget coming in for this current year which total to 239 total which means that we have to use these funds um it's not in this case of using a lose it but we have to use it for only certain purposes and this purpose is allocated to secondary which is a high school and our Middle School science math or spare programs so are we asking right now is that we get the approval to uh to use these funds for as we have for the um direction we have in a in a packets for this upcoming for you to be able to attract uh people for the hardest staff areas in high school which is the Freshman Academy which also if I must mention um according to our new accountability system we'll change for the upcoming school year so it is very critical yeah we attract Talent certified talent to our ninth grade um high schools any other questions or comments we have a motion um on the floor and the it's a roll call Miss holder yes Mr Burrell yes Miss Trish yes Mr bars yes Mr francese yes Miss Brazil yes Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Miss vickner Miss yes 11 news that motion passes we will move to item 9M public comment Dr Kimberly Johnson requests board approval to repurpose The Fifth Ward Elementary School retention stipend um I have no public comment cards for that so public comment is closed moved by Miss Trish second seconded by Mr Wallace board members why is in the money following the child I'm I'm sorry hi Mr Burrell yes why is in this money following the child because this retention and stipend has been in place for several years so as the as um voted on by forward um there were no longer be a Fifth Ward and there'll be a Fifth Ward prep if the so-called if it's approved by the by the by the judge but this money surges purpose and I want to thank the board like Dr Johnson always say thank the board for um your vision with um approving your stipend to staff Fifth Ward at this time we have another area to staff uh by the by if this does pass by the federal judge we will now have a fifth trip and we are asking that we repurpose this money now to make the highest schools hold because the money we get for the differentiated funding sources only for our math science and sped areas this will definitely help to attract Ela and social studies for our critical shortage areas in high school um and also with the split of fifth war with les uh those teachers were not be able to receive the stipend if they're at Les so it's it's best to repurpose this funding source to attract um people to those high schools so we're asking that we repurpose this funding source from Fifth Ward to the to staff our Ela and social studies uh teachers all right quick question I have several um what grades were they um teaching at Fifth Ward K24 Okay so and you see Les when did the board approve a transition from Fifth Ward to Les Mr Blanchard spoke to the board in the meeting I think we all was in and he showed us the the maps of the the new zones and ended Zone uh he pointed out that 100 some kids will be going to Las and the other kids will be going to the prep and uh based on that Dr Johnson shared um when our meetings that uh we would have to staff Les appropriately which means some teachers example there are 3 teachers at the Fifth Ward 1 teacher has to go to the other site this meeting was held with the teachers already they understand uh this is a possibility based on the board approval also waiting depending judges uh vote um so yeah this is was this is something that's already been talked about know we we talked about it but was it adopted the board approved it and now we're waiting on the judge's final approval well we I need to that meeting with the board but I think it was I think it was in January Mr Burrell um I'd have to go back and look but I think it was January well Les they will have now no K through 4th grade students over there it'll be the same structure as the to our Pro that's what I'm saying so why isn't the D if some of the the teachers that are using this differentiated find them right now why isn't the money following the students because it's not the money to go around why it's not enough money to go around okay but if it's working and the grids are going up I'm saying why don't we expand on that well I I I think the question is that I want to be honest I think that you all hired me to make decisions that is in the best interest of the kids and 1 thing we're looking at is the data the data shows is hard to staff East St John Prep it is hard to staff Les it's hard to staff the highest school this money will will help to go to those hard to stealth areas give Ward Elementary is not hard to stop so right now fifth word elementary has the highest retention well 1 of the highest teacher retention rates in the district and it also has 1 of the highest highest certified teacher rates in the district um so when you guys made the decision to invest in it a couple of years ago with this retention stipend it is officially worked um so now we have other schools with extremely low retention rates and extremely low teacher certification rates and we feel that if we you can duplicate the success we had at fifth war with those schools we can better retain our staff okay so but the teachers that you use for this typing uh if they're not getting the stipend do you expect them to stay at those sites we're going to have a conversation with those teachers and the principal um I'm sorry principal and and um those employees again this is for the board you know you all can decide how you want to decide um you know I I I I think as superintendent this will be beneficial for us to repurpose this money um at at the present time the teachers get thousand dollars right before Christmas um and they also get some other funding sources that we we know of but this would be uh roughly about the same thing we would give to the math and science teachers um at Freshman Academy so just making everyone at the high school hole because moving forward we're going to have to staff the highest school because our grading system is changing and the Google fi scores will come from the high school and when I talked to the principal about this she believes that this will not be a big upset to our teachers that they're they're they're there because of the culture and they're there because of her and because of the students and we did just for the record include the principal in the conversation about the fifth word statement all right and I agree but I'm saying why isn't the the money following the students so but any other board members Mr Morris judge approved Fifth Ward and now if the judge don't approve it then this will stay with the school okay thank you any other board members roll call Miss Holden yes Mr Burrell know Miss Trish Mr bars yes Mr francese yes Miss freezo yes Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Miss vickner yes Miss yes Kenya 1 day and that item passes we will now move to item number 9 N public comment Dr Kimberly Johnson requests board approval to restructure the non certified teacher salary schedule I have no public comment cards public comment closed motion by Miss Trish second by Miss vickner board members yes Mr Burrell um I remember speaking to a board member and they said that um because of the shortage of teachers and certified non-certified they have some districts that are uh actively seek 935 teachers now um in Reading um through some of this information we have some that are in class and some that have have gotten working with the school system and are familiar with it so um are you telling me that now since they haven't got their um certification or we're going to turn around and put them back to level zero here we're going to use mine yes uh yes dance is yes um and be be frank today according to the state department teachers only get 3 years to get certified in our Parish uh teachers have been uh teachers are allowed to get a 9-year increment which means that teachers can stay at cannot get certified and be at 9 years and get the same salary that someone who gives certified we looked at research from other parishes such as Ascension Parish and surrounding parishes um those parishes only give teachers 2 years to get certified do not get certified they're dismissed we're not saying we're going to just we're not saying we're going to dismiss teachers what we're saying is that we're going to oh that's better yeah we're saying we're going to uh keep them at the zero step which means that you will have a certain amount you get to get certified which is required by the state of Louisiana um currently in Dr Johnson's plan if they're certified or they're in a program now they will get up to say 2 years to get a certification and their salary is frozen wherever is at right now if they're not in a program they will have until December of this year to get into a program if not they will revert back to the zero step because if somebody is getting this certified they're going from 43 to 51 but if they're in uh you know they're getting certified and they've been here 9 years not in a program and somebody who gets in the program you're making on $800 difference which means that it's not beneficial also a teacher like you said a few minutes ago people are looking for a non-certified yes but they are paying them at sub pay and they're paying under 43,000 a year so the so what's the motivation to get them to get certified Dr Johnson if I showed you my my presentation she has 22 people right now who are in her cohort to get her to get certified we have 30 people still who have not gotten into a program who have not gotten to a to a college who I mean she's paying them to go to school and we've sent letters I think 4 letters write 4 letters 3 3 meet in-person meetings letters and also talking to the principals about hey they got to get certified why get certified you don't want a doctor working on you who's certified you want to make sure they going through some kind of training who understand the pedagogy and who understand best practice so our goal is to get our teachers in the mode of getting certified to understand best practice and to understand the pedagogy that needs to be done to teach our kids so I think for me and um you know we've explained to the board today is that you know this is not an indictment on teachers we just simply saying hey if you want to get certified we're going to help you get certified if you want to stay at 43,000 you can do that as well but the only way we're going to incentivize you is to go through the programs and get certified but it also states that the program is available after 2 years because the state gives them 2 to 3 years get certified so we're saying if you program right now your salary will be frozen for up to 2 years so you get certified for those who are not in a program 2025 and they're and they're uh salary would be frozen for 2 years yes ma'am so let me give a point of priority on that on the document that you have we have made a revision um in the second paragraph under salary schedule overview we are going to give the folks who are not in a program at all by December 2025 2026 school year we are encouraging them to get in a program and if and only if they don't need that deadline that is when those folks would be sent back to Step Zero um but everyone else who's currently in the program their salaries will be Frozen at their current 24/25 school and let's be clear also if you don't mind me saying is that I think you all know that right now they're what you calling at will employee what that means is if somebody comes in right now who is certified then you can get bumped back to zero money so I'll go to saying Hey listen we trying to to safeguard your job so how you do that get into a program get certified and we will help you do that so uh we reached out to him several times uh we're going to make 1 more dish effort to say hey get into a program we have um again in my um my updates today you saw we have 4 principals who are taking time out of their business schedules to come in after school and teach and coach them on practice test so again there is no excuse not to get into a program but I thought Meriden had uh given this money for that but that's for another day so but just for clarity every person that that does not have a certification in that area the salary will be freeze for next upcoming year Frozen at their current salary if they are enrolled in a program and will be not enrolled if they are not enrolled in a program they will have to December 2526 which is roughly between now and December what about 6 months to get enrolled into a program okay I got it I think he okay any other board members all right roll call yes Mr Burrell no because it goes back to accountability I think we should have been checking up on this poorly Mr trash Mr Morris yes Mr francese yes Miss friselle yes Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Miss vickner yes Miss yes Kenya is 1 name that motion passes item uh n I'm sorry that was item in item 9 oh public comment Miss Terry Charles requests board approval to advertise for bids for the uh School 2 year 2026 second um let me finish reading for for Brad mil processed foods frozen foods meat and meat products cleaning supplies paper supplies large and small equipment for cafeterias and transporting USDA commodities to all cafeterias and motion was made by Miss Trish and seconded by Mr Wallace roll call Miss Holden know I have a um I'm sorry Mr B yes with the um executive orders and freeze on my federal grants um how would this affect um our free reduced lunch M Mr burrow I'm I'm gonna I I understand the question it is not Germaine to this proving bids okay do we see if any federal funds for this reimbursement M Mr burrow Miss Miss okay um 2 do we receive um federal funds for any of these supplies yes or no and then I I won't have no more questions any other board members that's 9 answers any other board members roll call Miss Holden yes Mr Burrell abstain mistress yes Mr Morris Mr francese yes Mr Brazil yes Mr Mamou yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Miss vickner yes miss ya 10 years 1 abstention thank you item 9 P public comment Mr Ryan Smith voker request board approval of change orders 6 upgrades to the West St John Elementary Auditorium that will include the renovation of the lobby and restrooms resulting in a contract increase of 437,133 and increased contract duration 75 days moved by Miss Trish seconded by Mr Wallace board members yes um just want to reiterate that um based on your Professional Knowledge you saying that um this 437 increase 437,000 is above board and did I request I'm not a lawyer so I mean you would have to take that to to your paying you good money for lawyer I'm just stating that I'm not a lawyer I mean if if you need legal counsel on that then that needs to go to to legal counsel that's my understanding it's the architect's understanding that that that this is within the realm of public business but you you're the project manager correct I'm not I'm not a lawyer though I mean if you're asking for a legal opinion I can't give that because I'm not a lawyer but I'm saying you should be aware of probably be lost I am and in my opinion and in the architect's opinion that this is within public bid law but that's just our opinion if you need legal guidance then then you need to okay um I can also need to make a um a clerical Point here is that um as of 1 34 p.m. uh today um that uh number there a 2 and a half percent increase for the chairs and so the amount would be 4408003 and so we need to make a motion to to um adjust that that that's that that is the current price that we would have to lock in the contract number increase to 440,000 803 okay motion by Miss vnar to adjust the contract uh amount to 440 803 do I have a second uh second by Mr Wallace for clarification says the um agenda items say 437 uh is there a motion that needs to be to uh wave policy and make a new adjustment so what was the original motion Miss Daisy but why is there a price increase um that that was the the current price as of this afternoon and um I mean I I can tell you on uh April 28th there will be a 4 and a half percent increase for all of the wall baffles as well that's that's the suppliers at that time um and again this this is for and so I know we're on the substitute motion of the uh price increase but uh again I just stress that this um action is to uh approve it as a change order if if not we send it out for bid and that's the Republic bid so that that's really the only do we have the alternate building for chairs in this price know no this is this is done with the um what's what was approved by the landing facilities was the um you know fabric chairs without the basically without the USB um addition onto it but padding padding fabric chairs with the um that was to do the uh USB increase right and then um when we had talked about um the the carpet I don't think we really have landed on anything that's the the carpet in there as well yes any other board members yes Mr Bell what chairs was in the original scope of work uh the the current chairs that are that are here the ones that put a change I don't want not I I don't know what you mean I mean this is you not see it was going to be a twenty thousand dollar increase so which chairs were in the scope of work so did we change chairs from the original scope of work well these original chairs I'm I'm saying that the the the cost adjustments have have come in as of this this afternoon but this is the the current price and why are they why is there a cost adjustment I guess that's an you know an industry and there's always going to be a cost adjustment I mean anytime again by the end of the month we were told by the manufacturer that there will be another 1 I imagine that most building materials can be going up so next month you want to come back with another change order no I mean if if if biscuits approved it can get ordered and that's the the lock in price that's that's the any other board members all right roll call I'm Sorry Miss just 1 clarification we're voting on The Substitute motion but does that include alternate 1 or no does the 4408 uh does that include alternate 1 no the original chairs with the the padding and the um arm you know the the tablet the motion was on just change order 6 006 correct which is no addition it's just what was originally there that was the original motion was on change order 6 at the at the wrong price it's now been a substitute motion on change order 6 for the corrected price correct 4408003 so that's what we're voting on okay ready all right anybody else need clarification on that all right Miss Holden I'm sorry but what was the alternate um the alternate was a different different chair okay so kind of a nicer chair and charging pixel okay gotcha excited we didn't need that for okay so how many options do we have this 1 so alternate so we had you mean in there we have 1 alternate um after Atlanta facilities we looked at you know many other price structures that that we could have but everything just stuck with the original for for this change order okay no but this change order was not in the original there was alternate it was not in the original scope of work yeah I mean in in your packet there there is it was you know there was always listed as the there was a seat upgrade for 91,000 well why it causing 400 37,000 sorry why is it costing 437,000 if you use the price the price is broken down through line items and the uh manufacturers and also just to clarify on that I think it added in the bathrooms right and the and the and the it's the best it is it's the renovation of that it's more than also the tiles for the acoustics correct and on the walls and on the floor everything that was approved during the when the architect um did the schematic design um presentation here and everything that was approved there is what's in here just to be just to to um be clear when we voted in landed facilities it did include the alternate as well but um I'm I'm okay with that motion if the alternate was the chairs with the USB and the foldable arm correct yeah but you know these these actually have the the foldable arms it was just it was the USB and it was a nicer nicer level of chair and oh it was it was up that alternate is what 20,000 miles at that time no it was 91 91 right and that's why we didn't you know that's why we didn't have it okay so those shares that that is regular change orders adding in them to be able to write on correct correct okay okay thank you that's what we needed right yes uh Mr Perry Dr Perry um if you don't mind can you forward me the original scope of work for this project that was awarded all right thanks any other questions roll call Miss Holden yes Mr Burrell Miss Trish Mr Morris yes branches Miss Brazil Mr Maru yes Mr Wallace yes Miss Mitchell Williams Miss vnar Miss sham yes 9 years 1 nay 1 and passes item 9 Q public comment Miss edrian Sylvester informational budget to actual and that I believe is Just for information only and it's in your packet item 10 administrative matters we have we have none uh oh and item 11 board items of Interest board members Mr Morris yes I I would like on at our Workshop to uh discuss having a audit of and forensic audit uh talking with some members and stuff like that and um we have a lot of things going on and if you think about it we have had in 3 years in 2 years that I I've been here we have had grease CFOs and I think it's kind of not fair if we don't do an art and a forensic audit so I'm saying that our next work our Workshop I think at 2028 24th 24th that we have this on the agenda so we can discuss it so we can give the superintendent some direction on it okay any any other board items board members yeah yes Mr Mamou ya know Mr bro mentioned it um I do think it's a good point for us to look into with the recent cuts to see how we how our as far as our feeding programs um how would it be affected if with the recent C just having recently so we can just get a report maybe on how we how it's going to affect us going forward for next school year could you repeat that again Mr in regards to the recent cuts to USDA how will that affect us as a school district um if for any so I think you'll be good for just a note for next school year um but they still meeting okay and for items of interest just to remind everyone um I would like to add that we are having a workshop on April 24th at 5:00 pm um and that that agenda will be going out and also just for everyone's information that this summer the um the uh Southern Regional uh conference will be held in Louisiana at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles the dates for that are July 28th through 30th and then registration is going to open for that on April 16th so be on the look out for that information if you want to get some uh Workshop hours in Louisiana for the Southern Regional Conference any other board members will adjourn

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