6,891
Port Allen, Louisiana
March 18, 2015
A regular meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board was held this date with the following membership:
Present: Jason P. Manola, President, Toby Sarradet, Dr. Atley D. Walker,Sr.,
Ronald P. LeBlanc, Leon Goudeau, Rose A. Lee Roche’, G. Alden Chustz,Jr.,
Michael A. Maranto, Teri Bergeron
Absent: Craig Sarradet
Adelynn Vaughn, Brusly Elementary School student, and Hailey Guillory, Cohn Elementary School student, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The next item was approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting held on February 18, 2015.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Goudeau:
Be It Resolved, That the minutes of the regular board meeting held on February 18, 2015, be approved as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau,
Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet
The next item was educational presentations. a) Judy Boyce/Youth Services Librarian/West Baton Rouge Library b)Introduction of Ariel Jackson and Hannah Prather, Devall Middle School students, State Winners/Middle School Division/Louisiana School Boards Association Video Contest/$2500 check to Devall Middle School.
Whereupon, Superintendent Watts introduced Mrs. Judy Boyce, Youth Services Librarian,West Baton Rouge Parish Library. Mrs. Boyce gave a presentation on services provided tothe School System by the West Baton Rouge Parish Library. Mrs. Boyce asked the board members and staff members to please encourage the students to participate in the Summer Reading Programs offered at the library because there has been a lack of participation inthe past. She also informed the board that April 12-18, 2015, is National Library Week.
b) Superintendent Watts introduced Ariel Jackson and Hannah Prather, Devall Middle School students, who won State Competition in the Middle School Division of the Louisiana School Boards Association’s Video Contest. The prize was a check in the amount of $2,500 to be presented to Devall Middle School. Ariel and Hannah presented their video at the board meeting.
The next item was the Superintendent’s report. Superintendent Watts announced that the Brusly High School Pantherettes were honored at a reception today at 4:00 p.m. prior to the board meeting. The Pantherettes sponsors are Renita Sherrad and Sandy Gunnels.
Honors Won:
United States National Champions in Pom,
Division I: 1st Pom, 2nd Hip Hop, 2nd Jazz, Highest Choreography in hip hop and pom, Highest Technique in Pom
Members of the Team:
12th Grade: Kaytlin Smith, Bria Thomas, Katelyn Anderson, Tiki White, Mikaela Jenkins
11th Grade: Emilie Alonzo, Alexis Sampere, Brianna Monson, Jaylin Fair, Tereka Lewis, Mariah Dent, Alicia Thomas, Kylee Barlow
10th Grade: Hannah Soniat
9th Grade: Rachelle Lejeune, Kaylin West, Destiny Sanchez, Madison Soniat
Superintendent Watts requested a resolution of condolences for the family of Mrs. Gladys Hightower, retired teacher.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Roche’ and seconded by Dr. Walker:
Be It Resolved, That the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby extend to the family of Mrs. Gladys Hightower, their feelings of sincere appreciation for the many years of dedicated and devoted service rendered to the students by Mrs. Hightower, and
Be It Further Resolved, That the board does hereby offer its sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Hightower.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche,
Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet
Superintendent Watts also reported: c) Testing had started this week and it was running smooth and efficient. d) Dr. Rhonda Matthews was interviewed about her program “Cool School” and appeared on Channel 2.
The next item was presentation of the following item on the Consent Agenda:
8. Consideration of approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports/Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services (Personnel and Finance Committee Report 3/10/15)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mrs. Roche”:
Be It Resolved, That consent agenda item #8 be approved as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc,Mr. Goudeau,
Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #9: Update on Status of Nurses Program/Dr. David Strauss.
Dr. Strauss presented an update on services provided since the beginning of the school year by the school nurses. He reported that he felt the number of nurses was sufficient at this time but if he saw the need for an additional nurse in the future, he would come back to the board.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #10: Further discussion relative to bus transportation services proposals. (Personnel and Finance Committee 3/10/15)
Mr. Watts, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola, Mrs. Charlotte Blanchard, and Ms. Tammy Seneca will visit the Acadia Parish School system and the STS site on Monday, March 23, 2015. An update on this visit will be presented at the April 7th committee meeting.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #11: Request for approval to move the April committee meeting to April 7, 2015.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be It Resolved, That the committee meeting for April be moved to April 7, 2015.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau,
Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #12: Consideration of school phone and intercom system updates/Wes Watts.
Mr. Watts presented information on services by Gage and Executone. Mr. Watts reported that Executone could provide the school phone and intercom system updates in a more cost effective manner.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. Maranto:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve the recommendation of Mr. Watts to accept the proposal submitted by Executone to update the school phones and intercom systems in the parish.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau,
Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet
The next item was announcement of the committee meeting date of April 7, 2015 and the date of the regular board meeting on April 15, 2015.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Chustz:
Be It Resolved, That the meeting be adjourned.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau,
Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet
___________________________ ____________________________
Wes Watts Jason P. Manola
Secretary-Treasurer President