6,965
Port Allen, Louisiana
July 20, 2016
A regular meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board was held this date with the following members present:
Jason P. Manola, President, Craig Sarradet, Toby Sarradet, Dr. Atley D. Walker,Sr., Ronald P. LeBlanc, Leon Goudeau,Sr., Rose A. Lee Roche’, G. Alden Chustz,Jr., Michael A. Maranto, Teri Bergeron
President Jason Manola led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Invocation was presented by Dr. Atley D. Walker,Sr.
The next item was approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting held on June 22, 2016.
Whereupon, on motion of Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Goudeau, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Be It Resolved, That the minutes of the regular board meeting held on June 22, 2016, be approved as presented.
The next item was Educational Presentations:
a) Recognition of 2016 Senior AP Scholars
Whereupon, Superintendent Watts recognized Mr. Walt Lemoine, Principal of Brusly High School, to introduce the 2016 Senior AP Scholars from Brusly High School:
Mr. Lemoine introduced the following students from Brusly High School and presented an Ipad to each of them:
Jacqueline Begue, Courtney Glaude, Clayton McGee, Maddie Palermo, Sydni Tibbits, Jami Truong
b) Introduction of Mrs. Julie Rose, Director of the WBR Museum and Ms. Angelique Bergeron, Curator
Whereupon, Mrs. Roche’ announced that Mrs. Rose had been informed by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) that the West Baton Rouge Museum was selected as a 2016 Award of Merit winner by the Leadership in History awards committee for the project “Cohn High School: How We Love Thee” which is the nation’s most prestigious competition for recognition of achievement in state and local history. The 2016 awards will be presented at a special banquet on Friday, September 16, 2016 at the AASLH annual meeting in Detroit, MI. Mrs. Roche’ also introduced Mrs. Sue Blanchard, Mr. Tom Acosta, and Mr. Barry Brewer, West Baton Rouge Museum board members.
c) Report on “Stuff the Bus”/ Mrs. Roche’ and Mrs. Bergeron/Co-Chairmen, reported that they collected over $22,000 at the Wal Mart in Port Allen on July 13th. Mrs. Roche’ and Mrs. Bergeron expressed their appreciation to all of the businesses, churches, and volunteers for their help with “Stuff the Bus” this year.
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report. Update on Model Schools Conference in Orlando, Florida.
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
7. Consideration of request to approve and adopt the WBR Parish Schools Student Handbook for 2016-17 as presented by Mrs. Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance (Academics Committee Report July 12, 2016)
8. Consideration of approval of the following request by Superintendent Watts:
a) Adoption of job descriptions for the Instructional Strategist Level 1 and Level 2 positions.
b) Adoption of job description for Dean of Students position.
c) Approval of addition of a Dean of Students position at Port Allen Middle School
Mrs. Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, requested that the Board approve an amendment to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian section on page 45 of the Student Handbook to include the highlighted statements which were omitted in the proof she presented to them at the Academics Committee meeting on July 12, 2016.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, on motion of Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mrs. Roche’, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve and adopt Consent Agenda item #7:
Consideration of request to approve and adopt the WBR Parish Schools Student Handbook for 2016-17 as presented by Mrs. Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance (Academics Committee Report July 12, 2016), and
Be It Further Resolved, That the board does hereby approve and adopt the amendments to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian section on page 45 of the Student Handbook to include the highlighted statements which were omitted in the proof presented to them at the Academics Committee meeting on July 12, 2016.
Whereupon, on motion of Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mrs. Roche’, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve and adopt Consent Agenda item #8:
Consideration of approval of the following request by Superintendent Watts:
a) Adoption of job descriptions for the Instructional Strategist Level 1 and Level 2 positions.
b) Adoption of job description for the Dean of Students position.
c) Approval of addition of a Dean of Students position at Port Allen Middle School.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #9: To consider and take action with respect to adopting a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Parishwide School District No. 3 of West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, to authorize the incurring of debt and issuance of bonds and to authorize the levy of a special tax therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith. (Per resolution adopted at the Special Board meeting held on June 14, 2016.)
Whereupon, Mr. David Henderson, Bond Attorney, Foley & Judell, presented the resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in Parishwide School District No. 3 of West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, on December 10, 2016.
Whereupon, the members of the board discussed at length with Mr. Henderson some of the wording in the resolution to determine exactly what terminology they wanted specified in the resolution.
Whereupon, on motion of Dr. Walker and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Be It Resolved, That Mr. David Henderson, Bond Attorney, amend the resolution presented this date on page A-2, Proposition (Millage) to read as follows:
“Shall Parishwide School District No. 3 of West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana (the “District”), levy a special tax of twelve (12) mills on all property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $4,603,063 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2017 and ending with the year 2026, for the purpose of providing school employee salaries and benefits?
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Atley D. Walker, Sr., and seconded by Ms. Teri Bergeron:
Whereupon, Mr. G. Alden Chustz,Jr., qualified his vote on the above resolution as follows:
“Although I fully support the employees of the West Baton Rouge School System, I strongly feel that the State of Louisiana has placed an extreme burden on the taxpayers by failing to address the long-term unsustainability of the retirement system. Therefore, because of the wording of the proposition I voted to place both taxes on the ballot but I can only fully support the bond issue for the construction and maintenance needs.”
Whereupon, Mr. Michael Maranto qualified his vote on the above resolution as follows:
“I, Michael Maranto, would like to qualify my “yes” vote on the proposal for a Parishwide Election to be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 for: Constructing, improving, operating, maintaining and supporting public schools, and another to include school employee salaries and benefits.
This was one resolution with the two items included to vote on. After much discussion, we decided to split the building and salaries separately on the ballot, so voters could choose either one, or vote for both.
I voted yes to support the salaries and benefits for our employees, but I opposed the building of schools at this time because I did not see an urgent need to support a $90,000,000 debt on the building of schools when there is so much uncertainty in Louisiana and Federal Government where we get most of our operating funds.
I did see real need to support our employee salaries and benefits because we need to remain competitive with our surrounding parishes, where we have recently lost employees.
I know we will have to tackle the need to improve our schools in the future, but not at this time, in my opinion.
I also wanted to let the people in School Board District IX, or throughout the parish, that I will be discussing these issues during the coming months. I will be available to answer any questions, or concerns you might have regarding these very important matters.
Thank you and you may call me at (225) 627-5689. (End of Mr. Maranto’s qualifying statement)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, Mr. LeBlanc requested that the board add to the agenda consideration of adopting a resolution to include Technology as a line item in the budget each year.
Whereupon, on motion of Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mrs. Roche’, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Be It Resolved, That the board include as an agenda item consideration of adopting a resolution to include Technology as a line item in the budget each year.
Whereupon, on motion of Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mrs. Roche’, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby authorize Mr. Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services, to add Technology as a line item to be included in the budget each year.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #10: Adopt the adjusted millage rate(s) for the tax year 2016.
Whereupon, on motion of Mrs. Roche’ and seconded by Dr. Walker, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #11: Set forth the adjusted millage rate(s) and roll forward to millage rates not exceeding the maximum authorized rate(s) for the tax year 2016.
Whereupon, on motion of Mrs. Roche’ and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #12: Organizational Items:
Committee meeting date: August 9, 2016, Regular Board meeting date: August 17, 2016
EFID Annual Meeting immediately following regular board meeting on August 17, 2016
There being no further business to come before the board, on motion of Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Mr. Goudeau, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Be It Resolved, That the meeting be adjourned.
Wes Watts Jason P. Manola
Wes Watts Jason P. Manola
Secretary-Treasurer President