6,984
Port Allen, Louisiana
September 21, 2016
A regular meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board was held this date with the following membership:
Present: Jason P. Manola, President, Craig Sarradet, Toby Sarradet, Ronald P. LeBlanc, Leon Goudeau,Sr., Rose A. Lee Roche’, G. Alden Chustz,Jr., Michael A. Maranto, Teri Bergeron
Absent: Dr. Atley D. Walker,Sr., Vice President
President Manola asked Mrs. Donna Craig to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
The next item was approval of the minutes of the August 17, 2016, regular board meeting, August 17, 2016, EFID meeting, and Special Board meeting held on September 13, 2016.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Goudeau, and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That approval of the minutes of the August 17, 2016, regular board meeting, August 17, 2016, EFID meeting, and special board meeting held on September 13, 2016, be approved as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
The next item was a report from Community Agencies: Whereupon, Mrs. Rose A. Lee Roche’ announced that the City of Port Allen Centennial Celebration was October 7-9, 2016 and it would feature the following events: October 7th: Prayer Breakfast and community service from residents and local officials during “100 Hours of Service”; October 8th: 5K Run on the Port Allen levee top, carnival rides, the night parade to be led by the Southern University Marching Band and Dancing Dolls, Port Allen High Band and High Steppers, Plaquemine High Band and several other bands, several floats, Don Lemon, CNN Anchor/Grand Marshall, music provided by three (3) generations of the Neal Family Band; October 9th:Jambalaya cook-off, music by Bag of Donuts, and ending the celebration on Sunday night will be Morris Day and The Time.
The next item was Educational Presentations:
a) Recognition of Teacher-of-the-Year/Elementary, Middle, High Schools
b) Introduction of new elementary teachers for 2016-17
c) Introduction of Teachers & Support Employees with Perfect Attendance for 2015-16
The first item was: a) recognition of Teacher-of-the-Year for Elementary, Middle, High Schools:
Whereupon, Ms. Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, recognized the following Teachers-of-the-Year:
Elementary School
Samantha Olivier – Lukeville Upper Elementary School
Middle School
Gretchen Hurst - Brusly Middle School
High School
Robert Seals – Port Allen High School
The members of the selection committee are:
Middle and High School Committee: Ms. Sharon Lair, Ms. Dawn Henry, Ms. Mary Arrasmith, Ms. Charlotte Blanchard
Elementary Committee: Ms. Cindy Ourso, Ms. Crystal Leon, Ms. Heidi Grissom, Dr. David Strauss
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, President Manola and the members of the board commended and congratulated Mrs. Olivier, Mrs. Hurst, and Mr. Seals for the honor and distinction of being named Teacher of the Year and for their interest in the education of the students in the West Baton Rouge Parish School System.
The next item was introduction of the new elementary teachers for 2016-17. Superintendent Watts called on the principals to introduce their new faculty members.
The next item was introduction of employees with perfect attendance for the 2015-16 school year:
TEACHERS ($500 Each)
Brusly Elementary Allison Anthon, Donita Bolden, Jennifer Babin
Brusly High Roderick James, Steven Parsons, Brady Perry, Storm Reeves
Chamberlin Elementary Latasha Williams
Devall Middle School Dennis Barker, Courtney Williamson
Lukeville Upper Elementary Sandra Musso, Kizzy Crockett
Port Allen Elementary Kathryn Hill, Morgan Decuir, Yashica Murphy
Port Allen High Leonard Parker, Angie Roger, Leroy Thompson, Robin Butler
Port Allen Middle Olivia Tucker
SUPPORT EMPLOYEES ($400 Each)
Brusly Elementary Castonell Wright
Brusly High Giselle Stephens, Jonathon Edwards
Cohn Elementary Margie Oubre, Leslie Tate
Port Allen Elementary Zenobia Venable, Cindy Carmenia
Port Allen Middle Diana Dupont, Susie Pattan
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, President Manola and the members of the board commended and congratulated the above employees for their dedication and effort to maintain perfect attendance for the 2015-16 school year.
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: Resolution of condolences for the family of:
Mr. Gary Adkins, Athletic Director & Football Coach/PAHS; Mrs. Syble Jones, Supervisor of Food and Nutrition Services; Mrs. Joan Anderson, Secretary/Chamberlin Elementary School; Mrs. Lynda Businelle/Business Education Teacher/BHS & PAHS
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Mr. Chustz:
Whereas, Mr. Gary Adkins served in the capacity of Health & Physical Education teacher, Track Coach, Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Port Allen High School from 1990-2000, and
Whereas, Mr. Gary Adkins enthusiasm and motivation was a contributing factor in building up the football program and improving their record in district during his ten year tenure at Port Allen High School, now therefore
Be It Resolved, That the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby extend to the family of Mr. Gary Adkins their feelings of sincere appreciation for the ten years of dedicated service rendered to the students by Mr. Adkins in the West Baton Rouge Parish School System, and
Be It Further Resolved, That the members of the Board do hereby express their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mr. Gary Adkins.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Roche’ and seconded by Mr. Goudeau:
Be It Resolved, That the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby extend to the family of Mrs. Syble Jones, Supervisor of Food Services and Child Nutrition, their feelings of sincere appreciation for the many years of dedicated service to the students of West Baton Rouge Parish rendered by Mrs. Jones, and
Be It Further Resolved, That the board does hereby extend to the family of Mrs. Syble Jones their sincere sympathy and condolences.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby extend to the family of Mrs. Joan Anderson, retired secretary/Chamberlin Elementary School, their feelings of sincere appreciation for the many years of dedicated service to the students of West Baton Rouge Parish rendered by Mrs. Anderson, and
Be It Further Resolved, That the board does hereby extend to the family of Mrs. Joan Anderson their sincere sympathy and condolences.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by
Mr. LeBlanc:
Be It Resolved, That the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby extend to the family of Mrs. Lynda Businelle, retired Business Education teacher/Brusly High School and Port Allen High School, their feelings of sincere appreciation for the many years of dedicated service to the students of West Baton Rouge Parish rendered by Mrs. Businelle, and
Be It Further Resolved, That the board does hereby extend to the family of Mrs. Lynda Businelle their sincere sympathy and condolences.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
The next item on the Superintendent’s Report was presentation of copies of the August 31, 2016, Head Start Director’s Report for the opening of the school year prepared by Mrs. Crystal Leon.
The next item presented by Superintendent Watts was a report that twenty-nine employees were directly affected by the recent flood. The employees were offered Day Care assistance for their children. He commended the employees of the system for their outstanding support and for rendering assistance in many ways to those individuals displaced by the flood.
The next item was consideration of the following items on the Consent Agenda:
7. Consideration of the request for approval and adoption of the WBR Parish Personnel Evaluation Plan (aligned to Bulletin 130) as presented by Barbara Burke/Human Resource
Director (Personnel & Finance Committee Report 9/13/16)
8. Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial
reports for July & August, 2016/Jared Gibbs (Personnel & Finance Committee Report 9/13/16)
Consideration of request for approval and adoption of amendment #1 to the 2015-16
Consolidated Budget/Jared Gibbs (Personnel & Finance Committee Report
9/13/16)
Consideration of approval of the request to adopt the Louisiana Compliance and
Systems Questionnaire/2015-16 (for audit engagements of Government agencies) Jared Gibbs (Personnel & Finance Committee Report 9/13/16)
Consideration of the request for approval to create a new nine (9) month Social Worker
Position/Superintendent Wes Watts (Personnel & Finance Committee Report 9/13/16)
Consideration of the request for approval to budget $15,000 (from the Contingency Fund)
for the WBR Public Education Campaign which will be used to provide educational
information relative to the school system. (Personnel & Finance Committee Report 9/13/16)
Consideration of request for approval to discontinue the CopSync Program/
Superintendent Watts (Personnel & Finance Committee Report 9/13/16)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, Mr. Manola recognized Mr. Gary Spillman, Parish Council member representing District VII, who requested to address the board relative to Consent Agenda item #12.
Mr. Spillman informed the board that individuals had been asking him questions relative to the tax proposal. Mr. Manola reported that the Superintendent and board members would be making presentations to the various parish governmental agencies and other community organizations before the tax election on December 10th. He also reported that the money provided by the board in item #12 could only be used for factual information such as test scores, salary schedules, update on educational programs in the schools, etc. This information will be distributed in flyers, websites, and social media.
Upon conclusion of the above discussion, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Mr. Chustz:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve and adopt Consent Agenda Items #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12 and #13 as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #14: Consideration of request to present quotes for the board’s insurance renewal coverage for the period beginning 10/01/16 - 10/01/17 to be presented by Charles R. Landry, Agent/Regions Insurance Agency
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, Mr. Landry presented the premium summary quotes on the following:
LARMA Package (Auto Liability, Medical Payments, General Liability, Crime Coverages, School Leaders E & O)
Total LARMA Package $134,044
Property $178,246
Boiler & Machinery Coverage $ 6,455
LWCC/Workers’ Compensation $276,345
TOTAL: Annual Premium $594,990
Mr. Landry informed the board that the LARMA (Louisiana Public Schools Risk Management
Agency) Board of Trustees had approved again this year a 10% Safety Grant ($13,176) to the members. This money is to be used in a manner that will improve safety or loss control measures taken to reduce claims.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mr. Craig Sarradet:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby accept and approve the quotes in the amount of $594,990 for the period beginning 10/01/16-10/01/17 for the Board’s insurance renewal coverage as presented this date by Charles R. Landry, Agent/Regions Insurance.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #15: Consideration of adoption of a resolution authorizing the Superintendent to sign the form rejecting uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage/Charlie Landry, Agent.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered Mr. Chustz and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby authorize the superintendent to sign the required form rejecting uninsured/underinsurance motorists coverage for the period October 1, 2016 to October 1, 2017, as requested by Charlie Landry, Agent.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #16: Annual Evaluation of Superintendent/Executive Session/Jason Manola, President.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That the board declare itself in Executive Session to consider the annual evaluation of the Superintendent.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
Upon termination of the Executive Session, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That the board declare itself in Open Session.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Chustz and seconded by Mrs. Roche’:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby extend the contract of Superintendent Wes Watts for three (3) years to be effective from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2019.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
Mr. Bob Hammonds, Attorney, will draft the new contract for Superintendent Watts reflecting the 3 year extension for the above dates.
The next End of Consent Agenda item was Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date:
October 11, 2016; Regular Board Meeting Date: October 19, 2016.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Chustz and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That the meeting be adjourned.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Dr. Walker
Wes Watts Jason P. Manola
Secretary-Treasurer President