Port Allen, Louisiana
September 20, 2017
A regular meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board was held this date with the following membership:
Present: Jason P. Manola, President, Dr. Atley D. Walker, Sr., Craig Sarradet, Toby Sarradet, Ronald P. LeBlanc, Leon Goudeau, Sr., Rose A. Lee Roche’, Michael A. Maranto, Teri Bergeron
Absent: G. Alden Chustz, Jr.
President Manola and the members of the board led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The next item was approval of the minutes of the August 16, 2017, regular board meeting, and the minutes of the August 16, 2017, EFID meeting .
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Goudeau:
Be It Resolved, That the minutes of the August 16, 2017, regular board meeting, and the minutes of the August 16, 2017, EFID meeting be approved as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
The next item was Educational Presentations:
a) Introduction of newly hired middle and high school teachers for the 2017-18 school year
b) Introduction of Teachers & Support Employees with Perfect Attendance for 2016-17
Whereupon, Superintendent Watts called on the principals to introduce their newly hired faculty members for the 2017-18 school year.
The next item was introduction of employees with perfect attendance for the 2016-17 school year:
TEACHERS ($500 Each)
Brusly Elementary Allison Anthon
Brusly High Steven Parsons, Storm Reeves, Lindsey Sanders
Brusly Middle Candace L. Joseph
Chamberlin Elementary Connie Gentile
Cohn Elementary/None
Devall Middle Schoo None
Lukeville Upper Elementary Sandra Musso, Kizzy Crockett
Port Allen Elementary Kathryn Hill
Port Allen High Tracy Osazemwinde
Port Allen Middle None
SUPPORT EMPLOYEES ($400 Each)
Cohn Elementary Margie Oubre, Roberta Starnes
Lukeville Upper Elementary Yolanda McCorkle, Gisele Stephens, Marlo Oubre
Port Allen Elementary Zenobia Venable, Cindy Carmenia, Alice Parker
Port Allen Middle 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 2016-17 school year.
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report:
a) Introduction of Mrs. Laree Taylor, Principal of Devall Middle School, Semi-Finalist for State Principal of the Year.
b) Resolution of condolences in memory of Mrs. Jimmie Evans Oliver/Retired Teacher/Devall Middle School.
Whereupon, President Manola and the members of the board commended and congratulated Mrs. Laree Taylor for the honor of her selection as a semi-finalist for State Principal of the Year.
The next item was a resolution of condolences in memory of Mrs. Jimmie Evans Oliver/Retired Teacher/Devall Middle School.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
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. Jimmie Evans Oliver their feelings of sincere appreciation for the many years of dedicated service to the students of West Baton Rouge Parish rendered by Mrs. Oliver, and
Be It Further Resolved, That the members of the Board do hereby express their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Oliver.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
The next item was consideration of the following items on the Consent Agenda:
7. Consideration of the request for approval to increase the allotment for the LSU Ag 4H Annual Cooperative Agreement from $5,000 per year to $10,000 per year. (Finance Committee Report 9/12/17)
8. Consideration of request to approve a tax free designation for materials and supplies purchased for the WBR School Board building program. Mr. Earl Kern/Wes Watts (Finance Committee Report 9/12/17)
9 . Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for June, July, August, 2017/Jared Gibbs (Finance Committee Report 9/12/17)
10. Consideration of request for approval to schedule a School Board Retreat immediately after the October 10th committee meeting. (Finance Committee Report 9/12/17)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, Mr. Watts requested that the board pull Consent Agenda item #8 as he plans to talk with the municipal leaders in the parish prior to taking official action.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Roche’ and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be It Resolved, That Consent Agenda item #8: Consideration of request to approve a tax free designation for materials and supplies purchased for the WBR School Board Building Program. (approved by the Finance Committee on 9/12/17) be pulled, and
Be It Further Resolved, That this item be deferred for further consideration at the October 18, 2017 board meeting.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve and adopt Consent Agenda Items #7, #9, #10 as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #11: Consideration of quotes for the board’s insurance renewal coverage for the period beginning 10/01/17 – 10/01/18 to be presented by Mr. Charles R. Landry, Agent/Regions Insurance Agency
Mr. Landry informed the members of the board that this would be the last time he would be presenting the board’s annual insurance renewal coverage as he was retiring in December. He also informed the board that Mrs. Joyce Reason, Customer Service Associate for Regions, would be available to assist the board in the Baton Rouge area and Mr. Andre’ Comeaux would take his place.
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 $119,641
Property $177,512
Boiler & Machinery Coverage $ 6,440
LWCC/Workers’ Compensation $314,868
TOTAL: Annual Premium $618,461
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 ($15,274) 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. Craig Sarradet and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby accept and approve the quotes in the amount of $618,461 for the period beginning 10/01/17-10/01/18 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, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby express their sincere appreciation to Mr. Charles R. Landry for his diligence in providing the board’s annual insurance coverage for the last thirty two years, and
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby thank Mr. Landry for his concern and timely assistance during emergency situations such as hurricanes and other occurrences, and
Be It Further Resolved, That the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby extend their congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Landry, a good friend and good partner.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #12: Consideration of adoption of a resolution authorizing the Superintendent to sign the form rejecting uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage/Mr. Charles R. Landry, Agent, Regions Insurance Inc.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered Mrs. Roche’ and seconded by Dr. Walker:
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, 2017 to October 1, 2018, as requested by Mr. Charles R. Landry, Agent, Regions
Insurance Inc.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #13: Consideration of request to address the Board relative to certain board policy.
Whereupon, Mr. Jason Manola, President of the Board, recognized Mrs. Shanda Paul, regarding her request to address the board relative to certain board policy.
Mrs. Paul questioned the board’s discipline policy in the handbook regarding the issuance of certain referral forms. Mrs. Paul’s comments addressed concerns relative to specific students and employees, therefore, Mr. Ty Manieri, Attorney for the board, informed Mrs. Paul that the board could not discuss specific students or specific employees in open session. He also informed her that student discipline issues were handled by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, and in accordance with Act 1 of the Louisiana Legislature, the Superintendent is in charge of personnel.
Mrs. Paul thanked the board for approving her request to be on the agenda.
The next End of Consent Agenda item was Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: October 10, 2017; Board Retreat, October 10, 2017, immediately after the Committee Meeting; Regular Board Meeting Date: October 19, 2017.
The next End of Consent Agenda item was any other business unanimously approved by the Board for consideration.
Whereupon, Superintendent Watts announced that Mrs. Callie Kershaw had been appointed Supervisor of Special Education. Mrs. Kershaw will continue to serve in the capacity of Principal of Brusly Middle School until a replacement has been named in that position.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Mr. Goudeau:
Be It Resolved, That the meeting be adjourned.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Chustz
Wes Watts Jason P. Manola
Secretary-Treasurer President