Port Allen, Louisiana

November 15, 2017

A regular meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board was held this date with the following membership:

Present:           Jason Manola, President, Craig Sarradet, Dr. Atley D. Walker,Sr., Ronald  P. LeBlanc, Rose A. Lee Roche', G. Alden Chustz,Jr., Michael  A. Maranto, Teri Bergeron,

Absent:             Toby  Sarradet, Leon  Goudeau,Sr.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Kypher Bass and Lyla Bass/Brusly Elementary School students and Cameron Bolton/Devall Middle School student.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:

Be It Resolved, That the minutes of the regular board meeting held on October 18, 2017 be approved as presented.

Whereupon, the above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Roche', Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was Educational Presentations:

a)     Recognition of Amanda Reulet/LUES, Hollie Williams/Cohn Elementary School, and Amanda Gerdes/PAES for their students' participation in the National Cardboard Challenge/Dr. Tammy Seneca.

b)   Recognition of Cohort 2 Graduates for 2016-17 of NISL's Executive Development Program for School Leaders: Mrs. Sharon Lair, Associate Superintendent for Instruction, presented certificates to the following:Jessica Major, Principal/PAMS, Dr. Michael Wright, Principal/PAES, Shannon Mack, Assistant Principal/BMS, Kendra Oubre, Assistant Principal/LUES, Kelley Stein, Assistant Priucipal/PAES Cohort 1 Graduates 2015-16: Judy Brock, Principal/LUES, Taya  Loupe,  Principal/BES

The next item was the Superintendent's Report: 

a)   Resolution of condolences to the family of Mrs. Edna Mae Stewart, retired teacher/Cohn Elementary School. 

b)   Board members were presented copies of the October Head Start Director's Report prepared by Mrs. Crystal Leon, Director of Head Start.   

c)   Introduction of Mrs. Kimberly Williams, new Principal at Brusly Middle School effective January 8, 2018.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

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. Edna Mae Stewart their feelings of sincere appreciation for the years  of dedicated service to the students of West Baton Rouge Parish  rendered  by Mrs. Stewart, and

Be It Further Resolved, That the members of the Board do hereby express their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Stewart.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Roche', Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby  Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was consideration of the following items on the Consent Agenda:

#7.       Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports/Jared Gibbs (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17)

#8.       Approval of request by Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services, to conduct a Public Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2017-18, to be held at 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, in the Board Room of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board Office, 3761 Rosedale Road, Port Allen, Louisiana. (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17)

#9.       Consideration of report and approval of the Public  Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2017-18 held on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 4:50 p.m./Jared Gibbs  (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17)

#10.      Consideration of approval of a resolution adopting, finalizing,  and  implementing the Consolidated Budget  for 2017-18 of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the Fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending  June  30, 2018/Jared Gibbs  (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17)

#11.      Consideration of request for approval of a 13th check (supplemental payment) in the amount of $250 to be paid in December to all full-time employees. Supplements will be pro-rated to part-time employees and employees hired after August 31, 2017.  To receive the supplemental check, personnel must be employed on December 1, 2017.

The supplemental checks shall be funded from the EFID.  (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17)

#12.      Consideration of request for approval to modify the existing coaching supplement for the Head Volleyball position from 4 Yz  % to 8%  plus 11 days @ their  daily  rate of pay. (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17)

#13.      Consideration of approval to name the new school in the North end of the Parish Chamberlin Devall. (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17)

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:

Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve and adopt Consent Agenda  items #7, #8, and #12 as presented, and

Be It Further Resolved, That the board does hereby pull #11 as requested by Mr. Chustz and #13 as requested by Mr. LeBlanc

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr.  Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Roche', Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was consideration of Consent Agenda  Item #9: Report and Approval of  the Public  Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2017-18 held on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 4:50 p.m./Jared Gibbs  (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17) and Consent Agenda Item #10: Consideration of approval of a resolution adopting, finalizing, and implementing the Consolidated Budget for 2017-18 of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018/Jared Gibbs (Finance Committee Report 11/7/17)

Whereupon, Mr. Gibbs reported that the Public Hearing was opened at 4:50 p.m. and there being no public input, the meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m,

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Roche' and seconded by Mr. Chustz: A resolution approving the Public Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2017-18 held on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 4:50 p.m. and a resolution adopting, finalizing and implementing the General Fund and the Special Revenue Budgets of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the fiscal year beginning July I, 2017 and ending June 30, 2017:

Be It Resolved, That Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services, reported that a notice advertising the Public Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2017-18 had been posted and the Public Hearing had been conducted at 4:50 p.m, on November 15, 2017, at the WBR Parish School Board Office.  Mr. Gibbs reported that there being no public comment, the meeting was adjourned at 4:58 p.m.  Present were Jared Gibbs, Wesley Watts, Jason P. Manola, Craig

Sarradet, Rose A. Lee Roche', G. Alden Chustz,Jr., Teri Bergeron, Ronald P. LeBlanc,  Michael  A. Maranto, Dr. Atley D. Walker,Sr., Diane Hebert.

Be It Resolved, That the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board in regular session convened that:

Whereas, Wesley Watts, in his capacity as Chief Administrative Officer of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board prepared, with the assistance of Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services, a proposed General Fund and  Special Revenue Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2018, which was accompanied by a budget adoption resolution; and

Whereas, the proposed General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budgets and the accompanying budget adoption resolution have been submitted to this School Board for review and consideration; now

Whereas, Wesley Watts, Secretary-Treasurer, reported that the Public Hearing has been reviewed and considered; now

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the School Board that the proposed General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budgets are hereby approved and adopted with no changes.

Be It Further Resolved, That the Secretary-Treasurer of the School Board, Wesley Watts, or his successor, is hereby authorized and in his sole discretion, to make such changes within the various budget classifications as he may deem necessary provided that any reallocation of funds affecting in excess of five percent (5%) of the projected revenue collections must be approved in advance by action of the School Board at a meeting duly noticed and convened.

Be It Further Resolved, That the Superintendent of the School Board, Wesley Watts, or his successor, in his capacity as Chief Administrative Officer of the School Board, is hereby directed to advise the School Board in writing when:

1.         Total revenues collected and other sources plus projected revenues and other sources for the remainder of the year, within a fund are failing to meet total budgeted revenues and other uses by five (5%) or more.

2.         Total expenditures and other uses plus projected expenditures and other uses for the remainder of the year, within a fund are failing to meet total budgeted expenditures and other uses by five percent (5%) or more.

3.         The  actual beginning fund balance, within a fund, fails to meet the estimated beginning fund balance by five percent (5%) or more, and the fund balance is being used to fund current year expenditures.

Be It Further Resolved, That the Secretary-Treasurer of the School Board, Wesley Watts, or his successor, shall certify completion of all actions required by Louisiana R.S.39:1306 by publishing a notice of the minutes of the meeting in the West Side Journal.

Passed and Adopted at Port Allen, Louisiana, on this 15th day of November, 2017.

Wesley Watts                                                               Jason P. Manola

Secretary-Treasurer                                                     President

The next item was:

Consent Agenda Item #11: Discussion relative to approval of a 13th check (supplemental check) to be paid in December, 2017.

The members of the board discussed budget issues and cuts in funding from the MFP.  They also discussed the fact that all employees had started receiving the raise from the newest property tax millage for salaries and benefits and the board would not start receiving the tax revenues generated from this property tax millage until January 1, 2018.  All board members in attendance were in agreement that the board adopt a resolution denying approval of the 13th check in December, 2017.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr.Chustz and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:

Be It Resolved, That the board deny approval of the 13th check (supplemental check) to be paid in December, 2017 as recommended by the Finance Committee on November 7, 2017.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Roche', Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

Mr. Maranto qualified his vote by stating: "I realize and appreciate all the work that everyone does every day and I am voting to deny it with a heavy heart."

Consent Agenda Item #13: Consideration of approval to name the new school in the North End of the Parish, Chamberlin Devall.

The board members discussed naming the school and members of the audience were recognized to comment relative to the name of the combined schools.

Whereupon, the board voted on Item #13: Approval to name the new school in the North End of the Parish, Chamberlin Devall.

Aye                  Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Roche', Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron

Nay:                 Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Manola

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

The motion failed for lack of a majority vote of 6.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Manola and seconded by Mrs. Roche':

Be It Resolved, That the board defer further action on naming the new school in the North End of the Parish until the December 12th committee meeting.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was End of Consent Agenda item #14: Consideration of the Nu Blu Energy’s ITEP Resolution Proposal (action deferred from October 18, 2017 board meeting.)

Whereupon, Mr. Manola recognized Ms. Jamie Hanks, WBR Chamber of Commerce, to present the Nu Blu Energy’s ITEP Resolution proposal to the board.

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 the WBR School Board does hereby approve and adopt the following Nu Blu Energy’s ITEP resolution:

The next End of Consent Agenda item was the date of the December committee meeting and the December board meeting:

Committee Meeting:         December 12, 2017         Board Meeting:  December 20, 2017

The next item was any other business unanimously approved by the board for consideration.

Whereupon, Mr. Watts requested that the board allow Mr. Earl Kern to present the bid tabulation for the bids received on November 14, 2017, for the Brusly Elementary School Additions.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Dr. Walker:

Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve hearing a report by Mr. Earl Kern on bids received on November 14, 2017, for the Brusly Elementary School Additions.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

Mr. Kern presented the bid tabulation for the bids received on November 14, 2017, for the Brusly Elementary School Additions.  Mr. Kern informed the board that the numbers received for the base bid plus the two (2) alternates were in line and that the bids were good especially with the inclusion of Alternate #1 adding 678 square feet to the multi-purpose space which was requested by members of the community.

Alternate #2 was the addition of bleachers.  Mr. Kern recommended that the board award the contract to the prospective low bidder, Charles Carter Construction Company Inc., and increase the budget accordingly.

The low bid submitted by Charles Carter Construction Company Inc., for the base bid plus the two (2) alternates was as follows:

Base Bid: $2,149,000   Alt.No.1: $67,700   Alt.No.2: $10,400

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Chustz:

Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby award the contract to Charles Carter Construction Company Inc., Base bid: $2,149,000 plus Alt.No.1: $67,700 and Alt.No.2: $10,400 as recommended by Mr. Earl Kern, and

Be It Further Resolved, That the board increase the budget accordingly.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

The ground breaking for the Brusly Elementary School Additions project will be on January 17, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

Mr. Watts reported that the latest development in the negotiations for securing property from Cinclare for the new Brusly High School was a request for the board to offer a price for the land. 

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Craig Sarradet and seconded by Mr. Chustz:

Be It Resolved, That Superintendent Watts meet with representatives of Cinclare to offer them the appraisal price as of February 1, 2016.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Craig Sarradet and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:

Be It Resolved, That the meeting be adjourned.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Roche’, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay:                 None

Absent:             Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau

Wesley Watts                                                   Jason P. Manola

Secretary-Treasurer                                         President