2019-09-18

Port Allen, Louisiana

September 18, 2019

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, Toby Sarradet, Ronald P. LeBlanc, Chareeka Grace, G. Alden Chustz,Jr., G. Alden Chustz,Jr., Teri Bergeron

Absent: Dr. Atley D. Walker,Sr., Vice President, Leon Goudeau

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by McKenzie Chenevert and Madelyn Orsak, students from Caneview K-8 School.

The next item was approval of the School Board minutes of the regular board meeting held on August 21, 2019, and the minutes of the EFID meeting held on August 21, 2019.

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

Be It Resolved, That the minutes of the regular board meeting held on August 21, 2019, and the minutes of the EFID Annual meeting held on August 21, 2019 be approved as presented.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was Educational Presentations: a) Superintendent Watts presented the video of Chase Neyland-Square being introduced by Michael Strahan on his Good Morning America Show in New York City, along with Mrs. Jessica Major, Principal of PAMS. Chase and his parents were congratulated by the Board for his outstanding accomplishments. b) Introduction of newly hired elementary school staff for the 2019-20 school year. c) Introduction of employees with Perfect Attendance for the 2018-19 School Year. d)) Ms. Darylene S. Harris, General Manager, Port Allen Plant, Shell Catalysts & Technologies: Recognition of National Science Teachers Association 2019 Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Competition Winners: Elementary School: Becky Landry, PAE School, Middle School: Brandi Tanksley, PAMS High School: Brittany Nelson, PAHS (also winner of award in 2018)

Also present from the Shell Catalysts & Technologies Plant: Celeste Jefferson, Terry Richard, and Damon Blanchard.

Superintendent Watts called on the Principals of the Elementary Schools to introduce their newly hired faculty members for the 2019-20 School Year.

The next item was introduction of employees with Perfect Attendance for the 2018-19 school year:

TEACHERS ($500 Each)

Brusly Elementary School: Robin Wiggins

Brusly High School: Trent Ellis, Khalil Thomas, Steven Parsons, Brady Perry

BMS: None

Chamberlin Elementary School: Charlotte Holsapple

Cohn Elementary School: None

DMS: None

Lukeville Upper Elementary School: Heather Black, Sandra Musso

Port Allen Elementary School: Kathryn Hill

PAHS: None

PAMS: Jacqueline Bell

WBREAC: Seth Barbay

SUPPORT EMPLOYEES ($400 Each)

Brusly High School: Mary Marionneaux

Lukeville Upper Elementary School: Darlene Bourque, Yolanda McCorkle, Gisele Stephens, Sandra Wells

Port Allen Elementary School: Zenobia Venable

PAHS: Kathleen Everson

PAMS: Diana Dupont, Charmon Thomas

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

Whereupon, Mr. Manola and the members of the Board commended and congratulated the above employees for their dedication and effort to maintain perfect attendance for the 2018-19 School Year.

The next item was recognition of the National Science Teachers Association 2019 Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Competition Winners: Becky Landry, PAE, Brandi Tanksley, PAMS, Brittany Nelson, PAHS. Ms. Darylene S. Harris, General Plant Manager, Port Allen Plant, introduced the winners. Mrs. Harris presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the elementary and middle school winners for use in their science labs and $15,000 to the high school winner for use in their science lab.

Whereupon, Mr. Manola and the members of the Board commended and congratulated the above teachers for their selection as 2019 Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Competition winners.

Mr. Manola and the members of the Board extended their appreciation to Shell Catalysts & Technologies for their support and interest in the educational system in West Baton Rouge Parish.

The next item was the Superintendent’s Report. a) Introduction of Mr. Brandon Bergeron, Candidate for State Representative, District 18 b) Head Start Director’s Monthly Report for August in the Board members packets. c) Resolution of condolences to the family of Mrs. Barbara Gayle Byrd/Retired Bus Operator and the family of Mrs. Rae Quatrevingt Tullier/Retired Food Service Technician/BMS.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet 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. Barbara Gayle Byrd, retired Bus Operator, their feelings of sincere appreciation for the many years of dedicated and devoted service rendered by Mrs. Byrd in the West Baton Rouge Parish School System, and

Be It Further Resolved, That the members of the Board do hereby offer their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Barbara Gayle Byrd.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet 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. Rae Quatrevingt Tullier, retired Food Service Technician at Brusly Middle School, their feelings of sincere appreciation for the many years of dedicated and devoted service rendered by Mrs.Tullier in the West Baton Rouge Parish School System, and

Be It Further Resolved, That the members of the Board do hereby offer their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Rae Quatrevingt Tullier.

The above resolutions were adopted by the following vote:

Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace,

Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

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

7. Consideration of request to approve and adopt the Pupil Progression Plan for 2019-20 as presented. (Academics Committee Report 9/10/19)

8. Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for June, 2019 and July, 2019. (Finance Committee Report 9/10/19)

9. Consideration of request for approval to adopt the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for 2018-19 Audit (for audit engagements of Government Agencies) (Finance Committee Report 9/10/19)

10. Consideration of request for approval to revise the substitute pay schedule, effective 10/01/19 as follows: Non-Degreed Sub. from $55 a day to $65 a day; Sub. with Bachelor’s Degree from $65 a day to $75 a day; Certified Sub. from $75 a day to $85 a day (Finance Committee Report 9/10/19)

11. Consideration of request for approval of the disposition and the donation/transfer, for no value, the T-Building located on the campus of Port Allen Elementary School, to the City of Port Allen per request submitted to the board by Mayor Richard N. Lee, III. (Finance Committee Report 9/10/19)

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

Whereupon, Mr. LeBlanc requested to pull Consent Agenda Item #11 for further discussion.

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

Be It Resolved, That the board approve and adopt Consent Agenda Items #7, #8, #9, and #10 and

pull Consent Agenda Item #11 for further discussion as requested by Mr. LeBlanc.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

Consent Agenda Item #11: Consideration of request for approval of the disposition and the donation/transfer, for no value, the T-Building located on the campus of Port Allen Elementary to the City of Port Allen per request submitted to the Board by Mayor Richard N. Lee, III.

Mr. LeBlanc stated that he did not have a problem with donating the T-Building to the City of Port Allen but he wanted to make sure that it was not needed at Port Allen Elementary School since some of the classrooms were in need of repairs. He also stated that he wanted to utilize the T-Building until the necessary repairs were completed before moving it from the campus.

Mr. Watts informed the board that he had discussed the necessary repairs with Mr. Kershaw and the classrooms would be repaired without having to utilize the T-Building that was being donated.

Mayor Lee answered Mrs. Bergeron’s question to him relative to the use of the building by the City of Port Allen: The building was going to be moved to the site of the City’s Maintenance Barn to store Christmas decorations and various other holiday decorations.

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

Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve and adopt Consent Agenda Item #11 relative to the donation of a T-Building presently located on the Port Allen Elementary Campus to the City of Port Allen per the request of Mayor Lee.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #12: Consideration of the quotes for the Board’s insurance renewal coverage for the period 10/01/19-10/01/20 presented by Andre’ Comeaux, CPCU, Senior Vice-President of McGriff Insurance Services/Jared Gibbs.

Mr. Andre’ Comeaux presented the following premium summary quotes:

LARMA Package (Auto Liability, Medical Payments, General Liability, Crime Coverages, School Leaders E & O)

Total LARMA Package $121,351.00

Property 263,435.63

Boiler & Machinery 7,392.00

LWCC/Workers’ Compensation 260,021.00

TOTAL: Annual Premium $652,199.63

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

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

Be It Resolved, That the Board accept and approve the quotes in the amount of $652,199.63 for the period beginning 10/01/19-10/01/20 for the Board’s insurance renewal coverage as presented this date by Mr. Andre’ Comeaux, Agent/McGriff Insurance Services.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #13: Consideration of request to adopt a resolution authorizing the Superintendent to sign the form rejecting uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily insurance coverage/Andre’ Comeaux, Agent, McGriff Insurance Services.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

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

Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby authorize the Superintendent to sign the required form rejecting uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage for the period October 1, 2019 to October 1, 2020, as requested by Mr. Andre’ Comeaux, Agent, McGriff Insurance Services.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

The next items were End of Consent Agenda Item #14 & End of Consent Agenda Item #15:

#14: Report and approval of the Public Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2019-20 held at 4:55 P.M. on September 18, 2019, Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services. Whereupon, Mr. Gibbs reported that the Public Hearing was opened at 4:55 P.M. and there being no public comment relative to the budget, the Public Hearing was adjourned at 4:59 P.M.

#15: Consideration of approval of a resolution adopting, finalizing, and implementing the Consolidated Budget for 2019-20 of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020/Jared Gibbs.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

A resolution approving the Public Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2019-20 held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at 4:55 P.M. and a resolution adopting, finalizing and implementing the General Fund and the Special Revenue Fund Budgets of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020:

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

Be It Resolved, That Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services, reported that a notice advertising the Public Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2019-20 had been posted and the Public Hearing had been conducted at 4:55 P.M. on September 18, 2019, at the WBR Parish School Board Office. Mr. Gibbs reported that there being no public comment, the meeting was adjourned at 4:59 P.M.

Board members present were Jason Manola, President, Craig Sarradet, Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron.

Also present for the Public Hearing: Wesley Watts, Secretary-Treasurer, Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services, Diane D. Hebert, Minute Clerk.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

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

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

SECTION 1: The attached detailed estimate of Revenues for the fiscal year beginning

July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020, be and the same is hereby adopted

to serve as an Operating Budget of Revenues for the West Baton Rouge

Parish School Board during the same period.

SECTION 2: The attached estimate of Expenditures by Department for the fiscal year

beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020, be and the same is

hereby adopted to serve as a Budget of Expenditures for the West Baton

Rouge Parish School Board during the same period.

SECTION 3: The adoption of this Operating Budget of Expenditures be and the same

is hereby declared to operate as an appropriation of the amount therein

set forth within the terms of the budget classification.

SECTION 4: Amounts are available for expenditures only to the extent included within

the 2019-20 budget.

SECTION 5: Budgetary amendments require the approval of the West Baton Rouge

Parish School Board.

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, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020, 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; and

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 sources by five percent (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 18^th day of September, 2019, by the following vote:

Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

Wesley Watts Jason Manola

Secretary Treasurer President

The next item was organizational items: Announcement of the committee meeting on October 8, 2019 and the regular board meeting on October 16, 2019.

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, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola

Nay: None

Absent: Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau

Wesley Watts Jason Manola

Secretary-Treasurer President