Port Allen, Louisiana
October 16, 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, Dr. Atley D. Walker,Sr., Chareeka Grace, G. Alden Chustz,Jr., Michael A. Maranto, Teri Bergeron,
Absent: Ronald P. LeBlanc, Leon Goudeau, Sr.
Braiden Brown, Brusly Elementary School student, and JaVonte McGinnis, Brusly Middle School student, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The next item was the following resolution offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Chustz:
Be It Resolved, That the minutes of the regular board meeting held on September 18, 2019 be approved as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was Educational Presentations: Mrs. Crystal Leon, Director of Head Start Programs, announced that October has been proclaimed National Head Start Awareness Month.
She also informed the board members that the Head Start Monthly Report for September, 2019 was in their packet of information.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: a) Presentation of LWCC mid-year dividend check. Whereupon, Mr. Watts introduced the following representatives of LWCC that presented the mid-year dividend check in the amount of $224,000.
Mrs. Kristin Welch Wall, President & CEO; Mr. Gary Sanders, Vice-President, Chief Technology Officer; Mrs. Jamie Bourg, Assistant Vice-President of Claims
Mrs. Wall complimented the board for their good safety record and for processing their claims on time.
Superintendent’s Report:
b) Resolution of condolences to the family of Mrs. Gladys P. Harris, retired teacher/PA High School.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. Maranto:
Be It Resolved, That the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby extend to the family of Mrs. Gladys P. Harris their feelings of sincere appreciation for the years of dedicated service to the students of Port Allen High School rendered by Mrs. Harris, and
Be It Further Resolved, That the members of the Board do hereby express their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Harris.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
The next agenda item was a report from Community Committees/Agencies: Adoption of a Proclamation declaring October 28, 2019 – November 1, 2019, Red Ribbon Week in WBR Parish Schools/Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance.
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
8. Consideration of approval of the request by Crystal Leon to submit the West Baton Rouge Head Start Grant for the period February 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021 (Academics Committee Report 10/8/19)
9. Consideration of a request for approval of the annual renewal of the Policy360, which combines the Policy Updating Service and the updating service for CAPS, (Computer Assisted Policy Service) and inclusion of school board minutes, for an annual fee of $9,100 for the period November 1, 2019 through October 31, 2020/James Prescott,Jr., Forethought Consulting, Inc. (Finance Committee Report 10/8/19)
10. Evaluation of Superintendent/Executive Session/Jason Manola (Finance Committee Report 10/8/19)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, Mr. Manola requested that Consent Agenda Item #10: Evaluation of Superintendent/Executive Session be pulled and moved to be considered between End of Consent Agenda Item #12: Review of Expulsion Appeal of a certain PAMS student SIDNO 6049872/Executive Session and End of Consent Agenda Item #13: Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: November 12, 2019 and Regular Board Meeting Date: November 20, 2019.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That Consent Agenda Item #10: Evaluation of Superintendent/Executive Session be pulled and moved to be considered between End of Consent Agenda Item #12 and End of Consent Agenda Item #13.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Mr. Chustz:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby approve and adopt Consent Agenda items #8 & #9 as presented this date.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda item #11: Consideration of a request to update certain policy language for inclusion in the WBR School Board Policy Manual/Barbara Burke, Human Resource Director.
Whereupon, Mrs. Burke presented a request for the board to adopt a policy to update certain policy language for inclusion in the WBR School Board Policy Manual for termination of school employees not covered by other provisions.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Dr. Walker:
Be It Resolved, That the board approve and adopt the following policy for inclusion in the WBR School Board Policy Manual for termination of school employees not covered by other provisions:
Policy for termination of school employees not covered by other provisions:
All employees of the system whose dismissal is not governed by the provision of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:441-446 or by the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:491-494, shall be subject to dismissal by the Superintendent after providing such employee with the written reasons therefor and providing the employee the opportunity to respond. The school employee shall have seven (7) days to respond, and such response shall be included in the school employee’s personnel file. Upon receipt and consideration of the employee’s response, if any, the Superintendent shall provide the employee with written notice of his/her decision. The Superintendent’s decision shall be final. Such employees shall not be entitled to a hearing before the School Board.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #12: Review of Expulsion Appeal requested by the parent of Port Allen Middle School student SIDNO6049872./Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Blanchard and seconded by Mr. Toby Sarradet:
Be It Resolved, That the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to LA.R.S.42:17(A)(7) for an Expulsion Appeal requested by the parent of Port Allen Middle School student SIDNO6049872.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
Upon completion of the Executive Session, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Craig Sarradet:
Be It Resolved, That the Board return to Open Session.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
President Manola stated that, if there was no action taken on the expulsion appeal, the expulsion would be upheld as recommended by the administrative staff of the school and the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment and motion. There was neither.
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda item #10: Evaluation of Superintendent/Executive Session/Jason Manola. (This item was pulled by board resolution and moved to be considered between End of Consent Agenda Item #12 and End of Consent Agenda Item #13.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Mrs.
Bergeron:
Be It Resolved, That the board declare itself in Executive Session to consider the evaluation of the Superintendent.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
Upon completion of the Executive Session, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Mr. Chustz:
Be It Resolved, That the board return to Open Session.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Chustz and seconded by Mr. Maranto:
Be It Resolved, That the board does hereby extend the contract of Superintendent Wes Watts for two (2) years to be effective from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2021, and
Be It Further Resolved, That Mr. Bob Hammonds, Legal Advisor for the Board, draft a new contract for Superintendent Watts reflecting the 2 year extension for the above dates.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was announcement of the committee meeting date of November 12, 2019, and the regular board meeting date of November 20, 2019.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Maranto:
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, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau
Wesley Watts Jason Manola
Wesley Watts Jason Manola
Secretary-Treasurer President