8,163
Port Allen, Louisiana
October 21, 2020
A regular meeting of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board was held this date with the following membership:
Present: Jason Manola, President, Dr. Atley D. Walker, Sr., Vice President, Toby Sarradet, Ronald P. LeBlanc, Chareeka Grace, G. Alden Chustz, Jr., Michael A. Maranto, Teri Bergeron
Absent: Craig Sarradet, Leon Goudeau
Dr. Walker gave the Invocation.
Ms. Grace led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The next item was approval of the minutes of the regular board meeting held on September 16, 2020.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Maranto:
Be It Resolved, That the minutes of the regular board meeting held on September 16, 2020, be approved as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was Educational Presentations: Banner Presentations, by Darylene Harris of Shell Catalysts & Technologies, to the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Winners: Samantha Mendenhall – Port Allen Middle School, Brittany Nelson – Port Allen High School and Nakia Williams – Lukeville Elementary School. Ms. Harris gave a brief presentation of the 3 winners and handed out the banners and certificates to the winners. Only Ms. Nelson could not attend the presentation, but her award will be delivered to her at Port Allen High School. There was also grants for science issued to the winners as well. The grants were $10,000.00 for Elementary and Middle School, and $15,000.00 for High School.
Mr. Maranto offered a resolution to recognize Ms. Darylene Harris and Shell Catalysts & Technologies for the awards given to our three WBR teachers and for helping West Baton Rouge Parish Schools better promote science in the classroom and was seconded by Ms. Bergeron.
Be It Resolved, That the Board recognize Ms. Darylene Harris and Shell Catalysts & Technologies for the awards given to our three WBR teachers and for helping West Baton Rouge Parish Schools better promote science in the classroom.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Watts stated to the board that the Head Start director’s monthly report was in their board packets for review. Mr. Watts informed the board that October was National Principal’s Month and a donation was received from A-PEL, in the amount of $1,000.00, to help cover the costs of purchasing gift cards for the principals and for purchasing lunch for Principals and the Central Office staff, for the next Principals’ Meeting scheduled for October 29, 2020. Mr. Watts gave a brief presentation on the ACT scores for the parish for the 2020 school year as compared to 2019. The scores did go down from the previous year, but this was expected, due to the pandemic that abruptly ended the previous school year. This has been a constant trend across the state. Mr. Watts gave a Virtual Academy update to the board, and he informed the board that they will be bringing back more middle school students to most school campuses in the near future, due to parents wanting their children to return to on campus teaching. Mr. Watts is allowing these students to come back to school because he feels this is what is best for the children. After all these changes, there are still around 650 students in the Virtual Academy. The WBR staff will also re-evaluate the Virtual Academy in the spring of 2021 to see if this program will continue in the future. If the program does continue, Mr. Watts stated that there will be a whole virtual academy staff that will be separate from regular classroom staff, who were utilized to start this year’s Virtual Academy. Finally, Mr. Watts stated that there is a possibility that a kindergarten teacher might need to be hired at Caneview for the second semester of the school year, due to enrollment numbers at the school.
The next item was Report from Community Committees/Agencies: Mr. Manola wanted to make board members and the public aware of Constitutional Amendment #5, which is part of the ITEP PILOT Program, and to make sure that everyone is aware of how this amendment could help all local agencies throughout the state.
The next item was presentation of the following items on the End of Consent Agenda:
8. Consideration of request for approval of the Pupil Progression Plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
Mr. Watts gave an overview of the plan to the board, in place of Julie Mayeux, which he stated was almost word for word from the plan presented last year.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. Chustz:
Be It Further Resolved, That the board approve the Pupil Progression Plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #9.
9. Consideration of request for approval of the advertisement to sell or lease the Chamberlin Elementary School property, except for the Head Start buildings, due to Federal Head Start regulations.
Mr. Watts wanted to see how the board wanted to handle the disposition of Chamberlin Elementary. Did they want to sell or lease the property? After discussion the board was in favor of advertising for bids to sell the property, except for the Head Start Office building, due to needing approval from the Office of Head Start about disposition of that particular building.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Chustz and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be It Further Resolved, That the board approve the advertisement to accepts bids for the selling of Chamberlin Elementary School, except for the Head Start Office Building, due to needing approval from the Office of Head Start about disposition of that particular building.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #10.
10. Consideration of request for approval of a disposition of the Head Start Building at Chamberlin Elementary and the repurposing of the Head Start Building at Port Allen Elementary for the Special Education Program of West Baton Rouge Parish, due to Federal Head Start Regulations.
Ms. Crystal Leon, Supervisor of Head Start and Pre-School Programs, gave an overview of why the following requests are being made to the board. These are rules and regulations, which the Head Start Program must following regarding disposition and repurposing of Head Start Buildings. Ms. Leon stated the requested changes might take two months before approval is granted, but she is hopeful that the approvals will be sooner than that time frame.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Maranto:
Be It Further Resolved, That the board approve the disposition of the Head Start Building at Chamberlin Elementary and the repurposing of the Head Start Building at Port Allen Elementary for the Special Education Program of West Baton Rouge Parish, due to Federal Head Start Regulations.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #11.
11. Consideration of request for approval of the 2021-2022 Head Start Refunding Application.
Ms. Crystal Leon gave an overview that this is just a requirement of Head Start that she come before the board for approval to submit a refunding application for the 2021-2022 Head Start Program year.
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 board approve the 2021-2022 Head Start Refunding Application.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #12.
12. Consideration of request to adopt a resolution for participation with the LASARD program, through the Louisiana Department of Education for the 2020-2021 school year.
Mr. Gibbs presented this item for Ms. Callie Kershaw, Supervisor of Special Education, for participation in the LASARD Program for the Special Education Program in West Baton Rouge Parish, and is requesting that the board approve the resolution.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Ms. Bergeron:
Be It Further Resolved, That the board approve the resolution to participate in the LASARD program, through the Louisiana Department of Education for the 2020-2021 school year.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #13.
13. Consideration of request, by the Addis Police Department, to change the LES School Zones times from 7-9 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. to 6-8 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Mr. Manola presented this request, upon approach by the Addis Police Department, to make the change due to the earlier start and end times of school at Lukeville Elementary. The Addis Police Department feels this change will better utilize the school zones time for Lukeville, and needs this request to make changes to the times of enforcement on the school zone lights and other things entailed with school zones.
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 Further Resolved, That the board approve the request, by the Addis Police Department, to change the LES School Zones times from 7-9 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. to 6-8 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #14:
14. Consideration of request that the board approve the monthly expenditures and financial reports for August 2020.
After a brief discussion, The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be It Further Resolved, That the board approve the monthly expenditures and financial reports for August 2020, as presented by Mr. Jared Gibbs.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #15.
15. Consideration of request by James Prescott, Jr., Forethought Consulting, Inc., 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 reviewing all of the minutes of the board meetings. The renewal fee of $9,400.00 is for the period beginning November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021.
Mr. Gibbs gave a brief description of Policy360 and stated that this is an annual renewal that the board approves with Mr. James Prescott Jr., Forethought Consulting, Inc., and this is the first increase in the renewal fee in over two years.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Chustz and seconded by Ms. Bergeron:
Be It Further Resolved, That the board approve 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 reviewing all of the minutes of the board meetings, for an annual fee of $9,400.00 for the period beginning November 1, 2020 through October 31, 2021.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #16.
16. WBR Schools Building Updates from Kern Consulting, LLC.
Mr. Watts introduced Mr. Earl Kern, Program Manager for the Building Progam, Kern Consulting, LLC. Mr. Kern presented the board members a handout and overview of all of the building projects throughout the WBR Parish Schools since 2017. The members of the Board expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Kern and his staff for the excellent job they did in the successful completion of the projects in the Building Program. Mr. Kern presented one issue remaining at Caneview School relative to the liquidated damages on the contractor, Deumite Construction, LLC. There was a change order for Lime Stabilization that has been held up due to the liquidated damages. Mr. Kern felt that agreeing to pay the change order netted out of the amount of liquidated damages, would finally close the project. After discussing this issue with Mr. Watts, Mr. Kern wanted to bring this issue to the Board for approval before moving on to negotiations with Deumite Construction, LLC.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comments.
Mr. Chustz made a motion to keep the liquidated damages at the full amount originally agreed to
in May 2020 and to not deduct the change order for Lime Stabilization. The motion failed due to
a lack of a second from other members of the board.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mr. Toby Sarradet:
Be It Further Resolved, That the board approve the change order for Lime Stabilization and net the change order out of liquidated damages charged to Deumite Construction, LLC.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: Mr. Chustz
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of End of Consent Agenda Item #17.
17. Approval of the School Board Calendar Update from September 2020 Committee Meeting.
Mr. Gibbs stated that the board needed to adopt a resolution approving the revisions to the school calendar for 2020-21 that were discussed under any other business at the Finance Committee Meeting on September 8, 2020. The calendar was revised due to school closures because of bad weather conditions. No resolution was presented for approval of the revised calendar at the September 16, 2020, board meeting for the minutes to reflect the revisions to the original school calendar.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be It Resolved, That the board approve and adopt the revised calendar for 2020-21 presented and discussed at the Finance Committee meeting on September 8, 2020, and
Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of the revised calendar for 2020-21 be attached to the minutes of the October 21, 2020 board meeting.
The next item was introduction of item #18 on the End of Consent Agenda:
18. Organizational Items: Committee meeting date: November 10, 2020 and regular board meeting date: November 18, 2020. Ms. Crystal Leon will also have a Head Start Training for the board on November 10, 2020, at 4:00 p.m., before the Committee Meetings.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be It Resolved, That the meeting be adjourned.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
Wesley S. Watts Jason P. Manola
Wesley Watts Jason P. Manola
Secretary-Treasurer President