8,255
Port Allen, Louisiana
November 17, 2021
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, Ronald LeBlanc, Chareeka Grace, G. Alden Chustz Jr., Teri Bergeron
Absent:
Craig Sarradet, Toby Sarradet, Leon Goudeau, Michael Maranto
Dr. Walker gave the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Manola.
The next item was approval of the Regular School Board meeting minutes held on October 20, 2021.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Chustz:
Be it Resolved, That the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting, held on October 20, 2021 be approved as presented.
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto
The next item was Education Presentations: Mr. Watts presented the Head Start Director’s Monthly Reports, as prepared by Ms. Crystal Leon, which is included in the Board’s individual packets.
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mrs. Grace:
Be it Resolved that the Board approve the Head Start Director’s Monthly Report.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto
The next item was a Resolution of condolences to the Family of Mrs. Merle Salemi, former Bus Driver for 20 Year in the West Baton Rouge Parish School District.
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mrs. Grace:
Be it Resolved that, members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby offer their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Merle Salemi.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto
The next item on the Superintendent’s Report: Recognition of Ms. Diane Hebert on her retirement. The Board and Mr. Watts will recognize Ms. Diane for her 63 years of service in this district at the Committee Meeting in December.
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mrs. Grace:
Be it Resolved that, the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby offer their appreciation for the 63 years Ms. Diane Hebert dedicated to the West Baton Rouge Parish School District.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto.
The next item was a Resolution of condolences to the Family of Mrs. Sara Ann Sarradet, West Baton Rouge Parish School Board Member Craig Sarradet’s Mother.
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mrs. Grace:
Be it Resolved that, the members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby offer their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Sara Ann Sarradet.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola.
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto.
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
#9 Consideration of request for approval to submit the Reimagine Grant.
(Academic Committee Report 11/09/21)
#10 Consideration of request for approval of a 13th Check (supplemental payment) for employees to be paid in December. (Finance Committee Report 11/09/21)
#11 Consideration of request to authorize Superintendent Watts and Jared Gibbs to negotiate a Lease Agreement for the Devall Property. (Finance Committee Report 11/09/21)
#12 Consideration of request for approval of Hammonds & Sills’ Special Counsel Rate Increase. (Finance Committee Report 11/09/21)
#13 Consideration of request for approval of the Behavioral Interventionist Job Description. (Finance Committee Report 11/09/21)
#14 Consideration of request for approval on the update on the Student Services Building. (Finance Committee Report 11/09/21)
#15 Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for September 2021. (Finance Committee Report 11/09/21)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Chustz and seconded by Dr. Walker:
Be it resolved that the board does hereby approve and adopt the Above Consent Agenda Items #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, and #15.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto.
The next item was the End of Consent Agenda Item #16: Consideration of request for the Review of Superintendent Watts’s Contract & Performance Evaluation./Board President Jason Manola (Executive Session)
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 go into Executive Session pursuant to discuss Mr. Watts’s Contract & Performance Evaluation.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto.
Upon completion of the Executive Session, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
Be it Resolved, That the Board return to Open Session.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #16 Consideration of request of approval of Superintendent Watts’s Contract.
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 approves Superintendent Watts’s contract extension.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #17 Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: December 7, 2021 and Regular Board Meeting date: December 15, 2021.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item # 18 Any Other Business unanimously approved by the board for consideration.
Mr. Jason Simoneaux came before the Board to make the members aware of a book that he feels should be removed from the Curriculum. The Board thanked him for bringing this information to their attention.
Informational Item, No action was taken.
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: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Chustz, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Manola
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto.
__________________ _______________
Wesley Watts Jason Manola
Secretary-Treasurer President