8,274

Port Allen, Louisiana

February 15, 2022

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

Present:

                  G. Alden Chustz, Jr., President, Dr. Atley D. Walker, Sr., Vice President, Craig Sarradet, Toby Sarradet, Leon Goudeau, Chareeka Grace, Jason Manola, Michael Maranto, Teri Bergeron

Absent:      

                  Ronald LeBlanc 

Dr. Walker gave the Invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Watts.

The next item was approval of the Regular School Board Meeting minutes held on January 19, 2022.

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

Be it Resolved, That the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting, held on January 19, 2022 be approved as presented.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

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 Mr. Manola and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:

Be it Resolved that the Board approve the Head Start Director’s Monthly Report.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

The next item was the Superintendent’s Report, Mr Watts informed the Board that they are reigniting the Families in Need of Services Program. He wants to propose a Cooperative Endeavor for $12,000 per year. Mr. Manola mentioned that the Parish is also helping with this program.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

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

Be it Resolved that, an agenda item for approval of the Cooperative Endeavor with the FINS Program be added to the agenda.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

Agenda Item 6a.: Consideration of Request for Approval of the FINS Program Cooperative Endeavor.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

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

Be it Resolved that, the Board does grant approval of the Cooperative Endeavor with the FINS Program.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

The next item was recognizing a Port Allen Middle School Teacher:  Ms. Samanatha Mendenhall was the Grand Prize winner of the Shell Science Lab.  Mrs. Jessica Major, Principal of Port Allen Middle School, gave a brief speech about how she is very proud of Ms. Mendenhall for all of her hard work, along with the time and effort she puts in with helping her students prosper in Science Class.  Ms. Mendenhall explained to the Board the process of being eligible for this program, along with explaining how she is eligible to compete on the Regional Level.  Ms. Mendenhall has also been invited to Houston to attend the National Science Convention.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

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

Be it Resolved that, members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby offer and congratulate Ms. Samantha Mendenhall on being the Grand Prize winner for the Shell Science Lab.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

The next item was a Resolution of condolences to the Family of Mr. Matthew Young, former School Bus Operator for the West Baton Rouge Parish School District.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

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

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 Mr. Matthew Young.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

The next item on the Superintendent’s Report: Representatives from Taylor & Sons presenting Mr. Watts with the award for being named the Superintendent of the Year.

Ms. Gwile Freeman from Taylor & Sons presented the Region 2 Award to Mr. Watts for being named the Superintendent of the Year

The last item on the Superintendent’s Report was a timeline for the Board on the 15 Mill Property Tax Renewal.

Agenda Item #8 Unfinished Business: Mr. Chris Guerin, West Baton Rouge Parish Assessor, updated the Board on the Placid Tax Appeal.  Mr. Guerin informed the Board that the WBR Parish Council & Sheriff Cazes had accepted the new assessed values for Placid Refinery.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. Manola and seconded by Mr. Toby Sarradet:

Be it Resolved that, the Board add an agenda item for Approval of Placid Refinery’s Property Tax Assessment Appeal.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

The Next Agenda Item #8a Consideration of Request for Approval of Placid Refinery’s Property Tax Assessment Appeal.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. Manola and seconded by Mr. Toby Sarradet:

Be it Resolved that, the Board approves Placid Refinery’s Property Tax Assessment Appeal.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:

#9        Consideration of request for approval of the 2022-2023 West Baton Rouge Parish School Calendar (Academics Committee Report 2/8/22)

#10       Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for December 2021. (Finance Committee Report 2/8/22)

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

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

Be it resolved that the Board does hereby approve and adopt the Above Consent Agenda Items #9 and #10.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #11 Discussion and/or action concerning the Superintendent’s recommendation that a school administrator’s contract not be renewed

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

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

Be it resolved that the board does hereby approve the recommendation that a school administrator’s contract not be renewed.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:                 Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Dr. Walker, Mr. Goudeau, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #12 Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday March  8, 2022 and Regular Board Meeting date: Wednesday March 16, 2022.

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

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

Nay:                None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc

__________________                                                  _______________

Wesley Watts                                                                          G. Alden Chustz Jr.

Secretary-Treasurer                                                              President