8,285

Port Allen, Louisiana

April 20, 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(arrived at 5:10p.m.), Chareeka Grace(arrived at 5:06 p.m.), Jason Manola, Michael Maranto, Teri Bergeron

Absent:      

                  Leon Goudeau,  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 March 16, 2022.

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

Be it Resolved, That the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting, held on March 16, 2022 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. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

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 Mr. Craig Sarradet:

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was a Resolution of condolences to the Family of Mr. Joseph “Blackie” Landry, former Bus Operator for West Baton Rouge Parish School District.

Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. Craig Sarradet and seconded by Ms. Bergeron:

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. Joseph “Blackie” Landry.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was the Superintendent’s Report:  Mr Watts informed the Board that the Port Allen High School Basketball Team are State Champions for the 3rd year in a row, in Class 2A.  Mr. Watts turned things over to Head Coach Dimario Jackson who then introduced his team to the Board Members and the audience.  The Board congratulated the team on their great accomplishment, and requested that the team keep up the good work.  Mr. Watts lastly informed the board of HB 986 of 2022, which would allow school districts to privatize school food service, if approved in the current legislative session.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

Information Item no action necessary.      

The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:

#9        Consideration of a revision of policy JBCE (Public School Choice Definition of Capacity), as recommended by Forethought Consulting, Inc. (Academic Committee Report 4/12/22)

#10       Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for February 2022. (Finance Committee Report 4/12/22)

#11       Consideration of request for approval of the Annual Audit Presentation for FY 2020-2021 by Mr. Rodney Combs, Audit Director- Postlethwaite & Netterville. (Finance Committee Report 4/12/22)

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment

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

Be it resolved that the Board does hereby approve and adopt the Above Consent Agenda Items #9 ,#10 and #11.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

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

Nay:                None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #12 Adoption of a resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in Parishwide School District No.3 of West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Saturday March 26, 2022, to authorize the levy of a special tax therein. (Tommy Hessburg/ Butler Snow, LLP)

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #13 Discussion on timeline for renewal of the 15 Mil Property Tax. (Tommy Hessburg, Butler Snow LLP/Wes Watts)

The Board discussed calling a Special Meeting on April 27, 2022 to meet the election deadline of November 8, 2022.

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 calls a special meeting on April 27, 2022.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #14 Review of the Expulsion Appeal of a certain BHS student SIDNO 7737139672. (Charlotte Blanchard)(Academic Committee Report 4/12/22)

This appeal went into executive session at the Academic Committee Meeting on April 12, 2022.  President Chustz stated, 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 End of Consent Agenda Item #15 Review of the Expulsion Appeal of a certain BMS student SIDNO 6595643466. (Charlotte Blanchard)(Academic Committee Report 4/12/22)

This appeal went into executive session at the Academic Committee Meeting on April 12, 2022.  President Chustz stated, 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 End of Consent Agenda Item #16 Review of Expulsion Appeal of a certain BHS student SIDNO4352886416 by Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance.

The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Ms. Bergeron:   

Be It Resolved, That the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to L.A.R.S.42:17(A)(7) for an Expulsion Appeal of a certain BHS student SIDNO 4352886416 by Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

Upon completion of the Executive Session, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Bergeron and seconded by Ms. Grace:

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

President Chustz stated, 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.

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

Be it resolved that, the Board will reverse the appeal pending the results of the investigation with the Brusly Police Department.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #17 Review of Expulsion Appeal of a certain BHS student SIDNO6849575228 by Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance.

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 Resolved, That the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to L.A.R.S.42:17(A)(7) for an Expulsion Appeal of a certain BHS student SIDNO6849575228 by Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

Upon completion of the Executive Session, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Toby Sarradet and seconded by Mr. Manola:

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

President Chustz stated, 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 End of Consent Agenda Item #18 Any other business unanimously approved by the board for consideration:

A Board Member brought up a situation that occurred at Port Allen High School. This situation will be discussed, with more detailed information, at the Academic Committee Meeting in May 2022.

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #19  Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 and Regular Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

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

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

Nay:                 None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Goudeau

__________________                                                  _______________

Wesley Watts                                                                          G. Alden Chustz Jr.

Secretary-Treasurer                                                              President