8,318
Port Allen, Louisiana
August 17, 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, Ronald LeBlanc, Chareeka Grace, Jason Manola Michael Maranto(arrive 5:15pm), Teri Bergeron
Absent:
Toby Sarradet, Craig Sarradet, Leon Goudeau
Dr. Walker gave the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Corona.
The next item was approval of the Regular School Board Meeting minutes held on July 20, 2022.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Ms. Grace:
Be it Resolved, That the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting, held on July 20, 2022.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto
The next item was Education Presentations: Mr. Corona 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. LeBlanc 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: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: A: Update on School Opening Mr. Corona informed the board that all 10 schools were very organized, and police were a big help in directing traffic at all school campuses. The Board would like to offer a resolution for the Administration and Staff at each School on the organized effort for the first day of school.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be it Resolved that the Board approve the Resolution to thank the Administration and Staff at each School for their organized efforts for the first day of school.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau, Mr. Maranto
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report B: Award for State Support Employee of the Year: Mr. Corona requested Mrs. Taya Loupe, Principal of Brusly Middle School, to award Ms. Catherine Washington with her State Support Employee of the Year Award. Mrs. Loupe went on to express her gratitude for Ms. Washington letting everybody know how wonderful Ms. Washington is on their campus. She said she is friendly toward students, faculty and parents.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment
Informational Item, No Action Necessary
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report C: LWCC Safest 70 Award Presentation: Mr. Darren Kimball presented the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board with the Safest 7o Award for the 4th time in the last 6 years. Mr. Kimball explained that it is an honor to receive this award, due to the fact that LWCC has over 20,000 clients throughout the State of Louisiana. Being one of the Safest 70 is truly an honor.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment
Informational Item, No Action Necessary
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report D: Discussion about Bond Refinancing: Mr. Jim Ryan, Municipal Advisor - Government Consultants, Inc., and Mr. Charles Sides, Managing Director - Stifel, Nicolas & Company, presented to the Board that they each feel that now is a good time to go
through the process of refinancing the General Obligation Bonds of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board, and save interest on the outstanding portion of the remaining bonds. The Board already had given approval on this item, but it has been over a year ago. Mr. Ryan and Mr. Sides mainly wanted to inform the Board about the refinancing process.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment
Informational Item, No Action Necessary
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report E: Discussion on School Resource Officers: Mr. Dale Simoneaux with the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office presented Board Member with the proposal that Mr. Watts previously discussed on School Resource Officers. The Proposal showed that the Sheriff’s department would pick up 25% of the costs and the School Board would pick up the other 75%.
Dr. Walker proposed a motion to move forward with the proposal and Ms. Grace seconded the motion.
Ms. Grace then rescinded her motion
Dr. Walker then rescinded his motion.
The Board discussed calling a Special Meeting on August 24, 2022 to discuss this matter into further details. This Special Meeting will give the board time to review the proposal in more depth and also have Mr. Bob Hammonds, WBR School Board’s General Counsel, present at said meeting.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. Manola and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
Be it Resolved that the Board approves the Resolution to call a Special Board Meeting on August 24, 2022 to discuss School Resource Officers.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report F: Caneview, Cohn, Brusly Upper Elementary Updates: Mr. Corona spoke with Mr. Charles Hardie, with the law firm of Hammonds & Sills, and Mr. Hardie advised getting WBR Schools’ Architect, Tipton Partners, and General Contractor, Deumite Construction, for the Caneview project on the Caneview campus to look at the areas that have been ongoing issues. Mr. Chad Fontenot, Supervisor of Maintenance, then informed the Board that Cohn has now been fogged for mold and we are moving forward with the insurance claim on this campus. Brusly Upper Elementary’s windows should be finished by the end of the month. Port Allen Middle School’s gym is being accessed as well as the 5th grade building.
Information Item, No Action Necessary
The next item was Unfinished Business:
Mr. Bob Hammonds, WBR Schools’ General Counsel, was present to discuss the steps needed to move forward with the process of hiring a new Superintendent. The board discussed with Mr. Hammonds about getting a draft together on starting the hiring process.
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 approves to move forward on the hiring process with Hammond and Sills for a new Superintendent.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
#9 Resolution to thank Chris Conaway and Chuck Bardwell for all their hard work for Stuff the Bus 2022. (Academic Committee Report 8/9/22)
#10 Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for June 2022. (Finance Committee Report 8/9/22)
#11 Consideration of request for approval to use $1.25 million dollars of excess sales tax funds to help pay Debt Service for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. (Finance Committee Report 8/9/22)
#12 Consideration of request for approval to allow Mr. Corona to get the insurance claim started for storm damages, which occurred from Hurricane Ida, at Cohn Elementary School. (Finance Committee Report 8/9/22)
#13 Consideration of request for approval of a resolution on the Pelican HRA 1000 Plan. (Finance Committee Report 8/9/22)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc 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, and #13.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #14 Adoption of the Millage Rates for the 2022 Tax Year (Jared Gibbs):
Whereupon, Mr. Gibbs presented the proposed resolution for the millage(s) rates to be levied for the 2022 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. Maranto and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc.
BE IT RESOLVED, That the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2022 tax roll on all property subject to taxation by the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board:
MILLAGE
General Support - Constitutional Millage 4.390 mills
General Support - Special Millage 15.000 mills
Salaries & Benefits - Special Millage #1 12.000 mills
Salaries & Benefits - Special Millage #2 12.000 mills
Debt Service - Special Millage 9.960 mills
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the proper administrative officials of the Parish of West Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the assessment roll of said Parish for the year 2022, and to make the collection of the taxes imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner provided by law.
Be it resolved that the Board adopt the Millage rates for the 2022 Tax Year.
The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and resolution was adopted by the following votes:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Manola, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #14 Organizational Items: Special Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2022, Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022 and Regular Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
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. Manola, Mr. Maranto Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Craig Sarradet, Mr. Toby Sarradet, Mr. Goudeau
__________________ _______________
David Corona G. Alden Chustz Jr.
Secretary-Treasurer President