8,387
Port Allen, Louisiana
February 15, 2023
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, Burke Fiscus, Hayley Clouatre, Ronald LeBlanc, Sonceria Evans, Chareeka Grace, Matt Daigrepont, Michael Maranto, Teri Bergeron
Absent: None
Dr. Walker gave the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Chustz.
The next item was approval of the Regular School Board Meeting Minutes held on January 18, 2023 along with the Special Board Meeting Minutes for January 30, 2023, January 31, 2023, and February 1, 2023.
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 January 18, 2023 along with the Special Board Meeting Minutes held on January 30, 2023, January 31, 2023, and February 1, 2023 be approved as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
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: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Corona informed the board that Mrs. Dereka Duncan, 5th Grade Teacher at Cohn Elementary, just recently received the Millikan Award. Mr. Corona wanted to congratulate her and recognize her for all the hard work she does for our students. Mr. Corona then introduced Mr. Russell Lanclos and Mr. Corey Gagnon, representatives for DS Bus South, LLC. The board and DS Bus South had a lengthy conversation about how things must change for the bus services for the next school year. Finally, Mr. Corona recognized Mr. Chad Fontenot, Maintenance Supervisor of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board, who gave the Board an update on maintenance projects throughout the parish.
This was an informational item, No action was taken.
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
#9 Consideration of approval to amend the 2023-2024 School Calendar. (Academic Committee Report 2/7/23)
#10 Announcement and or Resolution to approve continuing education hours earned by individual board members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board during calendar year 2022 according to Act 705 of the 2010 Louisiana Legislative Session. (Academic Committee Report 2/7/23)
#11 Consideration of request for approval to increase Paraprofessional Substitute pay from $7.25 to $11.00 per hour. (Finance Committee Report 2/7/23)
#12 Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for December 2022. (Finance Committee Report 2/7/23)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mr. Fiscus
Be it resolved that the Board does hereby approve and adopt the Above Consent Agenda Items #9, #10, #11 ,and #12
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item # 13 Discussion and/or action regarding the election of School Board Officers. (Mike Maranto)
Mr. Maranto brought to the attention of the Board that with new board members that were recently elected that we should elect new officers.
Mrs. Clouatre made a motion to Suspend the policy BBA until January 2025, which is allowed by the Board because of policy BD. This action was suggested by Mr. Bob Hammonds, WBR School Board General Counsel. Mrs. Clouatre’s motion was seconded by Mr. Fiscus.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Be it resolved that the Board approves and adopts the above end of consent agenda Item #13.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #14 Organizational Items: Special Board Meetings: Tuesday February 28, 2023. Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 ,and Regular Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Dr. Walker:
Be it Resolved, That the meeting be adjourned.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
__________________ _______________
David Corona G. Alden Chustz Jr.
Secretary-Treasurer President