8,399
Port Allen, Louisiana
March 22, 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, Teri Bergeron
Absent: Michael Maranto
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 February 15, 2023 along with the Special Board Meeting Minutes for February 7, 2023 and February 28, 2023.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Ms. Grace:
Be it Resolved, That the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on February 15, 2023 along with the Special Board Meeting Minutes held on February 7, 2023 and February 28, 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, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: 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 Mr. Daigrepont:
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, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Maranto
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: Mr. Corona informed the board that Phase I of the board room has been completed. Mr. Corona also informed the board that the School Board will be paying for the Port Allen High School basketball team’s championship rings. In addition the Brusly Middle School and CTE building will be going out for bid. Mr. Corona lastly updated the Board on the Gron Fuels project from information Mr. Jason Manola sent him. Dean Hotard was then recognized and reviewed the Brusly Middle School and CTE Building plans.
This was an informational item, No action was taken.
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
#9 Consideration of an insurance policy to cover middle and high school athletes. (Finance Committee Report 3/14/23)
#10 Consideration of request for approval for CTE Coordinator Job Description. (Finance Committee Report 3/14/23)
#11 Consideration of request for approval to renew the 16th Section Hunting Lease for the period of August 1, 2023 through July 31, 2028
with Mr. Steve Oubre, at a 2% increase per year over the $24,640.00 originally bidded back in 2013 (Finance Committee Report 3/14/23)
#12 Consideration of request for approval to renew the following bids for the 2023-2024 School Year for the School Food Service PRogram as Listed: (Finance Committee Report 3/14/23)
Gold Star Foods (Pons Foods)- Frozen, Refrigerated, Dry Goods and Non Food Supplies
Hershey- Frozen (Ice Cream)
River Parish Foods- Frozen (Smoked Sausage)
Economical- Non Food Supplies
#13 Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for January 2023. (Finance Committee Report 3/14/23)
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: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Maranto
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item # 14 Approval of the high bid for the Brusly Middle School old guest-side football bleachers. (David Corona)
The high bid and only bid received was placed by Mr. J. Kevin Kimball for $10.00. Mr. Kimball will be responsible for the removal of the bleachers at his own expense.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Fiscus and seconded by Mrs. Clouatre
Be It Resolved, that the Board approves the bid of Mr. J. Kevin Kimball for the Brusly Middle School old guest-side football bleachers.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Maranto
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item # 15 Approval of the Superintendent’s Contract. (Mr. Chustz and Dr. Walker)
The contract shall be entered into on the 22nd day of March, 2023 by and between the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board, a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana, located in West Baton Rouge Parish in the State of Louisiana, and hereinafter represented by its President, G. Alden Chustz, Jr., duly-authorized to act herein by action of the board found in the official minutes of the Board meeting held March 22, 2023, and Chandler W. Smith (hereinafter “Superintendent”), a major resident of the Parish of East Baton Rouge.
The contract shall commence on May 1, 2023 and terminate at midnight on April 30, 2027.
The Superintendent shall be paid an annual minimum base salary of $155,000 in addition to monthly allowances as stipulated in his contract for travel/automobile expenses incurred in the performance of his duties, health care coverage and other insurance related costs, vacation/sick leave, organization dues. (Specific details of the above are defined in the written contract.)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Fiscus and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron
Be It Resolved, that the Board does authorize Mr. G. Alden Chustz, Jr., President of the Board, to sign off on the Superintendent’s contract.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Maranto
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item # 16 Review of Expulsion Appeal of a certain student enrolled at Port Allen Elementary School SIDNO 6438196177. (Charlotte Blanchard)
Mr. Bob Hammonds addressed the Guardian to ask if they would want this appeal to be in public or private (Executive Session). Mr. Hammonds explained each situation. The Guardian of the child (the mother) expressed to the board she would like the appeal to be in public.
Mr. Chustz, Board President, asked one more time if the mother was sure that she wanted this appeal to be in public and she agreed.
Ms. Blanchard then addressed the board and explained the entire situation about SIDNO 6438196177 and then asked the board if they had any questions. The parent of the child then allowed Mr. Nelson to represent her and her son in this appeal.
The board then decided to go into executive session.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Grace and seconded by Dr. Walker:
Be It Resolved, That the Board go into Executive Session pursuant to LA. R.S.42:17(A)(7) for a discussion of Expulsion Appeal by Bob Hammonds.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: 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: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Maranto
Mr. LeBlanc made a motion to uphold the expulsion appeal seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Mr. Daigrepont, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: Ms. Evans and Ms. Grace
Absent: Mr. Maranto
The expulsion appeal stands.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #17 Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 and Regular Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, April 19, 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, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Maranto
__________________ _______________
David Corona G. Alden Chustz Jr.
Secretary-Treasurer President