8,412
Port Allen, Louisiana
May 17, 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. Maranto.
The next item was approval of the Regular School Board Meeting Minutes held on April 19, 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 April 19, 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: Dr. Smith 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: Dr. Smith informed the board of Port Allen High School Boys Basketball team on winning their fourth straight State Basketball Championship. Mr. Dimario Jackson, Head Coach of the Port Allen High School Boys Basketball team, introduced some of the team and recognized how successful this team is. Next on the Superintendent’s report Mr. Brian Bizette, Head Coach of the Port Allen High School Girls Powerlifting team, recognized his team for the Tenth Championship in a row. He introduced his team and explained to the board how proud he was of each one of them on their growth.
Next was recognition of our Teachers of the Year:
Jamie Bickham - Brusly Elementary School
Hannah Folks - Brusly High School
Heather Franklin - Brusly Upper Elementary School
Felicia Fallo - Caneview K-8 School
Lisa Battle - Caneview K-8 School
Kayla Aucoin - Cohn Elementary School
Nakia Williams - Lukeville Elementary School
Carlee Kirkwood - Port Allen Elementary School
Tamica Brooks - Port Allen Middle School
Louise Stewart - Port Allen High School
We recognized New Teacher of the Year, who is also a State Finalist:
Anthony Felder - Brusly High School
We recognized the Early Childhood Teacher of the Year, who is also a State Finalist as well:
LeighAnn LaCour - Port Allen Elementary School
We recognized our Principal of the Year:
Taya Loupe - Brusly Middle School
We recognized our Support Workers of the Year:
Mary Marionneaux - Brusly High School
Kaci Bercegeay - Cohn Elementary School
Shermecia Robinson - Port Allen Middle School
Dr. Smith formally thanked them all for all their hard work and dedication to the West Baton Rouge Parish School District.
Dr. Smith then went on to recognize Mr. Warren LeJeune for all his years of dedication to the West Baton Rouge School District. Mr. LeJeune has been with the district for 32 years. Each board member had many kind words for Mr. LeJeune and they hope he enjoys his retirement.
Ms. Deborah Skipper, Regional Manager for DS Bus South, LLC, presented the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board a Donation of $7,500.00.
This was an informational item, No action was taken.
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
#9 Consideration of request for approval to participate in Titles I, II, III, IV, V, and IDEA B and Preschool flowthrough funds for 2023-2024 School Year. (Academics Committee Report 5/9/23)
#10 Consideration of request to reclassify a current supervisor position to a new Supervisor of Assessment and Accountability job description and salary schedule. (Academics Committee Report 5/9/23)
#11 Consideration of request for a new job description and salary schedule for coordinator of School Safety and Security. (Academics Committee Report 5/9/23)
#12 Consideration of request for review and approval of the WBR Parish Schools 2023-24 dress code and discipline section of Student Handbook. (Academics Committee Report 5/9/23)
#13 Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for March 2023. (Finance Committee Report 5/9/23)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Mrs. Clouatre.
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, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #14 Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 and Regular Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Mr. LeBlanc and seconded by Ms. Evans:
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
__________________ _______________
Chandler Smith, Ed.D G. Alden Chustz Jr.
Secretary-Treasurer President