8,421
Port Allen, Louisiana
July 19, 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 (arrived at 5:06pm), Chareeka Grace, Michael Maranto, Teri Bergeron
Absent: Matt Daigrepont
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 June 14, 2023.
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 June 14, 2023 be approved as presented.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Daigrepont, Ms. Evans
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. Clouatre:
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. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Ms. Evans, Mr. Daigrepont
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Smith has attached his superintendent report in the Board’s packet. Dr. Smith introduced Julie Mayeux, and Ms. Mayeux along with Candice Breaux and Jill Edwards recognized our Internship West students from the summer.
This was an informational item, No action was taken.
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
#9 Consideration of request to reclassify a current Instructional Strategist position to a new Coordinator of Federal Programs Job Description and Salary Schedule (Academic Committee Report 7/11/23)
#10 Consideration of request to revise 2023-2024 Student Handbook. (Academic Committee Report 7/11/23)
#11 Consideration of request to approve the Brusly Middle School and Port Allen High School Resurfacing of the Tracks. (Finance Committee Report 7/11/23)
#12 Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for May 2023. (Finance Committee Report 7/11/23)
#13 Consideration of request for approval for approval to keep the Millage Rates at the same level as Tax Year 2022. (Finance Committee Report 7/11/23)
#14 Consideration of request to approve the new Building Fund allocation of $3,000,000.00. (Finance Committee Report 7/11/23)
#15 Consideration of request to approve the Coaching Supplement. (Finance Committee Report 7/11/23)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Fiscus and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc.
Be it resolved that the Board does hereby approve and adopt the Above Consent Agenda Items #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, and #15
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Daigrepont
The next item was the End Consent Agenda Item #16 Consideration of request for approval of the Food Service Milk Bid Summary for the 2023-2024 School Year. (Vivian Landry and Jared Gibbs)
Mrs. Landry explained to the Board that she reached out to Bordens and they cleared up all the questions of the Board.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Dr. Walker.
Be it resolved that the Board does hereby approve and adopt the Above End Consent Agenda Items #16.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Daigrepont
The next item was the End of Consent Agenda Item #17 Adoption of the Millage Rates for the 2023 Tax Year. (Jared Gibbs)
Whereupon, Mr. Gibbs presented the proposed resolution for the millage(s) rates to be levied for the 2023 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 2023 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 10.000 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 2023, 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 2023 Tax Year.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Dr. Walker.
Be it resolved that the Board does hereby approve and adopt the Above End Consent Agenda Items #17.
The foregoing resolution was read in full, the roll was called on the adoption thereof, and resolution was adopted by the following votes:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Daigrepont
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #18 Review of Expulsion Appeal of a certain Port Allen High School student SIDN7592173492 by Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance.
President Chustz offered and explained to the parents if they would like to go into executive session.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Clouatre and seconded by Mrs. 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 Port Allen High School student SIDNO7592173492 by Charlotte Blanchard, Supervisor of Child Welfare & Attendance
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Daigrepont
Upon completion of the Executive Session, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Fiscus:
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, Ms. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Daigrepont
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 #19 Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 and Regular Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, August 16, 2023.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc:
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, Ms. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Mr. Daigrepont
__________________ _______________
Chandler Smith, Ed.D G. Alden Chustz Jr.
Secretary-Treasurer President