8,438
Port Allen, Louisiana
September 20, 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 5:06 p.m.), Chareeka Grace (arrived at 5:06 p.m.), 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 and EFID Meeting Minutes held on August 16, 2023.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Fiscus:
Be it Resolved, That the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting and EFID Meeting held on August 16, 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. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Ms. Evans, Ms. Grace
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, Ms. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: Ms. Evans, Ms. Grace
The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Smith has attached his superintendent report in the Board’s packet. He went over enrollment numbers. Then he recognized our New Teachers to the District for Brusly High, Brusly Middle, Port Allen Middle, and Port Allen High. He then recognized Dr. Tammy Seneca for K-12 Dive: Rising Leader of 2023-2024. He then recognized Ms. Julie Mayeux for receiving the Project Lead the Way Outstanding Administrative Award. Dr. Smith then recognized our Perfect Attendance for the 2022-2023 School Year.
This was an informational item, No action was taken.
The next item was a Resolution of condolences to the Family of Mrs. Carolyn Kimball Babin Alexander, long time former educator and employee of the West Baton Rouge Parish School District.
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mrs. Grace:
Be it Resolved that, members of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board do hereby offer their sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of Mrs. Carolyn Kimball Babin Alexander.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Dr. Walker, Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Mr. LeBlanc, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:
#9 Consideration of request for approval for revision of the Instructional Coach Job Description. (Academic Committee Report 9/12/23)
#10 Consideration of request to move Head Start and Pre-K Paraprofessionals to the Special Education Paraprofessional Salary Schedule. (Academic Committee Report 9/12/23)
#11 Consideration of request for approval of a resolution of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board approving Industrial Tax Exemption Application 20230072-ITE from Exxon Mobil Corporation. (2230 Highway 1 North, Port Allen, LA 70767) (Finance Committee Report 9/12/23)
#12 Consideration of request for approval of 2023-2024 SRO MOU (Finance Committee Report 9/12/23)
#13 Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for July 2023 (Finance Committee Report 9/12/23)
#14 Consideration of request for approval of the Simbli Board Program. (Finance Committee Report 9/12/23)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Clouatre 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, and #14.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Ms. Evans, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was the End of Consent Agenda Item #15 Consideration of request to review and approve the Board’s General Liability, Property, Boiler and Machinery, Worker’s Compensation and Cyber Liability Insurance renewal/ quotes for the period 10/01/2023-10/01/2024 as presented by Andre Comeaux Senior Vice President of McGriff Insurance Services (Andre Comeaux/Jared Gibbs)
Mr. Andre’ Comeaux presented the following premium summary quotes:
Property $887,922.00
LARMA Liability $160,744.00
Workers’ Compensation $305,828.00
Boiler & Machinery $5,245.00
TOTAL Premiums: $1,359,739.00
The Board also approved the Superintendent to make the future call on the cyber insurance coverage quotes, due to the cyber quotes had not been received by McGriff Insurance at the time of the Board Meeting.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Ms. Grace and seconded by Mr. LeBlanc.
Be It Resolved to accept the following quotes for insurance coverages along with the review of cyber coverage by the Superintendent:
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Ms. Evans, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #16 Consideration of request to adopt a resolution authorizing the Superintendent to sign the form rejecting uninsured motorist coverage. (Mr Andre’ Comeaux, Agent - McGriff Insurance Services/Jared Gibbs)
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mrs. Bergeron and seconded by Mrs. Clouatre.
Be It Resolved, That the Board does hereby authorize the Superintendent to sign the required form rejecting uninsured motorist coverage for the period of 10/1/23-10/1/24, as requested by Mr. Andre’ Comeaux, Agent - McGriff Insurance Services.
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Ms. Evans, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #17 Discussion of Cohn Elementary Building (Chandler Smith)
Dr. Smith and Board Member Mr. Daigrepont went over the packet of information stating the condition of the Cohn Elementary Building.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
This Item was Informational No Action was taken
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #19 Report and approval of the Public Hearing on the Consolidated Budget for 2023-2024, held at 4:55P.M. on September 20, 2023. (Jared Gibbs)
Whereupon, Mr. Gibbs reported that the Public Hearing was opened at 4:55 P.M. and there being no public comments relative to the budget, the Public Hearing was adjourned at 4:59 P.M.Board Members present were Mr. G. Alden Chustz, Jr., President, Dr. Atley D. Walker, Sr., Vice President, Mr. Burke Fiscus, Mrs. Hayley Clouatre, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Evans, Ms. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mr. Maranto, Mrs. Bergeron
Also present for the Public Hearing: Dr. Chandler Smith, Secretary-Treasurer and Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #19 Consideration of approval of a resolution adopting, finalizing, and implementing the Consolidated Budget for 2023-24 of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024/Jared Gibbs.
The Chairman declared the floor open for public comment.
Whereupon the following resolution was offered by Mr. Daigrepont and seconded by Mr. Fiscus.
Be It Resolved, That the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board in regular session convened that:
SECTION 1: The attached detailed estimate of Revenues for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, be and the same is hereby adopted to serve as an Operating Budget of Revenues for the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board during the same period.
SECTION 2: The attached estimate of Expenditures Department for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, be and the same is hereby adopted to serve as a Budget of Expenditures for the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board during the same period.
SECTION 3: The adoption of this Operating Budget of Expenditures be and the same is hereby declared to operate as an appropriation of the amount therein set forth within the terms of the budget classification.
SECTION 4: Amounts are available for expenditures only to the extent included within the 2023-24 budget.
SECTION 5: Budgetary amendments require the approval of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Whereas, Chandler Smith, in his capacity as Chief Administrative Officer of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board prepared, with the assistance of Jared Gibbs, Supervisor of Business Services, a proposed General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, which was accompanied by a budget adoption resolution; and Whereas, the proposed General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budgets and the accompanying budget adoption resolution have been submitted to this School Board for review and consideration; and Whereas, David Corona, Secretary-Treasurer, reported that the Public Hearing has been reviewed and considered; now Therefore Be It Resolved by the School Board that the proposed General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budgets are hereby approved and adopted with no changes.
Be It Further Resolved, That the Secretary-Treasurer of the School Board, Chandler Smith, or his successor, is hereby authorized and in his sole discretion, to make such changes within the various budget classifications as he may deem necessary provided that any reallocation of funds affecting in excess of five percent (5%) of the projected revenue collections must be approved in advance by action of the School Board at a meeting duly noticed and convened.
Be It Further Resolved, That the Superintendent of the School Board, Chandler Smith, or his successor, in his capacity as Chief Administrative Officer of the School Board, is hereby directed to advise the School Board in writing when:
1. Total revenues collected and other sources plus projected revenues and other sources for the remainder of the year, within a fund are failing to meet total budgeted revenues and other sources by five percent (5%) or more.
2. Total expenditures and other uses plus projected expenditures and other uses for the remainder of the year, within a funds are failing to meet total budgeted expenditures and other uses by five percent (5%) or more.
3. The actual beginning fund balance, within a fund, fails to meet the estimated beginning fund balance by five percent (5%) or more, and the fund balance is being used to fund current year expenditures.
Be It Further Resolved, That the Secretary-Treasurer of the School Board, Chandler Smith, or his successor, shall certify completion of all actions required by Louisiana R.S.39:1306 by publishing a notice of the minutes of the meeting in the West Side Journal.
Passed and adopted at Port Allen, Louisiana, on this 20th day of September, 2023, by the following vote:
The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:
Aye: Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker, Ms. Evans, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #20 Organizational Items: Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 and Regular Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker 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, Ms. Evans, Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz
Nay: None
Absent: None
_________________ _______________
Chandler Smith, Ed.D G. Alden Chustz Jr.
Secretary-Treasurer President