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Port Allen, Louisiana

October 18, 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, Sonceria Evans, Matt Daigrepont, Michael Maranto, Teri Bergeron

Absent:     Ronald LeBlanc, Chareeka Grace

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 September 20, 2023.

Whereupon, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mrs. Clouatre:

Be it Resolved, That the approval of the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on September 20, 2023 be approved as presented.

The above resolution was adopted by the following vote:

Aye:     Mr. Fiscus, Mrs. Clouatre, Dr. Walker,  Ms. Evans, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz

Nay:     None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, 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. Daigrepont 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,  Ms. Evans, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz

Nay:     None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace

The next item was the Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Smith has attached his superintendent report in the Board’s packet.  Then he recognized our 2023 Shell Lab Regional Challenge Regional Winner Sandy Musso from Brusly Upper Elementary School. Dr. Smith then recognized the 2023-24 District IV Elementary Honors Choir.  Dr. Smith finally went over important upcoming dates for the district.

This was an informational item, No action was taken.

The next item was presentation of the Consent Agenda:

#9        Consideration of the request to submit the Head Start Grant for the period beginning February 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025. (Academic Committee Report 10/10/23)

#10   Announcement by Crystal Leon that October has been proclaimed National Head Start Awareness Month. (Academic Committee Report 10/10/23)

#11   Consideration of request to revise 2023-2024 Student Handbook. (Academic Committee Report 10/10/23)

#12       Adoption of a proclamation declaring October 23, 2023 - October 27, 2023 Red Ribbon Week in WBR Parish Schools. (Academic Committee Report 10/10/23)

#13       Consideration of request for approval of the monthly expenditures and financial reports for August 2023. (Finance Committee Report 9/12/23)

#14       Consideration of request for approval of the annual renewal of the Policy360, which combines the Policy Updating Service and the updating service for CAPS, (Computer Assisted Policy Service) and inclusion of School Board minutes for an annual fee of $9,400.00 for the period beginning November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2024. (Finance Committee Report 10/10/23)

#15       Consideration of request to use the Contingency Fund for Port Allen Elementary School’s new windows. (Finance Committee Report 10/10/23)

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 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,  Ms. Evans, Mr. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz

Nay:     None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace

The next item was End of Consent Agenda Item #16 Organizational Items:  Committee Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 and Regular Board Meeting Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

There being no further business to come before the board, the following resolution was offered by Dr. Walker and seconded by Mrs. Bergeron:

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. Daigrepont, Mrs. Bergeron, Mr. Maranto, Mr. Chustz

Nay:     None

Absent:            Mr. LeBlanc, Ms. Grace

_________________                                                _______________

Chandler Smith, Ed.D                                                      G. Alden Chustz Jr.

Secretary-Treasurer                                                          President