ST. MARTIN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

DECEMBER 2, 2020

BREAUX BRIDGE, LOUISIANA

MINUTES

            The St. Martin Parish School Board convened on this day at 4:10 P.M. at the Administrative Office with the following members present:  Messrs. Russel C. Foti, President, Steve Fuselier, Jimmy Durio, Mike Clay, Richard Potier, Floyd Knott, Mark Hebert, and Mrs. Wanda B. Vital and Ms. Edna M. Johnson.  

            ABSENT:          Mr. Frederic Stelly

The meeting was called to order by Russel C. Foti, President.  Mr. Allen Blanchard, Jr., Superintendent, opened the meeting with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance. 

            Mrs. Kristin “Jill” Bozeman, Principal of Breaux Bridge Primary School, was recognized as the November Employee of the Month sponsored by Southern Scripts.

            On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Durio, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the following consent agenda items:

a)     Minutes of the following meetings:

1)     Finance Committee Meeting of November 4, 2020

2)     Regular Meeting of November 4, 2020

b)     Request for waiver of sales tax penalties (2)

c)      Contract for Policy 360 the Policy Updating Service, Forethought Consulting, Inc.

d)     Advertisement for a lease of Section 16 property in the Belle river area

e)     Allowing the district to adjust high school schedules over the course of two days if we are still following the hybrid schedule during the Fall Leap testing window (which is in January)

ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

On the motion of Mr. Knott, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the Finance Committee recommendation to adopt a resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of General Obligation School Refunding Bonds, in one or more series, of St. Martin Parish School District, Louisiana; making application to the State Bond Commission for approval of said Bonds; and providing for other matters in connection therewith (attached as Exhibit A).

            ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

            Ms. Edna Johnson was selected as the School Board Member for the Discipline Policy Review Committee.

            On the motion of Ms. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Clay, and unanimously carried, the Board approved the policy council member recommendations by community members and Head Start parent committees.

            ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

            On the motion of Mr. Knott, seconded by Mr. Hebert, and unanimously carried, the Board approved Option 2 with regard to the location of the Coteau Rodaire (Huron) Head Start – Early Start School which is to utilize the current location (1720 Coteau Rodaire Highway, Arnaudville, LA  70512) and explore options for lifting facility as well as creating a new driveway option (on Coteau Rodaire Highway) (use of property/facility would be an in-kind match to the grant).

            ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

            A motion was made by Mrs. Vital and seconded by Ms. Johnson to approve a $500 supplement for all employees.

An amendment to the motion was made by Mr. Potier and seconded by Mr. Knott to include a 3% raise to all employees effective next fiscal year.

            A substitute motion was made by Mr. Knott and seconded by Mr. Hebert to postpone the motion and amendment until January.  The substitute motion was then voted on and carried.

            OPPOSED:       Mrs. Vital

            ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

            The Board Member’s request regarding amending the grading scale to a ten point system for the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year was postponed until January.

            A motion was made by Mr. Hebert and seconded by Mr. Knott to create a policy that requires a board member to recuse themselves if they receive a campaign contribution from any company or individuals that do business with the School Board.  The motion was then voted on and failed, as follows:

            FOR:    Mr. Durio, Mr. Potier, Mr. Knott, and Mr. Hebert

            OPPOSED:       Mr. Fuselier, Mrs. Vital, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Clay, and Mr. Foti

            ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

The Board discussed beginning a research and study on paraprofessionals including a cost analysis for adding more positions or outside resource.  The administration will bring back to the Board at a later date.

            On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mrs. Vital, and unanimously carried, the Board went into Executive Session.

            ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

            On the motion of Mr. Clay, seconded by Ms. Johnson, and unanimously carried, the Board came out of Executive Session.

            ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

            On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded Mrs. Vital, and unanimously carried, the Board approved to accept the recommendation of the administration regarding the subrogation claim presented by UMR.

            ABSENT:          Mr. Stelly

            No action was necessary for the pending litigation, Thomas v. St. Martin Parish School Board, Civil Action No. 11314 (W.D.La.).

            On the motion of Mr. Hebert, seconded by Mr. Clay, and unanimously carried, the Board adjourned.

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SECRETARY                                                            PRESIDENT