St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approves policies, construction changes and procurement moves
June 30, 2026 | St. John the Baptist Parish, School Boards, Louisiana
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The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on Jan. 22, 2026 in Reserve approved a slate of policies, construction and procurement actions and authorized negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
Board President Debra Schum presided over the meeting at West St. John Elementary School. The board voted to adopt Policy GAAA (Equal Opportunity Employment), Policy JAA (Equitable Educational Opportunities) and Policy BCBD (Agenda Preparation and Dissemination) following public comment recommending their approval. The motions to adopt each policy passed on roll calls that recorded eight yeas and three absences.
Superintendent Cleo Perry was authorized to begin negotiations on the district's Collective Bargaining Agreement after a motion by President Debra Schum and a second by Board Member DeFrancesch; the motion carried on an 8-0 recorded vote. The action directs district staff to commence bargaining but does not adopt or bind the board to any future agreement.
On facilities, the board accepted Change Order 3 for the West St. John High School fieldhouse project, approving an $82,521 increase with no additional contract days. Michael Buisson of N-Y Associates, Inc., asked the board to accept the change order to allow addition of a 6" and 3" boring and tap into the existing water main, a heated enclosure for the backflow preventer and new electrical feeds for electronic flush valves. The board recorded eight yeas; funds will come from the 2022 Capital Improvement Bond.
The board amended the contract with Volkert to permit up to ten additional months of work on projects funded by the 2022 bond, subject to legal review, and approved purchase of 30 pieces of middle-school and kindergarten furniture to be paid from bond funds. The board also approved advertising for bids for air-conditioner parts, general maintenance supplies and plumbing supplies; the plumbing-supplies motion recorded one abstention (Board Member DeFrancesch) and otherwise passed.
Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (Dec. 11, 2025): motion carried, recorded as 6 yeas, quorum present.
- Policy GAAA (Equal Opportunity Employment): passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Policy JAA (Equitable Educational Opportunities): passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Policy BCBD (Agenda Preparation and Dissemination): passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Authorize CBA negotiations: passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Open new LAMP account for construction fund millage: passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Accept Change Order 3 (West St. John HS fieldhouse) $82,521: passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Amend Volkert contract (up to +10 months, pending legal review): passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Approve 30 pieces of furniture (middle school and kindergarten) paid from bond funds: passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Advertise for AC parts, maintenance and plumbing supplies: passed (plumbing vote included one abstention).
The motions recorded in the minutes specify movers and seconders for each agenda action and the roll-call tallies. The approvals related to the 2022 Capital Improvement Bond and to bond-funded furniture purchases do not themselves appropriate additional funds beyond previously authorized bond allocations.
The board concluded its business and adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Board President Debra Schum presided over the meeting at West St. John Elementary School. The board voted to adopt Policy GAAA (Equal Opportunity Employment), Policy JAA (Equitable Educational Opportunities) and Policy BCBD (Agenda Preparation and Dissemination) following public comment recommending their approval. The motions to adopt each policy passed on roll calls that recorded eight yeas and three absences.
Superintendent Cleo Perry was authorized to begin negotiations on the district's Collective Bargaining Agreement after a motion by President Debra Schum and a second by Board Member DeFrancesch; the motion carried on an 8-0 recorded vote. The action directs district staff to commence bargaining but does not adopt or bind the board to any future agreement.
On facilities, the board accepted Change Order 3 for the West St. John High School fieldhouse project, approving an $82,521 increase with no additional contract days. Michael Buisson of N-Y Associates, Inc., asked the board to accept the change order to allow addition of a 6" and 3" boring and tap into the existing water main, a heated enclosure for the backflow preventer and new electrical feeds for electronic flush valves. The board recorded eight yeas; funds will come from the 2022 Capital Improvement Bond.
The board amended the contract with Volkert to permit up to ten additional months of work on projects funded by the 2022 bond, subject to legal review, and approved purchase of 30 pieces of middle-school and kindergarten furniture to be paid from bond funds. The board also approved advertising for bids for air-conditioner parts, general maintenance supplies and plumbing supplies; the plumbing-supplies motion recorded one abstention (Board Member DeFrancesch) and otherwise passed.
Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes (Dec. 11, 2025): motion carried, recorded as 6 yeas, quorum present.
- Policy GAAA (Equal Opportunity Employment): passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Policy JAA (Equitable Educational Opportunities): passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Policy BCBD (Agenda Preparation and Dissemination): passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Authorize CBA negotiations: passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Open new LAMP account for construction fund millage: passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Accept Change Order 3 (West St. John HS fieldhouse) $82,521: passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Amend Volkert contract (up to +10 months, pending legal review): passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Approve 30 pieces of furniture (middle school and kindergarten) paid from bond funds: passed, roll call 8 yeas.
- Advertise for AC parts, maintenance and plumbing supplies: passed (plumbing vote included one abstention).
The motions recorded in the minutes specify movers and seconders for each agenda action and the roll-call tallies. The approvals related to the 2022 Capital Improvement Bond and to bond-funded furniture purchases do not themselves appropriate additional funds beyond previously authorized bond allocations.
The board concluded its business and adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
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