St. John the Baptist school board approves contract extensions, pay changes and $440,803 auditorium change order
June 30, 2026 | St. John the Baptist Parish, School Boards, Louisiana
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The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on April 10 approved multiple contract extensions, changes to compensation schedules and a construction change order that raises the West St. John Elementary auditorium contract by $440,803 and extends the timeline by 75 days.
Board members voted unanimously to extend several vendor contracts, including Information Technology services for two years (Jessie Cortez Sr., Jessie Cortez Jr., and Darbe Loupe) on a motion by Board member Morris, seconded by Wallace. The vote was recorded as 11 yeas and the motion carried.
The board approved one-year extensions for its capital bond architects (NY Associates, Yeates & Mancil, Lachin) on a motion by Triche, seconded by Mitchell-Williams; the roll call was 10 yeas with one abstention (Burl). One-year renewals for office supplies (Louisiana Office Products), waste management (WastePro), asbestos maintenance (Ritter Consulting) and roofing maintenance (Partin Roofing) were each approved by similar roll-call votes.
On construction, a substitute motion approved Change Order 6 for upgrades to the West St. John Elementary auditorium lobby and restrooms. The substitute (mover: Vicknair; seconder: Wallace) set the contract increase at $440,803 and added 75 calendar days to the contract duration, with the board recording 9 yeas, 1 nay (Burl) and 1 absent (Mitchell-Williams). A Volkert representative, Ryan Smith, presented the change order and explained the higher figure reflected an increase in seat costs.
The board also approved administrative and personnel items covering pay and staffing. On a motion by Triche, seconded by Mitchell-Williams, the board approved a change to the differentiated compensation pay structure (roll call: 10 yeas). The board voted to repurpose the Fifth Ward Elementary retention stipend (motion Triche/Wallace; vote 10 yeas, 1 nay Burl) and to restructure the non-certified teacher salary schedule (motion Triche/Vicknair; vote 10 yeas, 1 nay Burl). The board approved advertising bids for SY 2025–2026 cafeteria supplies and food services (motion Triche/Wallace; roll call 10 yeas, 1 abstention Burl).
Why it matters: The contract extensions maintain continuity of district services (IT, architects, supplies, facility maintenance) while the change order increases the cost and schedule for a high-profile auditorium renovation. The pay-structure changes and stipend repurposing directly affect staff compensation and retention strategies ahead of the next school year.
What’s next: Several introduced policies (GBRIA, GBRIB, BCBD) were presented for introduction and will return for board action at a later meeting. The district will proceed with the work covered by Change Order 6 under the revised contract terms.
Board members voted unanimously to extend several vendor contracts, including Information Technology services for two years (Jessie Cortez Sr., Jessie Cortez Jr., and Darbe Loupe) on a motion by Board member Morris, seconded by Wallace. The vote was recorded as 11 yeas and the motion carried.
The board approved one-year extensions for its capital bond architects (NY Associates, Yeates & Mancil, Lachin) on a motion by Triche, seconded by Mitchell-Williams; the roll call was 10 yeas with one abstention (Burl). One-year renewals for office supplies (Louisiana Office Products), waste management (WastePro), asbestos maintenance (Ritter Consulting) and roofing maintenance (Partin Roofing) were each approved by similar roll-call votes.
On construction, a substitute motion approved Change Order 6 for upgrades to the West St. John Elementary auditorium lobby and restrooms. The substitute (mover: Vicknair; seconder: Wallace) set the contract increase at $440,803 and added 75 calendar days to the contract duration, with the board recording 9 yeas, 1 nay (Burl) and 1 absent (Mitchell-Williams). A Volkert representative, Ryan Smith, presented the change order and explained the higher figure reflected an increase in seat costs.
The board also approved administrative and personnel items covering pay and staffing. On a motion by Triche, seconded by Mitchell-Williams, the board approved a change to the differentiated compensation pay structure (roll call: 10 yeas). The board voted to repurpose the Fifth Ward Elementary retention stipend (motion Triche/Wallace; vote 10 yeas, 1 nay Burl) and to restructure the non-certified teacher salary schedule (motion Triche/Vicknair; vote 10 yeas, 1 nay Burl). The board approved advertising bids for SY 2025–2026 cafeteria supplies and food services (motion Triche/Wallace; roll call 10 yeas, 1 abstention Burl).
Why it matters: The contract extensions maintain continuity of district services (IT, architects, supplies, facility maintenance) while the change order increases the cost and schedule for a high-profile auditorium renovation. The pay-structure changes and stipend repurposing directly affect staff compensation and retention strategies ahead of the next school year.
What’s next: Several introduced policies (GBRIA, GBRIB, BCBD) were presented for introduction and will return for board action at a later meeting. The district will proceed with the work covered by Change Order 6 under the revised contract terms.
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