Board grants settlement authority in multiple pending lawsuits

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board convened in executive session on March 16 to discuss pending litigation and later reconvened in public session to act on counsel recommendations.

The board voted to grant settlement authority to attorney Jeff Diez in the matters captioned Johnell Howard consolidated with LaToya Webber on behalf of A'Juan Webber v. St. John the Baptist School Board/Jennifer Davis (Suit Nos. 67,241 c/w 67,409) and in Miao Ling Hu & Wei Zhou on behalf of Annie Zhou v. St. John the Baptist School Board (Suit No. 70814A). The board also accepted the recommendation of counsel Evan Alvarez and/or Andrew Barr regarding the status of Fulcrum Enterprises, LLC v. St. John the Baptist Parish School Board (Suit No. C-77965) and considered action deemed necessary as a result. Motions to convene executive session and to grant settlement authority carried by roll call votes listed in the meeting record.

The transcript records that the board entered executive session at 6:37 p.m. and reconvened at 7:47 p.m. The motions to grant settlement authority were approved by roll call with all members recorded as voting yes on the public record. The meeting minutes do not detail settlement terms; granting authority allows counsel to negotiate or finalize settlements on behalf of the district.