St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approves bond-financing amendment, tax propositions and multiple facilities and contract measures

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on Dec. 11 approved a package of fiscal and facilities measures, including a change to bond repayment financing, two ballot resolutions to renew property-tax propositions, and multiple contract extensions and capital projects.

The board voted 10–0 (one absence) to amend the Aug. 7, 2025 bond repayment plan so $2 million will come from the LAMP account and $9 million from the Construction account instead of routing the full $11 million from LAMP. The change was introduced at the meeting by Mr. Rene Mire and carried on a motion by Wallace, seconded by Frizzell.

In separate votes the board approved calling elections to renew two property-tax propositions. On a motion by Mitchell-Williams, seconded by Vicknair, the board authorized placing Proposition No. 1 (4.33 mills for school maintenance) on the ballot; that motion passed 10–0 (Triche absent). On a motion by Wallace, seconded by Vicknair, the board authorized calling an election to renew Proposition No. 2 (8 mills for school support); that motion also passed 10–0 (Triche absent).

The meeting included a series of facility and procurement approvals recommended by staff. Highlights of board-approved actions:

- Approval to adopt a stop‑loss provider for the district’s self‑funded health plan for plan year 2026–27 (motion by Frizzell; second by DeFrancesch). Roll call recorded eight yeas, one nay (Burl), one abstention (Holden) and one absence (Triche); the motion carried.

- Approval of a prioritized list for using remaining bond funds totaling $10.5 million (motion by Morris; second by Holden), passing 10–0 with one absence.

- Approval to convert the former JLO site to an Early Childhood Center (motion by Vicknair; second by DeFrancesch). The motion carried 7–3 (nays: Holden, Burl, Mamou; Triche absent).

- Approval to install access-control systems at current JLO/LGH sites (motion by Holden; second by Morris), passing 9–1 (nay: Burl) with one absence.

- Approval of repairs to the West St. John High softball infield (motion by Holden; second by Wallace) and approval to move the district central office to the FWE school site (motion by Morris; second by Wallace); both motions carried by recorded majorities, and a request was made for an asbestos report on the Annex building.

- The board authorized advertising for bus parts procurement, extending the custodial equipment maintenance contract and the excess workers’ compensation insurance contract, and advertising for award/incentive items. Those motions were approved on recorded roll calls (details in the official minutes).

The board conducted these votes over a roughly two‑hour meeting and adjourned at 8:24 p.m. The transcript records motions, movers and roll‑call tallies for each action taken.