St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approves policies, awards $2.829 million bid and adopts pupil progression plan
July 02, 2026 | St. John the Baptist Parish, School Boards, Louisiana
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The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on Sept. 11 approved multiple policies and contract actions, awarded a $2,829,000 construction contract for John L. Ory Elementary, and adopted the 2025–26 Pupil Progression Plan with a stipulation allowing AA students with pass or exempt grades to attend an HR celebration.
Board business opened with routine approvals, including adoption of the Aug. 21, 2025 minutes. Board member Frizzell moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Board member Triche; the motion carried with six yeas, one abstention (Holden) and four members absent.
Several policy recommendations originating in committees were recommended for approval after public comment by Mr. Edrius Stagg. The board recommended approval of Policy BBBC (School Board Member Continuing Education), Policy CED (Employment of Superintendent), Policy GAK (Personnel Records), Policy GBC (Recruitment Policy), Policy IDBA (Sex Education), Policy IDCH (Home Study Program), Policy IDE (Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities), Policy IDFA (Interscholastic Athletics) and Policy JCDAE (Electronic Telecommunications Devices). Most of those recommendations passed with unanimous or near-unanimous roll-call votes as recorded in the meeting.
On capital projects and change orders, the board accepted the Substantial Completion Certificate for the Emily C. Watkins Elementary new gym and security project as recommended by Yeates Mancil Architects after a request from Mr. Ryan Smith of Volkert. The board also approved Change Order 2 for the West St. John High School HVAC upgrades (replacement of cooling tower pumps, $48,037 and three additional calendar days) as presented.
A contested action during new business involved the John L. Ory Elementary mechanical, electrical and lighting project. Mr. Ryan Smith presented the lowest responsive bid from Tasch, LLC for $2,829,000 (funded from the 2022 Capital Improvement Bond). A substitute motion by Board member Morris to reject the lowest responsive bid failed by a 2–7 margin; a subsequent motion by Board member Wallace to approve the Tasch bid carried 7–2 (Burl and Morris voted no). The board authorized the superintendent to sign necessary documents.
On personnel- and benefits-related items, Board member Triche moved and the board approved the UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan 2026 benefit changes and renewal premium as recommended by the Insurance Committee. The board also approved modifications to salary-schedule language for athletic trips and approved language changes to the 1/4-cent sales tax distribution.
Several contracts and renewals were approved: a one-year extension of the chiller maintenance contract with Bernhard MCC at no cost increase; renewal of the fleet mechanic contract with TDS for three years at $490,000 annually (as amended); a one-year extension of the third-party administrator (TPA) for workers’ compensation services; and the award of general, liability and fleet insurance to a qualified broker. The board also authorized advertising the sale of CDC and Milesville property and authorized advertising for property insurance.
The 2025–2026 Pupil Progression Plan was approved after presentation by Dr. Jaimee Williams. The board added and recorded the stipulation that AA students who receive a pass or exempt grade may attend the HR celebration. The motion carried on roll call.
The meeting concluded with routine administrative matters and adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes (Aug. 21, 2025): Motion by Frizzell; 6 yeas, 1 abstain (Holden), 4 absent — carried.
- Policy BBBC (Continuing Education): Motion by Frizzell; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy CED (Employment of Superintendent): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy GAK (Personnel Records): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy GBC (Recruitment Policy): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy IDBA (Sex Education): Motion by Wallace; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy IDCH (Home Study Program): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy IDE (Co-Curricular/Extracurricular): Motion by Triche; recorded as 6 yeas, 3 abstain, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy IDFA (Interscholastic Athletics): Motion by Triche; recorded as 8 yeas, 1 nay (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Policy JCDAE (Electronic Telecommunications Devices): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Accept Substantial Completion, Emily C. Watkins Elementary new gym/security: Motion by Triche; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Amend to remove Change Order 10b (fieldhouse) from agenda: Motion by Wallace; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Approve Change Order 2 (West St. John HVAC): Motion by Triche; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- John L. Ory Elementary ME&L bid (Tasch, LLC, $2,829,000): Substitute motion to reject failed (2–7); final approval motion carried 7–2 — carried.
- UHC Medicare Advantage Plan 2026 changes and renewal: Motion by Triche; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Salary schedule modifications for athletic trips: Motion by Triche; 7 yeas, 2 no (Burl, Morris), 2 absent — carried.
- 1/4-cent sales tax distribution language modifications: Motion by Triche; 7 yeas, 1 no (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Extend chiller maintenance (Bernhard MCC) one year, no cost increase: Motion by Triche; 8 yeas, absences noted — carried.
- Renew Fleet Mechanic contract with TDS (3 years at $490,000 annually): Motion as amended by Wallace; 7 yeas, 1 no (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Authorize advertisement to sell CDC and Milesville property: Motion by Triche; 7 yeas, 1 no (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Award general, liability and fleet insurance to qualified broker: Motion by Triche; 7 yeas, 1 no (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Advertise for property insurance: Motion by Mamou; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Extend TPA for workers’ compensation one year: Motion by DeFrancesch; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Approve 2025–2026 Pupil Progression Plan with stipulation (AA students): Motion by Triche; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
What to watch next
- Introduced policies (GBA, GBRIB, GBRIBB, JD, JGCB, JGCD, CHRI, JDE, JGCE) will return for future consideration; stakeholders may follow committee schedules for formal votes.
Sources: Meeting transcript and roll-call votes recorded during the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meeting, Sept. 11, 2025.
Board business opened with routine approvals, including adoption of the Aug. 21, 2025 minutes. Board member Frizzell moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Board member Triche; the motion carried with six yeas, one abstention (Holden) and four members absent.
Several policy recommendations originating in committees were recommended for approval after public comment by Mr. Edrius Stagg. The board recommended approval of Policy BBBC (School Board Member Continuing Education), Policy CED (Employment of Superintendent), Policy GAK (Personnel Records), Policy GBC (Recruitment Policy), Policy IDBA (Sex Education), Policy IDCH (Home Study Program), Policy IDE (Co-Curricular and Extracurricular Activities), Policy IDFA (Interscholastic Athletics) and Policy JCDAE (Electronic Telecommunications Devices). Most of those recommendations passed with unanimous or near-unanimous roll-call votes as recorded in the meeting.
On capital projects and change orders, the board accepted the Substantial Completion Certificate for the Emily C. Watkins Elementary new gym and security project as recommended by Yeates Mancil Architects after a request from Mr. Ryan Smith of Volkert. The board also approved Change Order 2 for the West St. John High School HVAC upgrades (replacement of cooling tower pumps, $48,037 and three additional calendar days) as presented.
A contested action during new business involved the John L. Ory Elementary mechanical, electrical and lighting project. Mr. Ryan Smith presented the lowest responsive bid from Tasch, LLC for $2,829,000 (funded from the 2022 Capital Improvement Bond). A substitute motion by Board member Morris to reject the lowest responsive bid failed by a 2–7 margin; a subsequent motion by Board member Wallace to approve the Tasch bid carried 7–2 (Burl and Morris voted no). The board authorized the superintendent to sign necessary documents.
On personnel- and benefits-related items, Board member Triche moved and the board approved the UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan 2026 benefit changes and renewal premium as recommended by the Insurance Committee. The board also approved modifications to salary-schedule language for athletic trips and approved language changes to the 1/4-cent sales tax distribution.
Several contracts and renewals were approved: a one-year extension of the chiller maintenance contract with Bernhard MCC at no cost increase; renewal of the fleet mechanic contract with TDS for three years at $490,000 annually (as amended); a one-year extension of the third-party administrator (TPA) for workers’ compensation services; and the award of general, liability and fleet insurance to a qualified broker. The board also authorized advertising the sale of CDC and Milesville property and authorized advertising for property insurance.
The 2025–2026 Pupil Progression Plan was approved after presentation by Dr. Jaimee Williams. The board added and recorded the stipulation that AA students who receive a pass or exempt grade may attend the HR celebration. The motion carried on roll call.
The meeting concluded with routine administrative matters and adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Votes at a glance
- Approve minutes (Aug. 21, 2025): Motion by Frizzell; 6 yeas, 1 abstain (Holden), 4 absent — carried.
- Policy BBBC (Continuing Education): Motion by Frizzell; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy CED (Employment of Superintendent): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy GAK (Personnel Records): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy GBC (Recruitment Policy): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy IDBA (Sex Education): Motion by Wallace; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy IDCH (Home Study Program): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy IDE (Co-Curricular/Extracurricular): Motion by Triche; recorded as 6 yeas, 3 abstain, 2 absent — carried.
- Policy IDFA (Interscholastic Athletics): Motion by Triche; recorded as 8 yeas, 1 nay (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Policy JCDAE (Electronic Telecommunications Devices): Motion by Triche; recorded as 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Accept Substantial Completion, Emily C. Watkins Elementary new gym/security: Motion by Triche; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Amend to remove Change Order 10b (fieldhouse) from agenda: Motion by Wallace; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Approve Change Order 2 (West St. John HVAC): Motion by Triche; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- John L. Ory Elementary ME&L bid (Tasch, LLC, $2,829,000): Substitute motion to reject failed (2–7); final approval motion carried 7–2 — carried.
- UHC Medicare Advantage Plan 2026 changes and renewal: Motion by Triche; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Salary schedule modifications for athletic trips: Motion by Triche; 7 yeas, 2 no (Burl, Morris), 2 absent — carried.
- 1/4-cent sales tax distribution language modifications: Motion by Triche; 7 yeas, 1 no (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Extend chiller maintenance (Bernhard MCC) one year, no cost increase: Motion by Triche; 8 yeas, absences noted — carried.
- Renew Fleet Mechanic contract with TDS (3 years at $490,000 annually): Motion as amended by Wallace; 7 yeas, 1 no (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Authorize advertisement to sell CDC and Milesville property: Motion by Triche; 7 yeas, 1 no (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Award general, liability and fleet insurance to qualified broker: Motion by Triche; 7 yeas, 1 no (Burl), 2 absent — carried.
- Advertise for property insurance: Motion by Mamou; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Extend TPA for workers’ compensation one year: Motion by DeFrancesch; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
- Approve 2025–2026 Pupil Progression Plan with stipulation (AA students): Motion by Triche; 9 yeas, 2 absent — carried.
What to watch next
- Introduced policies (GBA, GBRIB, GBRIBB, JD, JGCB, JGCD, CHRI, JDE, JGCE) will return for future consideration; stakeholders may follow committee schedules for formal votes.
Sources: Meeting transcript and roll-call votes recorded during the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meeting, Sept. 11, 2025.
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