St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approves personnel-policy change, contract extensions and multiple change orders

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on July 10, 2025, in Reserve approved a revised employee dismissal policy, extended two vendor contracts and authorized four construction change orders funded by the 2022 Capital Improvement Bond. The board also received introductions of the amended 2024–25 budget, the proposed 2025–26 budget and a restructured salary schedule from the district’s new chief financial officer.

The board approved the revised Policy GBN (Dismissal of Employees) after a presentation for the item. The motion to adopt the revised policy passed on a roll-call vote (9 yeas, 1 nay — Burl, 1 absent — Triche).

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (June 26, 2025): Motion by Frizzell, second by Vicknair; 8 yeas, 1 abstain (Burl), 2 absent (Triche, Morris) — motion carried.
- Revised Policy GBN (Dismissal of Employees): Motion by DeFrancesch, second by Wallace; 9 yeas, 1 nay (Burl), 1 absent (Triche) — approved.
- ACI (sales tax collector) contract extension (2 years): Motion by Frizzell, second by Vicknair; 9 yeas, 1 nay (Morris), 1 absent (Triche) — approved.
- Guarantee Restoration (restoration services) contract extension (2 years): Substitute motion by Mitchell-Williams, second by Frizzell; 10 yeas, 1 absent (Triche) — approved.
- Volkert, Inc. Project Management Amendment (2): Motion by Vicknair, second by Wallace; 9 yeas, 1 abstain (Burl), 1 absent (Triche) — approved.
- Change Order 2, West St. John Elementary HVAC (structurally enhanced concrete and pedestal): $11,680.12 and 21 calendar days; 9 yeas, 1 abstain (Burl), 1 absent (Triche) — approved.
- Change Order 1, Garyville/Mt. Airy Math & Science Magnet School HVAC (electrical gear box with shunt trip): $44,144.00; 9 yeas, 1 abstain (Burl), 1 absent (Triche) — approved.
- Change Order 2, East St. John High School locker/restroom epoxy (East Classroom Building 400): $17,441.23 and 14 calendar days; 9 yeas, 1 abstain (Burl), 1 absent (Triche) — approved.
- Change Order 1, West St. John High School locker/restroom toilet partitions: $47,810.00; 9 yeas, 1 abstain (Burl), 1 absent (Triche) — approved.
- Appointment of Patricia Triche as Chairperson to the Discipline Committee: Motion by Vicknair, second by Frizzell; 10 yeas, 1 absent (Triche) — approved.

Budget and compensation items
Staff introduced two budget items and a revised salary schedule for 2025–26. Mr. Brian Coogan introduced the amended 2024–25 budget and the proposed 2025–26 budget; Mr. Mire, identified in the record as the district’s new chief financial officer, formally introduced the proposed 2025–26 salary schedule, which includes a non-certified teacher salary restructure, a revised pay structure for differentiated compensation and a revised retention pay structure. The budgets and salary schedule were introduced for board consideration and are scheduled for later action; no final vote on the budgets or salary schedule occurred at this meeting.

Funding and contracts
Several construction change orders approved by the board will be paid from the 2022 Capital Improvement Bond. The finance committee noted in its report that the board will consider at the August 7 meeting a possible $11 million payment toward a $30 million loan; that potential payment was presented as a future agenda item rather than an approved action at this meeting.

Procedural notes
The meeting convened at 6:01 p.m. at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria in Reserve and adjourned at 7:14 p.m. The board recorded signatures for Dr. Cleo Perry (Secretary) and Debra Schum (President). Announcements included a mandatory law training on July 17, 2025, and a board retreat scheduled for August 28, 2025.

What’s next
Budget adoption, any related public hearings, and final approval of the recommended $11 million loan payment were noted for future board agendas.