School board adopts censure policy after split vote

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board voted to adopt a new policy formalizing the process to censure a board member.

The motion to approve the policy was made by Triche and seconded by Frizzell; the minutes record a roll-call vote of six in favor (Triche, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Wallace, Mitchell‑Williams, Schum), four opposed (Holden, Burl, Morris, Mamou) and one absent (Vicknair). The minutes state the motion carried.

The new policy text, as recorded in the minutes, defines a censure as a formal reprimand the board may impose for violations of law or conduct that injures the board's reputation or effectiveness. The policy explicitly states that a censure requires a two‑thirds majority of the board ("i.e. eight affirmative votes") and sets procedures: written notice at least 10 days before a motion, a requirement that a motion be seconded before debate, and limits on discussing confidential personnel, student or attorney‑client matters in open session. It also allows the board to remove a member from committee assignments or take other actions in lieu of censure.

The minutes do not explain the discrepancy between the policy's stated two‑thirds threshold (eight votes) and the roll-call result recorded for adoption (six yeas). The board debated the policy before the vote; the recorded opposition and the vote tally are noted in the official minutes but no further rationale for approval with the recorded tally is provided in the text.

The policy text as recorded cites state statutes and case law relevant to board procedure. No implementation timeline or immediate follow‑up tasks are listed in the minutes.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the vote; the minutes show no subsequent reconsideration at this meeting.