St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approves contracts, teacher pay and loan‑repayment account

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on March 7 approved a series of procurement contracts and budget actions, voted to pay teachers a one‑time $750 effectiveness payment and authorized a separate account to receive FEMA and insurance proceeds for repayment of a $30,000,000 loan.

In a single block of routine business the board awarded one‑year contracts or authorized advertisements for vendors covering bus parts, general maintenance supplies, award and incentive items, and vendor solicitations for electrical, plumbing and air‑conditioning parts. The board also renewed its engagement with fiscal auditor LaPorte and approved a month‑to‑month purchase order to maintain grounds at the Old Lucy School property. Most measures passed on unanimous roll calls with nine members recorded as voting in the affirmative and two members absent.

Board action on staffing service agreements was mixed. Administration requested a one‑year staffing agreement with AM‑PM for maintenance, clerks and custodians; following discussion a substitute motion to table the request carried. A separate motion to advertise for temporary staffing services for the coming school year passed after the board adopted a substitute motion to require a comprehensive list of positions so prospective vendors would not be excluded for inability to fill every role.

Public commenters Mrs. Melissa Watson and Mrs. Eshonna Lane spoke during Head Start agenda items. The board approved the 2024–25 Head Start Application and Cost Allocation Plan and also approved the Head Start Self‑Assessment and Community Assessment.

On compensation, the board authorized administration to pay a $750 effectiveness payment to all teachers using a combination of differentiated compensation and the general fund, to be paid on or before April 30, 2024. The request was made publicly by Mrs. Dominique Miller and carried on a roll call vote.

The board also authorized administration to designate a separate account for repayment of a previously issued $30,000,000 loan and directed that FEMA and insurance proceeds be deposited into that account.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes):
• Approve minutes (Feb. 8 meeting and Jan. 30–Feb. 1 public hearings): Passed (7 Yeas on initial roll call; later quorum changed).
• Waive policy to amend agenda and add Aviation presentation: Passed (roll call noted 9 Yeas).
• Approve 2024–25 Head Start Application and Cost Allocation Plan: Passed (9 Yeas; 2 Absent).
• Approve Head Start Self‑Assessment and Community Assessment: Passed (9 Yeas; 2 Absent).
• Authorize advertisement for cafeteria contract solicitations: Passed (9 Yeas; 2 Absent).
• AM‑PM staffing services agreement: Tabled (substitute motion passed).
• Advertise for demolition of Old Woodland Elementary: Tabled.
• Award one‑year bus parts contract to lowest responsive bidder (Auto Parts and Supply): Passed.
• Renew engagement letter with fiscal auditor (LaPorte): Passed.
• Award one‑year general maintenance supplies contract (Fisher Ace Hardware): Passed.
• Award one‑year award/incentive items/T‑shirts contract (Tri‑Parish Trophies / Advanced Marketing “AMP”): Passed.
• Authorize month‑to‑month PO for Old Lucy grounds maintenance: Passed.
• Authorize advertisement for temporary staffing service for upcoming school year (substitute motion requiring comprehensive position list): Passed.
• Authorize advertisement for a health insurance broker: Passed.
• Authorize advertisements for electrical, plumbing and air‑conditioning parts vendors: Passed.
• Authorize $750 effectiveness pay to all teachers (to be paid by April 30, 2024): Passed.
• Designate separate account for repayment of $30,000,000 loan for FEMA/insurance proceeds: Passed.

The board’s roll calls and motions were recorded in the meeting minutes; where a motion was tabled the record reflects that no formal award or contract was authorized at this meeting.