St. John the Baptist Parish board lifts hiring freeze and opens FY budgets for review

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on June 9 voted to lift a hiring freeze for Central Office positions and received presentations on the amended FY2022 budget and the comprehensive FY2023 budget.

Interim Superintendent Rebecca Johnson presented summer-school and staffing updates earlier in the meeting. Budget presenter Ms. Jawanza Joseph introduced the FY2022 amended budget and the FY2023 comprehensive budget and said detailed copies are available for review at 118 West 10th Street in Reserve.

The board approved a motion by DeFrancesch seconded by Triche to lift the Central Office hiring freeze. The motion passed on roll call with seven members voting yes, one (Mr. Burl) voting no and three members absent. Mr. Burl asked that the record reflect his concern: “He cannot support this until he is sure that the resources are being put back into the schools.”

Joseph also introduced the FY2022–23 salary schedule, which she said incorporates last year’s schedule and the state pay increase; the Salary Study Committee will meet to consider further changes.

Next steps: the budgets remain available for public inspection at the district office and the Salary Study Committee will continue its work on salary recommendations.