St. John the Baptist Parish School Board approves several revised policies and schedules millage hearing

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on Oct. 10 approved multiple revised policies and took procedural steps ahead of its Oct. 28 public hearing on millage rates. The board voted 8–0, with three members absent, to adopt changes to attendance and student-health policies and to update rules on executive sessions and the annual budget.

The most significant votes included approval of the revised Attendance policy (JB) and the Student Absences and Excuses policy (JBD). The Attendance policy update reiterates statutory attendance definitions and minimum instructional-minute requirements; the JBD policy clarifies notification timelines, extenuating circumstances, and the district’s process for referring habitual truancy to juvenile court. Both items were moved by board member Triche and received unanimous roll-call approval.

The board also approved revisions to JGCD (Administration of Medication). The policy requires written physician authorization for in-school medications, sets training requirements for staff who administer medications, requires secure storage, and outlines documentation and observation periods, including a 45-minute observation after administration where specified. The motion was made by Frizzell and seconded by Triche and passed 8–0.

On governance and finance, the board approved changes to BCBK (Executive Sessions), tightening language about the reasons for closed meetings and the requirement that the public record state the reason and the vote of each member. The board likewise approved DC (Annual Operating Budget), which formalizes the budget calendar, public-display requirements, monthly reporting and thresholds that trigger superintendent reporting when revenues or expenditures deviate by five percent or more.

Procedural business included ratifying Superintendent Dr. Cleo Perry’s execution of the LAUMBI/PD uninsured-motorist rejection form for the district vehicle insurance renewal covering Oct. 1, 2024–Oct. 1, 2025. That ratification was approved by the same 8–0 vote.

Items introduced for later consideration included DID (Audits), EBBC (Emergency/Crisis Management), EBBI (Public Health Emergency/COVID-19 guidance), EBCB (Video/Audio Monitoring) and ED (Student Transportation Management). Those were presented for introduction and will return to the board for formal action at a later date.

Votes at a glance

- JB — Attendance (approved): Motion by Triche; second by Mamou; roll call 8 yeas (Burl, Triche, Morris, DeFrancesch, Frizzell, Mamou, Mitchell-Williams, Wallace); 3 absent (Holden, Schum, Vicknair).
- JBD — Student Absences and Excuses (approved): Motion by Triche; second by DeFrancesch; roll call 8 yeas; 3 absent.
- JGCD — Administration of Medication (approved): Motion by Frizzell; second by Triche; roll call 8 yeas; 3 absent.
- BCBK — Executive Sessions (approved): Motion by Triche; second by Morris; roll call 8 yeas; 3 absent.
- DC — Annual Operating Budget (approved): Motion by Triche; second by DeFrancesch; roll call 8 yeas; 3 absent.
- Ratification of LAUMBI/PD rejection form (approved): Motion by Triche; second by DeFrancesch; roll call 8 yeas; 3 absent.

Why it matters: The attendance and absences rules determine when students are counted present and the district’s process for addressing habitual truancy; the medication policy sets district limits and training requirements that affect how schools manage chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes; and the budget policy codifies procedures and thresholds that guide fiscal oversight and public notice.

The board announced a required public hearing and special meeting on Oct. 28 at Godchaux Grammar Cafeteria to consider levying or rolling forward 2024 millage rates. The district’s notice estimated $39,016,410 in tax revenue with $95,000 attributable to the proposed increase. The hearing will include a public comment period prior to any vote.