Board sends proposed censure policy to legal review after split vote

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on Sept. 19 considered a proposed 'Censure of Board Members' policy but did not adopt it. Following discussion, Board Member Samuel Mamou offered a substitute motion — seconded by Morris — asking administration to send the policy to the Board attorney for review and to return it to the Board only if counsel recommended approval. The substitute motion passed on roll call 6 yeas, 4 nays, 1 absent (Yeas: Holden, Morris, Frizzell, Mamou, Vicknair, Wallace; Nays: Burl, Triche, DeFrancesch, Schum; Absent: Mitchell‑Williams).

The version presented in the meeting record defines censure as a formal expression of disapproval that requires a two‑thirds majority of the Board (noted in the text as eight affirmative votes). The policy text included detailed procedural steps: ten days’ advance written notice to all Board members and the Board attorney before a censure motion may be introduced; a requirement that the motion receive a second to trigger debate in open session; restrictions on discussing confidential personnel, student or attorney‑client matters in open session; and options for the Board following debate (approve, reject or table the motion). The record also notes that disclosure of confidential matters would be handled in executive session when required.

Because the substitute motion passed, the policy was not adopted at the meeting; the administration was directed to submit the draft to the Board attorney for legal review and to bring the item back to a future session only if counsel approves the language.

Why it matters
A censure policy would create a formal disciplinary mechanism for board members and set clear procedural steps and voting thresholds for reprimand. The Board’s decision to seek counsel review delays a governance change that would set continuity and limits for how internal member conduct complaints are handled.

Next steps
Administration will deliver the proposed policy to the Board attorney for review and report back to the Board per the substitute motion.