Board presses administration for clearer school‑repair updates as members hear staffing, tutoring and COVID reports

Board members on Jan. 13 pressed the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board superintendent for clearer written communication about school repair progress and reopening plans, while the administration reported on staffing shortages, tutoring programs and COVID protocols.

Board Member Debra Schum said a directive given in October to provide weekly written communication on reopening and repair progress had not been met. Superintendent Lynett Hookfin said the district will publish a monthly district bulletin beginning Jan. 2022 and will survey parents and staff about communication preferences. Hookfin also said she would provide school‑level lists of tutoring services and other details requested by the board.

Administrators described 27 current vacancies and interim staffing measures. Dr. Green said the district is meeting with Kelly Services and coordinating with LRCE, which the record shows was sending 18 candidates to interview. Hookfin said schools are relying on master teachers, mentor teachers and site leaders to cover classes when substitutes are not available and that teachers are being asked to record lessons where appropriate.

Curriculum staff reported Saturday tutoring programs at some middle and high schools and interventions funded at some sites by Title I. TAP rosters were verified for payout and counselors had completed an initial graduation checkpoint for seniors, with a follow‑up scheduled in February.

Health official Dr. Spies told the board that COVID‑19 cases were increasing with the Omicron variant, that the district was following CDC guidance and deep‑cleaning school facilities, and that parish positivity hovered around 35% at the time of the meeting. Board members asked that cleaning protocols and other safety steps be posted on the district website.

Separately, the board approved motions allowing administration to advertise for Awards & Incentives, General Maintenance Supplies and for the Official Journal. The board also convened in executive session on pending litigation and, after reconvening, authorized settlement authority in Grant v. St. John the Baptist School Board.