Brought to you by

The ECCS 

 Quick Links

www.eastbankcollaborative.com 

www.lacharterschools.org

 www.educatenow.net

 www.coweninstitute.com

www.louisianaschools.net

www.charterdiscovery.com

www.laschoolfinder.com 

www.nopg.org

Support Us!

This report is created by Ken Ducote and Rose Drill-Peterson on behalf of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools 

Greetings! 

 

The Jefferson Parish School Board held two Monthly Meetings on February 9, 2015, at the JPSB Administration Building, 501 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, as follows:
  • Executive Committee - 4:30 p.m.
  • Board Regular Session - 6:00 p.m.
A guide to participating in JPSB meetings can be read here. To learn more about JPSB activities or to view videos of meetings, click here
  
JPSBrief has summarized the activities of the Meetings below. The next Regular Session Board Meeting is scheduled for March 18, although the possibility was discussed of a Special Board Meeting prior to then.

 


***This email is created by Ken Ducote and Rose Drill-Peterson on behalf of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools and is not an official correspondence from the Jefferson Parish School Board***
REPORT FROM FEBRUARY 9 JPSB MEETINGS
Executive Committee
  • Review of Audit for FY2014
    • Received a report from auditors Carr Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors
    • Auditors expressed an "unmodified audit opinion" on the financial statements of JPPSS
    • Found three areas of non-compliance
      • A weakness in internal controls which resulted in theft of $75,000 in Student Activity Funds, although $71,060 has been recovered
      • Errors in determining eligibility for the free and reduced lunch program totaling $77,561
      • Failure to adopt Special Revenue Fund Budgets for all funds for FY 2014
    •  Issued four Management Letter Comments
      • Needs a formalized IT risk assessment process
      • Should continue to enhance revenues, reduce expenses, and/or transfer monies from General Fund to eliminate operating deficits in various funds
      • Monitor administrative expenses incurred in FEMA project management to avoid any overspending that FEMA might not reimburse
      • Institute a policy to better monitor third-party service providers
    • Found 25 instances of errors in reporting educational levels or salaries of teachers in State reports
    • Cautioned that new GASB 68 standards for Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions may cause JPSB to show approximately $700 million of the State retirement systems' unfunded accrued liabilities as being JPSB liabilities on JPSB's future financial statements
  • NSBA-Advocacy Institute conference report
    • Received a report from the four members who attended
    • Conference was in DC from February 1 through 3
    • Discussed ideas on giving more local flexibility on use of federal program funds
  • Policy concerning Board members attending conferences
    • Discussed current policy which limits Board members, other than President and Vice-President, to two out-of-state conferences per year
    • President believes members need to "go and grow" by attending conferences
    • Proposal is to drop the limit as to number of conferences with conditions
      • Conference costs must be in line item budgets for such purposes
      • All Board members must be apprised of plans for attendance 
  • Superintendent Search
    • Other members recommended that such items be vetted through full Board prior to being placed on website as a Board document
      • Concerns expressed that several items on the web survey were not appropriate or relevant for the search
    • Consultant had recommended  different approach to survey questions
    • Agreement reached that Board member comments would be received and final survey approved at forthcoming Special Board Meeting
  • Executive Session
    • Was not held - deleted
  • Resolution concerning Bond Issue
    • Refund/refinance at lower rates up to $52,000,000 of 2007 and 2008 sales tax bonds
    • Projected savings of approximately $2,000,000 over the life of the bonds, or $200,000 annually
    • Preliminary approval proposed so the issue can be presented to the State Bond Commission
  • Breakfast meeting with the JPSB Legislative Committee and Jefferson Delegation
    • Legislative Liaison discussed general plans for forthcoming legislative session
  • Rescind employees having to yearly certify union or professional dues deduction
    • Similar to other deductions, once enrolled, an employee's dues deduction would continue until the employee requests cancellation
  • Request for Proposals (RFP) will be issued for insurance policies expiring in April and May 2015
    • Building & Contents
    • Equipment Floater (Inland Marine)
    • General Liability
    • Workers compensation
  • Review mission statement for JPPSS to submit to Advanced Ed during re-accreditation process
  • Create a "Study Group" for reviewing uniform policy
    • Same uniform bottom or pants for all schools proposed
    • Would make transferring between schools less costly
  • Create a "Study Group" for alternative food concerning Child Nutrition that are mandated to be served to students
    • Seeks more local control and less waste 
Regular Session
Agenda details and back-up documentation can be read here
  • Presentations
    • Recognized Bridgett Seals for being awarded the Rolland Van Hattum Award
      • Speech-language pathologist recognized by National Speech and Hearing Association for Communications and Broadcast Program she developed for special needs students
    • Principals of the Year Presentations
      • Suzanne Bordlee of Leo Kerner, Jr. Elementary School
      • Faith Joseph of Henry Ford Middle School
      • Jaime Zapico of Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy
    • Teachers of the Year Presentations
      • Pablo M.M. Pato, 3rd grade, Geraldine Boudreaux Elementary
      •  Shannon Walker, 8th grade, Henry Ford Middle School
      •  Riley Collins, 9th grade, Grace King High School
    • Students of the Year Presentations
      • Gayoon Nam, 5th grade, Keller Elementary School
      •  Daniel Lau, 8th grade, Meisler Middle School
      •  Tram Nguyen, 12th grade, Thomas Jefferson High School
    • Review of Audit for FY2014
      • Received the audit that was reviewed at the Executive Committee Meeting
      • Described as a "clean" audit by auditors
    • Pre-K Infomercial
  • Contract with 1-World Language
    • Approved the contract of training for interpreters to assist with translations for parents
    • Total cost approximately $55,000
  • Contract with independent camera operator for JPS-TV
    • Approved the contract with Kami Plaisance for $3500 per year 
  • Contract with Career Compass of Louisiana
    • Approved the contract for college and career counseling for 700 students at $50 per student
    • Funded by LDOE Jump Start grant for the services
  • Resolution giving preliminary approval to the issuance of not to exceed $52,000,000 of Sales Tax Refunding Bonds
    • Approved the resolution
  • Settlement in the case of Karl J. Riche` and Donna D. Riche` v. JPSB and Princeton Express & Surplus Lines
    Insurance Company, in the 24th Judicial District Court, case No. 697-888
    • Approved the settlement
  • Fiscal Year 2013/2014 External Audit
    • Accepted the audit
  • Revision to Advanced Study Academy Admissions and Dismissal Policies and Procedures
    • Approved change that adjusts for late availability of state testing results
  • Interim revision to 2014-15 Pupil Progression Plan to conform with update state
    assessment policy
    • Approved change that adjusts for late availability of state testing results
  • Capital Projects
    • Acceptance, Harahan Elementary School, Project No. 2010-48
      • Accepted renovations project completed with no punch list
    • Acceptance, Woodmere Elementary School, Project No. 2012-29
      • Accepted demolition and site restoration project completed
    • Acceptance, Gretna Park Elementary School, Project No. 2012-40
      • Accepted  waterproofing and repairs project completed with no punch list
    • Bid Acceptance, Administration Annex Building, Project Nos. 2011-02 and 2014-02
      • Awarded contract by public bid for Data Center Upgrades
      • The McDonnel Group, LLC - $3,731,000
    • Bid Acceptance, West Jefferson High School, Project No. 2014-04
      • Awarded contract by public bid for auditorium renovations
      • Tasch, LLC - $414,000
    • Acceptance, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, Project No. 2012-37B
      • Accepted renovations project completed with no punch list
    • Budget, Scope of Work and Appointment of an Architect, Lincoln Elementary School for the Arts, Project No. 2015-50
      • Approved total budget of $3,300,000 for new arts wing
      • Approved Hewitt-Washington and Associates as project designer
      • Two representatives of the school's community spoke to thank the Board for its action and to pledge to participate in helping make the school a success
      • A large delegation of Lincoln HS alumni were also present in support
  • Executive Committee Reports - see above meeting agenda
    • NSBA Advocacy Institute Conference Report
      • Received reports from attendees
      • Interested in changes to No Child Left Behind program
      • Emphasized need for parental advocacy through national PTA and PTO
    • Policy concerning Board attending conference
      • Approved the proposed policy change by a 7-1 vote
    • Superintendent Search
      • Voting deferred until all Board members can be present
        • One member was out due to surgery
    • Breakfast meeting with the JPSB Legislative Committee and Jefferson Delegation
      • Received status report
    • Rescind employees having to yearly certify union or profession dues deduction
      • Approved proposed policy change
    • Request for Proposals (RFP) for insurance policies expiring April 1 or May 1, 2015
      • Approved issuance of RFP
    • Review of mission statement for JPPSS to submit to Advanced Ed during re-accreditation process
      • Received status report
    • "Study Group" for review uniform policy
      • Received status report
    • "Study Group" for alternative food for Child Nutrition that are mandated to be served to students
      • Received status report
  • New Business - Board Member First Readings for future actions
      • Proposal to add social workers and other student support workers to $5000 merit supplement 
        • One social worker spoke in favor of the supplement
      • Proposal to amend salary schedule to provide PK-8 principals with same pay as middle school principals
      • Proposal for policy that no items be placed on JPPSS website as a Board item without first vetting it through the full Board
  • Public Comment
    • Two persons spoke in opposition to Common Core
  • Executive Session
    • Settlement in the matter entitled "Steve Barton v. JPSB, et al., Number 713-457 of the 24th Judicial District Court, Division "C."
      • Rejected the settlement on a 0 to 7 vote
    • Reconvene to discuss case 114a
      • Approved the item
This service is made possible by funding from the 
Robert Reily Family Trust.