001[Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey, hey, hey. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Doney. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. [Music] Good afternoon. I'd like to welcome everyone to the September 11, 2025 board meeting for St. Timothy Parish School Board. Miss Kley, will you please call the role? >> Mr. Green, >> here. >> Miss Hansen
002here. >> Miss Rutherford here. >> Miss Font Laoy. >> Mr. Harold here. >> Miss Martin here. >> Miss Moore here. >> Dr. Peterson. Miss Baker >> here, >> Miss McCullum here, >> Miss Lamey >> here, >> Miss Hurst >> here, >> Mr. Bau, >> Mr. Kuzanne here, >> Miss Rafino Gallagher >> here. >> Thank you. Um, as you all know, today is September 11th and as we pause to remember the lives lost on this day in 20 2001 and we honor the courage of first responders, service members, and everyday citizens who answered the call to help. At this time, please rise for the presentation of colors by the Covington High Na Navy JROTC and remain standing for the invocation and pledge. Oh god. Ready. Please remain standing for the invocation which will be delivered by
003Mandville High student Bezia Lopez Morgan. >> As we gather here today, we pause to remember and honor the lives lost on September 11th, 2001. We hold in our hearts the victims, their families, and the countless heroes who demonstrated courage and compassion in the face of tragedy. May their memory inspire us to lead with integrity, wisdom, and a deep commitment to the well-being of our students and community. Grant us clarity in our decisions, unity in our purpose, and strength to serve with compassion. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen. Our pledge will be led by Fountain Blue High student Owen Estee. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Order. Colors. Ready for
004march left. >> You may be seated. In continued remembrance of this day, we will now hear a brief reading adapted from President George W. Bush's address to the nation on the evening of September 11, 2001. This reading will be delivered by Osteia Lopez Morgan. >> Today we remember September 11th, 2001, a day that forever changed this nation. The words we're about to read are taken from President George W. Bush's address to the nation on that evening. Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist attacks. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices, secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
005Terrorist acts can shake the foundation of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could. This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world. Thank you. Good night and God bless America. >> Thank you Owen and [Applause] thank you Owen and Beasia
006again. And thank you as well to the Covington High uh Navy Junior ROC for presenting the colors. As a school system, remember the past. We support those who serve and we commit to teaching our students what endures from this tra tragedy. Courage, compassion, community, and civic responsibility. So, thanks again to the color guard, um the excuse me, the Navy Junior RTC, and to Owen and Beij. Um, moving along in our agenda is a recognition of visitors. Does anybody Miss McCullum? >> Yes, I sorry. I'd like to recognize Mr. Brian Hurst, our new principal at Fountain Blue High School, and I Owen has already been introduced, but we are keeping our fingers crossed because he is applying for United States Page, Senate Page, and we're just hoping that that's going to come through for him. Good
007for him. >> Miss Baker, >> I'd just like to thank the gentleman in the in the Navy jacket um for your service. I could tell by the way you were standing that you you've served our country. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you, M. Baker, >> Mr. Harold. >> Thank you, President Green. I just want to recognize uh an old high school old elementary school friend, Rebecca Lee and her husband James, but they just snuck out and they're back there talking to Officer Pow. >> I'll turn it over now to Mr. Jaby for the superintendent update. >> Thank you so much. And I appreciate the board allowing us to do this tonight. Uh I don't think any of us will forget where we were on 911 2021. Um I know that day. I'll remember
008that for the rest of my life um as a teacher at S High School being glued to what was going on and and not knowing exactly the impact of everything that was going on. So um I appreciate everyone taking some time today. I also want to thank Coington High is there. Kenny Shank every year does uh the 911 uh stair climb uh to recognize all of our first responders. And normally 911 is not on a board night, so we're able to go and I I'll let him know that we had a board meeting tonight and and and he had I mean this is this is the perfect night to do it. So I'm I just hope they're having a great night and uh he always puts on a first class event. So thank you Kenny
009and Coington High School for the invitation and I hope everything is going well there tonight. As I told you last week, I was going to the Truency Summit and I did that in Alexandria all day on Monday. Uh it was a great event. I I was there at my table. They broke us up into region. I'm we're region nine. I was at the St. Tammy Washington Parish table. So it was Washington Parish, myself, two of the juvenile justice um representatives and our Finn's representative Patrick. And so we got to have some really really good conversation because Finns and the Justice Department, juvenile justice, it it encompasses Bugaloosa, Washington and us. And so that was really really some rich conversation that we were able to have. Uh we were joined by six Bessie board members at
010the meeting. 450 people, six me board meetings, three of the Louisiana Supreme Court justices, uh numerous other judges from different JDs, uh along with prosecutors and attorneys like people, very connected people with all with the purpose of how can we support school systems so that we can get kids to attend school like they're supposed to. And so we really had some great conversation. We are far ahead of a lot of the rural districts that are in uh in the state of Louisiana. So they came and kind of used us as an example for a lot of things we do with the hearings we hold and we hold parents accountable and they have to attend our uh our our child welfare attendance officers. We have Melissa, excuse me, Melissa East on one side and Donis McIntyre
011on the other. They do a great job. We have a great relationship with Fins and it's all about what it comes down to is Fins doesn't have enough people. That's what it comes down to. They're they're they're spread too thin. They can only handle about 300 cases a year. That they just they can't handle any more than that. And we have three fins officers that deal with Washington, Bugaloosa, and St. Tam. And that's what it comes down to is that we don't have enough people. They they work with people. They try to stay out of the court system because bringing people to court is is not a good thing for anyone. So, we try to be proactive and they have pledged. We all are working together. Uh and Melissa and Donna do a great job
012of getting that going. So, we're very hopeful that we're headed in the right direction. Uh I think the message has been sent to the state loud and clear of what we need to do. So, very successful meeting. The only problem was I finished at in Alexandria at 4:30 and that put me in Baton Rouge traffic at 6:00 p.m. which was was not fun. So I got home about 8:00 and uh that is not a nice drive. I'm just let you know I just I just don't care for it and a lot of traffic, but but it was it was well worth it. So I I I appreciate the ability to get up there and do that uh and take care of those things. Yesterday I got to speak to the St. Tammy Parish retired educators.
013Today I got to speak to region three uh which is basically all of the Northshore uh retired educators association and the state director. So very happy with some of the things we have going on. Uh I was there to welcome them and they are transitioning. Louisiana Retired Teachers Association is transitioning to a new state leader who is a former superintendent that I had a relationship with. He was from Tensaw Parish and he's going to do Paul's going to do a great job in that role and he's going to continue to advocate for our retired employees and our soontobe retired employees. So I told him hold the phone I won't be too far alone. No, I'm just joking. Um but uh no it was it was really really good rich uh conversation and a lot of
014great information. So really happy about some of the things they are really going to fight hard to return more retirees to the classroom that want to come back to the classroom which is great. Uh we there are people that want to come back to the classroom and we want to help them get there. Uh and then they're they're on the same fight that we're on uh to protect public education. So we we it was great conversation all the way around and they are very powerful. The retired teachers association is extremely powerful group and uh they have the ear and the opportunity to get to our legislature. So that's always a good thing. So uh board members, thank you'all very much. Great week. Off to a good start again this week and uh finish strong tomorrow.
015So thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Jaby. Any questions for the superintendent? Seeing none, we'll move to the next is our consent agenda. Would any board member like to remove an item from the consent agenda? >> Miss Hurst. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. I would like to remove if I could see because I have one contact that is a complete blur. It is the expulsion item G. E. No, EFG. >> Yep. Expulsion item G. You said we're going to remove item G. >> Yeah. >> Any others? Board members, >> the mandated reporting one, but I don't separate. >> It's separate already. >> Okay. So, I'll I'll read the other items of the consent agenda and then we'll vote on that. Item B is approval of minutes for the regular meeting held August 14th, 2025. Item
016C, approval of minutes for the public hearing held August 21st, 2025. Item D, recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy if instructional materials. Item E recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy. FBGA, student use of instructional technology. Item F recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy JCDAF, bullying. Item H recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy JGCF, behavioral health support for students. Item I, consideration on a new board policy, JGCF, mental health assessment screeners for students. Item J recommends acceptance of a resolution adopting the superintendent's proposed budgets for fiscal year 25 through 26. Item K recommends use of the remaining 2019 bond referendum funds for various school improvement projects across the parish as attached. Item L recommends commitment of BP oil spill settlement fund proceeds for school safety and security initiatives initiatives as attached. Item
017M recommends acceptance of Mandavville Junior Junior High gym locker room renovations STPSB project number P0367 is substantially complete. Do I have a motion, Mr. Kuzanne? Do I have a second? Miss Moore, any comments from the public? Any comments from the board? See none, let's please vote. And the consent agenda passes unanimously. Uh the agenda items A, appropriate retirement resolutions for the following certificated personnel subsequent to August 14th, 2025. Mr. Alfonso. >> Thank you, President Green, Superintendent Jabian Board. Holly W. Moore Educational Center, 29.67 years, 15.17 years in St. Tamony Parish. Tracy M. Malasan, Lancaster Elementary, 24.9 years. 19.12 years in St. Tamony Parish. Kimberly Morgan, Magnolia Trace Elementary, 28.96 years, 19 years in St. Tam Parish. Kathy M. Baker, Slido High, 21.04 years, 16.04 years in St. Tam Parish for a total of 104.5 years.
018>> Thank you, Mr. Alfonso. Do I have a motion? Miss Lamey, do I have a second? Miss Rutherford, any comments from the public? Any from the board? Please vote. >> And that motion carries unanimously. Item B is appropriate retirement resolutions for the following employee support services personnel subsequent to August 14, 2025. Mr. Alfonso. >> Thank you again, President Green. Superintendent Jabian board. Kimberly B. Bearden by Woods Elementary 30.48 years 21.4 years in St. Tamony Parish. Gerard J. Gidry Jr. Central office 7 years all in St. Tamony Parish. Julie El Vice Harrison Curriculum Center 22.3 years all in St. Tam Parish. Lorie S. Jones Transportation Center 33.02 years all in St. Tam Parish and has a total of 92.8 years. >> Thank you, sir. Do I have a motion? Miss Rutherford? Do I have a second?
019Miss Baker, any comments from the public? Any from the board? Please vote. That motion carries unanimously. Item C is recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy JGCE, child abuse. Do I have a motion? Miss Hus, do I have a second? Miss Rutherford, any comments from the public and board, please queue up. Looks like Miss Baker hit her button first. So, Miss Baker, you're up. >> Thank you, Chairman Green. again. Um, I went back and watched the meeting yesterday concerning our proposed policy for mandated reporters for child abuse. And I was really sad when I realized that that us between administration and the board can't get on the same page and yet we expect our teachers and our employees all to be on the same page. So I am going to once again try to say
020that I went through this one more time and I made I made myself a little flowchart here and what we're asking teachers and employees to do as a mandated reporter and failure to do so is could be felony charges. It's serious. And so I am going to again ask that we require our teachers to do the and D report to DCFS and law enforcement and it could or could not be an SRO. So if you suspect child abuse, you're ma, as an employee, you're a mandated reporter and you have to report directly and immediately. And I just don't think regardless of what the law says. I mean, we would be covered by the law, but but I don't think a teacher should have to stop and think, okay, am I supposed to call DCFS because
021it happened in the home or am I supposed to call the police because maybe it's not in the home? I just don't think we need to put employees through that. I am against even though the law allows it reporting to SRO's because nothing in this law se says that an SRO would be required to then give the mandated reporter a case number or a ticket or whatever you want to call it. Nothing in there is protecting the person who reported. Now, I know that as the law is written now that an SRO is a mandated reporter, but check this. The SRO then can report to their they had to report to their employer. And again, my argument's the same. I gave an example of Coington High where the crime may or may not have alleged
022crime, I'm sorry, alleged crime may or may not have happened in the city of Covington. It could have h happened Lee Road, Bush, wherever where those students attend Coington High and yet they report to Covington PD because that's the SRO. They're mandated reporter. They get nothing to prove that it and then and then the the SRO is a mandated reporter. He reports to his employer who then may and I and look, I know it's not going to happen in St. Tam. I know that we are almost the poster child of how this is supposed to run. If any of you all saw um the district attorney's um press conference from it was done from the hope house with all the way up to state police um our attorney general all of everyone's working together to
023nip this because it's a problem. But as a mandated reporter, I just don't think that we can say it's permissible, even though it's a law, to report to an SRO and we have no proof that that an employee actually did their due diligence. I know there's not an SRO that's not going to not report it, but it doesn't say that. It doesn't say you have to do this and if you don't, by the way, you could have felony charges, but we're we're we're not going to give you anything to say that you did. Whereas, if you do report to DCFS, and it only has to be sus a suspicion. It's not for us to figure out as a school system. We're not investigators. We're not law enforcement. We're not DCFS, but we certainly work in
024partnership with all of those people. So to keep it simple, I I am just urging everyone to please if we rather than have to dissect this, just say just do both. Get online, make the report, call law enforcement, and go on back to teaching and and pray for the best. I I don't know what else to do. Um, in addition to that, the law says that we're going to train people between I think it says June and August. And if we approve this, then who's going to how we going to do an inservice training to let teachers know who they're supposed to be reporting to when? It's just like Mr. Jabia said last week. I mean, we don't want to put our employee, we want to we are going to protect children the best that
025we can. and and we're going to work with all the agencies involved that do protect children when when a crime has happened against a child. But Mr. Jabia has said several times, I mean, we're we don't want to put our employees in a trick bag. Well, the law is written like a trick bag. So, I just say and I and I know um our adviser, Mr. Harrison says that and correct me if I'm wrong that it it it's not it's an or because that's what the law says but then it you have to you have to dissect which one you have to do and and if you don't know you don't know so I am going to um again ask that if we can do some sort of amendment to say just call them both
026or until we're able to train and get this cleared up keep the old one until we can um come up with something different. >> Point of order. I didn't want to interrupt Miss Baker, but um we asked for >> point of order. I didn't want to interrupt Miss Baker, but did we ask for public comment first? We did. Okay. >> That's it. That's what I have. That's my >> Okay. Miss Hurst, >> did you want Mr. Harrison to answer you on that, Miss Baker. Before I go, >> I know where you stand according to last week, but if you want to certainly corre I mean, I'm all about it, but I just >> I did talk >> just very briefly um for the sake of this meeting, I agree with a lot of what you
027said. Okay. But I think that your res your solution is to uh with your friendship with Mr. Sims and get together and change the law in Baton Rouge. And when you change the law in Baton Rouge, then we can have a policy that parallels the law. But if what you do, if we do what you're suggesting, you're going to create great tension between the law and the policy. And I think it's going to cause confusion. You have to follow law in your policy. It's that simple. You will create confusion if you change our policy contrary to state law. So when the law says or I want to follow or if the law in Batroo says and I would follow and and and I and if you write a law if you write a policy contrary
028to law and you've added an onus onto it I don't know the consequences of that. You see, so like I defend the entire system and for the first time in my career, I came across a case that does not have to do with this system, but there was a person out there and to keep it general, she's now being accused of not reporting and she told her supervisor and others and I don't know if she called the hotline, but she didn't follow the gold standard of DCFS or the police. So, see, I don't like eroding our policy ever contrary to state law. That's where I come from it. But I also agree with you and I said that publicly. But I would change the law in Baton Rouge and then I would flip and next
029board meeting we'll have an and >> and I did talk to Representative Car Carver concerning this. My issue specifically, I guess, is once you're once you have the suspicion or a child has disclosed, it says in our policy, if you suspect the child's abuser lives in the home, like how can we vote this in without a training? Because if you suspect the child's abuser lives in the home, then you contact DCF. But if you suspect that the child's abuser lives outside the home, then you contact law enforcement. I just think I hear what you're saying because you >> I hear what you're saying, but I just I I think um and and I will work to get it cleaned up, but in the meantime, I I I just I think it's a trick bag and
030I'm I'm I'm just not for it, but I do appreciate all your work and your advice. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Baker. Miss Hurst, >> I'm actually going to pass. Okay, >> Miss Gallaher. >> Um, I have two things. One, um, I thought like if the state law is X, you can't do any thing less than the law, but you can do more. So, this is where I'm asking like just to say to file, but we could say and and our employees would know it's and, but that and I'm just asking the question. I'm not I'm not saying to change it. I'm just asking but so that everybody knows we can be more stringent than the law in any aspect of the state law. Correct. >> Correct. Okay. But imagine this. Your employees are
031going to get trained on this in school and later with modules and they're going to get told to do A or B and then you're going to write a policy that says no, you got to do both. It adds confusion. That's what I'm concerned with. So I just am very adamant on this because it's a very delicate subject that permeates many of my cases. So, I've dealt with this scenarios in reality, not in theory. So, this is just one of those cases that it went through an entire committee and we discussed this for hours. But it's very simple for me on this one. I just want to follow state law. So, I don't have confused employees thinking they're covered if they call a hotline. That doesn't meet the standard. I don't want employees thinking that,
032well, I'm going to overanalyze it and I don't know what they're going to do. But if you report it to DCFS, what happens in practice is if it's in the house, they'll investigate it. And if it's not, they turn it over to the police. And if they turn it over to the police and they don't call DCFS, they're legally covered. You're now obligating the police under the current policy. They shall report it. That creates more mandatory reporters. They're not going to ignore it. They are not allowed to ignore it. But if they did ignore it, then your SRO will get in trouble. the police officer will get in trouble. You see, and and we will have absolute immunity, but the point of it is all is protecting children, right? >> So, when you really get
033down to it in practice, if you follow the law, you add clarity. If you vary from the law, you create confusion. >> Okay, >> that is where I am with it. Yes, ma'am. >> I get it. Um, the other thing I have is very simple. On page one of six, maybe I'm just not reading it right. It's the last paragraph. It says a mandated reporter means any teaching or child care provider. Should that be any teacher like maybe I just misunderstand it like it says a mandated reporter means any teaching or child care provider which is any person who provides assistance in the teaching training and supervision of a child. I feel like that word should be teacher. Well, again, that's probably a parallel of the state statute, but a paraprofessional who's not a teacher
034is also a mandatory, >> right? So, I feel like it's their mandator should be any if it's our policy, any employee. >> Well, not all employees if they have no contact with children, then they may not be mandatory reporters. Say like someone I just don't know. >> That's what I'm saying. But I just don't feel like any teaching isn't the right word. What's a teaching? Is that a thing? No. >> Is it a noun? Is a verb? >> Again, I didn't write that. >> You know what I'm saying? That's what I'm >> And I don't know where it came from. That's why I'm asking. The blue stuff is state law per verbatim. >> Okay, that'll be my next question to ask them what that means when I email them. >> Okay. I was just asking.
035I don't if we if we can't change it, we can't change it. I just didn't understand it. >> Okay, >> Miss Hansen, >> I I wasn't going to even bring this up. However, after hearing what Mr. Harrison and said, um, then I I felt like I need to first of all, I'd like to thank Miss Hurstius for adding the the comment in there about, you know, contacting, um, a hotline. And I I think that anytime, like Mr. Harrison said last week, tell as many people as we can if we really suspect something's going on to protect our children. But the other part that I I'm I'm struggling with is his saying anytime we vary from the law, we add confusion. So if we're putting something in our policy that varies from the law, such as
036and in addition contact um the hotline Crimestoppers that is in our policy now and I don't have a problem with it at all. I think that we should continue to encourage anyone and everyone to contact um uh Crimestoppers. Um, however, it this is a variation from the written law and I'm concerned that it's going to add to confusion that someone might look at it and misread it because our our employees are very overworked and misread it and and presume that they can just call them the Crimestoppers and then we're right back where we are before. And as you said before in that it didn't happen in this parish in this district but you now know of a case in which the district varied from the way in which the law was written. And so therefore,
037because the the employee did not contact specifically who the employee was supposed to contact, um let's say calling Crimestoppers, then that person is now federal charges. Is that what it is? No. >> No, it was in this parish and it's it's just being investigated. So, >> okay. But I mean that what I'm saying is that it now has to be investigated and and that's an employee that and I don't want us to do anything that muddies the waters for our employees. So I like having Crimestoppers. I like encouraging it. Crimestoppers having the posters in there at the schools. I think though in our policy I would like to omit that in the policy only. And if it doesn't pass, I respect everyone's right to disagree. Um I would like that as an amendment, um if
038if again if somebody would second it, if nobody wants to second it or nobody wants to vote or they vote against it, that's fine too. I just am trying to listen to the advice of our council. That's all. >> You want to try the friendly amendment? Would anyone want to? Okay. I'd like to make the amendment that we remove it. >> I'll second. >> Okay. >> Who had the motion? >> Okay. We have a motion and a second to amend the motion to exclude the item. Um, item D. >> Any comments from the public? >> And now we're here from the board on this is only on the amendment. So, Miss Hansen, I think you've Yeah. Mr. Mr. Harold. No. >> No. >> Thank you, President Green. I know we want to follow the law.
039Could we not state in the policy Louisiana state law requires this? St. Tammy Parish School Board encourages employees to do both because we we really even if even if we said we require it, there's no way of us knowing that they did it. talking about the amendment, right? >> You're changing the law. You know that we report both ways. The amendment is to drop paragraph D right now. That's what we're discussing. >> Thank you, Mr. Bro, for pointing that out. >> Uh, Miss Hurst. >> Okay. Okay. Well, I wasn't going to speak about this, but it's been brought up again. So, I wrote a little something. I'd like to first thank the board members that um voted down the motion last week to take out either that you didn't to take it out either that
040you didn't agree with or that at least wanted to give me a chance to speak as to why I asked to have it added which um poor Steve last week. I think people might have thought you put it in there but it was me. Um here is my reasoning on adding to the following statement in this policy. Um in addition in addition individuals may have anonymous report may have may make an anonymous report of suspected child abuse or neglect through Crimestoppers or directly to law enforcement. The law now allows a person to report to either DCFS or law enforcement. I do agree with Gia, Miss Baker about and I will make that um personally I would like to see reports go to both but since that is not the requirement I felt it was important
041to repeat and reinforce law enforcement as an option to repeat and reinforce law enforcement as an option. Too often, DS DCFS is overwhelmed and reports sit longer than we'd like. Now, when most of us think about reporting child abuse, we think of the most obvious and heinous situations. And of course, all abuse is serious, but sometimes it is not clear-cut. Sometimes a teacher, staff member, or community member might notice something that just doesn't sit right. In those cases of doubt, the option of reporting anonymously might be the very thing that encourages them to step forward. Some might say including this is repetitive and maybe it is. But I believe reminders matter. Not all think clearly in certain situations. We are sitting here very clear-minded. But let's take me as an example. at some board meetings.
042If I was here last week, I would not be so clear-minded in speaking because I would have been passionate and upset that everyone was not agreeing with me. And as usual, I would have vomited out words instead of being calm like I am now. I'm giving myself direction because I wrote words on a piece of paper. Maybe this is a silly example, but what I mean by this is sometimes a small reminder on a piece of paper or maybe a policy, even one that feels repetitive, can make a difference. Imagine someone reading this policy in a moment of stress. uncertainty or even fear. That reminder may spark the thought, wait, I can call local law enforcement, maybe even Crimes Stoppers anonymously. I can do this right now. And that could be the difference between hesitation
043and action. Again, a reminder that law enforcement, an option according to law, is anonymous. At the end of the day, our responsibility is to make reporting abuse easier, clearer, and more acceptable. If one extra reminder in this policy encourages even one person to take action, then it's worth it because protecting children is far too important to leave to chance. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Lamey. >> I just want to point out as she just did, but it says at the bottom in addition, not in replace, not replacing. It tells us what we need to do as a mandatory reporter. And at the bottom it says, "In addition, you may also do these things." Um, it's just a reminder. I know firsthand several situations that um wanted to be anonymous, so they were not investigated
044or where people in the school had weird feelings but didn't say anything because they didn't want to accuse and we've dealt with those as a system. So to not say that this is another option there seems irresponsible. >> Thank you, Miss Lamey. Miss Rafino Gallagher, >> I will say that last week I did ask that this not come off until Michelle was here, Miss Hersus was here to say it. So only after conversation, which I feel like last week went on forever, but um what Mr. Harrison said if we put on here that they can in addition they can do this but it doesn't say A or B or C or D but if they only go to D because they want to report anonymously then they're not complying with state law. State law does
045not allow them to call Crimestoppers. And I think in here the way it's worded now I'm not saying take it out. It says in here to um to do it anonymously call Crimestoppers or your local law enforcement. Well, if they want to do it anonymously and they call Crimestoppers, they're going to like, but in the policy it said I could do it anonymously and call Crimestoppers, but state laws does not crimes stoppers is not in there at all. So, while I understand where you're coming from, and I do agree with it, I think what Mr. Harrison said earlier, the clearer the better. And if it doesn't if it says crimes stoppers in there and they can do it anonymously, then I do think some people are going to say in the situations you're talking about
046like if I think sorry everybody sits at that seat is my problem is if she's my principal and I think she's doing something I I don't I want to do it anonymously because if she's not I don't want to know it was me. So, I think that's I think that's where some people have a problem with is and it's confusing even though it says it in addition to is that when he said we can't put and because then our state law and our school policy are different. So, if we throw in Crimestoppers and they see that then they think Crimestoppers is what they can call and then they're good and that's not actually the case in state law. So, that's just my two cents. I'm not saying yes or no, but I'm saying when he
047said that, I feel like that's we can't say they can call crimes stoppers. That should just be another thing they can do, but it shouldn't be in the policy because they're going to say, "But you said I could do this almost like an addition. You can all you can do this instead of those." Even though it doesn't say instead, there'll be a way to say, "Well, it was in there, but they didn't call." So, that's my opinion. >> Okay. Mr. Harrell. Thank you, President Green. I don't know if we're still talking on the same motion or what, but I'd like to finish my earlier statement. As I as I was saying, >> we're still in the same motion. >> As I was saying, I think what we could do is have the state law requires
048this school board requests that you do both. leave the Crimes Stoppers part in there and perhaps put in addition to making the required reporting, individuals may also call Crimestoppers to make an anonymous report. I I just I I like the idea of telling our employees that we would prefer them do police and DCFS even though state law only requires one or the other. That's just me. I mean I I think there's still some murky waters with what the police are responsible for, how they know, and how they report. We just want to cover all bases by doing both. That's just my thoughts. >> If you get and and if you get to item D and the mandatory reporting requirements, wouldn't you have had to suspected something to report to DCFS or law enforcement to begin
049with? >> I'm I'm just trying to >> directed at me. I mean, in fairness to Miss Cersei, I read her addition and I approved it because it was clear to me that this was in addition and you may do it. So, but then it was unclear to others in the meeting. And so, that concerned me, but and then like when we start debating something, does something mean A or does it mean B or can we change the language? I get really nervous to the point like I want a simple policy that follows parallels law. And look, I'll play the game. Why are we having any policy? Well, because if we don't have a policy, what are we implying to not report child abuse? You can't do it. So, why don't we just cut and paste
050the law? And then you go, well, we're just wasting time. Like, you can't win, right? So, if the language is confusing, I really highly recommend taking it out, not because of my reading of it, but because of someone else's. Now, when the point of this discussion gets to where we're writing a policy that parallels law, I'm happy. And if you want to change state law, per usual, please go to Baton Rouge and do it. >> Okay, Miss Miss Hurst, >> Mr. Harrison, you're incorrect. Um when I added that um addition, it was actually after everyone left and there was only three of us. >> Oh, you're talking about last week there was confusion. But when we were in our committee meeting, there was only three of us in attendance when I asked for that addition.
051>> Correct. And you emailed me the language and I said it was clear to me. >> But it ended up being unclear to others >> last week is what you're mentioning. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Mr. Kuzzanne. Go ahead. >> You Mr. Kuzanne. >> Thank you. As supervisor of student welfare and attendance for 26 and a half years for this Paris. I went to court many times with different cases and whenever situations come up, the judge always asks, "What does the law say? He did not like deviations from the law. And I'm just telling you, I was there. I did it a long time. Thank you. >> Okay. So, our motion is to um accept the policy without uh item D on page four related to the uh the addition. >> The we voted on the
052amendment to drop that. >> Correct. Yeah, >> that doesn't mean we're accepting. >> That's right. >> You got to have a metal. >> Yes. six years, eight. >> Okay. So, that amendment does not pass. Six EAS, eight nazs. That correct? >> Okay. So, now we're back to the original uh motion which includes item D. And is there any more board discussion? Let's please vote. Waiting on this. We got it. >> Okay. And that motion carries 11 yays, one nay and two abstaining. >> Okay. Okay. Item D is recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy JDE expulsion. >> Can I ask one more? >> Sure. >> I'd just like to know when is this training happening since it's now policy. >> We will upload it to safe schools and then our employees do it. All all
053of our training is on safe schools. >> So there'll be an additional one that they're going to have to complete by when? >> I I'd have to get with Jennifer Alammon on that and then we'll I'll get back with >> Can you let me know that? Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, item D is recommends acceptance of revisions to schoolboard policy JDE expulsions. Do I have a motion? Miss Gallagher? Do I have a second? Mr. Bro, any comments from the public on the expulsion policy? All right. Board members, please queue up. >> Miss Hurst. Um, I would like to I guess this would be a friendly amendment to add to the policy. Um, I would like to add to it. I guess I don't know really I guess where to put it, but I'm under child
054abuse. I'm sorry. Um, I would like to add a student returning from expulsion shall not be permitted on campus until a re-entry meeting with the student, parent/guardian, and designated school personnel has been held and all conditions of re-entry guidelines has been verified as met. So board members, we're we're willing to put that in there so it's clear. We do that already. That already takes place and so we have no problem putting that in there to read as Miss Hurst has sent it. Um so that that's not a problem with us at all. >> It's just putting it in writing basically. >> Second. So I I would accept a friendly amendment. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. Bro. >> Yeah. So we've got a motion a friendly amendment motion by Miss Hurst and a second by
055Mr. bro to include some language uh about uh students returning from expulsion. Um >> did you want to say anything? >> No. >> Okay, >> we're good. Uh any comments from the public on the on the amendment on the motion? Any from the board? Miss Baker, >> I'd just like you to read that one more time. >> I would like it email to me. >> I've got it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Look, you want me and I can tear this off and give it to you, too, but Oh, you have it? Oh. Oh, okay. Um, a student returning from expulsion shall not be permitted on campus until a re-entry meeting with the student, parent/guardian, and designated school personnel shall be held in all conditions of re-entry guidelines have been verified as met. Thank you. So
056I guess my question then becomes um what are the re-entry guidelines because what I was thinking along and Miss Herius and I did discuss it but what I was thinking is given administration the power to do what that student needs to ensure success. And so some of that may include modified day, modified schedule, modified lunch, modified search, might I mean something that's going to say, look, we want you back. We're glad you're back. We hope you've reinvented yourself. What is because because we have that meeting. You have that meeting already. And what what I think Miss Hersius added was re-entry guidelines. And I don't think that's what I'm understanding. So I just want to make sure that there there's nothing about that that that we're we're documenting what is happening until that child is back
057full-time and and and good. That's all I want. >> Well, once they >> I think it's important if you hear Mike say what's done and they'll let Kim talk from the sweet perspective also. Well, they meet with me originally um and I give them I put them on disciplinary probation uh before they return to school. Once they go to the school, they also meet with the admin team with their parent or guardian. And then the admin team puts in parameters of what they want the students uh to adhere to when they get there as well. So whether that is MHP check-in, checkout, uh a uh contact person, something of that nature. So, it's based on a case by case case basis uh and also based on what the offense was that they got put out
058for. We have things like safety plans put in place where they'll random check if it's drugs or weapons or something like that. So, it is they do meet with the administration to go over what their expectations are when they're when they come back to school. >> Thank you. So, we're so that is the re-entry guidelines. So, all we're doing is formally putting that piece of paper where >> In their discipline file. How many repeat offenders do we have? Do you do you have that data? >> No, ma'am. Not on me. I don't. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. So, we have a motion uh with an amendment. So, let's let's vote on the amended motion. And this is a friendly amendment. So, we're actually voting on the the final motion as well with the amended
059language. >> And it looks like that motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Uh, last item on our agenda tonight is public comments for three minutes. First up is uh Dustin Port. Question. I have some of these for all the board members. Is that something I can physically hand out? So for those that don't know, the rate program is a fedally funded system that falls under USC. Uh it is governed by the FCC. It currently pays between 70 and 80% of all the major telecommunication projects for St. Tamony Parish. It also pays for the um phone and internet service for all your school systems for all 56 plus schools. St. Tammy. So, what you're going to be looking at is the actual um um a summarization of of where y'all are with currently with -ate. I'm reading
060from the uh -ate funding denial information. St. Tammy Paris School District faced a significant setback when the - funding application was denied, resulting in a loss of over 5.3 million in federal telecommunication funds. The deny uh the denial stemmed from multiple competitive bid violations that could have been avoided with proper oversight and adherence to federal guidelines. The implication extends beyond the immediate financial loss raising concerns about internal processes and the potential impact of future funding opportunities for the district students and educational technology infrastructures. Currently, um, as of last year, you were denied $5.3 million. Um, that amount is due to competitive bid violations. Also, from 2021 to 2025, uh, category 2 funding awards were expired and unused and clawed back from uh, to rate, which was a loss directly to St. Tammy for $6.1 million.
061There were three major violations with distinct competitive bid rule infrastructures uh infractions identified rather the program uh denial represents a substantial financial loss for the district. The five 5.3 million is in um is denied funding was specifically earmarked for telecommunication infrastructure improvement uh that was going to be work for the benefit of the students and staff across the parish. The competitive bid violations are noted there as well. DR1, documentation changes, added conduit requirements for exposed cabling without extending the 28-day bid deadline required by FCC. DR2, unfair vendor access, allowing one vendor exclusive site survey access without making information available to all potential biders. DR3, improper bid weight, failed to weigh price, and most heavily considered factor in the bid evaluation. Each violation represents a fundamental misunderstanding of federal competitive bid requirements, suggesting uh systemic issues
062with the district's procurement process. Timeline March 2024, your rate application was placed in selective service review. April 2024 to February 2025, the district worked through uh thoroughly to review process attempts and secure funding. And as of March 6, 2025, a formal decision letter was re u received with detailed explanations of the violations. >> Mr. Port. >> Yep. >> I'm sorry to have to cut you off that we have a threeminut rule. um would request maybe if you come back at another time or send your findings in in an email to the board members. >> Okay. >> Could be helpful. >> Gotcha. >> But I apologize to cut you off for the three minutes, but uh we did need to adhere to that rule. >> Okay. Sounds good. >> Uh David Loader. >> Locker. >> Ladder.
063>> Locker. Sorry, I didn't I couldn't read your penmanship. >> Good evening, Superintendent Javia, members of the board. My son is playing little league baseball right now. It's a new thing for me. My wife and I coordinate practice and schedules and budget for equipment. Like most families, we watch our money. So, it's amazing to me how we spend a small fortune on baseball equipment for a seven-year-old. I've purchased three bats and maybe have the right size right now. We coordinate food and water bottles, snacks for the games. If one of us is tied up, we plan and line up some extra help to navigate around work, school, and practice schedules. This is on top of all the other details and responsibilities that face our family and many others in this parish every day. When things
064come up and unexpected events happen, families adjust to keep things going smoothly. Why do families do this? Is it their values, habits, relationships, fear of letting others down, letting themselves down? They want order. Taxpayers want their leaders to handle the details and take care of the basics they're paying for. They want them to make sure things go right. When I first heard that there were no standard copers available to schools and teachers, I had to check again. You know that what did you just say response to give yourself time to process something that you know you did hear right but needed some extra space to understand it because it was so far field of what is normal. After 14 days of school to the teachers there was no obvious and clear communication as to the
065problem or the situation. As if all the baseball bats suddenly disappeared without an explanation and you're left with only a stick to hit with. As a result of this failure, some teachers were forced to share one slow copy machine, standing in line of people during the planning period and spending that entire planning time making copies. Imagine the anxiety. Beginning of the year, wanting to start off with your class well, working during the summer on new lessons or routines, preparing for a new grade or subject, and now waiting in the copy room, being forced to spend your own money at Office Depot or use your own printer and ink at home. Can you imagine? Will you imagine? Teachers get stuff done. Copers are none. Bats are sticks. When they mess up, they apologize to students, parents,
066administration because they are accountable for their actions. They have strong values and value community relationships. They work to maintain integrity and avoid letting people down, especially letting themselves down. Are you reflecting that? Do you attempt to honor teachers in your actions and words? Are you reciprocating in the high standards teachers hold themselves to? I'm asking, please provide the order taxpayers deserve, that teachers deserve, that students deserve. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Ler. Stephanie Underwood. >> Good evening, members of the board, superintendent, and administration. Um, Stephanie Underwood, executive vice president of the Federation. On behalf of the Saint Tammy Federation of Teachers and School Employees, I'm honored to introduce the Federation Care Closet. It's a new resource resource built by and for our educational family. The Care Closet exists for one reason, to make sure
067no employee or retiree has to face hardship alone. When life presents challenges, the care closet will be here to provide food, clothing, hygiene essentials, and hygiene essentials, always with dignity and care. The resource is open to all current and retired St. Timmy Parish School Board employees with a valid school system ID. Each visit, employees can fill a kitchen-sized trash bag with the items they need. The closet will be open every Tuesday evening and on first and third Saturday of each month, and everything is free. I want to personally invite each of you, our board members, superintendent, and administrative leaders to join us for the grand opening in Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, October 2nd from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. And it's right next door to our office, 1929 North Thirdrd Street, Sweet 7 in Covington.
068We intentionally chose this date because it falls during fall break, giving as many of you as poss as possible the opportunity to attend and celebrate with us. the chamber will be there and it'll be really fun. So, we hope to see y'all. And to all our employees listening here tonight watching online, this invit invitation is for you as well. The care closet was built for you and we would love to see you at the grand opening. Our federation members have already received this announcement by email and I will be sending the information to Superintendent Jabia with the request that it be shared through the school systems email. That way, all employees should see these details in their inbox soon. I also want to note that the care closet is strengthened by partnerships with the community
069groups like our friends closet who have long supported schools by stocking student care closets and making sure children have what they need. Together we are now filling the needs of our system in more more than one way by ensuring that both students and employees have a place to turn to in times of hardship. This project began with the support of our federation executive council and is strengthened by our community partners and donors who want to give back to the people who dedicate their lives to caring for the children of St. Tammy. Our vision is simple. A parish where no school employee, whether teacher, bus driver, custodian, cafeteria worker, retiree, or any of the m many other dedicated employees who keep our schools running has to endure hardship alone. The Care Closet is one step toward
070making that vision a reality. Thank you for allowing me to share this resource tonight and I look forward to seeing y'all at the grand opening. October 2nd, 11 to1, we're going to have food, light lunch, uh, door prizes, and a silent auctions. So, come on. >> Thanks, Stephanie. Mr. Osborne. >> Good evening, Board President Green, board members, Superintendent Jabby Administration, uh, Brand Osborne, president of the Sainty Federation. Recently, a former colleague of mine, uh, Mr. David Locker and I drove out to Tibido to visit our former uh principal, Mr. Billy Percy, Mr. Billy C. Percy. He appeared at the door with the beginnings of a fine white Santa beard that should be in peak shape by Christmas. "We talked about current events in education, but the real joy was recalling our time as Tigers." I
071freaking love teachers, he told us, lighting up with the same quiet fire he once carried through the halls of SHS. When he retired, I told him he was the best boss I ever had. SHs, under his leadership, was a wonderful place to work and grow as a teacher. Expectations were high, but so was respect. Teacher autonomy was a given. During the recent full CBA negotiations, much attention was paid to lesson planning and academic freedom. Administration, the board, and the federation all had a hand in shaping that language. The kind of educator it envisions is one we can all be proud of. Textbooks don't change lives, teachers do. Workbooks don't change lives, paras do. Many teachers are already exercising a high level of professional autonomy while others are still developing their craft. Both are vital to
072our systems growth. A textbook should be a resource, not a cure all within the guidelines of the CBA and board policy. Teachers must be free to exercise professional judgment in selecting, adapting, or creating supplemental materials that will give students the richest possible experience and help them achieve state standards. If we are truly to launch excellence, we must all recognize that professional autonomy is a journey, not a destination, and commit to building bridges between the administration, the board, and the federation. So that together we inspire, support, and empower educators at every stage. As John Dwey once wrote, "Teachers are not soldiers expected merely to obey or cogs in a wheel expected to transmit energy. They must be intelligent mediums of action. Now that sounds like a guy who freaking loves teachers. And I am a guy
073who loves teachers, all school employees and students. Based on my time as a slaughter tiger, I believe Mr. Percy would approve this message. Thank you and have a good evening. >> Thank you. All right. Um, safe schools trainings are due Friday, September 12th. Schools are closed October 2nd and 3rd for fall fair holiday. October committee as a whole meeting will be on Thursday, October 9th at 6 p.m. The October board meeting will be on Thursday, October 16th at 6 PM. And with no further business, this meeting is adjourned. [Music]