By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board agreed to a one-year contract with the parish’s teachers’ union at a special meeting Thursday.

Although when the matter was first introduced several weeks ago by Board President Patrick Sanders he proposed signing a five-year contract, both sides seemed relieved that an agreement had been reached given the uncertainties surrounding the upcoming school year in light of recently passed education reforms.

The new contract will begin July 1.

“We’re glad it’s over,” said St. John Association of Educators President Carolyn Batiste. “The union and the school system have to work together for the community. The problems we’re having in Louisiana, (the solution) has to start at home.”

“I’m just glad that we were able to come to an agreement … to at last have something in place so the employees can feel they are protected,” said Sanders. “Naturally, there are some concerns. We have to make sure all parties are in agreement so the best interests of the children are taken into consideration. Our primary position is to benefit the child.”

Board member Russ Wise was in agreement.

“This is just a very smart way to approach this,” he said. “This allows enough time for the dust to settle.”

Wise, however, disagreed with his colleagues on another matter earlier in the meeting. When it came time to ask the board for approval of the new job description for the Transportation Supervisor, Wise thought the minimum education requirements should be lowered to a high school diploma so military veterans without a college degree could be eligible.

The bachelor’s degree requirement is actually a lesser requirement from the previous master’s degree requirement.

Personnel Committee member Lowell Bacas said because the position requires the supervision and evaluation of about 80 bus drivers, “We thought it was better to keep that part in.”

“Anyone who graduated from college and has been a shift supervisor at McDonald’s can apply for this job,” Wise noted.

Despite Wise’ protests, the measure gained approval by a vote of 8-2. Board member Sherry Defrancesch was absent from the meeting.

Other modifications to the job description include the implementation of a computerized routing and maintenance tracking system and the supervision of all pre- and post-route inspections.

Lastly, Cedric Floyd presented the School Board with an update on redistricting.

“Since your 2000 census, you’ve had a shift toward the eastern part of the parish,” he said.

He said only a 10 percent deviation in population among districts is allowed, but under the current districts, there is a deviation of more than 54 percent.

Floyd said he will meet with the individual School Board members when trying to determine the new district boundaries. He also noted that District 5, which encompasses the west bank of the parish, needs to pick up population, so a cross-river district will likely be part of the new school board plan.

“I’m 100 percent sure we will come up with a plan,” Floyd concluded.