St. John Parish School Board votes to close Connections Program after divided debate

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board voted to close the district’s Connections Program during its April 20, 2023, meeting in Reserve.

The motion to close the program was moved by Mrs. Debra Schum and seconded by Mrs. Triche; after debate and procedural votes, the board recorded 6 yeas, 2 nays, 1 abstention and 2 members absent, and the motion carried. The transcript shows an initial effort to call the question, a subsequent motion to table and then a final roll-call vote on the original motion that approved the closure.

Why it mattered: the Connections Program was the subject of public comment at the meeting and generated division among board members during deliberations. The transcript records public commenters including Carolyn Batiste and Robert Schaff speaking during the item; the record does not include a detailed implementation plan, associated timelines or stated reassignment or support provisions for affected students and staff.

What the board said: Superintendent Rebecca Johnson presented the item and answered procedural questions during discussion. Mrs. Schum made the motion to close; Mrs. Triche seconded the motion. The meeting minutes show a sequence of procedural motions before the final vote, and the final tally was entered into the record by roll call.

What’s next: The transcript does not specify next steps for transition, timelines for program wind-down, or any budgetary savings tied to the closure. The board did not state in the minutes whether staff would be reassigned, how current program participants would be served going forward, or whether the decision requires additional administrative actions or reporting. Those details were not specified in the public record of this meeting.

The board reconvened after an executive session later in the evening and adjourned at 8:39 p.m.