ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
3520 General DeGaulle Drive, Suite 1050
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
July 20, 2017
1. OPENING OF MEETING
Procedural: 1.1 CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL
The Orleans Parish School Board Meeting was called to order at 5:02 PM by Board Vice President, Leslle Elllson with the following board members present: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr: Kleban, Mr. Marshall,Ms. Newell-Usdln. Also present were Superintendent, Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel, Sharonda Wllllams.
Procedural: 1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Action: 1.3 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Motion to adopt the Board meeting agenda as printed.
Motion by Nolan Marshall, second by Ben Kleban. Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdln, Nolan Marshall, Leslle Elllson, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
2. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
Action, Minutes: 2.1ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Move that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of the June 15, 2017 Board Business Meeting as printed and waive the reading of the minutes.
Motion by Nolan Marshall, second by Ben Kleban. Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
3. SUPERINTENDENT'S AGENDA
Assistant Superintendent, Adam Hawf presented a special retirement award to Mr. Alfred Richard for his years of service with Orleans Parish School System.
Superintendent Lewis updated the Board on LEAP results for grades 3 through 8 for the 2016-2017 school year. Despite the past improvement, overall citywide scores did not progress. The percent of students citywide performing at mastery or above declined in ELA and Math by 1and 2 percentage points. Despite school efforts to help students to excel and achieve at high levels, over 60% of our elementary and middle schools saw a decreased in the percent of student performing at mastery and above. Also, graduation rates were released for the 2016-17 school year, which showed a very similar decline in outcomes. Changes shows that our city's upward trajectory Is slowing down and we must work together to ensure significant and meaningful progress continues on behalf of the students and families In New Orleans.
OPSB has received authorization form the Louisiana Department of Education to operate a second RFA approval process this year. The goal of the additional charter application period is to give approved operators ample time to transition in staff and administration for the 2018-2019 school year. Additional request for charter applications are scheduled for release on Tuesday, August 1,2017 and wlll receive appllcatlons through August 31,2017 with flnal recommendations to be given to the Orleans Parish School Board at It's December 2017 Board Business Meeting. Any existing provided without an existing OPSB charter that Is interested in potentially converting or transitioning to a school for the 2018 - 2019 school year is encouraged to apply during this cycle.
Finally, the superintendent updated the board that a multi-agency agreement was signed by the Sheriff's Office, the Center for Education Excellence in Alternative Settings and OPSB. This agreement assures that young people at the OJC are eligible for services and that they are provided a highly effective alternative environment that also includes the former track coursework. Sheriff Marlin Guzman and Director of Compliance, Gary Maynard and Mr. El'Shequer from the CEEAS briefly addressed the board regarding this endeavor. Sheriff Guzman, sharing his excitement about this endeavor saying it builds upon the history of the Sheriff's Office and the CEEAS and that adding a diploma track is going to make a big difference in the lives of young people in the program. Director Maynard, expressed the Sheriff and his vision to be the model direct supervision jall In the country focusing on education, supervision and mental health of the youth that are being served by the program. Mr. El'Shequer,applauded students for passing 80 EOC exams nearly 4 times as many In past years. Believing the growths will help the community see students who are detained differently, and that they are worth receiving the support of the community to become positive productive members of the City of New Orleans.
4, INFORMATION
Presentation: 4.1Citywide career Readiness Presentation
Ms. Garton gave an overview of Citywide Career Readiness in the City of New Orleans citing that academic as well as technical skills matter along with the needs for expanding soft skills training and the need for work-based learning. While student preparation is moving forward it's recognize the need to dive deeper into career readiness for our students. Career readiness will benefits high school students to increase more work-based learning opportunities and higher level engagement In school as well as the ability to make more Informed decisions about their post-secondary work.
The following career readiness partners addressed the board:
Rashida Govan (Urban League of LA) shared family and student perspectives on career readiness, Kate Schwlnburg (Youth Force NOLA) shared the narrative of career readiness work currently being done in our schools, and Dana Peterson (RSD &. LDOE) and Claire Jecklin gave an update on the career readiness work in our city moving forward.
Board Member Ashley asked will there be any formal tracking of young people once complete, and if so, for how long? Ms. Jecklin explained that tracking will be done but the length of time has not been determined. Work needs to be done with the Department of Labor to get a time frame established. Board Member Ashley spoke of not just providing programs but outcomes. Board Member Kleban asked about the financial sustainability of the program and is there a projection for the per pupil goal, then maintaining those goals on an ongoing basis? Funding in our community is coming from the same place so it very important that we go national because there is not a model that provides this service at the level that we're talking about which makes this not just of interest here in New Orleans but nationally. Kate Schwinburg spoke about a federal consortium using the Carl Perk.ins Grant. Other sources from is available from on the State level to support are court career, career development fund and TOPS Tech Early Start, finally as schools being to see the value of It's work schools wlll support using MFP funds to allocate towards the support of career readiness. Board Member Marshall asked what's determining factor for students to be eligible to attend the school? Ms. Jecklin explained that the goal is to meet student needs so, if we find that the need is greater we will scale up and talk with schools about how we are going to
meet the needs as well as community conversations.
Information: 4.2 Capital Projects Report
Sue Robertson gave an overview of the Capital Projects Report. Board Member Newell-Usdin asked if were are in communication with the community around the Ben Franklin where the modular trailer are placed? Ms. Newell-Usdin asked the either the district or the school be in communication with the surrounding community. Ms. Robertson agreed to work with the neighborhood associations. The Superintendent stated that in addition to the administration, Dr. Devezin's department wm also work with the school and community In that neighborhood. Board Member Marshall asked If the administration rs aware and prepared to be
In attendance at the community meeting on August 8, 2017 at the Wicker Building to discuss the demolition. Ms. Robertson replied yes.
5. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
Action {Consent): 5.1 Direct Diversion of USDA Commodities for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 for the Child Nutrition Program
Resolution: That the Orleans Parish School Board authorize the purchase of Direct Diversion of USDA Donated Products as listed in the rationale for the Child Nutrition Program for the 2017-2018 School year.
Move that the Orleans Parish School Board authorize the purchase of Direct Diversion of USDA Donated Products as listed In the rationale for the Child Nutrition Program for the 2017-2018 School year.
Motion by Nolan Marshall, second by Ethan Ashley. Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdln, Nolan Marshall, Leslle Elllson, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
6. ACTION ITEMS
Action: 6.1 Bethune (Eagle Street) Chiller Replacement
Move that the Orleans Parish School Board approve CMC as Lowest Responsive Bidder to Replace Two Chillers
Motion by Nolan Marshall, second by Sarah Newell Usdln. Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
Action: 6.2 Hansberry Elementary School Property
Move that the Orleans Parish School Board decline the right to purchase the Hansberry Elementary School property from Homer A. Plessy Community School.
Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Ethan Ashley. Anal Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdln, Nolan Marshall, Leslle Elllson, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
Action: 6.3 Amendment to OPSB Policy DC, Annual Operating Budget
Move that the Orleans Parish School Board dispenses with the second reading process and approves the proposed amendment to Policy DC, Annual Operating Budget.
Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Sarah Newell Usdln.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
Action: 6.4 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with InsplreNOLA Charter Schools
Move that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the CEA with InspireNOLA for the purpose of funding an intervention Plan at Eleanor McMain Secondary School.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ethan Ashley. Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
7. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Action: 7.1 Gwendolyn Bierria v. Orleans Parish School Board, DOL No. 07-00644; Worker's Compensation Matter
Moved by Ms. Newell-Usdin, seconded by Mr. Ashley to go into Executive Session. The board reconvened from executive session with the following board members present: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Elllson, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Usdln
Board Vice-President Leslie Ellison addressed a group in the audience who submitted public comment cards on this item that were not germane to the item discussed and ask that they get with the Superintendent to make a request to be place on the agenda for the August Board Business Meeting.
Move that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the recommended settlement with workers compensation excess Insurer, Repwest nsurance Company. Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ethan Ashley.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdln, Nolan Marshall, Leslle Elllson, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
8. ADJOURNMENT
Action: 8.1 ADJOURN MEETING
Motion to adjourn the Board meeting a6 6:35 PM.
Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Sarah Newell Usdin.
Final Resolutlon: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdln, Nolan Marshall, Leslle Elllson, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley