MINUTES OF
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
3520 GENERAL DEGAULLE DRIVE
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
April 19, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Board President, John Brown, Sr, called the Orleans Parish Board Business Meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
The following Board members answered the roll: Ethan Ashley, John Brown, Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, Jr. and Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent, Dr. Henderson Lewis,
Interpretation services were announced and provided by Mr. Vietquynh Pham and Ms. Rebecca Fleming.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The following students led the pledge of allegiance Layla Wade and Steven Wade Students from Andrew Wilson Charter School and Kayla Johns from Alice Harte Charter School.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1.1 Adoption of the agenda
The following modifications were made to the agenda: Action Item 5.8, Request for Proposal No. 18-0016 Enrollment and Transportation Study was deleted.
Motion to adopt the Board meeting agenda as presented.
Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of minutes
The following modification was read into the record by Board Counsel Sharonda Williams to clarify the motion voted on March 22, 2018, Board Business Meeting on action item 5.4 as follows:
Board Counsel then read the following into record: The Accountability Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board grant JCFA a 12-month extension to begin operation on the charter approved by the Orleans Parish School Board on May 17, 2016. Such extension shall include district review of the operator’s Pre-Opening Plan, including any material changes in the applicant team. In the case of a material change in the applicant team, the district will conduct further due diligence and may reconsider the application.
Move that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of the March 22, 2018 Board Business Meeting as printed waiving the reading of the minutes.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
3. SUPERINTENDENT'S AGENDA
3.1 Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Lewis addressed the Board publicly stating that the enrollment and transportation study have been top issues of concern for community members and families. The difficult truth is there are not enough high performing schools and the most sought-after schools have hundreds, if not over a thousand applicants for what is sometimes only a few dozen seats. The district's number one priority is finding outstanding new school operators, while also seeking to expand or replicate the already successful schools currently operating. Further stating OneApp enrollment system currently operated by RSD will be coming under the OPSB following unification in July.
The administration will carefully study the issues being brought up by our families, get feedback from knowledgeable experts, lay out the cost-benefit tradeoffs inherent in a system like this and explore a responsible course of action that will ensure the health and safety of our students as it relates to transportation and enrollment.
Mr. Colleston Morgan spoke with reference to next steps of bringing forth data analysis and recommendations back to the board at its June meeting.
Ms. Amanda Aiken announced the other two advisory councils in addition to the student advisory council. The recent additions are the teacher advisory council and the parent advisory council. Ms. Aiken concluded by announcing members of the parent advisory council.
The following constituents addressed the Board for public comment:
Ronald McGee
W.C. Johnson
Alicia Plumer
Dr. James Hwelers
Tashara Marshall
4. RECOGNITIONS
4.1 Acknowledgement of School Board Member Continuing Education
Superintendent Lewis announced that all Orleans Parish School Board Members have far exceeded their annual requirement for hours of training and instruction for the year of 2017 and awarded certificates to the Board on behalf of the Louisiana School Board Association.
ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Adoption of Willie Hall CEA
Recommend that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the City of New Orleans and Orleans Parish School Board for the purpose of building recreational improvements on the McDonogh 35 site.
The following discussion took place:
Mr. Marshall stated for the record that he wants to make sure there is clear ownership and scheduling priorities language in the CEA and was assured by Board Counsel, Sharonda Williams that the language exists.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Leslie Ellison.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
5.2 Approving the execution of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with KIPP New Orleans for the donation of a wooden gymnasium floor by KIPP New Orleans at the KIPP Renaissance (Douglass High School) gymnasium
The Property Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approve KIPP New Orleans request to develop a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) for the donation by KIPP New Orleans to OPSB of funding to install a wood floor in the gymnasium at KIPP Renaissance (Douglass High School).
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
5.3 Asbestos Abatement in Attic at Gentilly Terrace Elementary
The Property Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the expenditure of $114,300 to abate asbestos as specified by the designer, Materials Management Group, in the attic at Gentilly Terrace Elementary so that the Charter Operator can install sprinklers.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
5.4 Adoption of Type 2 Lease
The Property Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the Type 2 lease template.
Motion by Leslie Ellison, second by Woody Koppel.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
5.5 Exercise the Option to Amend the Third Party Contracts for Nonpublic Schools Title II Part A Services
The Budget & Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the option to amend the following contracts for Title II Part A services to eligible students enrolled in nonpublic schools: Catapult Learning contract to increase from $139,433.46 to $1,874,623.42 plus the administrative cost of 7% of services provided and the NonPublic Educational Services contract to increase from $368.65 to 4,956.41 plus the administrative cost of 7% of services provided.
Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Leslie Ellison.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
5.6 Invitation To BID NO. 18-0014 Water Filtration Systems
Resolution: The Budget & Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board accept the low bid meeting the specifications for Water Filtration Systems for point of use drinking fountain submitted by Eco Systems, LLC, and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the contract.
The Budget & Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board accept the low bid meeting the specifications for Water Filtration Systems for point of use drinking fountain submitted by Eco Systems, LLC, and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the contract.
Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
5.7 Resolution 06-18: Revised Leverage Financing Terms for Tubman and McDonogh
The Budget & Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the resolution 06-18 authorizing and approving revised terms in connection with the leveraged financings of Harriet Tubman Elementary School and John McDonogh High School.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel.
The following voice vote was held:
Yea: Ethan Ashley, John Brown, Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
7 Yea, 0 Nay
5.9 Letter to Senator Troy Carter on OPSB's Efforts to Address Enrollment Concerns
Board member, Ethan Ashley spoke with reference to the letter of support drafted in support of the efforts with regards to the districts enrollment processes as the Board continues to work with New Orleans delegation to offer our families the best possible enrollment options.
The following constituents addressed the Board regarding the OneApp process:
Cecily White, Shana Marcilin, Ashanta Wyatt, Carolyn Carter, Armtrice Coward
Superintendent addressed the comments made by families assuring the community that their concerns are not falling on deaf ears and the district will continue to work toward building the right system for students and families. Board President Brown addressed the public as well assuring families that their issues will be addressed in the months to come as OneApp gets under the leadership of the Orleans Parish School Board.
In closing, the final constituent to address the Board was Rhonda Romaine.
The Legal/Legislative committee submits a letter of support to Senator Troy Carter in support of the efforts with regards to the districts enrollment processes.
Motion by Leslie Ellison, second by Sarah Newell Usdin.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
EXECUTIVE SESSION
6.1 Orleans Parish School Board, et al. v. The Einstein Group, Inc., CDC No. 2017-11398; Litigation Status Report
Board Member, Sarah Usdin offered a motion to waive executive session since the item was discussed in the Legal/Legislative Committee, Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Second by, Nolan Marshall.
Final resolution: Passed
Yea: Ethan Ashley, John Brown, Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
The Legal/Legislative Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by legal counsel.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ben Kleban.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
6.2 Sheila Reed v. Orleans Parish School Board, et al., OWC Docket No. 15-06011 consolidated w/ 15-6012; Workers Compensation - Settlement Recommendation
Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Nolan Marshall.
The following constituents addressed the Board: Mayra JocobMr. Kleban addressed the public with regards to decorum during board meetings.
Superintendent Lewis explained the purpose of item 6.2, expressing that the item terminates the revocation process of the Einstein Charter Operating Agreement and that Einstein will continue to operate the schools at Sherwood Forest and Village D’Lest, and that the district will continue to ensure its regulatory obligations for all schools. Superintendent Lewis announced that a meeting will be at Einstein to address families with an update on May 2, 2018, at 5 pm.
The Legal/Legislative Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by legal counsel.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
6.3 Thomas Cass v. Orleans Parish School Board, OWC Docket No. 17-02664; Workers Compensation - Settlement Recommendation
The Legal/Legislative Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by legal counsel.
Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Nolan Marshall.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
6.4 Thomas Cass v. Orleans Parish School Board, OWC Docket No. 17-02667; Workers Compensation - Settlement Recommendation
The Legal/Legislative Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by legal counsel.
Motion by Leslie Ellison, second by Woody Koppel.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
7. ADJOURNMENT
7.1 Adjourn meeting
Motion to adjourn the Board meeting at 6:42 pm.
Motion by Nolan Marshall, second by Woody Koppel.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley