MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
3520 GENERAL DEGAULLE DRIVE
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
JULY 19,2018
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order by Board President, John Brown, Sr. at 5:39PM. The following Board members were present: Ethan Ashley, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent, Dr. Henderson Lewis and Board Counsel Skylar Rosenbloom were also present. Board Member, Woody Koppel was absent.
Pledge of Allegiance
Motion to adopt the Board meeting agenda without additions, deletions or modifications.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Leslie Ellison.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
Move that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of June 7, 2018, Board Business Meeting as printed waiving the reading of the minutes.
Motion by Leslie Ellison, second by Sarah Newell Usdin.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
Superintendent Lewis stated that on July 1,2018, it was the first time in over a decade since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, that our system of about 80 public schools are now unified under the local oversight of the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB). He also stated that we have come a long way over the past 13 years, and we have a long way to go.
Superintendent Lewis also stated that citywide graduation rates are up 20 percentage points, and over 20% more students are qualifying for TOPS. Nationally, we’re outperforming peer districts on the ACT.There is hard work ahead as over the last five years, our citywide school performance score has plateaued and now is in decline. Superintendent Lewis stated that we must all move forward with a focused purpose.
He also congratulated six schools that demonstrated high growth last year. (McDonogh 42 Charter School, Mildred Osborne Charter School, Einstein Charter School at Village de L’est, Paul Habans Charter School, Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School and Lake Forest Elementary.) Dr. Lewis welcomed 34 charter RSD schools to the Orleans Parish School Board.
*Superintendent Lewis and Board President Brown honored Dr. Armand Devezin
Amanda Aiken presented Gertrude Ivory with the Outstanding Service Award to McDonogh 35 Alumni Association.
3.3 Honoring Ponchartrain Chapter of the Links, Inc.
The Ponchartrain Chapter of the Link was presented with an award for their partnership with the McDonogh 35 community since 2012.
Superintendent Henderson Lewis and Board President John Brown thanked Dr. Armand Devezin and presented him with and award of service for over 35 years of dedication to Orleans Parish Schools.
**Correction by Superintendent Lewis –Lafayette students will be housed at Paul Dunbar School and the old Mc#35 site, not Paul Habans School***
**Board President Brown stated that this is the inaugural meeting after the July 1, 2018 returning of schools back to OPSB. He told audience that the OPSB is committed to being fair and equitable.
4. ACTION ITEMS Action (Consent): 4.1 Invitation to Bid No. 19-CN-0007 Paper Products
Resolution: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the bid meeting the specifications for Paper Products for the Child Nutrition Program for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 from Economical Janitorial and Paper Supplies LLC. The total amount of this award is $170,745.00. Funds will become available pending Board Approval of the Child Nutrition 2018-2019 Fiscal Year Budget.
Motion by Nolan Marshall, second by Ben Kleban.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
Public Comments
• Shawon Bernard-Clark Alumni & Former Educator-suggest that board uses clarity on how schools are being assigned
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• Kwame Smith- waived comment until end of meeting
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The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board rescinds its prior approval of the Property Transfer Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the OPSB and the Recovery School District and approves the revised Property Transfer MOU.
Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Ethan Ashley.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
**Board Member Ben Kleban stated in the last meeting this resolution was deferred and he was pleased to present a revised resolution. He encourages businesses to hire our students. Waiving the reading of the full resolution.
Public Comment
• Barrington Gidney-Together New Orleans-encouraged by Resolution 09-18 (ITEP) and thanks board member Kleban
• Maria Harmon-Step Up Louisiana-encouraged with ITEP but would like transparency when process begins• Janice Long-waived comment
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**Board President Thanks Board member Kleban**
The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 09-18, which provides that the Orleans Parish School Board consider all requests for approval of applications for Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption, according to criteria including the location of the applicant company’s capital project, the applicant’s commitment to job creation, and the completion status of the project waiving the reading of the resolution.
Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Leslie Ellison.
The following voice vote was held:
Yea: Ethan Ashley, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Nolan Marshall, Ben Kleban
Recused: Sarah Newell Usdin
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yeas: 5
Nays: None
Absent: 1
Abstain:None
Recused: 1
The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the resolution setting forth an adjustment to the annual rental expense and the related rental revenue from $570,000 in Fiscal Year 2017-2018 to $480,000 in Fiscal Year 2018-2019 waiving the reading of the resolution.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ben Kleban.
The following voice vote was held:
Yea: Ethan Ashley, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Nolan Marshall, Sarah Newell Usdin Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yeas: 6
Nays: None
Absent: 1
Abstain: None
Recused: None
The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approve a fund commitment not to exceed $300,000 as part of a storm mitigation grant with the New Orleans Department of Homeland Security.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ethan Ashley.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
The Budget and Finance Committee recommends hat the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the proposal meeting the specifications for Request for Proposal no. 18-0028 from the Center for Resilience and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract for signatures of the selected organization and the Board President.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ethan Ashley.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies an increase in the imaging contract with Just Trust Solutions to a total amount of $4,697,100, establishes a contract termination date of June 30, 2019, and authorizes its legal counsel to prepare the necessary contract amendment.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Leslie Ellison.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
• Wanda Romain-conerned about policies used to dismiss employees
• Kwame Smith-Needed clarity on policy GBN
** Kathy Moss-General Counsel to the Board- provided clarity- the policy only applies to non-teacher types effective July 1, 2007.
• Lois Adams-waived to Kwame Smith
• Stephanie Mills- waived comment
The Policy Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board dispenses with the ordinary process for adopting policy changes and takes immediate action to adopt the proposed amendment to Policy GBN, Dismissal of Employees.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ethan Ashley.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Type B lease for the Gentilly Terrace site.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ethan Ashley.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Sublease template to be used when a charter operator holding a lease with OPSB subleases a portion of the leased premises to another charter school.
Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ethan Ashley.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
Amended motion with the option to purchase Armstrong Elementary with 1) Change the term of the agreement to 12 months. 2)Set inspection period within the agreement of no more than 90 days from the execution of the agreement. 3) Base the final price of purchase on OPSB’s appraisal.
Motion by Nolan Marshall, second by Leslie Ellison.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley
Action: 5.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board personnel.
Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Sarah Newell Usdin The board went into executive session at 6:36pm
Reconvenned at 7:18pm with all Board members present. No action taken in executive session.
Motion to adjourn the Board meeting at 8:18PM.
Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Leslie Ellison.
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yea: Sarah Newell Usdin, Nolan Marshall, John Brown, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Ethan Ashley