MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 Westbend Parkway
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
September 20, 2018
1.1 Call to order roll call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order by Board Vice President, Leslie Ellison at 5:36pm. The following Board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge was led by a 7th grade, honor roll student from Alice Harte Charter School. He was joined by several students from Cypress Academy.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Board Counsel Sharonda Williams, states a modification to the agenda. The adoption of the agenda should be placed before the adoption of the minutes. Motion to adopt the agenda with modifications.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Nolan Marshall Jr.
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of minutes
Move that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of August 23, 2018, Board Business Meeting as printed waiving the reading of the minutes.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Nolan Marshall Jr.
· Final Resolution: Motion Passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
SUPERINTENDENT'S AGENDA
3. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. asked that the audience observe a moment of silence for members of the OPSB’s community that recently passed, including a student at John F. Kennedy High School at Lake Area and a Sci Academy teacher.
3.1 2019 Millage Rates Notice of Public Meeting Announcement
Dr. Lewis reads the millage rates notice: Notice is hereby given that the Orleans Parish School Board plans to consider a resolution adopting ad valorem tax millages for 2019 including an increase in the capital repair millage, at a meeting of the School Board on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the Orleans Parish School Board, 2401 Westbend Parkway (formerly 3520 General DeGaulle Drive), Suite 1050, New Orleans, LA 70114.
Dr. Lewis continued his remarks thanking the Audubon Nature Institute and Ms. Eileen Johnson for their generosity and partnership. The Back to School Fest at the Audubon Zoo allowed over 2,000 families from over 30 schools to attend the zoo for free and enjoy a day of fun. Dr. Lewis also highlighted the first voter registration week in the district, which was done in partnership with Mayor Cantrell’s office, the 9th Ward Voter’s Coalition, Links, Inc., and other community groups across the city. Close to 700 students in public schools were registered to vote.
3.2 Senior Perfect Attendance Award with Toyota of New Orleans
Dr. Lewis thanked Mr. Troy Duhon from Toyota of New Orleans and the Premier Automotive Group for the Stay in School Program. One lucky senior will recieve a brand new vehicle for perfect attendance. Other seniors also receive gifts and money toward scholarships. Mr. Troy Duhon spoke about the partnership between OPSB and Toyota of New Orleans with the Premier Automotive Group.
Dr. Lewis continues his remarks and highlights the growth scores made by students in the district and closed out his remarks with a review of the district’s 82 days of being a unified district.
3.3 Honoring Audubon Nature Institute for OPSB Fest/Zoo Partnership
Nicole Lewis, Director of Community Relations, and Avione Pichon, Executive Director of Strategic Priorities, gave additional appreciation to the Audubon Zoo for the Back to Fest with special thanks going to Ms. Eileen Johnson.
3.4 Honoring Sgt. Tanya Picard- Juvenile Detention Lead at OJC
Kristina Kent, Director of Citywide ED Initiatives, recognized Sgt. Tanya Picard in her critical role in the Travis Hill School at the OJC.
3.5 Presentation – Ed Navigator Louisiana Parent Bill of Rights
Gary Briggs, a representative from Ed Navigator Louisiana, highlights the five (5) points from the Louisiana Parent Bill of Rights.
CONSENT AGENDA
4.1 One (1) year renewal of Application Service Provider (ASP) for Oracle lii E-Business Suite RFP no. 09-0010 for Fiscal Year 2018-19
That the Orleans Parish School Board grant permission to renew the contract for Application Service Provider for Oracle IIi E-Business Suite with Data Intensity for an additional one (1) year period; and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract for the signatures of the Board President and the Service Provider. The contract period will be from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The annual cost is $57,150.00. Funds are available for this fiscal year through June 30,2019 and renewals will be based on approval of future budgets.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Ethan Ashley
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Amendment to Resolution 09-18 re: Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP)
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amends Resolution 09-18, adopted at the July 19, 2018 meeting, to redefine a "distressed region" as "a census tract block group that is below the state median per capita income, based upon the latest five-year estimate from the American Community Survey, as conducted by the United States Census Bureau – or an Enterprise Zone, as defined by the Enterprise Zone Program under Louisiana Economic Development" and to correct the Hire NOLA statute reference to "§70-498".
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Ethan Ashley (waiving reading of the resolution)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr.
· Nays: none
· Recused: Sarah Newell Usdin
· Absents: John A. Brown, Sr.
5.2 Resolution 22-18 RE: Capital Projects Amendment #2-FEMA Funding (Lake Forest and Benjamin Franklin Elementary)
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 22-18 authorizing the second (2nd) amendment to the Capital Projects Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Nolan Marshall Jr.- waiving the reading of the resolution
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Absents: John A. Brown, Sr.
5.3 Amendment to N-Y Associates, Inc., Design Contract for Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Renovation
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves an amendment to increase the N-Y Associates, Inc., design contract by $264,607.50, to add Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Renovation Project No. 2013-0508-0002 to the contract scope of work, and to adjust the Designer's Basic Service Fee based on the bid price for the renovation project.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Nolan Marshall Jr.
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
5.4 Resolution 24-18 Addressing Disrupted Education for Vulnerable Students
Recommended that the OPSB accepts the donation from Carnegie Foundation to allow Bellwether Education to support the development of a strategic plan for the Youth Opportunities Center.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel- waived reading of resolution
· Final Resolution: Motion asses
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Absent: John A. Brown Sr.
5.5 Acceptance of Donation from Gates Foundation
Recommend that the Orleans Parish School Board accept a donation of up to $100,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support work related to strategic school design.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
5.6 Approval of Child Nutrition Salary Scale
Recommend that the Orleans Parish School Board approve an annual salary scale for Child Nutrition employees to ensure a minimum wage of $15.00 per hour for the FY19 school year.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin
· Final Motion: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
5.6 Public Comments
· Representative for food service workers Jamel Otis said that the raise is needed so that we can be productive citizens and live in the city that we produce in.
· Co-Director of Step Up Louisiana Benjamin Zucker said he hopes the work that the district is doing sets an example for the charters and contracted food service.
· Pamela Bourgeois spoke on student hunger/the important role of “cafeteria ladies”.
· SEIU Sharron Krish said that her experience is worth more than $11.00 an hour. She asked that the board consider the $15.00 an hour raise.
· Member of STAND Roy Brumfield - Let’s take our investments seriously.
· Mary Moran- Everyone that works in our school buildings must be treated fairly.
· Dr. Lewis thanks the cafeteria workers and says he is grateful for their work.
· Ben Kleban thanks Ms. Moran and all of the cafeteria workers and says their presence made a huge difference in the consideration of the raise.
· Leslie Ellison thanked the “cafeteria ladies” for feeding the students of OBSB and putting smiles on their faces.
5.7 Fiscal Year 2018 Communication to Budget and Finance Committee
That the Orleans Parish School Board approves the terms of engagement with LaPorte as outlined in the attached audit summary.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Nolan Marshall Jr.
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Absents: John A. Brown, Sr.
5.8 Fiscal Year 2018 Compliance Questionnaire
That the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the completed Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as part of its annual financial audit.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Ethan Ashley
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
5.9 FY 2018-2019 Allocation for Unpaid Settlements and Judgments
That the Orleans Parish School Board approves Administration's recommendation to not allocate any funding for unpaid settlements and judgments.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel
· Final Resolution: Motion fails
· Yeas: Woody Koppel, Ben Kleban, Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Nolan Marshall Jr.
· Absents: John A. Brown Sr.
5.10 Resolution 23-18 re: 2019 Revenue Anticipation Notes
The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 23-18 authorizing the issuance and sale of Anticipation Notes, Series 2018 of the Orleans Parish School Board, State of Louisiana in a principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000; making application to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority for such borrowing; and providing for other matters with respect to the forgoing.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Ben Kleban waiving the reading of the resolution.
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Absents: John A. Brown, Sr.
5.11 Approval of MOU regarding OPSB/RSD Joint Account
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the final close out of the parties' joint insurance proceeds account and authorize General Counsel to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for signatures of the Board President. The OPSB will retain $14,102,704 from the joint account, and the RSD will retain $362,324.68.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Woody Koppel
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Absents: John A. Brown Sr.
5.12. Commodities for Child Nutrition 2018-2019
That the Orleans Parish School Board approve Warehouse Services and Storage of the USDA Food Commodities donated to Louisiana through the Food Distribution Program for the 2018-2019 School Year from Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans, in the not to exceed amount of $140,000.00; and authorize General Counsel to prepare the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for signatures of the Board President and the Service Provider.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Ethan Ashley
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Absents: John A. Brown Sr.
5.13. RFP for Short-Term Use of Vacant Lots and Facilities
That the Orleans Parish School Board authorizes the administration to develop and release a RFP requesting respondents to propose short-term use for vacant sites with the Board’s full environmental acknowledgment of conditions, engagement of neighborhood groups, and excluding the placement of permanent structures. Ben Kleban offered a substitute motion replacing that when changed reads: That the Orleans Parish School Board authorizes the administration to develop and release a RFP requesting respondents to propose short-term use for vacant sites with the Board’s full environmental acknowledgment of conditions, engagement of neighborhood groups, provided that properties offered for short-term use shall be returned, at the applicant's expense, to OPSB in the same condition as when occupancy began or OPSB shall be provided an option to retain ownership of any improvements that were made.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel
· Final Resolution: Motion passes with the new substitution.
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
5.14 Contract Amendment for MUNIS ERP
Recommend that the Orleans Parish School Board modify the contract amendment for Tyler Technologies ERP from the previously approved amount of $165,000 to the modified amount of $165,400.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
6. Executive Session
Sarah Newell Usdin -Motion to waive the executive session
Board Counsel Sharonda Williams requests vote on items 6.1 and 6.2
6.1 Geraldine Turner Warren v. Orleans Parish School Board, CDC No. 2013-7899; Personal Injury Litigation - Settlement Recommendation
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by the General Counsel.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Ethan Ashley
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
6.2 Sherrell Walker, et al v. Orleans Parish School Board, CDC No. 2001-863; Personal Injury Litigation - Settlement Recommendation
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by the General Counsel.
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Woody Koppel
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
7. Adjournment
Meeting Adjourned at 6:47pm
· Motion by Nolan Marshall, Jr., second by Woody Koppel
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin, Woody Koppel
· Nays: None
· Abstain: None
· Recused: None