MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
OCTOBER 11, 2018
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:40pm by Board President John A. Brown Sr. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., 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 three cadets from McDonogh #35.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda without additions, deletions, or modifications.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of Minutes
Move that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of the September 20, 2018 Board Business Meeting as provided waiving the reading of the minutes.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. began by acknowledging New Orleans City Council President Jason Rogers Williams.
3.1 Early Childhood Education Working Group Presentation
R. Erich Caulfield, ECE Working Group facilitator, New Orleans City Council President Jason Rogers Williams, and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families Emily Wolff provided updates and recommendations from the Early Childhood Education Working Group.
Ben Kleban thanked the members of the working group for their participation, and acknowledged the coordination with the Mayor’s Office and City Council.
Ethan Ashley and Nolan Marshall Jr. commended Ben Kleban for his work and leadership on the working group.
Sean Perkins, Executive Director of Citywide Education Initiatives, recognized the members of the working group.
3.2 Update on Travis Hill Schools
Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. thanks David Domenici and the staff of Travis Hill Schools for their work.
David Domenici, Executive Director of the Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings (CEEAS), provided an update on the Travis Hill Schools.
Sarah Newell Usdin expressed concerns about staffing at Travis Hill, and asked how OPSB can support the effort to effectively educate a wide-range of multi-aged students in one classroom, while also helping to support their reintegration back into school.
Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. thanked Emily Wolff, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, Kristina Kent, Director of Citywide Education Initiatives, and Amanda Aiken, Senior Chief and Portfolio Officer, for the continued partnership between the School Board and Mayor’s Office.
Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. congratulated Lusher for being named a Blue Ribbon School by US Department of Education.
Superintendent Lewis also acknowledged and congratulated KIPP Renaissance for their 45 students who are now able to earn college degree from Bard College.
John A. Brown Sr. acknowledged the staff from the Travis Hill Schools and thanked the members of the Early Childhood Education Working Group.
ACTION ITEMS
4.1 Resolution to 30-18 re: Juvenile Justice Week
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 30-18 creating the annual Juvenile Justice Week and directing that the inaugural week shall be held October 22 through October 26, 2018.
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Ben Kleban (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comments
· Community member asked for school leaders and teachers to be trained on this issue.
· Ethan Ashley and Ben Kleban emphasized the importance of this resolution and stated that the primary objective of this resolution is to raise awareness.
4.2 Resolution 25-18 re: Bollinger Algiers, LLC ITEP Application
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 25-18 denying the ITEP application submitted by Bollinger Algiers, LLC.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Leslie Ellison (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr.
· Nays: none
· Recused: Sarah Newell Usdin
Public Comments
· Representatives from Together New Orleans stated their support for the resolution to deny the application.
4.3 Resolution 26-18 Constitutional and Other Dedicated Millages
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 26-18 setting forth and designating the 2019 Constitutional Mills and other Dedicated Mills on all of the property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana.
· Motion by Leslie Ellison, second by Ben Kleban (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comments
· Representative from GNO Collaborative stated support for the resolution.
· Community member expressed concern about school funding.
4.4 Resolution 27-18 General Obligation Refunding Bonds
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 27-18 setting forth and designating the 2019 Millage Rate for General Obligation Bonds on all of the property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Ethan Ashley (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.5 Resolution to 28-18 Capital Repair Millage
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 28-18 setting forth and designating the 2019 Millage Rate on all property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana, for the preservation, improvement, and Capital Repairs of all existing Public School Facilities.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comments
· Representative from GNO Collaborative stated support
· Community member requested plan for renovations and expressed concern about building maintenance legislation.
4.6 Resolution 29-18 General Fund Budget Amendment #2
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 29-18 authorizing the second (2nd) amendment to the Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019.
Ben Kleban offered a substitute motion to include language that identifies the funding source as Harrah’s Fund Balance. Motion to accept the substitute motion.
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Sarah Newell Usdin
Motion to adopt the resolution with the stated amendment.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Norman Marshall Jr. (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.7 Amendment to the Charter Operating Agreement with Advocates for Academic Excellence in Education, Inc.
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendment to the Operating Agreement between OPSB and Advocates for Academic Excellence in Education, Inc. to increase the authorized enrollment maximum from 800 to 1,000 and authorize the Board President to execute the amendment.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.8 Extension of Collegiate Academy’s Deadline to Open Fifth School
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board grants Collegiate Academies a 12-month extension to begin operations on the charter approved by the Orleans Parish School Board on May 18, 2017 to first serve students by the 2020-2021 school year. 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.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comments
· Community member stated confusion about extension and asked why the boiard would grant.
4.9 Environmental Services Contract Amendment
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board modifies its prior action increasing the Materials Management Group contract for environmental services by $200,000 to an increase of $400,000 for a total amended contract value of $700,000.
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.10 Third Amendment to Third Party Contract To Provide Title I Supplemental Educational Services For Eligible Students in non-Public Schools
The administration recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the third set of amendments to the following contracts for Title I Educational Services. This will exercise the options to renew each contract for an additional year and to increase each contract as follows: Catapult Learning, LLC from $6,158,202.18 to $8,116,275.89 (increase of $1,958,073.71); Non-Public Educational Services, Inc. from $255,988.99 to $265,651.98 (increase of $9,662.99); and Sylvan Learning from $22,444.35 to $350,107.65 (increase of $327,663.30), based on the 2018-2019 Title I allocation of $2,295,400 for eligible non-public school students.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.11 Third Amendment to Third Party Contracts To Provide Title II Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students In Non-Public Schools
The administration recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the third amendment to the Catapult Learning, LLC contract for Title II Supplemental Educational Services to exercise the option to renew the contract for an additional year and to increase the total contract amount from $1,111,486.98 to $1,317,550.98 (increase of $206,064.00), based on the 2018-2019 Title II allocation of $206,064.00 for professional development services to administrators and staff enrolled in non-public schools.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.12 Bid Award for Project #19-FAC-0011 – Mahalia Jackson Elementary School Student Hearing Office
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid meeting the specifications for Project no. 19-FAC-0011 for Mahalia Jackson Elementary School Student Hearing Office by Colmex Construction LLC in the amount of $113,372 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Nolan Marshall Jr. (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.13 Bid Award for Project No. 19-FAC-0009 Asbestos Hazard Response Action At Rosenwald Elementary School
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid meeting the specifications for Project no. 19-FAC-0009 Asbestos Hazard Response Action at Rosenwald Elementary School from ARC Abatement I, LTD, in the amount of $1,296,772 and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract for signature of the Board President and Contractor.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Leslie Ellison (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comments
· Community member stated that schools should communicate with students regarding asbestos issues and abatement processes.
4.14 Amendment to OneApp Geographic Priority
The amendment revises OPSB’s standard community preferences in the OneApp process as follows: (1) State law requires that at least 50% of seats be available to students citywide without being prioritized based on geography, (2) Students living within a ½ mile radius of the school receive geographic priority for up to 25% of available seats, and (3) Students living within the previously approved geographic zones would receive geographic priority for the remaining seats reserved for geographic priority. The new geographic zone procedures will be implemented in the upcoming OneApp process that begins in November, 2018.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Leslie Ellison (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comments
· Community member asked for description of original policy regarding geographic priority, and asked how board would assess effectiveness of this amendment.
· Community member expressed concern with number of high quality schools in each neighborhood.
· Representative from Step Up Louisiana on behalf of their parent union, expressed concern about bus times and said the standard should be expanded to more schools.
· Community member expressed concern with the future of E. P. Harney.
· Community member asked how this amendment would affect enrollment at schools that are not currently accepting new students.
4.15 Approval of Capital Improvements to Vacant Land Adjacent to Warren Easton Charter High School
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorizes the Warren Easton Charter Foundation to construct an Athletic Storage Facility and Restrooms on the vacant land located at 3102 Iberville Street, at the Foundation’s expense, and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the necessary Cooperative Endeavor Agreement.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Leslie Ellison (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
4.16 Amendment to Policy HA, School Board Chartering Authority
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the proposed amendments to Policy HA, School Board Chartering Authority.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Ethan Ashley (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comments
· Representative from GNO Collaborative expressed support for the amendment.
· Community member expressed concern with Act 91.
· Community member thanked the board for taking under consideration the feedback from the Superintendent’s parent advisory committee regarding the bus start times.
· Community member expressed concern with the future of McDonogh #35.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:28pm.
· Motion by Nolan Marshall Jr., second by Ben Kleban
Reconvened from Executive Session at 8:40pm with all Board members present.
5.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person – School Board personnel
No action taken.
5.2 Prospective Litigation re: Lafayette Academy Renovation Projects
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorizes its board counsel to take any and all steps necessary, including litigation, to recover any damages it incurred as a result of the Lafayette Academy renovation project.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Leslie Ellison
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
ADJOURNMENT
6.1 Adjourn Meeting
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin
Ethan Ashley requested a point of personal privilege to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness month and expressed support for those who are fighting breast cancer.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:42pm.