MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
DECEMBER 20, 2018
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:47pm 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 Board President Mr. Brown.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Board Counsel Sharonda Williams noted an amendment to the recommended action for item 4.2, and that action items 4.4 through 4.8 would be deleted.
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda with amendments and deletions.
· 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
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of Minutes
Move that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the minutes of the November 15, 2018 Board Business Meeting as provided waiving the reading of the minutes.
· 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
SUPERINTENDENT’S REMARKS
3.1 Charter Renewal Recommendations
Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. provided an overview of policies the board has put in place since unification, and cited InspireNOLA as the operator of McDonogh 35 Senior High School for the 2019-20 school year.
Amanda Aiken, Senior Chief and Portfolio Officer, presented charter renewal recommendations for the following schools:
· ARISE Academy
· KIPP East Community
· Dolores T. Aaron Elementary School
· Sophie B. Wright Learning Academy
· Success Preparatory Academy
· JFK at Lake Area High School
· Lafayette Academy
· Samuel J. Green Charter School
· ReNEW Accelerated High School
· Foundation Preparatory (extension)
· Andrew H. Wilson Charter School (extension)
ACTION ITEMS
4.1 Award of RFP No. 19-0017 Short-Term Operator for McDonogh 35 Senior High School
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board awards the contract for a Short-term Operator for McDonogh 35 Senior High School to InspireNOLA Charter Schools and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the contract for signatures of the Board President and contractor.
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yea: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Woody Koppel, Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: Ben Kleban, Nolan Marshall Jr.
Following the vote, Ben Kleban explained that he voted against the RFP award because he is in favor of an added level of oversight.
Following public comment, Nolan Marshall Jr. stated that he is in support of students’ best interest, regardless of public or charter, and stated support for InspireNOLA Charter Schools.
Public Comments
· Jamar McKneely, Chief Executive Officer of InspireNOLA Charter Schools, thanked the board for consideration.
· Community member expressed concern for the future of McDonogh 35.
· Community member expressed concern for chartering of McDonogh 35.
· Student from McDonogh 35 expressed concern for the lack of student inclusion during the decision making process for the future of McDonogh 35.
· Community member expressed concern for the recent instability and lack of resources at McDonogh 35, and expressed support for InspireNOLA.
· Community member expressed concern for quality of academics and lack of student support resources at McDonogh 35.
· Community member concerned about quality of schools and student support services in New Orleans.
· Representative Dr. Joseph Bouie expressed concern for Act 91.
· Community member expressed concern with the state of McDonogh 35 and the chartering process.
· Student at Edna Karr High School expressed support for InspireNOLA.
· Community member expressed concern with ongoing construction at Edgar P. Harney and concern with OneApp.
· Community member expressed concern with the future of McDonogh 35.
· Parent from the McDonogh 35 Parent-Teacher Association expressed concern with teacher instability at McDonogh 35 and urged the board to consider the PTAs requests in planning for the future of the school.
· Comment waived/no response
· Comment waived/no response
· Alumni of McDonogh 35 expressed concern with insufficient staffing and funding at McDonogh 35.
· President of McDonogh 35 Alumni Association expressed frustration with the lack of regard for the will of the alumni association in planning for the future of McDonogh 35.
· Representative from the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools expressed support for InspireNOLA.
· Comment waived/no response
· Community member expressed concern with academic inequalities between charter and direct-run schools.
· Comment waived/no response
· Comment waived/no response
· Current student at McDonogh 35 expressed the will of the student council for the school board to continue to direct-run McDonogh 35.
· Comment waived/no response
· Community member expressed concern with the charter model, failing schools, and closing schools.
· Alumni of McDonogh 35 asked that the board to include the alumni association in the planning for the future of McDonogh 35.
· Community member expressed concern for the future of students at Edgar P. Harney.
· Representative from InspireNOLA Charter Schools, spoke in support of InspireNOLA.
· Comment waived/no response
· Community member and former principal expressed support for InspireNOLA Charter Schools.
· Representative from Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children (FFLIC) expressed concern with trauma in charter schools.
· Representative from New Schools for New Orleans spoke in support of InspireNOLA Charter Schools and their work in transformation schools.
· Representative from Step Up Louisiana urged the board to consider sustainable community schools in New Orleans in partnership with students, parents, and alumni.
· Comment waived/no response
· Community member expressed opposition to charter schools.
· Community member expressed concern for insufficient resources at McDonogh 35 and spoke in opposition of chartering the school.
· Representative from Journey for Justice Alliance of Chicago spoke in opposition to privatization of schools.
· Community member asked that the board hold meetings on the East Bank and expressed concern with the priority structure of OneApp.
· Alumni of McDonogh 35 expressed concern for the lack of resources at McDonogh 35 and the number of closing schools this year.
· Community member expressed support for InspireNOLA and concern for the lack of quality seats in New Orleans.
· President of the Parent-Teacher Association of McDonogh 35 expressed concern for the current students of McDonogh 35 in regard to the staff instability and lack of resources currently available.
Nolan Marshall Jr. stated that he is in support of students’ best interest, regardless of public or charter, and stated support for InspireNOLA Charter Schools.
4.2 Allocation of McDonogh 35 Transition Fund
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board allocates a total of up to $3.0M from the McDonogh 35 transition fund to the McDonogh 35 Senior High School budget for FY20 and FY21, as permitted by OPSB Resolution 14-18, to be available for reimbursement of approved actual expenditures on additional student supports by the Short-term Operator of McDonogh 35.
· 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
· Alumni of McDonogh 35 expressed concern for the lack of resources and funding at McDonogh 35.
· Alumni of McDonogh 35 expressed concern for the high turnover in leadership and teacher shortage at the school.
· Community member expressed concern with the charter model.
· Community member expressed concern with sufficient funding for schools and the number of failing schools in the city.
4.3 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with McDonogh 35 Alumni Association for Brick Paver Installation at McDonogh 35 Contingent on District Receiving Appropriate Financial Documents
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorizes the McDonogh 35 Alumni Association to install brick pavers at the McDonogh 35 Senior High School site (4000 Cadillac St.) pursuant to the terms of the CEA and contingent upon receipt of all necessary financial documentation.
· 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
Public Comments
· Alumni of McDonogh 35 urged the school board to direct-run McDonogh 35.
· Comment waived/no response
· Alumni of McDonogh 35 expressed support for the installation of brick pavers, and questioned the need for financial documents.
· Comment waived/no response
4.4 Amendment to Policy JCAB, School Searches
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the proposed amendment to Policy JCAB, School Searches.
Agenda item deleted.
4.5 Amendment to Policy JCDB, Student Dress Code
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the proposed amendment to Policy JCDB, Student Dress Code.
Agenda item deleted.
4.6 New Policy JGCF, Behavioral Health Services for Students
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the proposed new Policy JGCF, Behavioral Health Services for Students.
Agenda item deleted.
4.7 Amendment to Policy EBBC, Emergency/Crisis Management
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the proposed amendment to Policy EBBC, Emergency/Crisis Management.
Agenda item deleted.
4.8 Amendment to Policy IFBGA, Computer Access and Use - Students
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the proposed amendment to Policy IFBGA, Computer Access and Use – Students.
Agenda item deleted.
4.9 Resolution 33-18 Capital Projects Amendment #4, Benjamin Franklin Elementary Phase II
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 33-18 authorizing the fourth (4th) 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 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
4.10 Award of ITB No. 2013-0508-0002 re: Benjamin Franklin Phase II Repairs
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Construction Masters, Inc., in the amount of $3,960,000; and to authorize the OPSB General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.
· Motion by Leslie Ellison, 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
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:55pm.
· Motion by Leslie Ellison, second by Ethan Ashley
Reconvened from Executive Session at 8:21pm with all Board members present. Also present were Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams.
5.1 Leonard J. Johnson, Sr., et al. v. Hamp’s Enterprises, LLC, et al, CDC no. 2012-09618; Personal Injury Litigation – Settlement Recommendation
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the settlement of this matter as recommended by the General Counsel.
· Motion by Leslie Ellison, second by Ethan Ashley
· 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
5.2 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person – School Board Personnel
No action taken
ADJOURNMENT
6.1 Adjourn Meeting
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Sarah Newell Usdin
Meeting Adjourned at 8:22pm.