MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
FEBRUARY 21, 2019
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:31 pm 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 the 2019 District Finalists for the Louisiana Students of the Year Awards Program.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: Ben Kleban
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of Minutes
Move that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of the January 17, 2019 Board Business Meeting as provided waiving the reading of the minutes.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: Ben Kleban
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. yielded to Board Member Ethan Ashley, who acknowledged the members of Urban Leaders for Equity and Diversity and the Urban League of Louisiana.
Dr. Lewis announced facilities sitings for the 2019-20 school year:
· Sylvanie Williams building will house KIPP Central City Primary
· Carter G. Woodson building will house KIPP Central City Academy
· Edgar P. Harney building will temporarily house Walter L. Cohen High School
Dr. Lewis and the Orleans Parish School Board acknowledged René Lewis Carter for her contributions to public education in New Orleans.
Dr. Lewis and the Orleans Parish School Board acknowledged Kathy Riedlinger, CEO of Lusher Charter School,
3.1 2019 District Finalist for Louisiana Students of the Year Awards Program
Cathy Toni Chase, Director of Family Engagement, presented the 2019 district finalists for the Louisiana Students of the Year Awards Program.
3.2 Presentation of YouthForce NOLA
Cate Swinburn, President of YouthForce NOLA, gave a presentation on the collaboration between YouthForce NOLA and the Orleans Parish School Board.
Mr. Brown acknowledged the work of YouthForce NOLA.
Dr. Lewis echoed Mr. Brown’s comments, and thanked community partners and businesses that are partnering with YouthForce NOLA to support our students.
ACTION ITEMS
4.1 Approval of 2019 Board Committee Appointments
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the committee appointments as recommended by the Board President.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin.
· Final Resolution: Motion passes to suspend board policy BBA.
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.2 Approval of Charter Operating Agreement for Edward Hynes UNO Charter School
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the operating agreement between the Orleans Parish School Board and Hynes Charter School Corporation for the operation of Edward Hynes UNO Charter School, effective July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2024.
Amanda Aiken, Senior Chief and Portfolio Officer, provided additional information on the charter operating agreement for Edward Hynes UNO Charter School.
During public comment, Dr. Lewis clarified that schools do not control enrollment, and confirmed that the current and UNO Hynes school both use the district’s common enrollment system.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comment
· Michelle Douglas, Hynes Charter School CEO, provided additional detail about the charter operating agreement and expressed support for the agreement.
· Community member expressed concern with school funding and charter partnerships.
· Representative from Hynes expressed support for the partnership.
· Representative from UNO spoke in support of the partnership.
· Community member expressed concern for the overall quality of schools in Orleans Parish.
· Member of Parent Advisory Committee spoke in support of the partnership.
· Community member expressed concern with the level of detail outlined in the agreement and for the priority structure of the agreement.
· Community member expressed concern for the demographics of selective admission schools.
· Community member expressed concern with the demographics at Hynes.
· Community member expressed concern for lack of quality schools in Orleans Parish.
4.3 Extension of IDEA Public Schools NOLA deadline to open its second approved charter
That the Orleans Parish School Board grants IDEA Public Schools NOLA an extension to begin operations on the second charter approved by the Orleans Parish School Board on May 18, 2017 to first serve students by the 2020-21 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.
Ms. Aiken provided additional information about the extension.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comment
· Community member expressed concern with charter schools.
· Community member expressed concern with longevity and stability of charter schools and charter leaders.
· Community member expressed concern with the opening of new charter schools.
· Waived comment/no response
· Community member expressed concerns with charter schools.
4.4 Resolution 04-19 re: Approval of General Fund Balance Expenditure for Harney Elementary
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves Resolution 04-19 A resolution 1) declaring exceptional circumstances at Edgar P. Harney Elementary School that justify an expenditure from the general fund balance reserve for the purpose of investing in student learning priorities and facilitating efficient and effective academic programs and learning environments, and 2) approving such expenditure, in an amount not to exceed $754,236.50, to address said exceptional circumstances through the remainder of the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
Eric Seling, Chief Operating Officer, provided additional information.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comment
· Community member expressed concern with closing schools.
· Community member expressed concerned with failing charter schools.
· Community member ceded time to another speaker.
· Community member ceded time to another speaker.
· Designated community member speaker expressed concern for the future of Harney students.
4.5 Resolution 05-19 General Fund Budget Amendment No. 4 re: Harney Elementary
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 05-19 authorizing the fourth (4th) amendment to the General Fund Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019.
Mr. Seling provided additional information about the resolution.
· Motion by Ben Kleban, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comment
· Community member expressed concern for quality schools and resources for students in Orleans Parish.
4.6 Resolution 06-19 Capital Projects Budget Amendment No. 6 re: School Facility Preservation Program
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 06-19 authorizing the sixth (6th) amendment to the Capital Projects budget of revenue and expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019.
Mr. Seling provided additional information about the resolution.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Public Comment
· Community member expressed the need for a plan for facilities preservation.
4.7 Excess Revenue Distribution
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the recommended excess revenue distribution.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.8 2019-20 Employee Calendar
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the 2019-20 Employee Calendar.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
4.9 Temporary and Substitute Teacher Salary Schedule
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the Temporary and Substitute Teacher Salary Schedule.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Ethan Ashley (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
Mr. Brown asked for a motion to move to Executive Session at 7:17pm.
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Woody Koppel
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Reconvened from Executive Session at 7:27pm. 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.
5.1 Katie Pierre v. Orleans Parish School Board, H&G Claim No. 11983; Worker’s Compensation – Settlement Recommendation
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by General Counsel.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
5.2 Prospective Litigation re: Crescent Leadership Academy Closure – Status Report
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Board Counsel’s recommendation regarding next steps in this matter.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
5.3 Prospective Litigation re: Orleans Parish School Board’s Demand for Withheld Millage Collections – Status Report
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Board Counsel’s recommendation regarding next steps in this matter.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
5.4 In the Matter of Orleans Parish School Board and Louisiana Recovery School District, U.S. Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, CBCA 5457-FEMA; FEMA Arbitration – Status Report
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Board Counsel’s recommendation regarding next steps in this matter.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: 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 Leslie Ellison, second by Woody Koppel
Meeting Adjourned at 7:29pm.