MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
APRIL 11, 2019
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:36 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. Ben Kleban left at 6:11pm.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge was led by two members of the Booker T. Washington Boys Basketball Team.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.
Sharonda Williams, Board Counsel, noted the addition of action item 4.13 regarding the May Board Business meeting.
· 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
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of Minutes
Move that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of the March 21, 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, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. acknowledged the 2019 Student of the Year State Winner: a student at Benjamin Franklin High School, and a 5th grade finalist from Lusher Elementary.
Dr. Lewis made the following facilities announcements:
· McNair site is available
· Rosenwald Collegiate Academy will be at the Fischer campus for the 2019-20 school year
· Elan Academy has requested the Fischer campus for the 2022-23 school year
· Any charter interested in the Fischer campus for SY 2022-23 must express interest by April 26th
Dr. Lewis acknowledged Crescent City Schools, InspireNOLA, and Collegiate Academies for being awarded the Charter School Program grant from the US Department of Education.
Dr. Lewis commended the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council for their work in organizing the first student summit.
3.1 Honoring the Booker T. Washington Boys Basketball Team 1A State Runner Up
Dr. Lewis and the board acknowledged the Booker T. Washington Boys Basketball team for their performance at the State Championship.
ACTION ITEMS
4.1 2019-20 List of Schools
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the 2019-20 list of schools to be shared with the Louisiana Department of Education.
Amanda Aiken, Senior Chief and Portfolio Officer, provided additional information on the item.
During public comment, Dr. Lewis clarified that McDonogh 35 will serve 10th – 12th graders, in the event that any sophomores do not gain enough credits to move on to 11th grade.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, 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
Public Comment
· Community member inquired about McDonogh 35 being open for 10th – 12th graders and about OneApp demand.
4.2 Declaration of Surplus Property (Derham, Chester, and McDonogh 7)
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board add vacant property at the former Derham and Chester schools as well as the McDonogh 7 property to the list of surplus property as those pieces of property are deemed unnecessary for future use by OPSB for school purposes.
After the board vote Dr. Lewis explained the outcome of the vote and the public process by which these properties will be made available for sale to current Orleans Parish School Board charter operators. The former Derham Middle vacant lot, former Chester Elementary vacant lot, and the McDonogh 7 school building are now classified as surplus property. Tomorrow, OPSB charter schools will receive an email and survey from the administration noting the availability for purchase any of these three sites at a minimum of the appraised value or lease at fair market value. Schools will have until the end of the day on May 10th, 2019, 4 weeks, to express interest in the property via survey. The facilities staff will be made available during the month-long time period to guide them through tours, should any operators want to see the property. If interest is expressed on any particular facility by one or more operators, the district will begin negotiations. If interest is not expressed by the end of the day on Friday, May 10th, the administration will move forward to either complete a land swap or dispose of the particular pieces of available property via auction.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Ben Kleban
· 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 board policy regarding surplus property, and asked the board to delay declaring McDonogh 7 as surplus property.
· Community member expressed concern with the fiduciary duties of the board.
· Community member urged the board to include a condition in any future agreement with HANO to preserve the façade of McDonogh 7.
· Community member asked the board to delay the declaration of McDonogh 7 as surplus property.
· Community member urged the board to preserve the McDonogh 7 building.
· Community member urged the board to reconsider the declaration of McDonogh 7 as surplus property.
· Principal of Booker T. Washington expressed support for securing the land adjacent to Booker T. Washington and thanked the board for their work and diligence on this batter.
· Community member expressed concern with the potential swap of McDonogh 7.
· Community member expressed concern with the future of the McDonogh 7 building.
4.3 Approval of 2019-20 Child Nutrition Calendar
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the 2019-20 Child Nutrition Calendar.
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, 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
4.4 Amendments to OPSB Policy DC, Annual Operating Budget, re: Fund Balance
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the amendments to Policy DC, Annual Operating Budget, re: Fund Balance.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, 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
4.5 Direct Diversion of USDA Commodities for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorize the purchase of Direct Diversion of USDA Donated Products as listed in the rationale for the Child Nutrition Program for the 2019-2020 school year.
· 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
4.6 Stipend and Supplemental Compensation Scale
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve increasing supplemental compensation for high school employees for the upcoming summer remediation program at McDonogh 35 High School.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel
· 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
Public Comment
· Community member expressed concern with the summer remediation program.
4.7 ITB No. 19-0018 Lease for Public Lands: Agricultural, Grazing, Trapping, Hunting and any other Legitimate Purposes
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Unknown Pass Hunting Club, LLC in the amount of $17,025.00 per year; and authorize the OPSB General Counsel to prepare a 36-month lease for the period May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2022; and shall include an option to extend it for two (2) additional one (1) yea periods, for signatures of the Board president and the highest bidder.
· 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
4.8 Approval of Design Contract Amendment for Hynes Elementary School Envelope Repairs Phase II
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorize execution of design contract with SCNZ Architects, LLC, to design the Phase II of Hynes Elementary School Envelope Repairs.
· 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, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: Ben Kleban
4.9 Approval of Change Order for Exterior Repairs at Hynes Elementary
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve a change order in the amount of $106,372.49 with Crescent Commercial Construction for additional repair services at Hynes.
· Motion by Sarah Newell Usdin, second by Woody Koppel (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: Ethan Ashley
· Absent: Ben Kleban
4.10 Approval of Design Contract for the Phase II Building Refurbishment at Ben Franklin Elementary School
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorize Amendment #6 to the design contract with N-Y Associates, Inc., to complete design of the Phase II Building Refurbishment at Ben Franklin Elementary School.
· Motion by Woody Koppel, second by Sarah Newell Usdin (waiving the reading)
· Final Resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: John A. Brown Sr., Leslie Ellison, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: Ethan Ashley
· Absent: Ben Kleban
4.11 Approval of Agreement to Purchase Furnishings and Equipment for the Ben Franklin Elementary School Refurbishment Project
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the purchase for furnishings and equipment for the Ben Franklin Elementary School (Lafayette) refurbishment project. All items can be obtained on State Contract for a total cost of $447,338.74.
· 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, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: Ben Kleban
4.12 Approval for conditional use at McDonogh 19
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board grant support to the Housing Authority of New Orleans and Alembic to secure a conditional use approval for the McDonogh 19 building.
· 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, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: Ben Kleban
4.13 Amendment to May Board Business Schedule
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amend the Board meeting schedule to move the May Board Business meeting to May 21st.
· 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, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: Ben Kleban
ADJOURNMENT
5.1 Adjourn Meeting
· Motion by Ethan Ashley, second by Woody Koppel
Meeting Adjourned at 6:15pm.