MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

JUNE 27, 2019

 

1.1    Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:31pm by Board Vice-President Leslie Ellison. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Ben Kleban, Leslie Ellison, Nolan Marshall Jr. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Skylar Rosenbloom were also present. President John A. Brown Sr., Sarah Newell Usdin, and Woody Koppel were not present.

 

1.2    Pledge of Allegiance

The pledge was led by Vice President Ellison.

 

1.3    Adoption of the Agenda

Motion by Mr. Marshall moving to amend the provided agenda so action items 7.1 and 7.2 can be heard in advance of the first and second readings, second by Mr. Ashley.

 

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended.

Motion by Mr. Marshall second by Mr. Ashley (waiving the reading)

 

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES

 

2.1    Adoption of Minutes

Move that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of the May 21st and June 6th Board Business Meeting as provided, waiving the reading of the minutes.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S  AGENDA

 

3.1    Robert Royal Foundation

Dr. Lewis began his part of the agenda by celebrating student success, recognizing former NFL player and Karr High School graduate Robert Royal. At that time, as a part of his charitable work via the Robert Royal Foundation, Mr. Royal and his wife Toneka provided scholarships to rising college freshman from New Orleans. Vice President Ellison also recognized and thanked school administrators from Algiers Charter Schools who were in attendance, along with all the family members of graduates and the graduates themselves.

 

3.2    Revisions to the District Level Funding Allocation

Dr. Lewis then began the next part of his agenda by highlighting the district’s work this legislative session. He specifically thanked Representative Walt Leger, III, Senator Troy Carter, and Senator J.P. Morrell for helping to move HB393 forward. There was then a presentation given by district staffer Charlie Crosby concerning initial proposed revisions to the district level funding allocation for 2020-2021 school year.

 

3.3    Portfolio Update

Dr. Lewis then invited Dr. Kelli R. Peterson to provide a presentation concerning the district’s school portfolio. Dr. Peterson began by providing an accountability update concerning the New Beginnings Schools Foundation (NBSF). She advised the board about a Level 2 Notice of Non-Compliance issued in early June along with other actions taken by the district. The district’s investigation is ongoing. Dr. Peterson then gave updates on other Level 2 Notices of Non-Compliance, the district’s financial oversight efforts, and provided a listing of schools up for renewal next school year (2020/2021).

 

Mr. Kleban asked about the 16% of schools that have not yet sent a letter home to their families with renewal information. Mr. Ashley asked which schools in particular. Dr. Peterson advised that Habans and Arthur Ashe had not yet sent the renewal information home. Mr. Kleban asked for the district to set a deadline for schools and if the school does not send out that information the district will.

 

Vice President Ellison also asked why some schools were pushing back against providing this information. Dr. Lewis generally advised the board about the seriousness of this issue, that families should know the status of their school, and that if the school does not send out these letters, the district will.

 

Dr. Lewis closed his section of the agenda by directly addressing the students impacted by the careless and reckless behavior of adults at NBSF and JFK High School. He apologized on behalf of the district and committed to doing everything possible to remedy the situation, including providing direct district services to families. Dr. Lewis also said that he had referred the case to the Legislative Auditor and that in the 2019-2020 school year the district will take a number of steps to ensure this does not happen in the future. Dr. Lewis then yielded to Vice President Ellison, who then yielded to board counsel. Board counsel moved forward with action items 7.1 and 7.2.

 

Action Item 7.1 - 2nd Amendment to Orleans Parish School Board Meeting Schedule for 2019

Recommended action- That the Orleans Parish School Board amends its 2019 Meeting Schedule to delete the July 16, 2019, committee meetings. Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

 

Action Item 7.2 - Policy Adoption Procedures

Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board dispenses with the requirement to present policy first and second readings to the Policy Committee and, instead, to allow first and second readings to occur during the regular board meetings for the months of June and July 2019, during which no committee meetings will occur.

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

 

Vice President Ellison then yielded to the administration to move forward with the agenda’s First and Second Readings (per the amended agenda). District staffer Ms. Dina Hasiotis summarized both first & second readings.

 

First Reading 5.1 - New Policy DCBB, Systemwide Needs Program

Per requirements in HB393, which is pending the governor's approval, the purpose of this agenda item is to provide a first reading of draft policy in alignment with the creation of a Systemwide Needs Program.

 

Second Reading 5.1 - Amendment to OPSB Policy HA (Section 10- Transportation)

Second reading of amendment to Policy HA to require that all school buses transporting students attending Orleans Parish authorized-charter schools that are leased or directly operated by the charter organization shall meet the requirements set forth in New Orleans City Code of 1995, Article XVI.

Vice President Ellison then advised that the monthly budget v. actuals presentation item was overlooked. She asked for district staff to come up to provide.

 

Presentation 4.1 - March 2019 Financials and Budget to Actuals

District staffer Mr. Eric Seling provided details about the general fund revenues and expenditures through March, along with budgeted v actuals at Cypress Academy, McDonogh 35, and Harney.

 

Mr. Kleban asked Mr. Seling to clearly qualify any end of year fund balance claims, due to previous action taken by the board to spend fund balance and thereby balance the budget. Mr. Seling advised that he would do so and that any surplus would mean a reduction in the amount of fund balance being used.

Vice President Ellison then yielded to board counsel concerning all the remaining action items.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

Action Item 7.3 - HB393 and Suspension of OPSB Policy DCBA, District-Level Funding Allocation, for FY20

Recommended action - It is recommended that the School Board suspends the provisions of OPSB Policy DCBA that require "presentation of the final revised funding computation to the School Board and school operators at a School Board meeting by not later than January 31st" so that the Superintendent may implement revisions to the funding computation for FY20 in accordance with House Bill 393 of the 2019 Regular Legislative Session, which is pending the Governor's signature. Such modifications shall only be in response to the unique inflow of funds from HB393.

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Ashley

 

Action Item 7.4 - Resolution 07-19 Fiscal Year 2020 General Fund  Budget

Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 07-19 authorizing the Fiscal Year 2020 General Fund Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020.

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Kleban (waiving reading)

 

Action Item 7.5 - Award of Contract for Professional Auditing  Services

Recommended action - The Board approves the evaluation committee's recommendation to partner with Luther Speight & Company, CPAs, LLC for Professional Auditing Services (RFP No. 19-0024) for a period of three (3) years, with two (2) 1-year options. Satisfactory negotiation of annual terms including an annual price acceptable to both OPSB and the Respondent are: ($122,165 fiscal year 2020); ($116,055 fiscal year 2021); ($118,380 fiscal year 2022); ($120,745 fiscal year 2023); and ($120,745 fiscal year 2024). The all-inclusive maximum price, for each given year, will not exceed $135,860.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

Mr. Kleban and Mr. Ashley both asked for clarity about why there was only one applicant for auditing services and whether we were meeting our DBE requirements. Mr. Seling advised that various potential

applicants were contacted and that the firm receiving was a DBE, but that the district had more work to do on hitting the broader DBE goal.

 

Action Item 7.6 - Extension of CEEAS Contracts for Travis Hill  Schools and Amendments to Related Contracts

Recommended action - Recommend that the Orleans Parish School Board exercise its option to extend the School Management Agreements for services at the Youth Study Center and Orleans Justice Center with the Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings for 1 year & approve amended payment provision of management agreements.

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Kleban

 

Action Item 7.7 - Award of Contract for Middle School Expulsion  Program

Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the proposal from Educators for Quality Alternatives to administer a program for 7th and 8th grade students who have been expelled or who are at risk of being expelled for the 2019-2020 school year; and to authorize the OPSB General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Kleban

Mr. Kleban asked for clarity about why this funding was coming from the general fund. Mr. Seling advised there is no dedicated funding source.

 

Action Item 7.8 - Approval of State Contract Purchase for Dell Laptops and Apple iPads

Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board approve the purchase of Dell Laptops and Chromebooks from SHI International Corporation in the amount of $571,760.06 and Apple iPads from Apple Inc. in the amount of $88,300.00 for Public and Non-Public Schools from the Louisiana State approved contracts. The total amount of this purchase is not to exceed $660,060.06. Funds are available in the Title I budget.

 

Motion by Mr. Kleban, second by Mr. Ashley

Mr. Marshall asked if we could reduce the amount spent on those computers. Mr. Seling advised that the state bid this out competitively and got the best price possible.

 

Action Item 7.9 - Resolution 08-19 re: 1st Amendment to Type B  Facilities Lease for Audubon Gentilly Terrace and Estoppel  Certificate for Leasehold Mortgage

Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 08-19 approving the form of a “First Amendment To Orleans Parish School Board Charter Facilities Lease (For “Type B” Facilities)” to the Facilities Lease of the Audubon Gentilly Campus by and between the Orleans Parish School Board and Montessori Education, Inc.; approving the form of an Estoppel Certificate in connection with a leasehold loan; a providing for other matters in connection therewith.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Kleban (waiving reading)

 

Action Item 7.10 - Resolution 09-19 re: Office of Group Benefits Analysis

Recommended action - Recommend that the Orleans Parish School Board approves resolution 09-19 authorizing an expenditure of $5,000 to obtain an actuarial rating and calculation of projected premiums for next year; and authorizes the Orleans Parish School Board Administration and the district’s current health plan provider to provide OGB the requested actuarial and demographic data.

 

Motion by Mr. Kleban, second by Mr. Ashley (waiving reading)

 

Action Item 7.11 - 2019 - 2020 Property & Casualty Insurance  Programs   Renewals

Recommended action - That Orleans Parish School Board approves the renewal of Property, Boiler & Machinery, Terrorism Physical Damage, General Liability, Sexual Abuse, Errors & Omissions, Auto Liability, Workers Compensation, Excess Liability, Pollution Liability, Terrorism, Violent Malicious Acts, Disaster Management and Flood insurances and authorizes the Board President to sign forms binding coverage.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Kleban

 

Action Item 7.12 - 2nd Amendment to Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with the City of New Orleans re: NOPD Active Shooter Training

Recommended action - It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves an amendment to the CEA between the OPSB and the City of New Orleans (for use of the AP Tureaud building) to extend the term of the CEA through June 30, 2020, and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the amendment.

 

Motion by Mr. Kleban, second by Mr. Ashley

 

Action Item 7.13 - Improvements in Timbers Office Building

Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Colmex Construction in the amount of $105,160.00; and to authorize the OPSB General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

 

Action Item 7.14 - Phase 2 Repairs at Hynes Elementary School

Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Crescent Commercial Construction, in the amount of $1,108,000; and to authorize the OPSB General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Kleban

 

Action Item 7.15 - Phase 1 Roof Repair at Warren Easton High  School

Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid for repair of a section roofing and parapet walls at Warren Easton High School from Roof Technologies, Inc., in the amount of $120,969.00; and to authorize the OPSB General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Kleban

Vice President Ellison asked for a motion to move into executive session. Motion by Mr. Kleban, second by Mr. Ashley

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 6:37pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Ben Kleban, Leslie Ellison, Nolan Marshall Jr. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Skylar Rosenbloom were also present. President John A. Brown Sr. Sarah Newell Usdin, and Woody Koppel were not present.

 

8.1    Kwanza Wells, et al v. Orleans Parish School Board, et al. CDC  No. 2015-3055; Personal Injury Litigation - Settlement Recommendation

That the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposed settlement in this matter as recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Kleban

 

8.2    Choice Foundation, et al. v. Law Industries, Inc., et al., CDC No.  2019-04385; Construction Litigation - Status Report

 

9.1    Adjourn Meeting

ADJOURNMENT