MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
JULY 18, 2019
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:32pm by Board President John A. Brown, Sr. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, Jr. and Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present. Vice President Leslie Ellison arrived at 5:34pm.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The pledge was led by Board President Brown.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion by Mr. Koppel to adopt the agenda as printed, second by Ms. Newell Usdin.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: Ms. Ellison
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of Minutes
Motion by Mr. Koppel that the Orleans Parish School board adopts the minutes of the June 27th Public Hearing and Board Business Meeting as provided, waiving the reading of the minutes, second by Mr. Ashley.
· Motion by Mr. Koppel second by Mr. Ashley (waiving the reading)
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Translation services were acknowledged.
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
3.1 Monthly Report
Dr. Lewis began his monthly report by outlining the first year as a unified school district.
· The district’s role is evolving from directly operating schools, overseeing curriculum and managing school personnel to authorizing and regulating charter schools.
· The district is in a stronger financial position as evidenced by the first balanced budget since Hurricane Katrina, stronger policies to safeguard fund balance expenditures, ensuring that 98 cents of every MFP dollar is sent directly to schools, and working with elected officials to make more funding available for classrooms.
· The district is boldly managing the portfolio of schools by holding schools accountable, expanding access to high quality schools, approving promising new schools, and adjusting policies to better serve students and families.
· The challenges the district is facing includes tougher standards for academic performance by the state, teacher retention, and bad behavior by adults at select schools being used to fuel an anti-charter message that is counterintuitive to the system’s vitality.
PRESENTATIONS
4.1 - Portfolio Update
Dr. Lewis then invited Ms. Amanda Aiken, Senior Chief and Schools Officer to provide a presentation concerning the district’s school portfolio, an update on academic performance and the John F. Kennedy investigation. Ms. Aiken provided highlights from the schools regarding innovative school partnerships with Telehealth Pilot, the 2019 OPSB Summer Training Collaborative, and the Baptist Community Ministries’ Attendance Awareness Campaign. Ms. Aiken celebrated KIPP New Orleans and the School Board for the act that will allow KIPP Renaissance to be renamed Fredrick Douglas High School and KIPP Booker T. Washington to be renamed Booker T. Washington High School.
Ms. Aiken then provided an accountability update on the New Beginnings School Foundation. The OPSB issued written notification regarding outstanding submission items per the notice of Non-Compliance, Level 2 on July 3rd as follow up from the first and second notices on June 7th and June 25th respectively. OPSB Staff continue to be present daily to oversee summer school activities and communications to parents.
The administration held a meeting with all high school principals and counselors and will follow up with robust accountability. Ms. Aiken listed all other Level 2 Non-Compliance Notices and provided an overview of academic performance.
Mr. Kleban asked Dr. Lewis or Ms. Aiken to define the district’s strategy to reverse the four-year trend of stagnant and declining test results. Dr. Lewis responded that over the next several months, the board will receive updates on the strategy and that the main challenge is teacher retention. He also indicated that the board implemented a system wide needs fund which will be used to address this challenge. Additionally, the partnership with New Schools for New Orleans, provided much needed resources and training to school leaders so that the tier 1 curriculum could be effectively implemented last year.
Ms. Aiken listed the schools that are currently in their renewal year and indicated that a written notice was sent to families indicated that their school is in review for renewal.
Ms. Ellison asked why charters with “F” letter grades are being renewed and Ms. Aiken clarified that the schools are up for review. Ms. Ellison asked that Ms. Aiken use the language “review for renewal”.
Mr. Brown asked for a timeline on strategies to address the issue of teacher retention including actions that the board members can engage in. Dr. Lewis indicated that he will provide an update during the August committee meetings.
4.2 - 2019 Legislative Session
Representatives from Roedel Parsons and Southern Strategies provided an overview of the 2019 Legislative Session. Over one hundred pieces of legislation benefitted the OPSB and fit within the ten OPSB approved legislative priorities. The legislature appropriated $3.8 billion which included a pay raise for both certified and non-certified personnel. Additionally, $38.9 million associated with a 1.375% increase in the base per pupil amount.
Mr. Ashley acknowledged and thanked the representatives from Roedel Parsons and Southern Strategies for allocating their resources to align with the Board’s legislative priorities.
4.3 - Capital Projects
Ms. Tiffany Delcour, Chief Operations Officer, provided an update on the five major capital projects in the district, DBE participation, and smaller projects being managed by capital projects.
Mr. Kleban asked for details on why the Sylvanie Williams building is installing an elevator, if there are other schools that will need elevators installed, and requested that the standard minimum requirements be checked to determine if this building will be used long term. Ms. Delcour indicated that the elevator is to address ADA compliance and that she will follow up on the standards with Mr. Kleban.
4.4 – May 2019 Budget to Actuals
Dr. Lewis introduced Ms. Diane Allison to the board as the new CFO. Ms. Allison reported that there were no substantial changes from what was reported in June 2019. Ms. Allison provided revenues and expenditures through May along with budgeted v actuals at Cypress Academy, McDonogh 35, and Harney.
4.5 – New Website Presentation
Ms. Mary Garton, Assistant Superintendent, unveiled the new website, brand, logo, and administrative name NOLA Public Schools. Ms. Garton acknowledged the Spears Group for their hard work in designing the site, logo, and branding.
Ms. Ellison thanked the Spears Group and requested clarification on if the old site will come up in search features, when the old website will be completely removed, and why the old site is still being used. Ms. Garton clarified that any old site searches will automatically redirect to the new site and that the staff/schools are still using the old site. Dr. Lewis clarified that the old site will be removed over time but is currently being used to ensure that the start of school is not interrupted.
Mr. Marshall requested that the search bar be prominently placed at the top of the website for ease of use. He asked if information from the old site can be searched through the new site and Ms. Garton indicated that in order to search the old site, you must first enter the old site.
Ms. Ellison asked if there are ways to ensure that OPSB’s website be prominently placed in search engines so that the site appears first.
Dr. Lewis thanked Mr. Kleban, Mr. Ashley and The Spears Group for leading the effort to create a website that is user friendly for the families that the district serves.
ACTION ITEMS
Action Item 5.1 - Lafayette Elementary and Recovery School District CEA
Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board authorizes its administration to negotiate a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Orleans Parish School Board and the Recovery School District to allow for facility improvements to Lafayette Elementary School and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the Agreement for party signatures.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Marshall
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Mr. Kleban asked for clarification on the rationale of the listed projects in relation to the asbestos remediation. Ms. Delcour advised that the list of projects is related to the remediation indirectly.
Public Comment
· A representative from the GNO Collaborative of Charter Schools indicated that the work is consistent with the use of the preservation fund and requested continued transparency as evidenced by the staff providing a list of all preservation fund projects.
Action Item 5.2 - Amendment to CEA with RSD re: Thurgood Marshall
Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board amends the previously executed Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Recovery School District for the improvements to the Thurgood Marshall facility up to $350,000 for additional cost incurred during the construction project.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Newell Usdin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Public Comment
· Community member expressed concern that his children are not able to attend the school of his preference within driving distance of his home and office. Ms. Ellison advised that the community member meet with NOLA Public Schools staff to determine next steps for his children.
Action Item 5.3 - Resolution No. 10-19 re: 2018-2019 LA Compliance Questionnaire
Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 10-19 approving the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as part of the State Legislative Auditor’s requirement for completion of audits, authorizing the Board President to execute any and all relevant documents, and authorizing the administration to submit the Questionnaire as required by the Legislative Auditor.
Motion by Ms. Ellison second by Ms. Usdin (waiving the reading and amended to correct spelling of Mr. Ashley’s name in the document).
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Action Item 5.4 - Fourth Amendment to Third Party Contracts to Provide Title I Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools
Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board approve the fourth set of amendments to the following contracts for Title I Educational Services. This will increase each contract as follows: Catapult Learning, LLC from $8,116,275.89 to $8,210,809.27 (increase of $94,533.38); Non-Public Educational Services, Inc. from $265,651.98 to $266,118.50 (increase of $466.52); and Sylvan Learning from $350,107.65 to $365,926.83 (increase of $15,819.18), based on the 2018-2019 Title I allocation and supplemental rollover funds from $2,295,400.00 to $2,406,219.08 (increase of $110,819.08) for eligible non-public school students.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Ms. Ellison
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Action Item 5.5 - Fourth Amendment to Third Party Contracts to Provide Title II Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools
Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board approve the fourth amendment to the Catapult Learning, LLC contract for Title II Supplemental Educational Services to increase the total contract amount from $1,317,550.98 to $1,341,063.01 (increase of $23,512.03), based on the 2018-2019 Title II allocation and supplemental rollover funds of $229,576.03 for Professional Development Services to administrators and staff in Non-Public Schools.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Action Item 5.6 - Acceptance of Donation from McDonogh 35 Alumni Association
Recommended action That the Orleans Parish School Board accepts a donation in the amount of $500.00 from the McDonogh 35 Alumni Association.
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Ms. Newell Usdin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Public Comment
· Community Member expressed concern that OPSB appreciate the teachers more this upcoming school year.
· Community Member suggested that OPSB work with schools to eliminate teacher contracts and or review the date by which contracts are renewed. Ms. Ellison engaged in a discussion with the community member regarding the hiring of employees on an annual basis. Dr. Lewis shared information related to the timeline of contracts when he was a teacher in St. Bernard Parish and also the terms of Act 1 related to teacher tenure.
Action Item 5.7 - Acceptance of Donation from Children’s Hospital
Recommended action – That the Orleans Parish School Board accept a $500 donation from Children's Hospital.
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Kleban
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Action Item 5.8- Acceptance of Donation from Baptist Community Ministries
Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board accept a donation of $65,129 from Baptist Community Ministries.
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Ms. Newell Usdin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Public Comment
· Community Member expressed concern about the expansion and renewal policies being aligned with the growth of the school rather than the school performance scores.
Action Item 5.9 - Acceptance of Donation from Opportunity Youth Forum
Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board accept a grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Opportunity Youth Forum.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Public Comment
· Community Member asked the board to look at the data points relative to youth opportunities. Mr. Marshall provided more information related to the growth scores and how data is reviewed.
Action Item 5.10 - Extension for Purchase Agreement between HANO and OPSB for Armstrong Elementary
Recommended action - That the Orleans Parish School Board extend an option agreement with HANO for an additional twelve months as HANO's development partner has demonstrated substantial progress.
Motion by Mr. Kleban, second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Ms. Ellison publicly acknowledged Ms. Tate for her tireless effort in advocating for this initiative and being a voice for her community.
Public Comments
· A representative from Alembic Community Development thanked the board.
· A community member expressed support for the extension and requested that the board move forward facility planning.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin to go to executive session, second by Mr. Ashley
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Reconvened from Executive Session at 7:41pm. The following board members were present: President John A. Brown, Sr., Vice President Leslie Ellison, Ethan Ashley, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.
6.1 Prospective Litigation re: Village DE ‘Lest Elementary School Project Closeout – Settlement Recommendation
That the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by its legal counsel.
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Newell Usdin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Koppel, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: Mr. Kleban, Mr. Marshall
· Absent: none
6.2 Prospective Litigation re: Hynes Construction Project – Settlement Recommendation
That the Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of this matter as recommended by its legal counsel.
Motion by Mr. Kleban, second by Ms. Newell Usdin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
ADJOURNMENT
7.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Ellison.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: none
· Absent: none
Meeting Adjourned at 7:43pm.