MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
October 17, 2019
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:30pm 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, and Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present. Nolan Marshall, Jr. arrived at 5:38pm.
-Interpretation services were acknowledged.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the contest winners of the Attendance Awareness Contest.
The Fredrick Douglass High School Choir performed a musical selection. Mr. Brown acknowledged the administration and graduates of Frederick Douglass present at the meeting.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin to adopt the agenda with recommended additional language, 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
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Usdin to adopt the minutes as printed (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
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks
Dr. Lewis shared a reflection regarding the 11th grade student from Carver High School who was shot and also the tragic Hard Rock Café Collapse which affected students and families. NOLA-PS staff is in regular communication with the city around the transportation issues that have arisen as a result.
National School Lunch Week is from October 14-18, 2019. The national school lunch program serves more than 30 million children every school day. This year’s theme, “school lunch: what’s on your playlist” will spotlight how today’s school cafeterias are serving up the menu items children want to eat, with increased choice and customization.
Mr. Ashley and Ms. Ellison have visited schools to have lunch, spend time with students and to appreciate NOLA-PS Employees. Mr. Ashley and Ms. Ellison both commented on how enjoyable the experience was to visit with students and staff.
Dr. Lewis expressed that while test results show students are performing better than the state leap data for both growth and mastery, there is still much work to be done for the growing population of English Learners. Additionally, to continue to advance equity for all students, working groups have been developed in the areas of academics, communication, social/emotional/cultural supports and legal access. Dr. Lewis recognized the work to support English learners, particularly Mary Moran and Our Voice/Nuestra Voz.
Dr. Lewis then announced that the Net Charter Schools of Educators for Quality Alternatives has been selected to operate Renew Accelerated. The net operates several quality alternative schools in New Orleans including the Net Central City, The Net Gentilly, and our new middle school alternative, The Bridge.
3.2 Juvenile Justice Week
OPSB passed a resolution October 11, 2018, creating an annual Juvenile Justice Week for our local school district, in conjunction with the National Youth Justice Awareness Month each October. This year the 2nd Annual OPSB Juvenile Justice Week is Oct. 21-25, 2019. Dr. Lewis recognized Kristina Kent, Director of Juvenile Justice Initiatives for her work related to Juvenile Justice Week. Mr. Ashley and Mr. Kleban initiated the resolution in 2018 and expressed how important this issue is to the community. Last year city-wide, school based arrests was at the lowest it has ever been.
3.3 Attendance Awareness Contest Winners
Orleans Parish School Board recognized the winners of the Attendance Awareness Contest. There were over 60 submissions and 15 schools represented. The winners are as follows:
· 1st Place – Keelie, Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary
· 2nd Place – Sadie, Bricolage Academy
· 2nd Place – Emile, Lycee’ Francais de la Nouvelle-Orleans, and
· 3rd Place – Zhaan-Michelle, Elan Academy.
· Outstanding Individual Video Performance – Parker, Edward Hynes Charter School
· Outstanding Group Video Performance – Alexandra, Marta, Ava, Lily and Brandon, Edward Hynes Charter School
· Outstanding Classroom Video Performance – Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary 4th and 6th Grade Theater Class
The following schools had students who participated: Lycee’ Francais de la Nouvelle – Orleans, John F. Kennedy High School at Lake Area, International School of Louisiana – Olivier Campus, Booker T. Washington High School, Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School of Literature and Technology, Bricolage Academy, Fannie C. Williams Charter School, Homer A. Plessy Community School, Joseph A. Craig Charter School, KIPP Believe Primary, Pierre A Capdau Charter School, Edward Hynes Charter School, E’lan Academy, Audubon Charter School and Living School.
3.4 Teacher Talent Presentation
New Schools for New Orleans(NSNO), a partner of NOLA Public Schools, presented their work on diagnosing New Orleans' teacher recruitment and retention challenges.
Mr. Ashley asked about the cost for the teacher recruitment programs to continue to run and of the 900 teachers exiting the system, how many have local ties. NSNO staff stated that it would cost approximately $8,000-$10,000 per teacher and that there isn’t data that indicates who has local ties but the rate is the same for ethnicities and all of the demographics collected. Everyone is leaving at the same rate. Mr. Marshall asked if that information could be presented at a later date. Dr. Lewis indicated that this will be an ongoing report to the board and follow up will occur each month.
Mr. Kleban asked about the source of the funding that NSNO is using for their work and if they intend to continue to perform these functions. NSNO staff indicated that they will continue to do the work and that all funding (except the grant mentioned in the presentation for the teacher pipeline) is from philanthropy. Dr. Lewis recognized the NSNO team including Nash Crews, Holly Reid, Dr. Jawan Alexander and Alex Jarrell.
Dr. Lewis indicated that he has been reaching out to the various colleges and universities in the area to partner with NOLA Public Schools in tackling this issue related to teacher recruitment. Mr. Brown indicated that he appreciates the report and acknowledged NSNO and the NOLA Public School staff for the work they are doing around this issue.
ACTION ITEMS
Action Item 4.1 – Resolution 17-19 re: National School Lunch Week
Recommended action – It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 17-19 recognizing the week of October 14-18, 2019, as National School Lunch Week in NOLA Public Schools.
· Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Koppel (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
Action Item 4.2 - Cooperative Endeavor Agreement re: NORD/NOLA Public Schools Collaborative League
Recommended action – The Accountability and Charters Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the cooperative endeavor agreement with the City of New Orleans to establish the NORD/NOLA Public Schools Collaborative League.
· 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. Aiken acknowledged the CEO of NORD, Mr. Larry Barabino and the Chair of the Commission Mr. Egana from the City of New Orleans in partnership with NOLA Public Schools for developing the sports league.
Action Item 4.3 - Amendment to Policy BCB, School Board Meeting Procedures
Recommended action – The Policy Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendments to Policy BCB, School Board Meeting Procedures.
· Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, 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
Action Item 4.4 - Amendment to Policy BCBI, Public Participation in School Board Meetings
Recommended action – The Policy Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendments to BCBI, Public Participation in School Board Meetings.
· 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 4.5- One (1) year renewal of Application Service Provider (ASP) for Oracle 11i E-Business Suite RFP no. 09-0010 for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
Recommended action – The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board grants permission to renew the contract for Application Service Provider for Oracle 11i E-Business Suite with Data Intensity for an additional one (1) year period, and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract for the signatures of the Board President and the service provider. The contract period will be from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. The annual cost is $57,150.00. Funds are available for this fiscal year through June 30, 2020, and renewals will be based on approval of future budgets.
· 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
Action Item 4.6- Fifth Amendment to Third-Party Contracts to Provide Title I Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools
Recommended action – The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the fifth amendment to contract for Title I educational services for eligible students in non-public schools for the 2019-2020 fiscal year from Catapult Learning, LLC ($1,398,158.25), and Sylvan Learning ($308,255.38), and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract(s) amendment for signature of the Consultants, and the Board President. The total amount of these service is $1,706,413.63 with funds available in the Title I Purchased Educational Services account.
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
Action Item 4.7- Fifth Amendment to Third-Party Contracts to Provide Title II Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools
Recommended action – The Budget and Finance Committee recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the fifth amendment to contracts for Title II Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools for the 2019-2020 fiscal year from Catapult Learning, LLC ($185,497.00), and Learn It ($1,037.57), and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract(s) amendment for signatures of the consultant(s), and the Board President. The total amount for these services is not to exceed $186,534.57 with funds available in the Title II Purchased Educational Services account.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, 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
Action Item 4.8- Resolution 15-19 Capital Projects Budget Amendment #1 - Benjamin Franklin Elementary Renovation
Recommended action – The Budget and Finance Committee recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 15-19 authorizing the first (1st) amendment to the Capital Projects Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2020.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel (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
Action Item 4.9- Adoption of the NOLA Public Schools Facility Plan
Recommended action – The Property Committee recommends that the OPSB approve the NOLA Public Schools Facility Plan as a blueprint for the ongoing management of district owned property.
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
· A representative from the Valena C. Jones School and Community Partnerships, Inc. expressed support for the transfer of the Valena C. Jones site to Rooted School and distributed information regarding the Valena C. Jones school site.
ADJOURNMENT
7.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Ashley, 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
Meeting Adjourned at 6:37pm.