MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
JANUARY 16, 2020
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:40pm 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. and Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.
-Interpretation services were acknowledged.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Harriet Tubman Leadership Council.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Board Council noted that Action Item 4.5 would be deleted from the agenda. Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended.
· 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
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison 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 began his monthly report by providing an update on transportation. Dr. Lewis acknowledged incoming and outgoing elected official. Dr. Lewis welcomed Ms. Mavia Marsalis, Mr. Ulyses Collins, and Ms. Dina Hasiotis to present their recognitions.
3.2 Recognition of Centenarian Retired Educators
Ms. Marsalis recognized retirees from the Orleans Parish School Board that have celebrated over a hundred years of life.
3.2 Honoring Coach Reese - 250th Career Win
Mr. Collins recognized head Football Coach at McDonogh 35 High School, Coach Wayne Reese.
3.3 School Performance and Growth Recognition
Ms. Hasiotis recognized schools that achieved special designations in the areas of academic achievements and growth.
3.4 Citywide Portfolio Needs Assessment Data Presentation
Dr. Lee began his presentation by providing the purpose and methodology used to collect data. Dr. Lee reported that the most significant results centered around perceptions about public education and confidence in the future of public education. Dr. Lee concluded his report by providing findings regarding confidence in the future of public education in New Orleans.
Ms. Newell Usdin requested opportunity to view surveying results of years past and comments captured during surveying process.
Dr. Lewis concluded his remarks by acknowledging the work of both Board President, John A. Brown, Sr. and Board Vice President, Leslie Ellison.
Mr. Brown acknowledged board members, Dr. Lewis and NOLA-PS staff for support provided.
Ms. Ellison acknowledged board members, Dr. Lewis, NOLA-PS staff, educators city-wide and the city of New Orleans for support provided.
Mr. Kleban acknowledged both Mr. Brown and Ms. Ellison for their work.
ACTION ITEMS
Action Item 4.1 – Election of School Board Officers
Recommended action – Pursuant to OPSB Policy BBA “At its first meeting in January of each year . . . the School Board shall elect one of its members to serve as President and one to serve as Vice-President, in separate ballots, for a term of one (1) year, beginning in January. The President and Vice-President shall receive the votes of a majority of the full membership of the School Board, four (4) votes, before being declared elected. Each officer may hold office for no longer than two (2) consecutive terms.”
Nominations for Ethan Ashley, for President of the Orleans Parish School Board
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
Motion to close nominations to proceed with voting.
Motion by Ms. Ellison, 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
Board Counsel read votes cast by each board members. Mr. Ashley was unanimously elected President of the Orleans Parish School Board. Board counsel and former Board President Brown acknowledged newly elected President Ashley. Seat assignments shifted to reflect election outcome.
Nominations for Woody Koppel, for Vice President of the Orleans Parish School Board
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
Motion to close nominations to proceed with voting.
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
Board Counsel read votes cast by each board members. Mr. Koppel was unanimously elected Vice President of the Orleans Parish School Board.
Mr. Ashely expresses gratitude and recommitment to serving alongside newly elected Vice President Woody Koppel.
Action Item 4.2 – Resolution 01-20 Authorizing the Board President and Vice President as Signatories
Recommended action – That the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 01-20, authorizing the Board President to sign contracts and other official documents on behalf of the Board and authorizing the Vice President to sign in the President's absence.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Ms. Ellison (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 4.3 – System Wide Needs Program Proposal
Recommended action – It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the System Wide Needs Program Proposal.
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
Public Comment:
· A representative from New Schools for New Orleans NSNO, Alex Jarrell, expressed support for the System Wide Needs Program.
· A representative from GNO Collaborative of Charter Schools, Dr. Ken Ducote, expressed support for the System Wide Needs Program and expressed additional suggestions for the program.
· A community advocate acknowledged Superintendent Lewis for meeting earlier in the week. Additionally, expressed concern regarding needs of English Language Learners and their parents, specifically as proposed by the System Wide Needs Program.
Board Comment:
Dr. Lewis acknowledged community advocate’s expressed sense of urgency surrounding points made.
Board counsel clarified public comment policy.
Ms. Newell Usdin acknowledged the work of individuals with regards to the System Wide Needs Program.
Action Item 4.4 - Request for Independent Local Educational Agency (LEA) Status - Warren Easton Charter High School
Recommended action – It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the request from Warren Easton Charter High School Foundation, Inc. to allow Warren Easton High School to operate as its own Local Educational Agency status effective July 1, 2020.
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 4.6- Request for Proposal No. 20-0017 for Risk Management Consulting Services
Recommended action – The Budget and Finance staff recommends that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications for Risk Management Consulting Services from Arthur J. Gallagher Inc., in the amount of $45,000, for an initial one (1) year period, with the option to extend for three (3) additional one (1) year periods, subject to OPSB approval, and to authorize the General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.
Mr. Kleban offered a substitute motion to reject the proposal and directed staff to reexamine the approach to scoring. It was seconded 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
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison to adopt substitute motion.
· 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- Request for Proposal No. 20-CN-0018 Second Letting for Warehouse Storage and Delivery of USDA Commodity Goods
Recommended action – That the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications for Warehouse Storage and Delivery of USDA Commodity Goods from Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana (Second Harvest Food Bank), in the amount of $75,000.00 for five (5) months) for 2019-2020 fiscal year and $175,000 annually for the next two (2) fiscal years, with the option to extend for two (2) additional one (1) year periods, and to authorize the OPSB General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.
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 4.8- Resolution 03-20 re: Bond Counsel
Recommended action – That the Orleans Parish School adopts Resolution 03-20, a resolution pertaining to the continuing appointment of Attorney Wayne J. Neveu as its Bond Counsel, through his current law firm, Butler Snow, LLP., and authorizes its General Counsel to forward said resolution to the Louisiana Attorney General for approval.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison (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- Resolution 02-20 A resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of a Supplemental Revenue Anticipation Draw-down Note of the Orleans Parish School Board, State of Louisiana in a principal amount not to exceed $120,000,000 (“Supplemental Draw-down Note”) to DNT Asset Trust, A Delaware Statutory Trust, wholly owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and an accredited investor and qualified institutional buyer (the “Purchaser”); making application to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority for such borrowing, authorizing and approving the transmission of irrevocable instructions to the Director of Finance of the city of New Orleans to deposit certain funds directly into the Orleans Parish School Board Supplemental Revenue Anticipation Draw-Down Note, sinking fund account until the Supplemental Draw-down Note is paid in full; and providing for other matters with respect to the forgoing.
Recommended action – It is recommended that the OPSB adopt Resolution 02-20 A resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of a Supplemental Revenue Anticipation Draw-down Note of the Orleans Parish School Board, State of Louisiana in a principal amount not to exceed $120,000,000 (“Supplemental Draw-down Note”) to DNT Asset Trust, A Delaware Statutory Trust, wholly owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and an accredited investor and qualified institutional buyer (the “Purchaser”); making application to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority for such borrowing, authorizing and approving the transmission of irrevocable instructions to the Director of Finance of the city of New Orleans to deposit certain funds directly into the Orleans Parish School Board Supplemental Revenue Anticipation Draw-Down Note, sinking fund account until the Supplemental Draw-down Note is paid in full; and providing for other matters with respect to the forgoing.
Mr. Kleban requests additional information on item 4.9. A representative from NOLA-PS provides additional information regarding item 4.9.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison (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
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison to move to executive session at 7:32pm.
· 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 8:46pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown, Sr., Leslie, Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, Jr. Ms. Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.
5.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board personnel.
No action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
6.1 Adjourn Meeting
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
Meeting Adjourned at 8:46pm.