MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
APRIL 23, 2020
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 3:43pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. 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.
Meeting Norms
Board Counsel provided virtual meeting norms in response to the CDC and the Governor's guidelines for gatherings, given the public health emergency. This including public participation and general format of the meeting under the circumstances.
-Interpretation services were acknowledged.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Booker T. Washington Lady Lion Championship team.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.
· Motion by Ms. Ellison second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, 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 to adopt the board meeting minutes as provided.
· Motion by Mr. Koppel second by Mr. Ashley
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, 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 acknowledged a moment of silence for those educators we have lost due to Covid-19. Applauded countless staff members, teachers, and administrators that pulled together to respond to the needs of our students, especially those participating in additional efforts to recognizing the graduating class of 2020. Dr. Lewis recognized and shared a message of appreciation to administrative professionals during the Administrative Professional’s Week. Dr. Lewis closed his remarks by reminding everyone “We will get through this together.”
3.2 Athletics Recognition
The Orleans Parish School Board proudly recognized the Booker T. Washington Lady Lions Basketball team for making history by winning the LHSAA Class 3A Girls Championship in basketball.
· President Ashley requested a moment of privilege and welcomed Dr. Gwile Freeman to honor Dr. Lewis with Region 1 and 3 Superintendent of the Year Award.
· Board council discussed the process to fill seat that will be vacated by Mr. Kleban. The secretary of state has confirmed receipt of Mr. Kleban’s resignation and the seat will need to be filled from June 15th – December 31st. The position has been publicized through various outlets including the advocate, on the NOLA PS Website and social media pages. Materials should be submitted by May 12th at noon.
ACTION ITEMS
4.1 2020-2021 Employee Calendar, 2020-2021 ECS Calendar, 2020-2021 Child Nutrition Calendar, and Mary D. Coghill Calendar
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the 2020-2021 Employee Calendar, 2020-2021 ECS Calendar, 2020-2021 Child Nutrition Calendar, and Mary D. Coghill Charter School.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Brown
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
4.2 Amendment to OPSB Policy FJ, Orleans Parish School Facility Preservation Program
Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board adopts amendment to OPSB Policy FJ, Orleans Parish School Facility Preservation Program.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Marshall
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.3 Extension of CEEAS Contracts for Travis Hill Schools and Amendments to Related Contracts
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board exercises its option to extend the School Management Agreements for services at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center (formerly "Youth Study Center") and Orleans Justice Center with the Center for Educational Excellence in Alternative Settings for one year and approve the amended payment provision of each school management agreement.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.4 Request for Proposal NO. 20-0055 for Mentor Teacher Training
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the proposals for Mentor Teacher Training from Relay Graduate School of Education and TNTP, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $320,000.00 for a contract term of one year with the option to extend the contract for two (2) years and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and contractor.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.5 Request for Proposal No. 20-0057 for Professional Development Teacher Recruitment and Training
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the proposals for Professional Development Teacher Recruitment and Training from Relay School of Education, Teach for America and TNTP, Inc. in a dollar amount not to exceed $4,920,000.00 for a contract term of three (3) years; and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and contractor.
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Ms. Newell Usdin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.6 Request to Award Request for Proposal Number 20-0048 for Third Party Contractor - Title I Non-Public Students
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the proposals for Third Party Contractor - Title I Non-Public Students from Catapult Learning, Sylvan Learning, and Believe to Achieve in the total aggregate amount not exceed $3,433,582.00 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and contractors.
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.7 Request to Award Request for Proposal Number 20-0049 for Professional Development - Title II Non-Public Students
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the proposals for Professional Development from Catapult Learning and Learn It Systems at a total aggregate amount not to exceed $162,248.00 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and contractors
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Ashley
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.8 Request for One (1) Year Renewal with PFM Financial Advisors, LLC for Financial Municipal Advisory Services
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the one-year renewal of the contract with PFM Financial Advisors, LLC for financial municipal advisory services for the period of May 21, 2020 through May 20, 2021 at an amount not to exceed $178,000 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract amendment for signature of the Board President and contractor.
Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.9 Request to Award Invitation to Bid Number 20-FAC-0038 for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Deficiency Repairs at Warren Easton High School
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Stallings Construction Company, Inc. for the ADA Deficiency Repairs Project at Warren Easton High School in the amount of $587,000.00 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.
Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Newell Usdin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.10 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. 20-FAC-0037 for the Roof Parapet Repairs Phase 2 at Warren Easton High School
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Roof Technologies Inc. in the amount of $947,000.00 for the roof parapet repairs, as well as repairs to the rafters and ceiling joists below the roof deck, at Warren Easton High School and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Marshall
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.11 Request to Approve Change Order #1 for Colmex Construction, LLC for the OPSB 5th Floor Administrative Suite Improvements
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves Change Order Number 1 in the amount of $21,032.00 with Colmex Construction, LLC for the OPSB 5th Floor Administrative Suite Improvements.
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Marshall
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.12 Request to Approve Change Order #10 with Construction Masters, Inc. for Phase 2 of the Ben Franklin Elementary School Renovation Project
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves Change Order #10 in the amount of $109,540.09 with Construction Masters, Inc. for Phase 2 of the Ben Franklin Elementary School Renovation Project.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Marshall
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.13 Request to Approve Change Order to Request for Proposal Number 18-0017 for Telephone Services from AT&T
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the first increase in the amount of $40,000 to Request for Proposal number 18-0017 (Purchase Order number 200251) with AT&T for telephone services.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.14 Ratification of Memorandum of Understanding for World Central Kitchen's Use of Booker T. Washington High School
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratify the Memorandum of Understanding between the Orleans Parish School Board, KIPP New Orleans, and World Central Kitchen Incorporated for the use of the Booker T. Washington for emergency food relief for the New Orleans community in response to COVID-19.
Motion by Mr. Ellison, second by Ms. Newell Usdin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
4.15 2020 OPSB Legislative Agenda
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the 2020 OPSB Legislative Agenda and authorize the Superintendent to direct the district's legislative activities in accordance with the adopted agenda.
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive Session
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Brown to move to executive session at 4:27pm.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
Reconvened from Executive Session at 5:32pm. The following board members were present: President Ethan Ashley, Vice President Woody Koppel, John A. Brown, Sr., Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Nolan Marshall, Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
5.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person – School Board Personnel
ACTION ITEM
6.1 Superintendent Contract Amendment
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board take any necessary action regarding the Superintendent’s contract and authorize Board counsel to draft any documents needed to effect those actions.
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Koppel to extend the term of the Superintendent’s contract by one year to 2022.
· Final resolution: The Action Item was rescinded by Mr. John Brown
· Yeas: None
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
Public Comments
· Dr. Ashonta Wyatt, opposed action item and expressed concern regarding this item.
· Simone Miller, opposed action item and expressed concern regarding this item.
· Lona Edwards Hankins, expressed concern regarding this item.
· Lesley Levoy, expressed concern regarding the process.
· Caroline Roemer expressed concern regarding the process.
· Patrick Dobard expressed concern regarding the process.
Sarah Usdin echoed concerns shared by members of the community.
ADJOURNMENT
6.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Koppel to adjourn the meeting.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
Meeting Adjourned at 6:07pm.