MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
MAY 12, 2020
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.
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 1:07pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Leslie Ellison, Ben Kleban, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, and Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present. John A. Brown, Sr. joined the meeting at 1:25pm.
-Interpretation services were acknowledged.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Ashley.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended. Board Counsel read revisions to the agenda including: Action Items 4.1 and 5.1 will be taken prior to the presentations. For item 5.1 Second Reading to Amend Policy CBF:
- Paragraph 3 – The Board shall maintain a mission statement, vision statement, and long-term goals to be published on the district’s website and other relevant materials. Any modifications or additions to the mission, vision, and/or long-term goals may be presented by the Superintendent for Board approval by June 30th of each year. – will be deleted
- Paragraph 4 – The process may change if mutually agreed upon by both the Board and Superintendent. – will be added.
- Paragraph 6 – These weights may change if mutually agreed upon by both the Board and Superintendent. – will be added.
Item 7.1 Executive Session will be deferred to Thursday’s Board Business Meeting.
· Motion by Mr. Koppel second by Mr. Marshall
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Brown
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley to adopt the minutes as printed (waiving the reading).
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison Mr. Kleban, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Brown
FIRST READINGS
4.1 Policy HE, Enrollment
Board counsel read the new policy. There is no action to be taken at this time. There was no discussion by the board members.
COMMENT
· Ms. Newell Usdin requested staff discuss the process for the development for the timeline and who gave input into the process for developing the new policy. NOLA-PS staff indicated that members of the enrollment advisory group, school leaders, and other organizations gave input and clarified that staff met the requirement to gain input from school leaders to proceed.
SECOND READINGS
5.1 Second Reading: Amend Policy CBF, Evaluation of the Superintendent
Board counsel read the new policy. There is no action to be taken at this time.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Ms. Ellison to defer the amended policy to review and defer to the Board Business Meeting. This motion was withdrawn by Ms. Newell Usdin.
Motion by Ms. Ellison to defer for a month, second by Ms. Newell Usdin.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Ms. Ellison, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Kleban
· Absent: Mr. Brown
PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Schools Update
NOLA-PS staff provided a Schools and COVID-19 Update. This included key updates on school facility closure status; providing support and guidance to schools, the district providing specific guidance on promotional decisions/activities, facility access, special education services, summer school planning; child nutrition; and 2020-2021 school year planning. An overview of the aligned school calendar in response ongoing discussion by parents to include common start windows and holidays/breaks was also presented.
Comments
· Ms. Newell Usdin recognized efforts made to gather data and provide best available information during this time of crisis. Additionally, acknowledged community partners assisting in closing the digital gap. Ms. Newell Usdin requested clarification around coordination and communication efforts made with charter management organizations to share information and engage them.
· Ms. Hasiotis clarified regular meetings have occurred over the last couple of months with charter leaders to share information so that they can leverage the information during their planning process.
· Mr. Brown requested, if known, the number of students the district has been unable to contact, and additional clarification regarding a 1:1 ratio.
· Ms. Hasiotis clarified that the goal at a district level for 1:1 is to ensure that every student has their own computer device and access to internet during periods of distance learning requirements.
· Ms. Ellison requested additional information on management of students with special needs.
· Ms. Hasiotis shared that this continues to be a matter in deep reflection. Despite challenges, schools have continued provide innovative good faith efforts to overcome during this challenging time.
· Dr. Lewis added that district leadership is engaged in national working groups to be able to continue finding solutions to better serve this student population.
· Ms. Newell Usdin inquired about school count projections for the upcoming school year.
· Ms. Hasiotis welcomed Mr. Lambert to share more around enrollment trends. Mr. Lambert clarified that this time the district does not have any indication of significant changes to student population, but expect to learn more over the summer during Late Enrollment.
· Mr. Marshall recommended a panel or collective of government officials engaging with the district to do so with school leaders as well, so that they are given as much information as possible.
· Dr. Lewis clarified that school leader engagement is regular and ongoing. District leadership participates in various conference calls with large volume of districts and officials. However, on weekly calls with school leaders, NOLA-PS staff shares with them a package of organized information from all of the various disjointed sources.
· Mr. Ashley highlighted existing collaborative conversations occurring to the effect of which Mr. Marshall suggested.
3.2 Accountability Update
NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update regarding current Notices of Noncompliance, including no new issuances of notices; 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 review Charter School Renewals; Superintendent’s recommendations for Spring 2020-2021 applicants; and Charter Request for Application Process which included Parent, Teacher, and Faith Based Advisory Councils. Student Advisory was not able to meet due to Covid-19.
3.3 Presentation of March 2020 Financial Reports
NOLA-PS staff presented its Finance Report, including: General Fund Revenues and Expenditures for the period of March 1 – 31, 2020; General Fund Balance Sheet at March 31, 2020 and Distributions to Charter Schools Through April 2020; Lagniappe: Investment Report for January – March 2020; and COVID-19 Fiscal Impact Update.
Comments
· Mr. Kleban tasked staff to assemble some contingency planning around the most pessimistic assumptions related to the budget. Biggest priorities being to minimize impact on schools and keep resources in schools.
· Ms. Newell Usdin tasked staff to ensure that the boards of the charters be notified of this information so that everyone is working more closely together to get through this.
· Mr. Ashley acknowledged the work of the Finance Team that the fiscal year will be ending in a surplus.
Ben Kleban left the meeting at 2:07pm
3.4 Capital and Facilities May Update
NOLA-PS staff presented its May Capital Projects and Facility Updates which included Recently Added NOLA-PS Capital, Ongoing NOLA-PS Capital Projects, and On-Going RSD Capital Projects.
Board Comments
· Mr. Ashley recognized the work and innovation of the NOLA-PS’ Operations and Facilities Team. Mr. Ashley expressed enthusiasm on the 36% participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Ms. Delcour acknowledged NOLA-PS, Director of Business Partnerships, Jonathan Temple for his work in engaging DBE participation.
ACTION ITEMS
6.1 School-Based Positions: Salary Schedule Revisions
Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board approves the revised annual salary scale to ensure an hourly rate of $15.00 or above for OPSB staff working in the exceptional children’s services department and OPSB direct run schools.
Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Kleban
6.2 Donation from the Members of the Orleans Parish School Board
Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board accept the donation of its individual members for the purpose of creating a one-time monetary grant made to a high school senior with perfect attendance to incentivize attendance at school.
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Ashley
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Kleban
6.3 Acceptance of Donations from Entergy Corporation and Through New Schools for New Orleans to Support Distance Learning Initiatives
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts a donation in the amount of $100,000 from Entergy Corporation and $468,670 from donations from local and national donors as well as individual donors solicited by New Schools for New Orleans to provide distance learning supports to New Orleans students in response to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Kleban
6.4 Ratification of Funding for Preschool Expansion Grant/LA4 Pre-K Program
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies the Memorandum of Understanding with Agenda for Children for implementation of the combined Preschool Expansion Grant and the Cecil J. Picard LA 4 Early Childhood Programs, both Federal sub-grants that expand high-quality preschool programs in high-need communities and that are reimbursable up to a total of $283,960.00, for the period of August 2019 through May 2022.
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Koppel
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Kleban
6.5 Request to Approve the First Amendment with Concordia LLC to Provide Design Services for the Mahalia Jackson Elementary School Reconfiguration and Security Renovation Project
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the first amendment in the amount of $10,502.91 with Concordia LLC for design services for the Mahalia Jackson Elementary School Reconfiguration and Security Renovation project and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract amendment for signatures of the Board President and Contractor.
Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Kleban
· Recused: Ms. Newell Usdin
Board Comments
· Ms. Newell Usdin requested items be considered as consent agenda Thursday’s Board Business Meeting.
· Board Counsel indicated that they can communicate offline regarding the use of a consent agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
8.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Ms. Newell Usdin to adjourn the meeting.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Kleban
Meeting Adjourned at 2:28pm.