MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

AUGUST 18, 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 1:06 pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown, Sr., Leslie Ellison, Grisela A. Jackson, 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 a cohort of students previously recorded.  

 

1.3 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.

Motion by Mr. Koppel second by Mr. Brown

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison Ms. Jackson, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Jackson to adopt the minutes of the July 28th Committee of the Whole as printed (waiving the reading).

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

3.1 Schools Update

NOLA-PS staff provided a Schools and COVID-19 Update.  This included key updates on Essential Aspects of Re-Entry Planning and Implementation Phase; Health and Safety; Educational Programming with schools now in session; Reassessing Data Trends and Decision Timelines.  Additionally, community testing availability was shared.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Robust discussion around enrollment including adjustments in repose to COVID-19, parent-school communication and support, COVID-19 reporting process, student engagement, and reassessment of data based on reopening of schools was held.

 

3.2 Accountability Update

NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update which included key updates on Notices of Noncompliance, open per SPLC; Charter Board Governance; Innovation Zone; Charter School Renewals; Policy HB and CSAF Changes.

 

3.3 Presentation of Preliminary June 2020 Financial Reports

NOLA-PS staff presented its update of the General Fund Revenues and Expenditures for the period of June 1 – June 30, 2020; General Fund Balance Sheet at June 30, 2020; Fiscal Risk Assessment and Investment Report; Long-Tern Debt.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion around the COVID-19 fund mentioned during the presentation was held.

 

3.4 Capital and Facilities August Update

NOLA-PS staff presented its August Capital Projects and Facility Updates which included key updates on NOLA-PS Capital Projects; RSD Capital Projects; Summer 2020 Major Repairs and Surplus Furniture Updates.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Board Counsel provided a special announcement regarding a technical correction to a policy adopted at the July 30, 2020 business meeting.

 

NOTICE OF INTENT

 

4.1 Notice of Intent: New Policy DEC, Post-Issuance Tax Compliance

 

FIRST READINGS

 

5.1 First Reading: Amendment to Policy HB, Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools

Rationale: First Reading of OPSB Policy HB relative to the charter renewal process for the 2020-2021 school year.  

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion around proposed policy revisions was held.

 

5.2 First Reading: New Policy GBRIC, Parental Leave

Rationale: The proposed new policy replaces the current Maternity Leave policy and retains the same coding.  The new policy provides for paid parental leave for the birth of a child, adoption, and placement of a child and will cover both mothers and fathers.  Paid Parental leave can promote parent-child bonding, improve outcomes for children, and even increase gender equity at the workplace. Paid parental leave for fathers, as well as for mothers, provides a real advantage to NOLA Public Schools.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion around proposed policy was held.

 

5.3 First Reading: Amendment to Policy GBRIB, Sick Leave

Rationale: This policy amendment aligns with the proposed amendment to Policy GBRIC, Parental Leave, which is the appropriate provision to address paid sick leave for pregnancy, birth, adoption, or placement of a child.

 

5.4 First Reading: New Policy DIF, Internal Control

Rationale: An Internal Control policy is one of seven "highly advisable" policies that state and local governments should have according to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This policy states who is responsible for the various aspects of internal control, provides general internal control principles, establishes the importance of communication, and communicates internal control system limitations. GFOA's best practice recommendations are included in the policy.  Notice of Intent was given in February 2020.

 

SECOND READINGS

 

6.1 Second Reading: Amendment to OPSB Policy FDC, Naming of Facilities

Recommended Action:  It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposed amendment to OPSB Policy FDC, Naming of Facilities.  

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Koppel

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion around proposed policy revisions was held.

 

Public Comment:

·        Dr. Kenneth Ducote, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment. 

·        James Logan, a member of the community, expressed concern regarding sequence in considering policy amendments. 

·        Robert Patterson, a member of the community, urged the board to consider proposed renaming selection.  Note: Mr. Patterson’s spoken comment was unintelligible.  Mr. Patterson’s comment was subsequently sent via the meeting chat function. 

 

6.2 Second Reading: Amendment to OPSB Policy HAA, Charter School Operating Agreement

Recommended Action:  It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendment to Policy HAA, Charter School Operating Agreement. 

 

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel

 

Public Comment:

·        James Logan a member of the community, expressed concern regarding sequence in considering policy amendments. 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

7.1 Extension of Center for Resilience Contract and Amendment to Related Contract

Recommended Action: It is recommended that Orleans Parish School Board exercises its option to extend the contract for educational and therapeutic services with the Center for Resilience (CfR), for one year.

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Ashley

 

Public Comment:

·        Liz Marcell Williams, a representative from Center for Resilience, provided key services the program offers and expressed support for the item. 

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        The work of Center for Resilience was acknowledged.

 

7.2 Request to Approve Incentive Pay for Nationally Certified Staff and Supervisors of Interns

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves a $5,000 stipend for individuals on the Exceptional Children's Services team who have National Certification, supervisory responsibilities and the supporting licensure to supervise.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Newell Usdin

 

7.3 Request to Approve Allocated Funds to CEAAS for Travis Hill Schools, Amendments, and Related Contracts

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board Approves the allocated funds for 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 (CEEAS).

 

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel

 

7.4 Resolution 19-20 re: Sale and Delivery of Revenue Anticipation Notes

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 19-20 authorizing the sale and delivery of $100,000,000 Orleans Parish School Board Revenue Anticipation Draw-Down Note, Series 2020A to DNT Asset Trust, a Delaware statutory trust wholly-owned subsidiary of JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and an accredited investor and qualified institutional buyer (The "Purchaser"); 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 Revenue Anticipation Draw-Down Note, Series 2020 Sinking Fund Account until the 2020 Note is paid in full; and providing for other matters with respect to the foregoing.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Marshall, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

7.5 Request to Award Invitation to Bid NO. 21-CN-0002A Milk for The Child Nutrition Program Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid for Milk from Brown's Dairy/Prairie Farms in the amount of $165,433.55.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison

 

7.6 Request to Award Invitation to Bid NO. 21-CN-0004A Canned Goods and Staples for The Child Nutrition Program Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid for Canned Goods and Staples from Groetsch Wholesale Grocers in the amount of $302,831.75.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley

 

7.7 Request to Award Invitation to Bid NO. 21-CN-0005A Frozen Foods, Juices and Vegetables for The Child Nutrition Program Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid for Frozen Foods, Juices and Vegetables from Groetsch Wholesale Grocers in the amount of $107,450.40.

 

Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Koppel

 

7.8 Request to Award Proposal Number 20-FAC-0074 Maintenance Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid for Maintenance Services from PSA Management/JEI Solutions in the amount of $504,172.90 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and Contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Newell Usdin

 

7.9 Request to Ratify the 2019-2020 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of New Orleans for Safe Routes to School Program

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies the 2019-2020 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of New Orleans to increase safety for students going to and coming from school.

 

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel

 

Public Comment:

·        Dr. Kenneth Ducote, expressed support for the item.  

 

7.10 Resolution 26-20: Music and Arts Education COVID-19 Response Working Group

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves Resolution 26-20 establishing a Music and Arts Education COVID-19 Response Working Group to research and provide recommendations regarding policies for continued access to high-quality K-12 music and arts instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

Board Comment:

·        Efforts around Resolution 26-20 were acknowledged and Sonya Robertson with Artist Corps New Orleans joined the discussion regarding Resolution 26-20.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel to move to executive session at 3:22pm.

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Ellison, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 4:19pm. The following board members were present: President Ethan Ashley, Vice President Woody Koppel, John A. Brown, Sr., Leslie Ellison, Grisela A. Jackson, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

8.1 NAACP et al. v. Elisabeth “Betsy” D. DeVos and the US Department of Education; U.S. District Court, District of Columbia Docket NO. 2020-cv-01996 - Civil Rights Litigation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the action as recommended by Board Counsel.

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the course of action recommended by the Board Counsel.

 

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Ms. Ellison

 

8.2 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board personnel.

No action was taken.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

9.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Mr. Koppel to adjourn the meeting.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 4:22pm.