MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

AUGUST 20, 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 5:34pm 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 Mr. Ashley to adopt the minutes of the July 30, 2020 Board Business Meeting and Public Hearing: 2020-2021 General Fund Budget 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

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Lewis’ remarks included a moment of silence honoring the life of Dr. Dennis and Keith Barney, anticipated reopening of schools update next week, encouraged student attendance and parent support during distance learning. 

Jonathan Bloom, Art Corps New Orleans, was welcomed to provide information around music and arts education in public education. 

 

3.2 Recognitions

Two students from Orleans Parish Schools were recognized as finalist in the State’s Annual Student of the Year Competition. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

4.1 Consent Agenda

Recommended Action:  It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.8 as presented in globo.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 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. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashely

 

Public Comment:

·        Vasy McCoy, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment. 

·        Erin Greenwald, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment. 

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

·        Richard Exnicios, a member of the community, expressed concern regarding the proposed policy amendment.

·        Jessica Eugene, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment. 

·        James Logan, a member of the community, expressed concern regarding the proposed policy amendment.

·        Nia Talbott, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment.

·        Mamae Hingle, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment. 

·        Daniel Mintz, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment. 

·        Colette Tippy, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment. 

·        Lona Hankins, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment. 

·        Cathe Mizell-Nelson, a member of the community, expressed support for the proposed policy amendment.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion around proposed policy revisions and sequence in considering policy amendments was held.

 

5.2 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. 

 

Substitute motion by Mr. Ashley to pass Amendment to OPSB Policy HAA as presented during First Reading. Second by Ms. Newell Usdin.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion around proposed policy revisions was held.

 

Public Comment:

·        Lona Hankins, a member of the community, expressed concern for the proposed policy amendment regarding procedures. 

 

5.3 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 classified on a teacher/appraisal salary scale, who have National Certification, supervisory responsibilities and the supporting licensure to supervise.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley

 

5.4 Request to Adopt Resolution 25-20 Adopting the 2020-2021 Special Revenue Funds Budgets

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution Number 25-20 adopting and finalizing the special revenue funds budgets of the Orleans Parish School Board for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2021.

 

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

Abstain: None

 

5.5 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 Ms. Ellison, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

Public Comment:

·        Lona Hankins, a member of the community, expressed concern regarding Resolution 19-20. 

 

5.6 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. Ashley, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

Public Comment:

·        Colette Tippy, a member of the community, expressed support for Resolution 26-20. 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Jackson to move to executive session at 6:48pm.

·        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 6:57pm. 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

 

6.1 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.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

7.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:59pm.