MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

OCTOBER 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 1:06 pm by Board Vice President Woody Koppel. The following board members were present: 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. Ethan Ashley was absent. 

 

-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. Marshall second by Ms. Newell Usdin

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Brown to adopt the minutes of the September 17, 2020 Committee of the Whole as printed (waiving the reading).

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

3.1 Schools Update

NOLA-PS staff provided a Schools Update.  This included key updates of the NOLA-PS Return to In-Person Learning Plan summary, Key Health and Safety Updates, Student Attendance – Tracking, Support, and Response; and Enrollment Timelines and Cycle.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Robust discussion around truancy, enrollment reporting, testing efforts and needs was held. 

 

3.2 Accountability Update

NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update which included key updates on Notices of Non-Compliance, Ongoing Oversight, Charter Board Governance, Charter School Renewals, District Innovation and School Support Network, Contract Amendment for The Learning Collective, and Proposed Policy Changes.

 

3.3 Presentation the August 2020 Financial Reports

NOLA-PS staff presented its August 2020 Financial Reports and Department Updates which included Charter School Funding Distribution and Post Issuance Tax Compliance Policy. 

 

3.4 Capital and Facilities October Update

NOLA-PS staff presented its October Capital Projects and Facility Updates which included key updates on NOLA-PS Capital Projects, RSD Capital Projects, and the Roadmap to Reopening: Safety Inspections. 

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Acknowledgment around building renovations and historical preservation was held. 

 

NOTICE OF INTENT

 

4.1 Notice of Intent to amend Policy HB, Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools

4.2 Notice of Intent to add New Policy DCBE, “School Transformation Fund”

4.3 Notice of Intent to amend Policy DC, Annual Operating Budget

4.4 Notice of Intent to amend Policy DJA, Authorized Signatures

4.5 Notice of Intent to add New Policy BCAB, Remote Participation in School Board Meetings

4.6 Notice of Intent to amend Policy CBD, Employment of Superintendent

4.7 Notice of Intent to amend Policy DJE, Purchasing

4.8 Notice of Intent to amend Policy DJED, Bids and Quotations

4.9 Notice of Intent to amend Policy EFP, Data Protection and Recovery

4.10 Notice of Intent to amend Policy GBDB, Employment of Retired Personnel

4.11 Notice of Intent to amend Policy IDFAB, Sports Injury Management and Concussions

4.12 Notice of Intent to amend Policy JBH, Attendance Reports for Student Drivers

4.13 Notice of Intent to amend Policy JGC, Student Health Services

4.14 Notice of Intent to amend Policy JGCE, Child Abuse

4.15 Notice of Intent to amend Policy GAAA, Equal Opportunity Employment

4.16 Notice of Intent to amend Policy JCEA, Student Sexual Harassment

4.17 Notice of Intent to amend Policy GAMC, Investigations

4.18 Notice of Intent to amend Policy GAE, Complaints and Grievances

4.19 Notice of Intent to amend Policy JAAA, Title IX Sexual Harassment

4.20 Notice of Intent to amend Policy GAEAA, Sexual Harassment

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Acknowledgment of process and staff efforts was made. 

 

FIRST READINGS

 

5.1 First Reading: Amendment Policy HA, School Board Chartering Authority

5.2 First Reading: New Policy DCBC, “Deferred Revenues”

5.3 First Reading: Amendment to Policy BBC, School Board Committees

5.4 First Reading: Amendment to Policy BCBB, Notification of Board Meetings

5.5 First Reading: Amendment to Policy BCBD, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination

5.6 First Reading: Amendment to Policy BD School Board Policy

5.7 First Reading: Amendment to Policy HAA, Charter School Operating Agreement

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Acknowledgment of the administration and advocates efforts was made. 

 

SECOND READINGS

 

6.1 Second Reading: New Policy DEC, Post-Issuance Tax Compliance

Recommended Action:  It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts new Policy DEC.

 

Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Ms. Ellison

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

7.1 Board Meeting Calendar 2021

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the proposed meeting calendar for the 2021 calendar year.

 

Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Marshall

 

7.2 Resolution Number 33-20 Approving Liberty Bank and Trust as an Additional Depository

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans parish School Board adopts Resolution 33-20 approving Liberty Bank and Trust as an additional depository of Orleans Parish School Board funds and designates certain personnel of the Orleans Parish School Board to execute banking documents and exercise certain powers to conduct transactions with Liberty Bank and Trust on behalf of the Orleans Parish School Board.

 

Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Mr. Marshall

 

7.3 Contract Amendment to the contract for third-party Charter RFA review with The Learning Collective

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the first amendment in the amount not to exceed $99,750 extending the contract with The Learning Collective as the third-party review contractor for Types 1 and 3 charter application review for the 2020-2021 year, and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract for signatures of the Board President and The Learning Collective.

 

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

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion regarding Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation was held.

 

7.4 Request for Proposal No. 21-0010 University Pipeline Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for University Pipeline Services from Xavier University in the amount of $225,000.00 for university Pipeline Services for a contract period of one (1) year, with the two 1 year optional renewals, subject to Board approval, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

·        Alex Jerrell, a representative of New Schools for New Orleans, expressed support for this item.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Acknowledgment of talent recruitment efforts was made.

 

7.5 Request for Proposal No. 21-0009 Speech Therapy Professional Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Speech Therapy Professional Services from Hubbard & Tennyson, LLC. in the amount of $150,000 for three (3) years; the contract is for a period of three (3) years, including 2 one year optional renewals, subject to Board approval, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Ms. Jackson

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion regarding Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation was held.

 

7.6 Request to Ratify the Purchase of Technology Equipment for State of Louisiana Competitive Contracts and The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) Cooperative Contracts for LEA schools

Recommended Action:  It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies the purchase of Technology equipment from Apple Computer, Inc., AXI Education Solutions, Dell Marketing, Microsoft Cooperation, TROX in an amount not to exceed $550,669.42 for students attending schools within the district’s Local Education Agency (LEA).

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Brown

 

7.7 Request to Ratify the Purchase of Technology Equipment from State of Louisiana Competitive Contracts and The Interlocal Purchasing Systems(TIPS) Cooperative Contracts for non-public Schools

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies the purchase of Technology equipment the Louisiana State contract vendors i.e. Apple Computer, Inc., AXI Education Solutions, Microsoft Cooperation/CDW, Dell Marketing, DETEL Computer Solutions, Microsoft Corporation, Hewlett Packard/SHI, TROX in an amount not to exceed $1,592,632.11 for students attending Non-Public Schools who qualify based on economically disadvantaged (poverty) status.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Jackson

 

7.8 LSU Health Sciences New Orleans Contract Amendment

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amend the contract with LSU Health Sciences for Public Health Services to extend the contract termination date to June 30, 2021 and to increase the not to exceed value to $145,000 as well as other minor scope of work adjustments.

 

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

 

7.9 Request for Approval of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Between the Orleans Parish School Board and Success Preparatory Academy Charter Board re: Fence Installation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Orleans Parish School Board and Success Preparatory Academy Board for the contribution of funds to OPSB to upgrade the materials for the installation of a perimeter fence and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the agreement for signatures of the Board President and the representative.

 

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

 

7.10 Request for Approval of Invitation to Bid No. 20-FAC-0069 for the Basement Renovations at Rabouin High school

Recommended Action: It is recommended the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Industrial and Mechanical Contractors, in the amount of $118,400.00 for the Basement Improvements at Rabouin 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. Brown

 

7.11 Amendment to Motion on Contract Award for Proposal Number 20-FAC-0074 Maintenance Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amends the motion the Board previously adopted on August 20, 2020, relative to the award of the contract for Maintenances Services to now read: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the proposal for Maintenance Services from PSA Management, Inc. in the contract amount of $1,008,345.80 for two (2) years with the option to renew for three (3) one (1) year renewals; and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and Contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Jackson

 

7.12 Amendment to "A Model for a 21st Century Workforce Development Urban High School: New Orleans Science and Mathematics High School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the 2nd Amendment of a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement: A Model for the a 21st Century Workforce Development: New Orleans Science and Mathematics that provides $2,000,000 for the purchase of equipment.

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin, second by Ms. Ellison to move to executive session at 2:30pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 3:34pm. The following board members were present: 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 Hamp's Construction, LLC v. Orleans Parish School Board, Orleans Parish Civil District Court No. 2012-10546; Construction Litigation - Status Report

 

8.2 Prospective Litigation re: Lusher Refurbishment Project - Status Report

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

9.1 Request for Conflict Waiver re: Phelps Dunbar, LLP

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) waives any potential conflict of interest arising from Phelps Dunbar, LLP's representation of the OPSB while also representing The Hanover Insurance Group, the general contractor's surety for the Lusher Refurbishment Project, and authorizes the General Counsel to execute the necessary documents to effectuate such a waiver.

 

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

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

9.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Ellison to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 3:36pm.