MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

OCTOBER 22, 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 5:33 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 by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Newell Usdin to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended.

 

 

Amended to include:

·        4.14 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 Traveler’s Casualty Insurance Company of America, 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.

·        Items 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 through 4.13 to be placed on Consent Agenda

 

Public Comment

·        Collette Tippy, United Teachers of New Orleans representative, raised concern around COVID-19 reporting processes.

·        Lauren Jewett, teacher within the community, raised concern around teacher and school staff expectations and implementation of COVID-19 processes.  Additionally, urged the board to create a standing board item around implantation concerns for the education community.

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley to adopt the minutes of the September 17, 2020 Board Business Meeting, September 17, 2020 Public Hearing: Roll Forward Capital Repairs Millage, and September 22, 2020 Public Hearing: Charter Renewal Presentations. (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 back to school update; recognition of employee service to the district, National School Lunch Week, Principal’s Month; and a special announcement regarding the Annual Car Give Away Contest. Additionally, encouraged the public to utilize communication with the district via its hotline at (504) 522-HELP.

 

Board Comment

Mr. Ashley expressed condolences to the lives lost in the New Orleans education community.  Several board members urged the public to take action during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

4.3 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 Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Koppel, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

Board Comment

Mr. Marshall tasked the administration to provide reporting of all bank accounts.

 

4.5 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 Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Jackson.

 

Public Comment

·        Renee Akbar, Education Research Alliance for New Orleans representative, expressed support of this item.

 

4.14 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 Traveler’s Casualty Insurance Company of America, 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 Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Newell Usdin.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

4.1 New Policy DEC, Post-Issuance Tax Compliance

 

4.2 Board Meeting Calendar 2021

 

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

 

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

 

4.7 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

 

4.8 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

 

4.9 LSU Health Sciences New Orleans Contract Amendment

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

4.13 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 move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 through 4.13 as presented in globo.

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison to move to executive session at 6:07pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 6:24pm. 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.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

5.1 Darnette Daniels, et al. v. State of Louisiana, et al., CDC No. 2019-6895; Litigation - Status Report

 

5.2 Shalanda Jackson v. Orleans Parish School Board, OWC No. 20-00319; Worker's Compensation Litigation - Settlement Recommendation

Recommended Action: That Orleans Parish School Board approves settlement of the matter as recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

5.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

 

Board Comment

The Board requested record of comments made via chat for this meeting.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:27PM.