MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

https://zoom.us/j/96156958770

NOVEMBER 19, 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 5:34 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, and Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present. Nolan Marshall, Jr. was not 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 Ms. Newell Usdin second by Mr. Koppel

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Marshall

·        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 October 22, 2020 Board Business Meeting as printed (waiving the reading).

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Marshall

·        Abstain: None

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Lewis’ remarks included a COVID update, recognition of employee service to the district, and honoring of the 60th Anniversary of School Desegregation. 

 

BOARD COMMENT

·        President Ashley expressed sympathy and requested a moment of silence for the recent loss of Harold Clay.

·        The Board presented a proclamation to the Bridges Family in honor of Lucille Bridges.

 

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 4.14 as presented in globo.

Motion by Ms. Newell Usdin second by Mr. Koppel

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Marshall

·        Abstain: None

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

·        Dr. Kenneth Ducote, Greater New Orleans Collaborative Executive Director, expressed support for policies related to board agendas and board meetings.

 

4.2 Amendment to Policy BBC, School Board Committees

 

4.3 Amendment to Policy BCBB, Notification of Board Meetings

 

4.4 Amendment to Policy BCBD, Agenda Preparation and Dissemination

 

4.5 Amendment to Policy BD School Board Policy

 

4.6 New Policy DCBC, “Deferred Revenues”

 

4.7 Amendment Policy HA, School Board Chartering Authority

 

4.8 Amendment to Policy HAA, Charter School Operating Agreement

 

4.9 2020-2021 Pupil Progression Plan

 

4.10 Commissioning Contract with Thompson Building Energy Solutions, LLC (TBES) for Rosenwald Renovations

 

4.11 Request for Award of Invitation to Bid No. 20-FAC-0073 for the Chiller Plant Replacement at Sylvanie Williams Elementary School

 

4.12 Request for Award of Proposal No. 21-FAC-0012 Environmental Consulting Services

 

4.13 Request to Approve Donation of Personal Protective Equipment

 

4.14 Amendment to Commissioning Contract with Thompson Building Energy Solutions, LLC (TBES) for Four Schools

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 Request to Approve the 2020-2021 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 approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of New Orleans in which the Orleans Parish School Board will continue to fund the City's Grant Coordinator’s position in the amount of $70,000.00 annually for a program to increase safety for students going to and coming from school.

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley

 

BOARD COMMENT

·        Acknowledgement of efforts related to this item were made.

 

5.2 Resolution No. 34-20 re: National Purchasing Cooperative (BuyBoard) Interlocal Participation Agreement

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution No. 34-20 authorizing the Superintendent to enter into the membership agreement with BuyBoard National Purchasing Cooperative Interlocal Participation Agreement to make purchases under the authority of HB NO. 409, Act 265 of the Regular Legislative Session and in compliance with Louisiana R. S. 38.2212.1 (N) procurement method; and authorizes the Board President or Superintendent to execute any and all relevant documents.

 

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

 

5.3 Resolution 35-20 Designating the 2021 Capital Repairs Adjusted Millage Rate

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 35-20 setting forth and designating the 2021 capital repairs adjusted millage rate of 4.63 mills on all property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana.

 

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

 

5.4 Resolution 36-20 Designating the 20201 Capital Repairs Adjusted Millage Rate and the Increased Millage Rate

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 28-20 setting forth and designating the 2021 Capital Repairs adjusted millage rate and the increased millage rate on all property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana.

 

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

 

5.5 Resolution 37-20 re: Signature Authority for State Funding for "A Model for the a 21st Century Workforce Development Urban High School - New Orleans Science and Mathematics High School"

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the board approves Resolution 37-20 authorizing the Superintendent or his/her designee to perform ministerial and administrative acts on behalf of the Orleans Parish School Board as required by the State of Louisiana for the receipt of Capital Outlay funding for the purchase of equipment at 2011 Bienville Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, pursuant to the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for "A Model for the a 21st Century Workforce Development Urban High School - New Orleans Science and Mathematics High School".

 

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

 

5.6 Amendment to Motion on LSU Health Sciences New Orleans Contract

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amends the motion the Board previously adopted on October 22, 2020, approving an amendment to the LSU Health Sciences New Orleans Contract for Public Health Services to now read: "It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves a new contract with LSU Health Sciences for Public Health Services, to be effective from November 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, for the total amount of $105,000."

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Mr. Ashley

 

5.7 Acceptance of Grant from The Rockefeller Foundation and the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts grant funding in the amount of $775,000 from The Rockefeller Foundation and the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) to fund the expansion of COVID-19 testing, health and safety staffing efforts, and increased data tracking, which are integral to the safety of students, teachers and staff.

 

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

 

BOARD COMMENT

A motion to move to Executive Session was not made.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

6.1 Prospective Litigation re: Lusher Refurbishment Project - Status Report

Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board approves the course of the action recommended by its legal counsel in this matter.

 

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

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

7.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:04pm.