MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

HTTPS://ZOOM.US/J/96289374132

DECEMBER 17, 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 Business Meeting was called to order at 5:32 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 amended. Board Counsel noted:

·        Addition of Action Item 5.7 – Amendment to the board meeting calendar for 2021 Board Meeting. 

·        Removal of 4.4 from Consent Agenda

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

·        Lauren Lastrapes, community member, urged for an ongoing feedback agenda item to be added for matters related to Covid19 protocols in schools.

·        Colette Tippy, United Teachers of New Orleans representative, urged for an ongoing feedback agenda item to be added for matters related to Covid19 protocols in schools.

 

BOARD COMMENT

·        Clarification regarding Covid19 updates was provided.

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Koppel to adopt the minutes of the November 19, 2020 Board Business Meeting 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 COVID update, recognition of the holiday card winner and employee service to the district, announcement of the return of the Special Olympics, and a recognition to outgoing board members.  Additionally, the Superintendent provided announcements related to the district’s school portfolio including the contract extension of Elan Academy and the name change of the Algiers Charter School Association.

 

BOARD COMMENT

·        Acknowledgment for the return of the Special Olympics was made.

 

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 4.3 and 4.5 through 4.27 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, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

4.1 Amendment to Policy HB, Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools

4.2 New Policy DCBD, “School Transformation Fund”

4.3 Amendment to Policy DC, Annual Operating Budget

4.5 Amendment to Policy CBD, Employment of Superintendent

4.6 Amendment to Policy DJA, Authorized Signatures

4.7 Amendment to Policy DJE, Purchasing

4.8 Amendment to Policy DJED, Bids and Quotations

4.9 Amendment to Policy EFP, Data Protection and Recovery, Data Protection and Recovery (to be renamed "Business Continuity and Technology Disaster Recovery")

4.10 Amendment to Policy GAAA, Equal Opportunity Employment

4.11 Amendment to Policy GAE, Complaints and Grievances

4.12 Amendment to Policy GAEAA, Sexual Harassment (to be renamed "Employee Sexual Harassment")

4.13 Amendment to Policy GAMC, Investigations

4.14 Amendment to Policy GBDB, Employment of Retired Personnel

4.15 Amendment to Policy IDFAB, Sports Injury Management and Concussions

4.16 New Policy JAAA, Title IX Sexual Harassment

4.17 Amendment to Policy JBH, Attendance Reports for Student Drivers

4.18 Amendment to Policy JGC, Student Health Services

4.19 Amendment to Policy JGCE, Child Abuse

4.20 Amendment to Policy JCEA, Student Sexual Harassment (to be renamed "Student Sexual Misconduct")

4.21 Acceptance of Grant from New School for New Orleans (NSNO)

4.22 Amendment to Policy BD, School Board Policy

4.23 Amendment to Policy JD, Discipline 40

4.24 Amendment to Policy JDD, Suspension

4.25 Amendment to Policy JDE, Expulsion

4.26 New Policy JDF, Discipline During Virtual Instruction

4.27 Award of Invitation To Bid NO. 21-FAC-0042 for the Rosenwald- Collegiate Academy Renovation Project

 

4.4 New Policy BCAB, Remote Participation in School Board Meetings

Board Counsel noted:

·        Since the Committee Meeting on Tuesday, there are has been an additional amendment that is consistent with Act 43 of the Second Extraordinary Session of the State Law that required the addition of item 2D which reads as follows:

o   Other matters that are critical or time-sensitive and that in the determination of the presiding officer should not be delayed; however, such maters shall not be considered at the meeting unless the members of the School Board present at the meeting approve the consideration of the matters by a two-thirds vote.

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves proposed new policy BCAB, Remote Participation in School Board Meetings as amended.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, 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

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 Resolution 38-20 re: Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) Application 20170466-ITE

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts resolution 38-20 denying the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption application number 20170466-ITE submitted by The Folger Coffee Company.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

·        Lauren Lastrapes, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Mark Moore, a Folger’s representative, expressed dissent for this item.

·        Jennifer Molina, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kenneth Ducote, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Colette Tippy, United Teachers of New Orleans representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Dave Thomas, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kahlida Lloyd, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Robert Sullivan, community member, expressed support for this item.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Clarification regarding the ITEP applications was made.

 

5.2 Resolution 39-20 re: Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) Application 20170467-ITE

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 39-20 denying the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption application number 20170467-ITE submitted by The Folger Coffee Company.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

·        Mark Moore, a Folger’s representative, expressed dissent for this item.

·        Jennifer Molina, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kenneth Ducote, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Colette Tippy, United Teachers of New Orleans representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Dave Thomas, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kahlida Lloyd, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Robert Sullivan, community member, expressed support for this item.

 

5.3 Resolution 40-20 re: Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) Application 20180297-ITE

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 40-20 denying the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption application number 20180297-ITE submitted by The Folger Coffee Company.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

·        Mark Moore, a Folger’s representative, expressed dissent for this item.

·        Jennifer Molina, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kenneth Ducote, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Colette Tippy, United Teachers of New Orleans representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Dave Thomas, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kahlida Lloyd, community member, expressed support for this item.

Robert Sullivan, community member, expressed support for this item.

 

5.4 Resolution 41-20 re: Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) Application 20180298-ITE

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 41-20 denying the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption application number 20180298-ITE submitted by The Folger Coffee Company.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

·        Mark Moore, a Folger’s representative, expressed dissent for this item.

·        Jennifer Molina, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kenneth Ducote, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Colette Tippy, United Teachers of New Orleans representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Dave Thomas, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kahlida Lloyd, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Robert Sullivan, community member, expressed support for this item.

 

5.5 Resolution 42-20 re: Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) Application 20190391-ITE

Recommended Action:  It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 42-20 denying the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption application number 20190391-ITE submitted by The Folger Coffee Company.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

·        Mark Moore, a Folger’s representative, expressed dissent for this item.

·        Jennifer Molina, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kenneth Ducote, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Colette Tippy, United Teachers of New Orleans representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Dave Thomas, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kahlida Lloyd, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Robert Sullivan, community member, expressed support for this item.

 

5.6 Resolution 43-20 re: Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) Application 20190392-ITE

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 43-20 denying the Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption application number 20190392-ITE submitted by The Folger Coffee Company.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

·        Mark Moore, a Folger’s representative, expressed dissent for this item.

·        Jennifer Molina, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kenneth Ducote, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Colette Tippy, United Teachers of New Orleans representative, expressed support for this item.

·        Dave Thomas, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Kahlida Lloyd, community member, expressed support for this item.

·        Robert Sullivan, community member, expressed support for this item.

 

5.7 Amendment to 2021 Board Meeting Calendar

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amend the 2021 Board Meeting Calendar to add a Special Meeting and Swearing-In Ceremony on January 11, 2021 at 2pm.

 

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

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Acknowledgment of outgoing board members was held.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Koppel, second by Ms. Ellison to move to executive session at 6:52 pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 7:28pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, John A. Brown, Sr., Leslie Ellison, Grisela A. Jackson, Woody Koppel, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Sarah Newell Usdin. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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

No action was taken.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

7.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Ms. Ellison, second by Ms. Jackson to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 7:31pm.