MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
JANUARY 11, 2021
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 Special Board Business Meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm by Board Counsel Sharonda Williams. The following board members were present Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, John A. Brown, Sr., Nolan Marshall Jr., Olin G. Parker, Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. was 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 presented.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon second by Mr. Brown
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
ACTION ITEMS
2.01 Election of Board President and Vice President
Recommended action – Pursuant to OPSB Policy BBA “At its first meeting in January of each year . . . the School Board shall elect one of its members to serve as President and one to serve as Vice-President, in separate ballots, for a term of one (1) year, beginning in January. The President and Vice-President shall receive the votes of a majority of the full membership of the School Board, four (4) votes, before being declared elected. Each officer may hold office for no longer than two (2) consecutive terms.”
Nominations for Ethan Ashley, for President of the Orleans Parish School Board
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Baudouin
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion to close nominations to proceed with voting.
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Parker
· Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
Board Counsel read votes cast by each board members. Mr. Ashley was unanimously elected President of the Orleans Parish School Board.
Nominations for Nolan Marshall Jr., for Vice President of the Orleans Parish School Board
Motion by Mr. Park, second by Dr. Wagner Romero
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Motion to close nominations to proceed with voting.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley
· Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
Board Counsel read votes cast by each board members. Mr. Marshall was unanimously elected Vice President of the Orleans Parish School Board.
2.02 Resolution 01-21 Authorizing the Board President and Vice President as Signatories on Behalf of the Board
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 01-21 authorizing the Orleans Parish School Board President to sign contracts and other official documents on behalf of the Board and authorizing the Board Vice President to sign said documents when the Board President is unavailable or unable to do so.
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Ms. Baudouin, waiving the reading of the resolution.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
ADJOURNMENT
3.01 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Baudouin to adjourn the meeting.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Meeting Adjourned at 2:17pm.