MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

HTTPS://ZOOM.US/J/94223515701

FEBRUARY 25, 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. 

 

- A moment of silence in memoriam of several recently deceased individuals was held.

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:34pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. 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. 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 previously recorded cohort of students.  

 

1.3 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.

Motion by Mr. Brown second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker to adopt the minutes of the January 11, 2021 Special Board Business Meeting and the January 14, 2021 Board Business Meeting as amended. Board Council provided the following corrections:

·        To the minutes of the January 14, 2021 Board Business Meeting:

o   Item 4. Consent Agenda – indicates names of previous board members and should reflect a unanimous vote by the existing board:

§  Motion by Mr. Ashley second by Mr. Marshall

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Brown, Ms. Ellison, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Koppel, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Newell Usdin Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

o   5.2 Resolution 02-21 re: Orleans Parish School Board’s Appointment to the NOCCA Board of Directors – Indicates second motion with unanimous vote in favor but final resolution lists motion as failed and should be corrected to say motion passes:

§  Motion to reappoint Sarah Newell Usdin to the NOCCA Board of Directors for the term of January 14, 2021 to June 30, 2021 and to 6 appoint Mr. Zervigon to the NOCCA Board of Directors on July 1, 2021 by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Marshall, waiving the reading of the resolution.

·         Final resolution: Motion fails Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Lewis’ remarks included a COVID update including welcoming high school students back to in-person learning and vaccine updates.  Additionally, acknowledged Black History Month, the Renaming Facilities Initiative, and the Roselyn Dennis Olympics Event.

 

-Dr. Lewis was recognized as the finalist in the 2020 Superintendent of the Year Award for District 3 and District 5 by Dr. Gwile Freeman from The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. 

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

4. Nuestra Voz Presentation

Board Member Wagner-Romero, District 4 welcomed representatives from Our Voice, Nuestra Voz to present the organization’s efforts around parent advocacy and policy making to elevate parent engagement with schools. 

 

BOARD COMMENT

·        Robust discussion was held around the topics presented.  Additionally, further response to these matters are to be discussed at the next board chair convening. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

5. Consent Agenda

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.5 as presented in globo.

 

5.1 Request For Proposal NO. 21-0013 Professional Development Services - Innovation Program

 

5.2 Amendment #2 to Agreement with CBRE Heery, Inc. and Vanir Construction Management, Inc. for Program Management Services-Current Projects

 

5.3 Louisiana State Contract Purchase for Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment for New Orleans Sci High

 

5.4 Amendment No. 1 to CEA with Success Preparatory Academy re: Property Improvements

 

5.5 2nd Amendment to Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Recovery School District re: Lafayette Renovation

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

6.1 Request For Proposal NO. 21-0014 Strategic Planning Consultant Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Strategic Planning Consultant Services as stated on the RFP No. 21-0014 from The Caulfield Consulting Group, LLC in the amount of $200,000.00 for four (4) months and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Ashley.

·        Yeas: Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Dr. Wagner Romero, second by Mr. Zervigon to move to executive session at 6:58 pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 7:53pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Nolan Marshall Jr., Katherine Baudouin, John A. Brown, Sr., Olin G. Parker, Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

7.1 P.B., et al. v. Paul Pastorek, et al., Civil Case No. 2:10-cv-04049, U.S. District Court, Eastern District; SPED Litigation - Status Report

·        No action was taken at this time.

 

7.2 Prospective Litigation re: Better Choice Foundation Charter Closeout

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

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley

 

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

 

7.3 Hamp's Construction, LLC v. Orleans Parish School Board, Orleans Parish Civil District Court No. 2012-10546; Construction Litigation - Settlement Recommendation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the settlement of this matter as recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

8.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Dr. Wagner Romero to adjourn the meeting.

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

 

Meeting Adjourned at 7:57pm.