MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
MARCH 18, 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 5:35:pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Katherine Baudouin, John A. Brown, Sr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present. Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero joined the meeting at 5:37pm.
-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 amended. Board Counsel noted:
· Add action item – 4a Resolution 04-21: a resolution supporting the passage of Senate Bill 39 which is being proposed by Senator Joseph Bouie during the 2021 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Marshall
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Dr. Wagner Romero to adopt the minutes of the February 25, 2021 Board Business Meeting as printed (waiving the reading).
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, 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 March self-injury awareness month, updates on Nuestra Voz, the One-year COVID Anniversary, Vaccine updates, the one-year anniversary of the community feeding program, the Superintendent’s 6th Service Year Anniversary, and the 180th anniversary of public education.
CONSENT AGENDA
4. Consent Agenda
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.15 as presented in globo.
4.1 2021 - 2022 Employment Calendar for Central Office Personnel, 2021-2022 ECS Calendar, and 2021-2022 Child Nutrition Calendar
4.2 Request for Independent Local Educational Agency (LEA) Status - Benjamin Franklin Mathematics and Science Elementary School
4.3 Request for Independent Local Educational Agency (LEA) Status - Homer A. Plessy Community School
4.4 Request for Independent Local Educational Agency (LEA) Status - Rooted School
4.5 Request to Suspend March 30th Deadline in OPSB Policy DCBC, Deferred Revenues
4.6 Invitation to Quote - Number Q21-FAC-25A for the Chiller Replacement at Martin L. King Elementary School Site
4.7 Request to Surplus Properties Located at 4422 General Meyer and 4460 General Meyer
4.8 2021 Legislative Priorities
4.9 Request for Conflict Waiver re: Phelps Dunbar, LLP
4.10 Operating Agreement Second Amendment - Frederick Douglass High School (KIPP)
4.11 Operating Agreement Amendment - John F Kennedy High School (KIPP)
4.12 Operating Agreement Second Amendment - Booker T. Washington High School (KIPP)
4.13 Operating Agreement Amendment - McDonogh 35 Senior High School (InspireNOLA)
4.14 Operating Agreement Amendment - Edna Karr High School (InspireNOLA)
4.15 Operating Agreement Amendment - McMain Senior High School (InspireNOLA)
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
Public Comments:
· Item 4.8, Lauren Jewett, a member of the community, expressed concern regarding inclusion of legislative priorities for special education teachers.
4.A Resolution 04-21
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts and approves Resolution 04-21. A resolution supporting the passage of Senate Bill 39 which is being proposed by Senator Joseph Bouie during the 2021 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature with the edits as set forth in the resolution and the attached document.
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Brown
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Ms. Baudouin to move to executive session at 6:07 pm.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
Reconvened from Executive Session at 6:44pm. 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
5.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board personnel.
No action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
6.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Marshall second by Ms. Baudouin to adjourn the meeting.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
Meeting Adjourned at 6:46pm.