MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
HTTPS://ZOOM.US/J/95479728808
APRIL 20, 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 Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 1:04pm 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 cohort of students previously recorded.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Ms. Baudouin
· 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. Parker, second by Mr. Marshall to adopt the minutes of the March 16, 2021 Committee of the Whole and amend the March 24, 2020 Board Business Meeting Minutes correcting a clerical error in written minutes (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
ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHARTERS
3.1 Schools Update
NOLA-PS staff provided a Schools Update. This included COVID-19 Ongoing Monitoring and Support, and Enrollment Updates
Board Comment:
· Robust discussion related to enrollment, OneApp results, and Family Resource Centers was held.
3.2 Accountability Updates
NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update which included key updates on Notices of Non-Compliance Level 2; Spring 2021 Charter Request for Application Process; and an overview of agenda items.
Board Comment:
· Discussion related to third party evaluator was held.
3.3 Strategic Planning Update
NOLA-PS’s consulting team, The Caulfield Consulting Group, provided a Project Update and Preliminary Findings from Needs Assessment.
Board Comment:
· Discussion related to community engagement and participation was held.
3.4 Extension of KIPP New Orleans Schools Deadline to Open its Approved Charters
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board grant KIPP New Orleans Schools an extension to begin operations on three charters approved by the Orleans Parish School Board (one K-8 approved on November 15, 2018, one 9-12 approved on November 15, 2018, one K-8 approved on June 6, 2018) to first serve students by the 2021-22 school year. Such extension shall include district review of the operator’s Pre-Opening Plan, including any material changes in the applicant team. In the case of a material change in the applicant team, the district will conduct further due diligence and may reconsider the application.
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
· Abstain: Mr. Parker
3.5 Extension of IDEA Public Schools NOLA Deadline to Open its Approved Charters
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board grants IDEA Public Schools NOLA an extension to begin operations on the second charter approved by the Orleans Parish School Board on May 18, 2017 to first serve students by the 2021-22 school year. Such extension shall include district review of the operator’s Pre-Opening Plan, including any material changes in the applicant team. In the case of a material change in the applicant team, the district will conduct further due diligence and may reconsider the application.
Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Ashley
· 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
3.6 Extension of FirstLine Schools Deadline to Open its Approved Charters
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board grants FirstLine Schools an extension to begin operations on the charter approved by the Orleans Parish School Board on December 17, 2017 to first serve students by the 2021-22 school year. Such extension shall include district review of the operator’s Pre-Opening Plan, including any material changes in the applicant team. In the case of a material change in the applicant team, the district will conduct further due diligence and may reconsider the application.
Motion by Mr. Parker, 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
3.7 Extension of Crescent City Schools Deadline to Open its Approved Charters
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board grants Crescent City Schools an extension to begin operations on the charter approved by the Orleans Parish School Board on June 7, 2018 to first serve students by the 2021-22 school year. Such extension shall include district review of the operator’s Pre-Opening Plan, including any material changes in the applicant team. In the case of a material change in the applicant team, the district will conduct further due diligence and may reconsider the application.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker
· 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
3.8 Ratification of Independent Local Educational Agency (LEA) Status-Young Audiences at Crocker
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies the request from Young Audiences Charter School at Lawrence D. Crocker to operate as its own Local Educational Agency, effective July 1, 2021.
Motion by Ms. Baudouin, 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
3.9 Ratification of Independent Local Educational Agency (LEA) Status- Hynes Charter School-Coghill
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies the request from Hynes Charter School-Coghill at Parkview to operate as its own Local Educational Agency, effective July 1, 2021.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley
· 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
3.10 LEA Agreement
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposed LEA Agreement for charter schools remaining in the School Board's LEA and establishes a deadline of June 30, 2021, for charter operators to execute said agreement.
Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin
· 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
POLICY
4.1 Notice of Intent to Amend Policy FJ, School Facility Preservation Program
Board Comment:
· Discussion related to policy adoption/revision sequence was held.
4.2 Notice of Intent to Amend Policy HD, Charter School Facilities Management
4.3 Amendment to OPSB Policy DJC, Payroll Procedures
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendment to Policy DJC, Payroll Procedures.
Motion Dr. Wagner Romero, second by Ms. Baudouin
· 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
4.4 Amendment to Policy GBG, Probation
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendment to Policy GBG, Probation.
Motion Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker
· 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
4.5 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBN, Dismissal of Employees
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendment to Policy GBN, Dismissal of Employees.
Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin
· 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
4.6 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBO, Resignation
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendment to Policy GBO, Resignation.
Motion Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin
· 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
4.7 Amendment to Policy GBRK, Vacation
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the amendment to Policy GBRK, Vacation.
Motion Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley
· 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
4.8 Amendment to the 2021 Board Meeting Schedule
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amend the 2021 Board Meeting Calendar to add a Board Work Session - Strategic Planning on May 20, 2021 at 1pm.
Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Ashley
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: Dr. Wagner Romero
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
Board Comment:
· Discussion related to additional meetings was held.
BUDGET AND FINANCE
5.1Finance Update
NOLA-PS staff presented its February 2021 Financial Reports and Department updates regarding District Level Funding Allocation (DFLA), Revenue Projections for Financial Planning, and Funding Flow.
BOARD COMMENTS
· Discussion related to information shared during presentation was held.
5.2 Request to Award Proposal Number 21-0019 for a highly qualified successful organization to provide education and select wrap-around services to juvenile students housed at Travis Hill School
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for operator for the Travis Hill Schools at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center and Orleans Justice Center on the RFP No. 21-0019 from BreakFree Education in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for one (1) year with the option for two (2) one-year (1) renewals, subject to Board approval, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.
Motion 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
5.3 Request to Award Proposal Number 21-0020 for Therapeutic and Behavioral Health Services
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Therapeutic Setting for Mental and Behavioral Health Services on the RFP No. 21-0020 from Center for Resilience in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for one (1) year with the option for two (2) one-year (1) renewals, subject to Board approval, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.
Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Ashley
· 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
5.4 Direct Diversion of USDA Commodities for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorizes the purchase of Direct Diversion of USDA Donated Products from the approved vendors awarded by the St. Charles Parish School Board listed in the rationale for the Child Nutrition Program for the 2021-2022 School Year in the amount of $328,667.89.
Motion Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker
· 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
5.5 Request to Award Proposal Number 21-0016 for E-RATE Service Provider
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the award of the contract for E-RATE Service Provider to Cox Communications in an amount not to exceed $103,200.00 for a two (2) year term, with an option to renew for an additional one (1) year term at $51,600.00 and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare contracts for signatures of the Board President and the Services Provider.
Motion Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Parker
· 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
5.6 Request to Award Invitation to Bid Number ITB#21-FAC-23 for the Window Installation & Classroom Wall Repairs at Frederick Douglass High School
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Crescent Commercial Construction in the amount of $809,000.00 for the installation of new storefront windows located on the interior corridor side of the Frederick Douglass High School and perform repairs to the interior classrooms that were damaged due to water intrusion; and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.
Motion Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin
· 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
5.7 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. ITB#21-FAC-0022 for the Asbestos Abatement Project at Frederick Douglass High School
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Orion environmental Inc. in the amount of $177,872.00 for the abatement and removal of interior corridor windows on the second and third floors of Frederick Douglass High School; and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.
Motion Mr. Marshall, second by Dr. Wagner Romero
· 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
5.8 Stipend and Supplemental Compensation Scale
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves increasing supplemental compensation for elementary school employees for the upcoming summer remediation program at Mary D Coghill Elementary School.
Motion Mr. Parker, 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
5.9 Revisions to Central Office Salary Schedules
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the revised central office salary schedules for current central office employees (Schedule I) and the new salary schedules for central office employees hired effective on or after July 1, 2021 (Schedule II).
Motion Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Ashley
· 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
PROPERTY
6.1 Capital and Facilities Update Presentation
NOLA-PS staff presented its April Capital Projects and Facility Updates which included key updates on NOLA-PS and RSD Capital Projects, School Facility Preservation – Engagement and Revised Lease, and 9th Ward Stadium Inc. Partnership.
BOARD COMMENTS
· Discussion related to lease revisions and engagement, and 9th Ward Stadium Inc. Partnership was held.
6.2 Facilities Renaming Initiative-Facilities to Move Forward in Renaming Process
NOLA-PS staff provided an overview of the Facilities Renaming Initiative which included the initial list of facilities recommended to move forward in the renaming process.
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the initial list of recommended buildings to move forward in the renaming process as a part of the NOLA-PS Facilities Renaming Initiative.
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero
· Nays: None
· Absent: Mr. Zervigon
· Abstain: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
· Earl Williams, a member of the community, requested clarification related the renaming process.
· Dominique Lang, a member of the community, urged the board to differ the item.
· Jamar McKneely, a representative from InspireNOLA, expressed concern related to policy provisions.
BOARD COMMENTS
· Robust discussion related to policy standards, public feedback process, and renaming of school building owned by the OPSB versus renaming educational program was held.
ADJOURNMENT
7.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Zervigon 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 4:03pm.