MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
https://zoom.us/j/92060245753
APRIL 22, 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 Business Meeting was called to order at 5:33: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, Carlos Luis Zervigon, and Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero. 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 amended. Board Counsel noted:
· Amend Item 5.2 – To add a Special Committee Meeting – Audit on May 4, 2021 at 3:30pm and a Board Work Session - Strategic Planning on May 18, 2021 at 10am.
· Item 5.3 – Note record that Paul Habans was added since initial list presented at Committee of the Whole.
· Item 6.1 – Noted possible action after Executive Session.
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
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Brown to adopt the minutes of the March 18, 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
BOARD COMMENTS
- A moment of staff recognition was held.
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks
Dr. Lewis’ remarks included an end of year message to students and teachers, recognized the district’s 2021 Teacher and Student of the Year nominees, highlighted a couple students’ accomplishments in the arts, and acknowledged staff member’s that achieved a milestone year of service at the district.
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 4.19 as presented in globo.
4.1 Extension of IDEA Public Schools NOLA Deadline to Open its Approved Charters
4.2 Extension of FirstLine Schools Deadline to Open its Approved Charters
4.3 Extension of Crescent City Schools Deadline to Open its Approved Charters
4.4 Ratification of Independent Local Educational Agency (LEA) Status-Young Audiences at Crocker
4.5 Ratification of Independent Local Educational Agency (LEA) Status- Hynes Charter School-Coghill
4.6 LEA Agreement
4.7 Amendment to OPSB Policy DJC, Payroll Procedures
4.8 Amendment to Policy GBG, Probation
4.9 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBN, Dismissal of Employees
4.10 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBO, Resignation
4.11 Amendment to Policy GBRK, Vacation
4.12 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
4.13 Request to Award Proposal Number 21-0020 for Therapeutic and Behavioral Health Services
4.14 Direct Diversion of USDA Commodities for Fiscal Year 2021-2022
4.15 Request to Award Proposal Number 21-0016 for E-RATE Service Provider
4.16 Request to Award Invitation to Bid Number ITB#21-FAC-23 for the Window Installation & Classroom Wall Repairs at Frederick Douglass High School
4.17 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. ITB#21-FAC-0022 for the Asbestos Abatement Project at Frederick Douglass High School
4.18 Stipend and Supplemental Compensation Scale
4.19 Revisions to Central Office Salary Schedules
Motion by Mr. Ashley, 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
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
· Item 4.13, Elizabeth Marcell Williams, a member of the community, expressed support for this item.
BOARD COMMENTS:
· Discussion related to the contract for item 4.13 was held.
ACTION ITEMS
5.1 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. Zervigon, 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
5.2 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 Special Committee Meeting – Audit on May 4, 2021 at 3:30pm and a Board Work Session - Strategic Planning on May 18 at 10am.
Motion by Mr. Ashley, 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
5.3 Facilities Renaming Initiative-Facilities to Move Forward in 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. Brown
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero
· Nays: Mr. Zervigon
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
Public Comments:
· Wanda Romain, a member of the community, urged the board to defer voting on this matter at this time.
· Yvette Alexis, a member of the community, expressed dissent for this item.
Board Comments:
· Robust discussion related to the Facilities Renaming Initiative was held.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Marshall to move to executive session at 6:29 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 7:13pm. 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
6.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board personnel.
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amend the Superintendent’s Performance Objectives as presented.
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: Mr. Marshall
· Absent: None
· Abstain: None
ADJOURNMENT
6.1 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 7:15pm.