MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
JUNE 30, 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 Special Board Business Meeting was called to order at 10:03am 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, 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
Two items were added to the agenda to include: Executive Session Item 3.2, Orleans Parish School Board, et al. v. Better Choice Foundation, et al. and Action Item 4.2, Approval of Contract with The Spears Group for Communications Support for the Superintendent Search.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon second by Ms. Baudouin to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended.
· 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
· Abstain: None
PRESENTATION
2.1 Presentation
NOLA-PS staff provided an update on the status of a matter regarding the Dryades YMCA. This included compliance concerns, finance concerns, revocation process and timeline, and next steps for community engagement.
BOARD COMMENTS
· Pursuant to state statute, the comment card submitted on this non-action item was declined.
· Discussion related to information shared during presentation was held, including school reassignment timeline and translation of all communication to families.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Brown to move to executive session at 10:24 am.
· 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 11:19am. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Nolan Marshall Jr., Katherine Baudouin, John A. Brown, Sr., Olin G. Parker, Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Romero and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Sharonda Williams were also present.
3.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board personnel.
Item will be addressed in Action Item 4.1
3.2 - Orleans Parish School Board and Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. in his official capacity as Orleans Parish Superintendent of Schools v. Better Choice Foundation d/b/a Mary D. Coghill Charter School, Michael Carey, in his official capacity as a Board Member, Audrey Woods, in her official capacity as a Board Member, Shari Baker Gibson, in her official capacity as a Board Member, Cathy Kendrick, in her official capacity as a Board Member, Pastor Aubrey Watson, in his official capacity as a Board Member, Terri Baptiste-Franklin, in her official capacity as a Board Member, CDC No. 2021-04563; Declaratory Judgment – Status Report
No action taken at this time.
ACTION ITEMS
4.1 Appoint Board Counsel
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board appoint Interim Board Counsel effective July 1, 2021 Ashley Heilprin and authorize General Counsel to prepare a contract for signature of newly appointed Interim Board Counsel and the Board President on the condition that this appointment is on an interim basis and that the Orleans Parish School Board intends to have done a thorough review of the position and will make a permanent engagement for 2022 and beyond by the end of the calendar year (December 31, 2021).
Motion by Mr. Parker, 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
BOARD COMMENT:
· Acknowledgment of all the candidates who submitted applications and thanks Sharonda Williams for her service as outgoing Board Counsel was given.
Action Item 4.2 – Approval of Contract with The Spears Group for Communications Support for Superintendent Search
Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board approves a contract with The Spears Group for communications support to the Orleans Parish School Board relative to its impending Superintendent search in an amount not to exceed $25,000, to be effective from July 1 through September 15, 2021.
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin.
· Final resolution: Motion passes
· Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon
· Nays: None
· Absent: None
· Abstain: Mr. Marshall
BOARD COMMENT:
· Documents related to the scope of work of this item was requested.
ADJOURNMENT
5.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Marshall 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 11:24 am.