MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

AUGUST 17, 2021

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 1:01pm 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 Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

-Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

- A moment of recognition in memoriam of recently deceased New Orleans educators was held.

 

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Ashley.  

 

1.3 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided. Motion by 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

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall to adopt the minutes of the July 27, 2021, Committee of the Whole 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

 

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHARTERS

 

3.1 Schools Update

NOLA-PS staff provided its monthly Schools Update which included key updates on Key Educational Programming, COVID – 19 Planning, Vaccinations, COVID Testing, and an external presentation from Bethune Elementary Charter.

 

Board Comment:

·        Discussion related to COVID – 19 information presented was held. Additionally, highlights presented during the external presentation were discussed. 

 

3.2 Accountability Updates

NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update which included key updates on Notices of Non-Compliance and 2021-2022 Charter Renewals.

 

POLICY

 

4.1 First Reading: Amendment to Policy HA School Board Chartering Authority

 

4.2 First Reading: Amendment to Policy DFE, Investments

 

4.3 New Policy GAMFD, Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board suspends its ordinary procedures for policy adoption, pursuant to OPSB Policy BD, and approves new Policy GAMFD, COVID-19 Vaccination, mandating all School Board employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

BUDGET AND FINANCE

 

5.1 Finance Update

NOLA-PS staff presented its June 2021 Financial Reports and Department updates regarding District Level Funding Allocation (DLFA); FY22 General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budget Adoption; and Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN) RFP Process.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion related to RAN rates and the audit was held. 

 

5.2 Resolution 12-21 - Authorizing Resolution for Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the OPSB adopt the resolution authorizing the issuance of Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2021, of the Orleans Parish School Board, State of Louisiana in a principal amount not to exceed $65,000,000 in order to provide for noncapital contractual obligations and for stabilized cash flows to charter schools; making application to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority for such borrowing; and providing for other matters with respect to the forgoing.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker, waiving the reading of the resolution.

 

5.3 Request for Approval to Award Invitation to Bid No. 21-FAC-0027 for the Chiller Replacement located at Ellis Marsalis Jr. Middle School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from ARC Mechanical Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $489,900.00 for the replacement of 2 chillers, pumps, and related components required for the chiller plant and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Brown, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

 

5.4 Approval of Louisiana State Contract Purchase for AT&T &Mobility Hosted IP Communications, Local Telecommunications, Wireless, Data, Voice and Accessories Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the purchase of Hosted IP Communications, Local Telecommunications, Wireless, Data, Voice and Accessories Services from the Louisiana approved state contract vendor's AT&T and AT&T Mobility Services in the amount of $220,200.00.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Marshall

 

PROPERTY

 

6.1 Capital and Facilities Update Presentation

NOLA-PS staff presented its August Capital Projects and Facility Updates which included key updates on NOLA-PS and RSD Capital Projects, and a Property Disposition Update.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion related to property disposition timelines and the New Orleans Career Center floorplan was held.

 

6.2 Purchase of 1014 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the sale of 1014 Bourbon Street to the Homer A. Plessy Community School for the fair market value of $435,000.00 and authorizes the Board President to execute the Agreement to Purchase and Sell and related sale documents.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Brown

 

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

 

7.1 Discussion re: Orleans Parish School Board Superintendent Search

Board President presented an overview of the Superintendent Search website at nolasuperintendentsearch.com and provided a timeline update of the RFQ process.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion and acknowledgements related to the information presented was held.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Zervigon to move to executive session at 2:38pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 3:30pm. 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 Ashely Heilprin were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

8.1 Dryades YMCA v. The Orleans Parish School Board, CDC No. 2021- 05612; Injunctive Relief

No action taken.

 

8.2 Prospective Litigation re: St. Thomas Clinic Lease

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board's approves the recommended course of action advised by its legal counsel.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

9.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Parker to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 3:32pm.