MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

AUGUST 19, 2021

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:33pm 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 Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

- Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by students from Bethune Elementary School.  

 

1.3 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as modified. Modifications as listed below:

·        Item 4.1 – New Orleans Youth Alliance Presentation; removed

·        Item 5.1 – New Policy GAMFD, Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination; removed from consent agenda due to public comment and added as action item 6.4

·        Item 6.5 – Appointment of Members to the Innovation and Stability Committee; added

·        Item 7.1 – Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board personnel; adding Executive Session section

·        Section Order:

o   Consideration of Minutes: Item 2.1

o   Consent Agenda: Items 5.2 – 5.5

o   Action Items: 6.1 – 6.5

o   Superintendent’s Agenda: Item 3.1

o   Presentations: Item 4.2

o   Executive Session: Item 7.1

o   Adjournment: Item 8.1

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon second by Mr. Brown

 

·    Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin to adopt the minutes of the July 29, 2021, Board Business Meeting as printed (waiving the reading).

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

5. Consent Agenda

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.2 through 5.5 as presented in globo.

 

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

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

5.4 Purchase of 1014 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 701116

5.5 Prospective Litigation re: St. Thomas Clinic Lease

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

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

 

 

6.2 Resolution 13-21 Consolidated Budget Adoption

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution Number 13-21 adopting and finalizing the consolidated budget of the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds of the Orleans Parish School Board for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2021 and ending on June 30, 2022.

 

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

 

 

6.3 Resolution 14-21 - Covid-19 prevention and mitigation strategies

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution Number 14-21 aimed at Covid-19 prevention and mitigation strategies at charter schools across the school district by encouraging schools under the jurisdiction of the Orleans Parish School Board to adopt comprehensive communicable disease prevention policies and encouraging the Louisiana Department of Health to require all students entering schools to become fully vaccinated once a Covid-19 vaccine receives full authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

 

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

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

·        Sabrina Bland, a member of the community, expressed concern for proposed prevention and mitigation strategies. Additionally, urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Shera Phillips, a member of the community, expressed dissent for in-person learning and social distancing concerns. 

·        Daniel Zimmerman, a member of the community, expressed concern for proposed prevention and mitigation strategies. Additionally, urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Aretha Lewis, a member of the community, expressed concern for proposed prevention and mitigation strategies.

·        Sandra “18-Wheeler” Hester, a member of the community, expressed dissent for in-person learning.

·        Kara Brown, a member of the community, expressed dissent for in-person learning.

·        Dr. Ashonta Wyatt, a member of the community, expressed concern for proposed prevention and mitigation strategies. Additionally, urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Amtrice Cowart, a member of the community, expressed concern for proposed prevention and mitigation strategies. Additionally, urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Ashana Begard, a member of the community, expressed dissent for in-person learning.

·        Latondra Brister, a member of the community, expressed dissent for in-person learning and transportation concerns.

·        Morgana King, a member of the community, expressed dissent for in-person learning and urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Bridgette Martin, a member of the community,

·        Angela Kinlaw, a member of the community, urged community for unity towards next steps.

·        Wanda Romain, a member of the community, expressed dissent for in-person learning.

·        Jacqueline Kennedy, a member of the community, expressed concern for proposed prevention and mitigation strategies. Additionally, urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Serena Borne, a member of the community, expressed dissent for in-person learning and urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Jewell Prim, a member of the community, for proposed prevention and mitigation strategies. Additionally, urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Jess Martel, a member of the community, for proposed prevention and mitigation strategies. Additionally, urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Kevin Griffin-Clark, a member of the community, urged for a virtual instruction option.

·        Stacy Howard, a member of the community, expressed concern around exposure process. 

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        President Ashley moved to Executive Session.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Marshall to move to executive session at 6:34 pm.

 

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 7:07 pm. 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

 

7.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board personnel

No action taken.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

6.4 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 by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

·        Ashana Begard, a member of the community, expressed COVID-19 exposure concerns.

·        Amtrice Cowart, a member of the community, expressed accountability concerns.

 

6.5 Appointment of Members to the Innovation and Stability Committee

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve appointment of Nolan Marshall, Jr., Carlos Zervigon, and Olin Parker as members of the Innovation and Stability Committee.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Lewis reiterated current process for virtual learning option process and mitigation processes in place. Tiffany Delcour provided current COVID-19 tools provided within the district.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

4.2 Excell: Graduation Pathway Coalition Presentation

Excell: Graduation Pathway Coalition presented on Expanded Criteria to Graduation for English Learners in Louisiana. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

·        Derick Mejia Tores, a representative of ALAS, expressed support for expanded criteria to graduation for English learners in Louisiana. 

·        Lisa Maria Rhodea, a representative of ALAS, expressed support for expanded criteria to graduation for English learners in Louisiana. 

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        Discussion related to graduation rates in comparison to neighboring states, differentiated diplomas and graduation requirements, support for policy changes was held.

·        President Ashley provided additional public comment to be made

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

·        Ashana Begard, a member of the community, expressed concern around Distance Learning Health Eligibility Form.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        Clarification and process to elevate concerns regarding the Distance Learning Health Eligibility Form was provided.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

8.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Brown, second by Ms. Baudouin to adjourn the meeting.

 

·    Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Zervigon

 

Meeting Adjourned at 7:57 pm.