MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 1:03pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, John A. Brown, Sr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present. Nolan Marshall, Jr. arrived at 2:13pm and Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero was absent.

 

-Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

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, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Marshall and Dr. Wagner Romero

·        Abstain: None

 

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 Work Session, and the August 17, 2021, Committee of the Whole (waiving the reading).

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Marshall and Dr. Wagner Romero

·        Abstain: None

 

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHARTERS

 

- Announcement made acknowledging Benjamin Franklin Magnet High School and Lake Forest Elementary Charter School for being named 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

 

3.1 Schools Update

NOLA-PS staff provided its monthly Schools Update which included key updates on Hurricane Ida Response, Stronger Together Training Collaborative partnership with Baptist Community Ministries, and COVID-19 Planning.

 

Board Comment:

·        Discussion related to schools reopening post Hurricane Ida was held.

 

3.2 Accountability Updates

NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update which included key updates on Notices of Non-Compliance, 2021-2022 Charter Renewals, and Loss of Instructional Minutes due to Hurricane Ida.

 

Board Comment:

Discussion related to State instructional minute requirement was held.

 

POLICY

 

4.1 Notice Intent to Amend to OPSB Policy IFD, Parental Involvement in Education

 

4.2 Second Reading: Amendment to Policy HA School Board Chartering Authority

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the amendment to Policy HA, School Board Chartering Authority.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon, to approve as amended. The following technical corrections were made:

-        “(2) …who shall be responsible for responding to all email correspondence or telephone calls received within an reasonable time;” Changed to: “(2) …who shall be responsible for responding to email correspondence or telephone calls received within a reasonable time”

-        “(4) minutes of all governing board meeting minutes, which minutes shall be posted no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the next meeting.” Changed to: “(4) minutes of all governing board meetings, which shall be posted no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the next meeting.”

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

·        Dr. Ken Ducote, GNO Collaborative of Charter Schools representative, expressed support for this item.

 

4.3 Second Reading: Amendment to Policy DFE, Investments Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the amendment to Policy DFE, Investments.

 

Motion Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Ashley

 

BUDGET AND FINANCE

 

5.1 Finance Update

NOLA-PS staff presented its monthly Finance Update which included key updates on District Level Funding Allocation (DLFA), Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN) RFP Process, Finance Department Strategic Planning, Treasury Summary, and Hurricane Ida Response.

 

5.2 Resolution 15-21 Authorizing the Purchase of Revenue Anticipation Note

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 15-21 authorizing the sale and delivery of $65,000,000 Orleans Parish School Board Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2021 to Regions Capital Advantage, Iinc.; and providing for other matters with respect to the foregoing.

 

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

 

5.3 Ratification of Cost Increase for Disaster Recovery Services Contract RFP #21-0028; Approval of Contract Amendment

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 Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

 

5.4 Second Amendment to the Agreement Between Orleans Parish School Board and CSRS, Inc., for Capital Planning Services Request for Proposal No. 20-FAC-0013

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the second amendment to the Capital Planning Services contract with CSRS, Inc., for capital planning services to extend the contract for six (6) months at no additional cost.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

5.5 Ratification of Amendment to the Agreement with CSRS, Inc., for Disaster Recovery Grants Management Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies Amendment #1 to the COVID-19 Program and Grants Management Services contract with CSRS, Inc. for Disaster Recovery Grants Management Services to increase the contract value by an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 for services related to Hurricane Ida and to correct the original contract term from "commencing on July 1, 2020 and ending on August 31, 2023" to "commencing on August 1, 2020 and ending on July 31, 2023".

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

PROPERTY

 

6.1 Capital and Facilities Update Presentation

NOLA-PS staff presented its September Capital Projects and Facility Updates which included key updates on NOLA-PS and RSD Capital Projects, and Hurricane Ida: Response and Recovery.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion related to damaged facilities due to Hurricane Ida, repair timelines, post Hurricane Katrina facility investments, community-wide emergency response usage, and impacted timelines of ongoing projects was held.

 

LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE

 

7.1 2nd Amendment to Type B Facilities Lease for Audubon Gentilly Terrace

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the 2nd Amendment to the Facilities Lease between the Orleans Parish School Board and Montessori Education, Inc., for the Gentilly Terrace site.

 

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

 

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

 

8.1 Discussion re: Orleans Parish School Board Superintendent Search

Discussion related to the next course of action for the Orleans Parish School Board Superintendent search was held.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Acknowledgment of disruption of process due to Hurricane Ida was made.

 

8.2 Approval of 2nd RFQ for Superintendent Search Firm for Publishing

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposed timeline, scope, qualifications, evaluation criteria and scoring matrix for a second Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Superintendent Search Firm due to the Hurricane Ida related cancellation of the originally approved RFQ.

 

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

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Clarification of solicitation process and timeline was provided.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin to move to executive session at 2:05pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 4:17pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Katherine Baudouin, John A. Brown, Sr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Ashely Heilprin were also present. Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero was absent.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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

No action taken.

 

9.2 Orleans Parish School Board v. The City of New Orleans, et al., CDC No. 2019-05174; Summary Proceedings

No action taken.

 

9.3 Orleans Parish School Board, et al. v. Better Choice Foundation, et al., CDC No. 2021-04563; Declaratory Judgment, Injunctive Relief and Breach of Contract

No action taken.

 

9.4 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's approve of specific Performance Objectives for FY 2021-2022.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

10.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 4:19pm.