MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

OCTOBER 19, 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., 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. Katherine Baudouin arrived at 1:06pm.

 

-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 Mr. Parker.

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: Ms. Baudouin

·         Abstain: None

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Ashley to adopt the minutes of the September 21, 2021, Board Training and the September 21, 2021, Committee of the Whole (waiving the reading).

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: Ms. Baudouin

·         Abstain: None

 

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHARTERS

 

3.1 Schools Update

NOLA-PS staff provided its monthly Schools Update which included key updates on Enrollment, an overview of the Office of Student Support and Attendance (OSSA), COVID-19 Planning, and an external presentation from Travis Hill Schools.

 

Board Comment:

·         Discussion related to COVID – 19 information presented was held. Additionally, robust discussion was held related to highlights shared during the external presentation. 

 

Public Comment:

·         Armtrice Cowart, a community member, urged for restorative discipline policies to be practiced district wide.

 

3.2 Accountability Updates

NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update which included key updates on Notices of Non-Compliance, Charter Renewals, SPS Scores, and Instructional Minutes.

 

Public Comment:

·         Armtrice Cowart, a community member, expressed concern related to the non-compliance process.  Additionally, provided comments for items:

o    4.1 – requested clarifications related to the proposed policy.

o    7.2 – urged for changes in meeting structure and location.

o    7.3 – requested clarifications related to the proposed plan.

 

3.3 Resolution 16-21 - Graduation Pathways for English Learners

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 16-21 a resolution aimed at expanding the pathway to graduation for recently arrived immigrant students that are English Learners.

 

Motion Mr. Zervigon, 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

 

3.4 Resolution 17-21 - New Orleans Youth Master Plan

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 17-21 a resolution aimed at supporting the New Orleans Youth Master Plan and encouraging schools within the district to utilize the resources available through the Youth Master Plan.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

·         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

 

POLICY

 

4.1 First Reading: New Policy HF, Family Rights and Engagement

 

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), Hurricane Ida Response and Amendment 1.

 

Board Comment:

·         Discussion related to Hurricane Ida Response and Amendment 1 was held.

 

5.2 Acceptance of Intuit Donation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the OPSB accept the donation from Intuit in the amount of $125,000.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

5.3 Amendment to Professional Services Contract with Richards CPA Firm for Professional Auditing Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves an amendment to the contract with Richards CPA for Professional Accounting Services increasing the contract total from $151,000.00 to $250,000.00 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the amendment for signature of the Board President and Contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Brown

 

5.4 Second Amendments to Third-Party Contracts to Provide Title I Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools (RFP 20-0048)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the second amendments to the contracts for Title I educational services for eligible students in non-public schools for the 2021-2022 fiscal year for Catapult Learning, LLC ($2,561,823.76), and Sylvan Learning ($1,059,373.38), and Believe to Achieve ($391,690.69) and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract amendments for signature of the Consultants and the Board President.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Ashley

 

5.5 Second Amendment to Third-Party Contracts to Provide Title II Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools (RFP No. 20-0049)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the second amendments to the contracts for Title II educational services for professional development services of teachers for students in non-public schools for the 2021-2022 fiscal year for Catapult Learning, LLC ($186,655.59), and Learn-It-Systems ($1,961.57) and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract(s) amendment for signature of the Consultants, and the Board President.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

5.6 Request to Award Request for Quotations No.22-FAC-06 for Hurricane IDA Repairs Phase I- at Frederick Douglass High School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accept the quote from Smith Construction Co. in the amount of $306,716.00 for Hurricane IDA - Phase I storm restoration repairs at Frederick Douglass High School; and requests General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion Dr. Wagner Romero, second by Mr. Ashley

 

PROPERTY

 

6.1 Capital and Facilities Update Presentation

NOLA-PS staff presented its October Capital Projects and Facility Updates which included key updates on NOLA-PS and RSD Capital Projects, Emergency Response, and Property Disposition.

 

BOARD COMMENTS

·        Discussion related to emergency response and property disposition information presented was held.

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

7.1 Discussion re: Orleans Parish School Board Superintendent Search

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

 

7.2 2022 Board Meeting Calendar

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the proposed meeting calendar for the 2022 calendar year.

 

Motion Mr. Brown, second by Dr. Wagner Romero

 

7.3 OPSB Strategic Plan 2021-2025

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan for NOLA Public Schools as a tool for the board in the upcoming Superintendent search and as a resource that will evolve during this time of transition and beyond.

 

Motion Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin to move to executive session at 2:54pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 3:09pm. 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 Prospective Litigation re: The McDonnell Group and OPSB Project number 2017-0592-0001 “New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School”

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve settlement of final payment in this matter as recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

8.2 Choice Foundation, et al. v. Law Industries, Inc., et al., CDC No. 2019-04385; Construction Litigation - Status Report

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the pre-trial course of action recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

9.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 3:10pm.