MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

NOVEMBER 16, 2021

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 1:02pm by Board President Ethan Ashley. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Katherine Baudouin, Olin G. Parker, Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Dan Zimmerman were also present. John A. Brown, Sr. arrived at 1:12pm.

 

-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. Parker second by Ms. Baudouin.

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: Mr. Brown

·         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 October 19, 2021, Committee of the Whole (waiving the reading).

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: Mr. Brown

·         Abstain: None

 

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHARTERS

 

3.1 Schools Update

NOLA-PS staff provided its monthly Schools Update which included key updates on Enrollment, School Support Training Collaborative, COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts, and an external presentation from IDEA Oscar Dunn.

 

Board Comment:

·         Robust discussion was held related to enrollment, vaccination efforts and highlights shared during the external presentation.

 

3.2 Accountability Updates

NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update which included key updates on Notices of Non-Compliance, Charter Request for Applications overview, 2021-2022 Charter Renewals, 2021-2022 Renewal Qualification: Renewal Review, 2021-2022 Renewal Qualification: Extension Review, and 2021-2022 Renewal Qualification: Comprehensive Evaluation.

 

Board Comment:

·         Robust discussion was held related to the Charter Request for Applications process, School Performance Scores, and parent engagement.

 

POLICY

 

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

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt New Policy HF, Family Rights and Engagement.

 

Motion Dr. Wagner Romero, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

·         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

 

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), Treasury Status as of September 2021, and an Audit Update from Postlethwaite & Netterville.

 

5.2 Acceptance of Grant from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the grant in the amount of $350,000 from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

 

5.3 Request to Award RFP No. 22-0017 for Types 1 and 3 Charter Application Review Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Types 1 and 3 Charter Application Review Services on the RFP No. 22-0017 from The Learning Collective in the amount of $103,841.00 for one (1) year with the option for two (2) one-year (1) contract extensions, subject to Board approval, and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Ashley

 

5.4 Request to Approve 2nd Amendment to Guarantee Restoration Contract for Disaster Recovery Services, RFP #21-0028

Recommended Action: It is recommended that Orleans Parish School Board approves the second amendment to the contract with Guarantee Restoration for disaster recovery services, which revises the contract scope of services to include the actual cost of fuel reimbursements, labor rates not previously included in the RFP, and consumables, and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Dr. Wagner Romero

 

5.5 Resolution 18-21 Approving the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the OPSB approve Resolution 18-21 approving the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as part of the State Legislative Auditor’s requirement for completion of audits, authorizing the Board President to execute any and all relevant documents, and authorizing the administration to submit the Questionnaire as required by the Legislative Auditor.

 

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

 

5.6 Resolution 19-21 Capital Projects Budget Amendment No. 1

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 19-21, a fiscal resolution authorizing the first (1st) amendment to the Capital Projects Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022.

 

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

 

5.7 Request to Award Architectural Services 22-FAC-0014 for Building Repairs at Elijah Brimmer, Jr. Site

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board awards the architectural services contract to Mark I. Baum Architect LLC in the amount of $599,602.00 to design repairs required to mitigate moisture infiltration and repair damages caused by moisture infiltration at the Elijah Brimmer, Jr. Site and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Architect.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Dr. Wagner Romero

 

5.8 Request to Award Invitation for Quotation Q22-FAC-02 re: Fire Alarm System Replacement at Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Site

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the quote from Educational Electronics Corporation in the amount of $139,748.00 for the Fire Alarm System Replacement at the Ellis Marsalis, Jr. site and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

5.9 Request to Approve Change Order #1 for 20-FAC-0073 re: Chiller Replacement at Sylvanie Williams ES

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board increase the project budget for the Sylvanie Williams Chiller Plant Replacement Project and accepts Change Order Request #1 from Gottfried Contracting LLC in the amount of $88,251.86 for the additional work required; and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a change order for signatures of the Board President.

 

Motion Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker

 

5.10 Award of Request For Qualifications No. 22-0015 - Superintendent Search Firm

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Superintendent Search Services from Greenwood /Asher & Associates, LLC, in an amount not to exceed $90,000, for a term of three (3) months with an option to extend on a month to month basis, subject to Board approval, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

PROPERTY

 

6.1 Capital and Facilities Update Presentation

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

 

BOARD COMMENTS

 

6.2 Ellis L. Marsalis, Jr. Facility Alteration Request

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the requested Facility Alteration submitted by Lusher Charter School for the Ellis L. Marsalis, Jr. Facility as required by Policy HD.

Motion Mr. Brown, second by Mr. Ashley

 

6.3 Request to Ratify Waiver of Right of First Refusal

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies the Waiver and Continuation of Right of First Refusal agreement between Encore Learning and the Orleans Parish School Board and agrees to the sale of the Encore school property located at 2518 Arts Street, New Orleans, Louisiana from CSDC Facilities Corporation to Encore Learning.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker

 

LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE

 

7.1 First Amendment to Charter Operating Agreement with Community Academies - Esperanza Charter School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the first amendment to the Charter Operating Agreement with Community Academies of New Orleans to authorize Esperanza Charter School to offer a Spanish dual language program.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Dr. Wagner Romero

 

7.2 Appointment of Board Counsel

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board appoints Ashley J. Heilprin, of Phelps Dunbar, LLP, as its external Board Counsel and approves the related Contract for Legal Services.

 

Motion Mr. Brown, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

8.1 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.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon to move to executive session at 3:19pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 3:41pm. 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. Board Counsel Dan Zimmerman was also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

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

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

10.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Dr. Wagner Romero to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 3:42pm.