MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

DECEMBER 14, 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 Dan Zimmerman were also present.

 

-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 corrected. Motion by Mr. Marshall second by Mr. Parker. 

·         Item 5.11 was posted with a clerical error in the dollar amount for the recommended action. The action up for approval is as follows: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Disaster Recovery Grants Management and Administration Services from CSRS Disaster Recovery Management, LLC in the amount of $853,600.00 for a term of three (3) years and Deloitte & Touche, LLP in the amount of $700,704.00 for a term of three (3) years for a grand total of $1,554,304.00; each with an option to renew for two (2) additional one-year terms, subject to Board approval, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare contracts for signatures of the Board President and the Contractors

·         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 October 26, 2021, Special Business Meeting and the November 16, 2021, Committee of the Whole (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 School Support – Reimagine Grant, COVID-19 test and vaccination, and an external presentation from Edna Karr High School.

 

3.2 Accountability Updates

NOLA-PS staff provided an Accountability Update which included key updates on Notices of Non-Compliance, Charter Renewals, Charter Request for Applicants, and District Optimization.

 

3.3 Resolution 23-21 Supporting Charter School Reimagine Grant Applications

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 23-21 supporting funding applications made by charter schools authorized by the Orleans Parish School Board and committing to consider support of the specific initiatives to be implemented with the grant funding.

 

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

 

Board Comment:

The final resolution will reflect the following: One school has left the proposed talent consortium, but three additional schools have joined.  Benjamin Franklin High School has left and Lake Forest Charter School, The Living School, and Lusher Charter School have been added to this proposal.

 

3.4 Resolution 24-21 Supporting NOLA-PS Reimagine Grant Applications

Recommended Action: A resolution supporting Reimagine School Systems Initiative grant applications submitted by administrative staff on behalf of the Orleans Parish School Board and the specific initiatives to be implemented with the grant funding and authorizing the Board President to sign the applications.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Ashley

·         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

 

Notice of Intent: Notice of Intent to amend policy DCBC "Deferred Revenues"

 

BUDGET AND FINANCE

 

5.1 Finance Update

NOLA-PS staff presented its monthly Finance Update which included key updates on Financial Statements, Orleans School Facility Foundation Resolution (OSFF), Budget Amendments, and District Level Funding Allocation (DLFA).

 

Board Comment:

·         Clarification related to the proposed funding formula recommendation was provided.

·         Clarification regarding participation in the DLFA Working Group was made.

 

Public Comment:

·         Kevin Guitterrez, a representative of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, expressed support for the recommended formula.

·         Christopher Hines, a representative of Crescent City Schools, expressed support for the recommended formula.

·         Tanya Bryant, a representative of ReNew Schools, expressed support for the recommended formula.

·         Tracey Smith, a representative of Community Academies of New Orleans, expressed support for the recommended formula.

·         Holly Reid, a representative of New Schools New Orleans, expressed support for the recommended formula.

·         Sabrina Pence, a representative of FirstLine Schools, expressed support for the recommended formula.

·         Elizabeth Ostberg, a representative of Educators for Quality Alternatives, expressed support for the recommended formula.

·         Katie Walmsley, a representative of KIPP New Orleans, expressed support for the recommended formula.

·         Elizabeth Marcell Williams, a representative of Center for Resilience, expressed support for the recommended formula.

 

5.2 Request to Approve Third Amendment to Contract with Richards CPA Firm for Professional Accounting Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the third amendment to the contract with Richards CPA for Professional Accounting Services, at no additional cost, to extend the contract term through June 30, 2022 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract amendment for signature of the Board President and Contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

5.3 Resolution 20-21 re: Behrman School Leveraged Financing Implementation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the OPSB approve Resolution 20-21 authorizing and directing the Orleans Parish School Board’s General Counsel and Bond Counsel to draft such ground leases and/or such other agreements as may be necessary to implement a leveraged financing transaction to complete the historic rehabilitation and renovation of Behrman School in accordance with the School Facilities Master Plan dated August 2008, amended October 2011; approving the proceedings adopted by the Board of Directors of the Orleans Schools Facilities Foundation, Inc. and providing for other matters in connection therewith.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

 

5.4 Resolution 21-21 Special Revenue Fund Budget Amendment No. 1

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the OPSB approve the Resolution No. 21-21 to authorize the first (1st) amendment to the Special Revenue Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022.

 

Motion Dr. Wagner Romero, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

5.5 Resolution 22-21 Capital Projects Budget Amendment No. 2

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 22-21 authorizing the second (2nd) 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. Zervigon, second by Mr. Marshall

 

5.6 Request to Award Proposal Number 22-0016 for Custodial/Janitorial Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Custodial/Janitorial Services from Cleaning Concierge, LLC in the amount of $597,454.00 for a term of two (2) years with the option to renew for three (3) additional one-year periods, subject to Board approval, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Dr. Wagner Romero

 

5.7 Request to Approve Amendment #2 to Contract with CSRS for Project Management Services - Grants Management

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves Amendment #2 to the contract with CSRS for Project Management Services - Grants Management, increasing the contract amount by $551,447.74 for a total contract amount of $2,676,966.80 and extending the contract term by one (1) year, commencing on April 1, 2022 and ending March 31, 2023; and authorizes General Counsel to prepared the contract amendment for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

 

5.8 Request to Award Q22-FAC-11 for the Electrical Repairs at Medard Nelson ES

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from JEI Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $155,398.22 for the Electrical Repairs required to replace the main switchgear and associated electrical feeders at Medard Nelson Elementary School and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

5.9 Request for Approval of Change Order for Q21-FAC-31 for the Boiler Replacement at Eisenhower ES

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the change order increase from GH Mechanical in the amount of $44,000.00 for the Boiler Replacement, which increases the total contract amount to $132,228.00.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Dr. Wagner Romero

 

5.10 Request to Approve 3rd Amendment to Guarantee Restoration Contract for Disaster Recovery Services, RFP #21-0028

Recommended Action: It is recommended that Orleans Parish School Board approves the third amendment to the contract with Guarantee Restoration for disaster recovery services, which revises the contract scope of services to include: normal business hours at standard labor rate, after hours at overtime labor rate, double labor rate for recognized holidays; Travel time billed at regular rates, per diem for meals under the federal pay rate time; and consumables and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

Board Comment:

 

5.11 Request to Award RFP No. 22-0021 for Disaster Recovery Grants Management and Administration

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Disaster Recovery Grants Management and Administration Services from CSRS Disaster Recovery Management, LLC in the amount of $853,600.00 for a term of three (3) years and Deloitte & Touche, LLP in the amount of $700,704.00 for a term of three (3) years for a grand total of $1,554,304.00; each with an option to renew for two (2) additional one-year terms, subject to Board approval, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare contracts for signatures of the Board President and the Contractors.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

Board Comment:

 

5.12 Request to Approve First Amendment to Pelican State Partners Contract for Professional Governmental Relations Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the first amendment to the contract for Professional Governmental Relations Services (RFP No. 20-0019) with Pelican State Partners in the amount $95,400.00 for one (1) year and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

5.13 Request to Approve First Amendment to The Spears Group Contract for Communications Support for Superintendent Search

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the first amendment to the contract for with The Spears Group for communications support for the superintendent search, extending the term through April 30, 2022, and increasing the cost by $24,000.00, for a new total of $49,000.00.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker

 

Board Comment:

 

PROPERTY

 

6.1 Capital and Facilities Update Presentation

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

 

LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE

 

7.1 First Amendments to Charter Operating Agreements with The Einstein Group for Sherwood Forest, Village de l'Est, and Einstein Middle

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves amendments to The Einstein Group, Inc.'s charter operating agreements for Sherwood Forest, Village de l'Est, and Einstein Middle schools authorizing the elementary schools to serve K-8 students and phasing out the middle school over the course of three school years, pending the approval of The Einstein Group's board of directors.

 

Motion Mr. Marshall, second Dr. Wagner Romero

 

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. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC lead the discussion related to the Board’s desired attributes in a Superintendent.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Brown to move to executive session at 3:28pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 3:59pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Nolan Marshall, Jr., John A. Brown, Sr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. and Board Counsel Dan Zimmerman were also present. Katherine Baudouin and Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero were absent

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

9.1 P.B., et al. v. Paul Pastorek, et al., Civil Case No. 2:10-cv-04049, U.S. District Court, Eastern District; SPED Litigation - Status Report

No action taken.

 

9.2 Whitney N. Omosefe v. Orleans Parish School Board, et al., CDC No. 2020-06897; Personal Injury Litigation - Settlement Recommendation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposed resolution of this matter as recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Parker

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

10.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 4:01pm.