MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

DECEMBER 16, 2021

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:30pm 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.

 

-President Ashley announced public comment would be allowed on non-action items after all action items were heard.

 

1.3 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.

Motion by Ms. Baudouin second by Mr. Parker

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley to adopt the minutes of the November 3, 2021, Special Board Business Meeting and the November 18, 2021, Board Business Meeting as printed (waiving the reading).

 

-President Ashley was presented with the Green Garner Semifinalist Award. Additionally, a moment of silence in memoriam of those impacted by recent natural disasters was held.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Lewis announced vaccination requirement for students 5 and older.  Additionally, the final recommendation for the Annual Renewal Process was shared:

o    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School a 3 Year contingent renewal.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

4.1 Results of the 2021 GNO Charter School Teacher Fair

The Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools presented on their annual Teacher Fair.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

Discussion related to the information presented was held.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

5. Consent Agenda

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.11 as presented in globo.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Brown

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

6.1 First Amendment to Charter Operating Agreement with Lyceum Schools - The Delores Taylor Arthur School For Young Men

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves an amendment to Lyceum Schools' charter operating agreement for Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men, authorizing the school to serve 8th grade students for the 2022-2023 school year and authorizing a geographic priority for 8th grade applicants as follows: 1) up to 25% of available seats for applicants who reside within a half-mile of the school, and 2) up to 25% of available seats for applicants who reside in zip codes 70122, 70124, 70126 (West), and 70148.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Sarah Vandergriff, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools representative, expressed support for this item.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

Clarification related to District Optimization in connection with this item was provided.

 

6.2 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 by Mr. Ashely, second by Dr. Wagner Romero, waiving the reading of the resolution

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

6.6 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 by Mr. Ashely, second by Ms. Baudouin, waiving the reading of the resolution

 

BOARD COMMENT:

Board President allowed for public comment to be made on a non-action item.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Reverend Joseph Recasner, Friends of King Charter representative, expressed support for continued collaboration between the organization and NOLA-PS as it relates to the Superintendent’s Charter Renewal recommendation.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

Board President Ashley and Vice President Marshall were acknowledged for their tenure as board members and current roles as board officers.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

7.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:37 pm.