MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

JANUARY 18, 2022

 

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, 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 amended. Motion by Mr. Zervigon second by Dr. Wagner Romero 

·         The following presentations were taken in the order below earlier in the    agenda, following item 2.1 – Consideration of Minutes:

o    The Early Childhood Education Millage portion of Item 7.1 – Community Relations Update re: Municipal Affairs

o    The Schools at Work section of Item 3.2 – Schools Update

o    Harrah’s Funding Update portion of Item 7.1 – Community Relations Update re: Municipal Affairs

·         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 Ms. Baudouin to adopt the minutes of the December 14, 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

 

LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE

 

7.1 Community Relations Update re: Municipal Affairs

The administration will present an update on municipal governmental affairs.  Specifically, an update on Harrah's Schools Support Lease agreement funding and the proposed City of New Orleans Early Childhood Millage.

 

Board Comment:

·         Robust discussion related to the proposed City of New Orleans Early Childhood Millage and Harrah's Schools Support Lease agreement funding was held.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHARTERS

 

3.1 Center for Racial Justice Presentation

Dr. Ashraf Esmail, Dillard's Center for Racial Justice Executive Director presented on the center's mission, vision, and ongoing work.

 

Board Comment:

·         Dr. Ashraf Esmail was recognized for his work.

 

3.2 Schools Update

NOLA-PS staff provided its monthly Schools Update which included key updates on Enrollment, COVID-19 and an external presentation from Hynes Charter Schools.

 

Board Comment:

·         Discussion related to updates presented was held.

 

3.3 Accountability Updates

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

 

Board Comment:

·         Discussion related to updates presented was held.

 

POLICY

 

4.1 Amendment to OPSB Policy GAMFD, Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board suspends its ordinary procedures for policy adoption, pursuant to OPSB Policy BD, and amends Policy GAMFD, COVID-19 Vaccination, to include a mandate that all School Board employees receive any COVID-19 booster shots recommended by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

4.2 First Reading: 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, Multi-Year Revenue Projections, Deferred Revenue, and District Level Funding Allocation (DLFA).

 

Board Comment:

·         Discussion related to updates presented was held.

 

5.2 Approval of Louisiana State Contract Purchase of Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment for Frederick Douglass Building

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment for the Frederick Douglass building from the Louisiana approved state contract vendor in the amount of $251,121.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Marshall

 

5.3 Ratification of Servepro Commercial Emergency Work Authorization for Medard Nelson Climate Control

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies the Servepro Commercial Emergency Work Authorization for climate control services at Medard Nelson Charter School, commencing December 20, 2021, for an amount not to exceed $210,000 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a formal contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

Board Comment:

·         General Counsel provided clarification related to the voting requirement.

 

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 the Facility Siting Process.

 

Board Comment:

·         Discussion related to updates presented was held.

 

6.2 Amended and Restated Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with 9th Ward Stadium, Inc.

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve Amendment One of the Cooperative Endeavor agree with the 9th Ward Stadium, Inc.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

Board Comment:

·         Clarification related to this item was held.

 

LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE

 

7.2 Firstline Schools Relinquishment of Charter for Firstline Live Oak Charter School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts Firstline Schools' relinquishment of its charter to operate Firstline Live Oak Charter School, effective June 30, 2022.

 

Motion Ms. Baudouin, second Dr. Wagner Romero

 

7.3 IDEA Public Schools Relinquishment of Charter for IDEA Oscar Dunn

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts IDEA Public Schools' relinquishment of its charter to operate IDEA Oscar Dunn, effective June 30, 2022.

 

Motion Mr. Ashley, second Mr. Parker

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

8.1 Discussion re: Orleans Parish School Board Superintendent Search

An update from Greenwood/Asher & Associates, L.L.C. and The Spears Group regarding the Orleans Parish School Board Superintendent search was provided.

 

Board Comment:

·         Robust discussion related to the Superintendent Search was held.

 

8.2 Superintendent Position Profile

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board defer action on this item.

 

Motion Mr. Parker, second Mr. Brown

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

9.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 4:22pm.