MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
MARCH 22, 2022
- A moment of silence in memoriam of recently deceased individuals was held.
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 1:03pm by Board President Olin Parker. The following board members were present: Olin G. Parker, Dr. Jancarlos (J.C.) Wagner Romero, Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Nolan Marshall, Jr., and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present.
-Interpretation services were acknowledged.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Parker.
1.3 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided. Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Dr. Wagner Romero.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Board Comment:
· The District 1 vacancy, vacancy requirements and the interim appointment scheduled for March 31, 2022 at 5:30pm was announced.
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Baudouin to adopt the minutes of the February 15, 2022, Committee of the Whole and the February 15, 2022, Public Hearing (waiving the reading).
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, 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 Enrollment, Reimagine School Systems Initiative, COVID-19 and an external presentation from L. B. Landry High School.
Board Comment:
Discussion related to updates presented was held.
3.2 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.
3.3 2022 - 2023 Central Office Calendar, 2022-2023 ECS Calendar, and 2022-2023 Child Nutrition Calendar
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the 2022 - 2023 Employment Calendar for Central Office personnel, 2021-2022 ECS Calendar, and 2022-2023 Child Nutrition Calendar.
Motion Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Ashley
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3.4 Resolution 04-22 re: Jazz Music and Dance in Schools
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 04-22 rescinding the Orleans Parish School Board’s previous action of March 24, 1922, to abolish jazz music and jazz dancing from New Orleans Public Schools.
Motion Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Public Comment:
Dr. Ken Ducote, representative from GNO Collaborative, expressed support for item 3.4
Board Comment:
Discussion related to item 3.4 was held.
3.5 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between Orleans Parish School Board, City of New Orleans and Agenda for Children, Inc.
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) with the City of New Orleans and Agenda for Children to support early childhood education.
Motion Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
3.6 Resolution 06-22 re: Underage Drinking Prevention
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 06-22 in recognition of the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility’s (Responsibility.org) work aimed at thwarting underage drinking and preventing alcohol-related deaths and injuries.
Motion Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
BUDGET AND FINANCE
4.1 Finance Update
NOLA-PS staff provided its monthly Budget and Finance Update, which included key updates on the Financial Statements, Sales Tax Trend, Deferred Revenues, and the FY21 Audit Update.
Board Comment:
Discussion related to updates presented was held.
4.2 Ratification of Revision to Original Cost of University Pipeline Services Contract with Xavier University and Amendment to Prior Action on Contract Renewal
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board ratifies a revision to the original dollar amount of the University Pipeline Services Contract with Xavier University from $225,000 to $425,000 and amends the Board's prior action to renew the contract, approved on February 17, 2022, to correct the renewal start date from March 1, 2022, to January 1, 2022.
Motion Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Board Comment:
Discussion related to item 4.2 was held.
4.3 Approval of Textbooks Purchase via State of Louisiana Contract and The Interlocal Purchasing Cooperative System (TIPS)
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the purchase of textbooks for the total amount of $420.161.00 for the 2021–2022 school year for fifty-six (56) Orleans Parish Non-Public Schools through the following State of Louisiana approved contract vendors and The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) cooperative contract vendors:
Amplify - (State Contract)
Great Minds - (State Contract)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt – (State Contract)
Loyola Press – (Publisher Direct)
McGraw-Hill – (State Contract)
Sadlier – (Publisher Direct)
SAVVAS – (State Contract)
Zearn Math – (State Contract)
Vista Higher Learning – (Publisher Direct).
Motion Mr. Parker, second by Dr. Wagner Romero
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
4.4 Request to approve the Third Amendment with CSRS, LLC for Capital Planning Services
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Third Amendment to the contract with CSRS, LLC for Capital Planning Services increasing the contract by $85,00.00 for a new total of $1,269,000.00.
Motion Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
4.5 Approval of Negative Deferred Revenues Agreement and Election Form Template
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Negative Deferred Revenue Agreement and Election Form template to facilitate the provisions of OPSB Policy DCBC, Deferred Revenues.
Motion Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
4.6 Amendment to Action Previously Adopted re: Servepro Commercial Emergency Work Authorization for Medard Nelson Climate Control
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amends its previous action ratifying the Servepro Commercial Emergency Work Authorization for climate control services at Medard Nelson Charter School by revising the total contract amount to $593,564.32.
Motion Ms. Baudouin, second by Dr. Wagner Romero
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Board Comment:
· Clarification on item 3.5 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between Orleans Parish School Board, City of New Orleans and Agenda for Children, Inc. would go before the board for the final vote at the Special Meeting scheduled immediately following the Committee of the Whole.
PROPERTY
5.1 Capital and Facilities Update Presentation
NOLA-PS staff presented its monthly Capital and Facilities Updates, which included key updates on NOLA-PS Capital Projects, RSD Capital Projects, Facility Siting Process and Recommendations, and the School Facility Preservation Update.
LEGAL/ LEGISLATIVE
6.1 Resolution 05-22 Opposing Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 05-22 to unequivocally demonstrate the Orleans Parish School Board’s sustained commitment to full equality, inclusion, and acceptance of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions while affirming the right to dignity and respect as well as fair and equitable access to opportunities, including employment and education.
Motion Dr. Wagner Romero, second by Mr. Ashley
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Public Comment:
Dr. Ken Ducote, representative from GNO Collaborative, expressed support for item 6.1.
Board Comment:
Discussion related to item 6.1 was held.
Board President announced the start of the Special Meeting scheduled at 3:00pm would begin at 2:45pm.
ADJOURNMENT
7.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Dr. Wagner Romero to adjourn the meeting.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Mr. Parker, Dr. Wagner Romero, Mr. Ashley, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Meeting Adjourned at 2:25pm.