MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

July 26, 2022

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 1:11pm by President Olin G. Parker. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Leila J. Eames, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent, Dr. Avis Williams, 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 Rules for Public Comment

Board Counsel provided a high-level overview of the OPSB guidelines for public comment/participation at OPSB Board Meetings.

 

1.4 Adoption of the Agenda

 

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended with the addition of Budget and Finance Item 5.9 - Selection of The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate as the Official Journal of the Orleans Parish School Board.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon.

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Leila J. Eames, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon

• Nays: None

• Absent: None

• Abstain: None

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker to adopt the minutes of the June 7, 2022, Committee of the Whole (waiving the reading).

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

·         Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Leila J. Eames, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis 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 Preparation for Students and Teachers to Return to School, Educator Professional Development, Back to School Campaign: Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow, Improving School Attendance, Enrollment Updates, COVID-19 Update Guidance, and Open Enrollment/Summer Enrollment. Schools at Work presentation by ReNew Schaumburg Elementary. 

 

Board Comment

·         A thorough discussion related to the updates ensued with clarification COVID-19 Guidance and Open Enrollment process.  

 

3.2 Accountability Updates

NOLA-PS staff provided an update on the district's portfolio and authorizing practices, which included key updates on Notices of Non-Compliance and OPSB Policy HB and Charter Accountability Framework Revisions.

 

Board Comment

·         A thorough discussion followed the updates presented.

 

 policy

 

4.1 Second Reading: Amendment to Policy HB, Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposed amendment to Policy HB, Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools

 

Motion by Mrs. Eames, second by Mr. Parker.

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

·         Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Leila J. Eames, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: None

 

4.2 Second Reading: Amendment to Charter School Accountability Framework (CSAF)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposed amendment to the Charter School Accountability Framework.

 

Motion by Mrs. Eames, second by Mr. Zervigon.

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

·         Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Leila J. Eames, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: None

 

BUDGET AND FINANCE

 

5.1 Finance Update

NOLA-PS staff presented its monthly Finance Update which included key updates on Financial Statements, Sales Tax Trend, FY 23 Capital Budget Presentation, Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN) Resolution, Investment Annual Report, Insurance Renewal, and Judgments /Settlements.

 

Board Comment:

·         A thorough discussion related to the updates ensued.

·         Clarification related to the insurance renewal was provided.

 

5.2 Request for Qualifications 22-0050 for Architectural Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the following qualified list of architectural firms meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for architectural services to be assigned to various projects on rotating basis over a period of three (3) years: N-Y Associates, Inc., Meyers Engineers, Grace Hebert Curtis, Modus, Inc., Perez, A Professional, Corporation, Studio Cannon West, Lachin Architects, Albert Architects, Concordia, Mathes Brierre, Verges Rome, Studio Kiro, and Mark I. Baum.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

·         Yeas: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: Mrs. Eames

·         Abstain: None

 

Board Comment:

·         The referenced Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) was noted.

 

5.3 Request for Quotation, Project No. Q22-FAC-29 for the Chiller Rental 2 at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the quotation from Dove Group, LLC in the amount of $134,000.00 for the Chiller Rental required at Mary McLeod Bethune ES located at 2401 Humanity St; and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

           

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

Board Comment:

 

5.4 Request to Award, Invitation to Bid No. 22-FAC-0037 for the Hurricane Ida Repairs at Downtown Schools

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Eagle Eye Resources, LLC in the amount of $183,212.29 for repairs required, as a result of Hurricane Ida, at the following downtown school locations: Warren Easton, John McDonogh, Fisk Howard, and McDonogh 42, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President, and the Contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker to amend the motion changing the reference to John McDonogh, to reflect Elliot and Mary Jane Willard facility, and the reference to McDonogh 42, to reflect the Leah Metoyer McKenna facility, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

Board Comment:

 

5.5 Increase Direct Diversion of USDA Commodities for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year for the Child Nutrition Program

It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the additional purchase of USDA Direct Diversion Products for the Child Nutrition Program from the following companies; Beef and Pork Products for the Child Nutrition Program from: Don Lee Farms- Beef ($15,273.16); Pork ($1,864.12) Beef, Pork, Cheese, Tomato Paste Products for the Child Nutrition Program from: JTM- Beef ($3,225.00); Pork ($522.52); Cheese ($10,047.38) Tomato Paste ($16,701.00) Chicken Products for the Child Nutrition Program from: Tyson- (11,863.50) Yang’s - ($75.96) Turkey Products for the Child Nutrition Program from: Jennie-O -($2,995.23) Cheese Products for the Child Nutrition Program from: Land-O-Lakes- ($18,814.78); Alpha Foods- ($27,775.86) SA Piazza Wild Mike- ($29,414.08) Egg Products for the Child Nutrition Program from: Michael Foods- ($12,790.18) Flour Products for the Child Nutrition Program from: Rich’s-($28,435.03)The increased amount is $179,797.80. The total purchase for this school year is $385,111.24.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mrs. Eames

 

5.6 Renewal of Grounds Keeping Services Contract with 4 A Era, LLC

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the first one-year renewal of the contract with 4 A Era, LLC for Grounds Keeping Services for a period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 at an amount not to exceed $250,000.00 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract renewal for signature of the Board President and contactor.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

Board Comment:

 

5.7 Resolution 13-22 Authorizing the Issuance of Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2022

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the resolution authorizing the issuance of Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2022, of the Orleans Parish School Board, State of Louisiana in a principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

Board Comment:

·         A discussion ensued regarding seeking an alternative to issuance of the Revenue Anticipation Note.

 

5.8 Payment of Resolved Claims (Judgments and Settlements)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the Recommended Distribution Amount of $500,000.00 to be distributed toward the payment of unpaid Resolved Claims, sets a Resolution Deadline of August 19, 2022, and sets a Negotiation Period of September 1, 2022, to close of business September 30, 2022.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

5.9 Selection of The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate as the Official Journal of the Orleans Parish School Board

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 by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mrs. Eames

 

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 August Committee Preview.

 

Board Comment:

·         A discussion related to updates presented was held with clarification regarding the status of the school facility condition report.

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

7.1 Superintendent Contract Amendment

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the first amendment to the Superintendent's contract and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract amendment and any other necessary documents to effectuate the amendment.

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin to move to executive session at 3:02pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 3:38 pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Leila J. Eames, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams, and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

8.1 Darnette Daniels, et al. v. State of Louisiana, et al., CDC No. 2019-6895; Litigation Status Report

 

No action taken.

 

Legal and Legislative

 

9.1 Reconsideration of Conflict Waiver: Koeppel, LLC

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board reconsiders its vote of April 22, 2019, to grant a waiver to Koeppel, LLC of any potential conflict of interest arising from the firm's representation of the School Board while also representing New Beginnings Schools Foundation (NBSF), a co-defendant with the School Board in Darnette Daniels, et al., v. State of Louisiana, et al., Civil District Court, Docket No. 2019-6895.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

10.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

 

Meeting Adjourned at 3:42pm.