MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

July 28, 2022

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:32pm by Board President Olin G. Parker. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Leila J. Eames, absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

-Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

President Parker exercised a point of personal privilege and offered condolences to Mrs. Eames on behalf of the full board for the recent death in her family and her inability to attend the evening’s meeting.

 

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 modified below:

Action Item 6.3 Reconsideration of Conflict Waiver: Koeppel, LLC The recommended action lists the date of the vote as April 22, 2019, and should be modified to reflect the correct date of August 22, 2019.

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Ashley

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

2.1 Election to Fill OPSB Vice President Vacancy

Recommended action – Pursuant to OPSB Policy BBA "In the event of a vacancy in the office of Vice President, the School Board shall immediately elect a successor to fill that vacancy for the remaining term of the office." 

Nominations for Carlos Luis Zervigon, for Vice President of the Orleans Parish School Board

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second Mr. Ashley

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: Leila J. Eames

 

Motion to close nominations to proceed with voting.

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: Leila J. Eames

 

Board Counsel read votes cast by each board members. Mr. Zervigon was unanimously elected Vice President of the Orleans Parish School Board. 

 

Board Comment:

Board members acknowledged the election of Mr. Zervigon as Vice President of the Orleans Parish School Board and Mr. Zervigon expressed his gratitude for their vote of confidence in him.

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

3.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Marshall to adopt the minutes of the June 9, 2022, Board Business Meeting, and June 9, 2022, Public Hearing Meeting (waiving the reading).

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

President Parker acknowledged Mr. Zervigon’s election as Vice President and further acknowledged that Dr. Avis Williams would offer her remarks as the newly selected superintendent.

 

4.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams presented an overview her 100 Days Plan emphasizing focus on access, accountability, board priorities, mental health, and equity as key features of the plan, as well as her commitment to equity, excellence, and joy. Dr. Williams also acknowledged the service of NOLA - PS employees celebrating key milestones.

 

Board Comment:

A discussion ensued regarding civically engaged scholars and the importance of wellness for staff at the school level and within school board personnel, as well as engagement with school and community stakeholders.

 

President Parker exercised a point of personal privilege to acknowledge the presence of members in the audience representing Alas and the Aspire Fellows.

 

Public Comment:

The following members from Alas offered public comments on the Superintendent’s 100 Days Plan:

Ne’vaeh Lee

Derick Mejia Torres

Kayla Brooks

Ronald Evans

Yasmin Falcon

Tifany Rocnez

Juan Castrillon

Luis Castrillon

Maria Licona

Zhane Castrillon

Michaela Davis

 

Board Comment:

Mr. Marshall, along with President Parker, acknowledged students’ participation, and Dr. Avis Williams commended them as well for their participation.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

5. Consent Agenda

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.9 as presented in globo.

 

Motion to amend the agenda by Mr. Ashley, second by President Parker to move Consent Agenda Item 5.1 Amendment to Policy HB, Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools and Consent Agenda Item 5.2 Amendment to Charter School Accountability Framework (CSAF) as Action Items 6.4 and 6.5, respectively.

 

5.3 Request for Qualifications 22-0050 for Architectural Services

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5.7 Payment of Resolved Claims (Judgments and Settlements)

 

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

 

5.9 Superintendent Contract Amendment

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Zervigon to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.3 – 5-9

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

6.1 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 Ethan Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin (waving the reading)

 

6.2 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, Elliot & Mary Jane Willard, Fisk Howard, and Leah Metoyer McKenna, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President, and the Contractor.

 

Motion by President Parker, second by Ms. Baudouin as amended to strike the reference to Fisk Howard and replace it with Morris Jeff as renamed.

 

6.3 Reconsideration of Conflict Waiver: Koeppel, LLC

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board reconsiders its vote of August 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 President Parker, second by Mr. Ashley to rescind the board’s August 22, 2019, approval and for the general counsel to execute the documents necessary to effectuate the waiver.

 

6.4 Amendment to Policy HB, Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish

School Board approves the proposed amendment to Policy HB,        

Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools.

 

Public Comment:

Sarah Vandergriff, with Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools commended the actions of the Orleans Parish School Board regarding the policy amendment.

 

Board Comment:

Ms. Baudouin acknowledged the participation of various stakeholders as regards the policy amendment.

 

6.5 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 Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

Public Comment:

Melissa Francis, from Step Up Louisiana, advocated on behalf of parents and that their concerns be considered.  

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Vice President Zervigon to move to executive session at 6:32pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 6:51pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Katherine Baudouin, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Leila J. Eames, absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

7.1 Prospective Litigation re: Geraldine Boesch Retirement Contributions

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorizes the administrative steps necessary to resolve this matter.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Marshall

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: Leila J. Eames

·         Abstain: None

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

President Parker recognized Dr. Williams for leading her first board meeting and acknowledged her as the first female in the role of permanent superintendent. He further applauded the district staff for their daily efforts, and especially for the superintendent’s swearing-in on Tuesday, July 26.    

 

8.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:53 pm.