MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

August 18, 2022

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:31pm by Board President Olin G. Parker. The following board members were present: Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, Katherine Baudouin, Leila J. Eames, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. 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 Business Meetings.

 

1.4 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.

Motion by Mrs. Eames, second by Mr. Ashley

 

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin to adopt the minutes of the July 28, 2022 Board Business Meeting (waiving the reading).

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Williams highlighted activities with respect to the 100 Days Plan, including school visits, ABC Tours, and meeting with the Orleans Parish legislative delegation. She noted future engagements with legislative members ahead of next year’s legislative session. She confirmed the formation of her transition team, including her invitation to OPSB members as participants. Dr. Williams indicated that she would resume employee recognitions in September.

 

Board Comment:

In response to inquiries by Mr. Ashley, Dr. Williams clarified that she had communicated with Vice President Zervigon, chair of the Legal & Legislative Committee, and indicated that board members would be invited to future engagements with members of the legislative delegation. She further explained how transition members were selected. Mr. Ashley thanked members of the community who had committed to participation in the transition process.  

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

4.1 Request to Renew Contract for Therapeutic Setting for Mental and Behavioral Health Services with Center For Resilience

 

4.2 Request to Approve Change Order Number 9 with Gibbs Construction for the Rosenwald Renovation Project

 

4.3 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. 22-FAC-0047 for Esperanza Charter School (Crossman) – Hurricane Ida Repairs

 

4.4 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. 22-FAC-0041 for New Orleans Public Schools – Hurricane Ida Repairs (Uptown 1)

 

4.5 Request to Award RFP No. 22-0060 for Maintenance Services

 

4.6 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. 22-FAC-0042 for New Orleans Public Schools – Hurricane Ida Repairs (Uptown 2)

 

4.7 Request to Award RFQ No. 22-0057 for Occupational Therapy Services

 

4.8 Request to Renew Contract with Second Harvest for Warehouse Storage and Delivery of USDA Commodity Goods

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.8 as presented in globo.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 Revised 2022 Committee Appointments

Recommended action – It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the revised committee appointments as recommended by the Board President.

Rationale: This revision to the 2022 Committee Appointments was necessitated in order to fill a vacancy on the Accountability Committee.  In accordance with Board Policy BBC, the board is asked to approve the revised appointments as follows:

 

1. Accountability

Committee Chair: Leila Jacobs Eames

Ex-Officio: Olin G. Parker

Committee Members: Carlos Zervigon and Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste

 

2. Policy Committee

Committee Chair: Katherine Baudouin

Ex-Officio: Olin G. Parker

Committee Members: Nolan Marshall, Jr., and Ethan Ashley

 

3. Budget & Finance

Committee Chair: Ethan Ashley

Ex-Officio: Olin G. Parker

Committee Members: Leila Jacobs Eames and Carlos Zervigon

 

4. Property

Committee Chair: Katherine Baudouin

Ex-Officio: Olin G. Parker

Committee Members: Nolan Marshall, Jr., and Leila Jacobs Eames

 

5. Legal & Legislative

Committee Chair: Carlos Zervigon

Ex-Officio: Olin G. Parker

Committee Members: Katherine Baudouin and Ethan Ashley

 

6. Innovation and Stability 

Committee Chair: Nolan Marshall, Jr.

Ex-Officio: Olin G. Parker

Committee Members: Carlos Zervigon and Ethan Ashley

 

Motion by Mrs. Eames, second Mr. Ashley

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·         Nays: None

·         Absent: None

·         Abstain: None

 

5.2 Resolution 12-22 re: Participation in School Sports and Partnership with the New Orleans Recreational Development (NORD) Commission

Recommended action – It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 12-22 in recognition of the importance of participation in school sports and partnership with the New Orleans Recreational Development (NORD) Commission.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, seconded by Ms. Baudouin, waving the reading of the resolution

Results of Roll Call Vote:

 

Board Comment:

President Parker acknowledged and reiterated the efforts of Larry Barabino, Jr., CEO of the New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission, in supporting NOLA-Public Schools and noted the forthcoming template CEA (Cooperative Endeavor Agreement) that schools will be able to use when partnering with the New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission.

 

5.3 Resolution 15-22 Pink Tax Exemption

Recommended action – It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 15-22 to exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from local sales and use taxes, lowering the costs for these essential hygiene products that are a part of daily life.

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Marshall, waving the reading of the resolution

Results of Roll Call Vote:

 

Board Comment:

Ms. Baudouin commended the staff, namely Kathy Moss, OPSB General Counsel, and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin, in crafting the resolution, and thanked board members for their support of the resolution, especially supporting families at this time.

 

President Parker recognized the work of Boad Member Baudouin and her leadership in bringing this issue before the board and praised the efforts of other elected officials, as well as the board’s support of the resolution in creating a more equitable city.

 

5.4 Resolution 16-22 Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Projects Budget Adoption

Recommended action – It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 16-22 adopting and finalizing the Capital Projects budget of the Orleans Parish School Board for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2022 and ending on June 30, 2023.

 

Motion by Olin Parker, second by Mr. Marshall, waving the reading of the resolution

Results of Roll Call Vote:

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin to move to executive session at 5:50pm.

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 6:33pm. The following board members were present: Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, 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

 

6.1 Discussion of attorney-client privileged matter, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(10) and La. Code Evid. art. 506

 

No action taken.

 

President Parker exercised a point of personal privilege to acknowledge the 82nd birthday of Ms. Sylvia Crier and applaud her 58 years of service as a teacher in New Orleans public schools.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

7.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:35 pm.