MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

September 20, 2022

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 1:04pm by President Olin G. Parker. The following board members were present: Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, Katherine Baudouin, Leila J. Eames, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. Ethan Ashley was absent. 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.  

 

A moment of silence in memoriam of recently deceased individuals was held.

 

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 by Ms. Eames, second by Ms. Baudouin to approve the agenda as presented

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the minutes of the August 16, 2022 Committee of the Whole.

 

Motion by President Parker, second by Dr. Batiste to adopt the minutes of the August 16, 2022 Committee of the Whole (waiving the reading).

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHARTERS

 

3.1 Schools Update

NOLA-PS staff provided its monthly Schools Update which included key updates on the School Attendance Campaign, supports provided by NOLA Public Schools relative to mental and behavioral health, referencing the presentation before the City Council, and System Wide Needs Program Engagement Planning. Schools at Work presentation provided by McDonogh 35 Senior High. Ms. Eames welcomed Mr. Lee Green, Head of School.

 

Board Comment:

·        A robust discussion ensued related to the updates presented, including providing a list of mental and behavioral health agencies and resources to schools and surveying schools to confirm staffing levels for counselors and social workers, as well as the inclusion of the higher education community with respect to mental and behavioral health support and the implications for attendance given the caveat that children do not attend school while sick.

·        Ms. Baudouin and President Parker commended the efforts of NOLA-PS staff as regards attendance and the focus of mental health.

 

3.2 Accountability Updates

NOLA-PS staff provided an update on Notices of Non-Compliance, Policy Change: Notice of Intent as pertains to voluntary school closures, Charter Request for Applications, and CSAF Engagement. A board update is forthcoming with respect to previously identified metrics.  

 

Board Comment:

·        A thorough discussion followed the updates presented, including denial by the state for a waiver for the Charter School Request for Applications and transportation of students. 

·        Clarification provided on the hiring of a third-party evaluator if no charter applications are received. Mr. Zervigon, along with Mr. Parker and Ms. Eames, commended the efforts of the staff engaging school leaders, as well as stakeholders relative to the CSAF.

  

3.3  Resolution 17-22 re: Attendance Awareness Month

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 17-22 recognizing the month of September as “Attendance Awareness Month”, recognizing the importance of promoting attendance awareness each and every day, and committing to focus on reducing absenteeism and addressing the factors that cause students to miss school in order to ensure all children an equitable opportunity to learn, grow and thrive academically, emotionally and socially.

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Parker (waiving a reading)

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

3.4 Amended and Restated Resolution 02-22 re: High School Voter Registration

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Amended and Restated Resolution 02-22 encouraging schools under the jurisdiction of the Orleans Parish School Board to make voter registration and voter education opportunities available to students; designating the weeks of February 14th-18th, 2022, and September 26th-30th, 2022, as "High School Voter Registration Week"; and encouraging every high school to support the collaborative Service-Learning Project.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker (waiving a reading) 

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

POLICY

 

4.1 Notice of Intent to Consider Changes to Orleans Parish School Board Policies re: Voluntary School Closures and Consolidations

Ms. Baudouin, committee chair, read the rationale for the policy.

 

Board Comment:

·        Clarification offered by Dr. Willaims indicating a first reading of the policy change will occur at the October board meeting, second reading and final passage in November.

·        Mr. Marshall inquired about the development of a policy for both voluntary and involuntary closures.

 

BUDGET AND FINANCE

 

Mr. Parker facilitated the Budget and Finance Committee in Mr. Ashley’s absence.

 

5.1 Finance Update

NOLA-PS staff presented its monthly Finance Update which included key updates on the July Financial Statement, Board Items, and Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN) Resolution.

 

Board Comment:

·        Clarification offered with respect to Title 1 funds provided to nonpublic schools as well as to charter schools.  

 

5.2 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. ITB22-FAC-0043 for New Orleans Public Schools – Hurricane Ida Repairs (East)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Eagle Eye Resources in the amount of $230,500.00 for Hurricane Ida Repairs (East), located at: Dominic Mai Thanh Luong (Einstein) Charter Elementary School, Frances Gaudet Elementary School, and Marion Abramson High School, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.3 Request to Award RFQ No. 23-0009 for Independent Contractors to Provide Physical Therapy Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the qualification responses meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Independent Contractors To Provide Physical Therapy Services from AMN Allied Services, LLC, Attain Therapy, LLC, Jane Cavallo, LBZ Believe Rehab, Pediatric Developmental Services, and The Stepping Stones Group, LLC in the amount not to exceed $400,000.00 for a period of one (1) year with an option to renew two (2) additional one (1) year periods and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

           

·        Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Vice President Zervigon

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.4 Request to Approve Change Order Number 10 with Gibbs Construction for the Rosenwald Renovation Project

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves Change Order Number 10 in the amount of $288,937.81 with Gibbs Construction for the Rosenwald Renovation Project.

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, seconded by Ms. Eames

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.5 3rd Amendment to Hubbard & Tennyson, LLC Agreement for Speech Therapy Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves a third amendment to the contract with Hubbard & Tennyson, LLC for speech therapy services to renew the contract for an additional one-year period, and authorizes general counsel to prepare the contact amendment for signature of the Board President and Contractor.

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.6 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. ITB22-FAC-0044 for New Orleans Public Schools – Hurricane Ida Repairs

Recommended Action It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the bid from Colmex Construction, LLC in the amount of $259,865.00 for Hurricane Ida Repairs (9th Ward), located at: Dr. Alfred Lawless, Jr. High School (Dr. Martin L. King), and Augustus T. Walker High School, and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.7 Amendment to Previous Action re: Payment of Resolved Claims (Judgments and Settlements)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board amends its previous action of July 28, 2022, relative to the payment of resolved claims, as follows: 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 October 1, 2022, to close of business October 31, 2022.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Eames

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

Board Comment:

Clarification offered by board counsel regarding the meaning of close of business as 5pm on October 31, 2022.

 

5.8 Acceptance of Grant from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accepts the grant in the amount of $250,000 from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Ms. Eames

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.9 Third Amendments to Third-Party Contracts to Provide Title I Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools (RFP 20-0048)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the third amendments to the contracts for Title I educational services for eligible students in non-public schools for the 2022-2023 fiscal year for Catapult Learning, LLC ($2,205,719.50), Sylvan Learning ($1,952,071.55), and Believe to Achieve ($909,072.82) and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the contract amendments for signature of the Consultants and the Board President.

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Vice President Zervigon

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

Board Comment:

Mr. Zervigon acknowledged the obligations required by law of NOLA-PS for students attending non-public schools.

 

5.10 Third Amendment to Third-Party Contracts to Provide Title II Supplemental Educational Services for Eligible Students in Non-Public Schools (RFP No. 20-0049)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the third amendments to the contracts for Title II educational services for professional development services of teachers for in non-public schools for the 2022-2023 fiscal year for Catapult Learning, LLC ($91,905.38) and Learn-It-Systems ($1,011.57) and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare the contract(s) amendments for signature of the Consultants and the Board President.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Dr. Batiste

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.11 Second Amendment to Postlethwaite & Netterville Agreement

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves a second amendment to the current contract with Postlethwaite & Netterville for auditing services to increase the cost for the FY 2021-2022 audit from $127,300.00 to $165,000.00 due to an increase in the frequency of required Statewide Agreed Upon Procedures (AUPs) and due to the addition of newly required Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) procedures.

 

Motion by Vice President Zervigon, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.12 Resolution 18-22 Authorizing the Sale of Revenue Anticipation Note

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 18-22 authorizing the sale and delivery of $75,000,000 Orleans Parish School Board Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2022 to Raymond James Capital Funding Inc. - a subsidiary of Raymond James Bank; and providing for other matters with respect to the foregoing.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Mr. Parker (waiving the reading)

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.13 Revisions to NOLA Public Schools Salary Schedule

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopts the revised 2022-2023 salary schedules to include the legislatively approved pay raises.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Eames

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

Board Comment:

President Parker acknowledged legislative action with respect to pay increases for educators.

 

5.14 Resolution 19-22 Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the OPSB approve Resolution 19-22 approving the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as part of the State Legislative Auditor’s requirement for completion of audits, authorizing the Board President to execute any and all relevant documents, and authorizing the administration to submit the Questionnaire as required by the Legislative Auditor.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Mr. Parker (waiving the reading)

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

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.

 

Board Comment:

·        Board members Zervigon and Eames commented on the renovations and construction at McMain and Cohen. President Parker thanked Ms. Delcour for coordinating the tour at Rose Mary Loving School.

·        Active enrollment for each of the schools referenced in the presentation will be provided at the October board meeting.

·        Ms. Baudouin and Ms. Eames commended NOLA-PS staff for their efforts on the progress of facility projects.  

 

INNOVATION & STABILITY

 

7.1 Introduction to a Portrait of a Graduate

NOLA-PS staff presented a Portrait of a Graduate.

 

Board Comment:

·        Clarification was offered regarding the school leader feedback with respect to Portrait of A Graduate, as well as implementation at the district level embedding the program in the CSAF.

·        President Parker acknowledged board member Marshall’s efforts as chair of the Innovation and Stability Committee and requested that these efforts are quantifiable in order to measure success.  

·        Mr. Marshall thanked NOLA-PS staff and Dr. Williams for the presentation and their appreciation for the urgency of this work.  

 

President Parker exercised a point of  personal privilege to announce and congratulate Tiffany Delcour as the recipient of the Innovation Award by the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR).

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

 

8.1 FLO Analytics Redistricting Presentation

NOLA-PS staff introduced FLO analytics who provided an overview of the redistricting process and timeline.

 

Board Comment:

·        Ms. Baudouin applauded the work of FLO Analytics with respect to the redistricting process, noting the public input process and interactive tool featured on the website. 

·        Due to technical difficulty with the audio, the presentation will be made available for the public, as it could be heard during the livestream.

·        President Parker reiterated the importance and board commitment to public engagement throughout the redistricting process. 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Dr. Batiste to move to executive session at 3:48pm.

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 4:27pm. The following board members were present: Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, Katherine Baudouin, and Leila J. Eames. Nolan Marshall, Jr. and Ethan Ashley were absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

9.1 Discussion of the character, the professional competence, physical or mental health of a person - School Board Personnel

 

No action taken.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

10.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Dr. Batiste, Ms. Baudouin, Mrs. EamesNays: None

 

Meeting Adjourned at 4:28pm.