MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

September 22, 2022

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:34pm by Board 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 General Counsel Kathy Moss were also present.

 

-Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Parker.

 

President Parker exercised a point of personal privilege to recognize the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and to acknowledge various school celebrations, as well as contributions by Latinx/Hispanic educators throughout the district. He acknowledged the following persons in attendance Dr. Tammi Griffin-Major and Katherine Sappington.

 

1.3 Rules for Public Comment

Kathy Moss, General 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 amended moving Consent Agenda Item 4.1 to Action Item 5.6 and Consent Agenda Item 4.6 to Action Item 5.7,  respectively.

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Eames

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

 

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker to adopt the minutes of the August 2, 2022 Special Board Business Meeting, August 18, 2022 Public Hearing: FY 23 Capital Projects Budget, August 18, 2022 Board Business Meeting, and August 26, 2022 Special Board Business Meeting (waiving the reading).

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

·        Nays: None

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent’s Remarks

Dr. Williams provided updates on the 100 Days Plan, including school visits, ABC Tours, engagements with the Orleans legislative delegation, and media interviews, as well as the transition progress. Superintendent Williams highlighted her presentation to the New Orleans City Council and elaborated on NOLA CAREs, as well as efforts to build and strengthen partnerships and collaborations. Dr. Williams congratulated NOLA-PS staff celebrating professional milestones and presented the Gold Award to L.B. Landry High School for their participation in the ASVAB Career Exploration Program.  

 

Board Comment:

·                  In response to Mr. Zervigon’s inquiry regarding her first impressions of the school district, Dr. Williams acknowledged the balance between accountability, autonomy, and authority, as well as supports offered to schools. Mr. Parker commended Dr. Williams on her community engagement efforts.   

 

Dr. Batiste exercised a point of personal privilege to recognize Dr. Alicia Carter-Watts and Dr. Tammi Griffin-Major seated in the audience.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

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

 

4.3 3rd Amendment to Hubbard & Tennyson, LLC Agreement for Speech Therapy Services

 

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

 

4.5 Acceptance of Grant from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation

 

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

 

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

 

4.8 Second Amendment to Postlethwaite & Netterville Agreement

 

4.9 Revisions to NOLA Public Schools Salary Schedule

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.9 as presented in globo.

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin

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

·        Nays: None

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 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 Ms. Eames, second by Dr. Batiste, waving the reading of the resolution

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Results of Roll Call Vote:

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

Board Comment:

·        Board member Eames commended the efforts of Dr. Williams and NOLA-PS staff for protocols implemented with regard to attendance tracking and acknowledged the importance of addressing truancy.

 

5.2 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 Ms. Eames, second by Mr. Zervigon, waving the reading

of the resolution

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Results of Roll Call Vote:

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

PUBLIC Comment:

·        Shawon Bernard thanked the board for its continued support of high school voter registration efforts, noting the need to annually amend the language of the resolution as high school voter registration week changes and identified the efforts of the Lower Ninth Ward Voters Coalition, along with various community partners supporting voter registration. She expressed a need for a mobile Office of Motor Vehicle to assist with providing identification cards to students and asked Dr. Williams to convey this as she meets with the legislative delegation.

 

Board Comment:

·        President Parker commended the work of Ms. Bernard engaging students in voter registration and assisting them in the exercise of their civic duty.

·        Dr. Batiste acknowledged Ms. Bernard’s efforts and career as a professional educator.

 

5.3 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 Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon, waving the reading of the resolution

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Results of Roll Call Vote:

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.4 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 Dr. Batiste, second by Ms. Baudouin, waving the reading of the resolution

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Results of Roll Call Vote:

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Ethan Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.5 Superintendent's 2022-2023 Mid-Year Performance Evaluation Process and Indicators

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board conducts an informal mid-year performance evaluation for the Superintendent and approves the process and indicators to be used for the Superintendent's 2022-2023 mid-year performance assessment.

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Zervigon

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Ethan Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

5.6 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 Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Parker

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

·        Nays: None

 

PUBLIC Comment:

·        Dr. Kenneth Ducote, Greater New Orleans Collaborative of Charter Schools, recognized the achievements of Dominic Mai Thanh Luong and further acknowledged the significance of the DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) participation on construction projects.

 

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 (5:00 p.m.) October 31, 2022.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Marshall approving the amended Negotiated Period of October 15, 2022, to November 15, 2022  

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Ethan Ashley

·        Abstain:

 

Board Comment:

A discussion ensued clarifying the purpose of the negotiation period for determining the rank order for payments, permitting claimants to reduce their claims and move up in ranking.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, seconded by Ms. Baudouin to approve Action Item 5.7 as amended 

·         Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Yeas: Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon, Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Ethan Ashley

·        Abstain: Dr. Batiste, Ms. Eames

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

6.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Eames to adjourn the meeting.

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

·        Nays: None

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:26 pm.