MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

October 20, 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, 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.

 

1.3 Rules for Public Comment

Ashley Heilprin, 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 presented

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Eames

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

 

Ms. Eames exercised a point of personal privilege to announce the November 5th Scholarship Fair to be held at the Dryades YMCA;  and two teacher requests: 1. The school board give some consideration to holding some of its meetings on the Eastbank and 2. Exploration by schools with respect to  insurance pooling to obtain better insurance rates through their collective buying power.

 

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin to adopt the minutes of the September 22, 2022 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 congratulated NOLA-PS personnel celebrating milestones in their service to the district; recognized Dr. Kelli Jordan and Mr. Christopher Etienne as participants in the NORLI 2022-23 Class, as well as Ms. Tiffany Delcour as recipient of BGR’s  Excellence in Government Award. She further highlighted the various celebrations throughout October and provided an update on her engagements, school visits, transition progress, and ABC Tours, as well as her monthly newsletter and Talk Supt that will be featured on the school district’s YouTube channel.

 

Board Comment:

In response to President Parker’s inquiry regarding school visits, Dr. Williams noted the engaged learning and happy disposition of students she’s observed, as well as obtaining feedback regarding the needs that schools have.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

4.1 Stay in School Program - Toyota of New Orleans Car Giveaway for High School Senior Perfect Attendance

Dr. Williams acknowledged the contribution of Troy Duhon and Will Lewis of Toyota of New Orleans supporting the perfect attendance of a high school student through the Toyota of New Orleans Car Giveaway.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.4 as presented in globo.

 

5.1 Amendment to Action Previously Adopted re: Award of RFQ No. 23-0009 for Independent Contractors to Provide Physical Therapy Services

 

5.2 First Extension of Lease For Public Lands: Agricultural, Grazing, Trapping, Hunting and any other Legitimate Purposes

 

5.3 Change Order No. 2: Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain for Sewer Replacement and Sewer Jetting Initial Service located at Frances Gaudet

 

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

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Mr. Zervigon

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

·        Nays: None

 

Motion to reconsider the motion to adopt the Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.4 in globo

Motion by President Parker, second by Vice President Zervigon

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

·        Nays: None

 

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.4 as presented in globo

Motion by President Parker, second by Vice President Zervigon

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

6.1 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBRL, Holidays

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board suspends its ordinary procedures for policy adoption, pursuant to OPSB Policy BD, and approves the amendment to Policy GBRL, Holidays, to add Veterans Day to its list of minimum holidays for twelve (12) month employees.

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Zervigon to suspend Policy BD

·        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 explained the need to suspend Policy BD.

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Zervigon to approve the amendment to Policy GBRL, Holidays, to add Veterans Day to its list of minimum holidays for twelve (12) month employees.

·        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:

·        A discussion ensued regarding the number of holidays observed, as well as the addition of Veterans Day as a holiday and the rationale for doing so and observance of Veterans Day by other government entities.

·        It was clarified that the addition of the Veterans Day holiday applied to central office staff.

 

6.2 Revision to 2022 - 2023 Employment Calendars for Central Office, ECS and Child Nutrition Personnel

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the revision to the 2022 - 2023 Employment Calendars for Central Office, ECS and Child Nutrition personnel to add the Veterans Day holiday.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Mr. Parker

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Mr. Ashley

·        Abstain: None

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

7.1 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 5:59pm.