MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

December 15, 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: Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, Leila J. Eames, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present. Katherine Baudouin arrived at 5:45pm.

 

-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 New Orleans Public School students was held.

 

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.

 

President Parker noted technical difficulties with the broadcast system due to yesterday’s storm. 

 

1.4 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as amended with the following modifications: deletion of the Executive Session and Consent Agenda Item 4.6 Request to Award Request for Proposal No. 23-0037 for Early Childhood Enrollment Information Campaign was moved to Action Item 5.4.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Dr. Batiste

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

 

CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by President Parker to adopt the minutes of the November 17, 2022 Board Business Meeting and the November 29, 2022 Special Board Business Meeting. (waiving the reading).

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: Ms. Baudouin

·        Abstain: None

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent's Remarks

Dr. Williams recognized Travis Hill School as a Comeback Campus and acknowledged local educators recognized by New Schools for New Orleans as Excellence in Teaching Award recipients. She also provided an update on her 100 Days, including relationship building through ABC engagements; 80% school visit completion; creation of two solution circles addressing the enrollment system and school quality; progress of the transition process; TALK SUPT; establishment of NOLA CARES; forthcoming revision of the school accountability framework; creation of a 5-year portfolio plan; as well as highlights from her school visits.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.5 and 4.7 as presented in globo.

 

4.1 2023 OPSB Meeting Calendar Amendment

 

4.2 Amendment to Policy DJED, Bids and Quotations

 

4.3 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. 22-CN-0011 for Fresh, Processed and Pre-Cut Produce

 

4.4 Request to Award Request for Proposal No. 23-0024 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Services

 

4.5 Request to Award Request for Proposal No. 23-0023 for Maintenance Services

 

4.7 Modification to the Orleans Parish School Board Vision Statement

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

-        President Parker exercised a point of personal privilege to recognize Walter L. Cohen High School alumni seated in the audience.

-        Ms. Baudouin also welcomed the group and acknowledged the support of alumni to the school.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 Resolution 21-22 re: Use General Fund Balance Reserve for Walter L. Cohen Facility Transition

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board suspends the procedural requirements for Fund Balance expenditures from the system-wide reserve and approves Resolution 21-22 authorizing a one-time allocation of $2,000,000.00 from the general fund balance reserve to the general fund for the purpose of financing any loss of per pupil funding that may be actualized throughout the 2023-2024 through 2025-2026 fiscal years as a result of the Walter L. Cohen facility transition.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Ms. Baudouin (waving the reading)  

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Results of the Roll Call Vote:

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

PUBLIC Comment:

·        Tyrone Jones, Cohen High School Alumni, inquired about the status of the school building.

·        Jonathan Williams, Cohen High School Alumni, also inquired about the status of the school and acknowledged the legacy of Walter Lewis Cohen in New Orleans. 

 

5.2 Resolution 22-22 FY 2022-2023 General Fund Budget Amendment #1

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves Resolution 22-22 authorizing the first (1st) amendment to the Operating Budget of Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Mr. Ashley (waving the reading) 

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

·        Results of the Roll Call Vote:

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

5.3 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with Collegiate Academies

Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board approves the CEA with Collegiate Academies for the purpose of funding any actual reduction in from loss of student population and, in turn, MFP revenues due to the transition of Rosenwald Collegiate Academy to the Walter L. Cohen facility.

 

Board Counsel read the revised language of Section 3.3 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement regarding Collegiate Academy’s obligations.

 

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Mr. Ashley

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

Board Comment:

·        Board members acknowledged the efforts of Cohen alumni in support of the school and encouraged their continued support during the  transition; Rosenwald families were encouraged  to visit the school and tour the facility.

·        In response to an inquiry by Mr. Zervigon, staff of Collegiate Academy explained the Las Sierras Academy for non-English speakers.  

·        Board members Marshall and Ashley acknowledged the efforts of James Raby in support of Cohen High School.

·        Board members acknowledged the efforts of the following: Dr. Williams, NOLA-PS staff, New Schools for New Orleans, Collegiate Academy personnel, and Terrilynn Frazier.

·        Mr. Ashley acknowledged the financial, as well as the educational investment that the board is making in Cohen High School.

·        President Parker praised the pride displayed by Cohen alumni and  further acknowledged the efforts of Ms. Eames and Ms. Baudouin relative to Cohen High School; he applauded Collegiate Academy in their diverse educational programming in serving its students.

President Parker yielded to Dr. Williams to offer remarks regarding the school siting of Rosenwald Collegiate Academy and the selection of Collegiate Academy as the operator of Cohen High School.

                                                                                                                                                 

5.4 Request to Award Request for Proposal No. 23-0037 for Early Childhood Enrollment Information Campaign

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the qualifications, terms, and conditions for Early Childhood Enrollment Information Campaign from White Enterprises of Louisiana, LLC d/b/a Octagon Media for an initial term of eighteen (18) months with an option to renew for four (4) one (1) year periods in the total amount not to exceed $840,000 over the life of the contract, inclusive of any renewals, and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

·        Nays: None

·        Absent: None

·        Abstain: None

 

Board Comment:

·        Clarification was offered with regard to the outlay of the $840,000 over the life of the contract.

 

-        President Parker acknowledged the birthday of Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin, as well as her daughter Audrey.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

6.1 Adjourn Meeting

 

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

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

·        Nays: None

 

Meeting Adjourned at 6:26pm.