MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

SPECIAL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

March 10, 2023

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Special Board Business Meeting was called to order at 10:03am by Board President Olin G. Parker. The following board members were present: Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Katherine Baudouin, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. Ethan Ashley,  Dr. Donaldo Batiste, and Leila Jacobs Eames were absent. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore 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 meetings.

 

1.4 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided.

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

2.1 Resolution 08-23, Request to Governor re: Folger Coffee Company ITEP Applications

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board urges the Governor of Louisiana to reject the Folger Coffee Company’s six Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (“ITEP”) Applications.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker, waiving the reading  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

·        Dave Cash, president, United Teachers of New Orleans (UTNO), expressed support for this item.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        Vice President Zervigon acknowledged Mr. Cash and the support provided by UTNO relative to this item.

·        President Parker echoed Mr. Zervigon’s remarks and further acknowledged the unanimous support of various local government entities, as well as Together New Orleans, relative to this matter and recognized Ms. Ashley Heilprin, board counsel, for her efforts in this regard.

·        Ms. Baudouin expressed appreciation for Mr. Zervigon’s  advocacy on this item.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin to move to executive session at 10:11am.

 

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 10:41am. The following board members were present: Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Katherine Baudouin, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, and Leila Jacobs Eames were absent. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

3.1 Prospective litigation re: Folger Coffee Company ITEP Applications; Folger Coffee Company v. Norman White, CFO and Director of Finance, City of New Orleans, et al., CDC No. 2022-3665; Folger Coffee Company v. Lawrence Chehardy, Chairman, Louisiana Tax Commission, CDC No. 22-10154

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the course of action recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

4.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

Meeting Adjourned at 10:44am.