MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

JULY 27, 2023

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:37pm by Board President Olin G. Parker. The following board members were present:Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, Katherine Baudouin, Leila Jacobs Eames and Nolan Marshall, Jr. 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

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 amended adding the following:  

·        Action Item 5.2 – Request to Renew Contracts with Maxim Healthcare Staffing Services, Inc., Orange Tree Staffing, LLC, The Stepping Stones Group, LLC, and Sunbelt Staffing, LLC for Special Education Direct and Related Services Staffing

·        Action Item 5.3 – Request to Renew Special Education Evaluation Services Contracts with Educational Diagnostic Services & Consulting of Louisiana, LLC, Young Cypress Psychology, LLC and Speducation Evaluation Services

·        Action Item 5.4 –Request to Renew Health & Education Alliance of Louisiana (HEAL) Agreement

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Ashley  

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

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Vice President Zervigon to adopt the minutes of the June 8, 2023 Public Hearing: 2023 - 2024 Consolidated Budget, and June 8, 2023 Board Business Meeting as presented. (waiving the reading).

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent's Remarks

Dr. Williams recognized NOLA-PS staff celebrating milestones in their years of service with the school district. Her remarks highlighted the following: one-year anniversary and State of NOLA-PS Address, as well as the Back-to-School Boogaloo, STEM NOLA Rocket Day, Region VI Louisiana Head Start Conference, Lake Forest Elementary Charter School and The Willow School for their recognition as Best Elementary Schools by U.S. News & World Report, and the 2023 Golden Achievement Award recipient, Taslin Alfonzo.

 

The superintendent also provided updates on the following: NOLA-PS Evolve, reflecting the evolution of the strategic plan of action, and Fall 2023 Renewal Schools.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        Dr. Williams clarified that the strategic plan would drive the financial investments of the district in response to an inquiry posed by Mr. Ashley.

·        Ms. Eames and Dr. Batiste recognized Lake Forest Elementary Charter School and The Willow School for their recognition by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Elementary School and acknowledged the leadership of each school for their commitment and dedication to students.

·        Vice President Zervigon acknowledged Dr. Ken Ducote’s efforts relative to the Jazz ban.

·        Board members encouraged engagement and proactive communication across varied formats for forthcoming renewals.

·        Clarification was offered with regard to the release of embargoed data related to state scores by NOLA-PS, as well as an indication that schools have been provided with their data.

 

-Dr. Williams acknowledged these staff members for their professional contributions: Rafael Simmons, for the CSAF development, and Dr. Fateama Fulmore, with regard to the strategic plan of action.

 

-President Parker exercised a point of personal privilege and acknowledged Dr. Fulmore for a video montage of messages from board members and NOLA-PS administrative staff in celebration of the superintendent’s one-year anniversary.

 

-Dr. Williams expressed her gratitude.

 

-Mr. Parker acknowledged Alexander Gray, chief executive officer, Center for Resilience, who was seated in the audience.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.14 as presented in globo.

 

4.1 Amendment to Action Previously Taken re: Amendment 2 to Contract with Mark I. Baum Architect, LLC for Architectural Services for Building Repairs from Water Infiltration at Elijah Brimmer, Jr. School

 

4.2 Assignment of Contract for Professional Auditing Services

 

4.3 Request to Award ITB 23-FAC-0043 Hurricane Ida Repairs Phase 2 @ Albert Dent School

 

4.4 Request to Award RFQ No. 23-0061 for Design Services for 9th Ward Stadium

 

4.5 Request to Amend Action Previously Taken re: Award of RFP No. 23-0071 Program Grants Management Services - Hurricane Katrina

 

4.6 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0068 for Professional Development In Supporting Immigrant Students and Engagement with Families

 

4.7 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0063 Act 108 Literacy Foundation Training Services

 

4.8 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0079 for English Learner Newcomers Program

 

4.9 Request to Approve Third Amendment to Contract with Center for Resilience for Therapeutic Setting for Mental and Behavioral Health Services

 

4.10 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0065 for Literacy Support Specialist Services

 

4.11 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0066 for Language Access: Translation Interpretation Services

 

4.12 Request to Renew Property, Casualty and Flood Insurance Premiums Expiring in 2022-2023

 

4.13 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0077 for Teacher Recruitment and Training Services

 

4.14 Amendment to Superintendent's Employment Contract

 

·        Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

·        Abstain: None

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 Request to Award RFP No. 23-0076 NOLA-PS Five-Year Portfolio Plan Services Phase 3 and 4

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for NOLA-PS Five Year Portfolio Plan Services Phase 3 and 4 for Eschbacher Consulting, LLC in an amount to not to exceed $74,500.00 for a ten (10) month period and authorizes the General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

·        Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Zervigon

·        Final resolution: Motion passes

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

 

Action Item 5.2 – Request to Renew Contracts for Special Education Direct and Related Services Staffing

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the one year renewal of the staffing contracts with Maxim Healthcare Staffing Services, LLC, Orange Tree Staffing, LLC, The Stepping Stones Group, LLC, and Sunbelt Staffing, LLC for Direct and Related Services for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30,2024, for a combined total amount not to exceed $300,000.00 and authorize General Counsel to prepare the contract renewal for signature of the Board President and Contractor.

 

-Board counsel read aloud the rationale for this action item.

 

 

board comment:

·        Clarification provided regarding the current renewal cycle for the contract and DBE participation in response to an inquiry from Mr. Parker.

·        Clarity provided that the source of funding is from the general fund and the types of schools supported in response to an inquiry by Mr. Marshall.

 

Action Item 5.3 – Request to Renew Special Education Evaluation Services Contracts

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves a one-year renewal of the contract with Educational Diagnostic Services & Consulting of Louisiana, Young Cypress Psychology, and Speducation Evaluation Services for special education evaluation services for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 for a combined total not to exceed $300,000.00 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract renewals for signatures of the Board President and the contractor.

 

-Board counsel read aloud the rationale for this action item.

 

·        Abstain: None

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        Clarification provided regarding funding source for this action item as federal dollars and funds from the general revenue.

 

Action Item 5.4 –Request to Renew Health & Education Alliance of Louisiana (HEAL) Agreement

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the renewal of the agreement with Health & Education Alliance of Louisiana (HEAL) for Medicaid consultation services for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, in the amount of $100,000.00 and authorizes General Counsel to prepare the contract renewal for signatures of the Board President and contractor.

 

-Board counsel read aloud the rationale for this action item.

 

·        Abstain: None

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·        Clarification provided on the type of annual reporting provided by the agreement, as well as the use of reviews and audits, and comparisons, with an indication that a deficit no longer exists and there has been enhanced funding to the district, and consideration for providing these services in-house, in response to inquiries posed by Ms. Baudouin and Mr. Marshall.

·        President Parker acknowledged the efforts of the following: NSNO, Dr. Kelli Jordan, and Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso III with regard to Medicaid efforts.

 

-President Parker exercised a point of personal privilege to acknowledge the recent celebration of life for Mr. Louis Lester Eames and expressed condolences to Ms. Eames on behalf of the board.

 

-Ms. Eames expressed gratitude to the board and staff for their acts of kindness and expressions of sympathy to her and her family.

 

-Mr. Ashley acknowledged the marriage anniversary of President Parker and Rachael Parker.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

6.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

Meeting Adjourned at 7:00pm.