MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

January 18, 2024

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order at 6:17pm by Board President Olin G. Parker. The following board members were present:Olin G. Parker, Carlos Luis Zervigon, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, Katherine Baudouin, Leila Jacobs Eames, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. Ethan Ashley was absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and General Counsel Kathy Moss were also present. Mr. Ashley joined the meeting at 6:18pm.

 

-Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Parker.

 

1.3 Rules for Public Comment

General Counsel provided a high-level overview of the OPSB guidelines for public comment/participation at OPSB Meetings.

 

1.4 Adoption of the Agenda

Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Dr. Batiste to amend the agenda adding an action item for a vote by the Orleans Parish School Board to run a school at the Leah Chase building allowing all students to remain at that school for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·         President Parker indicated his intent to vote against the amendment to the agenda.

·         Mr. Marshall expressed the implications of the board’s failure to act this evening.  

·         Clarity offered with regard to the operation of the school in response to an inquiry by Ms. Baudouin.

·         Clarification provided with regard to the parliamentary process related to the amendment offered and the rationale for the board’s policy regarding unanimous consent to add an agenda item, as well as clarity related to the amendment offered.

·         Mr. Zervigon asked that a special meeting be called.

 

Mr. Marshall offered a substitute motion adding an action item to the agenda to schedule a special meeting, seconded by Dr. Batiste.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·         A discussion ensued about scheduling the special meeting.

 

Mr. Marshall withdrew the substitute motion.

 

Motion to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Ashley.

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

Motion by President Parker, second by Mr. Ashley to adopt the minutes of the December 4, 2023 Special Board Business Meeting and December 14, 2023 Board Business Meeting as presented. (waiving the reading)

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent's Remarks

Dr. Willliams extended well wishes in the New Year, along with years of service recognition and appreciation for school board members in celebration of School Board Member Recognition Month. She further highlighted the following national celebrations: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. EPA Clean Bus Grant recipients were acknowledged, as well as the HBCU Band Combine, Violence Focus Group at Warren Easton, and University of New Orleans Collegiate Admissions Partnership.

 

Superintendent Williams mentioned the NCAP closing date and noted the Early Childhood Application period. The following upcoming events were mentioned: January JOYful Educator Connection, January 30th, and NOLA-PS Black History Month Celebration culminating on February 29th.

 

Her remarks concluded with a NOLA-PS Evolve strategic plan of action update.  

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·         President Parker acknowledged the HBCU Band Combine and encouraged participation by board members in the future; he further noted the forthcoming concerts coordinated by Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and NOLA-PS and extended congratulations to the superintendent on the strategic plan goal 4.4 related to organizational culture and morale.

·         Ms. Baudouin mentioned the Carnival band competition.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.15 as presented in globo.

 

4.1 Amendment to OPSB Policy BCBK, Executive Sessions

 

4.2 Amendment to OPSB Policy DC, Annual Operating Budget

 

4.3 Amendment to OPSB Policy DID, Audits

 

4.4 Amendment to OPSB Policy EBBC, Emergency/Crisis Management

 

4.5 Amendment to OPSB Policy EBBI, Public Health Emergency

 

4.6 Amendment OPSB Policy EBCB, Video Monitoring of School Board Property

 

4.7 Amendment to OPSB Policy ED, Transportation Management

 

4.8 Amendment to OPSB Policy FJ, Orleans Parish School Facility Preservation Program

 

4.9 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBRIB, Sick Leave

 

4.10 Request to Approve Second Amendments to Various Contracts for Special Education Evaluation Services

 

4.11 Request to Approve Design Services Contract with NY Associates, Inc. for Roof Replacement @ Dwight D. Eisenhower

 

4.12 Request to Approve SOW 7, Amendment No. 1 with Carahsoft for Unified Registration Process Services

 

4.13 Request to Award Request for Proposal No. 24-0049 Speech Therapy Services

 

4.14 Request to Award Request for Proposal No. 24-0043 Risk Management Consulting Services

 

4.15 Request to Award Invitation to Bid No. 24-FAC-0054 for Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment

 

 

-Mr. Parker exercised a point of personal privilege acknowledging the continued violence among youth and conveyed gratitude to board members, New Orleans delegation, and city officials who have been supportive of the school district throughout his presidency. President Parker further recognized NOLA-PS staff and administration and expressed appreciation to his family.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

5.1 Election of Board President and Vice President

Pursuant to OPSB Policy BBA, "At its first meeting in January of each year  the School Board shall elect one of its members to serve as President and one to serve as Vice-President, in separate ballots, for a term of one (1) year, beginning in January.  The President and Vice-President shall receive the votes of a majority of the full membership of the School Board, four (4) votes, before being declared elected.  Each officer may hold office for no longer than two (2) consecutive terms."

 

Nomination for Katherine Baudouin for President, Orleans Parish School Board

Motion by Ms. Eames, second by Mr. Ashley

 

Motion to close nominations to proceed with voting by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Zervigon.

·         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

 

General Counsel read aloud votes cast by each board member. Ms. Baudouin was unanimously elected as president of the Orleans Parish School Board.

 

-Ms. Baudouin offered remarks following her election as president of Orleans Parish School Board offering gratitude to board members for her election, as well as acknowledging the schools district’s progress and her commitment to the district.

 

Nomination for Leila Jacobs Eames for Vice President, Orleans Parish School Board

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

Motion to close nominations to proceed with voting by Ms. Baudouin, seconded 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

 

General Counsel read aloud votes cast by each board member. Ms. Eames was unanimously elected as vice president of the Orleans Parish School Board.

 

-Ms. Eames expressed gratitude for her election and expressed enthusiasm for working with Ms. Baudouin, as well as Dr. Williams. She further acknowledged District 1 constituents and the school community, including students, families, and school leaders.

 

-Mr. Zervigon exercised a point of personal privilege acknowledging the election of President Baudouin and Vice President Eames.

 

5.2 Resolution 01-24 Authorizing the Board President and Vice President as Signatories

Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 01-24, authorizing the Board President to sign contracts and other official documents on behalf of the Board and authorizing the Vice President to sign in the President's absence.

 

 

5.3 Resolution 02-24 Setting Constitutional and Other Dedicated Millages 2024 Adjusted Rates

Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 02-24 setting forth and designating the 2024 adjusted millage rate - Constitutional and other dedicated millages for calendar year 2024 on all property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana.

 

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·         Clarification provided regarding the order of resolutions related to the millage roll forward.

 

5.4 Resolution 03-24 Setting forth and Designating the Adjusted Millage Rate(s) and Increased Millage Rate(s) - Constitutional and Other Dedicated Millages 2024

Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board adopts Resolution 03-24 setting forth and designating the adjusted millage rates and increased millage rates - Constitutional and other dedicated millages for calendar year 2024 on all property subject to taxation in Orleans Parish, State of Louisiana.

 

Mr. Parker offered a motion to amend Resolution 03-24 to roll forward all millages with the exception of the facilities millage related to capital repairs, second by Mr. Ashley.

 

  

BOARD COMMENT:

·         Mr. Parker advocated for a partial roll forward given the most recent vote for the facilities millage.

·         A discussion ensued regarding the implications of the amendment offered.

·         Clarification regarding a future increase relative to the capital facilities millage rate was provided in response to a point of information raised by Mr. Ashley.  

·         Mr. Marshall reflected on voters’ intent resulting from the recent facilities millage passage.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker to move to executive session at 7:26pm.

 

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 8:01pm. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Leila Jacobs Eames, Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo Batiste, Olin G. Parker, Nolan Marshall, Jr., and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and General Counsel Kathy Moss were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

6.1 Orleans Parish School Board v. The City of New Orleans, et al., CDC No. 2019-05174; Summary Proceedings - Status Report

 

Discussion

 

 

6.2 Discussion of attorney-client privileged matter, pursuant to La. R.S. 42:17(A)(10) and La. Code Evid. art. 506

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

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by President Baudouin

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

7.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Ashley to adjourn the meeting.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 8:04pm.