MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

SPECIAL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

april 30, 2024

 

1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call

The Orleans Parish School Board Special Board Business Meeting was called to order at 1:02pm by Board President Katherine Baudouin. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Ethan Ashley, Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon.  Leila Jacobs Eames, Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. were absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present. Mr. Marshall joined the meeting at 1:19pm.

 

-Interpretation services were acknowledged.

 

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Baudouin.

 

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 by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker.

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

2.1 Request to Adopt K-5 Curriculum for English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, and Social Studies for The Leah Chase School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the K-5 Curriculum in the content areas of English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, and Social Studies for The Leah Chase School.

 

Presentation by Dr. Fateama Fulmore, deputy superintendent, regarding the process for curriculum selection.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

BOARD COMMENT:

·         A discussion ensued regarding continuity of materials, reporting progress to the board, and implications for schools which may be added as direct run, clarity regarding curriculum adoption process as well as purchase of the curriculum, familiarity of students and teachers with the proposed curriculum, and process for purchase given enrollment considerations.

 

2.2 Request to Approve the Louisiana State Contract Purchase for K-5 Curriculum for English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, and Social Studies for The Leah Chase School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the purchase of K-5 curriculum in the content areas of English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies for The Leah Chase School from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - HMH Into Reading, Great Minds PhD Science, Curriculum Associates – iReady Classroom Mathematics Louisiana, and Core Knowledge Foundation Bayou Bridges Social Studies Curriculum who hold a Louisiana State approved contract for a total amount not to exceed $500,000, inclusive of the cost for professional development, with each vendor to ensure The Leah Chase School staff receives adequate training for implementation of curriculum.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Ms. Baudouin

 

BOARD COMMENT:

 

2.3 2024-2025 Central Office Calendar, Central Office School-Based Calendar, and The Leah Chase School Academic Calendar

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the 2024-2025 Central Office Calendar, the 2024-2025 Central Office School-Based Calendar, and The Leah Chase School 2024-2025 Academic Calendar.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

BOARD COMMENT:

 

2.4 Request to Approve Louisiana State Contract Purchase of Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment for The Leah Chase School

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the purchase of classroom, library, office and common area furniture, fixtures, and equipment from Virco and Hon Furniture, who hold a Louisiana State - approved contract for a total amount not to exceed $600,000.00.

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker

 

2.5 2024-2025 Compensation Manual (Paraprofessionals)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the revised salary schedules for Paraprofessionals.

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley

 

2.6 Request to Award ITB No. 24-0064 Section Sixteen Lease For Public Lands: Agricultural, Grazing, Trapping, Hunting and any other Legitimate Purposes

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accept the bid from Unknown Pass Hunting Club, LLC in the amount of $31,100.00 per year for a 36-month lease of Section Sixteen land for the period of May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2027, with an option to extend the lease for two (2) additional one (1) year periods, and authorize the General Counsel to prepare the lease for signatures of the Board President and the lessee.

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker

 

2.7 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of the Treasury and the State of Louisiana

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approves the State of Louisiana Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA), for the benefit of the Innovation & Stability Committee, which provides for a line-item appropriation in the amount of $150,000.00 and authorizes its Board Counsel to prepare the CEA for signatures.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

BOARD COMMENT:

 

2.8 Resolution 07-24 Regarding CEA with State of Louisiana

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve Resolution 07-24 authorizing the President and Superintendent of the Orleans Parish School Board (“OPSB”) to sign, initial, execute and accept the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement of Act 397 with the State of Louisiana in connection with a $150,000 line-item allocation from the State.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker (waiving the reading)

Executive Session

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley to move to executive session at 1:39pm.

 

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 1:55pm. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Ethan Ashley, Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon.  Leila Jacobs Eames, Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. were absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

3.1 In re: Encore Learning, Inc., United States Bankruptcy Court, EDLA, Case No. 2023-11043; Bankruptcy - Settlement Recommendation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve settlement of this matter as recommended by its legal counsel.

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by President Baudouin

 

ADJOURNMENT

4.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Zervigon to adjourn the meeting.

 

Meeting Adjourned at 1:57pm.