MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
October 24, 2024
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Business Meeting was called to order by Board President Katherine Baudouin at 5:41pm. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Leila Jacobs Eames, Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. 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 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 meeting agenda as amended: adding Action Item 5.3 regarding Financial Forecasting Issues and deleting Agenda Item 6.1 Executive Session
Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Ashley
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the minutes of the September 19, 2024 Board Business Meeting (waiving the reading)
Motion by Vice President Eames, second by Mr. Ashley
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
3.1 Superintendent's Remarks
Dr. Willliams began her remarks with a Mental Minute, noting the importance of being kind to oneself, including positive self-affirmation, followed by October Years of Service Recognition, celebrating employment milestones for NOLA-PS staff.
The superintendent acknowledged Alontae Taylor’s donation to The Leah Chase School Uniform Closet; Mr. Taylor was seated in the audience and offered remarks at the superintendent’s request. Dr. Williams also presented Bridget Alexis, assistant director of data quality and reporting, with the Aim for Excellence Award and congratulated Deputy Superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore on completion of the Michael Casserly Urban Executive Leadership Institute for Superintendents, sponsored by the Council of the Great City Schools.
The following observances or awareness months were highlighted: National Principals Month, National Coaches Day, National Bullying Prevention Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Juvenile Justice Week, of particular note the Travis Hill School’s 8th Annual Arts and Advocacy Night.
Dr. Williams noted the following activities: NOLA-PS and Gigi’s Playhouse of New Orleans Down Syndrome Awareness Event for families and scholars; NOLA-PS hosts the Consulate of Guatemala from September 27th-28th; Education Elevation, featuring Dr. Melanie Askew Clark and Byron Goodwin; Career Expo at L.B. Landry High School; The Voices of Future Leaders Voting Rally, as well as other efforts to ensure student participation in exercising their right to vote.
The following were also mentioned: Joyful Educator October Connection, Tuesday, October 29th, New Orleans Excellence in Teaching Gala, sponsored by New Schools for New Orleans, Public Hearing for Comprehensive Evaluation Schools, Monday, October 28th at 5:30pm, upcoming NCAP Main Round, which opens next month, and
DFLA Update.
BOARD Comment:
Inquiry from Vice President Eames regarding grant literacy funding.
Mr. Parker extended congratulations to Bridget Alexis and Dr. Fulmore and acknowledged Travis Hill School for its Annual Arts and Advocacy Night. Additionally, clarification provided regarding information on property tax revenue which would be forthcoming next Wednesday, as well as audit findings for charter schools and hold harmless provisions, given implications for district’s financial projections.
Clarification provided regarding application of hold harmless provisions for schools during renewal process, considering possible audit findings, in response to an inquiry from Dr. Batiste.
Mr. Marshall provided context for past financial projections and inquired about the process leading to the current situation and requested future reporting to the board in this regard.
-Motion by President Baudouin, second by Vice President Eames to amend the agenda removing from the Consent Agenda the following items and adding them as action items before Agenda Item 5.1:
4.1 OPSB 2024-2025 Pupil Progression Plan
4.2 Request to Approve Certificated and Support Stipends - 2024 Legislative Appropriation
4.3 Request To Approve Differentiated Compensation Stipends
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
CONSENT AGENDA
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.4 through 4.14 as presented in globo.
4.4 Book Donation to The Leah Chase School from St. Mary's Dominican High School
4.5 Uniform Closet Donation by Alontae Taylor to The Leah Chase School
4.6 Donation to The Leah Chase School from The Ella Fitzgerald Foundation
4.7 Request to Approve First Amendment to SOW 9 with Carahsoft Technology Corporation for Expert Services - NOLA Application Enhancements
4.8 Request to Award ITB 24-FAC-0012: Boiler Replacement @ Ellis Marsalis Elementary School
4.9 Request for Approval of Change Order to Project No. Q25-FAC-07, Emergency Chiller Rental @ Mahalia Jackson School
4.10 Request to Approve Change Order No. 1 for Project No. Q23-FAC-18, Emergency Chiller Rental @ Dorothy Mae Taylor School
4.11 Request to Approve First Amendment to Contract with TNTP for Teacher Recruitment Services
4.12 Request to Approve Contract with Tyler Technologies, Inc. for ERP Services
4.13 Amendment to Action Previously Adopted re: Award of RFQ No. 24-0080 Jobs For America's Graduate (JAG) Program
4.14 Request to Award ITB 25-FAC-0009 for Lease of Space at Mahalia Jackson Elementary School
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Ashley
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
ACTION ITEMS
4.1 OPSB 2024-2025 Pupil Progression Plan
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the OPSB 2024-2025 Pupil Progression Plan.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by President Baudouin
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Tracie Washington provided public comment.
4.2 Request to Approve Certificated and Support Stipends - 2024 Legislative Appropriation
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the Certificated and Support Stipends appropriated during the 2024 Regular Session of the Legislature.
Motion by President Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Tracie Washington provided public comment.
BOARD COMMENT:
Mr. Parker noted the lack of compensation to NOLA-PS finance personnel for distribution of stipends.
4.3 Request To Approve Differentiated Compensation Stipends
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the Differentiated Compensation Stipends appropriated during the 2024 Regular Session of the Legislature.
Motion by President Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Tracie Washington provided public comment.
5.1 Resolution 13-24 re: 2023-2024 Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the OPSB approve Resolution 13-24 approving the FY 2023-2024 Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as part of the State Legislative Auditor’s requirement for completion of audits, authorizing the Board President to execute any and all relevant documents, and authorizing the administration to submit the Questionnaire as required by the Legislative Auditor.
Motion by Vice President Eames, second by Mr. Parker (waiving the reading)
Final resolution: Motion passes
Results of Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
5.2 Resolution 14-24 Sale of Revenue Anticipation Note Series 2024
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt Resolution 14-24 authorizing the sale and delivery of a $50,000,000 Orleans Parish School Board Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2024, to DNT Asset Trust, A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.; and providing for other matters with respect to the foregoing.
Motion by President Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon (waiving the reading)
Final resolution: Motion passes
Results of Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
5.3 Financial Forecasting Issues
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board direct the Superintendent to (1) engage an outside financial consultant to assist the District and Board with understanding the scope of financial forecasting issues, possible solutions, and short and long term impacts, along with the potential financial impacts of all available courses of action; and (2) communicate at least weekly with the Board and CMO leaders about the District’s progress towards finding resolutions.
Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Vice President Eames
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: Mr. Marshall
BOARD COMMENT:
Clarification provided regarding intent of the action item relative to outside assistance, irrespective of the financial source to address this action item, in response to an inquiry from Mr. Marshall.
ADJOURNMENT
7.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Parker to adjourn the meeting.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Meeting Adjourned at 6:42pm.