MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
SPECIAL BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
December 10, 2024
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Special Board Business Meeting was called to order at 5:30pm by Board President Katherine Baudouin. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Leila Jacobs Eames, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Ethan Ashley and Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste were absent. Interim 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 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 amended by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon, as follows:
Deletions of Agenda Item 2.3 Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men Presentation and Action Item 3.2, Emergency Suspension of an Operating Agreement and the addition of Replacement Action Item 3.2, Voluntary Surrender of Charter for Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
SUPERINTENDENT'S AGENDA
2.1 Charter School Renewal Recommendations: Process and Superintendent’s Recommendations
Dr. Fulmore offered highlights of the district’s academic performance and provided an overview of the renewal process and superintendent’s recommendations.
Rationale: The Superintendent will describe the 2024-2025 Charter Renewal process and will make her recommendations for the following schools in accordance with OPSB Policy HB, Oversight and Evaluation of Charter Schools:
Regular Renewals:
1. Bricolage Academy
2. Einstein Charter at Sherwood Forest
3. Elan Academy
4. Esperanza Charter School
5. Fannie C. Williams Charter School
6. Foundation Preparatory
7. G W Carver High School
8. Harriet Tubman Charter School
9. John F. Kennedy High School
10. New Orleans Accelerated High School
11. The NET: Central City
12. Wilson Charter School
Comprehensive Evaluation Renewals:
1. Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School for Sci Tech
2.2 Purpose of Public Hearing
Rafael Simmons, chief portfolio innovation and accountability officer, provided a presentation on the purpose of the public hearing.
ACTION ITEMS
3.1 Charter School Renewal Recommendations
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accept the Superintendent’s recommendations concerning renewal for the following charter schools:
1. Bricolage Academy (renewal recommended)
2. Einstein Charter at Sherwood Forest (renewal recommended)
3. Elan Academy (renewal recommended)
4. Esperanza Charter School (renewal recommended)
5. Fannie C. Williams Charter School (renewal recommended)
6. Foundation Preparatory (renewal recommended)
7. G W Carver High School (renewal recommended)
8. Harriet Tubman Charter School (renewal recommended)
9. John F. Kennedy High School (renewal recommended)
10. New Orleans Accelerated High School (renewal recommended)
11. The NET: Central City (renewal recommended)
12. Wilson Charter School (renewal recommended)
13. Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School for Sci Tech (renewal for grades K-8 and nonrenewal for grades 9-12 recommended)
Rationale:
Bricolage Academy met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
Einstein Charter at Sherwood Forest met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
Elan Academy met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
Esperanza Charter School met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
Fannie C. Williams Charter School met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
Foundation Preparatory met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
G W Carver High School met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
Harriet Tubman Charter School met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
John F. Kennedy High School met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
New Orleans Accelerated High School met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
The NET: Central City met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
Wilson Charter School met the standards for a charter renewal as described in OPSB Policy HB.
Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School for Sci Tech did not meet the standard for a regular renewal but did qualify for a comprehensive evaluation. During the comprehensive evaluation process, there was sufficient data and information provided to support the contingent renewal of grades K-8, but insufficient data and information for grades 9-12 to disregard the standards for renewal as outlined in Policy HB.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by President Baudouin
PUBLIC COMMENT:
The following members from the public provided comment relative to this agenda item:
· Monique Cook
· Bridgette Martin
· Byron Cole
· Dale M. Simeon
· Attorney Willie M. Zanders
· Rev. Joseph Recasner
· Sylvia Johnson
· Jamal Wilson
· Willie L. Calhoun
· Dejah J. Dejan
· Wesley Bishop on behalf of Councilmember Oliver Thomas
· Chakakhan Griffin
Amendment offered by President Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon, clarifying the recommended action language to reflect that contingent renewal is recommended for grades K-8 for Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School for Sci Tech.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
Resolution on the amended motion
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
Board Comment:
Mr. Parker clarified that The Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men is surrendering its charter for fiscal reasons and further acknowledged the efforts of Friends of King and its investment in the 9th Ward and noted the balance between accountability and autonomy within the charter system.
Mr. Marshall acknowledged the difficulty accompanying the decision to close a school and further noted the deference afforded the superintendent, as well as advocated for the continuance of programming offered at King and acting in the best interests of students.
3.2 Replacement Action Item Voluntary Surrender of Charter for Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board accept Lyceum Schools, Inc.’s voluntary surrender of its charter to operate Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men, in accordance with OPSB Policy HB, effective December 31, 2024.
The rationale was read aloud by board counsel: Rationale: If the Orleans Parish School Board accepts this voluntary surrender, students currently enrolled in the school will be placed at other schools to complete the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. If authorized by the School Board, such students will also receive closing school priority for the 2025-26 school year. A request for such authorization immediately follows this action item.
Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: Mr. Marshall
Absent: Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
The following members from the public provided comment relative to this agenda item:
Ann Marie Coviello
Warren Smith
Jordan C. Brown
Jerimiah Washington
DeCarlos Griffin
Laurence Copel
BOARD COMMENT:
An exchange ensued between Mr. Marshall and the administration regarding the possibility of the school’s continuation.
Clarity provided regarding the vote required for passage of this action item, responding to an inquiry from Mr. Zervigon.
Mr. Parker acknowledged the students who spoke and noted the financial circumstances at the school and further encouraged the administration to explore options on behalf of the school and students and to ensure students can attend the school of their choice, including maintaining the student cohort; he mentioned resources that should be made available to support students.
3.3 Closing School Priority for Students at The Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board waive the closing school priority restriction set forth in Board Policy HE that would preclude currently enrolled students at The Arthur School who receive a mid-year placement from receiving closing school priority and permit such students to receive closing school priority in the Main Round selections for the 2025-26 School Year.
Board counsel read the Rationale: The administration is seeking to have the restrictions of closing school priority waived ,as outlined by Orleans Parish School Board Policy HE, in order to provide closing school priority to students at The Delores Taylor Arthur School for Young Men after receiving a guaranteed placement due to the ceased operations of the school. The related policy language states "Closing school priority: is a full priority for applicants currently in grades K-11 who do not have a guarantee for the upcoming school year due to a closure of an OPSB charter or direct-run school, where no provision for guarantee to another school has been made. The priority shall not apply for admission to Kindergarten, and 9th grade.
Motion by President Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays:
Absent: Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
4.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker to adjourn the meeting.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
Meeting Adjourned at 7:07pm.