MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
BOARD BUSINESS MEETING
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
APRIL 18, 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 5:31pm. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Leila Jacobs Eames, Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste, and Nolan Marshall, Jr. were absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and General Counsel Kathy Moss were also present. Nolan Marshall joined the meeting at 5:32pm.
-Interpretation services were acknowledged.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Baudouin.
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 to adopt the board meeting agenda as provided by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Parker, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 Adoption of the Minutes
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by Ms. Baudouin to adopt the minutes of the March 21, 2024 Board Business Meeting. (waiving the reading)
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Parker, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA
3.1 Superintendent's Remarks
Dr. Willliams began her remarks with a Mental Minute check-in. The following school personnel were recognized: bus driver Kia Rousseve; Louisiana Principal of the Year Semifinalist Glenda Baylis, Arthur Ashe School; and Louisiana Teachers of the Year Semifinalists: Jazmyne Darby, Hynes-Lakeview; Steven Kennedy, Morris Jeff Community School; and Nora McGann, G.W. Carver High School.
Student and school recognitions, as well as convenings and forthcoming events included: District Literary Rally Winners: Derrick Norris and Jaden Williams, Delores Taylor Arthur School; Miss Teen USA Louisiana: Ava Watson, The Willow School; Global Economic Symposium Participants from Bricolage Charter School; The 4th Annual Dr. Rosalynne B. Dennis Fitness Challenge participants; Fannie c. Williams 1st Founder’s Day Parade; Ochsner, Saints, and NOLA-PS Scholastic Book Fairs; National School Board Association Conference; 2023-2024 Portrait of a Graduate Student Recognitions; Building a Safer Future Summit; and GNOF’s Charter School Board Governance Workshop Series.
The following awareness months and causes for April were acknowledged: Autism Awareness Month, Community Service Month & Volunteer Appreciation Month, National Assistant Principals Appreciation Month, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, National and School Librarian Day.
Dr. Williams announced the COX Donors Choose Program and provided an update on The Leah Chase School, including an introduction of personnel: Crystal LaFrance, principal; Shelita Mundy Jones, chief academic officer; and Asia Muhaimin, director of fine arts, as well as the school logo and community and partner meetings. Her remarks concluded with a video featuring YouthForce NOLA Network Celebration.
BOARD COMMENT:
· Mr. Zervigon provided context for the hiring of school personnel affiliated with The Leah Chase School and the excitement associated with the school throughout the community.
· Mr. Parker acknowledged the achievement of teachers, school leaders, and students across the district.
· President Baudouin echoed sentiments regarding the accomplishments of students and educators.
PresentationS
4.1 New Orleans Public Library K-12 Black History Month Art Contest Presentation
Amy Wander, head of youth programming, for the New Orleans Public Library, provided a presentation featuring NOLA-PS students who are winners of the library’s K-12 Black History Month Art Contest.
CONSENT AGENDA
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.2 and 5.4 through 5.15 as presented in globo, moving Item 5.3 Live Oak School Facility Renaming Recommendation to Action Item 6.3.
5.1 Approval of FY2024-2025 Local Educational Agency (LEA) Agreement Template
5.2 Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of New Orleans re: Willie Hall Playground
5.4 James Skelly Wright Facility Name Correction
5.5 Fifth Amendment to Contract with EAG Gulf South LLC for Professional Auditing Services
5.6 Increase in Direct Diversion of USDA Commodities for the 2023-2024 School Year for the Child Nutrition Program
5.7 Request to Award Request for Proposal No. 23-0057 Custodial and Janitorial Services
5.8 Request to Award Request for Proposal No. 24-0056 Medicaid Billing Services
5.9 Request to Approve Louisiana State Contract Purchase for Chromebooks, Charging Carts, Juno Connect System, and Smart Boards for The Leah Chase School
5.10 First Amendment to State of Louisiana Contract Purchase for Updated SIS Integration Services
5.11 Request to Approve Louisiana State Contract Purchase for Kitchen Equipment at The Leah Chase School
5.12 Direct Diversion of USDA Commodities for the 2024-2025 School Year for the Child Nutrition Program
5.13 Revision to NOLA Public Schools Salary Schedule
5.14 Amendment to Action Previously Adopted re: Approval of Second Amendment to Contract with Dove Group, LLC for HVAC Preventative Maintenance Services
5.15 Opposition to HB 121, HB 122, and HB 608 of the 2024 La. Regular Legislative Session and Revision to OPSB 2024 Legislative Priorities
Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by Ms. Baudouin
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Parker, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
ACTION ITEMS
6.1 2024-2025 Central Office and Academic Calendars
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the 2024-2025 Central Office Calendar and 2024-2025 Academic Calendar.
Mr. Parker offered an amendment to the motion, second by Ms. Baudouin:
It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the 2024-2025 Central Office Calendar and the 2024-2025 Academic Calendar and that the calendar contained on the agenda is revised to extend the school year by one week.
BOARD COMMENT:
A discussion ensued regarding the salary implications for the additional week extending the school year, as well as the impact on families with a school year end date of May 14th and the availability of childcare for students.
Clarification provided regarding alignment of the academic calendar with the common calendar and an end date which is closer to Memorial Day.
The amended motion was withdrawn by Mr. Parker.
A motion by Mr. Parker, and second by Ms. Baudouin was offered to defer Action Item 6.1 until the next scheduled board business meeting.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
6.2 Superintendent Authority re: District Salary Schedule
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board authorize the Superintendent to offer salaries to prospective new employees hired on or before December 31, 2024, at levels up to 6% above the approved salary schedule without Board approval.
Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: Mr. Marshall
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
BOARD COMMENT:
A discussion ensued regarding the necessity for the authority and flexibility granted to the superintendent for hiring purposes; historical change/decrease in the OPSB salary schedule by 8%; the implications for staffing within the district; alignment of positions previously presented to the board for The Leah Chase School; clarity that this item is not intended to offer salary increases to current staff; implication for the recent budget amendment factoring in Action Item 6.2; and compensation study aligned to the strategic plan of action.
There was a request for a budget reflecting fixed and variable costs relative to The Leah Chase School for various enrollment levels.
Mr. Marshall offered a substitute motion to defer this action item; motion failed, as no second was offered.
6.3 Live Oak School Facility Renaming Recommendation
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the Superintendent's recommendation to rename the Live Oak facility, located at 3128 Constance Street, New Orleans, to "Mary Keller Zervigon".
Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Parker
Final resolution: Motion passes
Results of Roll Call Vote:
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: Mr. Zervigon
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ms. Connie LaCour offered public comments on the building renaming process seeking clarity regarding OPSB policy.
BOARD COMMENT:
Mr. Marshall exercised a Point of Personal Privilege regarding the board’s policy for facility renaming and the names of individuals on the list to accommodate the will of the public.
Clarity provided regarding the current OPSB building renaming process and review by the Policy Committee.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Nolan Marshall, second by Mr. Parker to move to executive session at 7:28pm.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
Reconvened from Executive Session at 7:49pm. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Leila Jacobs Eames, Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste, and Ethan Ashley were absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and General Counsel Kathy Moss were also present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
7.1 Choice Foundation, et al. v. Law Industries, Inc., et al., CDC No. 2019-04385; Construction Litigation
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the course of action recommended by its legal counsel.
Motion by Mr. Zervigon, seconded by Mr. Parker
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
7.2 Orleans Parish School Board v. The City of New Orleans, et al., CDC No. 2019-05174; Summary Proceedings - Status Report
Discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
8.1 Adjourn Meeting
Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon to adjourn the meeting.
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Dr. Batiste
Abstain: None
Meeting Adjourned at 7:51pm.