MINUTES OF THE
ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
Public Hearing: 2024 - 2025 Consolidated Budget
2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114
JUNE 6, 2024
1.1 Call to Order – Roll Call
The Orleans Parish School Board Public Hearing: 2024 - 2025
Consolidated Budget was called to order at 5:03pm by President Baudouin. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Leila Jacobs Eames, Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste, Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Ethan Ashley and Nolan Marshall, Jr. were absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and Board Counsel Ashley Heilprin were also present. Mr. Marshall arrived at 5:14pm and Mr. Ashley arrived at 5:24pm.
-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 Board Meetings.
1.4 Adoption of the Agenda
Motion to adopt the agenda as presented.
Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon
Final resolution: Motion passes
Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Dr. Batiste, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon
Nays: None
Absent: Mr. Ashley, Mr. Marshall
Abstain: None
PURPOSE OF HEARING
2.1 Orleans Parish School Board Public Hearing on the General Fund and Special Revenue Fund Budgets
Rationale: Pursuant to the requirements of LSA-RS 39:1307 ( C ), this public hearing will commence at 5:00 PM. The purpose of this hearing is to receive public input prior to the adoption of the proposed 2024-2025 General Fund and Special Revenue funds budgets by the Orleans Parish School Board. At their regular board meeting on June 6, 2024, the School Board will consider the 2024-2025 budgets for all General Fund and Special Revenue funds. The proposed General Fund budget includes revenues of $42,430,692 and expenditures of $42,417,563 and Special Revenue fund revenues of $568,099,506 and expenditures of $568,099,506 for a total budget of $610,530,197 in revenue and $610,517,068.
PRESENTATIONS
3.1 Presentation of the Proposed 2024-2025 Budget for the General Fund and Special Revenue Fund
Rationale: Dr. Avis Williams, in her capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the Orleans Parish School Board, prepared, with the assistance of Stuart Gay, Chief Financial Officer and the Finance department team, the attached General Fund and Special Revenue Fund budget for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2024, and ending on June 30, 2025. The General Fund and Special Revenue budget has been submitted to the School Board for review and consideration and a notice of a public hearing on the attached General Fund and Special Revenue Fund budget and notice of availability of the attached General Fund and Special Revenue Fund budget for review has been timely published in the Times-Picayune.
Stuart Gay, chief financial officer, presented the Proposed 2024-2025 Budget for the General Fund and Special Revenue Fund.
Public Comment
4.1 Public Comment
Public comment was provided by Dr. Kenneth Ducote, including a recommendation for the reinstatement of an internal auditor as an administrative function within the district.
BOARD COMMENT
5.1 Board Comment/Questions
An exchange ensued regarding payment of teacher stipends to avoid the district’s distribution of such funds, as happened last year; clarity provided regarding the $6.1 million reflected in the budget for unfunded activities and the funding source and associated functions, as well as the district’s projected deficit, in response to inquiries from Mr. Parker.
Clarification provided regarding implications for future sales tax revenues in response to Mr. Zervigon’s inquiry.
Clarity provided regarding changes in costs associated with vacant properties, functions covered by undedicated funds, district authorizer fee deficit, as well as clarification with respect to LDOE revenue and Child Nutrition Fund Balance, in response to questions posed by President Baudouin.
Clarity provided regarding the contingency for receipt of Harrah’s funding in response to inquiries from Mr. Ashley.
Mr. Parker extended an invitation to the Travis Hill School graduation on tomorrow and expressed continued support for the school.
ADJOURNMENT
6.1 Adjournment
Motion by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Ashley to adjourn the hearing.
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 Hearing Adjourned at 5:46pm.