MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

July 25, 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, Ethan Ashley, Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste, Nolan Marshall, Jr., Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Leila Jacobs Eames was absent. 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 provided by Mr. Zervigon, second by Mr. Parker.

 

 

CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES

 

2.1 Adoption of the Minutes

It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board adopt the minutes of the June 6, 2024 Public Hearing: 2024 - 2025 Consolidated Budget and June 6, 2024 Board Business Meeting. (waiving the reading)  

 

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by President Baudouin

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

 

3.1 Superintendent's Remarks

Dr. Willliams began her remarks with a Mental Minute, recognizing International Self-Care Day and providing a self-care checklist. The July Years of Service Recognition included staff members celebrating milestones in their service to the school district.  

 

The superintendent highlighted the following: Education Elevation, noting the next episode on August 28th; The Leah Chase School parent orientation, underway this evening and the TLC Opening Celebration, scheduled for August 3rd; Back To School support for all students; acknowledged the passing of Mr. Bill Rouselle; NOLA-PS Student Safety & Well-Being Toolkit; EL Updates; Save the Date – State of the District Address, on September 19, 2024;  and recognition of NOLA-PS administrative team for efforts opening TLC, as well as school-level staff. Dr. Williams reiterated the Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow attendance campaign, emphasizing the collective responsibility for school attendance.

 

Within the superintendent’s remarks, a presentation was provided on Community Schools, by Dr. Donnie Hale, Sothern Regional Director, IEL (Institute for Educational Leadership) Coalition for Community Schools.  Dr. Williams acknowledged efforts of STEP UP Louisiana; members were seated in the audience.  

 

BOARD COMMENT:

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

-Mr. Parker exercised a point of personal privilege to announce the John Dibert Reunion on Friday, July 26th, between 3pm-7pm, at the school.

 

-Motion by Mr. Marshall, second by President Baudouin to modify the agenda as follows: Removing Item 4.37 Capital Improvement Fund Awardees from the Consent Agenda, making it Action Item 5.1, with the remaining Action Items as follows:  

 

5.2 Request to Award RFP No. 24-0076 Therapeutic Setting Behavioral and Mental Health Services

 

5.3 Lead and Manager Stipends-Exceptional Children's Services

 

5.4 Resolution 09-24 Authorizing Resolution for Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN)

 

5.5 System Wide Needs Program Annual Report

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.36 and 4.38 and 4.39 as presented in globo.

 

4.1 Amendment to OPSB Policy GAMC, Investigations

 

4.2 Amendment to OPSB Policy GAMD, Drug-Free Workplace

 

4.3 Repeal of OPSB Policy GAMFD, Mandatory COVID Vaccinations

 

4.4 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBBA, Qualifications and Duties

 

4.5 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBC, Recruitment

 

4.6 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBRIBB, Sick Leave Bank

 

4.7 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBRIF, Bereavement Leave

 

4.8 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBRJ, Substitute Personnel

 

4.9 Amendment to OPSB Policy IFD, Parental Involvement in Education

 

4.10 Amendment to OPSB Policy JDA, Corporal Punishment

 

4.11 Amendment to OPSB Policy IDAB, COVID-19 Distance Learning

 

4.12 Amendment to OPSB Policy GBRB, Employee Attendance

 

4.13 Revision to 2024-2025 Compensation Manual in Accordance with Act 311 of 2024

 

4.14 Request to Approve Second Amendment Contract with S.P. Evals for Student Assistance Teams Services

 

4.15 Request to Award Request for Qualification No. 24-0080 Jobs For America's Graduates (JAG) Program

 

4.16 Request to Approve Second Amendment with Independent Contractors to Provide Physical Therapy Services

 

4.17 Request to Approve Amendments to Contracts with Ed. Diagnostics (7th) and Speducation (6th) for Special Education Evaluation Service

 

4.18 Request to Approve First Amendment with Our Voice Nuestra Voz for Professional Development In Supporting Immigrant Students and Engagement with Families Services

 

4.19 Request to Approve First Amendment to Contract with TNOLA for Language Access: Translation Interpretation Services

 

4.20 Request to Award ITB 23-FAC-0045 for Boiler Emergency Shut Offs at Various School Locations

 

4.21 Request to Approve First Amendment to Contract with Washington Building Services, LLC for Custodial and Janitorial Services

 

4.22 Request to Award ITB 23-FAC-0015 for Metal Roof Replacement & Mechanical Improvements at Katherine Johnson

 

4.23 Request to Award ITB 23-FAC-0036 for Window & Exterior Envelope Repairs at J. Skelly Wright

 

4.24 Request to Award Quote Q24-FAC-18: Exterior Door and Frame Replacement at Sarah T. Reed School

 

4.25 Request to Approve Second Amendment to Contract with CSRS for Program Grants Management Services - Hurricane Katrina

 

4.26 Request to Award RFP No. 24-0074 Grounds Keeping Services

 

4.27 Request to Approve Louisiana State Contract Purchase for AT&T & Mobility Hosted IP Communications, Local Telecommunications, Wireless, Data, Voice and Accessories Services

 

4.28 Request to Approve First Amendment to the Lease with Barriere Construction Co., LLC for 1700 Pratt Dr.

 

4.29 Request to Approve First Amendment to Contract with Coastal Cloud, LLC for Application - Salesforce Integration Engineering

 

4.30 Request to Award RFP No. 24-0075 Evaluation Services

 

4.31 Request to Award RFQ No. 24-0084 Jobs For America's Graduates (JAG) Program

 

4.32 Request to Amend Action Previously Taken re: Award of RFP No. 24-0072 for Types 1 and 3 Charter Application Review Services

 

4.33 Donation from GENYOUTH, INC.

 

4.34 Subrecipient Agreement with City of New Orleans re: ARP Funding for 9th Ward Stadium Project

 

4.35 Revolving Loan Fund Agreement for J. Skelly Wright Campus

 

4.36 Revolving Loan Fund Agreement for Ellis Marsalis Campus

 

4.38 Revisions to Job Descriptions in Accordance with Act 311 of 2024

 

4.39 Revised Superintendent's 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 "360 Survey"

 

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by President Baudouin   

 

ACTION ITEMS

 

Action Item 5.1 Capital Improvement Fund Awardees

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the Capital Improvement Fund Awardees in the amount of $1,175,274.00; and authorizes General Counsel to prepare an agreement for signatures of the Board President and the School.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by President Baudouin

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

Action Item 5.2 Request to Award RFP No. 24-0076 Therapeutic Setting Behavioral and Mental Health Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the proposal meeting the specifications, terms, and conditions for Therapeutic Setting Behavioral and Mental Health Services from Crescent City Schools in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 and ReNew in an amount not to exceed $300,000.00 for a period of one (1) year with an option to renew two (2) additional one (1) year periods and authorizes General Counsel to prepare a contract for signatures of the Board President and the Contractor.

 

Motion by Ms. Baudouin, second by Mr. Zervigon

 

 

BOARD COMMENT:

 

Action Item 5.3 Lead and Manager Stipends-Exceptional Children's Services

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve stipends for individuals performing duties outside of their job description that are categorized as Lead and Manager functions in the amount of $5,000 for Leads and $10,000 for Managers, as specified in the list of qualifications and additional job duties included in the rationale for individuals who served in these capacities during the 2023-2024 SY and for upcoming years when the budget allows for the funding of the stipends, up to a maximum of $75,000 per year for all base Lead/Manager stipends. The stipend may be paid on a semester basis.

 

Motion by Dr. Batiste, second by Mr. Ashley

 

 

BOARD COMMENT:

 

Action Item 5.4 Resolution 09-24 Authorizing Resolution for Revenue Anticipation Note (RAN)

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the resolution authorizing the issuance of Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2024, of the Orleans Parish School Board, State of Louisiana in a principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 in order to provide for noncapital contractual obligations and for stabilized cash flows to charter schools; making application to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority for such borrowing; and providing for other matters with respect to the forgoing.

 

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

 

 

Action Item 5.5 System Wide Needs Program Annual Report

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve a modification to the System wide needs program Round Two Plan performance objective for English Learner support, expanding programmatic support to kindergarten through twelfth grades.

 

Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams provided an overview of the System Wide Needs Program Annual Report, including an explanation of the modification for program expansion.

 

Motion by President Baudouin, second by Dr. Batiste   

 

 

BOARD COMMENT:

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Ashley to move to executive session at 6:24pm.

 

 

Reconvened from Executive Session at 8:36pm. 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

 

6.1 Orleans Parish School Board v. The City of New Orleans, et al., CDC No. 2019-05174; Injunctive Relief - Status Report

 

Discussion.

 

6.2 Choice Foundation, et al. v. Law Industries, Inc., et al., CDC No. 2019-04385; Construction Litigation

 

Discussion.

 

 6.3 Orleans Parish School Board v. Jahncke & Burns Architects and Jacobs Project Management Company/CSRS Consortium, CDC No. 2018-08322 c/w Jahncke & Burns Architects, LLC v. Orleans Parish School Board, CDC No. 2019-04448; Construction Litigation - Settlement Recommendation

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the settlement recommendation in this matter.

 

Motion by Mr. Parker, seconded by President Baudouin

 

 

6.4 Rodney Borden v. Defendant 1 and Defendant 2, CDC No. 2024-05300; Personal Injury Litigation

 

Discussion.

 

6.5 Kimberly Griffin v. Defendant 1 and Defendant 2, CDC No. 2024-05346; Personal Injury Litigation

 

Discussion.

 

6.6 Anthony Myles v. Defendant 1 and Defendant 2, CDC No. 2024-05344; Personal Injury Litigation

 

Discussion.

 

6.7 Sonjid Cook v. Defendant 1 and Defendant 2, CDC No. 2024-05358; Personal Injury Litigation

 

Discussion.

 

6.8 Reverend Darcy Roake, et al. v. Cade Brumley, in his official capacity as the Louisiana State Superintendent of Education, et al.; USDC-EDLA No. 24-cv-00517

 

Discussion.

 

6.9 Prospective Litigation re: Collegiate Academy's Legal Demand for Agreement Funds

 

Discussion.

 

6.10 Prospective Litigation re: Social Media Addiction Claims

 

Discussion.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

7.1 Adjourn Meeting

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

 

Meeting Adjourned at 8:40pm.