MINUTES OF THE

ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

BOARD BUSINESS MEETING

2401 WESTBEND PARKWAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70114

AUGUST 15, 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, Leila Jacobs Eames, Ethan Ashley, Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. Dr. Donaldo R. Batiste and Nolan Marshall, Jr. were absent. Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams and General Counsel Kathy Moss 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

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 meeting agenda as provided by Mr. Parker, second by Mr. Zervigon.

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

• Nays: None

• Absent: Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall

• 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 July 25, 2024 Board Business Meeting. (waiving the reading)  

Motion by Mr. Parker, second by President Baudouin

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

• Nays: None

• Absent: Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall

• Abstain: None

SUPERINTENDENT’S AGENDA

3.1 Superintendent's Remarks

Dr. Willliams began her remarks as follows: Mental Minute focused on self-care;  August Years of Service Recognition that highlighted NOLA-PS staff celebrating employment milestones; and Welcome Back-to-School activities from around the school district, including messages from board members, as well as community leaders, and reiterated the attendance campaign: Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow.

She noted the following: Fox 8 Supply Drive, Friends of King Staff Retreat, National Truancy Prevention Month, Get Ready for Kindergarten Month, The Leah Chase School Opening Celebration and first day of school, Education Elevation broadcast, and forthcoming State of the District Address, scheduled for September 19^th at 3:00pm.

The superintendent also provided an overview of LEAP academic performance data for the school district.

BOARD COMMENT:

• Mr. Zervigon noted longitudinal relevance of data, the district’s pace of academic growth, and efforts across the district. He also acknowledged the disparities reflected within the data.

• Mr. Parker echoed the longitudinal success of the district and inquired about comparison across the state in growth over the past two years, as well as commended educators for their efforts.   

CONSENT AGENDA

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board move to approve Consent Agenda Items 4.1 through 4.10 as presented in globo.

4.1 Request to Approve Louisiana State Contract Purchase of Expert Services NOLA Application Enhancements from Carahsoft Technology Corp.

4.2 Request to Approve Second Amendment to Contract with Tracey Boudoin for Occupational Therapy Services

4.3 Request to Approve Third Amendment to Contract with Ergo Tech for Occupational Therapy Services

4.4 Request to Approve First Amendment to Contract with Inspire NOLA for English Learner Newcomers Program

4.5 Request to Approve First Amendment to Contract with Keys to Literacy for Act 108 Literacy Foundation Training Services

4.6 Request to Award ITB 23-FAC-0072 for Mechanical Improvements and Door Repairs at Samuel Green

4.7 Request to Accept Quote from PowerSchool Group, LLC for PowerSchool Suite Implementation Services

4.8 Revolving Loan Fund for Joseph A. Craig Campus

4.9 Development Agreement with GCE Services, LLC dba Green Coast Enterprise and Working Power re: Community Solar Project

4.10 Amended and Restated Cooperative Endeavor Agreement re: Bronze Statue of Ruby Bridges at the William Frantz School Building

Motion by Mr. Ashley, second by Mr. Parker   

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

• Nays: None

• Absent: Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall

• Abstain: None

ACTION ITEMS

5.1 Amendment to OPSB Policy JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board suspend its ordinary processes for policy adoption and approve the proposed amendment to Policy JS, Student Fees, Fines and Charges to update the Schedule of Fees for directly operated pre-K through 8 grade schools and high schools.

Motion by Vice President Eames, second by Mr. Zervigon

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Zervigon

• Nays: Mr. Parker

• Absent: Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall

• Abstain: None

BOARD COMMENT:

• Mr. Parker expressed a desire to revisit this issue, including a future amendment, and reiterated his comments from Tuesday’s committee meeting related to student fees.

• Dr. Williams noted the necessity for the policy as relates to the district’s direct run school.

• President Baudouin acknowledged Mr. Parker’s advocacy on behalf of families.

Action Item 5.2 Resolution 10-24 re: Educational Service Agency

Recommended Action: That the Orleans Parish School Board adopt resolution 10-24 supporting the design and launch of an ESA to improve the delivery, coordination, and scale of special education services and programming for students with disabilities, as well as the Superintendent or designee(s) completion of their ongoing working group and Design Team process to create a comprehensive ESA model that does not impede the operational autonomy afforded to charter schools under the School Board’s authorization, as defined at La. R.S. § 17:10.7.1(G)(1)

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by President Baudouin (waiving the reading)    

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Results of the Roll Call Vote:

• Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

• Nays: None

• Absent: Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall

• Abstain: None

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, seconded by Mr. Ashley to move to executive session at 6:07pm.

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

• Nays: None

• Absent: Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall

• Abstain: None

Reconvened from Executive Session at 6:43pm. The following board members were present: Katherine Baudouin, Leila Jacobs Eames, Ethan Ashley, Olin G. Parker, and Carlos Luis Zervigon. 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 Prospective Litigation re: Collegiate Academy's Legal Demand for Agreement Funds

Recommended Action: It is recommended that the Orleans Parish School Board approve the course of action recommended by its legal counsel in this matter.

Motion by Mr. Zervigon, second by President Baudouin

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

• Nays: None

• Absent: Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall

• Abstain: None

ADJOURNMENT

7.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Vice President Eames, second by Mr. Zervigon to adjourn the meeting.

• Final resolution: Motion passes

• Yeas: Ms. Baudouin, Ms. Eames, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Zervigon

• Nays: None

• Absent: Dr. Batiste, Mr. Marshall

• Abstain: None

Meeting Adjourned at 6:44pm.